“What about your mama?”
“My family has been invited to Angelina and Marc’s place for the Feast of the Seven Fishes Tuesday. We can announce it there with both families present.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “You sure like to live on the edge, don’t you? Cheating an Italian mama out of a big wedding for her only daughter would be considered a crime in the old country.”
She grinned. “I’ve learned with Mama it’s always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”
“I think my impetuosity might be wearing off on you.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. “I love it. And you, Carmella D’Alessio. So, where do we want to have our ceremony and when?”
As soon as Tony’s shift ended two days later, he headed home to shower, dress, and pick up the camping gear he’d packed before going on duty, then hit the road for Aspen. Today was the day they’d chosen to tie the knot. Sudden? Sure. But the longer they waited, the more likely they’d chicken out and bow to family pressure.
Both of them wanted this wedding to happen as quickly as possible. The family would come around and congratulate them soon enough. They were certain of that.
While they couldn’t get away for a big honeymoon right now, they’d already booked the villa in Turks and Caicos for late March. More diving lessons and a week of celebrating together their lifelong union, far away from the family resort, his station, and their family members.
He hoped they’d have gotten used to the idea of their being married by then.
When he arrived at her office door almost three hours later, Carm already wore her coat. She pulled him inside and closed the door. Tony wrapped his arms around her and swung her around, loving the sound of her delightful squeals. When he set her down again, she gave him a warm, wet kiss.
“Are you ready to become Mrs. Giardano, Carmella?”
“Absolutely not. To me, that will always be your mama’s name, even if she’s no longer using it. But I am ready to become Carmella D’Alessio Giardano.”
“I like the sound of that.” He took her by the hand and they headed outside.
“I already told Sandro I’d see him at Marc and Angelina’s tomorrow evening. My staff has everything under control here. I sometimes forget that the place practically runs itself.”
“Because you and Sandro do such a fantastic job managing it.” He smiled at her as they made their way to the parking lot. “I’m glad Sandro’s going to join the family for the Feast tomorrow.” Having everyone together so they only had to make one announcement—blockbuster though it might be—would make it easier for the two of them.
She smiled. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when we tell them.”
Tony didn’t want to think about them anymore. “First, we need to make it official.” They transferred her gear from the SUV into the bed of his F-150, and Tony pulled the truck bed cover closed and locked it. They’d leave her vehicle at the resort so they wouldn’t waste a minute. Time was too short already.
“Are we ready for this?” she asked, suddenly serious.
“You are sure about this? Right? I know you aren’t spontaneous by nature.”
Carm took a deep breath then smiled. “One hundred percent. You and I aren’t formal, ceremonial type people. We don’t need an audience, either. We will both keep our vows sacred whether we speak them in a church before a hundred people or in front of God and whatever creatures might be meandering around the lake as our witnesses.”
He kissed her tenderly. How’d he get so lucky as to find a woman like Carmella? “Okay, then let’s head to the courthouse to get the official documentation so we can be on our way.”
They’d chosen to be married at nearby Maroon Bells as the sun went down. They might not have wedding bells today, but nothing would be more fitting for the two of them than to speak their vows with the North and South Maroon mountain peaks as a backdrop to the spot where they’d picnicked in the fall. The sound of the water trickling through the mostly unfrozen stream would provide beautiful music for the ceremony.
The forest ranger had assured him over the phone that as long as they didn’t drive past the barricades, they were welcome to hike and camp anywhere they’d like. The predicted high would be thirty by midafternoon and down into the teens tonight. No storms predicted and not much wind, thankfully. Tony had given the ranger station their planned route and GPS tracker information just in case they didn’t report back by midday tomorrow.
After securing the license at the courthouse, they headed up the mountain to the trailhead, parking in the deserted lot. Tony came around to her side and opened her door, helping her down.
As Tony gathered the tent and camping gear to carry along with his backpack, Carm placed a hand on the tent bag. “I can handle my share, Tony.”
“I have it. This is nothing compared to what I carry fighting fires.”
She shook her head. “We’re going to be equal partners. I packed light, and I’m wearing most of my clothes in layers to keep me warm. All I have to carry is the food and the all-important marriage license.”
Neither of them was sure if they had to sign the document on the spot where they held their ceremony. Not wanting to take a chance on messing this up, they would bring it along.
Once they had their gear on their backs, sharing the load, the two set off toward their campsite. “There isn’t as much snow up here as I’d expected,” he commented.
“I’m glad. Snowshoes make me walk like a duck. Not very sexy.”
“Woman, you are sexy no matter what you wear—or don’t wear. End of discussion.”
“You keep talking like that, T.G., and you might get lucky tonight.”
“I’m already
