Page 24 of Sheltered By the Surly Forester

"Yeah."

"If you decide to stay here, it would be for as long as you like. If this lodge goes well, there are bound to be other projects."

He looks so hopeful. As if he's thought of everything. The last thing I want to do is drop an uncomfortable truth bomb on him, but I feel like it would be cruel not to point out the obvious.

"I'd have to get a day job here. Find an apartment."

"No, you wouldn’t. I?—"

"Josh." My serious tone makes him blink in surprise. "I can't just move in with you. Seriously, what would people think? A man like you, from the family that founded this town, having a serious relationship with a girl you picked up on the side of the road like a stray dog? I mean, come on."

"Holy mother of…" He grabs me, holding me close to his chest, stroking my hair. "Baby, that can't be what you think. I mean?—"

"It's the truth, and you know it."

Even though I'm hugging him back, tears threaten to spill from my eyes. "It's okay," I sniffle. "It's just the way the world is."

"Emie, please listen carefully."

He pulls back to stare into my eyes, cupping my chin with his palm. "Baby, my last name has been a weight around my neck since I was born. Everyone has all these expectations for what I'm supposed to be. I've never felt that way. I mean, yes, I feel obligated to do something productive for the forest and the mountain, and do my duty as a citizen, especially since I’m privileged enough that I don’t have to take a day job, you know what I mean? But Idon'thave any giant family shoes to fill. My life is my own."

"Still." My head shakes. "I guarantee your family would look down on you if you were with me."

"You really mustn’t think like that, baby. That's not the kind of—" His head jerks up. "Crap. Someone's here." He hurries toward the door, then flings it open. "Kayden – what’s going on?"

A tall man strides in, and I barely stifle my gasp at how much he looks like Josh, although he's not quite as bulky through the shoulders, and his jaw isn't as square. He's wearing a simple button-down shirt and pants, but there's an elegance to them that suggests they're custom made.

He also looks utterly shocked to see a girl sitting on the couch.

"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Emie," Josh says proudly, and I try not to choke in surprise.

Kayden smiles, reaching out to shake my hand firmly. "Emie. Lovely to meet you." He shoots Josh a look. "We all know he's pretty secretive, but keeping an entire girlfriend under wraps from his cousins? Really? Aren't there laws about this sort of thing?"

Although I try to keep my polite smile in place, my fingers are shaking, even when Josh slides an arm around me. "It's…kind of brand new," I explain weakly.

"I'm just kidding, Emie. It's none of my business." He shoots me a wink, then turns to Josh. "I heard that you're one of the people working on this whole birder tourism thing. I don't know how much I'm going to be in town over the next little bit, but if you need access to my land or whatever, feel free. You know where my spare key is, right?"

"Yep." Josh gives me an almost imperceptible squeeze around the back. "You know, Emie had some incredible ideas about a very glamorous new lodge. Instead of just a stuffy little cabin, it would be an upscale birdwatching retreat. But, you know…"

Kayden slouches against the wall. "Yeah, I can guess where you're going with that. Our company can finance it, no problem."

"But… We don't even have an estimate or anything!" I sputter. "We're not even sure of the details."

Kayden shrugs, already heading for the door. "I trust Josh. Even more now that I know he’s got a nice girl to mellow him out. Email me a quote and I'll transfer you the money. Nice to meet you, Emie. Have a great night."

"Thanks, Kayden. Talk soon." Josh closes the door, and I peek out the window to see Kayden getting into a huge blackJeep. "You were expecting a red sports car, right?" he asks, his eyebrow quirked up.

"Yes. I really was."

"Yeah, no. The mountain roads tear up their suspension." He locks the door, then turns to me. "Kayden is one of the few people who I don’t even blink if he drops by unannounced."

"And you told him I was… You called me your…"

Josh pulls me back to the couch, then kneels in front of me, clasping my hands. "I don't know a damn thing about relationships. I do know that we are both efficient, forthright people. So, I'm going to lay it all on the line."

I lean forward, my stomach tightening.

"I love you. You're amazing. The thought of you leaving town makes me physically ill."

---