Page 19 of Forbidden Mountain Man

“Plus,” Fiona adds, getting a little bit of her confidence back, “I’m an adult. I can make my own choices, and I choose Forest.”

I squeeze her hand, letting her know I’m proud of her for standing up for herself.

“He’s thirteen years older than you,” Jett protests.

“Remind me again how big the age gap is between you and Rowan?” Fiona asks, narrowing her eyes at him.

Jett mumbles something about how it’s different, but he has nothing to back that up with. He knows he’s being a hypocrite.

“Jett Douglas Peterson,” my mother says, catching all of us by surprise. She apparently hobbled her way into the living room while we were exchanging words.

I start to walk over to her to help, but she waves me off.

“Samanth– er, Ms. Campbell. Sorry for waking you up,” Jett says, though I can feel the tension and anger still radiating off of him.

“Listen to me, Jett. I’ve known you and your sister pretty much since birth. I’ve witnessed the damage your parents caused, and while you came back and did the honorable thing by raising Fiona, you need to realize she’s grown now. You did your job.”

“But–”

“I’m not finished,” my mother says, cutting him off. “When Forest answered Fiona’s call late one night and rescued her from a situation at the bar, he brought home a fragile, terrified woman.”

“Samantha, don’t–” Fiona starts.

“He needs to know.”

“What bar? What situation?” Jett turns to Fiona, his facial features growing softer when he hears this information.

“Fiona can tell you the details in her own time if she wants. That’s up to her. But I’ve seen these two together over the last week. Forest has been gentle and kind as she recovers. He’s helped her face some of her fears while making her feel safe and wanted. And Fiona makes my son smile more than he everhas. Forest is lighter and more at peace with himself. That’s all Fiona’s doing.”

My mother trains her gaze on Jett, who looks a little sheepish. I can’t say I’ve ever seen him like this. Then again, I’ve never seen my mother scold him before.

“So before you pass judgment and get yourself all worked up,” she continues, “I just thought you should know that these two love each other on a deeper level than I’ve ever seen. If you take a second to breathe and open your eyes to what’s in front of you, I know you’ll see it, too.”

Jett runs a hand through his hair and then rubs the back of his neck. Rolling out his shoulders, he takes a deep breath and then focuses his attention on Fiona. “Are you okay?” he asks, his tone softer this time. “I didn’t know something happened at a bar. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Fiona admits. “You already worry too much and now you have your own family to take care of.”

“Fiona,you’remy family. Just because I have Rowan in my life doesn’t mean I care about you less. I want to know these things. We share everything, right?”

Fiona nods. “I didn’t know what to say. It all happened so fast and then I called Samanth to pick me up but it was Forest who answered the phone. I didn’t want to spend the night alone in my apartment, so he offered one of the spare rooms here. It was just going to be one night, but it felt so natural to be here. I didn’t plan on falling for Forest, it just sort of… snuck up on me.”

I grin down at her as she looks up at me with those sparkling green eyes. “You love me,” I whisper.

“Yeah, and you better love me, too, mister,” she teases, narrowing her eyes at me.

“Of course, I do. How can I not?” I lean down for a kiss, but Jett clears his throat.

"Okay, okay, I believe the love stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to see you two make out."

I chuckle while Fiona buries her head into the side of my arm in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry I came in here swinging,” Jett says. “Ms. Campbell is right. You’re a grown woman and you’re capable of making your own choices. And, if I’m honest, I can’t think of a better man than Forest. I knew he’d end up making someone happy and cared for, I just never thought it would be my own sister.”

“I love you, Jett,” Fiona whispers, untangling herself from my side. She takes a few steps forward and hugs her brother. “I’m happy. Really, truly happy.”

“That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you,” I hear him say quietly.

“I know. So you don’t have to worry so much anymore.”

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