Page 28 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
My laptop sits in my duffel bag, and I pull it out with shaking hands. I need to start planning for the possibility that this arrangement won't work out. That means job applications, apartment searches, backup plans for when Rosco realizes what he's gotten himself into.
The internet connection is strong, and within minutes I'm scrolling through job listings in Vancouver, Calgary, anywhere that's not here. Remote work positions that would let me disappear again if necessary. My business degree might not be much, but it's something.
I'm deep in crafting a cover letter when my phone finally rings. Rosco's name flashes on the screen, and I snatch it up immediately.
"How's your worker?" I ask without preamble. "Stable. Broken leg, possible concussion, but he'll be okay." His voice sounds tired, strained. "I'm dealing with safety inspectors and insurance right now. It's going to be a long day."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault. These things happen in construction." There's a pause, and I hear voices in the background. "Listen, I might not make it back until late tonight. I already called Jordyn to cancel dinner. There's food in the fridge."
"Of course." The casual way he's rearranging our plans, like my time doesn't matter, makes my chest tighten. "I understand."
"Do you? You sound upset."
"I'm not upset. Just... processing what this life looks like."
"Gia, what's wrong? Talk to me." Everything, I want to say. This is moving too fast, feeling too real, and I'm terrified I'm setting myself up for another fall. "Nothing. Just tired."
"Get some rest. I'll see you tonight. And Gia? We’re solid, don’t overthink this."
The words should be reassuring, but instead they make the walls I'm trying to build feel flimsy and inadequate. "I’m not."
He hangs up before I can say more, and I'm left staring at my phone with a hollow feeling in my chest. Already the easy intimacy of last night feels like a dream. Reality is emergency calls and long days and me sitting alone in his house wondering if I'm making another terrible mistake.
I close the laptop and try to focus on something else, but the doubts keep circling. What do I really know about Rosco Kane? That he's good in bed, protective, and makes excellent coffee. That his family seems to like me and he wants to marry me.
But wanting to marry me for practical reasons isn't the same as loving me. And good sex doesn't guarantee a good marriage.
The day stretches endlessly. I try reading, napping, even attempting to cook something for dinner, but nothing settles the anxiety churning in my stomach. By evening, I'm pacing the living room like a caged animal, jumping at every sound.
When headlights finally sweep across the windows around ten pm, relief floods through me so intensely it's almost painful. I'm at the door before Rosco's even out of his truck, needing to see for myself that he's okay.
He looks exhausted, covered in sawdust and wearing the weight of the day in his shoulders. But he's here, safe, and when he sees me waiting, his whole face lights up.
"Hey, sweetheart." He wraps his arms around me, and I breathe in his scent, letting it calm the panic that's been building all day. "Sorry I'm so late."
"How's Tommy?"
"Going to be fine. Surgery went well, and he'll be back to work in a few months." He pulls back to study my face. "You okay? You look..."
"Worried sick about you." The admission slips out before I can stop it.
"I'm sorry. I should have called more, kept you updated. This is all new for me too, having someone to come home to."
"Is it? New, I mean?"
"Completely new." His hands frame my face. "I've never had anyone worry about me before. Never had someone waiting for me at the end of a long day. I'm still learning how to be a husband."
"We're not married yet."
"We will be tomorrow." He kisses me softly. "Speaking of which, I have a surprise."
"What kind of surprise?"
"The kind where my family took over planning our wedding because they decided you needed something special since you don't have family here."
My chest tightens. "Rosco, you didn't have to..."
