Page 18 of Owned By the Mountain Man

I’ve spent years running from my past, terrified that there was something wrong with me. But being with Nash has taught me that little Randy was never the problem. She was a sweet kid, worthy of all the love in the world. She was just with people who for one reason or another couldn’t give her that love.

Nash would, a little voice inside whispers. I know it’s true. If I stay here, Nash will give me all the love in the world. But I’ve messed everything up, and I have to try to fix it. I have to make things right.

With that thought, I walk out the front door to greet the sheriff. Despite my history of thieving, I’ve never been the type to be nervous around law enforcement. Maybe it’s because I’ve slipped out of charges so many times. But today for some reason, I do feel nervous.

He pulls his sunglasses off his face and nods to me. “I’m Sheriff Luke from the Courage County PD.”

“I’m Laura—Random. The thief Nash called you about.”

He squints as he looks me up and down, clearly trying to assess me. I wonder how much excitement a small town sheriff sees. There’s not much crime in this town, at least not that I’ve observed since I arrived. “Are you the one who attempted to steal watches from Nash?”

I start to nod then realize he probably needs verbal agreement. “Yes.”

His gaze travels beyond me to the front door. “Is Nash inside?”

“Could we not get him?” I ask with my heart pounding. I don’t want him to experience this, to remember me being arrested.

“Afraid not. I got to figure out what happened here,” he says.

Before I can plead with him to change his mind, the screen door opens with a bang and Nash is outside. I don’t have to turn to hear the strain in his voice, “Hey there, Luke.”

Luke seems to relax at Nash’s words, the crease between his eyebrows lifting. It’s then I realize he was worried about Nash. But I’d never hurt him. He’s the most precious person in the world to me, and I wish I’d get the chance to show him that. Instead, all we got together was a couple of stolen days.

“Just following up on your call,” he says. “You reported a citizen’s arrest.”

I cringe and turn to watch Nash. I wait for him to agree and let me go with Luke. No one has ever wanted to keep me anyway, and it’s better like this. At least then he won’t tell me to leave one day.

Nash rubs the back of his neck. “About that. I think we had a bad connection and you misunderstood me, Sheriff.”

My heart skips a beat at his words. He’s not turning me over to the police. It’s not exactly a proposal, and he won’t want to keep me. But I still have my freedom and that’s something.

Luke looks between the two of us, and I see the moment he connects the pieces. “Well, alright then, folks, have a nice day. But don’t go calling me in the middle of the night during one of your sexy little games again.”

“Course not, sheriff,” Nash agrees. “Sorry to drag you out here.”

I watch Luke leave, pretty sure he’s muttering something under his breath about roleplaying and how the men of this town are crazy.

“I’m free to go,” I murmur to myself, the knowledge finally sinking in. All of the dread and fear I’ve been carrying for the past two days melts away. I’m finally free to start over.

“The hell you are,” Nash is behind me in an instant, pulling me into his arms. “You may have come here to steal from me. But what you really stole was my heart, and I’m never letting you go.”

I let out a soft breath. My limbs feel shaky after the encounter with Luke, and I turn in Nash’s arms so I can look up at his face. I search his expression, looking for any sign that this might be a cruel trick of fate. “Do you mean that?”

He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead. “You have a home now, Laura. It’s right here. I’m your home for the rest of your life.”

My eyes fill with tears and I sniff. He’s mending the broken, achy parts of my heart back together again. He’s giving me everything I’ve ever wanted. “I have a home.”

“You’ll always have a place with me. I love you, and together, we’re going to build a beautiful family.”

My cheeks heat at the thought of making babies with Nash. I want a dozen kids. “Will you give me lots of babies?”

“As many as you want,” he reassures me with a smile in his voice.

My heart is full to the bursting point. I can’t remember ever feeling this happy or safe.I have a home.“We could work on that family now.”

Nash doesn’t have to be told twice. He scoops me up in his arms and carries me into his cabin bridal style. I can’t stop smiling as he does.

When he finally sets me gently on the bed, he cups my face. His expression is filled with so much tenderness and affection that I feel it. I feel his love pouring into every cracked and painful place in my heart. He’s healing me, wrapping me in all the love I’ve always wanted.

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