Page 9 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

"So," he says finally, turning back to me. "You gonna tell me what's happening, or do I have to guess?"

I sigh, running a hand over my face. "It's nothing, Ax. Just... town gossip."

He snorts, clearly not buying it. "Right. Because the rumor mill always has you looking like you're ready to punch someone. Come on, man. This is me you're talking to."

I glance at the girls, who are thankfully distracted by the coloring sheets the waitress brought over. Lowering my voice, I lean in closer to Axton.

"There's this woman," I start, feeling ridiculous even as the words leave my mouth. "Kenzie. She just got into town yesterday and is already stirring up trouble."

Axton's eyebrows shoot up. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

I hesitate, not sure how much to reveal. "She arrived in town earlier, expecting to meet a friend. Turns out, it was Ian."

Axton winces. "He’s married. "

"Yep, and that’s right about the time Paige arrives."

“Hot damn.”

I nod. "…and it’s just as Ian’s kissing Kenzie. I might be adding to the buzz circuit, but I still can’t believe what I saw. “She made a whole scene, calling her all sorts of names. It was bad."

Axton lets out a low whistle. "Damn. That’s fucked up. But... why does this have you so worked up? It's not like you know this woman, right?"

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. "I don't. Not really. But... the girls were there when it happened. They saw the whole thing."

Understanding dawns in Axton's eyes. "Ah. And now you're worried about how it might affect them."

I nod, grateful that he gets it without me spelling it out. "Yeah. And... I don't know, man. There's something about her. The way she handled the girls, how she stood up to Paige... She's got guts. I'll give her that."

Axton studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Sounds like you're impressed by her."

“Man, shut up,” I scoff. "I'm just... concerned. That's all."

"Uh-huh," Axton smirks. "And how does she look?”

“Pretty,” Hazel giggles.

“And she has our eyes,” Harper adds, not looking up from her coloring sheet.

I groan. Then the diner's door swings open, and Ian Hawkins strolls in like he owns the place. My jaw tightens as I take in his cocky swagger, the way he scans the room as if he’s looking for someone. Maybe Kenzie?

Our eyes meet across the diner, and for a split second, I see a flicker of recognition in his gaze. Then it's gone, replaced by that infuriating smirk of his.

“Come to this side,” Axton whispers to the girls. “Hazel gets the window first.”

I listen to the girls shuffle, not taking my eyes off Ian.

"If it isn't the Logan family out for a night on the town," Ian drawls, strolling over to our booth.

Every muscle in my body coils and is ready for a fight.

"Ian," I grit out, struggling to keep my voice even. "Didn't expect to see you here."

He shrugs, that smirk never wavering. "What can I say? A man's gotta eat."

His gaze drifts to the girls, and I feel a surge of protectiveness rise. Hazel and Harper shrink back against the vinyl, their earlier excitement gone.

"You girls been good for your old man?" Ian asks, his tone deceptively light.

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