Page 122 of Stuck with my Mountain Daddies

She looked like hell and war all at once. Cheeks flushed, curls escaping from that braid she always wore when she meant business. Scarf hanging off one shoulder like it had barely survived.

But it was the look in her eyes that said everything.

That feral, wild gleam. The one that meant someone had made a mistake.

I didn’t even try to hide my smirk. “Dare I ask?”

Lucy gave me a sharp smile and peeled off her coat. “Let’s just say Ava’s gonna need new heels. And maybe thicker skin.”

Damn, I wish I’d seen it.

The thought of Lucy going nuclear outside Sweet Maple almost took the edge off the fury still humming under my skin. Almost.

Riley turned to her, wide-eyed. “You didn’t?—”

“She deserved worse,” Lucy cut in. “But I figured you didn’t need me getting arrested in the middle of town, so I showed restraint. You’re welcome.”

A few people chuckled. Even I bit back a grin. Barely.

Then Lucy crossed the room and dropped to her knees in front of Riley as if gravity didn’t apply to her.

Took Riley’s hands. Held them tight.

“You okay?”

Riley hesitated. “I think so.”

“That’s enough for now.”

And then Lucy pulled her into a hug. No questions. No permission asked.

Only full-hearted, fireproof loyalty. The kind that doesn’t wait.

“You didn’t deserve any of that,” she murmured into her hair. “And if you ever forget it, I’ll remind you. Loudly. With cursing. Possibly on a billboard.”

Riley didn’t flinch. She leaned in.

Softened. Like Lucy was the last piece she needed to feel safe enough to exhale.

And yeah, there was a conversation coming. One I hadn’t forgotten.

But that could wait.

Right now, Riley was in the center of the wreckage. And she wasn’t alone.

Not anymore.

And Lucy was exactly who Riley needed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Riley

I didn’t crywhen Lucy and I pulled up to the cabin.

I thought I might. I expected that flood of emotion, that cinematic swell in my chest as the trees parted and the familiar outline came into view.

But all I felt was the quiet ache of relief. My body exhaled at long last.

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