Chapter 21
Portland was an amazing host. While the men tended to business for the House, training on their new equipment they were to bring back, the ladies explored the town with the kids. The city gave them plenty to do by day, and at night they had each other.
Loving this woman of his was easy. He knew he loved her but discovered just how head over heels he was for her during their getaway. He was completely enchanted by her, consumed with her. The overwhelming energy and excitement she shed was contagious and hard not to fall for. His thoughts were often nothing but her, and he could spend the rest of his life that way without a single hesitation or complaint.
He hoped that her carefree spirit would follow them home. Meg was truly and thoroughly happy, unafraid and relaxed. She would always feel that way, from this day forward. He would see to it. As soon as they returned to McKenzie Ridge, he would know what he was up against, what threatening entanglements he would have to rid her world of to keep her. Until then, they had today.
“So then, there were naked women everywhere and they were shooting cheeseburgers from their big…” Dawson said with excitement as they leaned over the railing of the firehouse dock that sat right on the river.
“Uh huh. Wait, what? Cheeseburgers?” Colton asked visibly confused.
“I was talking about these new devices we’re taking home, and when uh huh
came out every three seconds, even when I wasn’t talking, I thought I’d screw with you a little. Let me guess, Meg? You didn’t even blink at the naked women comment.” Dawson laughed, impressed and amused by his own corny jokes.
“Sorry, man. Yeah, I’m just thinking about everything. She’s
everything I’ve been waiting for, man. My whole life. I keep thinking about how quickly it can all be gone, ya know?”
“I hear ya, man. I went through that with Sam. I never thought I would get married, much less have a family. Then, she had the accident, and my world fell apart.” He offered his experience as understanding. Dawson could absolutely relate to what Colton was feeling, even if their circumstances were different in nature. Loss is loss no matter how it happens.
“I remember. That was rough, man. Look at you now—married with two kids. I’ve always wanted that. Growing up without a family was rough. I couldn’t wait to have my own. Then, I got all of you guys, but ehhhh,” he joked, earning a punch to the shoulder. “Now I feel like I just might have it, and the shit hits the fan. Of course, I pick the girl that’s running,” Colton said in defeat.
“Don’t think like that bro. It’s obvious how much she loves you. If she didn’t have whatever this is hanging over her, you’d be locked up in a ball and chain. Coop will figure out what’s going on, and we’ll all help her through it, man. You deserve to be happy, you both do. I want you to have what Sam and I have. I’ve got your back, man…we all do…Meg’s too,” Dawson said with an encouraging pat on the back.
Colton was the emotional one of the bunch, with a big heart that was always resting on his sleeve. He wasn’t used to being on this side of sensitive, especially when it was coming from Dawson, alpha heart breaker turned pansy puss softie.
He appreciated his friend’s words, however, and appreciated the truth within them. He could count on the gang as much as they could him. Before he could say another word, Dawson stood and began unbuttoning his shirt.
“Whoa man, I’m all for the bro bonding bullshit, but…” Colton said, hands up with a shock stricken look crossing his face.
“Shut up, asshole! I’m showing you something!” Dawson countered.
“And I’m not interested, Tayler. Leave your clothes on,” Colton said, backing away.
“Seriously, Sparks…look, you idiot!” Dawson replied in irritation.
Colton reluctantly looked at what Dawson was showing him under his shirt. Much to his surprise, his once larger than life, man’s man of a friend, revealed the most ridiculous thing he had ever seen on a grown man. Especially one of his stature and swagger.
Uncontrollable laughter consumed him to tears while Dawson stood, hands on hips, staring at the blue sky above, jaw clenched. As Colton started to catch his breath, Dawson finally broke through with a big F.U. look and spoke.
“Are you done, jackass?”
“Is that? Is that a…pixie?” Colton asked, referring to the tattoo resting on Dawson’s upper chest.
“Yes, dickweed. It’s a fairy
. Ellie Lou was obsessed with them and thought that I was one, remember? It reminds me of who I am and what I’ll fight for every day of my life. That’s why it is next to that scar where I took the bullet for her. Truth is, they are my life, and I’m nothing without them, so I’ll gladly be a fairy, wear a fairy, whatever it takes to keep what I have,” Dawson said, his words full of compassion and love. “So fight for what you want. If she runs, chase her. Be her fairy, man.” Dawson added a shit eating grin to the last part, trying to lighten the mood without losing the message.
Colton stood silent for a moment. He looked to Dawson and then the ridiculous fairy on his chest before looking off into the distance as if all of the answers rested on the water before him.
He looked at Dawson in all seriousness and said, “I’ll fight for her. I’ll be a damn fairy and fight!”
