road trips to be this great and wonderful thing. For the longest time, I couldn't wait to be able to go on my first road trip and buy snacks, listen to music, and sing at the top of my lungs. All the things that you see people do on road trips on TV.
Road trips while pregnant? That's different. What they don't tell you about is the constant having to stop to pee or the nauseousness of driving through the mountains while the baby is moving around. Not to mention the complete boredom of being in the car eight hours a day for five days straight. That's what they don't talk about.
Also, what they don't mention is how it leaves you plenty of time to be in your own head on whatever is going on in your life. For me, that's the death of Jason and how guilty I feel that I'm not the blubbering widow who can't get out of bed because they lost the love of their life. I loved Jason, I truly did. He was my best friend in the whole world, and I think he was my soul mate on that level. But I don't think he was my romantic soul mate.
Would I have been happy spending the rest of my life with him? Absolutely. He was safe and exactly what I needed. He treated me great, and I knew he would make an amazing father. But in the back of my head, I'd always wonder if what I read in my romance novels was true. You know, that life-changing kind of love.
I doubt I'll be able to find it now. No one's going to want to be strapped down with someone else's kid, but that doesn't mean I won't wonder.
Those are the types of thoughts that filled my head crossing the country. At the same time, I was imagining the town that I was going to be living in and what I would do. I thought about trying to make plans for my life ahead of me. And the worrying about all the paperwork I have yet to fill out, and about why Jason's parents wanted a DNA test and what they would say or do once it came back. Then they’ll know that the child I'm carrying is definitely Jason's. I would never cheat on him, and he knew that. Storm knew that, too. He didn't even question it.
All I did was sit in the moving truck all day. Even though Storm did all the driving, mentally I was exhausted.
So, as we pull into the town of Whiskey River, I feel a small sense of relief.
"If you want to take a look, we’re going to drive through downtown. But I promise we can come down and look around more when you have your doctor's appointment," he says.
Finally, we pull onto what looks like a Main Street with the beautiful mountains in front of us and stores and restaurants lining the streets.
There are people walking, holding shopping bags, and others sitting on tables just outside the bakery enjoying a coffee and a pastry. In one way, it looks exactly like how I'd expect a small town to look, and in another it’s the complete opposite of what I expected.
You hear people in the city talk about how small towns are dying and the buildings are abandoned and rundown and yet there's not a single empty building on this street. Everything is well kept with flowers and decorations. There are benches scattered along Main Street to take in the view of the mountains, and it truly looks like something off of a postcard.
We turn onto a road just past town, and a storage unit is in front of us. There are several pickup trucks greeting us with guys just as big and as muscular as Storm. All of them have a woman with them, and I wonder if these are the friends that Storm was talking about.
Getting out of the truck, I am thankful to stretch my legs yet again. Storm walks to my side, and he introduces me to everybody, but the names are all a blur.
"They're going to help us unload the stuff that stays here in storage. Also, this is also where we are returning the truck and the car tow. So we're going to unhook your truck and drive it up the mountain to the cabin. One of the guys is going to follow us and make sure we don't have problems getting it home," Storm says.
"Oh, I'm sure it will be fine. We don't need to inconvenience them," I say as a blonde girl walks up to stand beside me with a smile on her face.
"That's not an option,” the blonde woman says. “After you've been driving for five days, and everything that you've been through, you don't know this mountain yet. We will make sure you get home. You'll learn all these guys are super protective of us, and you're one of us now."
Looking at her, I’m trying so hard to remember her name. Even though Storm just introduced me, I'm pulling up a blank.
"Thank you and I'm sorry you're right. It has been several long days, and I'm horrible with names."
"I'm Emelie and don't worry. It'll take you a little bit to get them all down. We totally understand," she says with a laugh.
Then she hooks her arm in mine and leads me over to the truck that she and her husband came in. She reaches in and pulls out a white paper bag.
