Page 14 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

He shakes his head. “Actually no, someone new. We’ve been out a couple of times and she’s really cool, I’m sure she’ll understand if I cancel tonight…”

I shake my head, smiling. “Wyatt, it’s fine. Go on your date. Thomas and I will be fine here. Besides, I could use the time to settle in and unpack.”

Wyatt looks relieved. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I assure him. “Go have fun. We’ll be fine.”

“Thanks, Clara. I owe you one,” he says, shooting me a grateful smile. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Will do,” I reply, watching him leave.

With Wyatt gone, I take a deep breath and look around the guest house. It’s cozy and welcoming, the perfect temporary home for Thomas and me. My only issue is that it’s very close to Beau. Thank goodness we won’t have to be here for long. I hope…

6

BEAU

What the fuck?

I can’t believe this. I can’t believe my day has gonethisway. Of all the out of town vets who could have come to the ranch, why the fuck did it have to be Clara Ryder?

My room feels hazy around me, the amber liquid swirls in my glass as I take a slow sip. The burn of the whiskey is comforting, and familiar, but it’s not enough to dull the thoughts racing through my mind. The moonlight filters through the window, casting long shadows that dance across the walls, making me feel sicker by the moment.

I’m not drunk yet, but I’m well on my way.

Clara’s face keeps appearing in my mind, haunting me with eyes that once held so much promise. I can still see the way she looked at me earlier today, the shock and pain mirrored in my own heart. How did we end up here, so far from where we once were?

It’s been over three years since she vanished, leaving nothing but a void I’ve been unable to fill ever since.

I had tried to contact her endlessly when she vanished. I searched all the familiar haunts, scoured social media andreached out to mutual friends, but no one knew where she had gone. Wyatt, bless his heart, always seemed a bit cagey whenever I asked about Clara, dodging my questions or changing the subject. I never understood why. I just thought he didn’t want me to get close to his sister, so I tried to respect that.

I take another sip, the warmth spreads through my chest.

Clara’s return has dredged up old feelings, the ones I thought I’d buried deep. Seeing her today, and hearing Wyatt talk about herkid, had thrown me for a loop. She must be happy, settled, and married.

The thought of the life she built makes my stomach churn.

Who’s the man who won her heart? Who is the father of her child? The questions gnaw at me, each one more painful than the last. I’ve never told anyone this, but Clara is the one who got away. The one I thought I’d spend my life with, I thought we would build a future together, chase our dreams and live a happy life. I might have been a bit of a player back in high school, but that’s only because I wanted the one person I couldn’t have. My best friend’s sister.

Ialwayswanted Clara, and for a while, I had started to think that I might finally have her. I knew it’d be hard, and that Wyatt might not like it, but I really think I loved her and that would make it all worth it. Because love conquers all, right?

I set the glass down and run a hand over my face, trying to push away the memories that flood my mind. The way she used to laugh, the sparkle in her eyes, the warmth of her touch… I lean back in my chair, closing my eyes. The room is spinning slightly now, the alcohol starting to take effect.

My mind drifts back tothatnight with Clara, the feel of her body pressed against mine, the way she made me feel so alive. I can still smell her scent, a mix of wild flowers and fresh hay, intoxicating and unforgettable. I remember the first time wekissed, the electricity that surged between us, the way she melted into my arms.

My hand moves absently to my thigh, the memory so vivid it feels like she’s here with me.

I can almost hear her voice, soft and breathless, whispering my name.

Frustration and longing build inside me, a persistent ache that won’t go away.

I’ve tried to move on, but no one compares to Clara.

No one ever will.

I feel a pang of guilt, thinking about her being awife, happy with someone else, raising a family. It should have been us. It should have been me by her side.

I shift in my chair, the sensation of my hand on my thigh sends a shiver through me. I know I shouldn’t, but the memories are too strong, and powerful to ignore. I let my hand wander, imagining it’sherfingers tracing the lines of my body.

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