Page 3 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Bride
I can’t let anyone get close again.
TWO
SAGE
“Are you sure? There’s space here.”
I glance over at my baby sister and the little green bundle in her arms, before nodding. “Yes, Del. I’m sure.”
She frowns, pouting slightly, like it would have any effect on me. She should know better.
I’m the one who taught her that look.
Sighing, I shoulder my duffle and grab the last of my bags. “You guys have a baby to worry about. I’m more than capable of living on my own in town. And Axel probably wants you all to himself again?—”
“That’s not?—”
“And,” I continue, cutting off my sister’s husband, sparing him a look, “it’s better if I stay in town. I have a job at the clinic, and I’m on call now that Mr. Ashby is thinking of retiring.”
Delilah’s pout intensifies, while Axel nods appreciatively. Neither have to say it. They want—no,need—alone time, especially with River being so new to them. Dealing with me and my baggage is not something they signed up for. Axel would never say it, of course. He’s absolutely smitten with Del and their baby. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.
But for his kindness, I’ll take the brunt of her disappointment.
“I’m not going very far, anyway,” I add, starting my escape out to the dinged-up sedan that brought me all the way here. “The house is really cute, and I’m excited to make it...mine.”
I suck in a cooling breath, making my way to the ‘rust-wagon’ as Axel calls it. He’s been doing small fixes for me, pretending he hasn’t, but I appreciate his concern. It’s a wonder it made it all the way to Willow Ridge at all. Throwing the last of my belongings into the backseat, I breathe a sigh of relief.
For the first time in a long time, I’m actually grateful for it.
We say our goodbyes, with Del trying to hold back tears and Axel with his warm bear hug. Little River clamps a tiny hand around my hair as his way of saying goodbye.
I have to remind myself I’m only going twenty minutes down the road. I’m closer to Delilah than ever before and we have a chance now to reconnect without...everything else.
The drive down the winding, forest road gives me a chance to pull myself together and put on a brave face. The town is quiet; there’s such a charming beauty to it that I can’t imagine people aren’t swarming the streets just for the idyllic nature of it all. It’s why I picked it for Delilah’sadventure.
Deep down, maybe I knew this place would be perfect for me, too.
I make it to the realtor’s office to sign the rest of the paperwork and pick up the keys. They’re heavy in my hands as I make my way down the main street. I follow the instructions ingrained in my memory towards the little house I secured for myself.
When it comes into view, I slow and pull into the paved driveway.
It’s like I’m in a dream; I grab a few of my bags and almost fall out of the car because of the crumbling driveway, but that’snot enough to dampen my mood.There are cracks in the wall beside the front door, nothing a little paint can’t hide. And weeds overtake the front garden. It’s been a while since I got my hands dirty in something that wasn’t animal related.
I slide the key in, and it gives a little click as the lock turns over. Pushing the door open, I breathe in the dusty, mildew scent of my new home.
Mine. A tingle of excitement shoots up my spine, followed by a wave of sadness. Tears sting my eyes as I shuffle in and lock the door behind me. Tomorrow, I’ll let Axel add extra locks to the doors, because if I’ve learned anything about him over the last two weeks living in the downstairs apartment of his cabin, it’s that he’s overly protective of his family.
I flick the hallway lights on, and when they don’t flicker or fizzle out, I finally smile. I can already feel the puzzle pieces falling into place. A fresh start and a new beginning.
No Scott and his crappy apartment in the bad part of town, purely because he couldn’t be assed moving closer to the clinic.
No more being used and cheated on. No more crying on the bathroom floor after each failed pregnancy.
No more giving up on myself.
I’ll have the clinic I want after I prove to Mr. Ashby I can take over for him. In a year, I might even be able to get my own house with a larger yard and a better garden for...
I shake my head. I gave up on the white-picket-fence dream after Scott. That life was never meant for me, anyway.
