Page 10 of How to Wed a Mountain Man

I can’t decide what to do. Part of me wants to give him space—God knows he values his privacy. But I’m awful at dealing with uncertainty. My whole life’s been full of people pulling away from me, and I can’t stand the thought of Hawk doing the same thing. Not after last night.

Screw it. I can’t just sit here wondering.

I force myself out into the yard and up to his workshop. My heart pounds as I knock on the door. I’m already preparing myselffor the withdrawn, distant version of Hawk that I’m worried I’ll find. But when he opens the door, his expression is soft. Gentle, even.

“Good morning.” He leans in and kisses me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

My brain short-circuits for a second. “Good morning,” I manage to say. “Are we okay?”

He gives me a confused look. “Yes?”

“It’s just—I woke up alone. And you didn’t even make coffee this morning.”

He smiles. “Yeah, I was eager to get to work.”

Something still isn’t adding up. “On the owl carving?”

He shakes his head. “Something else.” There’s a glint in his eyes that I can’t quite read, but he doesn’t explain. “I want to get back to it, but I shouldn’t need to work quite as long today. I’ll see you later?”

“Okay,” I say, still trying to figure out what’s going on with him.

Walking back to the cabin, I feel like an idiot for working myself up so much. Here I was imagining the worst, and meanwhile Hawk seems more relaxed than ever. I guess I’m still learning how to read him.

I’m just stepping inside the cabin when my phone rings. I grab it, and Courtney’s warm voice comes through.

“Hi, Paige,” she says. “I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time?”

“No, not at all.” I curl up on the couch, grateful for the distraction. “How’s everything?”

“Good. The girls are still talking about how you and Hawk brought Grizzly home. You’re their heroes now.” She laughs. “I was wondering if you’d like to come by for coffee this afternoon? Around two? Jordana’s coming over too. The girls will be at their friend’s house, so we can actually have a real conversation.”

The idea of talking to other women, especially two who know what it’s like to live up here on the mountain, sounds exactly like what I need right now. “I’d love that. I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?”

“No, no. Just yourself. I’m excited to chat with you.” There’s a smile in her voice that makes me wonder how much she’s guessed about my situation with Hawk.

That afternoon, when I pull up to Courtney’s home, Grizzly’s excited barking echoes from inside. Before I can even reach the porch, Courtney opens the door with a bright smile, holding back the eager dog. “Hi, Paige. Come in! Jordana’s already here.”

I follow her into the house, immediately struck by how different her family’s home feels from Hawk’s cabin. Warmth radiates from every corner—family photos line the walls, children’s artwork decorates the fridge, and the entire space hums with life and love. It’s so different from the quiet solitude of the home I’m trying to build with Hawk.

But maybe—someday—Hawk and I will have a home like this, too.

Jordana sits on the couch, one hand resting on her belly. She’s wearing an oversized button-down shirt, presumably her husband’s, and her hair is pulled back in a low ponytail. She gives me a friendly hello as Courtney, looking effortlessly pretty in a soft cardigan and braided hair, gestures me toward an armchair.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Courtney says. “I’ve got coffee and freshly baked cookies. Ryder and the girls are out for the afternoon, so the cookies won’t immediately disappear for once.”

I laugh, accepting a mug of delicious smelling coffee from her. “Thank you for having me over.”

“We’re just happy to finally meet you properly,” Jordana says, shifting to get more comfortable. “It’s not often we get new neighbors up here.”

“The mountain is so beautiful. I can see why you all chose to live up here.” I take a breath, trying to keep my tone casual. “I’m sure you’re wondering what brought me here.”

Both women smile warmly, curiosity sparking in their eyes as they wait for me to continue.

“I’m here to marry Hawk.” I decide to keep the details vague, wanting to respect his privacy. “He and I met online.”

Their eyebrows lift in unison.

“Hawk is getting married?” Jordana exchanges a look with Courtney. “I never thought I’d see the day. He makes Griffin look sociable in comparison.”

---