Page 29 of Orphan Girl's Mountain Men

"Determination isn't everything," I say. "Also, in case it needs spelling out, you're staying away from her while she's here. She doesn't need your nonsense."

Reed merely smiles. "We'll see."

"You're saying it like it's a given," Lennon complains. "You agreed to this without consulting us. We live here too."

"I'm consulting you now," I tell him, and I smile because he's walked right into my trap. "But okay big boy, if you don't want her to come here, you just have to go tell her."

"Me?"

"Yup." I smile. "I already told her yes, so you can tell her you vetoed my decision."

"Don't you dare." Reed glares at him and Lennon gives him a look.

"Grow up."

"You grow up."

"Enough!" I slam my palm on the table for emphasis, my voice slicing through the tension like a whip. The kind of tone that used to silence the entire platoon, back in the day. "It's decided. Now let's move on. We've got more important things to worry about."

CHAPTER 11

Hailey

Ipack a few essentials so I’m ready to leave early Monday morning, before Dean can change his mind. Luckily, almost everything I value fits in my rucksack, which I haven't even fully unpacked yet anyway. It takes no time to toss in pants, a couple of tops, my hoodie, underwear, toothbrush, hairbrush, and deodorant, and zip it up.

At the crack of dawn, I head over to my neighbors' house.

I knock on the door and steel myself for whatever I'm about to face. It's not likely to be an entirely friendly welcome, I know that much. Lennon's made it no secret he's not a fan, and even though Dean has agreed to teach me, it's clear he doesn't like me either. He only agreed because he's convinced I'll fail and then he can get his hands on my land. He's wrong, but I don't hold it against him. He doesn't know how tenacious I can be. I've never given up on something I want—and I'm not about to start now.

The door opens and it's Lennon standing there. Even as my breath quickens, I notice the scowl on his face, the open disapproval in his eyes.

Yup. He definitely doesn't want me here.

I give him a sweet smile, anyway, refusing to let his bad mood get to me. "Hiya, You're Lennon, right? We were never properlyintroduced. Nice to see you again and my name's Hailey if you don't already know. Also, I don't know if Dean told you about our deal?—"

"He did," he cuts me off.

Good. At least I don't have to be the one to break it to him.

"Guess we're going to be living together, then, aren't we? That will be nice!"

His eyes narrow and he shakes his head. I frown. Is that a denial?

He grunts and starts to say something—but a small voice behind him interrupts.

"Daddy? Who's that?"

Hearing his daughter's voice softens his features into something more human. He responds, "No one, honey."

I lean sideways to spot her and say, "Hello, sweetie."

"Princess Ice Cream." A grin splits the little cutie pie's face, and I grin back. Of course she'd nickname me that.

"Yes, it's Princess Ice Cream."

I walk past Lennon, ignoring what his musky, tobacco-and-leather scent does to my body—the way my nerves skitter at the heat he throws off. I squat in front of the little girl, hiking my bag higher on my shoulder.

"Princess Ice Cream is going to be staying with you for a while. That'll be fun, right?"

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