Page 17 of Comforted By The Mountain Man
All the Hunter brothers, honestly, are too good looking for their own good. And while they welcomed us in with warmth and honesty, the hidden shadows and secrets they carry behind their eyes felt kindred and familiar.
Asher continues, even with my spiraling silence. “Grace told me she let you know that she’d love to watch Ryder for you when you head into the distillery. Ezra has a company laptop he’s going to give you tomorrow so you don’t always have to come in. You can work from home.”
“I don’t have internet,” I say, wanting to address all the ways I’m not right for the job.
“We can get that situated for you this week. In the meantime, it’ll be best if you familiarize yourself with the place. And since you’re stepping in for my family when we needed it, I’ll work on getting the parts to overhaul the pipes, and Beckett doeswoodwork and carpentry. He’s offered to help slowly renovate the areas with water damage.”
My head is already shaking before he’s finished. “That’s too much, Asher. No. I can’t accept that.”
“You haven’t experienced much kindness, no strings attached, have you?” he asks with a piercing gaze.
Immediately, my emotions lock up, and my facial expression shuts down. I turn to walk past him, looking out at the dark silhouette the mountains paint in the distance.
“I just want to understand. Help,” he says. “You look like you carry a heavy weight on your shoulders; every moment, of every day.”
My heart, feeling too big for my chest, my mind too tangled with scenarios, causes me to bite back, “And what? You want to save me,” I sneer, facing him, holding back tears.
Because, I do. I desperately want the promise of this man to be true and for him to take me and Ryder away from all bad things. Which is stupid. Childish. I’m angry more at myself for hoping.
Asher stands still, watching me before something shifts. He walks right up to me, and I hold my breath as his hands gently take hold of my face.
“No,” his voice rumbles. “You can save yourself. Hell. I have a feeling you already have. More than once before.”
Shit. I’m going to cry.
“Even heroes need friends,” he says, his calloused thumb brushing my cheeks. “Even with the task of saving the entire world, which they’re capable of doing just fine, they need people to have their backs from time to time.”
Asher leans in and whispers, “You don’t have to survive alone.”
“I do,” I choke. “You have no idea,” I whisper roughly.
“You’re safe here, Sierra. Both of you. You don’t have to run anymore.”
The battle with tears wins out and strays escape down my cheeks, waiting for Asher’s fingers to catch them.
“You don’t have to trip over lies and half-truths here,” he says and my body locks. “Southern Cal, Northern Cal? You suck at lying, Brown Eyes.”
I’d panic but the hint of a smile on his lips settle the anxious storm building. I breath his soft exhales in until our chests rise and fall in synced rhythm. Asher’s green eyes, that even in the dark shine, flicker to my lips. His thumb, ever close, caresses outside my lower lip causing a gasp to stutter my lungs.
The quietest, deep rumble vibrates from within him and holy hell, my core just clenched like never before. Instantly, a heat spreads below, and my heart races.
Dropping his forehead on mine, he sharply releases air from his nose then gently pulls away, dropping his hands. I feel suspended in air and one wrong move, I’ll drop from high up, falling flat on the ground. And that’s when he takes my hand.
He begins walking us back to the cabin. More of my walls fall.
“I told you the truth earlier. I lived in Southern California,” I keep my voice low as though sharing these secrets could rock worlds. I guess, it could. Mine and Ryder’s.
“His father was involved with not good people,” I confess. “And it got him killed.”
Asher keeps his eyes forward but his hand squeezes mine, giving me strength to confide a little. Test it out. See if the ground falls out from under me if I do.
“And are you and Ryder in danger?” he asks, his voice tense, holding back what I feel is anger radiating from his body. Only, I know it’s not toward me.
“I want better for Ryder,” I say instead. “I want him to know good people. Look up to good men. Have different experiencesthan I’ve allowed his first four years of life.” My voice cracks with shame at the end.
“Hey,” Asher stops and faces me, taking my shoulders in his hands. “You are a wonderful mother.”
“You don’t know me, Asher,” I say, giving a self-deprecating smile.
