Page 40 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

"Really?"

"Yeah, you know we got your back. But I'm afraid if you hang too close, Imma have to hurt Paige because she's doing the most, and I'm not with that."

Mel and I have been tight since I arrived. I don't know what I would have done without her.

"You're really too good to be true."

"I know, right." She winks, and I shake my head.

Mel’s offer is the safety net I need, and then I turn back to Everett.

"By salary, what do you mean?"

Everett shrugs and quotes a number that makes my knees wobbly.

"Damn. I'm good with kids," Mel offers, stepping forward, and we all chuckle.

"That and I'll need you to commit to staying at least through the year. My folks will be back in town in January.

"Four months?"

Everett nods, and I glance over his shoulder to see the girls waiting with bated breath.

I stare at Everett, my mind racing as I weigh the pros and cons of his offer.

On one hand, the salary he's quoting is more than generous—enough to finally give me the financial security I've been craving for so long. With that kind of money, I could save up and be out of this town by the end of the year, free to start fresh somewhere far away from the judgment and whispers.

But on the other hand, the thought of living under the same roof as Everett Logan gives me pause. He seems to see right through me, stripping away all my defenses until I feel naked and exposed. And after that unexpected kiss at the diner, the tension between us is thick enough to cut with a knife.

I sneak a glance at the girls, who are watching me with hopeful expressions. Harper's eyes are wide and pleading, while Hazel tries her best to look nonchalant—but I can see the way her fingers are crossed behind her back. Bless their hearts, they really want me to say yes.

"Kenzie?" Mel's voice breaks through my thoughts.

I blink, realizing I've been silent for too long. "Sorry, I'm just... trying to wrap my head around all this."

Everett's gaze is steady, giving nothing away. "Take your time. It's a big decision."

A big decision is right. This could be the fresh start I've been praying for—a chance to get back on my feet and figure out what I really want from life. No more scraping by on minimum wage, no more staying at the shelter or relying on the kindness of the Petersons. I'd have my own space, my own routine. Hell, I could even take some online classes and work towards a degree in early childhood education.

The idea of being paid to take care of the girls, of nurturing and guiding them, fills me with a warmth I haven't felt in a long time. Not since... well, not since Kendrick and I were separated.

But then there's Everett.

Tall, brooding, intense Everett with his penetrating stare and that aura of quiet strength that seems to follow him everywhere. Just being in the same room as him sets my nerves on edge.

And after what happened with Ian... I'm not sure I can handle that kind of vulnerability again.

"Kenzie?" Mel's voice pulls me back to the present. "You, okay?"

I force a smile, hoping it looks more convincing than it feels. "Yeah, I'm good. Just... thinking it all through, you know?"

Mel nods, her expression softening. "Listen, Kenz. I know this is a lot to take in. But maybe... maybe it's a sign, you know? A chance to get your feet under you and figure out what you really want."

I chew my lip, considering her words. She's not wrong—this could be the opportunity I've been waiting for. A stable job, a roof over my head, and the chance to save up and plan my next move without constantly worrying about where my next meal is coming from.

But then there's that nagging voice in the back of my mind, the one that whispers all my deepest fears and insecurities.

What if I'm not cut out for this? What if I screw it up and end up disappointing everyone, just like I always do?

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