Page 19 of Her Mountain Man Veteran

“Or at least let me come with you,” Dane continues, misinterpreting my silence. “Hell, I don’t care where I live, as long as you’re there.”

I squeeze his hands tight. “I don’t want to go back. Staying here would be a dream come true, but I’m just scared I won’t be able to find a job. It’s so remote…”

Dane shakes his head. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll take care of you, sugar. Living out here doesn’t cost much, and the rental cabins bring in plenty of money. But if you want to work, then we’ll find you a job in Cherry Hollow. It isn’t far.”

I think of the quaint mountain town I visited with Brody when I first arrived here, and the thought of it makes me smile. Denver was my fresh start after leaving Vermont…but maybe it’s time for something different. A new chapter out here in the mountains with the man who has stolen my heart.

“I’d love to stay,” I tell him. “I’d love it more than anything.”

He lets out a groan of relief, peppering my face with kisses, making me giggle with delight. Happiness rushes through me, light and golden in my veins, and I feel like I could float through the ceiling as Dane kisses me hard. We stay like that for a long time, basking in our joy as the future stretches before us.

“How about we head back home?” Dane asks. “I’ll make us some lunch.”

The word ‘home’ makes me shiver with delight.

“Home sounds perfect. I’ll join you in a few minutes, okay? There’s just one thing I need to do first…”

* * *

As Dane disappearsthrough the trees, I turn the other way, following the thud of my brother’s axe. It doesn’t take long to find him, and I watch from a safe distance as the tree he’s felling creaks and topples to the ground, making it shudder. Slowly, I approach him, unable to suppress a smile. He’s turning into a real mountain man, and he looks right at home.

“Brody?” I say.

He turns around. “Hey.”

I take a step toward him, the atmosphere a little raw after our fight last night. “Dane says you talked…”

“Yeah, we did.” He sets his axe down and looks at me. “I owe you an apology, Cee. You were right. I’ve been treating you like a kid for way too long, and I’m done holding you back.” He sighs deeply, running a hand over his beard. “You’re a grown woman now, and it’s about time I accepted it. You don’t need me anymore.”

“Oh, Brody.” I close the space between us and throw my arms around him. “I will always need you. Always. Just not in the same way as when I was a kid.”

“I get it.” He pats me on the back. “Sorry I was such a jerk. I guess it’s good you don’t need me that way anymore. Means you’re strong enough to stand on your own two feet. Not letting all that shit from the past keep you down. Hell, that’s all I can ask for.” He pulls back, resting his hands on my shoulders. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you.” I smile at him, emotion welling in my eyes. “That means a lot.”

“Don’t cry. You’ll set me off. Won’t be a pretty sight.”

I chuckle despite myself. “Okay, no crying.” I wipe away my tears, taking a deep breath. “I actually came out here to tell you something.”

He cocks his head. “Yeah?”

“I’m not going back to Denver. I’m staying here with Dane on Cherry Mountain.”

“Wow.” Brody’s thick brows lift for a second, then he smiles beneath his beard. “Guess that means we’re neighbors.”

“Guess it does.” I grin back at him.

“That’s great news, Cee.” He wraps an arm around me, giving me a quick squeeze. “I’m glad you’re happy.”

Eventually, it’s time for me to head back to Dane’s cabin for lunch. Before I go, I give my brother another hug, my voice wobbling slightly as I say, “Thank you, Brody.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

With one last smile at him, I set off through the trees toward Dane’s cabin. The forest is alive with birdsong, sunlight dappling the leaves, turning everything golden. It reminds me of my first day here, lugging my suitcase behind me and cursing myself for bringing so many books. I had no idea my life was about to change forever…all thanks to a naked mountain man.

As I approach the cabin, I smile when I see Dane is waiting for me, his body filling the doorframe. I race toward him, leaping into his arms.

---