Page 46 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

But Kenzie's laughter, mixing with the girls' upstairs, fills the house with a warmth I haven't felt in a long time.

I promised myself after the divorce that I was off the market. Jillian's betrayal and subsequent actions ensured I was done with relationships. When she chose her military career over our family, leaving me to raise Hazel and Harper alone, I felt the ground beneath my feet shift.

Every late-night deployment, every missed birthday, and every time she prioritized her duties over our daughters gnawed at my insides. Those memories solidified my conviction to keep my heart locked away, a fortress built on the pain of abandonment.

Until I found myself in marital counseling, I would have pegged myself as a relationship kind of guy. I was the idealistic young soldier who believed in love’s strength, the kind who could conquer anything with the right partner at my side.

My commitment to my family was unwavering, but life had dealt me a brutal hand—one that left me with jagged scars.

All it took was a messy marriage and a messier divorce to make the whole union look unfavorable. The heartbreak left no room for trust, particularly in my heart. The thought of letting another woman in, only to be hurt again, felt like a risk I couldn't afford to take.

But Kenzie is different. She's here for them, not me.

She embodies a nurturing spirit that seems to naturally resonate with my daughters. From the first moment she interacted with Hazel and Harper, something clicked. There's a sincerity in the way she listens to them, a compassion that's clear in her eyes.

It's not just about her role as a nanny; she genuinely cares about their well-being. I may not have been ready to open up my heart to another woman, but I can't ignore the bond Kenzie was forming with the girls or the trust they had in her already.

That's why I let the nanny issue go on as long as I did, even when I felt uncomfortable. I didn't like how each new caretaker unsettled the girls, forcing them to acclimate to a stranger's presence time and time again.

But Kenzie?

She eases their fears, stripping down the walls they’ve built against disappointment. It’s as if she brings the joy they sorely missed when Jillian walked out. I trust her with my girls, who deserve stability and happiness, especially after everything they've been through.

As I listen to Kenzie's laughter filtering through the house, I can almost allow myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, I've found a light in this darkness.

But still, my resolve remains. This is just a business arrangement. A way to ensure Hazel and Harper are looked after while I focus on Raven V missions.

Nothing more, and definitely nothing worth risking my heart over.

I'll remain the consummate bachelor with two amazing daughters. And I'll make sure she's paid well enough to move on to her next destination in January.

The fact that Kenzie is in Silver Ridge for a limited time is just one more confirmation that this is temporary.

She's helping me. I'm helping her.

The sound of running water and giggles floats down from upstairs. Kenzie's got the girls washing up, and from the sounds of it, they're having a blast. It's been a long time since I've heard them laugh like that.

I set the table, and my movements are automatic. Four place settings. It feels... right, somehow. Like this is how it's supposed to be.

"Dinner's ready!" I call up the stairs.

The patter of feet answers me, and soon, the kitchen is filled with chatter and laughter. The girls tumble into their seats, Kenzie following close behind.

"Smells amazing," she says, taking her seat across from me.

Spending time with the girls makes her seem more calm and relaxed.

I grunt in response, serving up the pasta. The girls dig in immediately, sauce smearing their cheeks.

"Girls," I say, my tone warning.

They slow down, sheepish grins on their faces. Kenzie laughs, the sound warming the room.

"It's okay," she says, winking at the twins. "I eat like that sometimes, too."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "That so?"

She meets my gaze, a challenge in her eyes. "What can I say? Good food deserves enthusiasm."

---