Page 29 of Scarlett's Mountain Man
Daddy helps me up and grabs Juniper, putting her in a baby carrier around his waist. She is snuggled into his chest, dozing off against his warm skin.
“Find an adult carrier, and I’ll let you carry me like that,” I blurt out without thinking.
My eyes go wide, my cheeks turning red as I realize what I just said.
Daddy full-on laughs and nods. “If I find one, will you actually?”
I shrug, looking away. I can’t believe I actually said that. But what I said was the truth. I would love to be against his chest like that, falling asleep with his warmth seeping into my skin.
What if we sat on the couch, him inside of me, as I dozed off to sleep? My face goes even redder.
“What was that thought?” Daddy asks.
I didn’t realize he had moved to the other side so he could clearly see my face.
“Nothing!” I quickly say. “It was nothing.”
“Tell Daddy,” he demands. “No secrets between us. I’m not going to judge you.”
“I just thought about us being naked on the couch, a blanket wrapped around us, you inside of me, as I dozed off to sleep. Feeling full, satisfied, and warm,” I mumble toward the end.
I would have never said something like that before, but Daddy makes me feel so comfortable. I feel like I can tell him everything without being judged. Just like he said.
“When you get the all-clear, we can do that as many times as you want. I won’t complain.” He smiles.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes, really. If you have any other ideas you want to try out, let me know. I’ll remember them.”
I nod again, my shoulders sagging as I relax. I am so glad I decided to push myself and come here the day after giving birth to Juniper. I know it was dumb and dangerous, but I am so glad.
“I’ll find one. In the meantime, anytime you want to be held like this, you let me know.” Daddy kisses the top of my head. “Now, let’s go for the walk and put you down for a nap. Both of you.”
“Will you nap with me?” I ask softly, afraid he is going to say no.
I crave to feel his arms wrapped around me as I sleep. I want to feel protected.
“If that’s really what you want.” He opens the door for me.
I step outside and take a deep breath. This is what I have to look forward to every morning; every day, if I stay here.
“Yes, it really is what I want. I’m not just saying it to get you into bed. I want it.” I turn to him.
He smiles, grabbing my hand as we slowly make our way around the cabin. Every once in a while, we stop and look out. It’s so beautiful up here. All the trees, other cabins, and birds chirping as the day goes on.
Heaven.
Absolute heaven.
I hope that in several years or even months, I still want to come out here and will continue to be amazed by the beauty of it all.
“Do you ever get tired of the view?” I ask, curiosity piquing inside of me. “How long have you lived up here?”
“Almost twenty years,” he replies. “And no, I don’t. Every single day, I sit out and drink my coffee while looking around the house.”
“But you haven’t the past couple of days or however long I’ve been here?”
He shakes his head. “No, I haven’t, but that’s okay. I love being around you.”
