Page 77 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

Mel shrugs. "I guess. I just... I don't know if I'm ready."

I take her hand, squeezing it gently. "Mel, listen to me. You deserve someone who sees how amazing you are. If Axton can't see that, then maybe it's time to give someone else a chance."

She looks at me, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You really think so?"

"I know so," I say firmly. "Go on that date. Have fun. And who knows? Maybe it'll be the start of something great."

Mel nods, wiping at her eyes. "Thanks, Kenz. You're a good friend."

We sit in silence for a moment, the porch swing creaking gently.

"What about you?" Mel asks suddenly. "Are you gonna give Everett a real chance?"

I sigh, leaning back. "I don't know, Mel. Part of me wants to just enjoy the moment, you know? But another part..."

"Is scared?" she finishes for me.

I nod. "Everett's... intense. It's like he sees right through me sometimes. And with everything that happened with Ian..."

"Ian's an asshole," Mel says bluntly. "Everett's not him."

"I know," I say softly. "But it's hard to forget, you know? And then there's the fact that I'm supposed to leave at the end of the year."

Mel's quiet for a moment. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Do you want to leave?"

The question hits me like a sudden blow, knocking the wind out of me.

Do I? A month ago, the answer would have been a resounding yes. But now...

"I don't know," I admit. "I've never had anything like this before. A place where I feel like I belong. People who care about me. It's..."

"Scary as hell?" Mel supplies.

I laugh. "Yeah, exactly."

"Well, for what it's worth," Mel says, bumping my shoulder with hers, "I think you belong here. And I think Everett sees that too."

Before I can respond, we hear the girls calling for us. "Miss Kenzie! Mel! Come look at the fireflies!"

We share a smile, standing up. "To be continued," Mel says with a wink.

As we join the girls in the yard, watching them chase fireflies and giggle, I think about Mel's question. Do I want to leave?

For the first time since I came to Silver Ridge, I'm not sure the answer is yes.

Later, as we're getting ready to leave, Harper tugs on my sleeve. "Miss Kenzie? Can we get milkshakes from Millie's?"

I hesitate. Going to Millie's without Everett feels... wrong somehow. But the hopeful looks on their faces melt my resolve.

"All right. But just a quick stop, okay?"

The girls cheer, and we head inside to say goodbye to the Petersons. I feel a warmth in my chest. This is my family, and I don't feel alone for the first time in a long time.

The drive to Millie's is filled with the girls' chatter about their day at the ranch. I keep an ear on their conversation, pushing down the nervousness in my stomach.

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