Page 10 of The Mountain Man's Valentine Baby

He nods a little too quickly. “Sure.”

I follow him inside the cabin, instantly feeling the calm surrounding me. The smell of stew and pie hit my nose, making my mouth water. The fireplace is crackling cheerfully in the corner, and the wall of windows are showcasing bare trees reaching toward an eerie gray sky.

Those things are the same, but the rest of the cabin looks so different. There are cardboard boxes scattered everywhere and most of the decorations are gone. It doesn’t look nearly as cozy and warm here. “Oh, you’re moving.”

I can’t imagine why someone would ever want to move from this secret little retreat. It’s the perfect place to hide away from the world. If I had it, I’d drive here every Friday and spend my weekends exploring the mountains and eating cherry pie in front of the crackling fireplace.

He opens his mouth to say something at the exact moment the smell of the cooking stew turns my stomach. I still remember my way around the house like there’s a map tattooed in my brain. I race for the bathroom, getting there in time to empty my stomach.

Jasper is beside me, holding my hair. When I’m finally done, I lean into him. He rubs my back in a soothing circle and murmurs little nothings under his breath. But his quiet rumble fills me with peace. What would it be like to have him by my side through this whole pregnancy? What would it be like to not be alone for once?

“Is that normal?” He asks after I’ve had a swish of his mouthwash and color is starting to return to my cheeks.

“It’s part of morning sickness, which starts earlier for some women than others,” I explain. “My reading indicated that it’ll most likely get better in the next trimester so only a few weeks of that if I’m lucky.”

“Do you still want food?” He glances at the window again as he asks.

“Yeah, but I’ll skip the stew for now. The idea of meat…” I let my voice trail off, making a face.

“Coming right up,” he promises.

I sit in the living room on his big couch where I can stare out the windows. He’s so lucky to have this view. When I look out of my apartment window, all I see is more apartments. I can’t imagine getting to see this every day.

He returns with a huge slab of cherry pie and passes me a fork. The moment I take the first bite, my whole body relaxes. There’s something about Jasper’s food. “How do you make the cherries so fresh?”

“I grow, can, and preserve most of my own food. Fewer additives and chemicals.” He’s stretched out on the other side of his couch, one of his big arms along the back. If I were sitting an inch or two closer, he could reach out and touch my shoulder. “What I can’t grow myself, I trade some of the other men on the mountain for.”

“And the flaky pie crust?” I ask as it melts in my mouth. I can taste the real butter in every bite.

“Also homemade,” he answers.

“But now you’re moving somewhere else. Will you grow your own food at your new place?” I ask, wondering about that again. We never did get to discuss where he’s going or what he’ll do.

“How’s the pregnancy been so far other than the…” he gestures in the direction of his hallway that leads to the bathroom.

I put my fork down on the saucer that I’ve practically licked clean and place the dish on his coffee table. “Other than that, my feet hurt a lot. I thought it was years of wearing heels catching up with me.”

He reaches for my leg. Slipping the shoe off, he starts a slow massage of the sole of my foot that makes me relax even more. It should be illegal what this man can do with his tongue and his fingers.

“That feels very nice. I’m so sleepy,” I murmur, letting my head fall back against the soft cushions and my eyes drift closed. In Nashville, I’m always on my own. No one is looking out for me. But every time I’m with Jasper, he’s taking care of me in some small way.

“That’s right. Rest for a minute,” he croons softly.

Chapter7

Jasper

Icontinue massaging Thea’s feet until she’s snoring lightly. Today has been a hell of a rollercoaster. From getting the apartment to learning Thea was pregnant, I’ve never been so happy. I’m getting the life I never dared dream I could have. Now, I have to make sure it doesn’t slip through my fingers.

When I’m certain that Thea is sleeping deeply, I scoop her into my arms and carry her to my bed, where she belongs. I study her sleeping figure. Fuck me, I love those tight, starched clothes she wears. But they can’t be all that comfortable to sleep in.

As gently as I can, I peel the snug skirt down her thick hips and thighs. Her shirt is next followed by her bra. I glance down only once, feeling my cock surge immediately. She’s too damn beautiful.

I select the softest, warmest flannel shirt from the closet and wrap it around her curvy body. Then I carefully button each button and slip a pair of my thick wool socks onto her feet, so she won’t catch a chill.

Contentment washes over me when I pull the blankets over her curves. Pretty soon she’s going to be rounder, her body showing the world the evidence of all the love I’ve given her.

The wind begins howling outside as the first flurries of snow start to fall. I smile to myself and cross to the window to watch the snowstorm starting. It’s as if nature herself is determined to help me out with my plan to keep Thea here.

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