Promised to the Mountain Man: Thickwood, CO Read online

  The room is bare, except for a couple of cards and flowers from the townspeople already waiting for me, which brings a smile to my face. A smile that falls when I see no sign of Hattie.

  She’s probably on the plane home, or maybe she’s already arrived back in LA. I’m not exactly sure how long I was out, but I’m certain I missed her leave. For a second, I let that feeling settle all through me.

  I met the perfect woman, and then nature itself conspired to let her get away.

  Just when I’m tossing the sheets off my body and pulling on my smoky clothes, the door opens and I glance up, expecting a nurse to argue that I should stay in bed.

  But it’s her.

  Hattie’s eyes sparkle when she sees me up and about, and she presses a finger to her lips, shushing me. I’m already struck dumb by seeing her beautiful face when I’d expected her to be gone. She pats her thigh, and with a merrily jingling collar, a big old black lab waddles inside.

  “Jimbo,” I laugh, bending over and scratching his ears until his tail starts to swing. “How’d you get him past the doctors?”

  “I have ways,” Hattie says mysteriously, and then with a happy squeal, she throws her arms around me. Then she pulls back, looking me over. “Sorry — are you all right? Should I be more careful?”

  I pull her back into my arms, kiss the top of her head. “No, no, you don’t have to be careful of me. I’m fine. You can knock me around all you want.” She stifles a laugh, and I notice her eyes are shining. She drags a finger underneath her eyelid.

  “I thought I’d lost you. Everyone was panicking and yelling and… I was really worried, Holt.”

  “You were?”

  She looks confused. “Yeah.”

  “I just thought you’d be on the first flight out of here.”

  “No. No, I actually just got off the phone with my father. I told him about the fire, and I thanked him, actually.” She presses her pink lips together, summoning up the courage to relive their conversation. “I thanked him for sending me here, to you. I was out there thinking I already don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

  “It takes more than a little fire to get rid of us, huh, boy?” I address that to Jimbo, who starts furiously wagging his tail again. Hattie sniffles, but she’s smiling ear to ear.

  I tilt her chin upwards and press my lips against hers. Then suddenly that isn’t enough and we’re kissing passionately here in this hospital room. Reluctantly, I break away. There’s more to be said, and hopefully plenty of time to do what we want with each other in the future.

  “So does this mean you’re staying?” I ask her, squeezing her hands.

  “Holt,” she says, choosing her words carefully. “I don’t remember the last time I agreed with my father about something, but you’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. Strong, resilient, tough as hell.” I chuckle, and she joins me, wiping at her eyes again. She’s had a pretty crazy couple of days. “I always assumed I’d have some kind of arranged marriage, but this is nothing like that. I don’t feel like I’ve been forced into anything. In fact, I’ve never wanted anything more.”

  My throat is dry, and not from the fire. I squeeze her hands again, and I feel like I can feel her heart pounding from here. “Hattie…” I say, my own heart swelling with joy at the things she’s saying.

  “This is the life I never knew I needed. This is the life I’ve been dreaming about. Forget fairy tales — forget princes and knights. You’re you, and that’s the most amazing thing I ever could have asked for. Would you marry me, for real?”

  I’m stunned. I’ve never felt as happy as I feel in this moment, and it’s like my head is spinning. I don’t know what to say, so I settle on something simple.

  “Fuck yes, Hattie.”

  She laughs as I kiss her hands, finger by finger. I don’t have a ring right now, but I know for damn sure that I’m going to give her the world.

  “You’re incredible,” I say. “You’ve been through hell and came out the other side as this tough, fun, sexy woman. I need you in the rest of my life.” She bites her lip and gives me that coy smile that’s already starting to turn me on every time I see it.

  “Really?” she says.

  “Really. This is happening. I will fight for the life you deserve every damn day, Hattie.”

  She throws her arms around me again, and this time I grip her waist and lift her up high until she squeals with laughter. It’s the best sound in the world to me.

