Page 31 of Stranded with the Mountain Man

"The native plant conservation project?" His face lights up."Dee, that's fantastic!"

"It is. And it means I can hire a full-time assistant and expand the scope of my research." I take a deep breath."It alsomeans I don't have to keep the apartment in Riversend.I can be here full-time."

He goes still, eyes searching mine."You're moving back? For good?"

"If that offer still stands." I fidget with the hem of my shirt."I mean, we've been practically living together anyway, but making it official is a big step, and if you need more time--"

His mouth covers mine, cutting off my nervous rambling.When he finally pulls back, his smile is so bright it could light up the whole mountain.

"Is that a yes?" I ask, slightly breathless.

"That's a hell yes." He kisses me again, shorter this time but no less intense."I've been waiting a year to hear you say that."

"Why didn't you ask?"

"Because you needed to decide on your own." He tucks a curl behind my ear."No pressure, no ultimatums. Just you, making your own choice."

The simple understanding in his voice makes my throat tight withemotion.This man, who once seemed so hard, so closed off, has become my greatestchampion.He rebuilt a house for me without once asking if I'd stay init.Supported my career without ever making me feel guilty for the timeaway.Waited, patiently, for me to find my way home tohim.

"I love you, Ross Stone." I frame his face with myhands."Thank you for giving me the time to figure thingsout."

"Worth the wait." He kisses my palm. "Worth everything."

Bear's bark signals the arrival of our first guests, right oncue.

"That'll be Mrs. Havers," I sigh. "Ready for this?"

"For a house full of people eating our food and drinking our booze?" He grimacesplayfully."Not particularly. But I have plans forafter."

"What kind of plans?" I ask, curiositypiqued.

"You'll see." He kisses me one more time before heading for thedoor."Come on, let's get this overwith."

The housewarming party exceeds all my expectations.The house fills with an unlikely mixture of my academic colleagues, Rosco's woodworking clients, and the inevitable contingent of Saints MC members.Tank and his fiancé, Debbie, arrive with matching leather jackets and homemade banana bread.Earl brings his famous moonshine that I've been warned not to sample too liberally.Mrs. Havers provides enough food to feed half the county.

What amazes me most is how seamlessly these disparate worlds blend.My department chair from the college engages Rosco in an animated discussion about sustainable forestry while Tank, of all people,is explaining motorcycle engine efficiency to my wide-eyed research assistant.Mrs. Havers has cornered Earl about a community garden project, and Debbie is showing photos of her new garage to anyone who'll look.

"Quite the gathering," Mrs. Havers says, appearing at my elbow with a glass of wine once she's finished with Earl."Millie would be pleased to see her home so full of life again."

"I hope so." I accept the wine gratefully."Though I'm not sure what she'd make of the laboratory wing."

"She'd be proud of you, dear." The older woman pats my arm."And even prouder that you found your way back to that stubborn mountain man of yours."

I follow her gaze to where Rosco stands across the room, smiling at something Tank has said.Even after a year, thesight of him still makes my heart skip.He's more relaxed now than when I first returned, smiles more easily, laughs more freely.The hard edges haven't disappeared--they're part of who he is--but they've softened, just as mine have.

"I got lucky," I admit.

"Luck had nothing to do with it.That was all courage--from both of you." She sips her wine, eyes twinkling."So, when's the wedding?"

I nearly choke on my drink. "Mrs.Havers!"

"What? I'm old. I don't have time to wait around for you young people to get your acts together." She glances meaningfully toward my left hand."That finger's looking awfully bare for someone who's just committed to staying on this mountain permanently."

"We haven't discussed marriage," I say, though the idea sends a flutter through my stomach that's not entirely unpleasant.

"Mmm-hmm." Her knowing look makes me blush."Well, when you do, I expect an invitation.I've got a hat all picked out."

By eleven, everyone has finally gone, leaving Rosco and me alone in the suddenly quiet house.Bear, exhausted from all the attention and treats he's received, snores softly by the fireplace.

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