Dawson rolled his eyes, and punched Colton’s arm, nodding his head indicating it was time to go. “Let’s go find our families, see what kind of damage they were able to do.”
Colton fell into step with Dawson, letting his words roll over him…his family. His heart swelled beyond measure at that thought. Megan and Jax really were his family.
Clarity sank in, defining why the secrets and fear affected him so deeply. It was less about her not trusting him or keeping secrets and more so about something much bigger. The new emotions coursing through him were about a threat against what was his, and he didn’t recognize it sooner because it had been foreign to him before now.
His frustration and even hurt was because something was wedging its way between him and his family, threatening it before he even realized he had it. He meant what he said – he would fight for it. He would protect what was his.
There wasn’t a single ghost, demon, or angry ex that could get in his way. No, they were his responsibility now, one he gladly accepted. He would guard his world, his family, at any cost.
“So, ball and chain? What kind of kink stuff are you and Sam into, anyway?” Colton poked, keeping a straight face.
“Fuck you, Colton.”
“You owe the swear jar like fifty bucks now, pretty sure a fairy dies every time you drop an F bomb,
too.” Colton joked, lightening the mood, taking on the day in an entirely new light.
“I hope Meg hangs your ball and chain from your dick, asshole.”
Megan and Sam had spent the better part of the morning exploring the various shops downtown Portland had to offer. They found everything, from darling clothes and interesting toys for the kids to candles and fancy lingerie, on their adventure.
Megan was especially fond of the lingerie shop. Not only was it something severely lacking in McKenzie Ridge, unless you were a Big Box store, cotton staple kind of girl, but her date with Colton was only hours away, and she wanted to wear something extra special.
“Well, this is the last shop before we head to ‘Kid Korner’,” Sam said as they approached the last boutique on their list. “Let’s see if the perfect dress for the Gala lives in here, shall we?”
They explored the racks of designer items like hungry wolves in a chicken coop. Arms were weighted down with loads of stunning dresses and outfits that couldn’t be found in a shop back at home. There wasn’t a need for such extravagance in McKenzie. Megan was in her element – this was her kind of shop and her kind of clothes…chic, designer, couture, and expensive.
She wouldn’t have many opportunities to wear things like this in lumberjack nation, but she did have a few tastings coming up at Blooming Grounds, and maybe it was time to bring a little flair and elegance to the Ridge. If she was going to stay there, which she desperately wanted to, why not add her own bit of culture and sophistication?
Her shop was proof that there was room for fun and flair—the tastings were a hit and a great tourist attraction. Hell, it was a flower shop that hosted a coffee house that served bistro-style food options. If that
didn’t say something about room for change, nothing did. A little lingerie and designer store front could succeed there too.
Her thoughts went a step forward, thinking about their next stop, Kid Korner
. An indoor play place for kids and mommy groups alike was genius. Especially in an area that experienced four real seasons of weather that had limited outdoor access to burn off energy on any given day.
Every thought included Colton. Perhaps he was the reason she had suddenly become a small-town business mogul in her mind. Pursuing these potential opportunities was really an excuse to plant deep roots and stay exactly where she was. Sure she missed the amenities of her former life and would love the convenience of some of them in her new one, but truth be told, small town living, the simplicity of it, had really grown on her.
He had grown on her. She couldn’t imagine a future without him, but there was still that nagging awareness – no matter how badly she wanted a life with him, she could be putting him in danger – the whole town, her friends…they could all be at risk. She needed to find a way to protect Jax, protect her new-found family, and keep the man she never thought she would find.
“Where did you go, girl?” Sam asked.
Caught off guard, Megan danced around the question with hmm’s and haa’s.
“I don’t know, just thinking of a lot of things really. Like why doesn’t McKenzie Ridge have an indoor play place for kids and mommy groups?” Megan started, listing her pros and cons for Sam. “Between locals and tourists, I think it would do really well.”
Sam raised an eyebrow at her friend, partly due to interest in her idea and in part calling bullshit on her bullshit excuse for her distraction. Something about being in Portland had brought out an enthusiasm she had not seen in Meg before. It also brought brief waves of sadness that would wash over her.
“That’s a fantastic idea. Actually, I would take the kids there in a heartbeat! I’d even be interested in partnering up on a project like that! Let’s cut the crap though. What’s really going on with you?”
Stunned by Sam’s observation and blunt nature, Meg felt like a deer in headlights. This, she supposed, was the consequence of staying in McKenzie and letting people in. They get to know you, and your secrets become harder to hide.
“Wha – what do you mean?” she asked, trying to buy herself some time or even avoid the question all together.
“Honey, you go from happy and in the moment, to lost and distraught. Talk to me…how can I help?” Sam reasoned, her plea genuine and sincere.
