Page 105 of Mountain Protector

“He really likes you, too. He told me.”

“Oh?” Signaling to turn, Knox makes a right onto our road. “What did he say?”

I thread my fingers between his. “That he was happy for me. That he couldn’t have picked a better man for me to be with. And that he could see you?—”

Hmm. Maybe I should leave out that part.

“See me what?”

“Well. I don’t want to make things weird.”

“Lark.” Knox glances over again. “I told you. This thing between us. It’s serious. Like,when the time is right, marriageserious. So you can tell me anything. Don’t worry about freaking me out.”

“Fine. He said he could see you being part of thefamily. And he…” My throat goes tight. “He said he’d like to have a son one day.”

In the shadows, his jaw sets. He swallows hard. After several moments, he says,“Lark.”

“Is that too much? Is it weird?”

“No. It’s not too much. Or weird. It’s… it means a lot. But… how do you feel about it?”

“I told you.” I move our entwined hands to his thigh, feeling the warmth of his leg and the hard strength of his muscles. “It’s serious for me, too. I’m more than okay with him saying that.”

“Songbird.” It’s rough. Thick with emotion. “I love you.”

Leaning over, I kiss his cheek. “I love you.”

At the base of the driveway, we stop in front of the newly-installed gate while Knox punches in the access code. Cold air rushes through the driver’s side window, making me shiver. He glances at me and says, “I know it’s not as convenient as driving right up to the house. But…”

It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since Mrs. Vinnetti showed up at the cabin when Alec and his team arrived to install a gate for the driveway. “I know I didn’t ask first,” Knox explained as I watched Alec’s company van pull up in front of the house, “but I would really feel better having this here. And in the spring, I’d like to put in a perimeter fence. If you’re okay with it?”

As if I was going to argue. I learned the hard way that no matter how safe you think you are, there’s never a guarantee. And the added security will make me feel better, too.

“I know. It’s fine.” As the gate opens and Knox drivesthrough, I continue, “And anyway, we’ll be home in a minute. Then we can turn on the fireplace, and sit by the tree to warm up.”

“Are you sure you’re not too tired? It’s been a long day, and with your concussion…”

“I’m sure. I’ve been waiting for this part of Christmas.”

We come to a stop in front of the house, and he turns toward me, confusion pulling his brows into a V. “But the day is almost over.”

“Not yet.” I gesture at the clock on the dashboard. “It’s only nine. We have three hours of Christmas left. It’s a rule, never go to bed until Christmas is officially over.”

“Oh. I didn’t realize that was a rule.” His lips twitch. “But if it is…”

“It is,” I reply firmly. “We’re going to watch a movie, and cuddle, and drink eggnog, and look at our presents.”

“That sounds pretty good to me.” Knox turns off the ignition and jumps out of the truck. “Don’t get out. I’ll be right there.”

But instead of just helping me out, he scoops me into his arms. Not expecting it, I let out a yip of surprise and clutch his neck. “Why are you carrying me?”

“Because you’ve had a long day. And if you want to stay up, I’m going to make it easier for you.”

Aww.

Knox carries me inside the house, easily supporting me with one arm as he unlocks the door and disarms the alarm. Then he deposits me on the couch, takes mycoat off, and kisses me on the forehead. “I’ll get the presents from the car. You just relax.”

“Okay.”

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