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that what you just did, the imaginary little devil on his shoulder taunted.
    “Calm down, son. It was just a friendly wager on how long it would take for you and Allie to finally admit your feelings after all these years,” his father tried explaining.
    “I just never thought they’d be foolish enough to marry in Vegas,” Frank grumbled under his breath.
    Jase clenched his jaw.  He felt a slight tremble from Allie and pulled her closer. With a steel resolve, he addressed her father’s complaint. “I love your daughter, Mr. Tyndale. Foolish would be waiting to start a life with her when I know she’s the only woman I will ever love. Why waste any more time?”
    Vera and Diana, always the peacemakers, stepped forward before the men could say anymore.
    Allie’s mom embraced him. “You’ve always been like a son to me and now it’s official. Welcome to the family,” she said.
    Diana hugged Allie, echoing similar sentiments. At least the moms were taking the news well.
    “What comes next?” Everett asked, the father who seemed more accepting of this sudden marriage between his son and Allie.
    Jase looked at Allie for an answer.  For all the talking they’d done, they hadn’t done much planning. There weren’t any precedents for this to guide them in their next steps.
    “I’m going to move into Jase’s cabin and we’ll go from there,” Allie answered.
    “Are you planning to have any type of ceremony or reception here for your family and friends to celebrate?” Mrs. Tyndale asked.
    “We thought later this summer or fall, after the peak tourist season ends,” Allie smoothly replied.
    The two mothers pulled Allie aside, bombarding her with questions and suggestions.  She looked back at Jase, and he gave her his best grin. This time she was on her own; her penance for coming up with this scheme. If there was one thing their mothers thrived on planning, it was weddings. Poor Missy hadn’t stood a chance when his mom and Mrs. Tyndale stepped in to help her, since her own mom had ran off before Missy and her dad came to Whispering Winds. Too engrossed of his amusement at Allie’s expense, he failed to notice Mr. Tyndale approach him.
    The older man stared him down, making Jase feel like the smaller man, when he stood several inches above Allie’s dad. “I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t wish something different than a Vegas wedding for my daughter.  Every dad dreads the day he walks his daughter down the aisle but it’s an honor to have that privilege, do you understand?”
    Jase gulped.  There wasn’t much that intimidated him, but, right now, Allie’s father succeeded in doing just that.  “I’m sorry for taking that privilege away from you, sir,” Jase apologized.  In their hasty walk to the altar, he’d never considered that.  Hell, they hadn’t considered much that night beyond the immediate here and now. 
    “Any other man, I’d think less of,” Frank said. “But I know you’re a good man. I know you love Allie and would give your life before letting any harm come to her. As much as I love my daughter, it’s no secret she can be hard to handle, but you’ve always been by her side. I couldn’t handpick a better man for her. Welcome to the family, Son. You have your work cut out for you.”
    Jase exhaled, voiding his lungs of the breath he’d been holding.   Round one down, he thought.  “It’s not work when you love someone, but thank you, sir.”
    The taut features on Mr. Tyndales face softened. “No more of this sir business.  I’ve always been Mr. Tyndale, but I think just Frank would be fine now.” Frank extended his hand, and Jase firmly shook it.  One obstacle down, but how many more to go?
     

 

     
    “You’re up early,” Jase observed, walking out from the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist.
    Thank goodness the room was still dark with only the light from the bathroom behind him to illuminate his mostly naked body.   The way