Page 61 of My Three Mountain Men

“Brooks, what is wrong with you?” Simone moaned, flipping over to look at me in exasperation. “Do you have to pee?”

I sat up and shook my head as she blinked, her brilliant eyes gazing sleepily at me. “What is it?”

I pursed my lips, unsure if I should say anything without checking with Ryder first.

Never mind Ryder. Simone can make her own decisions.

“I think I’m going to test the roads today, Simone. They should be clear to get into town.”

Suddenly, she was wide awake. Sitting up slowly, she ran a hand through her tangled tresses, much longer now than when she’d first arrived. Her finger twirled at the ends uncertainly.

“A-are you sure?” she sputtered. “I mean, there’s still snow everywhere!”

I chuckled mirthlessly. “There’s going to be snow until late April, most likely. That doesn’t mean the roads won’t be clear. The worst of it is over now.”

“Well, maybe we should hold off…”

My heart leaped at her suggestion.

She’s in no hurry to get back to reality.

“You don’t have to come with me,” I told her softly. “But I will need to get into Loganville for supplies. We’ll need fuel and fresh food—vegetables. We wouldn’t want to get scurvy.”

I winked teasingly, but she didn’t smile. My own smile faded. “You can sit this trip out,” I said again. “With the roads open, I can take you any time you’re ready to go—”

“No,” she interjected. “No, I’ll come with you.”

Disappointment stabbed at me, but I did my best not to show it. Instead, I turned away and swung my legs over the side of the bed. “Okay. Let me shower and—”

“Brooks.”

I stopped mid-sentence and looked at her. “Hmm?”

She offered me a tentative smile. “I think I should go into town and get some things. I’ve been living in your clothes for three months,” she explained. “But I’d also like to get grounded in what’s happening back home. See if anyone is looking for me or what? It’s safer than doing that from here, isn’t it?”

I eyed her, unsure of what to make of what she was saying. She cleared her throat and elaborated. “I’d like to return back here with you afterward.”

Relief almost knocked me to my knees, but she went on further. “At least until I can figure out what’s going on with Aimee and if I’m still in danger or what.”

I bobbed my head. “That’s a good plan,” I agreed. “If she finds out you’re alive, she might come after you again.”

“Exactly.” She offered me another shy smile, and I wondered if that was her only reason for wanting to come back. “Is that okay? If I come back here? I’ll run it by Ryder and Knox first.”

“I really don’t think they’ll have a problem with it,” I said dryly. “But sure. Talk to them. I’m going to jump in the shower. Let’s head out in an hour.”

She nodded, and I padded toward the ensuite bathroom, my chest bursting with happiness. I’d been so sure this was going to be the last day we’d have with Simone, but it appeared as if she wasn’t in a big rush to leave after all.

* * *

“This is not a clear road!” Simone complained as the truck bounced over the half-iced backroads, sliding over the steep trails.

“It is, comparatively speaking,” I insisted. “You can’t even see it most of the winter.”

“We’re going to get stuck in the mud,” she moaned, covering her face with her hands.

I snickered. “Nah. That’s a rookie mistake. We haven’t done that in years.”

She lowered her hands and cast me a sidelong look as I regained proper control of the huge pickup. “Ryder and Knox never come to town?”

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