Page 14 of Mountain Man's Christmas Gift
How had I ever thought I could walk away from this? From him?
I wasn’t just falling for Keaton. I was falling into a whole new life—one that terrified and thrilled me. A life that felt like home.
When I glanced past him, I saw Tessa waiting by the banquet room door, a knowing smile on her face, as if she’d seen this happy ending long before I had.
“Ready?” she asked.
Keaton took my hand, threading our fingers together. His grip was firm, protective, like he’d never let me go.
We followed Tessa back into the party. The music was still playing, couples still dancing, but something inside me had shifted.
As I looked around the room—at Buck and Sheraton, at Wade and his girlfriend, at all these people who’d welcomed me—I felt the weight of every fear I’d carried slide off my shoulders.
I was finally home. This wasn’t just a fling or a reckless decision. This was my future.
And it was going to be beautiful.
