Page 15 of Marrying the Mountain Man

To celebrate my not-so-noble rescue, Levi suggested we head to Skyline for an early dinner. “Might as well. The kids were already there, and I can cook something up or order the staff to do it,” he said with a grin.Aren’t the boys with him?

The boys brightened at the prospect. Soon, we were seated at a corner booth, a cozy lamp overhead. The place was moderately busy for late afternoon, but Rachel waved from behind the bar. “Grab some menus!” she called. “And two Shirley Temples for the kiddos, on the house.”

Connor and Cody practically beamed as she set down those red, fizzy drinks. “Thanks, Rachel!”

She winked. “You punks better not cause trouble. I’ve heard about your Mario Brothers skills.”

Cody giggled, shooting Levi a smug grin. “You have no idea.”

While the twins argued over who got first turn on the arcade, Levi and I browsed the menu. I ended up picking a grilled chicken sandwich with fries, while Levi asked for chili and cornbread. The kids, of course, demanded burgers.

One of the line cooks—Thomas, I recalled—stepped out of the kitchen to joke with the twins about the old Mario Brothers arcade in the corner. “I hold the high score, fellas. Don’t get too cocky.”

Connor smirked. “We’ll see.”

Thomas laughed. “That’s the spirit.” He retreated, calling back, “Food’ll be up soon.”

Leaning over the table, I found myself grinning. “This is nice. I’m not used to bar life feeling so kid friendly.”

Levi shrugged, looking pleased. “Skyline’s always been more of a grill than a rowdy bar, especially earlier in the evening. We do get the late-night crowd, but right now it’s mostly locals wanting dinner or a beer after work.”

Cody slurped his Shirley Temple. “This is so good.”

Rachel slid by, dropping off some mozzarella sticks as a trial appetizer. The kids dug in gleefully, and Levi caught my eye with an amused look.

“I swear she’s spoiling them,” he murmured, leaning closer so the boys wouldn’t hear. “But it’s kinda fun to watch.”

My heart did a small flip at his fond tone. In this moment, we might have looked like a real family—two parents out for dinner, indulging in jokes with the staff. The pang of longing that followed hit me almost physically.This is what you always wanted, I reminded myself. A stable community, supportive environment, and maybe… a partner who took care of you the way Levi seemed inclined to.

But just as that hope rose, caution pulled me back again.Don’t get too comfortable. My life had taught me that good things can vanish in an instant.

After dinner arrived—deliciously hot burgers for the twins, my chicken sandwich, Levi’s chili—Connor and Cody finished inrecord time, racing to the old video game, a relic from the 1980s. With squeals and frantic button-mashing, they took turns. Rachel drifted over to watch. A small group of patrons cheered them on. I sipped my soda, half-laughing at the spectacle.

Suddenly, a triumphant shout rang out. “We beat Thomas’s high score!” Cody hollered, jumping in the air. Connor clapped him on the back, equally excited.

Thomas poked his head from the kitchen, feigning horror. “Impossible!”

The entire bar erupted in playful laughter. Even Levi looked impressed, shaking his head. “They’re great kids,” he murmured to me.

A surge of warmth flooded my chest, seeing how easily the twins fit in. This was exactly what I’d dreamed about for them: a place where they felt special, accepted. A “home” in the truest sense.

It was near eight when we finally got home. The twins—exhausted from the day and from the adrenaline of their arcade victory—crashed quickly in the office. Levi and I lingered in the living room, tidying up. He shot me a gentle smile. “Glad your board meeting went well. You looked excited earlier.”

I nodded, hugging a spare throw blanket to my chest. “Yeah. They want me to start pretty much right away, on a contract basis. I told them we’d finalize details tomorrow.”

“That’s awesome.” He paused. “You okay?”

I forced a laugh. “My brain is…swirling. It all seems almost too good…you know?”

A flicker of sympathy crossed his face. “I get that. But maybe it’s okay to let yourself enjoy it.”

My heart squeezed. “I’m trying. Thank you.”

We said our goodnights soon after, him settling onto the couch again, me heading to the bedroom. Once the door clicked behind me, I exhaled a ragged breath.Enjoy it, Levi had said. If only it were so simple.

I changed into pajamas—loose shorts and a tank top—then moved to the small dresser to stash my day clothes. My mind, however, was far from clothing organization. Instead, it drifted to Levi’s presence. The feel of his broad shoulders against me when we’d briefly brushed in the kitchen. The strong hands that’d expertly unlocked my SUV door.

A heated flush rose in my cheeks.What if…? The thought whispered through me, unbidden. What if he were here in this room, undressing for bed alongside me? The mental image blindsided me: Levi’s toned arms, the faint line of muscles beneath his shirt, how his hair might look tousled as he slipped out of his jeans.

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