Page 9 of The Mountain Man's Unexpected Bride
"Your life is your own now, princess. Being married is just one small part of it. You could go to college or take up art, you can do pretty much anything you want now that you're not living with those vipers."
I start getting excited at his words. The world is my oyster right now. I should take advantage of it.
"How can I go to college if I'm living on a mountain?"
"That's the beauty of the internet."
"The internet? I don't even have a phone."
"Then that's what we're getting next."
We leave the restaurant, and Brock pulls me excitedly by my hand through the shopping center. He buys me a phone and a computer, and I end up feeling pretty overwhelmed. Finally, we stop at another shop and he gets me a suitcase.
After shopping, I'm not sure where we're going, but Brock has the driver pass through some of Chicago's popular sites, and he tells me stories about them. He's very knowledgeable, and itmakes me think of how one of his first suggestions was for me to study.
"How come you know so much about this city?"
"I did my medical residency here."
"It sounds like you loved it here."
"I was doing what I loved, so yes, I enjoyed myself."
"It must be very different to do the work you are doing now than to be working at a vibrant city hospital."
"It was the compromise I needed to make to have a quiet, peaceful life. I don't regret it."
I realize I'm ogling him and try to stop, but he's just so attractive, I wish he would hold me again, like he did earlier. When we approach a fancy hotel, I'm a little bit intimidated by all the luxury. We go up first, and Brock tells me the packages will be delivered to our room shortly.
My face grows heated at the mention of a room. Are we going to be intimate? I hadn't expected that, but Brock doesn't seem to be bothered. If only I could be as nonchalant as he is about all of this. When he opens up the 'room', it is bigger than I expected it to be. There are rooms within the room!
I feel like a country bumpkin as I gawk at all the beautiful things around me.
"You'll sleep in the bedroom and I'll take the sofa bed."
I'm not sure if I'm relieved or devastated by his words. Doesn't he want me? Am I the only one feeling this pull? Suddenly there's a knock on the door and it startles me. Brock goes to open it, and several bellhops come in with our packages.
I guess they aremypackages, and oh my god, there are so many of them. Brock asks them to place them in my room, and I feel a little breathless. My life is changing right before my eyes. I can't believe it. For the longest time, I thought I didn't deserve good things to happen to me. Have I paid for my sins already? Is this why I'm being rewarded?
Standing there like a fool, I don't see Brock approach me.
"We're leaving tomorrow around eleven, so you have time to pack everything in your suitcase. There's a work bag for the laptop and tablet. We forgot to get you a purse. Maybe we can get it online."
"Oh, I don't think…"
"It'll give me a chance to show you how to use the internet."
"Okay, thank you."
"You look a little bit overwhelmed."
"Yes, everything seems like a little too much right now. I've only ever had the bare minimum so I could do my job properly."
Brock reaches for my hands and takes them in his. They are big, warm hands, and I can feel the calluses telling me he's not afraid of hard work. I look up into his eyes and see worry. He's worried about me, and I'm so thankful he's in my life.
When he doesn't stop looking at me, my body begins to respond in ways I've never felt before. I've got butterflies in my stomach, and I can't take my eyes off him either. My face is so flushed that I feel the pressure on my cheeks.
"You are so beautiful, princess."
