Striking

Rugged Mountain Ink

Khloe Summers

Summer to Winter Publishing

Copyright © 2022 Summer to Winter Publishing

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Cover design by: RebecaCVRS
Editor: Link Phoenix

www.authorkhloesummers.com

Chapter One

Julie

I lay back onto the thin mattress, adjusting to avoid the sharp springs that are poking into my back. The light from outside flickers in through the window and whatever drug deal that’s going on downstairs sounds like it’s going bad. I stare up at the stained popcorn ceiling, getting lost in the variants of browns, yellows, and blacks, hoping to distract myself, but nothing helps.

How did I end up here?

My phone rings on the table next to me and I reach over to answer. It’s my friend Angie. She works at the diner on Main and she’s a certifiable worrywart, which means if I don’t answer, she’ll send a brigade of people out looking for me, which is the opposite of what I want.

“I’m alive,” I say, holding my phone up to my face. “I just need a break.”

“A break from the people who love you? Where are you?”

I don’t dare tell her where I’m staying, or she’ll freak out. “I drove up to that cabin by the lake for a few days. I’ll be back soon.”

“You know, you should really come back. I think you’re going to win this thing.”

I shake my head and roll my eyes. “It’s not a sure-fire thing. Mrs. Richardson is running on getting the miners out of town. Maybe people don’t want them there. Some days it does get disruptive.”

I can almost see her eyes rolling. “So come back and tell people why the miners are important to the town.” She says the words as though it’s that easy. “I don’t get it. You’re always so brave. Why are you running now? The election is only a week away.”

I let out a hard and heavy sigh as I stare at the lights flashing through the window. I’d guess it’s a neon sign of some sort, but I can’t see it from this vantage point. Instead, I’m looking straight toward the side of an old brick building.

“I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate it, but I need a second to process everything that’s happened.”

A heavy thud hits the outside of my door and I jump up, my heart racing.

“What was that?” Angie asks through hyperventilating breaths.

“I bumped my leg,” I lie again, but it’s one of those little white lies that keeps her panic at bay. If I were to tell her there was a bad drug deal going on that’s been making its way up the stairway for the past twenty minutes, I think she’d have a heart attack.

“On what?” Of course, she’d ask for elaborations.

“Why are you so worried about me? I’m fine. I just need a minute to process everything. That’s reasonable, right? People need space. That’s a thing.”

“Yes, but you’re in the middle of running for mayor. You can’t just disappear. Besides, what is it that you need space to process?”

“I just need a distraction. If you want to talk, maybe you can tell me about your new boyfriend. I hear he’s a mechanic at the bike shop?”

She grumbles. “Can’t we talk about your problems instead? Mine are so boring.”

I laugh. “No way. I want details on biker boy.”

“He’s not a biker,” she scoffs playfully. “He just rides bikes.”

“Umm… so a biker.” I smile. “And what kinds of kinky things are you and this biker doing? I imagine lots of chains and—”

“God, no!” She sounds appalled. “We barely know each other. He’s busy getting his business off the ground. I think the most we’ve said to each other was something about the weather.”

“Probably how hot it is, right?” I’m grinning ear to ear, though I’m not sure Angie is having the same response. She’s much shyer than me and I’m sure talking about sex has her cheeks redder than a storybook apple.

“Whatever! Let’s get back to you and your crazy life. Where are you really staying?”

Another thud hits the thin wall outside my room. With this one comes some pretty loud yelling.

“I can hear all that noise in the background. It sounds like you’re in the middle of a street fight. I know you’re not at the cabin.”

I’m not sure she’d believe a lie about watching a movie. The cabins run on generators, so it’s plausible, but I’ve made it loud and clear I’ve never been into movies. Books have always been my thing. I’ve run my mayoral campaign on bringing a bigger library to Rugged Mountain.

“I’m in Colorado Springs,” I say, under my breath. “I’m just staying a few nights to clear my head. It’s—”

“What’s going on? I’m one of the closest friends you have. If you can’t tell me, who can you tell?”

She’s not wrong. I know I need to open up to someone about what’s going on, but saying it out loud is too painful right now. Besides, Angie is still so young. I’m not sure she’d really understand where I’m coming from.

“I’ll call you back in a bit,” I say. “I promise I won’t be gone more than a week.”

“A week? You have that campaign speech outside the tattoo shop on Monday.”

I pull in a deep breath and let it out so softly that there’s a light hissing noise that erodes unintentionally.

“Okay,” Angie says, “I’ll let you be. At least tell me where you are so I can send out a search party if you don’t come back.”

“And then you’ll let me be?”

“I won’t call you again.” I hear the nuance in her voice and I’m not sure I believe her. Something tells me that her nervous nature will take over and she’ll be knocking down my door, but my brain needs the reprieve.

“I’m at the City Line Motel. The one by—”

“The City Line?” Her voice drops. “The one with the prostitutes and the drug dealers? Jules, you have money. Why are you there?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “You said you’d let me be if I told you where I was.”

She sighs. “I did. I sure did.” Her voice lightens. “Well, it was nice knowing you. At least check in with me every day, or I’ll worry.”

My eyes roll so far back that it hurts a little. “I’ll text you.”

“Text me? Well, we need a code word then. Otherwise, how will I know it’s you?”

“Bananas.”

“Bananas? Someone could just look at your phone and retype the same word to me every day. It has to be some kind of code.” She pauses, and I’m not sure why I’m still entertaining the call. “What about the first line in a book you brought with you? Send me the first word in every chapter. What book did you bring?”

I let out a heavy breath. “Nora Roberts’ Witches. I really need to go.” The scuffle outside the door is getting louder and I know the second she hears anything further worrisome, she’ll have half the town here to rescue me.

“I think I have a copy of that. I love Nora Roberts. She’s got all the best books. There was one where this realtor goes missing and she’s kidnapped by this guy who—”

“I’ll text you tomorrow,” I say as kindly as possible. “Sleep well.” I click the disconnect button before she can respond, but as I do, the yelling outside my door gets louder, and the fight goes to the ground, followed by the loud distinct ring of a gunshot.

Chapter Two

Maverick

It’s eleven p.m. when my phone rings, jolting me out of a deep sleep.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice rougher than it should be, hoarse from the dust that I took in all day while assessing some land up on the ridge.

“Mr. Clay, I’m sorry to bother you so late. This is Angie Miller down at Huckleberry’s Diner. I have reason to believe that a mutual friend of ours is in trouble and I could use your help.”

I’ve only spoken to Ms. Miller once before, but from what I can tell, she’s a bit neurotic. I blame it on her youth. At twenty-two, you haven’t had a chance to test the world much yet.

“Who do you think is in trouble, Ms. Miller?”

“Do you remember Julie Baxter? You were working with her on some gold prospecting, but you—”

“I remember.” How could I forget? The woman is gorgeous with long dark hair, a pretty little face, and curves that don’t quit. “What kind of trouble does she have herself in?”

“Well,” Angie says, “she’s not exactly in trouble yet. She’s just gotten herself into a precarious situation, and I think someone should bring her back.”

“What kind of precarious situation? Let’s do each other a favor and be straight forward. It’s pretty late, Ms. Miller.”

She clears her throat. “Yes, of course. Well, she’s staying down at the City Line Motel in Colorado Springs. It’s this place lined with prostitutes and drugs. I’m afraid she’s gone off the rails or something.”

“What… like she’s using herself?”

Angie gasps. “Oh no. I didn’t think of that. Maybe. No. She wouldn’t, would she? She said something had happened, and she needed a break, but that doesn’t make sense because she has her last speech in town on Monday. She wouldn’t miss it. She’s worked so hard for this campaign.”

My mind goes blank as I try to follow this woman’s strange line of accusations. “So if you don’t think she’s on drugs, why should I bother her? She told you she wanted a break.”

“That’s what I’m saying, Mr. Clay! She doesn’t need a break. Julie is a brick house. I once saw the girl tame a mustang while she ate a cupcake. Women like that don’t need breaks.”

“Yes, they do. Everyone needs breaks.”

Angie huffs. “Look, if you can’t help me, I’ll go up there myself.”

“What are you going to do when you get there? Do you plan to drag a grown woman from her break? Give her some space.”

“At The City Line Motel? Where she could be murdered or grabbed by sex traffickers? Please, Mr. Clay!”

Having known Julie for a few weeks now, I’ve come to realize how stubborn she is. Dragging her out of a place she’s chosen isn’t going to get me on her good list, which is a place I’ve been trying to get myself since we met.

“Look, I want to help, but the last time I tried to tell her what was good, she took a stick of dynamite from me and blew up half the mountain on her own. Do you know how much damage that could’ve caused? I think you should have her check in with you and—”

“I heard a gun go off, right as she was hanging up the phone. I tried to call her brothers, but no one is answering. Please! I’d go up there myself if I didn’t think I’d make the problem worse.”

I suck in a deep breath and sit up from the bed, squeezing the bridge of my nose with the tips of my fingers. A gunshot is a different story. If Angie heard it on the phone, it was close to Julie. Calling her back would be fruitless, since she’s only telling Angie what she wants to hear. Truthfully, she probably wouldn’t even take my call. I tried getting her on the phone last week for an update on the mining project we’ve been working on, but she wouldn’t answer.

“I’ll check it out,” I say, standing from the edge of the bed to slide on my jeans. “I’ll text you when I know she’s okay.”

“Thank you!” Angie squeals. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate all this. Julie does too, even if she doesn’t know it yet.”

I highly doubt any of that, but at least I’ll have peace of mind knowing she’s okay.

