Page 8 of Courage of the Mountain
“I’ve had a couple of restless nights,” she says, her words carefully measured. I get the sense that she’s used to brushing over things, probably for Hayden’s benefit. Lily has always been thoughtful and tender-hearted. I could absolutely see her sparing her brother the sordid details as a way to protect him. I want to be the one she trusts with all of her secrets; I just don’t know how.
“You can talk to me, Lily. Whatever you say will stay between us. Hayden is my best friend, but I’m here for you, too.”
I worry I said too much, but then Lily tilts her head to the side as her eyes bore into mine. She’s picking me apart, piece by piece, and I pray to all the gods I can think of that she finds me worthy of her trust.
“How did you…?” Her voice is soft, and I wonder if she meant to say that out loud. Lily clears her throat, looking down at her hands and then back up to meet my gaze. “I’m sure I’m just overreacting,” she hedges. I’m not having any of that shit.
“Let me be the judge of that,” I tell her with a smile. “It couldn’t hurt to have a second opinion, right?”
The beautiful woman I can’t stop thinking about chews on her bottom lip as she debates what to say. Eventually, she sighs and nods her head.
“A few nights ago, I heard some strange noises outside,” she starts. “I was upstairs in my apartment. I swear I heard them again, but this time from inside the store.”
I grit my teeth as my heart thrashes against my ribcage. I should have been here. She should have called. I remember we don’t have each other’s numbers, and I plan to fix that as soon as she’s done telling me what happened.
“I came down to check it out, but no one was here. It must have freaked me out more than I thought, because I’ve been waking myself up in the middle of the night, absolutely convinced someone is prowling around outside.” She takes a deep breath, and I follow suit. I need to calm down so she can tell me more. “So, like I said. I’m just being paranoid. I’ve been dealing with a real estate company that wants to buy up my store, and I think that anxiety manifested itself into stress dreams. That has to be it.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
She lifts a trembling hand to her face, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. When she rests it on the counter, I cover her hand with mine. A soft gasp escapes her lips as I wrap my fingers around her much smaller, delicate hand.
“Your safety is important, Lily,” I tell her in the calmest voice I can manage with all the possessive thoughts racing through mymind. “I wish I knew what you were dealing with. It doesn’t sit right with me that you didn’t have anyone to call.”
She shrugs, but her fingers curl around mine as she squeezes me for reassurance. “There wasn’t much to report. I guess I’m used to charging into battle alone, and this felt no different.” Her eyes go wide at her confession, and she stares at me like she just said something scandalous. “Please don’t tell Hayden I said that,” she begs. “It would kill him. I’m fine. I promise. I’m…”
“Hey, take a breath, sweetheart.” I try not to think about why I called her that or how easily it rolled off my tongue. “I told you, whatever we talk about stays between us. I’m sorry you’ve been alone for so long, but you’re not by yourself anymore. You have me.”
“But… why? Out of obligation to my brother?”
“I wish it were that simple,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” I’m quick to recover. “I care about you all on my own, with or without any loyalty to Hayden.” My stomach twists as I think about how disloyal my thoughts about Lily have been. Hayden wouldn’t hesitate to knock my teeth out if he knew all the filthy things I want to do with his sister. But I don’t just want her in my bed. I want her in my life forever.
“Well, um… thanks,” she says before slipping her hand from beneath mine. I don’t like not touching her, but I can give her space if that’s what she needs. For now. “Anyway, have you tried any recipes from your new cookbook?”
I give her this out. She’s already shared more than I thought she would. “Actually, I’ve been eating out the last couple of nights,” I admit. “I just moved into my new place and haven’t had time to go grocery shopping.”
“Totally understandable,” Lily says, the spark returning to her eyes now that we’re not focused on her. “Where is the new house? I meant to ask the last time you were here.”
“It’s on the edge of town, at the end of North Alpine Drive.”
“Oh my gosh, the house with cute teal double doors and a breathtaking view of the valley?”
I grin, knowing I’m going to keep the hideous teal doors if she likes them. I’ll get new siding in the same color and figure out how to get a teal roof as well. I’m such a goner for her, and I’m almost done fighting it.
“That’s the one,” I confirm.
“I’m so jealous!” Lily exclaims. “That wraparound porch is the stuff of dreams, especially with the babbling brook cutting through the property. It’s kind of silly, but whenever I’m reading a book that describes a dream home, that’s the one I picture.”
Jesus, it’s like she’s reaching into my mind and drawing out all of my deepest desires. I want her there with me. I somehow bought her dream house, and if that’s not a major fucking sign from the universe, I don’t know what is.
“That’s high praise coming from you,” I tell her with a sappy smile.
“I don’t know about that. I mean, I’m just trying my best to keep up on repairs and upgrades at the store. I don’t have a lot of time or energy to work on my apartment, but that’s okay. I spend most of my time down here anyway.”
“Lily, what you’ve accomplished with Between the Pages is incredible.” Her eyes snap to mine, with a mix of disbelief and longing buried just beneath the surface. It’s like she’s soaking up my praise, and once again, I get that painful pit in my chest when I think about her being all alone. “Seriously. Look at what you’ve done.” I sweep my hand out, gesturing to the store. “I can’t imagine taking over a business, let alone rejuvenating the place and making it flourish. I can tell you poured your heart and soul into making this work. You have to give yourself more credit. You’re strong, smart, and badass, even on the days you don’t feel like it.”
