Page 76 of Single Mom's Mountain Men
"You do?"
They all nod.
"If it helps," Mitch points out. "You can consider it a perk of the job. I’m not paying you all that much anyway."
"You’re paying more than enough for the work I’m doing."
"I don’t think so. What you do is invaluable. It’s more than just cooking and cleaning, Patty. It’s like you’re turning this house into a home."
The statement hits me deep, where that old insecurity still lies, along with that dream of having a family and a home of my own. Emotion mounts so quickly that I have to turn away sharply so they don’t see the tears forming in my eyes.
"Thank you for saying that." I say in a hoarse voice.
"And we mean it," Charlie finally says gently. I hear him walking up behind me and he presses a kiss against my hair. "You mean a lot to us. You and the girls. And to be clear, even if we weren’t hooking up the offer still stands. We just want to take care of you.”
He says it in a quiet tone, but it's as impactful as a bomb, setting my emotions in disarray. Nothing has shaken me quitethis much before, a powerful emotion reaching into my chest and taking hold.
I think about the words when I go to sleep with my girls in my arms, and Wiley curled up at the foot of the bed, the place he has carved out as his own at night.
I also remember it when I wake up before dawn, walking outside to stare at the dark blue sky, with just a hint of orange peaking on the horizon. A gentle gust of fresh mountain breeze surrounds me, and I close my eyes, drawing in the scent of pine trees.
So nice and peaceful.
They gave this to me. My mountain men.
Not only are they so sweet and respectful to me, they’ve given me this home, full of peace and joy and love. They did this and asked for nothing in return.
We just want to take care of you.
God, how could I not love them?
I close my eyes, turning my face up to the sky. Wind rustles my hair, the emotion in my heart bubbling up and overwhelming me.
I know I shouldn’t, know that I don’t deserve them, know that it’s wrong. But I can’t deny how I feel. I love them.
All of them..
A rumble of sound breaks my concentration and my eyes open to find Wes approaching on his bike.
"What are you doing up so early?" he asks grinning.
I shrug. "Just wanted some fresh air. You?"
"Same," he says. "I was itching for a ride before Mitch wakes up and starts with his bullshit again. What do you think?"
I cock my head. "What do I think?"
"Yeah. You wanna come with me?"
My eyes pop wide. "You want me to get on that thing?"
He laughs. "It’s not a thing. Her name is Gemma and she's as gentle as can be. Hop on. I’ll go nice and slow, don’t worry."
I open my mouth to tell him no thanks, but then my hesitation hangs in the air. Curiosity takes over.
I have always wanted to try bike riding despite the danger. And Wes is giving me a beseeching look that’s difficult to refuse.
"Alright," I say.