  Ten

  Hattie

  Two weeks later

  The park in Thickwood is unbelievably beautiful. The sun is shining, the grass is green and smells freshly cut. My white dress is drapey, silken, and ripples in the breeze.

  Just beyond the flowery gate I’m waiting in front of, the string quartet strikes up the Wedding March. I hear the clattering sound of people standing from their plastic chairs. A huge smile spreads over my face, and beside me, someone takes my arm.

  It’s my father. His eyes are watery, but his expression is hard and impenetrable as always. None of his men will point out how shimmery his eyes look.

  We had a long talk when I told him about the wedding, and I told him it had nothing to do with pleasing him — that it was truly what I wanted. I told him all the things I’d been too afraid to tell him my entire life. That I wished I could be free, that I could have had a normal upbringing. That I could have brought friends over or stayed out past dark. He actually listened for once — listened to the whole thing.

  And at the end, he apologized to me. Said it was tough being a father, and he wishes he’d done better. There’s really nothing I can do to go back in time and change anything, so with Holt’s help, I’ve decided to just take every day as it comes and try to let go of the past.

  Now, standing beside my dad in my wedding dress, I finally understand — he loves me and he always has, even if he’s never understood me. As a person, a daughter, a woman. But that’s okay, because I have my own life now and I get to decide what role he plays in it.

  The flowery gates open and I walk through, unable to keep this huge, stupid grin off my face. In the seats, there is a hilarious mix of Holt’s salt-of-the-earth friends, all beards and flannel, dabbing at their eyes, and my father’s black-suited men, guns at their hips, sunglasses on, arms folded. Some of his men nod as we pass, and all of the Thickwood residents just look excited and touched to be here.

  It’s a surprising mixture of people, but it is what it is, and I’m so touched at the turnout that I feel tears spring to my own eyes. There’s Rick, my bodyguard, and he gives me a nod with a hint of pride.

  I finally made it out.

  I made it out, and I stayed out, and now I get to live my life on my terms.

  Holt is waiting for me in a black tux that shows off his amazing body and brings out the piercing blue of his eyes, and he can’t stop smiling. I bet we both look equally silly, grinning like idiots at each other, but I know we can’t help it. We found something really special in each other, and there’s no way back from it.

  My father gives me a hug, kisses me on the cheek, and gives Holt a nod that says so much without using a single word. Then he leaves me at the altar, next to the love of my life, my future husband, and my heart is pounding like it never has before.

  The officiant goes through the ceremony but I hardly hear a word — even the jokes that make the crowd giggle and clap — because I’m staring into the eyes of the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen, and he’s staring back into mine, squeezing my hands in a way that’s somehow both comforting and sexy.

  When it’s time for his vows, Holt has to keep pausing and clearing his throat, and the crowd whistles and cheers when they see he’s getting emotional. He shoots his friends a look, and smiles. They know him so well here, and I can’t wait to get to know everyone too. They’ve always said he was a sap, apparently, but now he gets to prove them wrong — waiting for the right person can pay off. I know that just as well as he does.

  It’s
my turn, and I take a deep breath and start to speak from the heart.

  “I don’t need to read my vows off a piece of paper,” I say, “because I’ve known these words my whole life, deep down, as I’ve waited to meet you. I didn’t get a lot of choices in my life because of some circumstances I couldn’t change, but I have all the choice in the world now. And, Holt, I’m choosing you today, and every day, for the rest of my life.”

  Now his eyes are shining with emotion, and the guests are dabbing at their eyes too. I’m trying to fight it myself because if I open the floodgates, I am going to destroy my makeup.

  The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur of emotion and the second the officiant announces that we’re married, Holt whips me up and carries me down the aisle. The crowd erupts in laughter at my playful screaming as the string quartet plays us off.

  The reception is filled with food, drink, dancing, and the absolute hilarity of my father’s men having to respond to the local Thickwood guests’ polite small talk.

