Page 4 of Forbidden Mountain Man

“Of course you were. They never should have left you.”

I nod and take another deep breath. “I gathered up my things but I didn’t get very far before these guys started jeering at me. They were saying… no, never mind. I don’t want to repeat it.” Truthfully, I don’t want Forest to hear that they called me a pig and made snorting sounds every time I took a step. “It’s nothing I’m not used to for being as big as I am.”

Forest furrows his brows. “What?” he asks incredulously. “As big as… Fiona, you know you’re gorgeous, right?”

I wave him off, even though my heart wants to believe his words. “You’re my brother’s oldest friend. You have to say that.”

He mutters something that sounds like,That’s exactly why I shouldn’t have said it, but I can’t quite hear him.

“Anyway, I just wanted to leave. The whole night was awful and embarrassing. But then for some reason, one of the hecklers grabbed my arm and pulled me backward, dragging me to the dance floor. I tried tugging my arm away, but then another one of them showed up and wrapped his fingers around my other wrist, restraining me. I… I, uh–”

I hiccup and then burst into tears quite unexpectedly. I thought I was doing a good job of shoving everything down until I could sob in the privacy of my own room, but apparently not.

Forest unbuckles my seatbelt and pulls me across the bench seat, wrapping me up in his arms as he tucks me into his side. “I’ve got you,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I want to believe him. I want to fall right into this man’s comforting embrace and never leave. I’ve always wanted that.

But my brother would lose his mind.

"Why don't you come spend the night at my mom's place with me? You trusted her enough to call her up, and hopefully, you trust me, too."

I blink the tears from my eyes and tilt my head up slightly to look at him. “You want me to stay with you?”

“For tonight, at least,” he confirms. “You’re clearly shaken up. Plus, my mom would love to see you. She had her knee surgery yesterday, that’s why she wasn’t able to get to the phone. I was just in town for the day to make sure she followed the doctor's orders to rest up.”

“I… I couldn’t.”

“That’s not the Fiona I remember. She could do anything she wanted and no one could tell her nothin’,” he teases.

I try smiling, but I start crying instead. “I don’t feel like I can do anything right now,” I confess.

Forest surprises me by gently wiping my tears away with the pad of his thumb. “Then let me do this for you,” he murmurs. “Let me take care of you, Fiona. At least until you’re feeling morelike yourself. You went through something awful tonight and I hate the thought of you being alone.”

I curl into his chest and nod my head, accepting his offer. I have nothing left to give, no more fight left in my bones.

"Good girl," he praises. Something about those words has heat and adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Let's go pack a few things and then get you to my mom's house. I'll be with you the whole time, okay?"

I lean back, prying myself off of the man whose lap I’m practically sitting in, and nod once more. Without another word, Forest exits the truck and helps me out. Ten minutes later, we’re back on the road, heading to Samantha’s house.

This is certainly not the night I had in mind.

3

FOREST

Ipour the last of the pancake batter into the skillet, waiting a few moments before flipping it over. The coffee maker beeps as I slide the final pancake onto the top of the stack I’ve already prepared.

I'm about to tell my mom and Fiona that the food is ready, but I pause when I hear their conversation in the other room. My mother was already asleep by the time I came back with Fiona last night. I woke up early and started cleaning up around the house so my mom wouldn't get any ideas about doing it herself.

She woke up about an hour ago and I was able to fill her in on Fiona staying the night. I knew my mother would agree it was the right move. Something she said before Fiona joined her in the living room moments later has been rattling around in my head.

That girl hasn’t had an easy life. Be careful with her as she heals.

Every time the words replay in my mind, the soft spot in my heart for Fiona grows.

Her brother, Jett, and I have been friends since the first day of kindergarten. I know their father wasn't a great guy. He cycled through women until he met Sandy. No one wanted to admit it,but the entire town knew it was an unplanned pregnancy. Jett and I were thirteen when Fiona was born. Most of my memories of her are of a little kid who chased after us.

While my mom didn’t give any more details about her cryptic statement, it makes me think there’s far more to Fiona’s story than anyone knows. I’m glad my mother has formed a bond with Fiona. From the sounds of it, she could use more supportive people in her life, and my mother is nothing if not kind and giving.

“And how is your brother doing?” my mom asks.

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