Page 13 of Praised By the Mountain Man

We’re quick with it this time, no teasing, just pure pleasure. My pace increases as our breathing melds together until I can’t tell who is moaning when. We become one, and when we come apart at the same time moments later, we both whisper “I love you,” to the other.

God, this woman is my perfect match.

We quickly clean up and redress, taking a few moments to make out in the hallway—what can I say, I can’t resist her for even a second. We head downstairs and hang out in the living room, just talking, getting to know each other more deeply. I don’t know how much time passes before we hear Ruby’s steps coming down the stairs, but when she settles in on the couch between us, it feels like the most natural thing in the world, like we’re a little family.

Later that evening, we’re sitting on Ruby’s favorite bench by the lake. The one I found out is dedicated in memory of their parents, who loved this lake until their very last moments. The girls said they like coming here because in a strange way, it makes them feel closer to their parents, and I’m glad that they have this spot to always come back to.

As Ruby takes another lick from her cone filled with vanilla and topped with sprinkles, she breaks our pleasant silence. “So, are you and Tessy dating?” she asks me.

Tessa laughs. “How do you even know what dating is?” she asks her sister.

“Cora in my class told me all about her brother’s girlfriend, so I know all about it. So, is Tessy your girlfriend?” she asks again.

She’s a little firecracker and I have to admire it. I don’t hesitate for a second. “Yes, Rubes. Tessy is my girlfriend, and I love her very much. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure,” Ruby says easily. “Are you going to live with us?” she asks.

Tessa and I both laugh at this.

“Not right now,” Tessa says. “But maybe someday. Would that be okay with you?”

“Yeah. I like making pancakes and working on puzzles with Luke, so it would be cool if he was around more,” she punctuates the statement with another lick of her cone.

“Good to know,” Tessa says, meeting my eyes over her own mocha chip cone.

“Good to know,” I say back, and for the first time in a long time, I’m looking forward to what the future brings.

Epilogue

Tessa

Six months later…

Fall is in full swing in Whiskey Mountain, and I couldn’t be happier. The house smells like cinnamon and apples from the fresh pie Ruby and I baked today with the apples she, Luke, and I picked this morning. Ruby and Luke are working on a puzzle in the living room and I’m reading my favorite classic novel beside them. Like every Saturday since Luke and I first got together, this one is perfect.

The past few months have been a whirlwind. Once the school year ended, Ruby and I were taking a little time to figure out a new routine between all of her summer activities, including horseback riding and swim lessons, as well as her reading group at the library. She’s a busy bee, but she likes it that way. Usually when she’s busy, I join Luke to help him on his deliveries. We spend the time in the car talking and bonding over music and I couldn’t be more grateful for the extra time we had together.

At the end of the summer, with our full schedules picking back up, we decided it was the perfect time for Luke to move in with us—officially, considering he was already spending most nights with us, it wasn’t a big change at all. He was a perfect fit into both of our lives, and I couldn’t love him any more than I already do.

Once he moved in, he took over in helping Ruby with her nightmares, and in the months he’s been here, their little talks have helped her bad dreams become nearly non-existent. He really has changed both of our lives for the better and I can’t help but wonder how different my life would be today if I didn’t accidentally walk into him at the bar, if I didn’t lock my keys in the car, if so many of the small things that brought us together never happened, would we still have found a way to end up together?

I like to think the answer is yes. He is so perfectly my person, I don’t think there is a single universe where we don’t end up together.

I hear Luke and Ruby giggling with each other, and it breaks me out of my trance. I look up to find them both staring at me.

“What’s so funny?” I ask them.

“Ohhhh nothing,” Ruby says. “Lukey just told me he wanted to ask you something, right Lukey?” she says, and I melt at her calling him “Lukey” like she has for the last few months. She only gives nicknames to those she loves most.

“Way to throw me under the bus, kid,” Luke replies, mussing up her mess of golden hair before rising to his knees and knee-walking over to me. Ruby laughs at his movements and I can’t help but do the same. This brave, perfect, goofy man, I don’t know how I got so lucky.

Luke settles by my chair, not moving from his knees. He reaches for something in his pocket, and I gasp when I see him pull out a small, square box.

“Luke!”

“Shhh, baby, let me do the talking,” he says, and I lightly slap him. He just grabs my hand and kisses it, not letting it go as he begins to speak.

“Tessa, Tessy, baby, my beautiful blondie,” he starts, listing off every name and endearment he calls me as I begin to cry—tears of happiness this time. “You came into my life like a tornado, sweeping me away. I knew I had to have you from the moment I saw you, and I’ve been grateful you locked your keys in your car every day since the first night we spent together, because it gave me the excuse to get to know you, to get to know Rubes. I want us all to be a family, I love you more than words can say, and as impossible as it seems, I love you more every single day. Will you marry me?” he asks. Tears continue streaming down my face and Ruby is jumping up and down with excitement.

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