Page 28 of Kissing the Wrong Mountain Man

Tenley has recently moved to the mountain. She's now running the Cedar Crest Haven Lodge. Schapelle literally jumped for joy when Tenley told her they'd be living in the same town.

"Nope," she replies firmly, not even glancing their way. "Schapelle got lucky and bagged a good one. Meanwhile, I'm dealing with the most frustrating man to ever live."

"Who's that?"

"My neighbor."

I smirk. "You wouldn't happen to be talking about Hume Rockwell by any chance, would you?"

Her eyes widen. "How do you know his name?"

I point out my search and rescue buddies. "He's a friend of mine."

"That man has friends?" she scoffs. "I don't believe it."

"Don't be put off by his alpha exterior. He's a good guy." I leave out the part about all the hard stuff he's gone through in his life. That's not my place to say.

Tenley looks up and peers across the crowded room. Hume may be approaching fifty, but the man is in better shape than me. Serving in the military when he was younger, followed by a career as one of the world's best stuntmen, has given him a rugged edge. But as he says, his adrenaline junkie days are behind him. He now lives a simple life, running a construction company on the mountain and volunteering in his spare time.

When her eyes land on him, I swear her cheeks go as red as my brother's did just a few minutes ago. She makes the same frustrated throaty sound Schapelle makes whenever she misplaces her favorite pen—it's usually buried under a stack of papers that are right under her nose—then turns to me. "I have to go. Here." She hands Willow back and makes a beeline for the kitchen.

What is with people tonight? I press a gentle kiss onto Willow's forehead. "Looks like you and me are the only two normal ones left."

"Oh, hey, you."

I spin around and am greeted by Schapelle's youngest sister Beth, her boyfriend Milo, and their two adorable kids, Josie and Jonah.

"Hey, you guys. Great to see you all."

"Think Schapelle's enjoying the party?" Beth asks.

Schapelle is still chatting with Hannah, and I have no idea what my sister-in-law is telling her, but every few seconds, Schapelle's eyes bug out and they both burst out laughing. I'm guessing that's good.

"She seems to be," I say, handing Willow to her other aunt.

"Good job on the ice cream machine," Milo says as Josie and Jonah tug him in that direction.

"And how are you?" Beth asks once they're gone.

Out of all of Schapelle's family, she's definitely been the toughest on me. But I can tell it comes from a place of love and only wanting the best for her sister. Now that she's seen for herself what Schapelle and I have is real, she's starting to mellow out a little.

"I'm doing great. I love helping out on the search and rescue team, Schapelle is halfway through her next book, and Willow is an angel."

She bounces her niece up a little higher. "She sure is."

"It's hard to explain how much I love her," I say, brushing my fingertips over her fine, downy hair.

"Oh, I think I have an idea."

I follow her gaze to Milo and the kids. Jonah looks like he wantsallthe ice cream "Oh, right. Of course." She does know exactly what I mean because Josie and Jonah are, biologically-speaking, Milo's kids.

"You and Schapelle thinking about having more little ones in the future?"

"One day, sure. But for now, I'm great with how things are. Besides, isn't it too early? Willow's only five-and-a-half months old."

I don't catch Beth's response, distracted when Schapelle's eyes meet mine across the crowded room. She's gesturing toward the deck.

"Will you excuse me?" I ask Beth.

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