Page 23 of My Surly Valentine

I can’t catch Hazel’s words, but she’s obviously jumpy. My poor sweet girl. If this ruins her Valentine’s night, I’m going to find her father and…well, I don’t know what, but it’s going to involve some broken bones.

Sheriff Stone opens the door and I come back inside. “Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes.” Stone shakes his head. “This lovely young lady seems to be perfectly healthy and safe – and about to have a dinner that smells incredible, by the way.” He’s usually a bit of a hard ass, so it’s good to see him chuckling.

“What are you going to tell my father?” Hazel’s voice is high and strained. “You’re not going to give him this address or anything, are you?”

“Hell no. And if I caught him asking around town, I’d kick his ass right back to the highway.” Stone looks between us. “What do you two think I should tell him?”

“Iwant to tell him that neither of us gives a flying rat’s ass what he thinks,” I reply promptly. “But let’s be civil. Tell him that Hazel is safe, healthy, and with a man who is completely devoted to her needs. You okay with that, baby?” She smiles and nods gratefully.

Stone smirks. “Shit, Axton. You’ve gone all sappy for Valentine’s Day.”

“Maybe so. But if you tell anyone, I’ll have to shove a boot straight up your?—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. My lips are sealed. Have a good night, folks.”

I lock the door behind him, then clasp Hazel’s hands, pulling her to the couch. “I was going to tell you this during dinner, but maybe I’ll just get it out of the way now, so we can eat in peace.” My eyes flick dramatically toward the door. “Ihope.”

“I’m sorry,” Hazel sighs. “As soon as I can put some distance between me and my father, my life won’t be this dramatic. Really.”

“It’s fine, baby. I just want to tell you that… I didn’t mean to keep anything from you. You assumed that the cabin was my main home, didn’t you?”

She frowns. “Yes.”

“I didn’t realize that at first. I hope this is an acceptable surprise.”

She glances around the space. “Um, yeah. I think I’m okay with all of this.”

“Also… Some things happened back on Wolfe Mountain…” I know I have to spit this out, but I can’t look into her beautiful eyes while I do, so I gaze at the ceiling. “The short version is that my younger brother Scott trusted his friends when he shouldn’t have. He tookPete’sword for it that the ice was thick enough for a snowmobile. TookDave’sword that they hadn’t been drinking. It all ended with him going through a hole in the ice and drowning. It messed me up and gave me serious trust issues. I swore I’d never rely on anyone again. Not ever.”

Looking back down, it guts me to see that Hazel’s bottom lip is quivering. “It’s okay, baby. I dealt with it a long time ago. I just needed some space from the whole situation, so I came here to a mountain that isn’t run by my family. My great-grandfather, Adler Wolfe, is the namesake behind Wolfe Mountain.”

“Are they a bad family?” she whispers. “I mean, even if they are, I wouldn’t judge you by who you’re related to, just as I hope you won’t do that with me.”

“Actually, they’re amazing. Thanks to them, I’m set up quite well with a very comfortable life. But I still don’t want to rely on them or anyone else ever again.” My fingers thread through hers. “But I want you to rely on me, Hazel. I need to be your man more than I’ve needed anything else in my life. I want you to move in here and let me love you with all my heart forever.”

I hadn’t realized those words were coming. They just popped out.

Hazel’s bottom lip quivers again as she blinks rapidly. “You don’t have to decide immediately,” I say gently. “Take your time. Stay for a week, see what happens?—”

“I can’t believe you just said that,” she whispers.

Leaning forward, I kiss the tip of her nose. “Well, I guess I should say it properly, especially considering what day it is. I love you, Hazel.”

Her eyes are slightly misty. “I love you, too.”

A bell rings in the kitchen, making her jump, then we both laugh. “I guess that’s the signal to shake off all the seriousness?” I ask.

“Sure.”

“Good. Let’s have a fantastic dinner and think about all the wonderful ways you can tell off your father when you call him later.”

For the first time ever, I see Hazel’s eyes narrow with anger. “There is going to be some spicy language in that conversation.”

“Awesome. Maybe I can teach you a few choice phrases first.”

15

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