Page 30 of Comforted By The Mountain Man
We make our way inside just as Grayson knocks on the front door. I open it to find my brother looking uncharacteristically tense, a manila folder tucked under his arm.
"Gray. What brings you up the mountain?"
"Need to talk to you about some business stuff." His eyes find Sierra and Ryder, and his expression softens slightly. "Morning, Sierra. Hey there, Ryder."
"Good morning," Sierra replies politely. "I was just about to give Ryder his bath anyway. Come on, baby, let's get you cleaned up."
I catch her arm gently as she passes, pressing a kiss to her cheek without thinking. It's automatic now, natural as breathing. "Take your time. We'll be here."
Sierra's cheeks flush pink but she smiles. "Okay."
I watch them head upstairs, Ryder chattering about whether he can bring Hulk into the bathtub before turning back to find Grayson watching me with an amused expression.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just interesting to see the notorious bachelor Asher Hunter kissing women goodbye like a married man."
I grunt, moving toward the kitchen. "You want coffee?"
"Sure." He follows me, still grinning. "So. Things are getting serious with Sierra."
It's not a question and I don't bother denying it. "Yeah. They are."
"Good for you. She seems like a good woman. Kid's great too."
"They are." I pour two mugs of coffee, handing one to Grayson. "What's with the folder?"
His expression turns serious again. "Got an email yesterday from some environmental protection agency. They want the timber company to submit documentation about our loggingpractices and environmental impact assessments. If we don't comply within thirty days, they're threatening an audit."
I frown. "That's unusual. We follow all the regulations, file all the required reports. Why the sudden interest?"
"That's what I want to know. The email was pretty vague, just demanding a bunch of paperwork we've already submitted to the state." He opens the folder, showing me printouts of official-looking documents. "Could be routine but it could also be someone with an agenda."
"We don't have anything to hide, right? All our permits are current, we follow sustainable harvesting practices."
"Of course, we don't have anything to hide. But you know how these things can go. Even if we're completely clean, an audit can tie up operations for months while they go through everything with a fine-tooth comb."
I study the documents, noting the official letterhead and formal language. Something about it feels off but I can't put my finger on what.
"Do what you need to do," I tell him. "Compile whatever they're asking for, make sure everything's documented properly. Better to be overly compliant than give them any reason to dig deeper."
"Already on it. Just wanted to give you a heads up since you're technically part owner."
His phone buzzes and he glances at it with a frown. "Shit. That's the mill foreman. We've got an equipment breakdown." He downs the rest of his coffee in one gulp. "I need to get back."
"Go. And Gray?" I catch his arm as he heads for the door. "Keep me posted on that EPA thing. If someone's targeting the business, I want to know about it."
"Will do." He pauses at the door, his expression softening. "For what it's worth, I'm happy for you. Both of you. That kid upstairs is lucky to have you in his corner."
After he leaves, I stand in the quiet kitchen for a moment, processing. The EPA inquiry bothers me more than I want to admit. The timing feels suspicious, coming just days after Sierra felt like she was being watched. It could be coincidence, but in my experience, coincidences are rare.
The sound of laughter from upstairs pulls me from my brooding thoughts. Sierra and Ryder are having some kind of splashing battle in the bathtub based on the squeals and giggles echoing down the hallway.
This. This is what matters. This woman and this kid who've somehow become my entire world in the span of a week. Whatever's coming, whatever threats might be lurking, I'll handle them. Because that's what families do. They protect each other.
I climb the stairs toward the sound of their laughter, ready to spend the rest of the day doing exactly what we've been doing for the past two days. Being together. Being happy. Being a family.
"Mr. Asher!" Ryder calls out as soon as he hears my footsteps. "Mama says we can have a movie day! Can we watch Hulk again?"
