Page 12 of Hooked By the Mountain Man

"There you are! How are you feeling?" Miranda envelops me in a big hug, and something about her warmth and scent causes the prick of tears to start at the back of my eyes. By the time she pulls back, fat drops are running down my cheeks, and I can't shut off the spigot.

"Oh, no. Oh, Brynn. What's wrong? Do we need to go to the doctor?" Miranda pushes my hair off my face as I start sobbing too hard to respond.

Betty, Miranda's pseudo-grandmother who cusses like a sailor and basically runs Duhring Park, gently urges me to sit at the table next to her. She hands me some water and rubs smallcircles on my back as I try to get control of myself. "Brynn, dear. Tears like those are usually caused by one thing. So tell me, sweetheart. What man do we need to bury before we head back?"

I finally laugh, still sniffling, and then pull back in alarm at the look on Betty's face. "Are you serious? Nobody. No!"

I turn to Miranda who simply shrugs. "She'll shank someone in the kidney for you, Brynn."

Betty nods seriously and tilts her head. "And I won't even ask if he deserved it."

I stare at Betty for a moment too long before whispering, "Please don't bury anybody for me."

"Another time, then." Betty settles her napkin on her lap and reaches for a roll.

I shake my head, glancing at Miranda's wedding planner, Violet, who looks like a deer caught in headlights. She's new to Duhring Park. I have a feeling it's growing on her, though, because she finally shrugs and says softly, "Women need to stick together."

Betty nods at her approvingly.

"Is this about a guy, Brynn?" Miranda asks gently.

"Yes. He doesn't deserve to be buried, though," I add quickly, my eyes darting to Betty to make sure she heard me. "I've met someone, and he's going to ruin everything. I need to focus on my career, and he's intense, and smart, and so very...sexy."

"Aw, don't make me bury a sexy man. What a waste." Betty grimaces.

Ignoring the casual murder comments, I look at my future-sister-in-law in a panic. "I don't have time for him, Miranda."

"Brynn, itispossible to find someone on your specific timeline. But it isnotalways possible to findthe oneon your timeline." Miranda holds my hands, speaking gently but she leans down, forcing me to meet her gaze. "If he's the right one, he'll value what you value, and if that's your career, he'll makeit his priority too." She clears her throat before continuing. "I'm not sure if you know this, but I didn't think I had time for your brother when he came into my life a few years ago."

I grin at her and raise my eyes in surprise. "Cole called me the day he started his new job in Duhring Park and told me he'd found the love of his life. He didn't say you fought him on it."

"Sounds about right," Miranda laughs. "I was a fool to push him away. He's everything I needed and more."

I nod, looking out the window as I contemplate what she's said.

"Have you talked to this guy about your concerns?" Violet asks, and I shake my head.

"We haven't really had time to...talk," I admit, and my cheeks heat when Betty gives me a knowing wink. I shake my head, suddenly embarrassed by my tears and desperate to change the topic. "Thank you, guys. You've given me a lot to think about. Let's eat, and then you can show me what you found for the wedding."

A few hours later, I walk up to my cabin with Ethan's car still in my driveway, and my heart flutters.

When I open the front door, Ethan stands from my little couch, his intense gaze making it harder for me to breathe already.

"You're up," I whisper breathily.

"You left," Ethan responds, clenching his jaw even as his eyes travel down my body in a slow perusal.

No doubt about it, this man loves my curves.

"I had to meet some friends for lunch. I figured you needed to sleep." I hang my purse on one of the hooks by the front door and turn to face him.

He starts to walk toward me, but I put up a hand to stop him. "Ethan, I need to say something, and I can't have you touching me when I do."

He pauses and then gives me a sharp nod, but he doesn't sit down.

"I love my job. I want to have a career in hotels and resorts. I don't have the energy to be a random summer fling, and I don't have time for games. So, if that's what this is to you," I say, gesturing between the two of us before continuing, "you need to leave me alone."

"You done?" Ethan growls, and my stomach flutters because everything about his intense possessiveness gets me hot and bothered.

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