Page 15 of My Mountain Man Valentine

“You’re always welcome,” I murmured, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. The act felt so natural now. “Be safe.”

With a small wave, she climbed into her car and drove off, disappearing down the tree-lined road. I stood there an extra minute, tension winding through me again. My gut told me these letters were no idle flirtation. But until I had evidence, I wasn’t about to scare Tessa—or push her brother into panic mode.

Still, as I re-entered my cabin, an uneasy coil of dread settled in my stomach. I’ll keep her safe, no matter what.

My phone rang an hour later, just as I finished cleaning up breakfast. Levi’s name lit the screen. I braced myself, answering with a steady voice. “Hey.”

“Where’s my sister?” he demanded without a greeting.

I resisted an urge to sigh. “Probably at The Velvet Book.” Tessa had texted me earlier to confirm she arrived. “Why?”

“I swung by the bookstore, but she’s not picking up her phone, and the store sign says it’ll be open late. Is something going on?”

A prickle of alarm sparked in me. Open late? “I…not that I know of. Hang on.” I tapped Tessa’s text history:

Made it to the store. Going to open a bit late. I feel shaky but okay.

She’d said she’d open late, possibly to inventory new arrivals after last night’s chaos. “Maybe she’s running errands,” I told Levi, careful not to let slip she’d spent the night at my place. “She’ll be back soon.”

Levi grumbled. “If you see her before I do, tell her to call me. And Ryder…if anything’s up…”

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “I’ll let you know.”

He hung up, leaving a buzzing tension behind. I hated withholding the truth: that Tessa’s in-between place was right here, safe with me. But Levi’s overprotectiveness would go nuclear if he realized Tessa had not only stayed overnight but was also receiving threats. Not yet, I told myself. We’ll handle it carefully once we have more information.

Early afternoon, I headed into Hope Peak for a short wilderness-tour meeting. My client was a photographer wanting winter shots of the local wildlife—nothing too intense. After, Idecided to stop by The Velvet Book to see Tessa. My gut churned at the memory of her second note, the bold words scrawled across pink cardstock.

But as I approached the bookstore, my phone buzzed with Tessa’s name. I quickly answered, “Hey, everything okay?”

She sounded tense. “I just found another envelope, stuck in one of the return bins outside. It’s…not good, Ryder. It references last night. It says…” She inhaled shakily.“I see you were with him again. He doesn’t deserve you. But soon…you won’t be his.”Her voice cracked. “They know about us.”

A cold wave swept over me. “Tessa, listen to me…Lock the front door, right now. I’m five minutes away.”

“Okay,” she whispered. “I have a couple customers, but I’ll clear them out politely and lock up.” A pause. “Hurry.”

I ended the call, adrenaline surging. My worst fears were coming to life. Someone had clearly followed her or at least paid enough attention to notice she’d spent the night with me. Red lights seemed to flash in my head: Angelique? A random creep?

I parked haphazardly outside The Velvet Book and stormed in. Tessa was by the counter, a shaken expression on her face. She clutched a pink note so tightly her knuckles had turned white.

Forgetting we were in public, I hurried to her side. “You all right?”

She nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m okay. Just…scared.” She held out the note. “Read it.”

My jaw hardened as I skimmed the menacing lines, referencing how sheran to him for comfortand ended with something like,You should be with me instead. It reeked of obsession.

“We’re taking this to Levi,” I said firmly. “And if he wants to loop in the cops, fine by me.”

She hesitated. “I just…I don’t want the store to end up in some big scandal.”

I touched her shoulder gently. “Your safety’s more important than gossip.”

Her eyes flicked over mine. Slowly, she nodded. “All right. Let me close up first. I can’t focus on customers anyway.”

Within ten minutes, we’d cleared out the last browser. Tessa locked the door, flipping the sign to Closed. She looked so pale, and all I wanted was to yank her into my arms and promise nothing would touch her. But I also knew it was time to face reality.

“Let’s go to Skyline,” she said, voice quiet. “Levi’s there this time of day, prepping for the dinner crowd.”

I half-expected her to resist involving her brother, but maybe the fear had finally overpowered her reluctance to reveal we’d been sharing nights. Part of me braced for Levi’s reaction—outrage, protectiveness, a possible fist to my jaw. But I’d take it if it meant Tessa would be safe.

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