Page 13 of Her Mountain Man Rescuer

“Audrey?”

“Sorry. I said it’s easier said than done. Getting attached when I’m about to leave this place doesn’t sound like a smart thing to do.”

Lila is quiet for a moment. Then she says, “I’m retracting my invitation.”

“What?”

“You’re not invited to my place anymore—not until tomorrow. You’re going to have to stay another night at Weston’s.”

“Lila—”

“If you need an excuse, tell him there was a family…thing. I don’t know, something came up.” She lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Sorry, Audrey, it’s out of my hands.”

I don’t know whether to smile or tell her off. But another day with Weston sure sounds appealing right now. I know I’m putting off the inevitable, but I’m not ready to leave him yet. One more day…surely that will be enough to get these crazy feelings out of my system?

“You’re a bad influence,” I tell Lila.

“You’ll be eating your words when you marry him.”

I laugh, ignoring the butterflies that erupt in my tummy. “Just because you got engaged to a mountain man and moved to the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean I’m going to.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought too, but here I am.”

“Okay, I’m hanging up now.”

“You’re in denial.”

“Bye, Lila.”

“See you soon! And tell Weston I’m sorry about the family thing, but hey, what can you do? These things happen.”

“Okay, seriously hanging up now.”

“Love you!”

I end the call, trying to suppress a grin as I get out of bed. Lila’s words have given me a burst of encouragement, and I want to see Weston so I can ask to stay another night.

Hopefully, he won’t mind.

Part of me worries that I’ve misread this whole situation—maybe he’s waiting for me to leave, praying I’ll be gone soon. Maybe he wasn’t really going to kiss me at all. Maybe…but no. The look in his eyes, the desire. That was all real. I’m sure of it.

I can hear Weston clattering around in the kitchen, the smell of bacon wafting beneath my door. A moment later, he knocks.

“Audrey? You up? Breakfast’s ready if you want it.”

My pulse flutters when he says my name.

God, that voice. It’s like thunder.

“I’m up,” I call. “Breakfast sounds awesome!”

“Hope you like bacon and eggs.”

“Love it! Thank you!”

I take a steadying breath and head for the door, mentally shoving aside all the confusion and complications, all the reasons I shouldn’t be getting attached. I can worry about all that later, because right now, the hottest man on earth just cooked me bacon.

Something tells me this is going to be my kind of morning.

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