Page 66 of Recklessly in Love

“For being you. For loving me. For showing me what it means to truly belong somewhere.”

He pulls me into his arms. “You never have to thank me for that, Joanie. You deserve it and so much more.”

I bury my face in his chest, breathing him in. And for once, I don’t feel the urge to run or push him away. For once, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

I know there will be challenges. The incorporation process will be long and complicated. I’ll have to figure out how to balance my time between Alpine Ridge and Seattle since there isn’t a permanent, full-time job for me here, and my condo and parents are there. Greg and I will undoubtedly have our share of ups and downs as we navigate this new phase of our relationship. Because let’s face it, even though I’m in this, I still come with heaps of drama.

But I’m not afraid anymore. Because I know that whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.

Alpine Ridge is more than just a quaint mountain town to me now. It’s where I found myself and learned to open my heart and take a chance on love.

It’s the place that finally feels like home.

God, Mia is going to flip. The thought makes me laugh, and Greg looks at me as we climb into the truck.

“What?” he asks curiously.

I shake my head as he starts the engine and navigates back onto the road home. “I was just thinking about Mia.”

Greg cocks an eyebrow. “And?”

“She’s not going to believe that I, of all people, fell in love with this place too.”

His hand reaches over and wraps around mine. “Why not?”

I run my thumb over the back of his hand. “Oh sweet, innocent, Greg,” I tease. “I’ve spent years jumping around, doing whatever and whoever struck my fancy.” He frowns jokingly, and I laugh. “I agreed to spend the holidays in a tiny mountain town, assuming I’d have a sexy romp in the snow with the hottest man I could find before going back to my selfish little world. And here I am, planning a future with said hottest man in said town.” I shake my head. “You came out of nowhere and turned my world upside down, mountain man.”

A grin spreads slowly over Greg’s face. “You know you love it, though.”

I tip my head back and laugh, squeezing his hand.

“Yes, I do. Take me home, Greg.”

This time, when he turns to look at me, there’s no teasing. His face is serious, his eyes brimming with heat. “Say it again.”

I grin. “Take me back to our home, mountain man, and make love to me all night long,” I croon teasingly.

Greg gives an exaggerated shiver. “With pleasure.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

GREG

The news that Ned has officially reported to prison brings a sense of closure, and I find myself breathing a little easier. With one major hurdle behind us, Joanie and I focus on the next challenge: the initial boundary review meeting.

The meeting is held at the Central Washington University student union in Ellensburg, and as we walk in, I can’t help grumbling. “They could’ve handled this at the community center. We only have a few hundred people here.”

I’m sure the large ballroom is great for functions, but the rows upon rows of chairs aren’t close to filled.

Joanie gives me a wry look. “The county has to account for a certain percentage of the town being able to attend, even if they don’t show up.”

I huff out a breath and nod, conceding her point. As we take our seats, I scan the room, and my gaze lands on my father. He’s sitting quietly, not speaking to anyone. My chest tightens, knowing he can’t be up to anything good.

The meeting itself goes smoothly. The county official presents the proposed boundaries, fields questions, and opens the floor for public comments. Surprisingly, very few people speak up, and we wrap up in under an hour. I should’ve known it went too smoothly because as everyone files out, my father approaches me. “Gregory, may I have a word in private?”

I exchange a glance with Joanie before nodding reluctantly. “Fine,” I say tersely to my father. And then to Joanie, “I’ll meet you outside in a minute, baby.”

She gives me a supportive wink and squeeze of the ass before leaving. I chuckle as I watch her go before turning back to my father. Who looks like he just sucked on a lemon.

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