Page 49 of Whiskey Kisses For the Mountain Man
“Are you all moving a very large tree somewhere?” I ask, scared to hope. I recognize the truck immediately. I’ve researched exhaustively the entire process of transporting a live tree of that size from one city to another.
“Well, Christmas Queen,” Asher grins, “Owen here came to us, seeking our help.”
I look up at him to find he’s already watching me. I knew he was supporting me and trying to help, but he never specified in what ways.
“This tree lighting tradition you have proposed for Eden Ridge is something my brothers and I have come to realize could mean a lot to not just this town, but to us as well. Some of us have kids or will at some point,” Asher continues.
Beckett chimes in, “I won’t lie.” He’s the more serious one of the bunch, “I wasn’t keen on making our small town viral. I want my future children to grow up safe. I want them to know their fellow neighbors and residents. I worried you’d bring the wrong type of cityfolk here who might seek to expand and ruin what we consider sacred.”
“I don’t want that,” I quickly defend.
And I don’t. I love what Eden Ridge has shown me, given me. I see myself settling here. I love being able to walk from my job to the local shops, explore Main Street, speak to familiar faces. This has felt more home to me than where I grew up.
“I know,” Beckett softens up and smiles. “Hence, we all talked about it. And we’ve pitched in to outbid Silver Lakes.”
My eyes must be about to pop out of my head. “What?” I whisper.
“I run a Lumber mill,” Grayson says. “Providing safe delivery of a large live tree is up my alley. Harold’s condition to take care of transporting was something that won’t cost us a thing.”
“In exchange,” Asher says, “we worked out a deal with Montgomery Farms. Hunter Distillery will be providing a tasting at their Spring workshops.”
“And, we secured a tree for next year,” Holden finishes.
“I might pass out,” I whisper in disbelief.
Owen’s arms wrap around me. “Can’t have you doing that, Snowflake.”
“How?” I look up at him and ask.
“Business expense,” Grayson shrugs. “Hunter & Co. Lumber will also be partnering on natural regeneration projects with Harold’s land. What we do, he and I, is not just to provide for our communities alone. We all play our part and invest in Oregon land. It’s an easy partnership.”
“So, we get the tree?” I ask, my brain still not wanting to believe it.
“We get the tree,” Owen assures, pressing a kiss on my head. “The tree lighting ceremony is back on.”
The truth of that statement is a tidal wave of elation. I squeal and jump into Owen’s arms, causing our audience to laugh. I kiss him as he lifts me off the ground. Once he sets me back on that snowy gravel, the brothers have already dispersed in preparation for the pick up.
“You did this,” I state.
“It was a group effort. Ezra has a solid family at his back.” A small cloud shadows his expression.
“Family’s more than blood,” I say. “Tomlin’s mine. And now…you,” I dare state.
Owen’s expression flares with a variety of emotions, and the last one he falls on causes a warm rush of tingles up my body. I find the confidence to confess.
“I love you.” He holds me, and his body remains perfectly still. “I know it’s early. Some might call it crazy to say this soon, but I feel it. I’ve never felt this for anyone before. And I don’t expect you to feel it or say it,” I rush. “But you value honesty. I love that about you, and I want to give you that. Always.”
He kisses me before I get that last word out. Fully, almost desperately. I wrap my arms around him and infuse all that love that has snuck up on me into this kiss, promising to love him well, if he’ll let me. I won’t lie or hurt him. I’ll protect what we have with fierce abandon.
Breathlessly, we pull away, and he leans his forehead against mine. “I love you,” he exhales. “I could give three fucks what anyone says or thinks.”
I lean back, stunned, tears already threatening to spill over. “You love me?” I ask, absolutely prepared to be the only one who felt this.
“I didn’t expect you. Hell, I fought this from the moment you festively bounced into the distillery that morning. I almost let my demons hold me back from the best thing that’s ever walked into my life.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I assure him. “Eden Ridge is more home to me than anywhere I’ve been. You’ve become home for me.”
Owen kisses me again, which quickly earns us cheers from our audience, who at least gave us our moment earlier before they teased us apart to discuss logistics and get back to work.
