Page 15 of Charmed By the Mountain Man

As I pace around the living room, it occurs to me that Willa is in a very similar situation. Her parents have her whole future mapped out for her, with no thought as to what she actuallywants. It's going to be harder for her to stand up for herself, since she’s younger.

Well, she has me in her corner now. And I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure her life turns out exactly the way she wants it to.

Fingers crossed that that’s here with me.

11

WILLA

After ending an exhausting phone call, I sprawl back on my bed, feeling hollow.

Do they actually teach parents how to push their kids' buttons? Is there some secret course where they learn to detect every weak point and make someone feel like – excuse my language – total shite?

Don’t get me wrong, I am super proud of my older sister for becoming a doctor. My parents, too – it's one of the most important jobs out there. It's just not for me. And after twenty solid minutes of my dad insisting that I will never amount to anything unless I have a diploma in something, he has certainly proved that I could never handle the pressure.

Rolling onto my side, I hug the pillow against me. Although Dad didn't say it specifically, he strongly hinted that he would ask Carlie to kick me out in the fall, so I have no choice but to go back to my family.

There's no way I can handle them pushing me around again.

Although Hux and I have only been together a little while, it feels like everything clicks between us. Is there any chance… Isigh. No. He’d never want me to move in with him after just a few months. That's not a fair thing to ask.

I sit up, stretch out my shoulders, then spend an hour reading my giant history of art textbook while taking notes. Then I grab a granola bar and juice from downstairs. By the time I get back to my phone, there's a text.

Hux: Hey, gorgeous. That call with my family has put me in a crappy mood, or I would phone you. Don't worry – I’ll be able to shake it off in a few hours. Can I pick you up after work tomorrow?

I'm sorry it was a pain. I totally get it. I just had a call with Dad that wasn't great either. I think hanging out tomorrow would cheer us both up.

Hux: Not hanging out. Having a date. Remember?

LOL! Right. Maybe we could cook together at your place or something?

Hux: Sounds great. Looking forward to it, Angel.

Aww. In just a few moments, with a couple of messages, we've cheered each other up. That feels…important, somehow.

I spend the next hour making jewelry. As I work with the beach glass, intricately twisted copper wire and black cord, my mind becomes quiet. The entire world disappears when I focus on creating like this. The only thing that exists is the piece in my hands.

Honestly, this is the perfect job for me. There have been times when I've zoned out for an entire day and created more stuff than I could believe. Eventually I finish the last piece and tidy up, wondering yet again if there's any realistic chance I could make a living doing this.

I would be perfectly happy renting this room from Aunt Carlie indefinitely. Or eventually getting a small apartment. I don't need much.

As I get ready for bed, I wonder if I could be enough for Hux in the long run. He's an incredible man, with ties here in Cedarville. Yet he's used to travelling around wherever the market leads him. And what would his family think of me? Would they approve?

Just before I drift off to sleep, I start doubting whether I could hold his interest forever. Sure, I know he really cares about menow, but it's only been a few days. It's going to take a lot of time to get to know each other completely, and for him to decide if he wants to take a chance on a girl with no formal education and no official career.

Forme, I'm enough. For him… I’m not so sure. A man that wonderful deserves the very best.

Which, logically, is probably not a self-taught jeweler with a day job in his sister's café.

12

HUXLEY

The next few days are a happy blur of dinner dates, long walks around town, and a little trip to West Stoneburg to pick up some supplies for Desire.

Although I'm sure that Willa would be happy to stay over at my place again, I don't ask. Things are going really quickly, and I feel we should take a step back.

Especially since the next step I'm suggesting is going to be a big one.

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