Page 18 of Her Mountain Man Neighbor
“You don’t need to apologize, Mila.” I hug her back, then flash her a bright smile. “I had an amazing time.”
“Really?” She rests her hands on my shoulders, inspecting me with worried eyes the same color as my own. But her worry quickly gives way to surprise. “Wow…Gracie, you’re literally glowing. What the heck did I miss?”
I grin as I launch into an explanation of everything that has happened between Lucian and me, from the moment he saved me from the river to our night together. As I talk, my sister’s eyes grow wider and wider.
“Holy crap!” she says. “Honestly, there’s just something about this mountain…must be something in the water.”
I laugh, remembering the way Holden and Mila fell for each other instantly when they met out here last month. Maybe she’s right—there really is something special about Cherry Mountain.
“Seriously, though, this is amazing!” Mila continues, grabbing my hand. “I’m so happy for you, Gracie. You deserve this. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thanks.” I squeeze her hand, my heart bursting with affection for my sister. “I love you.”
“I love you too. And don’t forget, you’ll always have a home with me and Holden if you need it.”
My smile falters, confusion taking over. “What do you mean? I’m not moving in with Lucian…he hasn’t asked me.”
“He will.”
“But—”
My reply is cut off by the sound of a truck approaching. My heart flutters when I see Lucian’s shadow in the driver’s seat, and I have to force myself to breathe.
“How do you know?” I ask my sister, my gaze still focused on the truck.
“Trust me, I’ve learned a thing or two about mountain men.” Mila gives me a knowing smile. “They’re possessive as heck. He won’t want to let you go.”
I think back to last night—to what Lucian said before we fell asleep.
“You’re mine now, beautiful. I’m never letting you go.”
The groan of the truck door opening draws me back to the present, and I feel Mila give me a quick squeeze, saying, “I’ll leave you both to it. Text me later, okay?” She slips away before I can reply, hurrying through the trees back to Holden’s cabin.
A second later, Lucian climbs out of his truck, reaching back inside to grab something. Then he straightens up and looks at me. I’m still standing in front of the open door, blinking at him in the morning light. Crisp golden leaves fall to the ground, drifting down like snowflakes as he strides toward me, never once breaking eye contact.
He said he’d never let me go.
And as he holds my gaze, his mouth breaking into a smile beneath his beard, I desperately want to believe him.
10
LUCIAN
The engine humsas I speed through the trees, desperate to get back to Grace. It was almost impossible to leave her this morning—she looked so sweet and peaceful as she slept. But eventually, I headed to Buttercup Bakery and bought some pastries for breakfast, along with a freshly baked cherry pie. I wanted to get something special for Grace.
My Grace.
She’s all I can think about. Memories of last night flash through my mind, making my pulse skitter as I step harder on the gas. I need to see her. There’s something I want us to talk about. Something that’s been swirling around my brain ever since I woke up this morning.
When I finally pull up outside my cabin, my heart soars. Grace is already standing in the doorway.
Perfect timing.
We always seem to find each other at just the right moment.
She’s talking to a young woman who I assume must be her sister, Mila. But my eyes are fixed on Grace. She’s wearing her pajamas from yesterday, her hair tumbling past her shoulders in loose waves, and I stare at her for a moment through the windshield, a deep breath caught in my throat. Part of me stillcan’t believe all this is real. This beautiful woman has turned my world upside down. She’s brought me back to life, made me feel real again with her kind heart and bright smile.
The hell did I do to deserve this angel?