Disconnecting the line with Angie, I strap on my pistol belt, toss on a t-shirt, and make my way out to the truck. It’s a solid hour’s drive into the city, but I get away with higher speeds once I reach the highway with no late-night traffic. Cops are scarce on this stretch of road. I suppose they don’t see the point in patrolling such desolate areas. This time it works in my favor. Last time, when I hit a deer, it didn’t. I waited nearly two hours for rescue services and another hour for a tow. Most people up here are okay with the isolation. It gives them a sense of independence, me included, but there are still times you wish there were more services around. Maybe I’ll talk the future mayor into some extra emergency facilities. At least it’ll give us a topic of conversation on the long drive back.

I laugh to myself at the thought of talking to Julie about anything. She’s pretty as a peach, but I don’t think a freshwater stream could convince her to drink if she were stumbling down dehydrated. I have no idea how I’m ever going to convince her that the City Line isn’t the place to be spending the night. This place has quite the reputation, even for an out-of-towner like me. At least twice a week it’s the scene for some nasty crime, almost always happening to people who didn’t even see it coming.

I pull off the highway, following the poorly lit exit toward Thompson Street, where City Line sits. I’ve only ever seen the place on the news, but in person it’s even worse. The parking lot is teaming with what looks to be drug dealers and prostitutes, all of them watching like a hawk as I pull my truck into the lot. I’m in the city now. You’d think there would be an actual police officer somewhere around this place.

The motel itself sits two stories high with pale green doors that open from an outdoor breezeway. In front of that, an old pool with no water that looks to be a hangout for a few homeless people.

Just now, I realize I don’t have her room number, and something tells me knocking on every door here will get me killed, or at least start more of a scuffle than I’m interested in having this time of night.

I park the truck in a less busy area of the parking lot and dial Julie’s number.

Before I was here, I thought Angie was a little crazy, but now I see that maybe she wasn’t. There’s no way in hell I could leave knowing someone I knew was staying in this place.

“Hello?” Relief washes over me as I hear Julie’s voice, though she sounds exhausted. I forgot it’s after midnight.

“It’s Maverick. I’m downstairs. What room are you in?”

There’s a long pause, then a discernible, “What?”

“I’m downstairs and I don’t know how long these junkies are going to mind their own business. What room are you in?”

She breathes heavily into the line as she realizes what’s happening. “Well, you better get your ass moving back to Rugged Mountain then, because I’m not telling you what room I’m in.”

A knock hits the side of my window. It’s a man with barely any teeth, long unclean hair, and what looks to be a crack pipe tucked into a flannel jacket. “Are you the cops?” the man asks, his words borderline incoherent. “We don’t like cops here.”

“Did you hear that?” Julie says. I swear I can hear a smile in her voice. “They don’t like cops here.”

“What room are you in?” I growl, ignoring the crowd outside that seems to be forming. “Tell me, or I’ll start doing some things we’ll both regret.”

She huffs out a heavy breath. “You’re better off just leaving. Dragging your group of haters upstairs isn’t going to help either of us.”

“I’ll worry about the crowd. Tell me what room you’re in.”

“Who called you? Was it Angie? If I didn’t have this election hanging over my head, I’d have a piece of something really rough to say to her.”

“She’s just trying to help.”

Julie sighs. “We’re all just trying to help someone, but I need some space. Did she tell you that? Did she tell you I need to be alone?”

“She said she heard a gunshot and that I should come check on you. Please, just let me see you’re okay. That’s all I want. If you’re okay, I’ll leave.”

“That’s what Angie said. She told me to tell her where I was, then she’d leave me alone. Turns out, she called you right away. Also, this isn’t a good part of town, so gunshots happen from time to time. I’m fine. This is the west. I’m a big girl.”

“And I was raised to take care of—”

“Women, right? Because you wouldn’t run all the way up the mountain in the middle of the night to protect some man.”

I huff and pull the truck away from the crowd that’s only getting larger. There are at least six people gathering around me. “No, I wouldn’t.” I leave out the part about how her stubborn mouth revs me every time we talk. I’m not sure what it is about that attitude, but I keep coming back for more. “I’m here because I couldn’t stand the thought of you being in this place alone all night long with the threat of God knows what lurking outside. So, tell me what room you’re in or I’ll—”

“So you’re threatening me?”

“Threatening is a harsh word. I’m advising you to let me help you for the betterment of your situation.”

I pull into the street and the crowd of addicts cheer as best they can, nearly falling down as they yell. They think they’ve gotten rid of me. Really, I’m parking down the street to avoid the obvious bullshit, taking my chances on what I don’t yet know.

“I’m out of the truck and I’m on my way up. You can tell me where you are, or I can wander around in this poorly lit motel room all night. My life is in your hands.”

“You people all really need help. Do you know that?” she grumbles. “I’m in 202. Come, see I’m fine, then leave.”

I hang up the phone and jog up the dimly lit street toward the back stairwell, skipping steps as I make my way up. Room 202 is just after the stairway, and as I approach, I see Julie inside, holding back the curtain.

She slides the chain lock back away from the door and cracks it open. “Come in and see. I’m perfectly fine.”

I agree, she’s perfect, but the stench from this hotel room nearly knocks me over. “Jesus, fuck. How are you managing with this smell?”

“It’s a cheap motel. What do you expect?”

“Maybe I asked the wrong question,” I say, starving off any deep breaths. “What are you doing here? Last I checked, you had loads of money, and you were sitting on a mountain of gold.”

She shakes her head and moves to the mini fridge just below the counter, then grabs out a bottle of water, handing it to me before reaching for another. “If you’re lingering to ask me to leave, save your breath. I’m staying so—”

“Sorry, but if you’re staying here, I’m staying with you. There’s no way in hell I could leave you here alone. This place is crawling with assholes that would give anything to break into this room. I heard a few of them talking about it as I made my way up the stairs.”

Her eyes roll and she sits on the end of the bed. “No, you didn’t. You’re making stuff up, so I get scared, and leave with you.”

I am, in fact, making it up, but I don’t concede to anything.

“You’re fresh meat to these people. Are you going to tell me why you’re here?”

She sighs and folds her arms in front of her chest. “Are you going to tell me why you left Alaska for good? Everyone whispers around town like you’ve got big secrets, but you never tell anyone much.”

“If you think you’re going to blackmail me into spilling my secrets, it might work.”

Her eyebrow peaks. “Oh yeah, let me guess… I agree to leave this awful place and you tell me more lies?” She grins. “I’m not sure I care that much, cowboy.” She flicks the rim of my hat and turns back toward her bed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to—”

A gunshot interrupts her smart-ass remark. Then there’re the sounds of a scuffle, followed by the footsteps of one person chasing another through the breezeway, and ultimately two more gunshots.

Where the hell are the cops?

“Okay,” I say, striding toward her, “you’re coming whether you like it or not.” I lift her up and over my shoulder as she kicks and pounds at my back.

“Let me down. You can’t take me against my will. Do you know what kind of fine there is for kidnapping the mayor?”

I laugh. “Mayor? You’re not the mayor yet. Right now, you’re just some hot chick making poor decisions.”

The hot chick comment gets her to stop beating on me just long enough to lift her bag into my other hand. “Is there anything else you need me to get before I drag you out of here?”

“I have things in the bathroom. Let me down and I promise I’ll follow.”

I can’t help but laugh as I make my way to the dingy bathroom in the back to gather a small bag of personal items. This isn’t easy with her kicking and punching at my shoulder, but I make my way out of the hotel room and down the stairs with no drama. I actually think her struggling may have helped us a little. The people standing in the hallways are looking as though I’m the bad guy and they don’t want anything to do with that. In fact, I’ve never seen people look away quicker.

When we get to the truck, I settle her into the passenger’s seat and round to the driver's side door. She’s leaning against the window, and I notice tears streaming down her cheeks.

Fuck. I know I’m a barbarian, but am I really that big a prick? I only wanted her to be safe.

“What’s wrong?” I reach out for her, but she flinches away.

“Just drive.” Her words are broken and cracked as though there’s pain behind them and I’m not sure what to make of it.

“Where am I going?”

“Back to Rugged Mountain. That’s what you wanted, right? All anyone wants to do is drag me back into the thick of it. Let’s go!”

“You know, I’d be a lot better help if you’d tell me what’s going on.”

She twists toward me, a glare in her eyes so dark that I can only imagine it’s something awful, something that maybe she really did need space to manage.

Fuck. Maybe I am a prick.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “You don’t have to talk about it. Just rest a little and I’ll take you somewhere quiet and safe. I have a place where no one will bother you.”

I’m not sure what reaction to expect, but she doesn’t give me any. She only turns her gaze back out the side window and closes her eyes before saying, “They were supposed to be mine.”

Chapter Three

Julie

Having grown up with overprotective brothers like Henry and Maddox, I know in his heart of hearts, Maverick means well. That said, I’m not a big fan of a man hauling me over his shoulder to carry me out of a place I clearly said I was going to stay. Then again, for some odd reason, it turns me on quite significantly that his desire to protect is so strong.

We’re driving for nearly two hours when we finally stop. I’ve had to pee for at least the last forty-five minutes, but I’ve been holding it. I didn’t want to break the code of silence I’d made with myself. But now that we’re seemingly in the middle of absolutely nowhere, I’m wondering if I should’ve spoken up sooner.

“We’re here,” he says, clearing his throat. “You should go right in and get to bed. I’ll be in soon.”

My brows narrow. “What do you mean, you’ll be in soon?” Oh shit. I broke the silence code. Well, I might as well keep going. “You said we were going someplace quiet.”

He nods. “This place is quiet. We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

It’s dark, but as I look around, it looks a lot like Rugged Mountain. “And where’s nowhere?”

“It’s the second cabin I bought from Henry. I use it for fishing and hunting. It’s cozy, but when the sun comes up, you’ll see… the place is immaculate.”

