Page 4 of My Devoted Mountain Man

"She sells my artwork at her gallery. She's an amazing woman."

"I'm sorry, Fletch, but this looks like more than that."

"Yeah. I'm utterly and completely in love with her. But I've been trying to keep my distance. She's so young, and my time serving messed me up. I don't deserve a woman like her."

"I think you're being too hard on yourself and should let her make that choice."

We continue talking for a few more minutes when Brock comes out to join us.

"She's going to be okay. I told a little white lie, and they think you're her fiancé, so they'll let you in to see her."

"Thank you so much, Brock. I owe you."

I immediately ask for directions to where she's recuperating, and a nice nurse leads me there. When I walk into the room, I'mshocked by how frail and pale Erika looks, and I rush to sit down beside her. I once again take her hand into mine.

Leaning forward, I place a kiss on her forehead and then sit back. She's hooked to some IV bags, and the beeping of the machines seems like bad elevator music. It feels like I wait for hours until, at last, she starts coming to.

"Hey there, beautiful. Welcome back."

She opens and closes her eyes with difficulty, finally trying to focus on my face.

"Fletcher?"

"It's me, sweetheart."

"I feel like a truck ran over me. Where am I?"

"You're at the Hunter's Peak Clinic. They're taking good care of you."

Her gaze finally steady, she looks deep into my eyes, her own blue ones showing how vulnerable she is right now.

"I've missed you, Fletcher."

A pang of guilt goes through me. I've been doing my best to avoid her, which is probably why she decided to brave the mountain in her little car, just to see me.

"I've been a coward, sweetheart."

"A little birdie told me you have a crush on me."

"You heard that?"

"I was mostly in and out when you guys found me. Your voice was very distinct from the others. Thank you for being by my side."

"There's nowhere else where I would be, Erika."

"Can you get me some water?"

I hurry to pour some water into the small cup they have for her and bring it to her lips. She drinks a few sips and then leans back against the pillow.

"Will you stay with me, Fletcher?"

"I'll be here."

Apparently, saying those words made her feel secure enough to fall back asleep, so I spent the rest of the day and night watching over her. The next day, Brock makes an appearance, which surprises me.

"Hey Erika, I'm Brock. I was with the team that found you and brought you back. How are you feeling today?"

"A little run down to be honest. Everything hurts. I did fall down a mountain, after all."

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