Page 14 of Their Rustic Retreat

“Your brother seems to really be something.”

I nod. “He’s a total asshole, but yes, I love him all the same. Even if he can be overprotective and think the sky is falling, over every little thing.”

“Like what? Is he freaking out about something right now?”

“Like you, Tristian. He’s off thinking that you’re some sort of a shady man, that you’re a criminal or something.”

Tristian takes a big bite of his food, looks off to the side, and starts very deliberately chewing the recommended twenty-five times, as if to buy himself as much time as possible.

“He’s just worried about you, Serena. Don’t overthink it too much.” He forces a smile. “Guess I should make myself scarce around your home until he calms down, eh?”

“Yeah,” I say. “Don’t want to cause too much conflict.”

Those doubts I have blossom. He’s hiding something from me, and when it’s something like this, it’s definitely a red flag.

“Really, though?” he says, his smile trying to get the conversation back on the right track. “What I want is something like that. I want to work with my hands. Work with the land. Maybe make my own farm. Your brothers could be an inspiration to me.”

“Farming might be a bit of a rough go, learning from them, but they can all teach you to be a proper Evergreen Valley woodsman. Or mountain man. Or whatever type you’re willing to be. As long as you’re willing to learn.”

“I am. I might not be sure what I want to be, but I definitely know what I don’t want. I’ve enjoyed the crisp air and clear skies too much to go back to being a city boy.”

I giggle. “You’re going to miss the unidentifiable odor of the city at some point, I’m sure. It’ll become nostalgic.”

“I assure you, I can live without that.” He slurps some water. “And I also know that whatever I do, I think I want it to be with you, Serena.”

My face turns red. “Laying on the charm, huh?”

“What? You’re beautiful, sweet, sexy, and everything else I could ever want. Any future I have, I want it to be alongside you. And I want to help you find your dreams while I’m at it.”

I can’t help but grin at his words. I adore him, too, but the growing specter of uncertainty, I can’t shake.

We finish our meal, and we head out to my car. Well, my mother’s car. She always lets me borrow it if I ask nicely.

Tristian, the sweetheart that he is, wraps his hands around my waist, and pulls me close, the embrace as powerful as everything else between us.

We seal the night with a kiss, as wonderfully as all the last twenty-seven other times he’s kissed me thus far, but who's counting?

“I’d invite you home, but I think you’re not welcome.”

“And I’d invite you home, too, but I think your brother will freak out if I keep you away too long.”

“Rain check on the wild, passionate, new love-fucking, sadly.”

“Don’t worry, babe. I’ll definitely make it up to you.”

Another kiss. God, I’d just stand in this parking lot making out with him all night if I didn’t think people would start staring at us.

Departing from him, he watched me pull out of the parking lot, and I started my trip back home.

“Hey, take a right here.”

“Oh sure,” I say, without even thinking.

“Thanks, we’re going on a little side trip. I’m sure I won’t keep you long.”

I turn toward the voice.

It’s some guy I haven’t seen before.

---