“Ugh. It’s that obvious?” she answered, desperate to spill all of her secrets to Sam. She was like the sister she had lost several months before, but she couldn’t tell her a thing. If she were to tell anyone, it had to be Colton, first.
“Yes, it is. I know there is something or someone that seems to burden you, but I want you to know, if you ever want to talk, I’m a great listener! I just want to see you happy all of the time, not just most of the time,” Sam said, grabbing Meg’s hand, giving it a loving squeeze.
“Thanks, really, that means a lot, and I’m sure I’ll overwhelm you with my crazy eventually, now that the offer is out there,” she laughed, trying to shift the seriousness looming over them. “Look, it’s just a lot of things, some I can’t really talk about. Some…well, Colton.” She hesitated at his name, not sure where to take the conversation next.
“Colton. That part is obvious. You smile, laugh, and seem happy when you are around him or talk about him, then something just changes. What’s that all about? It isn’t the animals, is it?” Sam joked, earning a laugh over Colton’s furry gang.
“No, not at all. I love the animals, surprisingly enough! Who knew? Ha!” She chuckled. “He’s…amazing. Beyond amazing. There is something so special about him…I just can’t get enough. I didn’t think men came like that. He’s so caring, nurturing, and loyal even, but still carries that macho charisma that makes my heart skip a beat. It doesn’t hurt that he’s spectacular to look at!” she said, as a sense of flowing warmth coursed through her, followed by tingling goose bumps that threatened to take her thoughts elsewhere.
“I’ll give you that. All the men in our town are pretty to look at!” Sam agreed. “You’re right though. He is all of those other things, so what’s the problem, honey? After the other night, we all
know you love him!”
“Oh, yeah, there is that. I was hoping I remembered it wrong!” Meg admitted, burying her face in her hands from embarrassment.
“Oh no, you were the highlight of the night. You love all of us, even Jessie. You also love F bombs
, Colton, and his small gang of animals.
“There isn’t a problem…that’s
the problem! I moved to McKenzie for a fresh start, and here is this perfect man – it’s like he was made for me. And, he loves Jax so much. I’m just waiting for it all to fall out from under me, you know? Like I don’t deserve him…this is only temporary.” Sadness rushed through her last words. Saying them out loud for the first time was like a punch to the gut.
“Of course, you deserve him. You deserve each other. I’ve seen it!” Sam declared. “Honey, he loves you and Jax. You guys just fell into this beautiful rhythm like it was meant to be! That man would die for you!”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Meg admitted before she realized what she said.
Her reality and her fantasy to stay put in McKenzie were colliding. She didn’t mean to show all of her cards, but she nearly did, and she needed to fix it fast. Nobody
could know her truth.
“What? Why would you be afraid of him dying? Are you in some kind of trouble
?” Concern laced Sam’s words, and she stood taller as if ready to help her friend in battle.
Here was Megan’s moment of truth. Her opportunity to come clean and no longer carry this ugliness alone. She could trust Sam, she had become more of a sister. All
of the ladies in the group had – even Jessie – she was just the bitchy, sarcastic one.
She looked at Sam, then Ellie and baby Gavin, and decided better of it. Her burdens were her own, and there was too much to risk if Sam knew, starting with those precious children.
“No
. No…nothing like that. I meant that I’m afraid of being so invested and it not working out. It would be devastating for both of us.” There it was, a half-assed lie and only a partial truth. Megan was getting too
good at deception. It made her stomach turn, but it was worth every lie if it meant everyone she cared about was safe.
“Meg, don’t give up before it even begins. Give it a chance. Colton is one of the best people I know. He adores you. Just let the relationship find its way. Colton is worth it, and so are you. Don’t let your past dictate your future. I did, and it nearly cost me Dawson,” Sam offered.
Megan finished zipping the side of the dress she had been trying on and stepped out from behind the dressing room curtain. Sam’s eyes grew large and mouth opened wide. Her breath was swept away by a heavy gasp at the sight of her friend.
“That’s the one, hon!” she said with a big smile. She began to clap her hands and jumped up and down. “Oh, honey…that
is thee
one!”
Meg turned to look at herself in the three-way mirror. Her smile reached from ear to ear at the reflection before her. This was indeed the one. It was stunning and perfect for the Gala!
“Ohhhh, Miss Megan, you’re a princess!” Ellie Lou’s words came at a near whisper, in total awe, impressed by the gown as well. Ellie speechless was a first. Ellie and Sam stood side by side like two peas in a pod, sharing the same expression that revealed their satisfaction in the final dress.
Megan turned to the girls, feeling confident in not just the dress but her choice to follow her heart and stay in McKenzie Ridge with the man she loved. They would find a way!
“You’re right…” she said, turning back to her reflection with a new certainty and brashness. “About everything!”