Page 19 of The Minx and the Mountain Man

Reid exhales, dragging his hand down his face. “Sadie—”

“No,” I cut him off, shaking my head as I tighten the sheet around me. “You don’t have to explain. I understand perfectly.”

His brows pull together, his expression darkening, like he doesn’t like that I’m not fighting him on this. Like he was expecting me to argue, to demand more from him. Well, too bad. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

Instead, I push off the bed and stride toward the bathroom, head high, refusing to let him see the way my hands tremble. I close the door behind me, pressing my back against it, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, blinking rapidly, my throat tight.Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I should have known better. I should have protected my heart. But I let myself hope. Let myself feel. And now I’m paying the price.

A harsh breath escapes me as I press my palms against the sink, gripping the edge until my knuckles turn white.

I won’t do this. I won’t stay here, waiting for him to change his mind, waiting for scraps of affection, pretending I’m okay with being nothing more than a mistake.

I love him. The realization crashes into me. I love him.

And it doesn’t matter. Because he doesn’t love me back. I drag in a shaky breath, straightening my spine. Fine.If this is how it has to be, then so be it. I won’t stick around where I’m not wanted. I’ll leave.

I don’t know where I’ll go yet. I have barely any money, no real plan, no safety net to catch me. But I’d rather take my chances alone than stay in this cabin, watching Reid pretend last night never happened.

Chapter Twelve

Reid

I shouldn’t care this much. I tell myself that the entire drive into town, gripping the wheel like it personally offended me.

I shouldn’t care that she’s been quiet all morning. That her usual humming while she puttered around the cabin had been replaced with an awful silence that settled in my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake.

I sure as hell shouldn’t care that she looked at me with that same sunny smile—but this time, it didn’t quite reach her eyes. But I do care. And that’s the damn problem.

I cut the engine in front of the hardware store and climb out of the truck, shaking off the lingering thoughts like snow clinging to my jacket. I have work to do. I need to drop off an order, pick up a few supplies, and maybe grab a box of those cinnamon rolls Sadie won’t stop talking about.

Not because I feel guilty. Not because I need a reason to see her smile again. Just… because.

I tell myself that right up until I step into the café, the scent of sugar and fresh-brewed coffee filling the air, and hear Sadie’s name.

“—just saying, I wouldn’t trust her. She lied about all kinds of things back home. Heard the cops were after her.”

A hush falls over the café. I don’t know the woman talking, but I don’t need to. Pine Hollow is a small town, and like anysmall town, it’s got its fair share of busybodies who don’t give a damn if what they’re saying is true or not. They just care that it gives them something to whisper about over their coffee.

Rage licks up my spine like fire, fast and dangerous. My hands clench at my sides, my vision narrowing on the woman at the counter, her voice smug, her eyes bright with the thrill of spreading poison.

But before I can open my mouth, Annie beats me to it.

“You can stop right there, Linda.” Annie’s voice is all steel, her arms crossed over her chest. “Sadie’s one of us now.”

Dot, standing at the counter, nods sharply, her usual good-natured expression nowhere in sight. “That girl’s sweeter than honey and twice as good for this town. Unlike some people.” She pointedly stirs a cup of coffee, not looking at Linda.

A few murmurs ripple through the café, some people nodding in agreement, others shifting uncomfortably like they don’t quite know which side to be on.

Linda sniffs. “I’m just looking out for people, that’s all. You don’t think it’s a little convenient she just showed up here looking for a husband?”

Something inside me snaps.

“She showed up because I married her.”

My voice is hard and cold, cutting through the tension in the café like a blade. Every head turns my way, but I don’t look at any of them. My eyes are on her.

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