Page 74 of Saved By the Mountain Man

“I know.”

“He’s perfect, Rae. You did amazing.”

He kissed me, and I leaned against him, exhausted.

“What are we going to call him?”

Tanner thought for a moment.

“I think we should call him Hunter.”

I glanced up at him and chuckled. “That seems… perfect.”

It was a fitting tribute to our life in the forest.

They cleaned me up and took me to a private room where Tanner and I were together with our baby, getting to know what it was like being new parents. A nurse helped me nurse him, and then someone took Tanner away with Hunter to show him how to bathe him. While they were gone, I slept, exhausted.

When the sun set, Tanner went home, and I spent the night in the hospital with little Hunter, just to be sure everything was okay. I was terrified that something could go wrong.

Everything was perfect, and I was scared it was too good to be true.

But then the sun dawned on a new day. Hunter screamed for milk, and when I nursed him, I realized that this was it.

This was the rest of our lives, without trouble and difficulty.

It wasn’t too good to be true. It was just true.

Tanner arrived after breakfast.

“How are we doing?” he asked and kissed me.

“Perfect. I didn’t even have to worry. I could have gone home last night.”

“You can come home tonight,” he said and kissed me on the forehead. “Rather safe than sorry.”

I nodded.

“They’re all here to meet him, sweetheart,” Tanner said. “Even your mom.”

“Oh, shit,” I said, and then I pressed my fingers against my lips when I swore in front of the baby. I’d completely forgotten they would arrive and that Tanner would have to receive them alone.

“It’s okay,” Tanner said. “Really, it wasn’t bad at all. Can I let everyone in?”

I nodded.

Family and friends soon filled the room, each one eager to meet the newest member of our family. Some brought flowers and balloons, some brought gifts, and soon it looked like a party.

And it was. A welcome to the world party.

The love and support were overwhelming, and I felt a sense of belonging that I had never known before.

Tanner looked at me, holding my hand and clearing his throat.

“I’d like to say something,” he said, raising his voice so that everyone fell quiet.

“Rae, there’s something I need to ask you.” He looked serious, and my stomach twisted. Hunter was asleep in a bassinet next to me, and I clutched my hands to my heart.

Tanner reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

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