Page 143 of Mountain Boss

I got my first job the next day.

It was probably illegal. But I got paid in cash and was able to buy my own food.

And that’s what I did.

For the next sixteen years.

No one has bought me food but myself since then. Not like that. Not groceries.

Not until Sterling.

Chapter 108

Sterling

Courtney keepsquiet while we eat, and no one bothers her about it.

Everyone assumes she’s still tired from not feeling well, but I saw the expression in her eyes when she looked up at me.

It was conflicted.

Like a mix of gratitude and guilt.

And I know the thing shewants to show meisn’t a thing at all.

Courtney wants to thank me while also telling me to take everything back.

I’d bet all my money on it.

Waiting to stand until Courtney cleans her plate, I press my palms to the table. “Court, you want to show me that clamp you need a replacement for?”

She blinks at me, those dark lashes fanning over her cheeks.

My question was very specific. One she can hardly deny.

And one that will allow us to walk over to the Storage Shed without question.

Though, of course, after we cross the driveway, I’ll just lead her to her door and tell her to go lie down.

Chapter 109

Courtney

“Uh, right. Yes.”I finally reply to Sterling.

It took me way too long to recognize that he was playing along with myneed to show him something.

Two of the guys stay at the table and two get up with us.

Sterling stays quiet at my side as we walk down the path. And he keeps staying quiet after the other two peel off toward the Bunk House.

When we go a little farther, around a bend in the path that should put us out of view, he presses his hand into the small of my back.

Instead of tensing because we’re touchingin public, my body relaxes.

There’s still so much I don’t know about Sterling, but I don’t need an explanation for why he makes me feel safe. He just does.

Our boots crunch across the driveway, and I finally glance up at the man next to me.

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