Page 39 of Hitched to my Boss

"Really. Though I reserve the right to change my mind if they inherit your complete inability to function in social situations."

"They'll have you to teach them how to handle people. I'll teach them how to handle everything else."

The division of labor sounds perfect, like everything else we've figured out by trial and error over the past months. Jason handles the technical aspects of our joint business while Imanage client relations and strategic planning. I cook breakfast, he makes coffee strong enough to resurrect the dead. He handles home maintenance and repairs while I organize our schedules and handle the financial side of things.

It works because we both contribute what we're good at instead of trying to force ourselves into roles that don't fit.

"Speaking of handling people," I say, glancing at the clock, "shouldn't we go greet our client? Marcus is probably wondering why we're keeping him waiting."

"Marcus is sitting on the front porch with his own cup of coffee, enjoying the view and catching up with Mrs. Toombs." Jason doesn't release me from his arms. "He can wait another few minutes."

"What's so important that it can't wait until after our business meeting?"

"This." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small, wrapped package. "I know it's not our official anniversary yet, but I wanted to give you something to commemorate our first major joint contract."

I unwrap the package to find a delicate silver necklace with a small pendant in the shape of a mountain peak. It's simple, elegant, and absolutely perfect for someone who's made the mountains her home.

"Jason, it's beautiful."

"Look at the back."

I flip the pendant over and find an engraving in Jason's careful handwriting: "Home is wherever you are. - J"

The words blur as tears fill my eyes. Not sad tears, but the kind that come when someone sees exactly who you are and loves you for it.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it." I turn so he can fasten the clasp, then face him again. "But I love you more."

"Good thing, since you're stuck with me for the next sixty years or so."

"Only sixty?"

"I'm being conservative. I might live longer out of pure stubbornness."

I laugh, rising on tiptoes to kiss him properly. It starts soft, grateful, but quickly develops the heat that's been a constant between us since our first night together. Jason's hands tighten on my waist, pulling me closer, and I'm just starting to consider whether we have time to properly celebrate our business success when a voice from the front porch breaks the spell.

"If you two are done being newlyweds, I've got a ranch to run and contracts to sign!"

"Marcus Hartwell," I mutter against Jason's lips. "Worst timing in the history of business relationships."

"We'll continue this later," Jason promises, his voice rough with unfulfilled desire. "After we've secured our financial future."

"Is that a promise, Mr. Wallace?"

"That's a guarantee, Mrs. Wallace."

An hour later, after Marcus has signed the contract that officially makes us the Southwest's premier wildlife management team, I stand on our front porch watching his truck disappear down the mountain road. Jason's arms come around me from behind, and I lean back against his solid warmth.

"So," he says, his breath warm against my ear. "How does it feel to be a successful mountain businesswoman?"

"It feels like coming home," I answer honestly. "Like everything I went through to get here was worth it because it led me to this life with you."

"Even the parts where you thought I was an antisocial hermit who'd never commit to anything?"

"Especially those parts. They made me appreciate what we have now."

We stand in comfortable silence, watching the sun set behind the mountains that have become our shared sanctuary. Six months ago, I was a city consultant with a five-year plan and complete control over my professional trajectory. Now I'm a mountain wife with a business partnership that defies every career strategy I'd ever learned.

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