Page 17 of My Devoted Mountain Man

"Even if I've been a coward all this time?"

"Don't talk about yourself like that. You know better."

"I've been so scared, Fletcher. I'm done with that, though, and I'm ready to get back to my one true calling."

"Then it's time for the surprise I have for you," he says.

"You're ready to tell me what the secret room is about? I know you want kids, so it's probably a nursery."

"It's something even better. Let's go home."

We go up the mountain, and I'm finally able to see the true beauty of the landscape that surrounds me. The trees, the flowers, and the mountain itself. My hands are itching to pick up a brush, and suddenly I want to ask him to drive me back to my house so I can start painting.

He's so happy about his surprise, though, so I keep enjoying the view, anxious to see what he’s done. When we get to our home, we go inside, and he takes me to the side of the house that has been covered in plastic for the past few months so that our cabin wouldn't be flooded by the dirt and grime that all construction work seems to bring.

"I made this for you, for this exact moment, sweetheart. I've always believed in you even when you haven't been able to believe in yourself."

We go through a layer of plastic, and when he opens the door, I gasp in surprise. He's built me my own studio in our home. The space is perfect, with natural light coming in through a skylight and several large windows.

He's already stocked up every single art supply I could ever want, and as I walk around the space, I can't believe he did thisfor me. But of course, he did this for me. Fletcher is that kind of man. He's my devoted mountain man.

I reach for the paint tubes and the brushes, and pretty soon I'm in a frenzy of creation. I barely feel when he kisses my forehead, urging me on, and leaves the room. Finally, I'm free, and my heart fills with joy at the realization.

Much later, even though I'm exhausted, we make love, and I realize how lucky I am. My life is perfect, and the future that once was dark is now bright and shiny. As I lay in Fletcher’s arms, I dream of all the good things that lie ahead.

"Thank you, Fletcher. It was an amazing gift. I love you."

"I'd do anything for you, my love."

And I believe him.

Chapter 10

One Year Later - New York

Erika

I'm in the middle of a gallery, full of people admiring and buying my artwork. I fight my instinct to hide away in acorner, mostly because Fletcher won't let me. He's abandoned me for the past 15 minutes, and I've had to have small talk with a few patrons.

All of them say great things about my art, and their comments move me. Fletcher walks up to me holding two champagne glasses. He hands me one and stands there with a smug grin on his face.

"Let's toast to a successful evening."

"We should go to see what's going on with your work."

His work is showing on the other side of the gallery. We're both being featured tonight, but for some reason, Fletcher thinks I'm the star of the show. He clinks his glass with mine and takes a sip of the bubbly liquid.

"We're right where we need to be, sweetheart."

The gallery owner, Elena, comes to update us on the sales being made. She looks so happy she might burst any minute now.

"Erika! We've just sold the last of the paintings. You're a total success. This is amazing."

I can't believe that all fifty paintings sold so quickly and at a premium price point. Fletcher puts his hand on my back just in time to anchor me as I sway on my feet.Every single one of my paintings has been sold.

"That is amazing. Thank you so much, Elena. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Stop doing that, Erika. Your art is gorgeous. You did all this by yourself."

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