True North Book 3 - Finding Now Kate and Sam Read Free Page A

his arms folded across his chest.
    “I know, I know, Jules and Livie are amazing.” I rolled my eyes a little, throwing my hands up in my defense. “I’m not saying they aren’t. I’m just saying I’m not a man-whore. I resent the term,” I said. “Let me explain. Each woman I meet is special. I treat each one of them like a princess, and they love it. And don’t think for a second that sometimes a woman doesn’t need to just let go and allow her body to dictate its own fun for a night, without a commitment,” I mused. “For me it’s all about the challenge and the chase. I like uncovering a new landscape, one I’ve never discovered before. I also love a girl I can say goodbye to in the morning.”
    Josh and Will laughed and patted me on the back; the others laughed too, but were so pussy whipped they shook their heads.
    “Don’t you asshats act like you don’t get me ’cause I know you do,” I insisted.
    “It’s not that we don’t get you, Sam,” Caleb qualified. “It’s just that we’ve moved past that stage. When you find that one girl who takes your breath away and turns your fucking world upside down, you’ll get it.”
    “I don’t want to get it , I like what I got ,” I retorted as we piled into the rented four wheel drive SUV Jake had picked up that morning.
    We pulled into the parking lot of The New Mexico River Adventures headquarters. An hour later we were geared up and ready to kayak the rapids for a two day man-only trip on the Rio Grande.
     
    I heard Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” start up and watched as Nate nervously shifted his weight. It was so very subtle no one else may have noticed, but I could tell his frame shook just the slightest in either fear or anticipation.
    Probably both, I figured as I stood a little taller, knowing what was about to happen.
    The music was the audience’s cue to stand. They were seated in cushioned folding chairs that had been covered in soft, pale pink cloth—my sister’s favorite color—and set up in the far field on our ranch, close to the pond and gazebo. The grasses were autumn gold and they waved lazily in the breeze underneath a perfect blue sky.
    Nate stood at the center of his party; behind him was Caleb, then Jake, and then me—completely killer in our black fitted tuxes with a single pale pink rose in our lapels. Too bad the wedding party and guest list was so small. There were like maybe fifty guests—mainly Mom and Dad’s contacts, a few cousins and some old high school friends. The maid of honor was, of course, Livie (obviously taken), and the only bridesmaids were Piper (taken again) and Jules’ friend Amanda who had come up from Florida (with her boyfriend)—oh fucking well for me. Wasn’t my gig anyway—this was all about Nate and Jules.
    My sister emerged from behind a white lattice partition that was covered in ivy vines and roses. She carried a bouquet of colorful wildflowers and looked absolutely stunning in her lacy white gown. I couldn’t help but smile. She looked so ecstatic and so did Nate. I couldn’t have been happier for them both.
    My father and mother stood on either side of Jules as they walked my sister down the aisle to give her to Nate. It was a tradition my sister had seen in a Jewish wedding ceremony. She loved the symbolism, and my mom was so excited to be part of the wedding that way. Mom wore a pink dress, and my dad wore a black tux with his best black cowboy boots. When they each took my sister’s hands and placed them in Nate’s, my mother began to cry. Jules leaned over and kissed her, and then I saw my dad had tears streaking down his rugged, weathered cheeks too. Mom laid her hand on Nate’s face and dad squeezed his arm. Jules was their daughter, and for many years now, Nate had been their honorary sixth son. It was a perfect union.
    Watching them all melt into an emotional puddle made my lungs squeeze all of the air out of my chest. I was very aware of the life Nate had lived, and he