Page 19 of Her Bossy Lumberjack

“You probably know all about it,” I say. “Seems like the entire state knows the story.”

Kane nods. “I know bits and pieces. Been hearing a lot of talk about it.”

“There was plenty of other stuff. My dad was sexually harassing female employees. My mom was rigging the mayoral elections, buying votes so my dad could keep his role.” I let out a shuddering breath. “It’s awful. I’m so ashamed of everything they’ve done.”

“So that’s the real reason you came to Cherry Hollow?” Kane asks, rubbing my shoulder.

I nod. “It was a huge story in Silvercrest. People were furious, and rightly so. They hate my parents’ guts, but a lot of them hate me too. They think I was involved.” My voice breaks, but I don’t stop talking. “But I wasn’t. I had no idea what my parents were doing. When they were arrested, I was in total shock. Sure, I knew they were bad parents, but I didn’t know they were criminals. I swear I didn’t.”

The desperation in my voice makes me cringe, but I need Kane to believe me, even if nobody else does. His opinion matters more to me than everybody else’s put together.

“Of course you didn’t know,” Kane says firmly. “That’s exactly what I told Andrea.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. And Diane banned her from the bakery.”

I gulp. “So Diane knows too? She knows I lied?”

“Yes, she knows. But she’ll understand, Hannah.”

Thinking of the lies I told Diane is enough to bring fresh tears to my eyes. “I hope so. I hated lying to you both, but telling the truth was so hard.”

“Hannah, I get it.” Kane squeezes me tighter against him. “You needed a fresh start. Didn’t want people like Andrea being able to follow you.”

“Exactly. Only that part didn’t work out so well.” I bite my lip. “Lots of people in Silvercrest are convinced I was in on the whole thing. Andrea is one of them.”

“Fuck what they think.”

I look into his warm brown eyes. They look fierce and determined, and my heart skips a beat as I ask, “It doesn’t bother you that my parents are criminals?”

“I don’t give a shit who your parents are, Hannah. They’re crappy people, and you’re nothing like them. You’re sweet and kind, and you’ve got a good heart. And anybody who thinks you had anything to do with your parents’ crimes obviously doesn’t know you. So screw them.”

He says it with so much conviction that I immediately throw my arms around him, hugging him tight. My heart is bursting with affection. Knowing that Kane believes my story means so much, and an immense weight has finally been lifted. He knows the truth, but he’s not running. He’s not telling me to leave. Instead, he’s holding me tight and telling me none of it matters.

“Thank you, Kane,” I murmur against his shoulder. “You’re the best.”

“You’re not so bad yourself, Ginger Snap.”

I giggle, but it falters quickly when I ask, “Do you think the town will be mad at me? All the people from the bakery? What about Diane?” I wince at the thought. “She’s been so good to me, and I lied to her about everything. Even my name.”

“Diane will understand, and so will everybody else,” Kane says firmly. “You’re a part of this town now, Hannah. We protect our own out here, and if anybody causes you trouble, I’ll have your back. I won’t let that Andrea woman get anywhere near you.”

My throat clogs with emotion as I look at Kane, tracing his cheekbone with my finger. This man is magic. I tilt my head and lean in, pressing my lips against his, and he instantly grabs my chin, kissing me back hard. His beard brushes my face as he pulls me close, and he makes a noise deep in his throat before breaking our kiss, resting his forehead against mine. I close my eyes and listen to the sound of his breathing, feeling completely at home in his arms. My body softens against the hardness of his chest, my fingers absent-mindedly brushing the swirling ink on his forearms.

“I’m sorry again that I lied to you,” I tell him quietly. “It was a mistake. I should have trusted you with this sooner.”

He shrugs. “Maybe I’m not the easiest person to confide in. Some people think I’m too bossy. Can you believe that?”

I let out a dramatic gasp. “No way!”

“I know. Crazy, right?”

A giggle escapes me. “I like that you’re bossy.”

Kane raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

“I like how you are.” My mouth goes dry at the look on his face. “I like everything about you.”

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