"We stopped at the bakery and got some of these huckleberry scones that are to die for. I thought you could use a little snack," she says, handing me the bag. I can see her husband pulling something out of the back of his truck, and when I turn around, I find him setting up a folding camping chair.
"That's his way of saying sit down and relax. Let them handle this. He's not a big talker," she says.
Going back to the truck, he pulls out another chair and sets it up right beside me.
"You too, Little One, sit down and have a break. Keep her company," he says to her.
She smiles like she just won the lottery. Standing on her tippy toes, she pulls him down for a sweet, but short kiss before sitting down and watching him walk off to join the guys. They really do make the cutest couple.
As the guys unload everything, the girls all seem to migrate over to where we are sitting. We all talk and chat, getting to know each other. Willow is easy to spot because she's the one with the newborn baby attached to her in some cloth carrier on her chest.
The girls talk about Whiskey River and about some people that I have no idea who they are. They discuss the brewery that just opened and some events happening downtown in a few weeks as well.
Before I even know it, the men are done putting everything into storage. After unhooking the truck, they join us with a few bottles of water in hand. Storm walks over to me and hands me a bottle.
"Make sure you drink. Even though it's not really hot out, it’s arid. You have got to stay hydrated," he says.
Without arguing, I take the bottle and take some small sips.
"My husband and I are going to follow you up the mountain, so we'll see you shortly when you get to the cabin," Emelie says.
As we all start getting ready to head out, she gives me a hug, and Storm walks me over to the moving truck and once again helps me inside.
When the town is behind us and we’re closer to the mountain, I look over at the Storm.
"Is this truck going to make it up to your cabin?" I ask worried for the first time.
I remember Jason telling me about Storm moving to a remote cabin in some small town in Montana. It suits him, and I know he's happy there. Though until now, I never gave it much thought. But seeing the actual mountain, knowing we still have to drive this truck full of all my crap through it is daunting.
"Yep, we're a lot lighter now after dropping that stuff off at storage," he says with a smile.
It’s a smile that says I don't need to worry about anything because he's taking care of it.
The drive up the mountain is absolutely beautiful with the wildflowers scattered around. Every once in a while, you can make a turn and have an absolutely gorgeous scenic view. Before I know it, we are pulling off the main road and turning into a gated driveway.
Axel and Emelie follow us up the long driveway. The cabin at the end of it looks nothing like what I expected. I was thinking maybe some rundown cabin in the woods that had been used as a hunting cabin that he turned into a home. But no, this place could be on the cover of a slick cabin magazine as a model home.
It's absolutely stunning with tons of windows, and my mouth drops open as I take it in.
"Go give her the grand tour while I start unloading." Axel, Emelie's husband says.
Storm holds his hand out for me, and I hesitate for just a moment. This isn't something he's done before, so I hesitantly take his hand, and he leads me into the house. We walk into a large wide-open room, and ahead of us are two-story floor-to-ceiling windows taking advantage of the mountain view at the back of the property.
There's a large stone fireplace, and wood floors. The whole place looks like it's a resort in a hot vacation destination. Not placed in the backwoods of Montana.
"All the bedrooms are to the left, down that hallway. To the right is the large sunroom where I keep the dogs that I train. Their stuff is down that way. I will introduce you to them later," he says, guiding me down the hallway.
"This room I've mostly used for storage, but have plans to clear out so you can use it as a nursery for the baby because it's right next to your room here. This room across from you is my office, but the bathroom here in the hallway will be all yours. At the end of the hallway is my room and I have a bathroom in there." He continues giving me a short tour.
As we finish up the tour, Axel brings in a few of my bags, and he sets them in my room.
"Why don't you get a head start on unpacking, and I'll help him bring the rest of the stuff in," Storm says before heading out.
This bedroom is nothing more than a bed with nightstands on either side and a dresser. There are some curtains over the windows, but other than that, there are no decorations or thought put into the room.
It just screams the typical guy not worried about decorations, just functionality. Picking up one of my suitcases, I set it on the bed and open it. Then I unpack my clothes, putting them into the dresser.
