Page 71 of Orphan Girl's Mountain Men

"No, you've got it all wrong." Frustration and perhaps a little amusement too in her voice. "It's just that… well I don't think you realize how much Lennon and Reed love you."

What? She has my attention now… but what on Earth is this woman talking about?

"They idolize you. Whenever I am with them they practically talk about you in hushed tones. Especially Reed. He literally sees you as his savior. But Lennon too. I don't think you understand that from their perspective you're like a best friend, a father, an uncle, a boss and their platoon commander, all rolled into one. From their perspective they owe you their lives, and they'dfollow you anywhere, do anything for you. That's how much they love you. And… well… they can't seem to tell you, and you can't seem to see it." She finishes lamely, her gaze flickering down, but then back up again, almost defiantly. "So I decided I'd tell you. And I'd also tell you that I think… I think I kind of love you too." Her eyes soften, moisture appearing from nowhere. "At least… I've never felt this way before about anyone, except… well except, you, and Lennon, and Reed. All three of you. And I'm so confused!"

She's crying fully now, her hands covering her face. I pull her towards me. "It's okay, shush, shush, it's okay," I whisper. My fingers stroke her long silky hair as I pull her even closer, until she's sitting on my knee, and I feel the warmth of her on top of me, the weight of her on my lap, as light as a feather, as gentle as an elf or a fairy, but as real and womanly and loving as any man could ever hope for. "Hailey… I…" I don't know what to say. Don't know how to say it. All I am sure of is that she is everything to me. She smiles, and I smile back. "Oh Hailey, sweet Hailey." I whisper her name like it's an enchantment.

She reaches down, her eyes closed, her lips slightly parted… and then we kiss.

All the pain, the sorrow, the dreadful feelings of loss are lifted from me in the touch of her sweet lips on mine. It's like she's an angel, come down from heaven to save me. And boy do I need saving. My weariness, my stress, my worries all vanish in this moment of true connection, of deep understanding between us.

"Hailey." I whisper her name again, almost as if it is a mantra. A prayer for my salvation.

"Dean." She whispers my name in return, her tongue in my ear, her hot breath tickling the hairs, making me tingle.

Sitting astride me now, she slowly unbuttons her cotton shirt, shrugs out of her bra, and turns back to me. Her breasts press soft and warm against my face, as I lean in to kiss andsuckle at her swollen, pink nipples. She lets out a moan of pleasure, pushing her breasts forwards, allowing my tongue to fully explore the roundness and firmness of her ripe fruits.

Wriggling around on top of me, she lifts her skirt and pulls aside her panties. For me it's even easier, since I only had my dressing gown on when she came in. One tug of the belt and the gown lies open, revealing my fully swollen manhood beneath.

"Mmm…." She licks her lips, as if looking forward to a delicious dessert or a glass of particularly fine wine, then shifts position once more, hovering for a moment or two over me, holding me, guiding me to the exact right spot, before sinking down on me with an "Oh!" of pleasure.

"Oh Hailey." Our eyes meet, hold each other's gaze. We smile. A genuine smile of love, of affection, of recognition. Without the need for words, our shared smile says "I see you, I feel you, I honor you. We are one together."

CHAPTER 27

Hailey

I'm back at home. After a few days away staying with the boys, True Heart Lodge seems if anything even more dear to me than it did before. Dean has explained how the builders used only local Western Red Cedar timber, which lasts for many decades and yet is also very attractive to the eye. So simple in its design yet nevertheless so beautifully constructed, my little home encompasses truly the best of all worlds—cheap to build, utilizing easily available, local resources, sustainable, long lasting, and good looking. I think he's envious in some ways, although of course the boys' place is on a much grander scale than this little cabin.

Nestling as it does, by the edge of my little lake, and looking out across the trees to the line of the mountains beyond, I do not think there is any place so magical nor so peaceful as this. No wonder my mom and dad fell in love with it.How on Earth did they come across it?I wonder idly, as I sit on the veranda, waiting for Reed to show up.

I'd not been waiting long when I see his tall, confident figure, striding across the field to the fence that borders our two properties, neatly stepping up and over the stile that he’sconstructed there to make it easier to visit each other, before following the line of the lake up to the lodge itself.

He gives me his usual, cheerful grin and says "Day off for you, eh? Dean can't make you muck out stables or paint fences whilst you’re safe on your own property!" He winks. "Can't say I blame you. I'd never come back, truly I would not."

"Don't you want me around?" I ask, smiling to show I'm only jesting. He puts up his hands in mock horror.

"Oh, far from it. I love having you around. While the General's busy working you, he ain't chasing Lennon or me." Another wink.

"Glad to be of service." I laugh.

"So… where's the beer?"

I sigh. "In the fridge. Help yourself." He heads inside muttering something about young people having no manners these days, and comes back out with a couple of beers, pops one and hands it to me, keeping the other for himself. We clink bottles, chug. Somewhere out on the lake a bird lets out a call and there's an accompanying splashing sound. Probably a duck landing over the water, I think.

We finish our beers, watching the sunlight dappling on the lake surface, hearing the occasional plop of a carp as it flicks out of the water to catch an unwary fly, hovering temptingly close to the surface. I should give fishing a go sometime. There's a rod and some fishing line and stuff in the barn out the back.

"So," I say, cheerfully. "What's this all about, and why all the mystery? Why did we have to meet here?"

"You'll see." He smiles at me, a genuine smile. "Follow me."

We head inside, and Reed leads the way to my parents' bedroom—well, mine now, I guess.

"Just here." Reed's pointing to the bed.

"Reed, did you get me here as an excuse to?—"

"Don't flatter yourself, darling." He cuts me off. "Look more closely. What do you see?"

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