Page 16 of Harvested By The Mountain Man
She giggles, eyelids already drooping. “Goodnight, Levi.”
Her hand finds mine, warm and small, and I squeeze it while he steps back. For a moment the three of us are caught in the soft glow of her night-light, like a picture I don’t dare imagine too long.
When we slip out of her room and pull the door mostly closed, my emotions feel raw. It was just a tuck-in, nothingmore. But it feels like a line crossed, and I’m not sure whether to be terrified or grateful.
Chapter 14
Levi
This evening has been perfect. That goes for the food Hannah prepared, the pumpkin carving, the laughs, the dessert, and tucking Ivy in for a good night’s sleep.
The air outside feels perfect with just a touch of coolness rolling in … enough that I want to embrace Hanna, keep her warm by my side. But I can’t. Things aren’t that perfect … yet.
Hannah’s quiet and she seems like there’s something she wants to say, but it’s not coming out. Even the lit pumpkins seem like they’re holding their breath. She settles onto the swing beside me, tucking her legs under her, and for a long moment we just watch the candlelight flicker across the grinning faces.
I should say goodnight. The pumpkins are carved, Ivy’s tucked in, the job’s done. But the thought of walking away and leaving now makes me feel like I’m never going to have a way to connect with her … with them, again. I’ve been telling myselfto wait, to let her be the one to reach out. Tonight she did. And now? Hell if I know how to stop.
I clear my throat, staring at the shadows stretching across her porch. “I don’t understand it,” I say, voice rougher than I mean it to be. “I’ve known you for a handful of days. But for some reason, I can’t get you out of my head. I keep thinking about you here on the porch, at the festival. I think about Ivy and about this.” My hand gestures weakly at the glowing pumpkins, but what I mean is all of it.
She goes still, watching me, those hazel eyes catching the light like gold. I force myself to keep talking. “I don’t want to crowd you. I don’t want to push. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping for more nights like this. More excuses to see you.”
Her lips part, a soft breath slipping free. “Levi…”
“I don’t need an answer tonight,” I rush to add. “I just … need you to know.”
For a few moments, the only sound is the swing’s faint creak. Then she leans the smallest fraction closer, her shoulder brushing mine. Something in me snaps. Or maybe it settles. I reach up, fingers brushing her cheek, giving her every chance to pull away. She doesn’t.
The first kiss is tentative, careful, like we’re testing the idea of it. But the second—when she exhales against my mouth and tilts closer – that one runs deeper. When we part, her eyes are wide, her breath unsteady. Mine too.
“Guess I found my excuse,” I murmur, thumb still resting against her cheek.
Her laugh is quiet, shaky, but real. “You don’t need one. I’m sorry, Levi. The problem is me. I have a hard time getting close, taking a chance after Ivy’s father left us like he did.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask, hoping she knows it’s totally optional.
“Yeah, but not tonight. Levi, I really appreciate you helping with the pumpkins. Everything has been so wonderful this evening. Let’s not spoil it with problems from the past.”
I grab her hand and kiss her gently on top of her head. “Sounds like a good plan.”
♥♥♥
The drive up the ridge feels shorter tonight. The engine makes the climb as trees crowd close. Instead of silence pressing in, I feel something else. My day feels complete with Hannah and Ivy’s company. I commit to memory the sound of our laughter on the porch. And I can’t forget the sweetness of her kiss, and the warmth of Ivy’s little hand tugging mine.
The cabin greets me with its familiar stillness, but it doesn’t feel so empty anymore. I light the fire, crack open a beer, and let the glow stretch across the log walls. Before tonight, I wondered if I should hold back. Give her time. Give myself excuses. But sitting here now, I know better.
I don’t want excuses. I don’t want distance. And I sure as hell don’t want to spend another night imagining her from afar.
Tonight feels like a stop on the way to something better. It’s something I found sitting on a porch swing beside a woman I can’t get out of my head. I can’t get over Ivy making me instantly part of her world. She already trusts me more than I deserve.
I take another sip of beer, watching the flames leap higher, and let myself smile. I don’t know how or when. But I’m not letting Hannah slip away.
Chapter 15
Hannah
Iwake with a smile I can’t stop, even as I press the pillow over my face and try to smother it. Last night replays in pieces – the swing, his words, the way he touched my cheek like it mattered, like I mattered. The kiss lingers most of all. Tender at first, then deeper, carrying me somewhere I didn’t think I could go again.
I want more. The thought terrifies me, but it’s there. I can’t deny it.
