Page 31 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

I smile, pushing away the memories. "Of course I do, sweetie. Show me what you've got."

As Harper digs through her little backpack, pushing past her sketchbook. I quietly catalog their differences. Hazel’s all energy and enthusiasm, while Harper’s quieter, more thoughtful. But they both have that same spark of curiosity, that love for adventure.

"Here it is!" Harper holds up a smooth, heart-shaped stone, her eyes shining with pride.

I take it gently, turning it over in my hands. "It's beautiful, Harper. You're right. It does look just like a heart."

Harper leans in. "Daddy says we should always keep our eyes open for the magic around us. Even in boring old rocks."

I laugh, handing the stone back to her. "Your daddy's a smart man. There's magic everywhere if you know how to look for it."

As I say the words, I realize how true they are. Even here in Silver Ridge, where I've faced more judgment and whispers than I care to admit, there's still magic. It's in the way Steph and Big Bear look at each other, in the excitement of the twins over a simple hike, long walks in the park around the lake.

"Miss Kenzie?" Hazel's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Can you teach us how to fold shirts like that? Daddy says ours look like crumpled napkins."

I snort. "Sure thing, sweetie. Come on over here."

As I guide their little hands through the motions, I can't help but think about Everett. The girls paint a picture of a man so different from the gruff, standoffish guy I've encountered. The way they talk about him, eyes shining with adoration... it's clear he's a good father.

"Your daddy sounds pretty great," I say, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Hazel beams. "He’s the best!"

"Yeah," Harper adds softly. "And he gives the best hugs when we're sad."

Something twists in my chest. I push it down, focusing on the task at hand. "That's real special, girls. You're lucky to have him."

A comfortable silence falls as we work, broken only by the occasional giggle or question. After a while, curiosity gets the better of me.

"So," I start, keeping my tone light. "What about your mom? Does she join y'all on these adventures?"

There's a beat of silence, and I immediately regret asking. But then Hazel shrugs, her voice matter-of-fact. "Nah, Jillian’s in Germany. She's real busy with her job in the Army."

Before I can process Hazel calling her mother by her first name, she walks off to put away a stack of folded clothes.

Harper lingers, her eyes downcast.

"You okay, sweetie?"

"Mommy doesn't really like the mountains or Silver Ridge," she says quietly. "Or us, I think."

My heart cracks wide open.

She looks up at me, her eyes big and serious. "I miss her sometimes," she says softly. "But Daddy says it's okay to be sad as long as we remember she loves us."

Without thinking, I pull her into a tight hug. "Oh, honey," I murmur. "Your daddy's right. And you know what? It won't always be like this. Things change, people change. Who knows? Maybe your mom will come home soon."

As I hold her, memories of my own childhood flood back. The ache of watching my mother walk away, time and time again. The confusion, the hurt, the feeling of not being enough. I blink back tears, determined not to let Harper see.

"You girls are pretty amazing," I say, pulling back to look her in the eye. "Any mamma would be lucky to have you."

Harper nods against my shoulder, then pulls back with a small smile. "Thanks, Miss Kenzie. You give good hugs, too.”

I laugh, blinking back the tears that threaten to fall. "Well, thank you, Miss Harper. You're not so bad yourself."

She gives me a watery smile, and I kiss her forehead. "Now, how about we see if we can fold a whole pile before your sister gets back?"

I stand up, my mind whirling. The girls' situation hits close to home, stirring up memories I'd rather forget. I know all too well what it's like to have a mother who's there but not really there.

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