Page 10 of Crazy for the Mountain Man

In the end, he continued to be successful with his books and used his past for something good. Like spreading hidden messages in his books. Or how he donated money to some of the families he wronged in the past.

We visited his mother’s grave together, bringing fresh flowers and having picnic lunches with her as Rhodes talked about all the places in Appleridge she loved to go.

My parents came to visit one weekend and while I was cooking with my mother in the kitchen, Rhodes took my fatheraside and asked for my hand in marriage. Unbeknownst to me of course.

And when he got down on one knee a week later, over a delicious dinner we cooked together, I didn’t hesitate to say yes, a huge diamond sliding onto my finger.

My happily ever was finally here.

I never once gave up on what I wanted. Because I knew under all that grumpiness was my sweet, kind man that was hiding just below the surface.

The layer just needed to be peeled back and discovered.

Boy, did I discover it and then some.

EPILOGUE

Brielle

Two years later

I stoodin the doorway of our son’s nursery and leaned against the doorframe, questioning how I got so lucky.

Rhodes rocked our two-month-old son in his arms, back and forth, with slow, steady movements as he moved around the room, whispering softshhshhsounds. With the lighting in the room low and a white noise machine humming softly, our nighttime routine had been working great.

I admired the way Rhodes took his daddy duties very seriously, making sure to spend time with his son while also giving me plenty of breaks. Tonight, he insisted I take a warm bath and relax, our son’s tummy issues causing a lot of frustration and sleepless nights.

The pediatrician confirmed it this morning at his two-month-old checkup. Our son was colic. We created a plan with a list of things to try including adjusting my diet since I breastfed.But all the information felt overwhelming, and I cried the entire ride home to my husband, worried about my baby, hoping he wasn’t suffering too much. Rhodes assured me with his calm, strong voice, that I was doing just fine. New parents didn’t know much, naturally, and it’s all a learning process together.

The doctor said self-care for a new mother was very important, especially with all the postpartum hormones coursing through my veins and now Rhodes insisted I take time for myself.

As I watched the love of my life rock our son to sleep, a wave of love and admiration nearly knocked me to my knees. A lump formed in my throat and my eyes grew wet. The moment was so perfect.

I tiptoed over to them and wrapped my arms around Rhodes’s waist from behind. He startled but only for a moment when he saw me pressed up against his back.

“Hey you.” He whispered. “Did you have a nice bath?”

“Mmhmm.” I moved around to the front, so our son was now between us, and I rocked slowly with the two of them. I brushed my finger against our son’s plump cheek and sighed with content. “He’s so perfect.”

“He is. Just like his mama.”

“And daddy.”

“We’ll figure out his tummy issues. We’re in this together, angel.”

I lifted my head towards him and kissed him soft and slow. After a few more minutes, our baby boy RJ, was fast asleep. We both kissed his soft head before Rhodes placed him down gently in his crib, his sleep sack keeping him warm.

I grabbed the baby camera on our way out when suddenly, a wave of dizziness took over. The room spun and I grabbed our son’s dresser for support.

Rhodes was instantly by my side. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I just felt a little lightheaded. I think I need to drink more water.”

“I’ll go get your bottle and fill it up. Why don’t you lay down in bed?” Rhodes slid his arm around my shoulders and walked me out of the nursery, closing the door quietly behind him before leading me into our bedroom.

He walked me over to the bed and when I sat down, the room spun, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I covered my mouth with one hand and ran to the bathroom, the contents of my stomach emptying into the toilet.

Rhodes was right behind me, holding my hair back and rubbing my back. “Oh no, angel. I’m sorry. Maybe dinner didn’t agree with you.”

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