Page 37 of Mistletoed with the Mountain Man
And Kade? He's officially a Deepwood Mountain deputy now, working alongside Deputy Barlow and Sheriff Quinn. The transfer came through three months ago, and he moved into Aunt Meredith's with me until we could find our own place.
Sharing a bathroom with my boyfriend and my aunt has been...an experience.
Hence the house hunting.
"The primary suite is upstairs," Debra continues, leading us toward the staircase. "Three additional bedrooms, perfect for guests or…children."
Kade's hand tightens on mine.
We follow her up, and I try to focus on Debra’s commentary about the en-suite bathroom and the walk-in closet. But my mind keeps wandering to Kade's ugly Christmas sweater collection, and whether Aunt Meredith's pecan berry bursts would fit in those kitchen cabinets, and if that reading nook in the loft would be the perfect spot for?—
My phone buzzes.
Zoe: How's the house? Is it the one???
Me: Maybe. Definitely. I don't know. Send help.
Zoe: You're decorating it in your head right now, aren't you?
Me: ...no.
Zoe: LIAR. Also, the Marshalls want to move their wedding date…again. Are you sure we can handle the Christmas market and deal with Bridezilla?
Me: We can do anything. Though we may need a Christmas miracle for this one.
I slip my phone back into my pocket to find Kade and Debra waiting at the end of the hallway.
"Sorry, work thing."
"No worries!" Debra beams. "I'll give you two some space to discuss. I'll be downstairs when you're ready."
She click-clacks away, and suddenly it's just me and Kade in this enormous, empty cabin.
Kade moves to the bedroom window, looking out at the picturesque valley below. "What do you think?"
I join him, sliding under his arm. "I think it's perfect. The light is amazing, the layout is great, and—" I pause. "Did you notice the chimney has a cap? No squirrels breaking in to terrorize us."
He laughs, the sound rumbling through his chest. "That wasonetime."
"One traumatic, cookie-bribing time." I turn to face him. "But seriously, Kade. This is a lot of house."
"You think we need something smaller?"
"No. It's just—" I gesture vaguely. "It seems like just yesterday I was avoiding adulting, and pretending I had my life together. And now we're looking at houses. With multiple bedrooms and—" My voice cracks slightly. "Future children?"
His arms come around me immediately. "Hey. We don't have to rush anything."
"I know. But I want this." I look up at him. "I want the house, the future, the madness of holidays with your entire family descending on us. I want Sadie and Ledger bringing Bear over for Sunday dinners. I want your parents to visit anytime they want. I want Harlon teaching our hypothetical future children how to track wildlife, and Jayce telling them completely inappropriate DEA stories."
"Hypothetical future children?" His eyes darken in that way that makes my knees weak.
"Very hypothetical. Like, several years away." I poke his chest. "Don't get any ideas, Deputy Giles."
"Too late." He catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. "I've had ideas since the moment I saw you covered in glitter in that shop window.”
My insides do that stupid clenching thing.
"This house is the perfect place to start a family. When we're ready. If we're ready. Whenever you want."
