Page 101 of Her Silver Fox Mountain Men

“I think we all know what we’re most grateful for this year,” Roman says, smiling as he lovingly glances my way.

I say, “I’ll go first,” and stand, holding up a glass of apple juice in lieu of wine. Looking around at all of the faces surrounding the gorgeous table, candles flickering on the mantle while a fire burns below, I find plenty of reasons to be grateful. “I’m thankful for the storms I’ve had to weather, for the trouble I’ve endured that led me into this town. It may sound weird, but I’m thankful for the pain and the fear, too, because it made me who I am today. A survivor. I can still smile and keep building toward a better future. I’ve found three men whom I love dearly and deeply, men who have become my rocks, my protectors,my saviors, and my best friends,” I say, smiling at them. “I am thankful for you James, Oliver, and Roman.”

“Needless to say, we’re thankful for you, too,” James replies, love burning brightly in his blue eyes as he raises his glass to me.

“I’m also thankful for these two beautiful little ladies right here, Tricia and Ainsley,” I add, making the twins blush. “You’re both funny and sweet and such a wonderful handful. My life would be grey and boring without you. I’m thankful for Janice. And I’m thankful, most of all, for my brother, Michael. We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we?”

“We have,” he says, lowering his gaze for a moment.

“Through thick and thin, however, we’ve survived. Together or apart, we’re right where we’re supposed to be,” I tell him. “And I think Mom and Dad would be proud.”

Roman clears his throat and stands up. “There’s actually one thing and one thing only that I’m thankful for this year.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I ask.

“I’m grateful for those mountain lions that kicked you out of your place,” he replies. “We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”

That gets a laugh from everyone.

“Elise,” James says, getting up from his seat. “There’s something I’m particularly grateful for and it’s that you survived. You survived, so buying this for you wasn’t a waste of time.”

He takes out a small velvet box. I gasp.

The girls are mute and wide-eyed, practically holding their breaths, but nowhere near as breathless as I am. I quickly realize that they knew this was coming. Of course, they did. They’rethe most important people to him, the first ladies of his life. He would’ve asked for their permission first.

“Oh, my God,” I whisper.

“I love you more than I ever thought I could love another woman again,” James says, opening the box to reveal a gorgeous, tear-shaped diamond ring. “Welove you more than we ever thought. And we would like to spend the rest of our lives making you the happiest woman who ever lived. If you’ll let us. If you want us.”

“We?” I manage, tears of joy pricking my eyes.

“We’re all proposing,” Oliver says. “I mean, legally speaking, it’ll just be James but—”

“Technically, it’s the three of us,” Roman cuts in. “We want you, Elise. In our lives. In this house. In our hearts. There’s no one else. Marry us, baby.”

“This is insane,” Michael whispers. “Weird yet sweet.”

“Definitely sweet.” Janice is already crying with joy as she affectionately pats him on the back. “Welcome to our weird but sweet little family, kiddo.”

“Will you marry us?” James asks, undeterred and determined to get his answer. There’s no way I’m walking away from this. I can’t. I won’t.

No more running away, I tell myself.

“Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry all three of you. A thousand times, yes.” I burst into tears as James slips the ring on my finger. A split-second later, they’re holding me and kissing me, filling my heart with everything true and pure in this world. “You know something? I’m thankful for those mountain lions, too.”

We all laugh again, and damn, does it feel good.

As we feast and drink and share stories, we let the past settle behind us, preparing for a better future ahead. My brother gradually becomes accustomed to the fact that I’m in love with three wonderful men. Roman is right—those mountain lions indeed changed my life in the best possible way.

Once the twins and Michael are fast asleep, my men and I retire to my room.

A candle burns by the window, where Roman stands, unbuckling his belt.

James comes over and runs his fingers through my hair, gaze traveling downward as he admires my pink lace bra and matching panties. “Dammit, woman, you’re too good to be true,” he says, his voice husky, dripping with desire.

“How does your brother feel about us?” Roman asks, now naked and making me salivate as he slowly walks toward us. “I assume our secret is safe with him.”

“Absolutely,” I reply, my breath faltering as James’s hands follow the quest of his eyes, settling on my breasts first, while he trails kisses down the side of my neck. “Mikey will keep this to himself. It just felt right that he should know.”

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