Page 26 of Wolfish Heart
Iswear, I’m living in a fairy tale. Who ends up with everything they could have ever wanted?
I didn’t do anything special to deserveanyof this. But I did take a chance.
Strolling hand-in-hand through Old Hemlock Valley with my gorgeous mountain man, greeting everyone we pass, I’m so glad I was brave enough to do that.
I knew that if I stayed at Mom’s I wouldn’t be able to separate enough to do those videos well. It would come out as a copy of her instead of being infused with my personality.
The first few of them have already been posted on her site and are a gigantic hit. That would’ve been reward enough for taking off to live at Cousin Henry’s up here on Wolfe Mountain, yet I also found myself a Wolfe – a gorgeous, kind, generous man who showers me with attention and love. I swear, he’s single-handedly boosted my confidence more than I could have ever imagined.
Kaden squeezes my fingers, dipping to kiss the top of my head. “Do you need anything at Tidy’s?”
“No, I think we’re good.”
We continue on another block to see his brother Kingston leaning against the side of Kaden’s truck. My guy releases my hand to unlock it and pull out a small silver hard drive. “Tag. You’re it.”
Kingston chuckles. He looks a lot like Kaden – tall, broad-shouldered, with dark brown hair and eyes. Yet he’s always a bit…smoother, I guess you’d say. Not flashy or anything, but his clothing is more stylish.
Kaden smirks at his brother. “Nice shirt. Is that one of those fancy ones that’s worth more than my truck?”
Kingston glowers, which would look ferocious except for the twinkle in his eye. I’m coming to learn that these brothers have a tendency to turn play-feral whenever they think it’s hilarious.
“We can’t all score a hot chick just by walking down the street,” he grumbles. He’s already heard the tale of how Kaden and I met in front of Tidy’s Department Store. “Some of us have to actually put in a little effort to find a lady. “
Kaden pokes him in the chest. “I’ll thank you for not referring to my future wife as a hot chick.” He winks at me. “She’s the hot-testchick in the universe, and don’t you forget it.”
We all laugh, then I reach out to tap Kingston’s arm. “Hey, I’ll keep an eye out for you. If I find the spot where cute young women hang out, I promise I’ll call you.”
His eyes light up. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.” He elbows Kaden’s bicep. “When you’re done with that drive, fire it over to Kai in two days.”
I will never understand the system of how the five of them back up files and trade information. Maybe there isn’t one, just chaos that can’t be tracked. Sibling mind-reading.
Kingston walks away toward his car as Kaden opens my door. Then he cages me against the seat, his thick arms slipping around me to caress my lower back, giving me instant chills. “I love you so much. I almost feel guilty to have found you,” he confesses, his eyes blazing. “My brothers and I have always shared everything. But there’s always been a lot more men than women up here on the mountain.”
“I’ll definitely do everything I can to help him find someone.”
Kaden hugs me close, as I glance past his shoulder at the rolling hills and forests of this incredible place where I now live. Building our love. Our future.
I haven’t been here long, but it already feels like home. My heart belongs here, on Wolfe Mountain, with my own sexy Wolfe who lights me up even more than the purple and scarlet sunsets.
EPILOGUE
KADEN
* Two Years Later *
Ilaugh at the oven mitts covered in a variety of ducks as I pull them off. They were a house “re-warming” gift from Mom when Zoe first moved in.
As the finished lasagna cools on top of the stove, I add a faint final dusting of Parmesan and oregano. My darling wife has been very busy this week, and she taught me how to make this, so I need her to be impressed.
To be fair, I think I’ve been impressing her a lot lately. She was so inspired by the way we updated the school in Old Hemlock Valley that Zoe began looking around at other towns on the mountain. When she heard about the sorry state of the elementary school in Pinesley, she asked if we could help there, too.
Like I would ever say no to my gorgeous girl.
The second I hear her Jeep pull up, I race out to gather her into my arms. “Where were you, baby? More crafting supplies?”
Zoe laughs. “When my craft area isn’t even finished yet?”
I pout. “I’m sorry. I’ll call someone tomorrow, I swear.”