“My idea of clean and your idea of clean might be completely different.”

“You were just staying in a murder motel and you’re talking to me about clean?”

He’s got me there.

“Fine,” I say, glancing down at my phone for the first time since we left the city. It’s nearly three a.m. and I’m exhausted. Maverick must be too. He was probably in bed when Angie called him. “We’ll stay one night, then I’ll call down to have someone pick me up in the morning.”

“That’s going to be pretty hard up here. There’s no cell service.”

I tip my head back. “Okay, well, Angie is going to lose her mind when I don’t send her the first word in chapter one tomorrow.”

“Fuck. I forgot about Angie. Okay, I’ll radio in a message to my buddy who can send her an update. Don’t worry about it. Right now, you rest.”

I stand in the pine forest, staring back at the giant man in front of me through the dark. Despite his gruff entrance tonight, he thought enough of me to drive four hours round trip for my safety, and he brought me all the way up to this cabin, thinking he was doing me a favor. I should be nice, or at least tolerable.

“Thank you,” I manage, smirking. “I’m sure this place is as nice as I am.”

He shoots me a look as though that could go either way, then opens the front door to the small log cabin set somewhere near a river. I can’t see it, but I can hear it rushing.

Inside, it smells much better than the urine based, moldy smell of the hotel. Here, it’s all cedar and pine with an undertone of some kind of berry I can’t define. Not only that, but he’s actually decorated pretty nicely for a guy. There’s a cute little kitchenette in the corner and a sofa with a TV and VCR. This far up into the woods, people watch a lot of VHS tapes to keep them occupied when it’s too cold to do much else, given there’s no cable. They even trade them in town. I wander over to his collection. He’s got a few John Candy movies from the early nineties, and too many cowboy movies to count.

“My brothers used to trade ninja turtle videos for Batman. I think they still have them, but I haven’t seen a set up like this in years.”

He smiles and pulls a bottle of juice from the fridge. “I think I have a couple of Batman movies in there if you’re interested.” He gestures toward the hallway and a small room set off to the left. “This is the bathroom. It’s not much, but I have hot water, which is a luxury up here. Also,” he says, stepping a few feet forward and into a larger room, “this is the bedroom. Help yourself to any extra blankets and a t-shirt if you need it. I know you have a few things of your own, but if you want something different, it’s here.”

A fresh t-shirt would be nice. I’m feeling a little grimy after being in that gross motel.

He begins scrubbing his hands together. “And… if you decide you want to talk about who was supposed to be yours, I’m here to listen.”

I let a deep breath cycle through my lungs. I’m not ready to talk yet. I’m not sure I ever will be. “Where will you sleep?”

He motions back toward the couch. “The fireplace is good to cozy up next to. I actually feel sorry for you that you’re so far away from it.”

I only glanced at the couch on the way in, but last I remembered it was a two-seater, and probably would just fit a toddler comfortably laying down.

“You’re what… six foot four? Six foot five? I don’t think you’re going to make it all night on that little thing. Sleep in here. This bed is huge and I, for one, am exhausted. I’ll probably pass right out.”

He glances back at the sofa, then toward me, his lips pursing as he thinks over my request. It’s been a long while since I’ve slept with a man, and even longer since I slept with one even remotely this attractive, if ever, but I think I’m tired enough to ignore the slamming of my heart and pass out.

“I guess this bed is pretty big,” he says. “If you’re sure…”

“I am,” I say, sliding past him toward the bathroom. “I’m just going to clean up a little first.”

When I’m safely tucked into the small bathroom, I change out of my clothes and into one of my own t-shirts. Just passing by him in the hallway was enough to suck in his manly scent. I don’t need his clothes all over me too. I’m way too emotional for any strange sex feelings… and definitely too desperate. It’s been eons since I’ve been with anyone sexually, and something about Maverick could definitely wake that up if I let him.

If I let him… which I’m not going to. He’s stubborn, macho, and thinks he knows everything. We couldn’t work together for twenty minutes on the mountain before he was barking orders, and I refused to take them.

After splashing cool water on my face and pulling back my hair, I make my way back to the bedroom, trying not to make eye contact with Maverick, but within seconds I’ve failed. The room is dark except for the moonlight coming through the window, illuminating Maverick as he sits up in bed, his shirt off, every rippling, hard muscle staring back at me like a piece of art with dark ink down his arms and onto his chest.

“Feeling any better?” Why is his voice deeper in bed?

“A little,” I say, climbing into the side closest to the door. “Thanks again for letting me stay here. I owe you one.” I regret the words as soon as I say them because I know there’s something smart-assed coming back.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he says. “I hope you feel better.”

I bite the inside of my cheek as I lay facing the door. That wasn’t the response I expected. I almost wish he’d been sarcastic. At least then I’d be able to smart-ass my way out of this. Now, I feel like opening up, which is not what I wanted. I try to fight back the urge for a few minutes, then let a breath out slowly, and turn toward him. Maybe it’s best if I let this out. I mean, it’s Maverick. I have no emotional connection to him. And after tonight, I doubt we’ll talk again until he comes back up to my mountain to assess the gold.

“I was supposed to pick up my daughters today,” I say, barely speaking the words. I haven’t said them out loud to anyone. Hell, no one even knew I was adopting.

Maverick slinks down in the bed and faces toward me, his large shoulders towering over me even as we lay side by side. “Do you have children? What happened? If you’d said someone took your children, I’d have gotten them for yo—”

“No… it’s not like that. I… I was adopting twin girls from a couple in the Springs. They didn’t have the money to raise the babies, and I was finally going to get my shot at motherhood,” I sigh. “But… they changed their minds last minute and turned me a way at the hospital.”

“Fucking hell. No wonder you needed some time alone.” He rolls into me closer, his large hand brushing my arm in comfort.

I’m not sure this is what I needed right now or not, but I don’t hate it.

“I just couldn’t go back to the cabin and see the room I’d set up for them, and there weren’t any hotels left in the city last minute because of that baseball game. Trust me, I had like nine tabs open on my phone looking before I settled on the City Line.”

“Doesn’t seem much like settling, more so a death wish. Is there another adoption you can apply for?”

My mouth goes dry. “This is the fourth time I’ve gone through this. The first two times I worked through the foster system, and the kids were taken in by family before I got to them. The third time I tried an international adoption, but the country rejected me because I’m single, and this last time well… you know what happened. It’s fine.” I take a deep breath and let it out slowly as I hold back tears. “Motherhood isn’t for me. I’m thirty-six years old. I…”

“You’re still so young.”

“Young?” I balk. “I’m hardly young. Do you know that after thirty-five, pregnant women are considered geriatric pregnancies? The world views me as old.”

He rolls onto his back. “Well, I must be ancient then. What do the doctors call forty-seven?”

“It’s different for men. Men get this pass to stay young until their seventy. Even then, some seventy-year-old men are hotter than some forty-year-old women. Nature is cruel.”

Maverick turns back and studies me, his dark eyes like a deep wave washing over my face. “I’ve never looked at a woman and thought that she was ugly because of her age. Beauty is so much more than that, and life is too short to be feeling washed up at thirty-six.” He strokes his hand again down the side of my arm. “You’ll feel better from this soon, and you’ll get back out there. You’ll see.”

“I don’t know, I feel numb right now. Angie is all hyper about me making this mayoral meeting come Monday and I don’t think I can do it. I’d imagined introducing the girls to everyone in town that day and… I’m just not feeling any of it anymore.”

“So tell them your story. I’m sure plenty of women could identify with that. It’s not the same, but my sister had issues with infertility for years before she had her son.”

“And use it as a ploy for votes? No!”

“No, use it to connect with people and show them you’re a real person.” He lowers his gaze then raises it again. “You don’t need a ploy for people’s votes. Mrs. Richardson is nice and all, but she doesn’t have the same passion for this place that you do. That’s obvious.”

I laugh. “Are you kidding? She’s got a huge following.”

“And her platform is based on kicking the miners out of town, so I think she’s going to get some kick back. People are hungry for gold here.” He smiles. “Besides, she’s not nearly as cute as you. Something tells me people will want to see that pretty face over and over.”

I scoff and roll onto my back. “Flattery? Really?”

“It’s not flattery if it’s true.” His eyes stay locked on mine, and I forget how to breathe.

“Well,” I finally say, changing the subject, “Mrs. Richardson says that mining is ruining the landscape. She’s wrong, though. It’s transforming our landscape and offering natural resources to everyone in town.”

“And that’s why you need to be there on Monday.”

I nod my head and roll away from him. “I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again for the support tonight. I’d appreciate it if you kept all this to yourself.”

“Of course,” he says, flipping over so that our asses nearly touch. I don’t feel his body, but I sense the heat radiating off him. “I’d never tell anyone what we talk about.”

I believe him. I believe every word he says. He’s not a people pleaser. In fact, most everyone I know thinks he’s a complete ass. Hell, I thought he was an ass. A hot ass, but still an ass. The first time we talked on the phone he bailed on me for another gold mine. Then, when he got here, he refused to mine my mountain because it ran into granite. I had to take a stick of dynamite and do it myself. Tonight, though, he was different. Tonight, he was a friend. Even now, in bed, I’d never have imagined he’d be the soft, comforting type of guy… but he was. He even distracted me from all my emotions with election talk, which I really needed.

Closing my eyes, I try to think of how I’ll talk to the crowd on Monday. Maybe I should share my story. I’m sure someone would benefit from it. For a second, my mind wanders to the thought of maybe even trying adoption again, but the heartbreak is still too real. Thankfully, I knew better than to give them names this time, but in my heart, I really believed this was it. This would be the time I really brought my kids home.

