Page 10 of Enamored with the Mountain Man

“Oh my God, Lainey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay. My heart is broken.” I sobbed harder.

“Where are you?”

“Pulled over on the side of the road up the street from Chase’s house. Who was I kidding? Why did I think this would work? I was already falling for him before I even got here!”

“Oh, sweetie. It’s okay. You can’t help who you fall in love with, and you certainly can’t control when it happens. I kinda had a gut feeling you liked him more than you were letting on, but you said you had a handle on it. You fell head over heels for him, huh?”

“Yes,” I wailed. “But how can I leave my life in the city for him? My dance studio, you…”

“Didn’t we already have this conversation?” Caitlin chuckled.

“Caitlin! I’m serious!”

“I know, Lainey, so am I. Sell me the dance studio and go live out your happily ever after. Promise me we won’t lose touch, andwe’ll talk all the time, because I can’t imagine not having you in my life. And who knows, maybe I’ll meet my own mountain man one day.”

“This is crazy! This is all so crazy.”

“Love is crazy. Now go back and get your man! We’ll figure the rest out later.”

“I love you so much, Cat. You’re the best friend a gal could have.”

“Right back at ya, babe.”

After I ended the call, I took a deep breath, wiped the tears off my face, and started the car.

Caitlin was right. Love hit unexpectedly, and when it did, you made changes and sacrificed. Because it was rare to find a true love. And I wasn’t about to let my happily ever after get away.

When I pulled into the driveway a couple of minutes later, Chase burst through the front door, down the porch steps, and over to my car.

Was he watching through the window in hopes I’d return?

His chest heaved, but no words escaped his lips. He looked beaten down and broken, and I hated that I caused him pain. I parked my car and got out, rushing right into the only place I wanted to be—Chase’s arms.

“I’m so sorry, Chase. I love you. I love you so much.” More tears came, and he kissed them away as his own fell.

“Marry me.”

“What?” I choked out.

“Marry me, Lainey. Make me the happiest guy on earth, and love me forever. I promise you’ll always be my queen.”

“Oh, Chase.” I was a blubbering mess once more as we kissed and kissed, our salty tears of happiness mixing. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.”

EPILOGUE

Chase

One month later

Lainey never left againafter the day we confessed our love. Sure, she went back to the city a few times to tie up any loose ends, but she always came back with a smile on her face, happy to be back home with us, her new family.

One day, I went into the city with her, bringing Ivy along, so we could pack up some of her apartment and hire movers to help with the rest. It was hard for me to be back there, lots of memories creeping their way in, but after I confessed to Lainey about all the corrupt shit that went down with shady business deals, she understood why I’d never want to set foot in that city again.

Ivy might have been the result of a one-night stand during a stressful time in my life, but gaining full custody of her and finally moving her to a small town was one thing I’d be gratefulfor when it came to the city. Along with Lainey of course. If she hadn’t lived in this particular city, would I have ever met her?

What I was most excited about was the surprise I had for Lainey. I’d spent the past month working on it and finally signed the lease contract yesterday. The keys were now burning a huge hole in my pocket.

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