Page 26 of The Cowboy of the Mountain

“I’ll be here.”

I wouldn’t want to miss Wyatt with damp, messy hair.

For a brief moment, I think Wyatt’s about to kiss me. He glances at my lips and I glance at his. I swear he moves a little closer and moves his hand toward me but I must be imagining it.

“Okay,” he says. “I’ll be back.”

Another long beat before he finally leaves, but his scent still lingers. The way he makes me feel still lingers. And no matter how many times I tell myself I’m not going to fall for Wyatt all over again, I know the truth.

I’ve never stopped falling for this man.

Chapter 7

Wyatt

Macarons? No, these things are pure witchcraft. I’ve never tasted anything so decadent in such a small package. Well, one thing comes to mind. I close my eyes, sinking into my truck’s seat as I savor the sweet taste but wish it was something else.

Mia. My obsession. Mine.

We’ve been dancing around each other since that night. Pretending that neither of us feel the flames fanning between us each time we see each other. Ignoring what happened between us last week. Constructing this false narrative that we need to keep our distance.

Fuck that. I don’t want distance. I want Mia. And I can only play along with this game for so long before I snap. I can’t deal with these brief encounters—morning and evening handoffs. A quick chat before I have to leave for my day or she has to leave for the Inn to begin her shift.

Patience. I should have more but it’s wearing thin. I need to remind her of that night. What we could be. What we should be. What… is Damon doing here?

I watch Damon park his truck next to mine. I slide the last of my lunch back into the bag and then glance at the Post-it note Mia left me. When she heard I’d been skipping lunch because I’d been so busy, she started making me lunch after dropping Luke off at school. I told her she didn’t need to, but it hasn’t stopped her.

I stick the note to the dash. She’s a kind and caring soul. And I hate that I made her feel forgettable.

I hop out of my truck and greet Damon.

“Had a couple of free hours, so I figured I’d help out with the fort. I can work alone if you’re busy.”

“Finishing up lunch,” I say, grabbing his hand and pulling him into a quick hug. “Nothing scheduled for a few hours, but I do have a project you could help me with.”

“What’s Luke planning? Finally making that tree house?”

I shake my head. “This one’s not for him. It’s for Mi—a project I’ve been wanting to tackle for a while.”

I wipe my brow. Almost let that slip. It’s not a complete lie—a slight bending of the truth. The project was for me, but it’s being repurposed for Mia.

Damon snorts and then claps me on my back. “About damn time you do something for yourself. Tell me about the project. I’m down for anything. Even more now that I know it’s for you.”

“This way,” I say, guiding him to the site I’ve picked out.

It’s not much to look at right now, but soon it will be the perfect garden for Mia. Everything she’d ever want or need to bake her heart out. It’s a Hail Mary throw that I’m hoping will land.

“How’s she doing? Treating her well?” Damon asks, shouldering me as we head back to his truck.

We took the last couple of hours to go over the project, planning out the design, materials, and labor that will be involved. It’s a long-term project that will take a lot of time and effort but I don’t mind. I’m in it for the long run. Anything for Mia.

“She’s great. Luke loves her. Might be a little obsessed. They bake together. Have a blast running around that fort of his. I’m a little jealous, honestly.”

“You want to bake some cookies with her too?”

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a chance to be close to Mia. I’d bake cookies, pipe buttercream, and wear a frilly pink apron if it meant I could be near her for more than a few minutes at a time. Relish her scent. Feel her body. If she gave me the opportunity, I’m not sure we’d get to the baking part. I’d set her on the counter, tear off her apron, and lick icing off every inch of her body. And maybe that’s why she runs away.

I don’t answer because Mia and Luke pull up next to us, ending the conversation. My eyes lock onto Mia’s and she smiles briefly, lowering her head as she shuts off the car.

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