Page 114 of Mountain Wood

“Are you happy?”

“Am I—” His gaze softens. “AmIhappy?” He kisses me all over—my head, cheeks, nose, and chin. “You just went after a man with an axe for me.”

“You ground his face into the bar for me.”

“You’re terrifying.”

“Thank you.” I bat my lashes. “But are you happy? I know three million might seem like a lot, but I’m worried it’s not enough to make your dreams come—”

He kisses me again. Harder. Deeper. Smoothing the hair from my face, he’s positively trembling. “You’re my dream, Grace. Not the money. Not the mountain. Not the cabins. I’d walk away from all of it but not you. Never you.” He crushes his mouth to mine again and I’m swept up in his embrace.

My feet aren’t touching the ground.

Hooking my arms around his neck, I wrap my legs around his middle and forget that we have an audience. “Does that mean I can stay till summer now?”

“You better stay for all the summers.” He kisses my cheeks. “All the autumns.” He kisses my nose. “All the winters.” He kisses my forehead. “And all the springs.”

“Until my ashes float downstream?”

His eyes flash with a hundred emotions and I feel each one in my soul.

I came to this mountain to find myself. Never thought I’d find love too.

“Take me home, you sexy lumberjack.”

Dean slings me over his shoulder and slaps my ass. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Epilogue

Dean

Ever since Grace came into my life, it’s been non-stop action. Her chaos brings me a special kind of peace that nothing compares to. We’re one of the most viral couples on the internet, which is not without its challenges, but I am absolutely honored that I get to love her in front of the world. I’m sure her mother watches us. And the haters. I want everyone to see how much she glows when she’s treated right.

My girl is a golden sunflower.

Her brothers are amazing and accepting. The first time we met, Oscar tackled Jackson to the ground, which Grace swears she trained her to do. Pretty little liar. And Mason is seriously one of my most favorite people on the planet.

Bear Creek Cabins started trending online just after we rolled out a series of renovation videos. We called it “Out with the old, in with the view.” Cringy, but our followers gobbled it up.

I’m proud to say that the money Stella dropped into my bank account more than covered the demolitions, plus the pool, a new pavilion for the guests, and a sweet little check-in lodge that Grace decorated herself.

We’ve leveled up around here, ladies and gentlemen.

Nick helped us with all of it and I was able to pay him. He refused at first, saying the thirst trap content he was posting the whole time more than made him enough money, but I still gave him a fat check. He deserves every penny and more, but it was all I had left. I hope it’s enough to help him chase his own dreams.

Next weekend is the official start of summer and the first weekend Bear Creek Cabins will be open for business.

I’ve hired Sindra’s two oldest kids to help me take care of the property, plus three other folks from in town. This way, nothing falls through the cracks anymore, and I have time to breathe and live my best life with Grace.

Damn, that woman is fine as fuck.

Wild.

Murdery.

Terrifyingly unpredictable.

She said she came to Bear Creek Cabins to find herself. That’s how this whole thing started between us, but… I believe she just needed a safe space tobeherself.

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