As I climb into the taxi, I roll down the window despite the chill in the air. I don’t fight the tears as they fall down my cheeks.
This is supposed to be the happiest day of my life… yet right now it is also the saddest.
Still, I need to put my best foot forward. After I’ve cried my little heart out, I wipe my eyes and take deep breaths, reminding myself that just because I’ve lost the people I love, it doesn’t mean my life is over. I am here, alive. I want my family who have gone before me to look down and see that I’m being brave, strong, and giving the world the best version of myself.
Whoever Holly Huckleberry, the woman who runs Mail-Order Brides For Christmas, matched me with is expecting a wife who is ready to be married. Not a woman who is at the end of her rope, without anyone to catch her when she falls. I may have left the farm under heartbreaking circumstances, but finding Holly’s website truly felt like the saving grace I’d been praying for. I can hold onto that feeling when the nerves that come with marrying a complete stranger start to take over.
The drive to the airport is quick and I check in my bags without any problems. Takeoff is smooth and there’s no turbulence as we fly in the small passenger plane. I’m seated alone in my row and my favorite romantic comedy is free for me to watch.
I only hope the rest of the day goes so well.
When the plane lands, I pull out my compact and press powder to my cheeks, putting a soft rose-colored lipstick on. I hope my husband thinks I’m pretty. Sexy, even. I’m wearing white panties and a white bra… and I hope that tonight we consummate the marriage.
I may be a virgin, but I want to go to bed with my man. God knows I’ve spent enough nights alone in my bed, using my battery-operated boyfriend as I fantasized about my husband-to-be.
Yes, I am a very horny twenty-two-year-old who is more than ready to get the deed done. And if the groom is sexy, if he happens to get me wet and wild… well, all the better.
I smile to myself, my nerves gone.
And I remember the words my Grandad always said to me before I’d leave the house: Kind heart, fierce mind, brave spirit.
I have no idea what happens next. But it is December 1st. The same day my parents got married. And my grandparents before them.
I may not be getting the conventional wedding of my little girl dreams, but I am getting to carry on this tradition. And that means so very much. Holly understood when I told her this was the only date I could arrive. And nothing can ruin that.
The plane has landed, and the pilot is out of the cockpit to wave goodbye. It gives me a good feeling that Snow Valley might have that small town feel I know and love.
“Be careful there, little lady,” the pilot says. “You might want to zip up that coat. It’s been snowing buckets for the last hour.”
Nodding, I zip up my winter parka, stepping from the plane to the staircase that’s been wheeled out for the passengers.
The pilot wasn’t exaggerating. It’s a snow flurry out here, and I can hardly make out any people.
My positive vibes about my wedding start to fade… because this much snow can never mean a good thing.
And right now, all I want is this one good thing — to say I do on this exact day.
3
Hartley
The snow started coming down hard the moment I left town. But I trust the pilot knows how to navigate this flurry — hell, you couldn’t fly in and out of Snow Valley if you weren’t capable of handling a quick turn of the weather. So I trust that my bride is in safe hands… still, it makes me eager to get to my cabin as soon as possible because I don’t want to be stuck somewhere that isn’t home.
When I get out of my truck, I see the plane is just landing, and I stuff my hands in my pockets as I head toward the runway. The plane is small, holding eight passengers, and it doesn’t seem full, considering only four people exit down the stairs. An elderly couple, a teenage boy, and then… her.
She has on a pine green parka, and her long red hair whips around her. She is a Christmas card personified. Her eyes are bright and the snow falls down on her shoulders and she looks up, marveling at the sight.
Stepping down from the plane onto the apron, she bites her bottom lip, and looks around. Presumably for me. She is cute and curvy, I’m guessing 5’3” to my 6’2”. One look at her and all I want to do is wrap my arms around her and make sure no one takes a bite from my sugar cookie.