Page 17 of Mountain Man's Longing
“I should go,” Brenna says suddenly, already inching backward.
“Already? But we just—”
“I’m tired from the drive,” she cuts him off then adds more gently, “And it’s been a big day.”
Eric nods, understanding flickering in his eyes. “Of course. Where are you staying? Serenity Slopes? I can pick you up there tomorrow for our hike.”
“Actually, I’m at a rental cabin. Out of town.”
My blood runs cold.
“A rental?” Eric says, surprised. “Where?”
Brenna hesitates, shooting me a quick sidelong look before answering. “A few miles out of Wildwood. There was a pottery wheel on the back patio in the pictures I saw online, and I…just couldn't resist.”
Eric’s brow furrows, and he rubs his jaw. “A pottery wheel…” His voice trails off, and I practically see him trying to place a memory. “That sounds familiar.”
I rock from side to side on my feet. Brenna’s perceptive green eyes narrow as she studies my face. I see the exact moment realization dawns. Her father likely knows there’s a pottery wheel at my rental. Her lips part in a small gasp.
“It was nice to meet you,” I say quickly, hoping to distract Eric. “But you should get some rest. Your father’s hikes are legendary, but they’re long if you’re not used to them.”
Eric’s gaze drops to her feet. “Do you have any hiking boots? If not, I can—”
“I’m set, thank you.”
“Of course. Can I pick you up in the morning?”
She sucks in a breath. “How about I meet you at your counter again? Say nine o’clock?”
“I can’t wait.”
She moves to leave then pauses and turns back to me. “It was nice meeting you, too, Graham.”
The way she says my name, with a hint of something that could be longing or accusation, makes me want to follow her out the door.
But I don’t. Eric settles back onto his stool, shaking his head. “Can you believe it? My daughter.”
I force myself to sit across from him, my hands still clenched into fists. But Eric doesn’t notice. He’s staring into his water glass, his thumb stroking the side as his voice turns thoughtful. “Whatever happened in the city, with her family growing up… I don’t know, but she’s looking for something here. Something real.”
The irony cuts deep. She found something real, all right. She found me.
“I’m thinking of asking her to stay,” Eric continues. “She said she’s never felt like she belonged down there.”
My heart trips over itself. I’d give anything for Brenna to stay, but the knowledge comes with a sick twist in my gut because I’ve already stepped on the landmine. Eric’s talking about forever while I’m counting down to the explosion.
Chapter ten
Brenna
My grip on the wheel tightens as I roll over the dirt road into the parking spot by the rental cabin. Graham’s old truck is parked up next to his own cabin, which means he’s around here somewhere.
After what happened at the brewery a few hours ago, I half expected to find my suitcase sitting out here waiting for me. But there’s no luggage in sight, just a freshly swept front porch that gives me hope even as my heart aches from his rejection.
A woodpecker hammers somewhere nearby as I climb out of my Range Rover. The rich scent of pine needles fills my lungs as I trudge through the still muddy meadow toward his cabin, confusion and hurt twisting in my stomach. How could the man who held me so tenderly last night pretend not to know me earlier today?
I knock, but there’s no answer. Frustration builds under my skin as I peer through the window. What? He could rescue me last night, whisper sweet things in my ear, but now that he knows I’m Eric’s daughter, he can’t even face me?
I try the handle, and the door opens.
