Page 17 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
Delilah eyes me, then looks at Rhett. “If you hurt her…”
“I won’t,” he says firmly, the certainty surprising. “I never would. I care a lot about your sister. And I will do anything in my power to protect her and treat her the way she deserves.”
My sister presses her lips together, still eyeing him like she doesn’tquitebelieve him. But after a brief moment, she nods silently and moves to stand with Axel, who firmly shakes Rhett’s hand. The giant mountain man doesn’t need to say anything—his expression is dark, the threat clear in his eyes. It’s why I appreciate Axel. He’s protective in a silent, strong kind of way.
Kind of like Rhett. Although my mountain man isn’t as broad or scary looking—Axel is an ex-biker, after all—there’s an air of authority that Rhett carries with him. It makes him appear strong, intimidating even.
It’s probably why Scott is actually scared of him.
We get ourselves hot chocolate covered in toasted marshmallow fluff and start a slow walk around the markets.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Delilah says, grinning as we move from the hand-knitted clothing booth towards a stall filled with used books. “I knew this place was cosy, but damn.”
I laugh lightly, breathing in the icy air and actually enjoying it. “I feel like we’ve walked into a Hallmark movie.”
“Ugh, you’re so right,” she replies. “I mean, look at all the couples. It’s cheesy, really.”
At that, I really laugh.
“You should do that more,” Rhett murmurs, lips brushing my ears.
I stiffen slightly, cheeks burning. “Do what? Make fun of the locals?”
He chuckles, the sound rich like honey. “Laugh, princess. It sounds good on you.”
It’s far too easy to compare Rhett to the deadbeat that is Scott. Rhett is…perfect. Too good for me, if I’m being honest with myself. This man didn’t even know me before he swept in and saved me from the same mistakes I’ve always made. And now he’s married to me—tied his life to mine—and he’s telling me he can see a future with me in it while giving me more care than any man ever has before.
I duck my head, unable to keep the smile off my face. Rhett just brings me in closer, dropping a kiss to the top of my head.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Delilah watching us. Her expression is unreadable, and when she catches my eye, she looks away.
“I need to borrow my sister,” she says, hooking her arm with mine. “You two manly mountain men go off and do something while we talk.”
My heart stutters, worry slicing through me, but she doesn’t give me a chance to say no before she’s pulling me back to walk the stalls we’ve already seen.
I only get a moment to spare Rhett a glance, but there’s a smile on his lips and not an ounce of worry in his eyes.
“Are you two really married? Or is this something else? Because I can’t tell, and I’m worried about you, Sage,” Delilah says quietly, keeping our arms locked. “Please, please tell me you are safe. If I need to get Axel?—”
“I’m safe,” I hiss, looking around. “Rhett and I are really married.”
Delilah makes a sound in the back of her throat as we pass the hot chocolate stand. “And?”
I hesitate, eyes darting around the crowd for him. For that greasy head of hair and the beard I used to hate. “Scott’s in town,” I tell her. “He found me at the clinic. And Rhett…Rhett protected me from him. Is protecting me from him by being my husband. We have a certificate. It’s all legit.”
“Oh, Sage,” she says, stopping. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I shake my head sadly. “I didn’t want to drag you or the baby into this. It’s my fight. And he’s backed off for now.”
“But there’s more.” She cocks her head, searching my face. “You two slept together.”
“It’s a little more than that,” I reply, cheeks warming. “I think…I think he really cares for me.”
“And you? How do you feel about him?” Delilah asks, though the look in her eyes tells me she already knows.
“I think…” I trail off, finding Rhett in the crowd. “I think I might be falling for him.”
And it’s a truth I’m terrified to admit—especially if I’m wrong about him.
