Page 131 of Ten Mountain Men

“I know this was supposed to just be sex and friendship, but I fell in love.”

He laughs. He actually doubles over laughing, which I didn’t think was something people actually did. He is laughing hysterically.

When he finally straightens up, his shoulders are shaking and tears are rolling down his face. He laughed so hard at my declaration he cried. I can’t help but wish the leakage had come from the other end.

“I hope you didn’t pull that one on any of them,” he says, finally getting a grip on himself. “One of those idiots might actually have believed you.”

“How about don’t call your brothers idiots, and also, Ash and Ranger did believe me, and I’m glad, because I’m being honest, and I hope the others will believe me too.”

The silence that follows is so thick you’d need Grumpy Luke’s freshly sharpened ax to swing and split it. And yes, he has re-earned that moniker. Totally.

Luke’s face goes through a series of expressions so quickly it’s like watching a time-lapse video of all four seasons. Shock, denial, anger, and finally—wait, is that fear?

“You fell in love with who?” he demands. “Goddamn it, Goldie.”

“Now, Luke,” I start, holding up my hands in what I hope is a placating gesture, “I know this might be a bit of a shock—”

“Which one of them are you in love with? You’re going to break the others’ hearts.” He jabs a finger at me. “I told you this would happen. I told them you’d tear us—”

“Luke, that’s not going to happen. I’m not going to break anyone’s heart. I’m in love with them all. I could never choose one of them.” And wow, I never understood when Winnie said she couldn’t choose one of the Hammer brothers until right now, but I get it totally and completely. “And I’d never ask them to choose which one of them should get me.”

“You’re telling me you’ve fallen in love with ALL of my brothers? In less than a week? That’s…that’s…” Luke sputters.

“Efficient?” I offer helpfully. I don’t know if I’m trying to lighten the mood or if there is really and truly something wrong with me.

Wrong move. Luke’s eyes blaze and his face has turned an alarming shade of red that makes me wonder if spontaneous human combustion is actually possible.

“You think this is funny?” he bellows. “You think this is something to joke about?”

“No, I—”

“You don’t even know us! Besides, you can’t just…just…fall in love with nine men at once! That’s not how it works!”

“Says who?” I challenge, crossing my arms. “The Mountain Man Mating Encyclopedia? The Lumberjack Love Laws? The Beard-Bearer’s Guide to Romance?”

I’m defensive, because the irony is not lost on me that it hasn’t been that long since I made the same argument to Winnie that Luke is using on me. Also, making up ridiculous book titles is keeping me from saying the startling words that are about to push my teeth out of my mouth in order to break free from my lips—I could fall in love with ten men at once, if Luke would give me a chance.

Chapter 42

Ranger

Iwake up outdoors naked as the day I was born, under the blue, blue sky and on top of a blanket, alone with Ash, who is also naked as the day he was born, but I’m not gonna dwell on that.

I catch a glimpse of my morning wood and feel a wolfish grin spread over my face, wondering where my love and her pretty little mouth have gone.

My love, I think, and I’m about to call out for her—but instead I close my eyes, try to will myself flaccid, and thinkoh, shit.

I know exactly where she is and what she’s doing, because Luke is hollering close by and I hear her pretty little mouth giving it right back to him.

“Ash! Ranger!” they both yell at the same time, which would almost be comical if they didn’t both sound pissed off. Luke probably got his boxers in a twist because we brought Goldie back here to the Secret Garden, which Pa started for Ma, but we’ve kept adding to over the years.

I can understand Luke’s point of view, but I also understand why Ash chose this spot for their little rendezvous. I’d wandered back here and stumbled upon them rutting for the same reason—it’s a peaceful place to get some privacy. Maybe the most peaceful place on the whole mountain. There’s something magical about it.

“Oh, hell,” I mutter, kicking Ash because sometimes it takes that to wake his ass up, as I get up to pull on my pants.

“What the—” he begins, but is immediately alert, sitting up and noticing Goldie and Luke raising a ruckus, fussing like a rabid dog and a hissing cat.

Ash scrambles into his jeans, and without waiting on him, I stride over to where Goldie and Luke are still going at it. Luke’s arms are crossed tight over his chest, and Goldie’s got that fire in her eyes I’ve come to love—stubborn, fierce, and not about to back down. Hell, she’s a spitfire, and that’s putting it lightly. I understand why Ash calls her firecracker.

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