Page 98 of Bossy Mountain Daddies
The fear of judgment, of humiliation, of being the subject of cruel gossip—it suddenly seems so much smaller, so much less important than what I have right here.
"Thank you," I say, looking between them. "For doing that. For standing up for me even after I left."
"We care about you, Skye," Ford says simply. "That didn't stop when you got in your car and drove away."
The sincerity in his voice makes my eyes sting with tears. "I don't deserve you guys."
"Probably not," Buck teases, making me laugh. "But you're stuck with us now."
"Promise?" I ask, and I'm not just being cute. I need to hear it.
"Promise," Griff says, his voice steady and sure.
"For as long as you want us," Ford adds.
"All of us," Buck finishes, his arm still warm around my shoulders.
I look around at these three incredible men who've somehow become the center of my world in such a short time. Thisunlikely family we're creating, this unconventional love that shouldn't work but somehow does.
"I think I'm going to want you for a very long time," I admit, my voice soft but certain.
Buck grins, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Good thing we're not going anywhere."
Outside, the night wraps around Ford's house like a protective blanket. Inside, I'm surrounded by warmth and acceptance and a love I never expected to find.
Chapter 29
Skye
Istand in front of the mirror, adjusting my blouse for what must be the tenth time. My stomach twists with a familiar anxiety—not the butterfly flutter of excitement, but the heavy weight of dread. Today is the Flounder Ridge Harvest Festival, and for the first time, I'll be attending a public event with all three of my men. Together. As a unit. The thought alone makes my palms sweat.
I thought I was finished with these uncomfortable feelings, but apparently I’m not.
"You ready, babe?" Buck calls from the other room. I can hear the television on in the background—some football game Griff's been watching before we head out.
"Almost," I call back, though I'm as ready as I'll ever be. It's not my outfit I'm fussing with at this point, but my courage.
What will people say when they see us together? Will they whisper behind our backs? Make snide comments? I've finally made peace with our unconventional relationship, but that doesn't mean everyone else will. Daniel may have promised to stop posting about us online, but that doesn't protect us from old-fashioned small-town gossip.
I take a deep breath and move away from the mirror. They're waiting for me in the living room—Buck in a blue flannel that brings out his eyes, Griff in a dark henley that hugs his broad shoulders, and Ford in a soft gray sweater that looks ridiculously good on him. The sight of them together still takes my breath away sometimes.
"Worth the wait," Ford says with a soft smile when he sees me.
"You look beautiful," Griff adds, his eyes warming as they take me in.
Buck just grins and wraps an arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my temple. "Ready to eat our weight in funnel cake?"
I laugh despite my nerves. "As ready as I'll ever be."
I stare out the window during the drive to the festival grounds, watching Flounder Ridge roll by. The massive mountains loom in the background, and as always, they take my breath away.
Griff parks in a field that's been turned into a makeshift lot, already filled with cars and trucks. The festival sounds reach us as soon as we step out of the truck—music, laughter, shrieks from one of the carnival rides set up on the edge of the grounds.
"Here we go," I murmur, more to myself than to them.
Ford's hand finds mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. "We can leave anytime you want," he says quietly, reading my anxiety. "Just say the word."
I squeeze his hand gratefully. "I'm okay. Just a little nervous."
