Page 69 of Mountain Defender

While my instinct is to double down on being okay, what if the positions were reversed and Gage were the one laying in bed, tense and worried? Wouldn’t I want to know?

Pushing into a seated position, I hug my knees to my chest. “I guess… I’m having a hard time dealing with some things.”

Gage sits up and loops his arm around my shoulder, gently tugging me into his side. His eyes darken with concern. “What things, baby?”

I let out a heavy sigh. “The money. The settlement, I mean.”

“What about it?”

“I feel guilty. I mean… I never felt good about the money, but using it for the shelter seemed okay. I could never have bought the property or the kennels or… any of it, really. Not without the money I get every year. But now… I keep thinking about the people who work for Atlantic Adventures. The ones who’ll lose their jobs because of the money I’m getting.”

There’s no hesitation. “Rory, that is not on you. Not in the least. Before the son took over, the company was fine.” His jaw tightens. “And honestly, Ror. It should have shut down after you were hurt. What they let happen was inexcusable.”

“I know.” My chest squeezes. “But the employees, it wasn’t their fault. Not the ones who work there now. And they’re the ones?—”

Gage lifts me into his lap. He strokes my hair back from my face. “Baby. The employees will find new jobs. Or someone willbuy the company and keep it running. Either way, it’s not your fault. You shouldn’t feel guilty at all. And what you’re doing with the money is incredible. You could do anything with it. Go on trips. Buy expensive cars. Designer clothes?—”

I snort.

“Fine, maybe not designer clothes,” he amends with a chuckle. “But you’re doing a good thing, Ror. I’ll support you with whatever you choose. But I swear to you, there’s nothing to feel guilty about.”

Resting my head on his shoulder, I let his words sink in. Am I convinced? Not quite. But I definitely feel better.

“Is that everything?” he asks. “Are you worried about Mavers or Ford getting out? Because they won’t. Enzo talked to Officer Nelson. She said the judge is denying bail for both of them.”

That’s a relief; yes. But it’s not what I’m worried about.

Now that the danger is gone, there’s no reason for me to stay at GMG anymore. Which is a good thing, in theory. It means they can use the cabin for another pro-bono client. It means I can bring the dogs back to the kennel. Open the shelter again.

But it also means I won’t see Gage all the time.

It means I’ll be alone in a house that I’m not sure I feel safe in anymore.

Will he still spend every night with me when we live fifteen minutes apart? Would he even want to?

Yes, I feel a connection with Gage that I’ve never felt with anyone before. And I know he cares about me, too. But he has his own life. His own home. Responsibilities I know he’s neglected while he’s been spending so much time with me.

In my heart of hearts, I wish he’d stay with me. But it’s too soon to ask.

So I shove my nagging worries down. Give myself a mental pep talk. Smile at Gage. “I’m just thinking about the dogs. That’s all. Getting them back to the barn, figuring out which familiesmight want to adopt, that kind of thing. But nothing to worry about.”

Gage’s expression stills. Something unreadable flickers in his gaze. “So you’re making plans to go back to your house already?”

“I guess I figured I should. With everything…”

“I think it would be better if you stayed here a little longer. Just to be safe.” His arms tighten momentarily around me. “I want to make absolutely sure Mavers or Ford didn’t have an accomplice. Alec doesn’t think so, but let’s give him a few more days to investigate. Is that okay?”

My heart makes a tiny, hopeful jump. Stay here with Gage for a few more days? Not have to deal with the yawning uncertainty of my house for a little longer?

“Yes.” I straddle him, tucking up my legs on either side of his. “It’s okay.”

His lips press to the top of my head. His chest rises. Falls. His breath feathers across my hair. “Okay.”

Then he tilts his head back to look at me. “I was thinking. I have a meeting with the program developers at eight-thirty. But it should only be an hour or so. Maybe afterwards, we could have another picnic in the woods? Then have a lazy day here?—”

“Is sex a part of that plan?” My fingers trail along the waistband of his shorts. His stomach muscles twitch. “I think it should be.”

His pupils dilate. The morning bulge between his legs jumps. “I think we could work that into the schedule.”

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