“I do,” I said, for the second time.

We stood together under the warm sun, in the exact spot where we’d exchanged our very first vows. Even though today was the formal ceremony with the people we loved, I’d always think of that perfect winter day as our real wedding. We’d shared things that day… that could only be shared alone…

And my reward was a kiss that left me breathless and hot under my dress. My white silk gown spilled like a whisper from the pearl necklace that suspended it, leaving my arms and most of my legs deliciously bare. Jason rested one heated hand on our little baby bump and leaned his mouth next to my ear, as the others came up to congratulate us.

“Just as well the first dress burned, babygirl,” he said. “If it was half as amazing as this one, I wouldn’t have made it through the ceremony.” His voice was deep and filled with sweet warning, “If I don’t have you all to myself… and soon…”

“Welcome to the family,” Connie burst out, interrupting to give Jason a noisy kiss on the cheek. She held April by the hand, and Reilly trailed after them. He carried his new rubber moose in his mouth, tongue lolling, as little Joey sat straddling and rode him around like a pony. “Ember… my god. You’re gorgeous.” She swept a hand around the framework of our new home. “And I don’t know how you pulled all this together.”

I leaned proudly on my husband’s arm and smiled up at him. “I had lots of help,” I laughed.

In less than a month, Jason had cleared the land and poured the foundation. The new house would eventually be more than twice the size the cabin had been, and every room more spacious. For now, it was framed out with wooden studs and draped with thick evergreen boughs, decorated for the wedding with tiny twinkling lights and white silk bows. Huge bowls of spring flowers overflowed everywhere, replacing the ones that would have been growing lush in the fields by now. Although it would be a long time before the valley was filled with tall trees again, we’d already planted them. And one day, our grandchildren would play underneath them. New, hopeful green shoots could be seen everywhere, pushing up from the dark soil. Winter was over and new life was beginning all over again.

The kitchen was the only room that was almost finished. It had walls and a door, even a temporary roof. And Jason had saved the old cookstove from the remains of the cabin and put it right in the center, where it could warm the entire room. We’d made our dinner on it last night, and our breakfast this morning, and I couldn’t have imagined anything more perfect. It was a far cry from the mansion in Aspen, but we’d both agreed; we’d rather stay out here, sleeping on our own kitchen floor than anywhere else in the world.

The fire had been the most widespread and destructive one in Colorado history for more than a century. Only two, out of nearly two dozen cabins in the valley, had survived the firestorm. And Jason had given his personal promise to every family in Cradle Creek; that he wouldn’t rest until the entire valley was rebuilt and more beautiful than ever. Randy and Carl were among the many men who were working on the Hanson place. And once our home was finished, we’d both be going to help them. When I told Jason I’d be taking my camera, he’d simply smiled. He knew I’d always loved to watch him, sweaty and working with his hands…

“My Emmy,” Mom said, taking my hands in hers, “my beautiful little girl.”

“Not little for much longer,” I smiled, kissing her cheek. “And not that Jason minds. He can’t wait until I’m as round as a melon.”

She laughed, blushing. “Daddy was just the same,” she admitted. “I wish he could have been here today…”

“Mom…” I began, “in a way, I think he is.

“He taught me to hold onto love and to never give up,” I said. “I think I finally understand what that means.” I handed her an envelope, brown and brittle at the edges. I’d clutched it underneath my bouquet as we’d said our vows. “This was in a fireproof box, under what was left of Daddy’s desk. Somehow, it survived…”

I handed it to her and she took it with a shaky hand. Her name was scrawled across the front in his handwriting. In the corner, it was dated… only a few days before he died.

“I didn’t read it,” I assured her, “I think I already know what’s inside.”

“Time to cut the cake,” Randy said, coming up, oblivious and smiling over Mom’s shoulder. “I was sent to deliver the bride back to her groom. I think he’s getting restless.”

I leaned in and kissed Mom on the cheek. “I love you.”

She nodded and held the letter to her chest, smiling. “It wasn’t always easy,” she said, “being married to your father. Losing him. But I want you to know, Emmy, I don’t regret a single day.

“Not a single day…”

“So, Jason tells me you’re planning a photo documentary…” Randy said, as we headed toward the wedding cake.

I took his hand and nodded. “I’ve got hundreds of pictures of the valley from before the fire.” I said. “I never deleted them from my camera, even when I thought I’d given up photography. But now I’ve got Jason… and his son on the way,” I put my hand on my belly and smiled, “…I guess now, I just want it all.

“I want to work alongside him, photograph the damage that a wildfire can do… and show how a community can pull together and recover after all that destruction. No matter how much we’ve lost, if people can just reach out to one another and help each other… there’s always hope. For anyone… for everyone. There can always be a second chance.”

Jason strode toward us, tall and devastating in his dark suit. His hair caught the warm sunlight and shone, golden. Keen, blue eyes took in every inch of me and I felt a sweet shiver run over my skin. He reached out for my hand and pulled me next to him. The feeling of his heated body along the length of mine made me dizzy. “She’s precious, you know,” Randy said, gruffly.

“I do,” Jason replied seriously. “No one knows better,” He looked down at me and my heart started to race. Primal desire radiated from his entire body. He took my hands in his strong ones, hands that knew hard, dangerous work, but also the most tender, loving touch.

“Are you ready?” he asked, in a voice that made me tremble to my core.