Page 11 of Infatuated with the Mountain Man

She sped up as soon as she saw me, taking longer strides.

“Veda, wait! Please!” I called, but she kept going. I sprinted forward and caught up to her, darting in front of her so she had to stop. “Please. Hear me out.”

“Why should I? You threw me aside like a piece of trash as soon as you were done with me.”

I threw my hands up in exasperation. “I know. I’m a fucking dickhead, okay? I understand if you never want to talk to me again. But I had to talk to you before you leave tomorrow.”

“Why? So you could kick me some more?”

“No. Of course not.” I stepped forward and reached for her hands, but she batted them away. “I’m sorry, Veda. I never meant to hurt you. I was scared because what we had that night was unlike anything I’d ever had before. I don’t open my heart to women. I don’t trust love. But you…you make me forget all of it. I don’t know why, but my heart, my mind, my body, my soul…all of it wants you. I don’t care how old you are. I don’t care about any of that. I love you, Veda, and I hope you can forgive me.”

Her mouth fell open, and tears slipped down her cheeks. I brushed one away with my thumb, and she leaned her head against my hand. “I forgive you. I just wish you would’ve told me. Despite it all, I love you too, Caden. That’s why I’m letting you go.”

“Letting me go? What are you talking about?”

Tears fell quickly now. “I can’t give you what a younger woman could. I don’t even know if I can have kids still. You deserve a family, Caden. Who am I to take that from you?”

I wrapped her in my arms, and she didn’t pull away. “I don’t care about any of that. I wantyou.You’remy family, kids ornot. Besides, there’s always adoption. So many kids need good homes.”

Veda leaned back and looked up at me, her eyes radiating so much love and warmth. “Really? You’d be okay with that?”

I nodded and leaned in for a kiss, hoping she wouldn’t pull away. She didn’t. “With you by my side, I’d be okay with anything.”

“Oh, Caden. I love you so much.”

“And I love you.” I dipped her low and kissed her deeply, among all my precious apple trees, love blooming all around.

EPILOGUE

Veda

One month later

When things feel right,what does it matter if they move fast?

Two weeks later, I packed up my apartment and moved into Caden’s cabin in Apple Falls.

Jolene and I got started on our business plan right away, working on ways to combine our customer base and bring in work for both of us.

With Caden and Jolene being a lot younger than me, I worried issues might arise, but Caden proved to me that age was simply just a number. No need to complicate life more than it already was.

Sir Barksalot wasn’t so sure about me being around all the time, but once he figured out I wasn’t going anywhere, he settled down and stopped chewing up my shoes. Caden wasn’t happy tosee the price tag of my Jimmy Choos, but he replaced them right away while apologizing profusely.

“How does one pair of shoes cost so damn much?” he lamented when he brought me home the new pair one day after work.

I shrugged and pulled him in for a kiss. “Beauty is priceless.”

Caden laughed. “It’s also timeless.” He ran a finger down my cheek and tucked my hair behind my ear. “Please keep growing out your beautiful gray hair.”

I smacked him away playfully, and he wrapped me up tight, burying his face in my neck. “Shh. We don’t talk about gray hair.”

He lifted his head. “I have a few coming in.” He pointed at a few stray whites popping through his beard.

“Yes, and men look like silver foxes when they age, while women look washed up and old. Or at least that’s what society tells us. I think gray hair is beautiful.”

“It is. And so are you. Never will I think you look washed up or old. Instead, you’ll be my curvy silver kitten. Purr.”

I giggled as shivers ran up and down my spine. “A curvy silver kitten, hmm? I kind of like that.”

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