Page 27 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

Something flickers in her eyes - surprise? Hope? Before I can analyze it further, she turns back to the clothes she's folding.

"Your girls are sweet," she says, changing the subject.

I watch her hands as she works, graceful and efficient. "They seem to like you."

She glances up, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "The feeling's mutual. They're wonderful kids, Everett."

Hearing her use my first name stirs something deep inside me. Something I can't quite explain. It feels personal and intimate.

I lean against a nearby shelf, aiming for casual, but my body instinctively straightens slightly at her acknowledgment, a reflex I can’t fully control.

"They can be a handful, though. I hope they haven't been too much trouble."

Kenzie chuckles, the sound light and airy. "Oh, I think I can handle a couple of tornadoes, especially when they come with such sweet smiles."

I raise an eyebrow, feigning seriousness. "Well, just wait until they start launching sneak attacks. Worms, frogs, spiders. Nothing is off-limits with those two. It has me questioning my sanity."

Her laughter spills out, bright and infectious, and for a moment, there’s just her. That melodic sound steals my breath, leaving me momentarily speechless. A smile tugs at my lips, warmth spreading through my chest.

As the laughter settles, Harper suddenly pops her head around the corner. "Daddy, did you know Miss Kenzie's a twin too?"

Kenzie’s gaze shifts from me to Harper, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes.

“Really?"

Hazel answers, her excitement palpable. “Yeah! But it's a brother and not a sister.”

"That's really cool," I say to the girls, but my gaze lingers on Kenzie.

"Twins have a special bond, don’t we?”

The girls nod and return to their tasks.

Kenzie’s eyes meet mine. I find myself smiling, drawn in by her warmth.

"You're good with them. Have you worked with kids before?"

She shrugs, and I see a shadow cross her face. "Some."

There's a story there, I can tell. But before I can ask, a burst of giggles erupts from the front of the store.

We both turn as a group of women enter the shop, their eyes immediately locking onto Kenzie. I recognize them instantly—Paige Hawkins leads the pack, flanked by her loyal followers, Brittany, Heather, and Tiffany. They whisper and giggle behind their hands, the unmistakable smirks on their faces telling me everything I need to know.

Paige strides in, decked out in a designer outfit that belongs on the streets of Beverly Hills rather than in Silver Ridge. Her perfectly styled hair frames her face, and an air of superiority radiates from her as she surveys the room, her gaze dripping with disdain.

Heather, the town’s notorious gossiper, leans in closer to whisper something, and the sound of their laughter fills the shop, sharp and mocking. Tiffany, ever the follower, nods along, her expression green with envy, eager to earn Paige's approval.

Then there's Brittany, the insecure wannabe, trailing behind them. She’s dressed similarly but lacks the same confidence, her eyes darting nervously between her friends and Kenzie. The group forms a united front, ready to unleash their brand of cruelty.

They're not a true representation of Silver Ridge, but every town has them.

I can feel the tension in the room shift as they approach, their laughter echoing like a warning bell. This is the kind of trouble I had hoped to shield Kenzie from—these women thrive on drama and on tearing down anyone they perceive as a threat. And they've got Kenzie in their sights.

Paige strides in, flanked by Heather and Tiffany, her posture radiating an air of superiority. I can see her gaze sweep over Kenzie with disdain as the trio approaches.

"Well, well, if it isn't the little homewrecker herself," Paige drawls, her ruby-red lips curving into a mocking smile.

I watch Kenzie’s expression harden, her resolve clear as she stands her ground. “Can I help you with something?” she asks, a calm smile on her lips that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

---