Page 118 of Mountain Daddy

The town shows up for Sugar and Spice. Not just shows up—they flood the place. Three days of cleaning, repainting, and refurnishing, and you'd hardly know someone tried to destroy my life here.

The reopening has turned into an impromptu street fair. Tables spill onto the sidewalk. Music floats through open doors. I watch it all like I'm dreaming, because none of it feels real.

Not the bakery rising from ashes.

Not the man passing donuts through the crowd.

Not the little boy who calls said man Dad.

“Need help with those?” Mrs. Chen asks, pointing to the tray of cupcakes I'm arranging.

“I've got it,” I say sweetly. She’s too old. The fact that she cares is more than my heart can handle.

The mayor's strung fairy lights across the street. Someone's brought a portable speaker that pumps out country songs.There's a table for face painting, and Chleo's already got a dragon painted across his cheek.

Nikolai crosses the bakery, sets down a tray of apple cider. His shoulders are tense. I notice he's always watching the street.

“You okay?” he asks, when I draw closer.

I nod. Lie. Don’t want him to know I’m always terrified. “Just overwhelming.”

His fingers brush mine as he takes the empty tray. My hand feels a buzz. God, I always miss him.

Even when he’s near, I miss him. His hands on my skin. His breath in places I won’t name.

“They love you,” he says, nodding toward the crowd. “All of them.”

He's right. The whole town came together to help rebuild.

Men with hammers.

Women with paintbrushes.

Teenagers with the cool factor.

Even the hardware store donated supplies. But none of them know whatreallyhappened. Who the sweet helpful man on my arm, the one with the piercing green eyes, really is.

Chleo races past, chasing a pack of local kids in a game of tag.

“Careful!” I call after him.

Nikolai's hand finds the small of my back. Steadying. “He's okay. I've got eyes on him.”

“I know.” I lean into his touch. “I just?—”

He squeezes my hip. “Trust me.”

And I do. That's the craziest part of all this. I trust this dangerous man completely. Trust him with my life. With my son's life.

The high school band starts playing something upbeat. People clear space for dancing. Nikolai's hand is still on my back, warm and solid, when Rosa appears beside us. A slight concussion but she insists she’s fit as a fiddle.

“Well, look at you two,” she says, eyebrows waggling. “Playing house already.”

My cheeks heat. “Rosa?—”

“Save it.” She waves me off. “Listen, I'll take Chleo tonight. Bring him to the cabin tomorrow.”

Nikolai's eyebrows rise slightly.

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