Page 25 of Don't Want to Fall
“Why?”
“Not the reaction I was expecting,” she mumbles. “Because I love you, dummy. And because I’ve also fallen in love with this town. I’m ready for a fresh start. I want to see where this goes, even though it’s risky. Plus, Tabby told me that the local clinic is looking for a nurse.”
“Tabby?”
“She’s at the lodge, running a few minutes late because of her mom’s wedding stuff. She told me to make sure you don’t take a single bite of that cinnamon roll until she gets here.”
“You’re really staying?”
“Apparently I’m not the only one. Must be something in this fresh mountain air that appeals to city girls.” She leans across the table, lowering her voice. “Or maybe it’s the big, strong mountain men with cocks that dreams are made of who are convincing us to stay.”
“Do you only love me for my cock?” I ask.
“Ialsolove you for your cock.”
“Well, Ialsolove you for that amazing ass.”
“I think you two need this more than I do,” Agnes Collins says, sliding a box onto the table and walking off.
Devin opens the lid as Agnes leaves the bakery, revealing a cupcake with a green, penis-shaped gummy lodged right in the center. White frosting dribbles down the side.
“Who was that?”
“Just one of the many interesting residents of Cinnamon Creek you’ll get to know and love during your forty-to-fifty-year stay.” I cup her cheek, grazing her soft skin with my thumb. Two nights ago, that cheek was covered in mud. She looked every bit as beautiful then as she does now.
“So, here’s the thing.”
“The catch?”
“Well, I’m supposed to check out of my room this morning. In fact, I need to get back to the lodge now to pack up my things. Know anywhere I can stay?”
“I have somewhere in mind.”
“There’s that deadly smile I know and love.”
I’m grinning like a fool, but I don’t care. The idea of waking up every morning with Devin inmybed has me giddy like a fucking teenage boy scoring a date with the prom queen.
“Wait, how did you gethere?” I ask.
“Fred dropped me off.”
I glance out the window, but there’s no sign of the shuttle van. “Maybe I’ll take this cinnamon roll to go and meet Tabby at the lodge. I need to tell her you’re moving in.”
“If it’s too soon, I can find my own place,” she says.
“Maybe you didn’t hear me the first time, baby,” I say, my voice low against her ear as we stand up from the table. “But I’ve claimed you for my own. That means you sleep inmybed. If that part wasn’t clear, I’m more than happy to remind you just as soon as you pack your bags and move them into my bedroom.”
Devin flickers her gaze to mine, a wicked gleam in her emerald eyes. “Promise?”
Epilogue
About a year later…
Devin
The sun lowers over the mountains, casting a warm glow across the landscape. The oranges, yellows, and reds pop against the dark evergreens. This spot on the one-lane wooden bridge will always offer my favorite view, especially in the fall. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect autumn day to marry the love of my life.
“I’m jealous,” Erin says, bumping her shoulder against mine as she joins me on the bridge.
