Page 14 of Proposed to By the Lumberjack

When will she realize that she’s who I really want? Maybe I can convince her of that once we’re married.

“Let’s not worry about what-ifs right now. If either of us wants out of this marriage in a few years, we’ll split amicably. This will give you time to figure everything out.”

I can tell that I have her now. She hesitates for one more moment.

“Okay,” she finally whispers. “For Zander. And your property.”

No. For all of us.

If I have to, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to ensure she doesn’t regret those words.

Chapter Four

Zoe

I’m free-falling, plunging through the forest canopy like a fairy with torn wings.

No.

With wings that can’t support all of my weight. All of my burdens.

A creamy white, bohemian wedding dress billows around me, the small, off-the-shoulder cap sleeves fluttering madly in the wind. Pearl buttons stretch from my hips to my waist, leading to an open back with a sheer lace overlay and a button at the top, which makes it look sweetly sexy.

I can’t focus on my beautiful gown, though, just the hard ground covered in gnarled roots and boulders bound to split me into a million pieces.

I flap my wings faster and harder, but it isn’t enough.

If only I could get rid of some of my weight.

If only I could let go and accept help...

As the thought crosses my mind, a lumberjack appears below through the pines, his tattooed arms outstretched and ready to catch me, like he knew I was coming.

Like he knew I was falling.

My first instinct is to squeeze my eyes shut and get ready for the skeleton-shattering collision into the mountainside, but then I hear his voice, though his lips don’t move.

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