Page 6 of Taught By the Mountain Man

What I’m not ready for the is the swell of protectiveness that rises from my belly, strong and searing. I can’t — won’t — allow anything to harm this woman, or to worry her.

She might not realize it yet, but she belongs here as much as anyone else.

Even more importantly, she belongs withme.

I’ve never been a possessive man, but something is shifting in me the longer I’m in Star’s orbit. It’s clear that there’s darkness in her past, that she’s been hurt. But equally clear is the light that is her heart, unable to be fully dimmed by life’s twists and turns.

I find myself thinking that I want to be the one who helps her to shine brightest.

When Principal Bird spots us, she makes a beeline toward us, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree.

“Barrow! And you must be Star,” she says warmly. “Don’t you two look wonderful tonight?”

Star shifts awkwardly, her cheeks flushing, and I jump in to deflect the attention. “Star’s the reason I’m here at all,” I say with a grin. “Left to my own devices, I’d probably be at home with Sugar.”

Principal Bird laughs, but I’m focused on Star, hoping to ease her nerves. To my relief, she smiles — a small, hesitant smile, but a smile nonetheless.

The fire in my belly blazes higher at the sight. If I wasn’t certain before, I am now — I belong to this woman, if she’ll have me, and I’ll do anything to make her smile bright.

Star

As the night goes on, I start to relax. Barrow is kind and attentive, making sure I’m comfortable and never leaving me to fend for myself. He introduces me to his colleagues with such ease, it’s almost as if I belong here.

And the way I feel with Barrow, so safe and certain? It’s almost as if I belong withhim.

Even though there’s no evidence to prove it, I dare to believe it body and soul.

When the music starts, I watch nervously as couples begin to make their way to the dance floor. I’m about to suggest we grab some food instead when Barrow turns to me, his expression soft and hopeful.

“Dance with me?”

I blink, caught off guard. “I…I don’t really dance.”

“Neither do I,” he admits with a crooked smile. “But we can stumble through it together.”

There’s something in his voice — a gentle, unassuming confidence — that makes it impossible to say no. I grin back and place my hand in his waiting one. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I tease, letting him guide me to the dance floor.

“I can handle it,” Barrow murmurs, eyes darkening, words suddenly heavy with unspoken meaning. Somehow, I believe him — something I haven’t been able to say of a man in a very long time.

Barrow

Star hesitates, her eyes darting toward the dance floor, but when she finally slips her hand into mine, a rush of warmth floods my chest. Doubly so when she grins — she actuallygrins— for the first time all night.

I barely feel my feet touching the floor, I’m so elated. I made her smile like that — and I intend to do it again.

As we step onto the floor, I feel the tension in her body, so I keep my touch light, letting her set the pace.

“You’re doing great,” I murmur as we sway to the music.

She looks up at me, her blue eyes teasing. “You’re just saying that because I haven’t stepped on your toes yet.”

I chuckle. “Maybe. But even if you did, I wouldn’t mind.”

Her pink lips curve into a soft smile that I can’t tear my gaze from. “I believe you,” she whispers, almost too quietly to hear over the music. In her words I hear a trembling hope that feels so new, so fragile, it almost breaks my heart with its courage.

We’re both quiet, the music winding around us as I try to match my breathing to hers. In this moment, there’s no one else here but the two of us, and for the first time tonight, I feel like I can finally let go.

Star

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