  By the time we get back home, we’re breathless from partying, stomachs aching from laughter, and lightheaded from champagne.

  We stand in front of our cabin — our brand-new cabin on Lake Aspyn — and the stillness and perfect peace of our home hits us both at the same time.

  Jimbo is splayed out on the porch in the waning sunlight, tail beating the wood deck as he keeps watch for us.

  “Welcome home,” Holt says, brushing away the flyaway strands from my updo. He tilts my chin in that calm yet commanding way he has, and his tongue broaches my lips. My husband’s tongue in my mouth. That thought instantly makes me wetter than anything has before. My husband’s cock is hard and straining at his tuxedo pants. My husband’s rough, powerful hands are cupping my ass like he can’t get enough of me. Like he’ll never get enough of me.

  “I love you,” I say, nipping at his lower lip in that way that always makes him groan.

  “I love you so damn much,” he replies, and he’s undoing my white dress as we unlock the front door. I squirm out of the straps as we head inside, kicking the door shut.

  I need him so bad I can’t wait long enough to peel off layer after layer of formal clothing. I undo his belt, his zipper, and free his huge, stiff cock, running my fingers up and down it and feeling it twitch with his need.

  I gently push him back until his legs hit our big, squishy armchair. The one I insisted on. For exactly this reason. He sits, leans back, and I climb on top of him, bundling up my drapey white skirts and straddling him on the chair. He’s looking up at me with love, with amusement, and peeling back layers of dress netting, petticoat, silk, until he can grip my hips and hook a finger in my panties.

  “Will we ruin these clothes?” he asks, eyes glinting with mischief.

  “I don’t plan on ever needing them again.” I laugh. “Do you?”

  That’s enough for him. He yanks and I gasp as the elastic on my wedding night thong snaps, and he pushes the flimsy remaining material to one side. His fingers delicately circle me down there, and he groans as he feels how wet I am for him already.

  “I can’t believe we’re married.” I’m giggling, positioning myself on top of him despite all the skirts of my dress. It’s true. I can’t believe I get to fool around with this incredible man in our perfect home — and I get to call him my husband for the rest of our lives.

  “I can’t believe I spent so much of my life not being married to you,” he counters, steadying me with his hands as I grip the base of his cock. He’s so hard, willing, ready for me, and I’m so ready for him too.

  I sink down onto him, and even though we haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other for weeks, it feels like new again. Actually, better than new because we instantly find our rhythm. I ride him like I’ve been riding him for years, not days, and his lips are already parting, eyelids fluttering. I can’t resist him. I lean in and kiss him hard, and then his tongue is in my mouth again, delving in deep just like his hard, long cock.

  I slide up and down him, relishing that amazing feeling of having the man I love so deep inside me. The head of his cock brushes against my G-spot, and his thumb is pressed against my clit as I lean back. We don’t need words, or instructions, or suggestions. There’s no sound but the wind in the trees outside and the harmony of our shallow breaths.

  He pants, holding me still as he pounds me from below. Making sure I know I’m his. Claiming me like no one else ever has or ever will. He pinches my exposed nipples, kisses my neck as I lean my head backwards, and we come together still half-dressed in our wedding outfits. I love the feeling of him filling me up, the pulsing warmth and the tight grip of his fingers on my flesh.

  Afterwards, we lie together, catching our breath and staring into each other’s eyes as if we still can’t believe this is real. But it is real. It’s ours, it’s here and now, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

  Epilogue 1

  Holt

  One year later…

  I’m in the nursery finishing off the last dovetail for the final crib. When I click the last joints together and take a step back to take it all in, I can’t help but feel a rush of emotion. Three cribs sit side by side. They still need to be safely varnished. I’ll give them a nice stain so they’ll match the rest of the decor.

  I’ve been in here every day for the last three months, hurrying to get done before Hattie gives birth. We’ve been joking about racing, hoping she didn’t beat me, but she hasn’t. Thankfully.

