Page 12 of Grumped By the Mountain Man

“I thought you meant the last room,” I squeak, the tension suddenly so thick I can barely breathe.

He says nothing.

I swallow. “Jaxon, who is this room for?” I hate to assume, but is Cali pregnant? Did he want to have a future playroom for his niece or nephew? “Is it for Cali?”

“No.”

My palms are suddenly sweaty, my throat dry when I ask, “Is it... is it for you? Do you have a baby or—”

“It’s not for anyone,” he says gruffly, gesturing for me to exit the room.

“But then why would you have—”

“Ayla!”

I take a step back. Jaxon has never raised his voice at me before. Why was this room so touchy for him? Why did he have all this kid stuff if no baby was in sight? I quickly realize it doesn’t matter because it’s none of my business. Nothing to do with Jaxon is any of my business. Not anymore.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper before darting past him but he stops me by capturing my wrist.

“Wait, I’m sorry.” He says, his voice much softer. “I’m just a little on edge.”

“Because of me?”

“Yes,” he says honestly. I swear I see pain swirling in his eyes. Pain I know is mirrored in mine.

What’s going on?

Before I can ask, he says, “Have you finished taking your photos?”

I nod, getting the hint. I pull from his grasp and grab my camera bag off the counter.

“Thanks again, my followers will love this place, and don’t worry I didn’t take photos inside the nursery.”

He flinches at the word. “It’s not—” but he doesn’t finish the sentence.

Pack your camera and go. Leave. I tell myself as I zip my bag closed. Yet, my big mouth can’t help it as I say, “You know, if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

“Sure, Ayla,” he says after a long pause, but then the room is filled with awkward silence again.

And that’s my cue.

I throw open the front door and head onto the porch. It’s beginning to drizzle. I guess Willis really did have a third eye and a sixth sense for the weather.

“Where’s your truck?” he asks, staring at the empty driveway.

I take my phone out of my back pocket and search for the taxi company’s number.

“I took a cab. Don’t worry, they're pretty quick. It should be here in...” I trail, suddenly remembering where I am...in the middle of nowhere. If I call Willis right now, I’m lucky if he pulls up in an hour. “Soon,” I lie.

He reaches for my hand, stilling my thumb that’s about to hit the call button. “Wait. I’ll take you back to the lodge.”

Does he really think I want to spend a forty-five-minute drive with him after that awkward exchange? Sure, I messed up by going into that room but I didn’t do it maliciously, and why was it such a secret anyway?

Not my business.

It’s none of my business.

“No thanks. I don’t want to put you out of your way.”

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