Page 3 of Auctioned to the Mountain Man

I nod and sit back down in the chair. “Sure. I don’t think I can stay long but… I’m here.” I blow out a breath and clench my hands together to stop myself from pulling at my collar or removing my jacket altogether.

Edward crosses his arms over his chest. “So you can’t stay long? Something pressing up on the mountain you just have to get back to?”

I almost look at my watch. On the way here, I was thinking about how long it would be before Edward gave me shit about not coming off the mountain. Unable to resist, I glance at the time. “I’ve been here exactly four minutes, Edward. I think that’s a record for you busting my balls.”

He laughs heartily. “Some things never change, brother.”

I roll my eyes and stick my thumb over my shoulder. “Can I get you a drink?”

He comes to sit next to me. “Nope. I am planning to stay sober—until after my speech, at least. That is, unless you’d like to do the talking this year. I don’t mind at all.”

I sit with my arms over my chest and my back ramrod straight. “No thanks. Not interested.”

Edward shrugs. I’m sure he felt he had to give it a shot, but at least it doesn’t appear he had his hopes up that I’d be filling in for him or anything. “Admit it, you love this kind of thing.”

I gesture around the room, but my brother doesn’t look anywhere but at me. The only indication he’s listening to me is the slight tilt of his head. He opens his mouth and closes it again.

It’s tempting to walk out of here, but there’s a part of me that feels guilty, as if I’ve deserted my brother and sister to handle everything while I hide out on the mountain. “Spit it out. Go ahead and get it off your chest. I can handle it.”

He leans back as if this is just a random conversation, but I know my big brother. He’s planned this conversation out and probably even practiced it in the mirror. I don’t rush him. I sit quietly and watch him, waiting for him to say what’s on his mind.

He rubs his hand across his clean-shaven jaw. “Look, I know we all have our strengths. We each serve the company in different ways.”

“Fuck, Eddie. I know I’m not pulling my weight.”

He slides to the edge of his seat. “Yes you are, man. That’s not what I’m saying, just hear me out. The truth is you hiding out on that mountain has turned into the best possible scenario for the business. The research you’ve done on stills and everything you do on the actual production is amazing. Would I rather have you down here helping me with the legal, accounting, public relations part of it? Hell, yeah! But I know you’re best suited where you’re at.”

I’m not understanding. “Oookay… so what’s the problem then?”

He puts one hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “If you were happy up on that mountain, doing your thing, it would be one thing. But you’re not. You’re up there stewing, letting the past eat you alive—”

I interrupt him. “I’m not going to talk about this here.”

He releases me, and his shoulders slump. “Fine. All I’m saying is forget the guilt. Your contribution to the business hasn’t gone unnoticed, and you are exactly where we need you to be.”

He wants to say more, and I hold my breath waiting for it. When he doesn’t continue, I nod my head. “Got it, man. And I appreciate it. I love being up on the mountain. I really do. But yeah, there’s shit I need to work through. I’ll uh, do better.”

His eyes pop out of his head. I know that’s probably the last thing he expected me to say. I’ve never admitted that I have a problem, and maybe this is the very first step on this long journey of getting over my shit.

I stand up and stuff my hands into my jacket pockets. “All right, enough bullshit. You have a speech to give, and I need some air.”

I jerk my head toward one of the back entrances, and Edward nods his head. “If I don’t see you later, thanks for coming, and I’ll see you tomorrow at our weekly meeting to do a recap of tonight.”

I nod and almost get away before he stops me. “And Ben, just because you are on a video call, it is a business meeting.”

His nose is scrunched up, and he shakes his head. “Wear a damn shirt.”

I laugh. I probably shouldn’t because he’s right, but yeah, I laugh. “Sure thing, big brother. Shirt. Got it.”

I wave bye to him and make my way through the people laughing, drinking, and talking. When you’re by yourself 99 percent of the time, events like this are a little overwhelming. Just a quick breath of air, then I’ll find Elana, and then I'll get to head back up my mountain.

Maggie

Everything is ready.

I’ve driven myself batty. I’ve double- and triple-checked everything until there’s nothing left for me to do. I’ve paced around the party, made sure everyone knows where they’re supposed to be and when, and I’ve talked until I’m all peopled out. I had to escape, and even though I should feel guilty about it, I don’t.

I lean back on the swing, slowly rocking back and forth. The only light here in the courtyard are the tiki lights that have been set up and the light from the flames in the stone fireplace.

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