  “Hey,” I call, triumphant as I wipe my hands clean of sawdust and begin preparations for the last stage — staining the cribs. “I think I’m gonna win unless something happens in the next hour.”

  I strain my ears for a response — I was sure I could hear Hattie in the hallway just a minute ago. It takes her a while to get anything done, poor thing, with three babies inside her ready to come out.

  We were stunned as fuck when the doctor found three heartbeats. Twins run in her family, Hattie revealed, but triplets? It took us a few minutes to get over that shock, but now, we’re more excited than ever. We sit together, curled up in our cabin, and picture our three kids running around, wrestling, fishing in the lake. Supporting each other and being there for each other like the parents Hattie never had as a kid.

  She sticks her head through the door, phone in her hand. Her beautiful face lights up when she sees me, the way it always does, and it still gives me butterflies even after a year. “I was just on the phone with Dad.”

  “Oh yeah?” I say.

  “He just bought a big old lakeside property right here in Thickwood.” She looks surprised even as she says it. “I guess he really is serious about this.”

  “About the whole grandpa thing?”

  “Right. I think since he learned I was pregnant, he’s really been doing some thinking about family. He’s been doing a lot of that ever since our wedding day, and I don’t know. I really do think he’s trying.”

  “I do too,” I admit. Ever since he sent Hattie to me and made her cry, I haven’t had the warmest feelings for the guy, but honestly, it’s really difficult to feel negatively about the person who sent my wife to my doorstep. “You know I’m going to support whatever decision you want to make.”

  “I think I am willing to let him be a grandfather, unless that’s stupid.”

  I cross the room and squeeze her hands, kiss her lips. “I trust your instincts,” I tell her. “You’re tough. You know what’s best for your kids. I believe that completely.”

  She rests her hand on her huge belly and then a small smile appears on her face. “Yeah,” she agrees finally. “Thank you.”

  “You are stunning. I think about how lucky I am every day,” I say, and kiss her again. She runs her hands up my arms, and then groans against my lips.

  “I want to meet these babies already. You know what they say helps?”

  I’m already hard, knowing exactly what she’s about to say, but as I take her hand and guide her into our bedroom, I tease he
r. “Spicy food?”

  “Nope.”

  “Hmm. Exercise? Yoga?”

  “Nope. Sort of. But nope.” She’s laughing as I kiss her cheek, ears, neck, and tug at her skirt.

  “You’ll have to tell me the answer, Hattie. I give up.”

  “I’ll show you.”

  She undoes my belt with one deft movement, bites her lip at me in a way that makes my cock ache every single time, and sits down on our bed. When she lies back, I crawl over her, leaving my pants on the ground, and let her slowly unbutton my shirt and pull it off my shoulders.

  I love seeing her body like this. My wife glows like a star at the best of times, but right now, she is divine. What her body is doing is so natural, but it feels like a crazy miracle to me sometimes.

  I can hardly wait long enough to pull off her underwear. My cock is so hard for her — always — but she’s so pregnant, I start off with gentle circles around her sensitive clit, bending over and licking her wetness. I alternate between rubbing with my fingers and lapping with my tongue until she’s breathing heavier, and then I kiss my way up her body and slide my cock inside. I’m deep inside her, slowly rocking in and out as she groans and bucks her hips against me. She is so ready and so desperate for me ever since she got pregnant. I’m almost going to miss this.

  We fuck gentle and slow, the sunlight spilling in through the curtains, and she comes hard and trembling against my cock — once, and then twice. By the third time, I’m right there with her. My girl has been so horny for nine months now, but I’m still not over the incredible squeezing feeling of her multiple orgasms.

  When she’s had enough of me inside her, I pull out and kiss her all over, breathing her in and wondering how I became this lucky. Then she sits up straight and her eyes widen. “Holt,” she says. “I feel… something.”