Noah

“Kate. I promise. I have a massive headache, but I’m fine.” Callie tugged on Kate’s arm. “And, Noah and I are getting married.”

Kate turned toward me and scowled.

I took a step back.

“Congratulations?” Preston yelled with his hands up. “Now tell us something we don’t know. Like how you fell off a mountain.”

“She dropped her phone.” I said and hit Preston in the chest before sitting down. My body ached and my hand throbbed.

“What do you mean you’re getting married?” Kate asked.

It was Callie’s turn to narrow her eyes. Before anyone could answer the doctor came in.

“Ms. Blake.” Callie’s doctor stood in the middle of the room flipping through something on a tablet. He had yet to acknowledge any of us. “My names Dr. Shears.”

He tucked the tablet under his arm and walked towards Callie but stopped.

“Uhm. Aren’t you Kate Stone?” Dr. Shears ran a hand through his hair and grinned.

“No, I’m not. I’m Kathryn Carter.” She flipped her blond hair and stood up. “But I get that all the time.”

I hid my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing. Callie giggled, but stopped and touched her head.

I went to the other side of the bed and grabbed her hand. She stared up at me and smiled.

Wow. I loved her smile. Loved her everything. She wanted to marry me. She said yes before, but now I feel like she meant it.

“Oh. Sorry.” Dr. Shears shrugged and made his way to the other side of Callie’s bed. “Ms. Blake. I’ve looked over your x-rays and your EKG. Besides the cut on your head, which we were able to stitch up with six stitches, and a slight concussion, you are fine.”

“Nothing broken?” I asked.

“Nope. A few cuts and scrapes, but nothing to worry about.” Dr. Shears patted Callie’s hand. “If you have to fall off a mountain, you couldn’t have done it any better.”

“Callie does everything perfect.” Preston said.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Can I get out of here?” Callie asked.

“I’d normally keep you overnight for observation, but if your friend here will keep an eye on you, wake you up ever few hours to make sure you’re okay and alert and you come back and see me tomorrow. I’ll let you go tonight.”

Callie exhaled. We all did.

“I’ll have the nurse discharge you with some instructions.” Dr. Shears made a note on his tablet. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon?”

“Yes.” Callie nodded.

The doctor peered at Kate again and then walked out shaking his head.

Kate glared at him until Preston patted her ass and her attention returned to us.

Callie lifted the blanket covering her and let it drop.

“Where are my clothes?” She gasped again and sat up before I could stop her. She held her left hand up to her face. “Where’s my ring?”

Callie grabbed my shirt. Tears pooled in her eyes.

“Hey. It’s okay.” I reached in my pocket and pulled it out. “I got it.”

She snatched it out of my hand and shoved it on her finger. She held her hand up and admired it with a sexy little grin on the side of her lips.

We all stared.

She looked up.

“What?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I love this ring,” she said and relaxed back on the bed looking at her hand.

“So,” Preston stepped up the bed. “You’re getting married. When?”

I shook my head.

“Friday.” Callie said. We all turned toward her.

“Friday.” Kate said.

I would have said it, but I couldn’t speak. I blinked, but words wouldn’t come.

“Yeah.” Callie gripped my arm. “My parents and sister are in LA, they could be here no problem and you guys are here and I’m sure we can fly your dad in.”

“What about the photographer?” I asked.

“Preston.” Callie turned to him.

“Yes.”

“You are in charge of finding a minister and a photographer, “ Callie said.

“I’m on it.” Preston grinned. He loved a good project.

“Kathryn?” Callie took her hand. “I you don’t mind being Kate Stone for a little while and maybe get your stylist to Fed Ex a few dresses here.”

“Better than that.” Katie stood up. “I’ll have my hair and make-up stylist here for the day as well.”

“Perfect.”

“Where is this little ceremony taking place?” I asked.

“Okay. Uhm, open mind, baby.” Callie dropped her eyes.

I took a deep breath.

“Timberland lookout.”

I shook my head.

She grabbed my shirt and sat up again.

“That’s why I got up so fast and dropped my phone. I was about to take a photo and tell you I’d like to get married in that spot. It’s perfect.”

“You almost died on that spot.”

“But, I didn’t.” She grinned. “It would make for a great story.”

“Fantasy and reality,” Preston said under his breath.

“Shut up.” I said to him.

“Noah.” The color returned to Callie’s cheeks. I was afraid the color had drained from mine.

“It is a beautiful spot.” Kate chimed in. “And the perfect place for an impromptu wedding.”

“The photos are going to be amazing.”

They had all ganged up on me. I was out voted. If Nip was here, he’d be on my side, but I had to say yes.

“Okay.” I leaned over and kissed Callie on the cheek and whispered in her ear. “But, I’m putting a safety line around your waste.”

She licked her lips, kissed me, and giggled. I tugged on one of the red strands not concealed by the bandage on her head.

“You’re going to be a beautiful bride Caliente.”

“You’re going to be a handsome groom, my love.”

“Well, what are you going to do about the honeymoon?” I asked.

“We’ll have the honeymoon when we get home,” Callie answered.

“Return to the place where we met.” I said and grinned.

“I guess we have it all figured out.” Preston took his phone out of his pocket.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“This wedding isn't going to plan itself.” He spoke into the phone. “Hey Jerry. So, it looks like we need one more thing before we leave on Sunday.” He paused. “How are you and your people at planning a wedding?”

Preston chuckled and walked out the room.

“Like I’m going to let him plan the wedding.” Kate ran after him.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Callie asked.

“Yeah.” I sat down next to her. “If it’s what you want. I’m all for it. Besides. I love this place.”

“You wanted me to love it, too.”

I nodded.

“I do.” She pulled my face towards hers. “I love you, but you have one more family member to convince.”

She narrowed her eyes.

I ran my hand along her cheek.

Recognition flashed in her beautiful green eyes.

“Nip.” We said and nodded before breaking out in a laughter that felt like home.