Page 82 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

I turn off the water, leaning my forehead against the cool tile. I made a promise to myself on this mission. To stop fighting what I feel for Kenzie, to embrace whatever time we have together. But now, faced with the reality of it, I'm not sure I can follow through.

Once I'm dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, I head back downstairs. Kenzie's in the kitchen, the smell of reheated lasagna filling the air. My stomach growls, reminding me it's been hours since I've eaten.

"Sit," she says, nodding towards the couch. "I'll bring it to you."

I sink into the cushions, my body suddenly heavy with exhaustion. Kenzie appears a moment later, plate in hand. She settles beside me, close enough that I can feel her warmth.

"Eat," she urges. "You look like you need it."

I dig in, the familiar taste of home-cooked food a balm to my frayed nerves. We sit in comfortable silence for a while, Kenzie's presence a steady anchor beside me.

"How was it?" she asks finally, her voice soft. "The trip, I mean."

I swallow hard, choosing my words carefully. "Intense. But successful. Everyone made it back safe."

Kenzie nods, her eyes searching my face. "I'm glad you're home," she says simply.

The words hit me harder than I expected. Home.

When did this place, with her in it, become home?

Since the moment you saw her…

"Me too," I admit. "I... I missed this. Missed you."

Kenzie's eyes widen slightly, surprise and something else flickering in their depths. "I missed you too," she says softly. "The girls were asking about you every day."

"How were they?" I ask, grateful for the change in subject. "Give me all the details."

Kenzie launches into a recap of the past few days—Hazel's latest art project and Harper's newfound obsession with space. I listen, soaking in every word, every glimpse of the life I left behind.

"Oh, and we expanded our little garden," Kenzie adds, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "I hope that's okay?"

I nod, warmth spreading through my chest at the thought of Kenzie and the girls planting roots here. Literally and figuratively.

"It's more than okay," I assure her. "It's perfect."

She smiles, and relief is evident in her eyes. "I'm glad. The girls were so excited about it. They can't wait to show you tomorrow."

Tomorrow. The word hits me like a punch to the gut. How many tomorrows do we have left? Kenzie's contract is up at the end of the year. What happens then?

"Everett?" Kenzie's voice pulls me from my thoughts. "Where'd you go just now?"

I shake my head, forcing a smile. "Nowhere. Just thinking about how much I missed while I was gone."

Kenzie's hand finds mine, her touch sending sparks through my skin. "You're here now," she says softly. "That's what matters."

I look at her, really look at her. The warmth in her hazel eyes, the gentle curve of her lips. I lean in before I can talk myself out of it, pressing my lips to hers.

Kenzie responds immediately, her hand coming up to cup my cheek. The kiss is soft, tender, filled with all the words I can't say.

When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. "Kenzie," I breathe. "I..."

"Shh," she whispers. "I know."

And somehow, I think she does. She understands the weight I carry and the fears that keep me up at night. And she's still here, still waiting.

"I made a promise to myself," I say before I can think myself out of it. "While I was away. That I'd stop fighting this. Stop pushing you away."

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