Page 21 of Her Mountain Man Rescuer

She nods. “It will always have a place in my heart, but I don’t think I belong here anymore. The two people I care aboutmost in the world live on Cherry Mountain, and I think…I think maybe I should, too.”

My head is reeling. I didn’t think Audrey would want to leave Denver in a million years, and it’s thrown me for a loop. But I’m also dwelling on the other part of what she said.

The two people I care about most in the world live on Cherry Mountain.

One of those people is obviously Lila. But the other…

Audrey seems to read my thoughts, and she smiles. “Yes, Weston. I’m talking about you. This week has been really tough for me, too. I’ve been thinking about you all the time, trying to distract myself with work, but it didn’t help. If you hadn’t turned up today, then I would have shown up at your door myself soon enough.”

I can hear the blood pounding in my ears as I process her words. “And you really want to live on Cherry Mountain? You think you could be happy there?”

“If you’d asked me a month ago, I’d have said no way. But now? Yes, I think I would be happy there.” She grins at me. “I just need to avoid rocky ledges.”

I reach down to cup her cheek, hardly daring to believe my ears. “Then come live with me, sugar. Let me take care of you.”

Audrey’s face glows, sunshine streaming from every pore, seeming to fill the apartment with light as she says, “I’d love to live with you, Weston. I’d love that more than anything.”

I make a noise deep in my throat as I pull her close, peppering her pretty face with kisses.

“Fuck, you don’t know how happy you’ve made me,” I say hoarsely. “I love you, Audrey. I know it’s crazy, but I do. From the second I met you, I just knew…”

“So did I.” She beams at me, eyes twinkling. “I love you too, Weston.”

I grin at her beneath my beard. It’s so much more than I ever could have hoped for. This perfect angel feels the same way about me, and I finally get to bring her back home where she belongs. As soon as we’re back on Cherry Mountain, I’m going to put a ring on her finger and make it official. Then the whole world will know what I’ve known all along—that Audrey was always meant to be mine. And now she is. Forever.

EPILOGUE

AUDREY

With a smile of satisfaction,I schedule my last post for the day and close my laptop, taking a deep sip of hot chocolate. It’s a warm evening for March, and the window of my home office is cracked open so I can hear the rushing waterfall nearby. I look out at the familiar trees, breathing in the earthy smell that I’ve grown to love so much. The waterfall is the new soundtrack to my life, much like car horns and the buzz of Denver traffic used to be. It fills me with calm.

My job has changed a little since I left the city. I decided it would be more rewarding to manage the social media pages of local businesses around Cherry Mountain, including for Weston and Dane’s rental cabins. Their increased online presence has brought in a lot of new business, and the cabins are always fully booked. I also manage the social media for Mountain Brew, the local coffee shop. I never thought I’d say this, but Weston was right…it really is better than Starbucks.

I get up off my desk chair and stretch my back, checking my phone. There’s a text from Lila, and I smile when I read it.

Still on for movie night tomorrow? Includes cherry pie!!

I text back.

You bet! I’ll bring the chocolate. See you then :)

One of the best things about living on Cherry Mountain is getting to spend time with Lila again. We see each other all the time, just like back in Denver. When I first moved in with Weston, I expected to miss the city. But honestly? I barely ever think about it. Lila and I go back occasionally to do some shopping or visit our old favorite places together, but it’s not home anymore. This cabin is my home. My safe place.

I pocket my phone and close the window before heading out of my office and into the living room. Weston should be back any minute now. I mentioned I was craving pizza, and he insisted on driving down to Cherry Hollow to grab one for our dinner. He takes my pregnancy cravings very seriously, and I love him for it. I’m only a couple of months along, not enough to show yet, but I still find myself rubbing a hand over my belly and imagining the day we will finally get to meet our baby.

Our baby.

I feel a thrill of happiness every time I say the words. According to my pregnancy app, our baby is currently the size of a raspberry. Still a long way to go, but every day is a step closer to my due date, and I’m so excited.

When Weston’s truck sounds in the driveway a few minutes later, I’m stoking the fire, filling the cabin with warmth. My heart stutters when I hear his door slam, and I rush to the front door, flinging it open.

“Hi, sugar.” Weston strides toward me, holding two thin boxes in his arms.

I grin at him. My husband is sexier than ever. Older, more rugged. He still makes my pulse race every time he looks at me, and as he enters the cabin and sets down the boxes, he pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I melt against his familiar embrace, breathing him in. He smells like home.

“Hope you’re hungry. Got us cherry pie, too.”

“Sounds awesome.”

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