Page 11 of Mountain Man's Redemption

“It’s complicated,” I say, hating myself. She was so open with me, and now I’m closing her down like an asshole, but I can’t tell her. Can’t watch her expression turn to fear and disgust just like everyone else’s. No, better just to get the hell out of her life as soon as possible. She’ll hear the truth from someone, eventually. Then she’ll be relieved as hell that things never went any further between us.

“You want dessert?” I ask, changing the subject before she can respond.

“Oh…uh, yes, please. That would be great.” She looks guilty, like she’s upset with herself for bringing up Rita’s comment, and I hate myself even more as I disappear into the kitchen.

Criminal. Criminal. Criminal.

The word reverberates inside my mind, and I splash my face with a handful of cold water, staring at my reflection in the darkened kitchen window.

Not just a criminal.

A killer.

7

DAPHNE

The next morning,I wake up on the mattress on the floor of my apartment, blinking sleep from my eyes. My limbs are heavy, but I force myself to get up and hop in the shower, letting the warm water rouse me. As I wash myself, I think back to last night, a lump of unease growing in my throat.

God, why did I have to mention what Rita said?

I left Garrett’s shortly after dinner. Everything was going perfectly until I mentioned the “criminal” comment. After that, he was more distant, almost like he was waiting for me to leave. So I didn’t stick around. We finished our dessert and said goodnight, the atmosphere strained between us. All because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

I don’t regret telling Garrett about my parents. He was so kind and understanding, and when he told me he believed I wasn’t involved, I know he truly meant it. He’s the first person ever to believe me, and it got me wondering whether he’d dealt with similar false accusations—that’s why I mentioned Rita’s comment. But I knew I shouldn’t have said it the second the words left my mouth. It upset him. He tried to hide it, but I saw the way the light dimmed in his warm brown eyes, and now I’m more curious than ever.

I don’t believe Garrett is a criminal.

He gave me the benefit of the doubt when I told him about my family, and I owe him the same…but there’s obviously a story there. Something that still hurts him. I wish I knew what it was. I wish I knew why Rita Danvers said that about him. But now, I’ll probably never find out. I’m pretty sure I’ve blown it with Garrett, and I can’t see him opening up to me anytime soon after last night.

With a sigh, I step out of the shower and towel myself dry before getting ready for the day. Thirty minutes later, I’m in the car following the twisting mountain road toward Garrett’s cabin. My heartbeat quickens the closer I get, and when I finally come to a stop beside his pickup, I suck in a breath.

Garrett is standing in the open doorway, wearing dark jeans and a blue flannel shirt. He looks more rugged than ever, big and wild, and his gaze follows me as I get out of the car and head toward him, my legs trembling slightly.

I really wish my body would stop malfunctioning in his presence.

“Morning,” he calls as I approach, his voice a little croaky from sleep.

“Good morning.” I smile at him.

His eyes linger on mine for a moment before he looks toward his truck. “I need to head into town. Grab a few things. Make yourself at home while I’m gone, okay?”

He keeps his eyes averted, and I can’t help wondering whether he’s trying to get away from me. The thought is like a punch to the gut.

How did I mess this up so badly?

“Do you mind if I tag along?” I ask, the words out of my mouth before I can stop them. “I could really use some, uh…some extra paint.”

Garrett’s brow creases, but he nods. “Sure.”

His reluctance hurts more than it should, and as he helps me up into the passenger seat of his pickup, I wonder why the heck I’m doing this. I should stay here and work on my painting, not traipse after a man who doesn’t seem to want me here. But before I can say anything, Garrett is in the driver’s seat and we’re heading away from his cabin.

Silence settles between us as we descend Cherry Mountain, weighing me down until I can’t stand it anymore.

“Listen, Garrett…I’m sorry about last night.” I fiddle with my hands, keeping my eyes on the road ahead. “I never should have mentioned what Rita said, and I’m really sorry for upsetting you.”

In my peripheral vision, I see Garrett’s hands clench around the steering wheel, and he lets out a deep sigh.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Daphne. None of this is your fault. I’m the problem here, not you.” He pauses for a moment, and I chance a glance at him. His jaw is tight, and he’s breathing hard, like he’s trying to collect himself. “Fuck, I’m sorry for making you feel like you did something wrong. It wasn’t that at all. I promise.”

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