Page 5 of The Mountain Man's Curvy Bride

"Shut up," Wes grumbles, though there's a faint twitch of amusement on his lips.

Our meals arrive quickly—plates piled high with fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and golden hash browns. As we dive into our food, the conversation continues easily, punctuated by bursts of laughter and teasing banter.

Between bites, I find myself sneaking peeks at Wes. He's quiet, thoughtful, but his eyes are warmer now, softer as he listens to Liam's exaggerated storytelling. There's something captivating about Wes—something steady and reassuring beneath that gruff exterior. I wonder what he's thinking, if he’s also wondering about our future or regretting the decision already.

"Earth to Daisy," Everly teases gently, waving a forkful of pancake in front of my face. "Lost in thought over there?"

I laugh sheepishly, cheeks warming. "Sorry, just distracted. It's nice being here. It all feels so normal."

Everly nods, understanding shining in her eyes. "I know exactly what you mean. There's something special about finding a place that feels right."

"Exactly," I agree softly, stealing another quick glance at Wes. Our eyes meet briefly, and my heart skips an unexpected beat at the intensity of his gaze before he quickly looks away.

By the time we finish eating, I'm pleasantly full and happier than I've felt in a long time. The waitress clears our plates, topping off our coffee cups as we linger, reluctant to end the easy camaraderie of the meal.

Everly leans across the table, her voice conspiratorial. "We should definitely do this again soon. Maybe dinner at our place next week?"

"We'd love that," I say instantly, glancing at Wes for confirmation. He hesitates for a split second, then nods.

"Great!" Everly claps her hands excitedly. "It's a plan."

We say our goodbyes in the parking lot, Everly and I exchanging phone numbers with promises to chat soon. Wes and Liam exchange gruff farewells, clapping each other on the shoulder in that masculine, affectionate way they have.

As Wes and I climb back into his truck, a comfortable silence settles between us. The drive home is quiet but peaceful, the scenic beauty of the mountain roads wrapping around us like a warm embrace.

"Today was nice," I finally say softly, glancing over at him.

He glances at me briefly, his expression thoughtful. "It was nice. Better than I expected."

I smile warmly, leaning back into the seat, feeling a quiet sense of contentment settle deep within me. Maybe this arrangement started as something practical, something born of necessity, butin this moment, it feels like so much more. Like the beginnings of something real, something I've been longing for my entire life.

5

Wes

It's been a few days since Daisy and I exchanged vows at the courthouse, and the reality of our arrangement is slowly sinking in. Slowly. Honestly, I’m still adjusting to sharing my once quiet and solitary cabin with someone so full of life and energy. Daisy seems to be settling in just fine, though. Better than fine, actually. She's taken to the cabin and the mountain like she’s always belonged here, humming cheerfully as she moves around my kitchen, making herself perfectly at home.

Today, the sweet aroma of chocolate fills the air, mingling with the warmth from the wood-burning stove. I glance up from my spot on the worn leather couch, where I've been half-listening to the lawyer drone on about my uncle's will.

“Yes, Mr. Walker,” the lawyer says in his usual monotonous voice. "The terms are very clear. You must remain married for one year before the inheritance will be fully transferred to your name."

"A full year?" I groan inwardly, pinching the bridge of my nose. I had hoped it might be a few weeks, a month tops. An entire yearfeels like an eternity, especially considering the last few nights I've spent tossing and turning restlessly on the couch, unable to sleep, my thoughts consumed by Daisy.

I glance toward the kitchen again, watching her stir a pot of fudge, her movements graceful and rhythmic. Her long blonde hair catches the sunlight filtering through the window, shimmering like spun gold. The fabric of her snug sweater clings enticingly to her curves, and I shift uncomfortably, suddenly very aware of the tightness in my jeans. This living arrangement is torture—and not just because of the uncomfortable sleeping conditions.

"Mr. Walker?" the lawyer prompts, breaking through my distracted thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you," I mutter, forcing myself to focus. "One year. Got it."

"Excellent," he replies blandly. "Once the terms are met, the funds will be released, and you can move forward with your plans."

I hang up, sighing deeply. My plans. For years, I've dreamed of starting a dog ranch, a sanctuary and training facility nestled in these mountains. A place where abandoned or rescued dogs could heal and thrive. Something meaningful, something real. But first, there's the matter of surviving a full year of marital bliss—or whatever you call this bizarre situation Daisy and I have gotten ourselves into.

Daisy glances up from the stove, catching me watching her. Her bright blue eyes sparkle mischievously as she smiles. "Everything okay over there, Wes?"

"Fine," I say, clearing my throat. "Just finished talking to the lawyer about the inheritance. Looks like we’re stuck together for a year."

She lifts an eyebrow playfully, stirring the pot slowly. "Stuck, huh? Well, I suppose there are worse things."

---