Page 31 of Mystery in the Mountains

He fought the urge to push her behind him and keep this man’s eyes off her.

“Are you Sunshine Palmer?”

“Who’s asking?”

“I’m from VenDeer Coal. We had been enquiring about this property. We were told the lot was abandoned.”

“I was traveling. It’s not abandoned.”

“Are you interested in selling?”

“No.”

The way she answered quickly appeased Asher’s wolf slightly.

“Well, if you change your mind. Here’s my card . . .” He reached into his suit pocket and handed a business card to her.

His wolf growled as he reached out and shook Sunny’s hand.

“Have a nice day,” the man said with a sly smile.

Sunny nodded and closed the door, examining the card.

But Asher’s eyes were on the man as he rolled off her property.

“What was that about?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Are you hungry?” she asked as she started to hobble to the kitchen.

“Let me cook. You don’t need to be doing it in your state.”

“I’m fine,” she said over her shoulder.

“Your limp says otherwise.”

She shook her head and laughed.

That laugh settled in his soul, and his wolf went from a growly beast to one asking for belly rubs. He was a mess.

“You make coffee. I’ll make us some eggs. I make better eggs anyway.”

“That is a lie,” she protested, shuffling to the coffee maker.

“It is not.” He opened the fridge and grabbed the butter and eggs.

The two made breakfast like they’d been doing it for years. As soon as he accepted her, he found instant solace in her company. He should have known this would feel way better than being mad at her. Even if that anger was still there, singing the edges of this picture-perfect moment.

“Has the coal company been after you?” he asked.

She hit the button on the coffee machine, and it burbled to life.

“No, that was the first time. But I did know that if I didn’t come back, the property would be deemed abandoned.”

Those words had him bristling.

“Is that why you came back?” he asked as his eyes stayed glued to the frying pan.

“No,” she said as she walked over to him. “It may have been then finally boost to push me over the edge . . . but it is not why.”

---