Between all the clothes, wrapped in bubble wrap, is my framed wedding photo of Jason. At the moment, it’s one of the most precious things that I have. It was the day that I finally got a family and wasn't alone.
That was the day I finally felt safe, loved, and wanted. I don't think I can remember a day I've been happier. This photo with both of us smiling at each other captures such a feeling of joy. I think about putting it on the dresser, but stop, wondering if it would be weird to set up my wedding photo while I'm living with another guy even, if that guy is Storm.
"I've always loved that photo. You just look so happy," Storm says from the doorway as he sets down another suitcase.
"Would it be weird if I set the photo up in the house?" I ask, completely unsure.
"I think it would be weirder if you didn't," he says, leaving me to finish unpacking.
Once Axel and Emelie said their goodbyes, I meet Storm in the living room. In here, he has some photos set up. One of them is of the three of us at the Marine ball. The guys are all dressed up in their suits, and I’m in one of my fancy gowns that Jason bought for me.
"Let me introduce you to the dogs. They're well behaved and super friendly. I usually let them wander around the house when I'm home," he says.
I follow him down the hallway that he pointed out earlier.
"Who took care of them while you were gone?"
"My buddy Cole and his wife Jana. You met them down at the storage unit."
The names sound familiar, but I can't put a face on them.
At the end of the hallway, there's a door with glass panes so you can see the large sunroom beyond it. There are dog beds everywhere and the dogs are lying there. Some of them are asleep, while others are looking at the door. Though I’m happy to see that none of them are charging toward the door.
When we walk in, they turn, paying attention, like they're waiting for Storm to give a command.
"How many are there?" I ask, staring at what looks like a sea of sled dogs.
"Right now, I have twelve. But those three that are lying on the far side of the room are currently pregnant. So, I'm expecting anywhere between fifteen to twenty-five puppies in the next couple of months."
We walk through the room, and he introduces me to each one, pulling treats out of his pocket. Then he proceeds to give each one a treat and a little attention. My hormones must be completely out of whack because there's something extremely sexy about watching him with these dogs that I know he's trained. I’m taken by how well they respect him.
I always thought dogs and animals, in general, were good judges of character. So the fact that he has these dogs respect says a lot about him. That must be why my hormones are raging and I'm slightly turned on watching him interact with the dogs.
"Are you okay if I let them into the house or would you rather them stay back here?" He asks once I'm introduced to everyone. Though how he tells them apart I will never know.
"This is their home, and I'm just a guest. They can absolutely be out there wandering around, especially if they're this well behaved."
As I spend the rest of the day unpacking and putting things away, there's always a dog lying in my doorway. It’s as if they're watching over me for Storm. But that night when I go to bed, I leave my door open, and not one, but six dogs funnel into my room. They scatter around on the floor, and one of them comes over and sniffs the bed.
This was one of the male dogs. I only remember because I noticed that his eyes were two different colors. Reaching over, I pet him and give a thorough rub down, but when I stop, he jumps up on the bed and lies at the foot of the bed.
"I don't know if you're allowed on the bed, but I hope you don't get in trouble with your dad." Sitting up, I pet him a little more.
"They're allowed in your room or on your bed as long as you're comfortable. If not, you just tell them so, and they'll leave. I usually have a couple that end up on my bed throughout the night as well. In the morning I will have breakfast ready for you, but sleep in as long as you'd like. Goodnight, I’m heading off to bed," Storm says, going off to his room.
I've never had a pet growing up, but I've always wanted a dog. Now I have six of them in my room. I finally understand what a few of my friends at school would say when they said that they weren't scared because they had a dog. I think this is better than any security system you could ever buy.
"Alright goodnight, guys," I say as I lie down. Each dog gives out a little ahh-ohh in response that I didn't expect.
Worried that Storm is going to get upset, I shush them. Then I hear a loud chuckle from his room.
I've always known Storm was a good guy, but he's completely different than the man I had built up in my head. Now I'm starting to wonder if moving out here with him was such a good idea.