Page 57 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bride

I recast my line and try to focus on the surrounding sounds, of the bubbling water, the birds chirping and flying overhead, the rustling of leaves. A twig snaps off to my left, and Whiskey’s head jerks up before he launches himself off the rock in that direction.

“Hey, Silas.”

I turn toward the man approaching along the riverbank.

Fuck. Just what I don’t need today.

I force a tight smile and give Travis a quick wave. “Hey, Trav.”

The older man ambles toward me with his fishing gear, Whiskey watching him intently and following alongside him on his approach—though he knows him well enough not to bark and charge at him like he would so many other people.

My closest neighbor up here on the mountain stops next to the giant rock and stares at my line. “Catch anything today?”

I nod slowly. “Bass. Whiskey’s breakfast.”

He chuckles, his lined face wrinkling more, and sets his gear on the rock as he climbs up and settles next to me. “Lucky dog. You know I’m usually out here earlier, but the missus had a honey-do list a mile long for me today.”

I snort. “Is that what I’m in for?”

Fuck, I hope not.

The days of letting someone else control my life ended long ago, and I don’t plan on going back to that way of living.

“So…” He casts his line, peering at me from the corner of his eye. “I heard a rumor in town.”

I stiffen and glance over at him. “Yeah, what’s that?”

He stares off into the water, watching the lines bob. “That you got hitched to some pretty young lady at the courthouse the other day.”

Fucking hell.

Nothing ever stays a secret in a small town. We only had two other people who saw anything, aside from Ronald. But two is enough to start the rumor mill.

Hell, even one is.

“That is an interesting rumor.”

He looks over at me. “So, it isn’t true?”

There isn’t any point denying it. The entirety of Millsburg probably knows by now, anyway.

I release a heavy sigh. “It is.”

His white brows rise. “You’re married?”

Bobbing my head slowly, I suck in a sharp breath. “Uh-huh.”

He adjusts his line and chuckles lightly. “I’ve never really seen you as the marrying type.”

I snort. “Me, either.”

“Who’s the little lady? I haven’t seen you around with anyone…”

That’s because no one sees me around at all. Other than heading into town once or perhaps twice a month for supplies and to make deliveries, I avoid human contact at all costs.

“No one you would know. She’s not from around here.”

He clicks his tongue. “I see. She’s doing well living up at your place?”

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