With the thought, tears roll down my face for the first time since I got the news. I try to pull them back in, but they only fall quicker and soon my entire body shakes as I sob. I twist my face into the pillow to drown out the aching that spills from my throat, but it’s audible and within a second, Maverick is behind me, his large, warm body curved around mine holding me close.

At first, I stiffen up, unsure if I like him this way, but as he speaks, I soften.

“I’ll move if you want me to. I just couldn’t listen to you cry and not offer comfort.” His voice is deep and raspy, nearly a whisper that spreads a tingling warmth down over my ear and onto my neck.

“No,” I manage. “Don’t go.”

He grips me tighter, his strong arm around my waist spooning me into him gently. This should feel awkward, since he’s practically a stranger, but it doesn’t. It’s reassuring and warm, and I’m not sure I ever want him to move.

Chapter Four

Maverick

I slept a total of three hours… if I’m lucky. Most of the night was tossing and turning, thinking about Julie in ways I shouldn’t be thinking about her, especially given her current circumstances. The woman is in pain and I’m thinking about how good her soft skin feels against my body. I’m fucking sick, and I know it. Even my body is letting me know it when I woke up with a fucking cock harder than diamond this morning.

I roll to the side, trying not to wake her, my body immediately cold from the loss of her against me. I can’t dwell on that, though. I need to jump in a cold shower and get my head together before the day starts. Not only that, but I’m sure Angie has sent the police out to City Line looking for Julie by now. I need to get on the radio and see if I can’t get ahold of her for an update.

Twisting on the cold water, I undress then step into the shower, letting the liquid pour down over me. Finally, some reprieve from the thoughts pumping through my head. My moment of sanity only lasts a matter of seconds as I remember Julie was in this same shower last night, her naked body running beneath this same water, her hands brushing down over her naked breasts.

Fuck.

I need to get myself together. I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly, washing my hair quickly as I force myself to think of the way my grandmother used to knit hats for everyone at Christmas time. There’s a moment in that where I start to feel like myself again… until I hear her voice.

“Knock, knock.” It’s soft and sweet. “I know you’re in the shower, but I thought I’d make us some breakfast. Is there anything off limits?”

For some reason, I shake my head instead of answering.

“Maverick?”

“Oh, fuck. No. Whatever you want.” The words are much gruffer than I’d expected.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have to cook anything. I can—”

“No, please help yourself. Sorry. I was… nothing.”

She doesn’t say anything else, and I feel like a moron. Why couldn’t I just say that smoothly? I didn’t do anything wrong, but for some reason I want to run to her and make sure it’s all good. I want her to know exactly what I meant by what I said.

I lather up and rinse, trying to get my head on straight. She’s just a woman on the mountain. A woman I shouldn’t have an affection for. A woman I shouldn’t be attracted to. A much younger woman I shouldn’t be attracted to.

Shaking my head, I step out of the shower and toss on the clean jeans and a flannel I pulled from the closet. I consider locking myself in here until I’ve convinced my brain that Julie is untouchable, but I figure I don’t have an eternity. My internal struggle is interrupted as I hear voices coming from the kitchen and I’m not sure why.

“Maverick!” Cody says, standing tall in the cabin doorway, looking straight down the hall, a big grin on his face. “Sorry to barge in like this. I didn’t realize you were entertaining a beautiful woman.”

I stare toward him, but don’t speak until I see Julie who’s looking back at me with a blank face. “I’m sorry. He knocked and said he needed to drop something off for you.”

I force a laugh, a little irritated that he’s dropped by considering I’ve talked about how private this place is.

“No bother,” I say. “You get what you needed?”

He nods. “And saw this pretty creature inside and I needed to know how it was that Maverick Clay landed a woman like this. Ms. Julie told me she wasn’t here on a date, though, so…”

“So… what?” I say, annoyed that he’s mentioned how pretty she is a million times in this one conversation. Like me, he’s a miner as well. We met up in Alaska a few years back, but he moved down to Rugged Mountain six or seven months before me to run a job for another guy. I guess he decided to stay. Since then, he’s had a reputation for going through women like most people go through milk, expiration date and all.

“So,” he continues, looking toward Julie, “there’re not a lot of women up here that look like you. And if my buddy hasn’t taken his shot, I’d love to take you to dinner. Maybe down at Skully’s. I hear they have live music Saturday nights and—”

“Get the fuck out,” I bark, quieting the room.

“Maverick,” Julie whispers. “Cody is your friend. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by—”

I should stop and listen to what she’s saying, but I don’t. Instead, I stalk toward Cody until he’s backing out of the cabin and into the driveway. “Thanks for stopping by.”

“Dude, what the fuck is your problem? If you like her just say that. I’ll back the fuck off.”

I stare at him, my eyes dialed in on his. “Then fuck off.”

He holds both hands up in front of him and backs toward his pickup truck. “Get a grip, man.” He grumbles under his breath, then jumps up into his truck, and backs out of the long stone driveway and back up onto the seasonal road.

When I turn around, Julie is standing in the window watching, her gaze on mine. I can’t tell if she’s confused, if she’s angry, or if she’s wanting me as bad as I’m wanting her, but the feeling is overwhelming. The thought of Cody touching her is almost more than I can bear. And I’m not sure what right I even have to feel the way I feel. I only held her in my arms for one night, and it was supposed to be as friends, not as whatever fucked up thing I’ve twisted it to be.

“What the hell was that about?” Julie’s tone is ragged, and I know I should step back and let her be angry. Maybe she was interested in Cody. I don’t know how. He’s a total slimeball, but it’s not my place to judge what she’s into.

“I can’t stand the looks of him some mornings. Sorry.” I’m hoping this is enough to shut down the conversation, but she keeps going.

“Why? He seemed like a nice guy. He has a ranch. He’s working hard. He’s—”

“A total piece of shit. Just trust me, the guy is a con artist. You don’t want to be mixed up with him.”

“Or apparently have one conversation with him,” she mumbles under her breath before heading back toward the bedroom, which makes no sense. She was right in the middle of making breakfast.

“I guess I’ll finish this up,” I say, watching her as she storms away.

“Have at it. I’m heading back to town.”

I drop the spatula on the counter and walk behind her. “Back to town? Why? You were going to stay out here for a while and relax.”

“Forgive me if this isn’t relaxing.”

“Well, it was before Cody, right?”

She stands in the hallway, her nightgown taunting me with its low-cut seams. “Yes.”

“Well then, he’s gone now. Let’s get back to relaxing.”

She gazes down the hallway with a far-off expression that’s filled with pain. “I shouldn’t stay here anymore. I need to get back into town and face that room of baby stuff. I also need to prepare for this speech, then give Angie some relief from her worry. Besides, you’ve got things to do too. I haven’t forgotten all your secrets. Which, I think you owe me, considering I told you mine.”

“And if I tell you my secrets, they’ll only serve to chase you off, and I’ve started to like having you here.”

Her cheeks blush as she glances back at me. “Yeah right. You’re a loner. Everyone knows that. You can barely hold a conversation. I’ve seen you in town.”

“I know,” I say, staring at her full pink lips. My heart races as I imagine brushing against her, holding her safe from everything and everyone in the world. Heat rises from my stomach and into my chest, the hypnotic scent of her skin like a forbidden flower drawing me in. “That’s why this is so fucking weird that I want to do this…” I lean into her lips and kiss her with unbridled need, brushing my hand against her soft cheek as she falls into my chest with abandon.

I hold on to the kiss as long as possible, fully expecting her to pull away, but she doesn’t. She leans into me further, running her hands through the back of my hair. Her breasts push against my chest and a soft sigh escapes her lips into mine, turning my body to fire in less than a second.

My cock grows hard at her touch and for the first time in my life I’m breathless.

She drags her hand down my arm, then settles it over my heart. “What are we doing?” Her voice is gentle as her gaze sits on mine.

I wish I had an answer, a concrete one, something not nearly as sappy as falling in love, but that’s what it feels like. It feels like a missing piece of the puzzle is falling into place. I can’t say that, though. Fuck. She’s been through so much in the last forty-eight hours. Getting her to buy into some insta-love bullshit is the last thing she needs. Besides, it’s probably hormones, anyway. She’s hot, and I’m horny. It makes sense that I’d try and put a feeling to it.

Except it doesn’t make sense. I’m not one to put feelings to anything. I’m a ‘see things for what they are’ kind of guy. And right now, I see Julie in a light that’s just about as bright as they come, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that she is the woman I want next to me as I ride toward the sunset.

“Maybe I should go,” she says, when I don’t answer.

I reach out for her, running my hand down over her shoulder. “No. Please… I… I’m not good at all this feelings shit. I’m having them though… feelings.”

She grins. “Oh yeah? What kind of feelings?”

I look down, then up again, catching her pretty gaze. “Feelings like I want to keep you. Like I want to be the one to give you those babies you so desperately want. Like I want to take care of them with you and… fuck! I’ve had a thing for you since I first saw you a few months ago, but I didn’t know you were this person too.”

“Who’s this person?” she asks, softly.

“I knew you were strong, and that you kicked ass all over town. I saw that, and I thought that was attractive as hell, but seeing the vulnerable parts of you last night was a different level. I could’ve held you like that until the end of times if it made you feel better.”

“I liked it too,” she says, her voice so soft I barely hear her words. “It scares me how much I liked it.”

I grip her hands in mine and pull her against my chest. “It scares me too because it’s been my experience that love isn’t usually reason enough for people to stay.”

“What do you mean?”

“I was four when my parents put me up for adoption. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a nice lady like you trying to give me a home. I was bounced around through the foster system, always because some younger, cuter kid came along and well… as tough as I try to be… that does a number on a child.”

