Page 20 of Marrying the Mountain Man

I woke to the soft glow of dawn creeping through the blinds, the warmth of Levi’s body against my back anchoring me to reality. My mind reeled for an instant—where were the twins? Then I remembered: they’d spent the night at Logan’s, leaving me and Levi blissfully alone. A dizzying rush of last night’s memories flooded in—his hands on my skin, his whispered reassurances, our breathy confessions.

A gentle arm tightened around my waist, and I felt the rumble of his voice near my ear. “Good morning,” he murmured, lips brushing the back of my shoulder.

“Morning,” I whispered, heart pounding with equal parts contentment and fear.

There it was…that nagging blend of joy and anxiety. I tried to bask in the afterglow, but my nerves sparked. This was the morning after I’d taken the biggest emotional leap of my life. I felt raw, exposed. I had two young sons to consider. So many questions swirled: What if this doesn’t last? What if I uproot my kids again only to be disappointed?

Levi must have sensed the shift in my breathing, because he pressed a gentle kiss to my bare shoulder. “You okay?”

I inhaled, turning to face him, the sheet sliding across my skin. “I…I’m good. Just…everything feels so huge right now.”

His honey-brown eyes held concern. “Talk to me.”

Emotions clashed in my chest. I tugged the covers up, nerves fluttering. “I feel closer to you than… than I’ve felt to anyone in a long time. But it’s been, what, less than two weeks since I landed on your doorstep?” I let out a shaky laugh. “I’m falling so fast, Levi, and it terrifies me.”

He stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, eyes steady. “I get it. I’m scared too. Part of me wonders if we’re moving at light speed.” He gave a wry smile. “But last night was real. There’s something here, Mindy.”

Tears threatened, but I forced them back. “We have so much at stake. The twins, your life here… I’m not used to letting someone else in, even though it’s what I’ve always wanted.”

He pulled me closer, our foreheads meeting. “You can trust me, baby. I won’t run. We’ll figure it out, okay?”

I nodded, breath hitching. I wanted to believe him. The protective warmth of his embrace made it easier. I let my head rest on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

For a moment, we stayed like that, letting the quiet morning hold us together. Then he gently slipped away, pressing a final kiss to my hair. “I should head to Skyline soon. The morning deliveries might’ve come in.”

Sighing, I sat up. “Right. I’ll check on the twins. Logan’s mom said they could stay through the afternoon, so they’re probably not in a hurry.”

He paused by the bedroom door, turning back to me. “You’ll be okay?”

I mustered a smile. “Yes. I’ll be fine. Go.”

He nodded and left, footsteps retreating down the hallway. Once the front door clicked shut, I exhaled, letting myself acknowledge the flurry of emotions tumbling through my heart.I’m letting him in, letting him see me, letting him matter to me...Yet as scary as it all was, it also felt—right.

By midmorning, I’d showered and thrown on jeans, a sweater in my favorite shade of purple, and some semblance of makeup. The house was quiet, and I took advantage of the peace to tidy up, thoughts drifting to the possible future Levi and I could build here. Then my phone chimed.

Beth:Hey, Mindy! Great news: the board approved your contract. Could we meet this afternoon to finalize details?

My heart soared. I texted back an enthusiastic yes, then flopped onto the couch, phone clutched to my chest. The local job was official. No more wait-and-see. I’m staying in Hope Peak. The mere thought made me grin. The boys could grow up here, enjoy a small-town life, and I could keep forging deeper connections with Levi.

But just as my excitement peaked, my phone rang—an unknown number in Chicago. My brow furrowed, but I picked up.

“Hello?”

A familiar voice answered, crisp and professional: “Mindy, hi! It’s Eleanor from Norton Ad Agency. Heard you left Chicago abruptly, but we’re in a pinch for a Senior Account Director. Interested?”

My chest tightened. Norton Ad Agency had been the biggest competitor of my old firm. They were one of the top firms in the industry, employing only the best and brightest.

Eleanor continued, “We’d offer a substantial benefit package…significantly above what you had before…and a signing bonus if you can relocate back to Chicago.”

My stomach flipped. The kind of money I’d once dreamed about, the chance to climb the corporate ladder again. Could I do it? Could I move back? My gaze flicked around Levi’s cozy living room, remembering how frantic city life had drained me and how the twins had struggled. Yet the lure of stability, bigger pay, and prestige nearly hooked me.

I cleared my throat. “That’s…an incredible offer. I’m flattered. But I have to think about it. I’m kind of in the middle of a new opportunity here in Hope Peak, Montana.”

Eleanor let out a dismissive laugh. “Hope Peak? A small mountain town? Mindy, you must be joking. Your talent is too big for that. We need you in the big leagues.”

A pang of defensiveness flared. Yet I told her politely I’d consider it, promised to call by Monday with a decision. I hung up, mind spinning. This is real money, real career advancement. But it wasn’t just my dream anymore, was it?

I jumped at a soft knock on the front door. Curious, I peered through the window. Tessa. The strong resemblance to Levi was obvious, and her anxious expression mirrored my own nerves.

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