Page 13 of Mountain Man Rescue
I press my palm to the cold window, watching as Wyatt’s cabin fades into the trees.
“It’s time for me to go home,” I whisper, though I’m not sure I even remember where that is anymore.
And as the plow rumbles down the mountain, I leave my heart behind in a cedar cabin nestled in the snow.
Chapter Nine
Wyatt
The shower’s hot enough to sting, but I stand there anyway, letting the water beat against my shoulders until the room fills with steam.
I close my eyes and wish like hell the plow would turn around and crawl back down the mountain.
Just a few more hours.
A few more laughs.
A few more mornings of waking up with her soft curves pressed against me.
But wishing doesn’t change a damn thing.
The road is clear.
She doesn’t belong up here anyway. It wasmychoice to live on this ridge, away from the world, away from noise and people and pain. That’s not her life. Gina’s used to city lights, chatter, cameras clicking, music playing. She deserves more than the quiet I’ve built for myself.
Still, the thought of her leaving twists something sharp inside my chest.
I reach for the soap, scrubbing hard, trying to focus on the rhythm instead of the ache. But it’s useless. Visions of her fill every corner of my mind. The way her thick auburn hair felt slipping through my fingers. The warmth of her skin under my palms. The way she says my name in that breathless, trembling voice that makes every scar I carry fade for a second.
God help me—I don’t want her to go.
And if I don’t want her to leave, what the hell am I going to do about it?
I turn off the water and grab a towel; my reflection fogging in the mirror. I pull on clean jeans and a flannel shirt and dress without fully drying off. With my shirt sticking to my skin, I start pacing the room. If I want her to stay, I’m going to have to ask her. But what should I say?
Gina, you don’t have anywhere to be right now. Why don’t you stay here?I mutter, running a hand through my hair. No. That sounds all wrong. It’s too casual.
Gina, I have plenty of room. Why don’t you stay for a while?No. I don’t want her as a guest.
I want her as mine.
Lucky’s dream flashes through my head, the one he used to talk about over cold MREs and sandstorms. A cabin in the mountains. Cats. Laughter. Kids running around. A life worth fighting for.
It punches me right in the gut because that’s exactly what I want—with her.
Babies. Morning coffee. Her laughter echoing through these walls every damn day.
I roll out my shoulders, take a deep breath, and settle on the only words that feel right.
Gina, don’t leave. Stay with me. Forever.
Short. Honest. To the point.
I say it one more time, just to hear it one more time. Convinced that it’s right, I open the bedroom door.
“Gina?”
Lucky pads across the floor, his tail flicking. He looks at me, lets out a sharp hiss, and darts toward the window.