She stares back at me with soft comfort. “You shouldn’t have had to deal with that. You’re—”

“I’m fine. I’m a grown man now and I choose who I am, but it made childhood very difficult.”

Her hand moves back up toward my heart and stays there for a long while as we stare at each other, our eyes speaking a language I’m not sure our minds understand. Our bodies, though, are fully aware.

She looks deeply into my eyes. “I promise that if we fall in love, I’d never let you go, Maverick. I’d love you so hard you’d be begging me to ease up.”

I can’t help but smile at the passion in her tone. “And I’d love you right back, sunshine. Nothing in this whole fucking world could stop me.”

Chapter Five

Julie

I should be packing my things and running for the hills. Instead, Maverick sits beside me on the couch, his hand on my knee as we both stare blankly ahead. I’m not sure if he regrets telling me all he just said in the hallway, or if he’s feeling awkward about letting his emotions be so free. Either way, I’m confused. Not only about his reaction, but about mine. I’m awkward as hell, and probably not in the right emotional state to be falling head over heels for someone, but here I am—falling hard. I want him all over me, his hands, his lips, his breath.

My clit throbs and pulses, desperate for something I haven’t had in ages.

“Is everything okay?” I squeak out the words then clear my throat.

He turns toward me. “Absolutely. Everything is great. I’m just trying to figure a way to kiss you again.”

A swarm of butterflies takes over my chest and I lift on top of him, straddling his lap before leaning into his lips. His hands wrap around me and drag down the thin fabric of my nightgown, my hair falling onto his shoulders as he kisses me gently. I want to know more about him, about his life, about his heart. I want to make everything better, and I want to know what he feels like against me. Desire builds until the hard ridge of his cock presses up against me as I grind into his lap. I hadn’t intentionally made this motion, but as he grows harder, I realize I’m doing it.

Maybe that should make me stop. Slowing down would make sense given how little we know about each other. Neither of us want to get hurt, but this thumping between my legs edges me forward, and the kiss deepens until our tongues are intertwined and his hand is fisting through the back of my hair.

My eyes close and my hand falls back. “It’s been years since I’ve been with anyone, Maverick. It may be close to ten at this point. I’ve stopped keeping track after it got to the point of pathetic.” I’m not sure why I’m telling him this now that the words have slid from my lips. The timing is all off.

He groans, his lips pressing into my neck softly, dragging them along the vein that moves up toward my ear. “You’re not alone there. It’s been years for me too. We can slow down if you—”

I don’t want to slow down. I kiss his lips again, his beard brushing against my face as I move, his inked arms running over top of me with the same desperation that’s in our groins. My panties are thin against his jeans, his bulge only growing harder. I’m anxious to unbutton the fabric and pull out his cock, stroke it in my hand, and lick it wet before sinking my body on top of him. But before I get my hand in place, there’s a knock on the patio door.

When I look up, my stomach falls. The last person I needed seeing me grind all over Maverick was my brother.

“Is that Henry?” Maverick says, lifting me off his lap. “This isn’t the impression I was hoping to give him. Why don’t you go get dressed, and I’ll see what he wants.”

I shake my head and toss a blanket over my shoulders. “It’s fine. I’ll talk to him.”

Henry had better hope this is something serious. Because if this is some bullshit search party for me, a thirty-six-year-old woman, then I’m going to read him the riot act. I love my brothers dearly, but they fail to see me as an adult.

I flip open the patio door and snarl. “What are you doing here?”

He stands taller and smiles. “Nice to see you too, little sister.”

“I mean, how did you know I was here? This is supposed to be a secret get away.”

“Are you two dating?” Henry’s questions obviously aren’t meshing with my own.

I sigh. “I asked you first.”

“I called you all night and got no answer. I went by your cabin looking for you and you weren’t there, so I stopped to see Angie because she keeps close tabs on you, and she said you’d gone to City Line for some odd reason and never got back to her last night after she called Maverick here to check on you. Then I called City Line, and they said you weren’t in your room anymore. I was hoping Maverick found you before something bad happened so my last viable option was to come up here. Care to tell me what’s going on?”

I narrow my brows. “I don’t owe you an explanation, Henry. You’re my brother, not my father.”

“A concerned brother,” he says. “I got a weird call last night that I thought you should know about. That’s why I was looking for you to begin with.”

Henry, Maddox, and I have always been close, but since our parents passed away and we took over most of the land here in Rugged Mountain, we’ve gotten even closer. There’s something about holding onto a legacy that keeps us a close-knit family. It’s nice most of the time, and if I had been in real trouble, I’d have my hands around his neck in thanks right now. Except, he might have just ruined my chance with Maverick leaving me wanting to put my hands around his neck for other reasons.

“Anyway,” Henry continues, “I set out looking for you initially because I got this weird next of kin call from the hospital and I thought maybe something was wrong.”

My heart begins to pound, and right on cue Maverick’s hand lands on my lower back.

“They’re probably just checking on me. I rushed out of there pretty quickly yesterday.”

“Why? Are you hurt? What happened? Jules, I know you’re trying to keep your personal life private with the election and all, but you should’ve called if you were headed to the hospital!” There’s a twinge of anger in his tone, but I know it’s just worry. He and Maddox both have always been overly protective of me.

“It’s nothing,” I say. “I just went to visit a friend, and I left fast, so they were probably checking on me. Maybe I left something there. I’ll call them back.” I realize as I speak this whole thing sounds like the lie it is, but I can’t help myself. I don’t want to talk about the failed adoption. I want to move forward, and I know Henry is going to pry if I give him an inkling of the truth.

“Something tells me you’re full of it,” he says. “Maybe you can at least be honest about why you’re shacked up here with Maverick then?”

I glance back toward Maverick then toward Henry. “We’re still figuring things out.”

Henry pinches his lips together. “Okay then, my wild goose chase was for nothing. Do either of you need a ride back into town or will you be figuring that out as well?”

“If you could let Angie know I’m okay, that’d be great. Otherwise, I think I’ll ride into town with Maverick later today.”

Henry nods slowly and stares at me through narrowed eyes that speak more words than he’s saying. We don’t usually keep this many secrets.

“Okay then,” he manages, his eyes now on Maverick. They know each other, but I’m not sure how well. “You better take care of her, or I know where to find you.”

Maverick reaches out his hand toward Henry. “I will.”

Henry nods and walks back toward his truck, my heart set on full speed. There’s nothing in the world I wouldn’t do for him. He’s kind and sweet and he’s all over the place with love and acceptance, but there are some things that I need to figure out for myself.

Once the door is closed and Henry is pulling back down the driveway, Maverick turns me toward him. “Why do you think the hospital was calling?”

I shrug. “I really did rush out. Maybe it’s a wellness check or something. I worked pretty closely with the social worker the whole time. Besides, I had Henry down as an emergency only contact. Plus, the social worker knew I was keeping the adoption private until everything went through so she wouldn’t have called him unless it was absolutely necessary.”

Maverick stares back at me and I watch as the wheels turn in his head. “Right, so maybe you should call them back.”

“What are you thinking?”

He shrugs, but I already know what he’s thinking. He thinks maybe the parents changed their minds, and the social worker was calling to let me know.

“I can’t let my heart go there, Maverick. If I do, and it’s a no again, it’s only going to crush me more.”

“And if it’s a yes?”

Excitement flutters through me at the thought of a yes, at the thought of bringing the kids home to the room I painted and decorated to look like a fairy garden, at the thought of raising them next to this man standing next to me. For some reason, my whirlwind fantasy makes me laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Maverick’s hand is on my shoulder.

“Nothing, I just… I know this is all going to come crashing down and I’m not ready for it. Every time I get my hopes up, I’m disappointed.”

“Every night the moon has dreams of being awake all day, but the sun crushes his fantasies. Though, every night, he tries again.” Maverick kisses my forehead. “You have to call them. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

I’m not sure I’d have the strength to do this on my own, but with Maverick next to me, I really do feel like I can handle more. And right now, I think I have a call to make.

Chapter Six

Maverick

The silence into town is just about as quiet as it was when we drove out here, and I’m pretty sure it’s for nearly the same reasons.

“Let me know when you have cell service,” I say, driving up the seasonal road toward the county route. Usually, I get service right around this spot, but rain and the weight of the trees can change that.

I glance toward Julie, holding her phone in her hands, staring down at the bars as though they hold the weight of her future. I hope to God I’m right or I’ve just pushed her into being hurt again, which is not at all my intentions. But why else would the hospital be calling back? They aren’t in the business of counseling, they’re in the business of adopting babies.

“I’ve got bars. I have them!” Her voice is shaking and excited as she grips the phone tighter.

I pull the truck over and stare toward her as she files through a few incoming texts. Then, she deflates.

“It was Emily, the social worker. She called to check on me. She was worried because I’ve been through so many failed adoptions. It was just a wellness call.”

Fuck. I want to give her everything she wants right now. I want to put ten babies inside of her, take care of her while they grow, and give her everything she’s ever wanted.

“I’m sorry, sunshine. I didn’t… if I’d thought yo—”

“It’s not your fault,” she says, tucking her phone back into her bag. “It is what it is. I can’t make someone give me their baby… and that’s okay. I can adopt another dog. They really do keep me busy as it is. I mean between the dogs, the goats, and the sheep, I’m pretty strapped for time.” She’s trying to be strong, but I see another tear make its way onto her cheek.

I pull her into my chest. “Let me be strong for you. Go ahead, break down.”

“There’s nothing to break down about,” she says, her voice shaking. “I’m fine.”

A moment later, she collapses against my chest as a river of tears fall. I know without a shadow of a doubt I have to fix this for her. A heart this pure can’t be hurt on my watch. I just won’t fucking let it.

