Page 255 of Mountain Boss

I lean over her, one hand braced on the ground, the other gently cupping her cheek. “Eyes up here, Honey.”

Her eyes blink open.

Relief swamps me.

And I collapse on top of her.

My forehead drops to the snow next to her head, and my lungs seize.

She’s alive. She’s alive. She’s alive.

Hands press against my sides, fingers curling in my shirt.

“I’m okay.” Courtney’s words are quiet. Just for me.

And my body trembles.

Her fingers flex, then her hands run up and down my sides.

“I’m okay, Sterling.” Her hands slide around my back until she’s hugging me. “I’m okay.”

“I’m not,” I say back just as quietly. “I’m so fucking sorry. I?—”

A fur-covered head clunks against mine.

Courtney lets out a half laugh, half sob as one of her hands leaves my back. “My boys.”

Forehead going numb from the snow, I lift myself up.

The hand still on my back slides around to my side, then up to press against my chest. Over my heart.

Ben whines and nudges his nose against Courtney’s temple.

“I’m okay,” she says again, this time to the dog.

There’s a thud behind us, then another loud cry from Creep.

Ben darts over to the man on the ground and barks in his face.

Courtney lets out a chuckle. “He’s starting to feel courageous.”

The man yells something at Ben, and I watch as Fisher kicks him. Again.

Everyone here loves that damn dog.

“Come here,” I say to Courtney as I shift around until I’m sitting with my legs crossed.

She holds her hands out and lets me pull her up and into my lap, her side against my chest.

I hug her close with an arm around her back. I use my other hand to ghost my fingers over her chin. “Let me see.”

Her lips press together as she lifts her chin, just an inch. But then a sound leaves her throat.

“Shh.” I press my palm to her cheek. “If it hurts, don’t move. I’m sorry I asked.”

Tears start falling from her eyes again. “It’s not…” She pulls in a shaky breath. “I was so scared.”

I cup the side of her head and pull her into me.

---