Page 13 of Emergency with the Mountain Man
Life doesn't get much better than this.
"Morning," I say, padding barefoot to the kitchen where she's wielding my ancient cast-iron skillet with apparent expertise. "This is a nice surprise."
"I figured it was the least I could do after keeping you up half the night." She grins over her shoulder, completely unrepentant about our marathon session of lovemaking.
"I'm not complaining." I wrap my arms around her from behind, pressing a kiss to her neck that makes her shiver. "But you didn't have to cook. I would have been happy to take you to Juniper's for breakfast."
"I wanted to. Besides, your kitchen is amazing. I could get used to cooking in here."
The casual comment sends warmth spiraling through my chest. The idea of Norma getting used to being here, of this becoming routine for us, is everything I've been hoping for.
"Speaking of getting used to things," she says, turning in my arms. "We should probably talk about what happens next."
"What do you want to happen next?"
"I want to keep seeing you. Officially, publicly, no more pretending this is just friendly small-town hospitality." She takes a breath, gathering courage for what comes next. "I want to see if we can build something real together."
"I want that too. More than anything."
"Even if it means dealing with the inevitable town gossip about the new vet falling for the local logger?"
"Especially if it means that. Let them talk. I want everyone to know you're mine."
The possessiveness in my voice makes her eyes darken with renewed desire, but before I can act on it, her phone buzzes with an incoming call.
"Dr. McKenzie," she answers, professional demeanor sliding into place instantly. "What? When did this happen? Okay, I'll be there in twenty minutes."
She hangs up with a sigh. "Emergency at the Patterson farm. One of their mares is colicking, and it sounds serious."
"Go," I say, already missing her. "Save the horse. I'll be here when you get back."
"Promise?"
"Wild horses couldn't drag me away."
She laughs, standing on tiptoe to kiss me quickly before disappearing into my bedroom to find her clothes. Twenty minutes later, she's gone, leaving me alone with the lingeringscent of her shampoo and the memory of her laughter echoing through my cabin.
I've never been happier in my life.
Several long hours later, Norma returns with that same tired but satisfied expression I'm learning to love. Her face lights up when she sees me working on the cabin's front steps, reinforcing a board that's been loose for months.
"How's the mare?" I ask, setting down my hammer.
"She'll be fine. Mild colic, probably from getting into the grain store. A few hours of walking and some medication got her sorted out." She settles beside me on the step, close enough that our shoulders touch. "You know, I never expected to love this life so much."
"The veterinary practice?"
"All of it. The practice, the town, the mountains..." She looks at me with soft eyes. "You."
My heart skips. "Norma—"
"I know it's fast," she interrupts. "I know we've only known each other three weeks. But sitting in my truck this morning, driving back here to you, I realized something."
"What's that?"
"I'm not scared anymore. Of trusting someone, of opening my heart, of believing in forever. Because it's you, Jake. And you make everything feel possible."
I set down my tools and turn to face her fully. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
