Page 24 of My Mountain Man Valentine

He laughed, leaning in to kiss my temple. “Positive. And I’ll even handle the next holiday window display if you want a real show. Think we can top Valentine’s Day with St. Patrick’s decorations?”

My lips curved. “I’d love to see you try. Maybe you can climb a ladder for once without terrifying me.”

His grin softened. “I’ll keep my adrenaline jumps for the mountains. No more scaring you. Promise.”

Outside, the wind rattled a thin layer of snow from the eaves. I rested my head on his shoulder, memories of Angelique’s meltdown drifting through my mind. I felt a twinge of pity—her jealousy had twisted into a cruel game. But she was gone, or at least no longer looming over us. I’d chosen not to press charges after her halfhearted apology. She’d left me in peace, so I let it be.

Levi might always watch me with protective caution, but he’d given Ryder and me his blessing in his own understated way. Caroline, too, beamed whenever she saw us together, waggling her brows and cracking jokes about fate. Whatever negativity Angelique had tried to unleash had only pushed us closer, forging a bond more genuine than any staged relationship ever could.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Ryder murmured, brushing his thumb across my knuckles.

I exhaled a soft breath. “Just… grateful,” I said. “That we found each other, even if we started off in the strangest way. And that we’re free from fear now.”

His gaze locked with mine, filled with a tender warmth that made my heart clench. “I’m grateful, too,” he replied softly. Then he leaned in, capturing my mouth in a slow, sweet kiss. It held the promise of new beginnings—no more secrets, no more threats.

When we parted, I smiled, nestling closer. Outside, Hope Peak’s mountains stood guard under the winter sun, white peaks glistening. Inside this small living room, wrapped in Ryder’s arms, I felt I’d finally found my place: no more looking over my shoulder or worrying how we’d begun. We were here, together, making plans for a future neither of us had dared to imagine. And that, I realized, was the best Valentine’s gift I could ever hope to receive.

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