Page 18 of Comforted By The Mountain Man
“I pay attention. It’s what I do. All my life. I watch people and see behind the masks they wear. You are scared, and surviving, and holding it together, and you love that boy with your entire being. I see it.”
I sniff back the ugly cry that wants to finally unleash again.
“Life hands us shit sometimes. No matter how much we plan for different things and try to make them happen. We’re dealt the cards we’re dealt, and we make choices. We’re also human. Flawed and beautiful at the same time. We’re all capable of learning from experiences.”
“Have I learned from mine?” I challenge.
“You’re here, aren’t you? You accepted dinner with my family. Baby steps, Brown Eyes.”
Overwhelmed with wanting to believe every word and throw myself in his arms, I whisper, “Asher.”
He takes my face in his hands again and firmly kisses my forehead, whispering against my skin, “One day at a time.”
Pulling away, he steps back, takes my hand, and grins. “Let’s go get your little guy.”
“And then,Hulk smash smash Abominable’s face and he goes flying,” Ryder explains in high decibels, throwing himself on the couch to demonstrate.
I swear, this kid will never need caffeine in the morning.
“Grab your shoes, baby. Grace is about to get here,” I run around, finding my own shoes after digging through my duffel bag, desperately trying to find a decent outfit for work. Not working with much here.
“Gracie!” Ryder squeals, running to his room for his shoes.
Last night, after that thrilling, confusing, intoxicating encounter with Asher, we grabbed an already half-asleep Ryder and said our goodbyes. Asher drove us back and insisted on sticking around while I bathed Ryder in the actual bath, just to confirm the pipes would hold.
The entire bath, Ryder sang Princess Gracie’s praises, then fell asleep mumbling about the Avengers he met today. Asher was leaning on Ryder’s door frame as I tucked my son in and kissed him goodnight.
Respectfully, he didn’t linger after that. Not letting me argue, he stated he’d take me to the Distillery and back until he got his brother to look at the old pickup I drove in. I don’t like the charity but I can’t deny I have no clue what state that truck is in. It’s a miracle it got me across an entire state and into the mountains.
Grace arrives and like a pro, sets up Ryder’s car seat in her SUV.
“Oh,” she says. “Give me your number,” she holds out her phone.
I stare. No one other than Oscar, a couple of the girls from the clubhouse, and two MC members have my phone number. Should I change my number?
Oh, God. I’m under Oscar’s plan.
Is that easily traceable?
“Whoa, hey,” Grace’s calming voice speaks so only I can hear. “Take a deep breath in, Sierra.”
With panicked eyes, I stare into her seaform green ones, hoping she could read my mind and give me the answers.
“Breathe with me,” she says, holding my hand.
Together, we inhale and exhale until the battering ram in my chest slows. I look down at the phone in my hand like it’s a ticking bomb.
“I think I need a new phone,” I whisper what was meant for myself, but she heard.
Understanding sets in her face. “How about this. Asher’s picking you up, right?” I nod. “We have each other’s number. You need anything, want an update, twenty updates, call or text me from his phone.”
“Okay,” I agree softly.
“How about for now, we turn yours off. Your phone is old enough to remove the battery. Keep it in the cabin. We’ll get you a new one.”
I’m about to tell her I can’t afford it when she squeezes my hand again.
“Consider it my housewarming gift.”
