Page 8 of The Mountain Man's Unexpected Bride
It takes me a while, but I finally stop crying. I realize we've stopped somewhere, and I see that we're in a parking garage of some sort. As I blow my nose and clean my face, I wonder if I have missed something. Is this where he lives? He mentioned something about a mountain.
"Are you feeling better, princess?"
"Yes. Thank you. Where are we?"
"Since you don't have anything to wear, I thought we might stop by a shopping center and buy you the bare necessities."
I give thanks that my face is already flushed with my earlier outburst, because he would see how embarrassed I am about this. I don't really know what to say, so I stay quiet and just nod. The driver opens the door for me, and I get out with his help.
Brock is there next to me in moments, and he guides me towards the elevators. He's a gentleman through and through and demonstrates it in every gesture—opening doors, explaining where we are, and generally making sure I'm doing okay.
I've never been treated like this unless it was by my father when he was alive. It hurts my heart a little that he reminds me so much of him, as I've tried to keep him buried in my heart since the night he passed away, leaving me to lead a life of servitude.
Which reminds me of the fact that I am now completely free. Sure, I'm supposed to be Brock's fiancé, but according to this man, I no longer have to do anything I don't want to do. There will be no more name-calling and punishments. I can shape my life the way I want to.
When we enter a boutique, I feel a little uncomfortable because of my old and tattered clothes, but Brock takes my hand and starts pointing at things. I choose a couple of shirts and a pair of jeans, and he encourages me to get more.
When we get to the lingerie department, I finally see him blush. He points to a seating area that's far away from the intimates section and tells me he'll be waiting for me there. I find the most serviceable underwear I can locate and make my choices quickly.
Once I'm finished, we approach the cashier, and I'm distraught by the amount of money we have spent. Brock just smiles at me and gives the woman a black card. My mind is reeling. How will I ever pay him back for this kindness?
I'm surprised that the driver meets us at the door of the shop and takes all the packages from us.
"Do you want to have something to eat?"
My stomach chooses to rumble at that exact moment, and I almost die of shame.
"That sounds like a yes, princess."
We start walking alongside each other, and I can't stop looking at all the luxury that surrounds us. I was never allowed to go shopping with my family, and haven't been to one of these shopping centers since I was a small child with my mother.
"Brock, I don't know how I'm going to repay you."
"For what, princess?"
"You spent a lot of money on me back there."
"Think of it as an engagement present."
"But I don't have anything to give you."
"Don't worry so much about it, Savannah. I'm just glad I got you out of that house. Your life will be different from now on."
I think about his words and something inside me bursts. Happiness floods me, and I realize this is a new chapter of my life, where I'm in control. And I'm going to do it with this amazing man next to me.
"Can we get dessert first?"
"Your wish is my command, princess."
We spend the next two hours eating. I don't really want to talk about my past life, so I ask Brock about his life and this beloved mountain of his. He talks about it with pride and tells me that he's a field doctor for the area’s search and rescue team.
The more he talks about his mountain, the happier he seems, and now I'm dreaming of this place as if it will bring me the same amount of joy as it does him. When he catches me staring at him dreamily, he stops talking.
"I'm blabbing, aren't I? I'm sorry, I should be asking you what you want to do with your life."
"Apart from being your wife?"
His eyes move away from me for a moment, and it somehow makes me feel uneasy. He's been straightforward with me so far, could he be keeping something from me? An ex-wife? Some children? I need to calm myself. I'm just letting my imagination get away from me.
