Page 18 of The Mountain Man's Girl

“Where you running to, doll?”

My heart nearly explodes in my chest at the sound of that deep rugged voice. It’s him. He’s here. Traeger came.

I draw my eyes up slowly and my vision blurs even more. He looks different. His beard is gone. But it’s definitely him. His strong cheekbones. The little crow’s-feet etched around the rim of his eyes. Though, never before have I seen the look he’s giving me now. It makes me lose my balance and sway forward. He catches me just like he always does, keeping me steady, giving me strength.

“Easy, cowgirl. I got you.”

“What are you doing here, Traeger?”

“Came to see my girl graduate. Couldn’t miss her big day.”

The tears start slipping down, and he grips my cheeks, swiping them away with his big thumbs. “Don’t cry, baby. It kills me to see you sad.”

“I don’t want you to go, Traeger.”

“Not going anywhere.” He shakes his head. “Sorry, doll. I tried to let you go, but I just can’t do it. You’re stuck with me now. For as long as this old heart keeps kicking.”

My knees grow weaker, and I cling to his shoulders. My heart is nearly kicking out of my chest now. “I’ve missed you so much, Traeger. It felt like I couldn’t breathe these last three weeks.”

“Same, babe, which is why I’ve decided to move to the city so I can be close to you.”

“Move to the city? No. It’s awful here. I want to move to the cabin. It’s suffocating and loud here, and people are so rude.” I never realized how self-absorbed people are. But everywhere I go, people are snippy and unfriendly. “Up on your mountain, it’s so peaceful and calm, and the views are amazing. I’ve missed it so much. But not as much as I’ve missed you. It’s been the most miserable three weeks of my life.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I thought I was doing right by you. I wanted you to be young and experience everything. But then I got to thinking about you experiencing other men, and I wanted to burn the world down. I thought about kidnapping you in your sleep, hauling you back to my cabin, and locking you under me forever.”

Mmm… I get tingly just thinking about. “Then why didn’t you?” I’d be more than willing to be his captive for the rest of my life.

“I’m here, aren’t I? And I don’t plan on leaving without you.”

I lean up onto my toes, brushing my lips across his, feeling his soft warm skin settling the ache that’s been living inside my chest. Finally, it feels like I can breathe again. The paralyzing pain is gone, and I’ve never felt such joy. “I love you, Traeger.”

“I love you more, baby.”

He parts my lips with his tongue and kisses me senseless. The noise fades around us and all I can hear is my beating heart. My entire body is engulfed in heat and I need him. I let out a little whimper, and he pulls back, staring into my eyes.

“Come, doll. Its time to take care of my girl.” He grabs my waist and starts leading me through the crowd. He’s a man on a mission, and I can barely think past the throbbing pain that’s pulsing between my legs.

“Tarryn! Congratulations, sweetheart.” I look up, nearly grunting my frustration when I see my dad. His timing is terrible.

“Hi, Dad. Thanks.” The words come out twinged with annoyance. “Hi, Jules.” I look to the one, clinging to his side. The girl who’s nearly my age. But instead of being irritated with her, I’m happy. “I want you two to meet my special someone. Dad, Jules, this is Traeger. Traeger, this is my dad and his girlfriend Jules.”

“Fiancée!” she corrects, practically shouting as she holds her hand out for Traeger to shake and I see the huge diamond ring on her finger. It looks like my dad failed to share some big news with me.

“It’s nice to meet you both.” Traeger’s voice is a little rough; it sounds like he’s uncomfortable. But it could just be the crowded place. He likes his quiet and calm. And so do I.

“Don’t you think you’re a little old to be dating my daughter?”

My father’s rude comment has me practically snarling. I step in front of Traeger, shielding him from my father’s rudeness. “Wow. Isn’t that a little hypocritical, Dad, considering Jules is only two years older than me, and yet, you’re seven years older than Traeger. To my calculation, that would make you way too old to be marrying her.” I no longer give a rat’s ass who he wants to marry, but I will not stand for him being rude to my man. “Idon’t think you should be speaking on the matter. Besides, aren’t you the one who always says you can’t help the one you love? I’m in love with this man, and if you give him a chance, I think you’ll love him too.”

“Tarryn.” Traeger grips my waist. “It’s okay for him to be concerned. If it were our daughter, I’d have the same question. He’s just looking out for you.”

I glance up at him, feeling my heart beat even faster. Loving him even more. “But I don’t want anyone being rude to you.”

“I can handle it, baby. Go easy on your dad.”

“How did you two meet?” My father’s question has me turning back.

“Funny you should ask. We met when I broke my ankle.” He looks down and jerks back up when he sees my cast. It’s the first time he’s noticed it.

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