After a few minutes, she sits up and wipes her face on the sleeve of her sweater. “Do you think you could take me into town? I’m going to get back home and get started on my speech for Monday.”

I can’t deny her of her wish, but I’d rather her stay at the cabin where I know she’s safe from everything and isolated from more bad news. I’m such a fucking idiot. I shouldn’t have let her call. I should’ve trusted she knew what she was talking about.

“Of course, I’ll take you back home,” I say, running my hand down over her back as she rests her head on my lap.

I should pull the truck over and put a baby in her right now. I could just slide between her legs and fill that wet pussy with so much come that she’s overflowing with possibilities, but that’s not realistic. That talk is the remnants of her arousal all over me from earlier. I could’ve taken her right then had Henry not interrupted us, then again twenty minutes later if she’d have let me, and again and again a million times over for the rest of our lives.

Fuck, what’s gotten into me? I let my hand glide over top the curve that lends its way to her thighs. She’s wearing a thin sundress and a pink sweater, all of it much softer than the scratchy jeans and flannel I’m used to.

She lifts her hips a little and snuggles deeper into the bench seat of the truck. “You make me feel better, like there’s hope for happiness.” Her voice is so low that I almost ask her to repeat herself but I don’t. Instead, I stay quiet for a moment, memorizing how damn sweet the words sound.

Having been traded from home to home so many times in my life, affection wasn’t really something I ever got used to, and adult relationships have never been something I’ve had time for. Sure, when I was in my twenties, I hooked up from time to time, but never anything serious. In my thirties that petered out completely and my focus went to work, and stayed there. So the soft, genuine love of a woman is something I’ve never felt.

“Thank you, sunshine,” I say, running my hand up her shoulder and over her head. “You’re making me believe all kinds of things too.”

“Tell me about your life,” she says. “There must be more to that secret.”

“Well, when you don’t have a lot of good influence you make some pretty shit decisions. Some of them meant I didn’t always follow the rules.”

“What kind of rules? Start at the beginning.” She brushes her hand along the inseam of my jeans, my cock enjoying the external attention.

“When I was eighteen, I joined the Army. I ran with them until I was in my mid-twenties. I was honorably discharged and instead of going to college and pursuing my life, I got wrapped up with some shit gold diggers out in Alaska. I did some dirty work for them, which meant we stole and lied to a lot of good people. I spent a few years in jail because of it.”

“Jail?” Her voice cracks and I hope to hell I haven’t gone too far.

“The man I was working for had us stealing from his boss, a guy who hired us to dig this lot. He had a habit of delaying our pay and talking to us like we were shit. So we convinced ourselves we were justified. But honestly, by the end, we were taking well above what we were owed, pocketing nearly seventy-five percent of the gold we were supposed to turn in. The owner charged us with larceny, and we all spent a few years in jail for it.” I pause for a second to see if she responds. “When that was over, I started mining on my own because that’s all I knew. I decided then I was going to be the man I wished I was, an honest, hardworking, digger who never worked for anyone else ever again. The adventure of it all didn’t hit until the last ten years or so. Word got out about my skill for finding the big scores and people started calling from all over, South America, Europe, and Africa. Now I travel to amazing locations, dig in the mines, and we share the profits, forty-sixty.”

“I heard you’ve quite the name for yourself, a human metal detector. People really think you’re magic or something. It’s the reason I was calling you.”

I laugh. “In a way, it’s uncanny the way your body can attune itself with things that are extraordinary. And when you find something precious enough, you cling to it, and you never let it go.”

She sits up from my lap and looks toward me, her gaze soft. “Don’t let me go, Maverick. I don’t want to be alone again. You feel too good next to me. I want this. I need you.”

“Oh, honey,” I say, holding her close to me, “I’ll never let you go. I decided on that the second I touched those lips.”

Chapter Seven

Julie

Maverick spends the weekend at my cabin keeping me company, holding me close, and helping me write my speech for the election day today. The one thing we don't do… is open the door to the twins’ room. I’m sure I could have handled it with him next to me, but I didn’t want to ruin the bit of mental stamina I’ve been building up. It’s too much to ask him to lift me up every few hours. I have to fight for me too. The funny thing is, when Maverick is around, the fight shifts from a mental struggle to a physical battle of wills, which is a nice distraction.

He’s been sleeping next to me, poking me inadvertently, brushing against me, holding me from behind in the kitchen, kissing my lips as we watch TV, and listening to me as I rant about Mrs. Richardson’s views on the possible mining ban. I’m without a doubt falling for Maverick and giving myself to him physically seems like the next reasonable step.

“Damn!” he groans, drawing his gaze up and down my frame. “You look sexy as hell, Ms. Mayor.”

“Please, I haven’t won yet. Maybe I’m wrong about how many people are pissed about the miners being in town. It does get pretty loud, and it’s brought a bunch of people into the area that weren’t here before. These are small-town folks. They don’t like anyone they haven’t seen before. I think a few of them struggle with the tourism the tattoo shop brings in already.”

“I guess I’m one of those strangers,” Maverick says, wrapping me up from behind to kiss my neck. He smells of pine and cedar like a tall, massive tree, holding me close.

I break away from his grip and spin toward him. I can’t get all worked up this close to my speech.

“You aren’t a stranger to me,” I say, kissing his lips gently.

He grins and leans into me again, running his hand down the small of my back and onto my ass. “I guess this means I’m voting for you today.”

I raise my brows, and turn away. “I should hope so, or we might have a different arrangement come tonight.”

“Bribes?” he gasps playfully. “How unbecoming.”

I giggle and look down at my phone for the time. It’s nearly thirty minutes to my speech and I really need to get into town.

“Ready?” I say, huffing out a deep breath of anxious energy.

Maverick looks back at me, but I see something in his eyes that I haven’t seen before, like he’s about to disappoint me. “I’m going to be there,” he says, “but I have to take care of something first. Can I drop you off on my way to my thing?”

“Your thing?” My voice drops as I say, “You have a thing that’s more important than the thing that I have going on this morning?”

His gaze meets mine, warm and confident. “It’s important, but I promise I’ll only be gone for a flash.”

We’ve been sitting together all weekend and I’m a little surprised he hasn’t mentioned this thing, but he’s an adult and we really have no allegiance to each other, so I grab my keys off the counter and kiss him goodbye. Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he is the drifter I pegged him for when he rolled into town. Maybe these miners are bad news.

I shake my head and let the thought go. I have to focus on this speech. I’ve been working toward it for months and I’m already battling against losing the twins. I can’t have whatever he’s doing weighing me down too.

“I’ll be right behind you,” he says, anxiety in his voice before he kisses me goodbye.

I’m not sure he realizes what he’s doing to me right before my important speech, but I try to assume the best, and make my way to the truck. The drive over to the tattoo shop will give me a chance to call Angie anyway. I’ve been meaning to catch up with her since I got back to town.

She picks up on the first ring.

“Well… well… well. Nice of you to grace me with your presence, Mrs. Maverick. I sent him to rescue you, not steal you away from me.”

“Trust me, I wasn’t expecting it. He seems nice enoug—”

“And a criminal. Did you know he did jail time? I swear if I’d known I’d never have sent him up there.”

I roll my eyes. Angie has good intentions, but her worries cause her to overthink nearly everything and a guy who’s done jail time is definitely not on her approved list of suitors for me, or anyone else she knows.

“Besides, what do you think the voters will think if they see you around town with a miner who’s also a criminal? They’re going to vote for Mrs. Richardson just on rumors alone.”

I hadn’t thought of what everyone else will think. I usually don’t. I just live my life and hope for the best.

“He’s not a criminal. He went to jail for a few years for larceny when he was young, and he told me everything. It’s all good.”

“No,” she gasps, “that’s not all. I hear he went to prison for kidnapping.”

I almost laugh. “Kidnapping? No. He didn’t go to prison for kidnapping. Who would he even kidnap? He doesn’t have kids, and they don’t let you out of prison for that.”

“Yes, they do. Levi says Maverick got ten years in jail and another five years of probation for it. He’s bad news, Jules. You should stay away from him. I’m serious.”

“Levi? Is this the biker, mechanic guy you haven’t been seeing?”

She huffs out as though she’s annoyed I’ve changed the subject. “Levi has connections. Apparently, he’s—”

“Thanks for your concern,” I say, “but I just pulled into the tattoo shop. I need to get on stage.” I see Henry warming up the crowd. “You’re coming, right?”

“Aren’t you at all curious how I know he’s a kidnapper?”

“Later,” I say. “I have to run now.”

“I’ll be there in five,” she says. “I’m throwing my coat on.”

I bite my lip and swallow hard when she hangs up the phone. Kidnapping would be the most ridiculous accusation of all time. I need to get that girl in to talk to someone. She’s spinning out of control.

As I park, my heart starts to race. The crowd is much bigger than I expected. I think maybe everyone in town is here, though I’m guessing Henry’s call to the food trucks in the Springs helped the matter. I even see a band setting up. What a fanfare. He’s probably using this to drive attention to the shop as well. Then again, maybe that works both ways.

“You’re a little late for someone who is on in five minutes,” Henry says, taking my bag from me as I walk up toward the stage. “Where’s the new boyfriend? You’d think he would be right behind you. Today is a pretty important day.”

“He’s coming,” I say. “He had something to take care of quick.”

Henry grumbles something under his breath that I choose to ignore. I’m sure it’s something negative about Maverick, as everyone seems to have an axe to grind with him this morning. What the hell is wrong with everyone today? I swear if I win this election, I’m making it a rule to be nice to me.

The microphone squeals as Henry returns to the crowd. I’d guess there are least five hundred people here, some of them with signs that say my name, others with signs for Richardson.

