Page 49 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

So why does it feel hollow?

I drain the glass, the warmth of the alcohol spreading through my chest. It's been a long day. A good day, but long. Maybe that's all this is. I'm tired and off-balance from the changes.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I'll get back on track. The plans can wait until morning.

I set the empty glass down, the soft clink echoing in the quiet room. As I head for bed, I pause outside Kenzie's door. No light spills from underneath, no sound of movement within.

Is she asleep? Lying awake, thinking about the day like I am?

I move on. It doesn't matter.

But as I climb into my own bed, the sheets cool against my skin, I can't shake the feeling that something has changed. It could be the whiskey.

I guess, time will tell if it's a good thing or not.

11

FIRST DAY ON THE JOB

KENZIE

I jolt awake, my heart racing. For a second, I don't know where I am. The room's unfamiliar, all soft shadows and expensive furniture. Then it hits me—I'm in Everett Logan's house.

My new home, at least for now.

I glance at the clock. 5:15 AM. It's way too early, but there's no way I'm getting back to sleep now. My body's humming with nervous energy like I've chugged three espressos.

"Lord, give me strength," I mutter, swinging my legs out of bed.

I need coffee. Stat.

I throw on my ratty old robe—the one thing I own that's seen better days but is too comfy to get rid of—and pad out into the hallway. The house is dead quiet, just the soft whir of the heating system and the occasional creak of settling wood.

It's beautiful, even in the pre-dawn gloom. All exposed beams and rustic charm, but with touches of luxury that scream 'Everett Logan.' I trail my fingers along the smooth wood of the banister as I head downstairs, still half-convinced. I'm gonna wake up and find this was all a dream.

The kitchen's huge, all gleaming stainless steel and granite countertops. It takes me a minute to find the coffee maker hidden away in a fancy pull-out drawer. I dump in the grounds, add water, and hit the button, praying the noise won't wake anyone up.

While it brews, I lean against the counter, trying to wrap my head around how I ended up here. A month ago, I was on a bus to nowhere, chasing some half-baked dream of a fresh start with a man I barely knew. Now, I'm living in a mansion on a mountain, nannying for the most eligible bachelor in Silver Ridge.

Life's funny that way, I guess.

The rich aroma of coffee fills the air, and I pour myself a cup, savoring the warmth between my palms. I take a sip, closing my eyes as the caffeine hits my system.

"Oh yeah, that's the good stuff."

A flicker of movement catches my eye, and I turn to see a light on down the hall. Everett's office, if I remember the whirlwind tour from last night correctly.

I glance at the clock on the stove. 5:30 AM. Either he's an even earlier riser than me, or...

"Does the man sleep?" I shake my head.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm pouring a second cup of coffee and heading down the hall. I tell myself it's just being considerate, but deep down, I know I'm curious.

Everett Logan's a mystery wrapped in an enigma, and I can't help wanting to unravel him, just a little.

I pause outside his office, suddenly unsure.

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