Page 13 of Kissing My Mountain Man

“Just the stars and a beautiful woman sitting next to me.”

Landry continues to smile but doesn’t meet my gaze. Instead, she focuses on the surrounding trees. I’m not sure Landry knows just how gorgeous she is. And if she were mine, I’d make sure she knew every day.

“Why Clara Bishop? I understand she’s an ancestor, but most people don’t dedicate most of their adult life to someone they’ve never even met.”

Landry sits back and stretches her legs out in front of her like I am. Her fingers brush over mine as she situates herself. The temptation to take her hand in mine is almost too much to bear.

“When I was in the fourth grade, I found a book in the school library about Clara. I didn’t think much of it other than I liked that we shared the same last name. I didn’t know we were related.”

“When I got home that afternoon, I showed my grandfather, and he told me who she was to me in our family. I couldn’t believe it. We read the book from cover to cover that night, but I was still full of questions. I wanted to know how a woman in that time could live on her own when so many others couldn’t.”

“I can see how finding this last journal is such a discovery for you.”

“It’s bittersweet.”

“How so?”

“I’ve spent so long wishing I could find this last journal, the final piece in the puzzle that is the story of Clara Bishop’s life. I thought I knew everything about her. But thanks to your clumsy attempts at opening the door and stomping your foot into the floorboard—”

“You’re welcome.” I nod, but she continues on without missing a beat.

“I’ve come to find out there’s still so much I don’t know.”

“Sometimes a person needs a few secrets that they keep close to their hearts. Can you ever truly know someone completely?”

“I suppose not. But it makes me wonder what else I don’t know.”

“Don’t think about it with questions of what you don’t know,” I say. “Think of it as sharing a secret with some you care so much about.”

“I like that.” She smiles at me, and I wonder if there’s a secret we’re sharing right now.

ChapterSix

LANDRY

The sun’s light descends into darkness, and the warmth goes with it. Even though I’m sitting next to the fire Denny built, I’m still not completely warm. A shiver rakes through my body.

Denny stands and pulls a couple of blankets from his pack. He wraps one around me before laying the other on the ground for us to sit on.

“What about you?” I ask, tugging the blanket tighter around me, so the chill isn’t so invasive now.

He shrugs. “I’m fine.”

But I don’t miss the way he holds out his hands to the fire for heat. I’m grateful he came prepared, but the guilt that we are still on this mountain is because of me. I scoot closer to him, so our sides touch and hope that some of my body heat will help him. I wish he’d put his arm over my shoulder and pull me in, strictly for warmth, at least that’s what I tell myself, but instead, he rests his elbows on his knees at stares into the fire.

“Why don’t you read more from the journal? The fire should give off enough light.”

I’ve been itching to read more, so I light up at the suggestion. He hands me the journal, and our fingers brush over one another’s. I swear we both feel the spark that passes between us when his dark gaze meets mine before dipping down to my lips.

Why won’t he just kiss me?

My stomach twists with hope, but he doesn’t make a move. It took him some time to warm up to me, but even when he was grumpy at the beginning of the day, I was still comfortable with him. And safe. I instantly knew I was safe. I want so much more.

“Ready?” I ask, clearing my throat.

He doesn’t say a word but nods once to give me the go-ahead.

August 10, 1883

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