As Henry is finishing his spiel about the tattoo shop, Main Street, and the humble beginnings of Rugged Mountain, I scan the crowd for Maverick. He’s still not here. I do see Angie, though, bundled up in her jacket despite the seventy-degree weather. She’s always afraid she’ll be too cold. In her defense the weather does change quickly up here.

Henry looks toward me and smiles, kissing my cheek as he hands the microphone to me, and a pit of regret swirls in my stomach. I’ve made speeches all over town the past few months but this one is the last hope. I’m not sure I could take losing this election on top of everything else. I wish Maverick were here.

The crowd quiets as I take center stage and I know I need to talk, but my mouth has suddenly gone dry. I close my eyes, suck in the deep mountain air I’ve grown up on, and find my center.

“As most of you know,” I say, my voice steadying, “I’ve grown up in Rugged Mountain. As a kid, most all of this land was owned by my family. I can remember when Main Street was just a dirt road with a sew shop and a little watermill, both of which were ran by my grandparents. With my parents and my brothers, we have built this community to be something grand. It’s a place for families, for small-town values, and for love. Now, I don’t believe that just because my family owns this land that I should be mayor. I think that position should be filled by the most qualified person. I believe that a mayor should stand as a representation of the people in a community and fight for the growth and development of everyone. Both Mrs. Richardson and I run on platforms to better the area. Her ideas come from a place of limiting growth. While mine, come with expansion in mind. While most of you know I plan to keep Rugged Mountain small, there is one thing that I think our town could use more of… and that’s books. With your vote, I will be relocating the library from that small shop on Main to the six-bedroom farmhouse my grandparents used to live in at the end of the street. It’s accessible to downtown and it will give people a chance to socialize, read, and enjoy the atmosphere of the old farmhouse. We can have books shipped in from—”

Angie starts waving her arms up and down, pointing toward Maverick who’s standing on the other side of the stage with a baby in his hands.

I look toward him, my mind reeling with confusion, but I try to continue. “The books will be shipped from all over the world, and we’ll collect them here for us to read and learn from as needed. There will also be internet ac—”

“I told you he kidnaps kids!” Angie shouts.

My eyes close as I stare again toward Maverick whose face is beaming ear to ear as though he can’t hear Angie’s remarks. He steps up onto the stage slowly, carrying a single baby.

Oh god, maybe he is a kidnapper. He stole a baby for me! Was I that pathetic sounding? Not only that, but he’s crazy enough to bring the baby here to my election day speech.

As he steps up onto the stage, he makes eye contact with me, and my heart sinks. How did I not see he was crazy before? I let myself fall for him so quickly. I’m so dumb. So, so, so dumb!

“I wasn’t planning on interrupting you,” he says, “but you said you wanted to introduce your girls today and…” He looks down at the baby. “Meet your mama, sweet girl.” Maverick hands the infant to me, a smile on his face so genuine that you’d never guess he just nabbed her from another family.

My throat tightens as I look toward him, my heart stopped as the sweet baby nuzzles into my arms. “You took this baby? Where did you take her from? You can’t just take a bab—”

The social worker I worked with steps up behind Maverick, holding another baby bundled in pink. “Maverick wanted to surprise you, but I have to follow him here for legal reasons until the children are in your care. I’m sorry we’ve interrupted your event. That wasn’t the plan.”

My head spins in circles, everyone in the crowd now quiet, watching the event unfold. “The couple changed their mind. They were—” 

“But you texted me and said you were just checking on me, so I deleted your contact.”

“I know,” she says, rocking the baby in her arms. “I confused you. I did text to check on you, then the next day, the couple changed their minds again, and I called Henry because you weren’t answering your phone. The next person I heard from was Maverick who explained everything. I met him at the diner downtown. He wanted to surprise you after the speech, but instead we’ve interrupted you. I’m so sorry.” Her face wrinkles up as though she’s genuinely apologetic. “Oh, and I’m not sure what that woman is hollering about, but Maverick did not kidnap any children. I had to do a background check on him since he mentioned he’d be living with you.” She turns away from the crowd and lowers her voice. “He did do a few years in jail back in Alaska, though, but we expunge any non-violent record after ten years. So as far as we’re concerned, he’s right as rain, and you two are set to go.” She hands Maverick the second baby girl. “I have to get back to work. I have another couple I hope to make just as happy today.”

The crowd cheers and I look toward Maverick, tears in my eyes as we hold our girls. Our girls. Not for a second did it even cross my mind that we weren’t doing this together.

I look toward the crowd. “This dream has been one that I’ve held so close for the past ten years, and to now finally have my girls home with me, I can’t even begin to describe how whole I feel right now.” I wipe away tears and stand next to Maverick whose arm is wrapped around my waist. “This man is a miner. I met him because of the work the gold brings into Rugged Mountain. Without that work, I’d have never met him, and I may never have these girls in my arms. If you vote for me, I promise to uphold the family values I was raised on and continue to grow Rugged Mountain into a place where growth persists and small-town heart remains.”

The crowd claps and I leave the stage, Angie meeting me at the side with a look on her face as though guilt is eating her alive. “Oh god, I’m such an ass. I’m so sorry! Levi said he heard from a friend that Maverick had ki—”

“It’s okay,” I say, pulling her in for a hug. “I know you’re just looking out. I’m lucky to have you.”

“I had no idea you were trying to adopt,” she says, staring down at the little bundle of pink in my arms. “I’m happy to help out anytime. I’ll call you later this week and check on you. Good luck on the polls, but I think you’ve got it.” She grins and leans in for a hug, nuzzling the girls before taking off.

“I have the car seats in my truck,” Maverick says. “Why don’t we ride back together? We’ll come down and get your truck later.”

I nod and walk beside him, his hand in mine, my heart warm and full. “I thought so many awful things when you left me this morning. I—”

“I figured as much, but I didn’t want to get your hopes up again until everything was official. Now, I have three girls I’m never letting out of my sight.” He opens the truck door and helps to buckle the first twin in, while I situate the second. I shouldn’t be as turned on as I am, but my clit is throbbing like a second heartbeat, desperate for this man to finally claim me and make me his forever.

Chapter Eight

Maverick

The girls are only days old, which means they sleep most of the way home, and straight through to us putting them in their cribs. It’s the first I’ve seen their room and Julie has gone all out with tiny white lights, delicate lace fabrics, and a beautiful garden mural.

“Did you do this yourself?” I ask, settling the little girl I’m holding into her crib.

“It took me months, but it was a labor of love and kept me busy while I was waiting for the birth.” Her eyes widen and she turns toward me after setting the baby in her crib. “How did you do this? I mean, what even prompted you to call Henry for the lady’s number?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. Seeing you cry and feeling your pain… I wanted you to be happy, and I knew those kids wouldn’t be loved the way they should be. My parents almost put me up for adoption when I was born. Instead, they spent four years treating me like the parasite they didn’t want before they finally threw me away. I can’t remember the details, but my soul does. Somehow, it just does. I called the social worker to see if she could talk to the parents or do something… anything… that’s when she told me the parents had already changed their minds.”

She barrels into my arms, her lips on mine, her hands winding through my hair, her skin soft, like the petals of a rose. “I want you,” she says. “I’ve wanted you since the very first night you rescued me from that god awful hotel. I wanted you all weekend long. I wanted you before I left for that speech today.” She moves her gaze to mine. “Now… I need you.”

I blow out a breath and tighten my grip on her hips, my cock hard at the sound of her words. “I need you too.”

She looks at both girls again quickly, making sure they're safe, before tiptoeing out of the room, and pulling me toward the bedroom. It’s a pretty large cabin, but all the rooms are clustered together, so we’re just a few steps away from the mattress.

Tearing off her dress, she keeps her eyes on mine, needy and excited, desperate for me in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever been looked at before. Following her lead, I strip down myself, then stare at her naked body. It’s the body I’ve been fantasizing about for days, the one that stands before me in the broad daylight with every curve and valley on display. Her slit is swollen and dripping wet, aching for my touch. She bites her bottom lip and steps forward staring at me with desire as she bends to her knees in front of me, taking my length into her soft lips. She kisses the tip, then runs her tongue down over my cock as I fist her hair to the side and watch her work.

Fuck. My legs tremble as she sucks harder and harder, pumping me in her fist as her tongue swirls and suctions. I need to fuck her, claim her, make her mine for good. I need to put my seed inside of her, and let it grow.

I guide her up from her knees and lay her on the bed, admiring the red, swollen mound splayed out before me. “Who do you belong to?” My voice is low, and dark.

“You,” she croaks, spreading her legs wider. “Make sure I belong to you.”

I tip my head between her legs and kiss down over her thick thighs, tracing my hand along the instep of her foot as I lick her clit, circling, suctioning, twisting, flicking. She squirms beneath me, hardening my erection.

She grabs hold of my shoulders, her fingernails clawing into my skin as she moans out for more.

My hand moves up her inner thigh and into her slit, my fingers spreading into her wide as I make an upward scratching motion toward her g-spot. She’s tight and her channel hugs me as I pump. When her hips begin to grind, I know I’m hitting the right spot.

“Yes, right there. Right there.” She grinds harder as my tongue flicks and my hands stroke. “Fuck me, Maverick. Fuck me hard. I need you to fill me up.”

Any other day, I’d deny her, tease her longer. Today, I might be more desperate to feel that pussy than she is to have me. I lick up on her clit a few more times and kiss her outer lips gently before moving over her stomach and up toward her neck.

“And what happens when I fuck you, Julie?”

She shivers. “I’m yours.”

“That’s right, and I’ll be the only one to touch you. The only one to fuck you. The only one to love you.” I growl the words possessively, my soul needing to know I belong in her arms and the reassurance of her love.

