Page 14 of Saved By The Mountain Man

“Dad was too, you know. He was so pissed at me after he had to do that to you. He didn’t talk to me for almost a year.”

“But you went to see him?”

She cocked her head as she looked at me, the question in her eyes and I wanted to groan. I stepped right into that one and I had no way to explain this one away.

“I would see you drive through. And then I would keep an eye out for when you go back through on your way home.”

“Sort of sounds like a stalker.”

“Says the woman who goes the long way to Las Vegas.”

“Hey!” she exclaimed, and I grinned. “It’s a beautiful drive. I love the forest.”

“That it is.”

We fell into an easy silence and then she sighed.

“I came this way because of you, Hugh.”

“Why me?”

“I knew you weren’t dead. I went for a drive the night that happened. I left my dad for days on end, in fact. I found you in the hospital, but I never said anything. Then I went to see my mom. When I came back through, one weekend shortly after you were out, I saw you on the side of the road. It’s why I made this trip. Just to catch that brief glance of you.”

“Those are some mighty big words, Brandi.”

“Nonetheless, they’re true.”

I sat there, staring at her, so comfortable in my home, in my space. It’s like she was always meant to be part of it.

Who was I kidding?

I had always wanted her to be part of it. I just didn’t think anything would ever come of it.

“Why?”

Her head popped up and she stared at me.

“Why what?”

“You’re so damn beautiful, so damn smart, so much better than the biker life your dad forced on you. You could be out there, making something of yourself with a husband, a family, something better than this.”

She threw her head back and laughed and I sat there, utterly entranced. I’m not sure I had ever seen that. She was carefree, vibrant, a damn star to rival the brightness of the sun.

She was mine.

I didn’t give a flying fuck who had anything to say, but I was not going to let this bright star escape me again.

“Why you, Demon?” She crossed her arms, almost wincing at that. “Why not? You think because you’re older that I wouldn’t be interested?”

“That’s a big part. I’m almost as old as your dad.”

“And the far better man between you two. I don’t have some hero complex with you, but you would never put me in danger. You would defend me, fight for me, protect me, all with your dying breath, and I know that.

“You’re smart, tough, but you’re also a teddy bear where it counts. You’re not afraid to step up, not worried about getting dirty, talented with your tongue, far beyond what’s done in the bedroom. You charmed many bikers from fighting or doing stupid things.

“You’re good with your hands. I mean, come on, you build bikes and built this beautiful cabin. Anyone with eyes can see just how amazing you are. And I never wanted kids, did you know that? It’s not for me. It’s not in my cards.

“But I can tell you the one thing I do want.”

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