Page 19 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

She leans forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "Picture this: I step off that bus, exhausted from the long trip, Mel fussing in my arms. And there he is, this mountain of a man with the kindest eyes I've ever seen."

I can almost see it myself. Steph, younger but just as fierce, looking for a do-over just like me.

"He took one look at us, scooped Mel right out of my arms, and said, 'Welcome home, ladies.' Just like that."

Steph's eyes mist over, and she dabs at them with the corner of her apron. "From that moment on, we were a family. Bear never once treated Mel like she wasn't his own. He loved us both unconditionally."

"That's beautiful," I murmur, touched by the depth of emotion in Steph's voice.

She nods, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "It wasn't always easy, mind you. We had our struggles, especially in the beginning. But that man? He stood by us through thick and thin."

Steph's gaze drifts to the photo on the wall, her expression softening. "Looking back now, I can hardly believe how blessed we've been. That one letter changed the entire course of our lives."

I follow her gaze, studying the happy family in the picture. It's a far cry from the scared, desperate woman Steph described stepping off that bus.

"You took a huge risk," I say, admiration coloring my voice. "Coming all the way out here on the strength of some letters."

Steph turns back to me, her smile knowing. "Sometimes, sugar, you've got to take that leap of faith. When your heart tells you something's right? You listen."

Her words hit me hard, stirring up feelings I've been trying to ignore. Can my story turn out like Steph’s? That all the risks are worth it?

"I'm glad it worked out for you," I say softly.

Steph squeezes my hand again. "It'll work out for you, too, Kenzie. Give yourself time, and you’ll land on your feet. Because you've got more strength in you than you know."

I blink back the sudden sting of tears, overwhelmed by her faith in me. For a moment, I let myself believe her. That I can weather this and land on my feet in this little mountain town too.

A few hours later, I step out of the shop, the bell chiming behind me. The crisp mountain air fills my lungs, a stark contrast to the cozy warmth inside. My eyes scan the street, and I freeze.

There they are.

Everett stands across the way, his broad shoulders taut beneath his flannel. The twins, Harper and Hazel, bounce around his legs like excited puppies. And beside him, towering and stoic, is another man I don't recognize.

"Look what the cat dragged in." Mel drawls beside me.

"Friends of yours?" I tear my gaze away from the group to glance at her.

She snorts. "You could say that." Her eyes narrow, fixed on the unfamiliar man. "Looks like the heartbreakers are out in full force today."

I follow her line of sight, my brow furrowing. "Heartbreakers?"

Before she can respond, a shrill cry cuts through the air. "Miss Kenzie!"

My head snaps back to see Harper and Hazel waving frantically, identical grins splitting their faces. A smile tugs at my lips as I wave back, their enthusiasm infectious.

But then my gaze locks with Everett's.

Cars, people, and time drag. His piercing blue eyes hold mine, unreadable yet intense. My breath catches in my throat, and heat stirs in my body.

What is this? This man is some kind of warlock.

I want to look away, but I can't. It's like he's got me pinned in place with just his stare.

A strange mixture of warmth and unease swirls in my gut. This man – this virtual stranger—shouldn’t have this effect on me, not after everything that's happened.

And yet...

"You all right over there," Mel's voice breaks through my haze. I blink, the spell broken.

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