Her gaze softens on mine and she holds her hand on the side of my face. “I’m never letting you go, Maverick Clay. I promise you that. You’re mine just as much as I’m yours.”

My name on her lips is like music, soft, beautiful comforting music that I want to hear again and again. I kiss her lips and hold her naked body against my own, her breasts pressed against my chest, the hard spears of her nipples like beautiful pink swords poking into me. I lower down and suckle each one, moving from one to the other as she threads her hands into my hair.

“I need you, Maverick. Please,” she whines again. This time it’s too much to handle. I need her body. I need her now.

“We don’t have a condom,” I say. “You—”

“I am having your babies! That’s what I want. I want you. I want this family with you.”

I’ve been thinking it, and I’m pretty sure I’ve said it, but hearing her say the words gives me even more affirmation. My whole life I’ve been trying to figure where I belong and here, I am, about to have everything.

Chapter Nine

Julie

I’m no stranger to dicks. I’ve seen a couple in real life, and a lot of them on the internet. A girl has to get her pleasure some place, but Maverick’s is like nothing I’ve ever seen and if I’m being completely honest, I’m a little scared. He’s not only long, but thick. I’d guess maybe eight inches and I have no idea how wide, but from here it’s looking like a Pringles can. A Pringles can! A can of Pringles should not go into your vagina.

His eyelids are heavy as he looks toward me, the scent of my excitement on his beard. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me, do you?”

I look at his girth, and then at my slit. “Are you worried you won’t fit inside of me?”

He looks down at his erect cock, stroking it as his excitement starts to drip from the tip, hitting the mattress between us.

“Is it that big? I—”

My gaze widens. “Don’t play shy. You know that thing is big.”

He laughs. “You tell me how slow to go and I’ll stop whenever you say.”

I reach for him, pumping him in my hand before leaning him backward onto the bed. I’ve had him in my mouth and that was a stretch. I want control of how much of him I can take.

Leaning back, he guides me overtop his hips and holds mine, helping me lower down onto his cock. I move slowly, taking him an inch at a time.

“Look at me,” he growls. “Don’t take your eyes off me.”

The demand sends another pulse of excitement through my groin, and I stretch further down onto him, my gaze on his deep brown eyes as I lower further, grinding in circles, trying to hold my eyes open when all they want to do is shut.

He reaches for my breast and flicks my nipple between his pointer finger and his thumb as I begin to bounce and moan, my circling hitting every spot that feels good again and again.

“Fuck you look so good, sunshine. Fuck me harder.”

He reaches between my legs and rubs my clit as I bounce, my breasts wavering from side to side, up and down.

My body is like a live wire as I spread my legs wider and take more of him in, the tip pressed so far against my cervix that I think he might poke a hole straight through me. I expected it to hurt, but it doesn’t. It’s like being full, like finally being filled the way I’ve been craving. When he’s stretched me as wide as I can go, and his thumb circles my clit, the beating begins in my stomach and travels into my groin, spreading over the top of me, tingling down my legs and into my toes then back up again. Every sensation is heightened and rich as I thump down on top of him.

“Eyes on me,” he growls, as my orgasm threatens to close my eyes.

I flick them open and stare at him, letting every prickling sensation wash over me as I come.

“Just like that,” he says. His tone has changed to something more carnal than it had been before. There’s a rawness to it now that sends a shiver through my body as he flips me over and sinks into me doggy style.

He’s slow at first, but when he gets the tip in, it's like my body is suctioning every last inch. He crashes into me, his fingertips sinking into my hips. I’m not sure what I expected, but he doesn’t hold back. He pounds deeper and deeper, harder and harder, with all the pent up energy of a caged animal.

I clutch onto the sheets and hold tight as he moves me back and forth. “All that silky come is paving the way for me, sunshine. Fuck! I’m going to come.” He growls. “Tell me who you belong to. Say it!”

“I belong to you,” I bellow. “You… only you.”

He thrusts harder and harder until he releases, growling out like an animal as he empties inside of me.

“Fucking hell,” he groans, thrusting in another few pumps. “You felt amazing.”

I smile and spin in circles against his cock, teasing out the last bit of come, before he pulls from me like it’s too sensitive to continue.

“Did I hurt you?” he asks, reaching for a cloth on the bedside table to help clean me up.

I shake my head. “God no. You felt incredible.”

He tosses the cloth from his hand toward the laundry basket on the other side of the room, then lays next to me naked, holding me against his chest. “Marry me. Marry me under the moonlight with the girls in our arms. Then every night afterwards we’ll get another shot at this memory.”

Tears stream from my cheeks as I look toward him and nod. I’ve over thought so many things in my life, but this… with Maverick… it’s as simple as the rising of the moon.

Epilogue

Maverick

Six Months Later

“You can put those boxes by the ladder there,” Julie tells the delivery driver. She’s wearing a pink and white dress that frames the baby bump she’s been sprouting for about six months now. I love seeing her round and full, carrying my child.

“You need to get off your feet, Mrs. Mayor. Let your lowly henchman help. Besides, you’re busy enough with Sage, Juniper, and this new baby you’re growing. You can’t be stacking bookshelves all day too.”

She slumps down in a velvet armchair and sighs. “Okay, I give in. You can stock the shelves. You can also get me a glass of water if you’re dying to wait on me.”

I kiss her forehead and lift Juniper from her swing. She’s fussing and I’m sure she’s ready for a bottle. “I’ll get the babies settled. You put your feet up and read for a while.”

We’ve been working on the library since Julie won the election, but we’re nearing an end to our prep, and we’ll be opening up our doors early next week.

We couldn’t have done it without the help of everyone in town. Angie especially has been giving her time. I think she feels guilty about all the blame she put on me and the hard time she gave us at the start. Truthfully, though, if it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be here right now. I would have never known Julie was at that shit motel and I would have never swept her away.

When I return from the kitchen with a glass of water, Angie is sitting beside Julie opening up boxes and handing her books.

“We were just going through all the cool travel books we got. You guys still need a honeymoon. Let’s see what random place this book has in store.” She flips through the pages and stops without looking. “Cairo. I guess it’s eighty degrees this time of year and you can see pyramids, camels, and sand… lots of sand,” she says with a smile.

Julie laughs. “I think I’m going to pass on international travel for a while. Right now, I’m happy here with my girls and my boys.”

“Boys?”

Julie smiles, then crinkles her nose up. “Forget I said that.”

I set the glass of water on the table next to her. “No, no, no… you snooped on the gender reveal, didn’t you?”

She closes her eyes and nods. “I didn’t exactly snoop. The paper fell out of the envelope as I was giving it to Josie at Betty’s Bake Shop… and I might have seen a B, and then an O, and a Y. It’s no big deal. It’s just a thing. I could be wrong.”

A son. I have a son. For a second, I imagine the five of us outside next to the river, our pans sunk in the water as I teach the kids to pan before we settle on some late morning fishing.

“Are you mad?” Julie’s nose is still wrinkled.

“Oh no, sunshine. I’m not mad. I’m ecstatic. We have it all. Two beautiful girls, and our baby boy.”

Angie stands from beside us and sighs. “Well, I’m going to leave you two love birds alone. I guess Levi and I have a date tonight.”

“Six months later and you two are finally going on a date, huh? Did you bond over conspiracy theories?” Julie laughs playfully.

Angie rolls her eyes. They’re like sisters. “No. Actually it’s not a date-date. It’s more of a late-night work on my car sort of thing.”

“I’m confused,” I say, holding the bottle for baby Juniper. “He set up a date to fix your car?”

“No. It’s not really a date. He’s just booked up, but my car needed fixing, so he said he’d do it for me after hours. I offered to bring him dinner as a thank you. So… that’s where I’m going right now. We’ll see how that turns out. I don’t know if he’s my type, but he does have that bad boy vibe going for him… and a handlebar mustache which I’m not sure I like or don’t. Either way, I’m going.” When she’s finished rambling, she bows to us both dramatically as though she’s finished her show, then pops out the front door of the library.

“We should get home too,” Julie says, checking her watch. “By the time we get dinner and get the girls down it’ll be late. I see myself in bed by nine p.m. sharp tonight.”

“You’re speaking my language,” I say, helping her up from her chair. “We do need a name for this baby boy, though. What are you thinking?”

Julie grins wide and looks toward me. “It’s actually two baby boys.”

My heart stops. “Two? How are you… you’re kidding!”

She shakes her head. “It was on the gender reveal note. I called the doctor to double check that there was no mistake, and she confirmed. Two baby boys and two little girls. I think we’re going to have our hands full for a while.”

I’m not sure my heart has ever been fuller.

“I was thinking we would name them after some of those cowboys you’re always talking about… the ones in the movies.”

I can’t help but smile at the idea of our two little boys named after Hollywood cowboys. “Clint and Will it is,” I say. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

She grins ear to ear and leans into my arms, the last bit of sunlight against her back as she rests. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman, and nothing I wouldn’t give to know my family is safe. And every single night, I have the shining silver moon to thank for giving us the courage to live the life we were meant to live.

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Check out Angie and Levi’s story here.

Khloe Summers is the author of over ninety short and steamy romance titles. Her books are written in many different tropes, but usually contain growly older alphas, curvy women, and lots of steam.

Khloe lives with her husband, (who she affectionately calls Daddy) in sunny Florida. They spend most of their free time sinking their toes in the sand, eating too many pizzas, and hollering obscenities at the TV on football Sunday. (At least he does. She sits on the sidelines and quietly orders nonsense off Amazon.)

Before this life is over, Khloe would like to check everything off her sexy bucket list and visit South Africa to wrestle evil poachers into submission. (And maybe see some baby elephants.)

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