One year later…
I jerk awake when I hear a horn and realize I dozed off while Connor ran into the post office to get my package. We’d made the trek to town to grab it and stock up on a few other things. A giant snowstorm is coming. I get excited when a storm comes. We get to lock ourselves away for a few days and forget about the rest of the world.
Connor was worried about how I’d take to living in the mountains. My sweet husband had even offered to leave his home if I hated it there. He’d lost his damn mind. I don’t care if it’s only been a year since I've moved here.
That mountain is my home now too. His cousins are my family as well. I love them both to pieces. I never knew what a best friend really was until Natalie. This place is my home, and I’ll never live anywhere else. I didn’t know what family or a home was until this place. I’d fallen in love with it as fast as I had with my husband.
When Connor told me about his parents' love story and then Natalie told me hers, I was sure there’s magic up here. Love is in the air there. So much so that I’d actually started writing and couldn't stop. Within three months, I’d written a trilogy about this place. The words poured out of me. I think it had a lot to do with not only my love of romance books since I was a young girl sneaking them from one of my foster moms but also the love Connor gave me. Plus watching Walker and Natalie fall in love. Their love story is something straight from a romance novel.
Connor encouraged me to submit them to a publisher. I was a bit leery that no one would give the books the time of day. I only had a high school diploma and never wrote more than some essays before. Then again, one of my essays is why I’d gotten the offer to go to Madison Prep. College never interested me beyond the lure of getting a well-paying job one day. That and a dorm would put a roof over my head.
I knew I should take a leap. It was a whole lot easier to do with Connor behind me telling me that he believed in me. No one had ever said those words to me. I sent them in. To say I was more than shocked when not only one but three publishers offered me a contract would be the understatement of the century.
I glance toward the post office, wondering where Connor is. He’s actually picking up a box of books my publisher sent. It’s the first book. I’m going to see it in print for the first time ever. Connor ordered me to stay put in the truck after I mentioned my feet felt cold.
The post office was our last stop before we head back up the mountain. He’s so freaking over the top when I mention anything bothering me now that I’m pregnant. It’s ten degrees outside. Of course my feet are cold! It’s not going to hurt anything.
I caved because I was feeling a bit tired anyway. I’m only five months along, but I can power nap like no other. Not seeing him, I debated popping into the little general store next door. My bladder is calling. Maybe the two hot chocolates I drank while we walked around the grocery store weren’t the best idea.
I turn the truck off before I unlock it and head toward the little stop. “Bathroom?” I ask the older woman behind the counter. I open my jacket and show my small baby bump. She gives me a warm smile.
“Towards the back, sweetheart. It’s on the left-hand side.”
“Thank you! My bladder is tiny these days.”
“I remember those days. I had a crazy sweet tooth whenever I was expecting. There is a little bakery area back there. My granddaughter made some fresh treats herself this morning.”
“Oh, now we’re talking,” I laugh as I head toward the back to quickly use the bathroom.
When I come out, I stop at the table filled with homemade sweets. My mouth waters, not caring that Connor took me to the diner an hour ago and I ate a cheeseburger the size of my face with a peanut butter milkshake. By the time I’m done, I’ve got four containers in my hands.
“Evie!” My name is bellowed through the small store.
Oh crap. I’m in trouble. He used my actual name. “I’m here,” I announce right as he finds me. “I had to pee.” His eyes drop to the sweets in my hands. “Then I got distracted.”
He fishes out his wallet and pulls out a hundred before taking the sweets from me. “Get your little ass back in the truck, little duck,” he orders.
Desire blooms through my body at his firm tone. I hurry toward the front, with him hot on my heels. The older woman gives me a knowing smile.
“Thanks, Annie,” Connor tells the woman before dropping the money on her counter and following me out. He puts the treats in the back before he opens the box he dropped in the back. He comes back to the passenger side door. “Sorry,” he says sheepishly.
“No one is taking me from you. Wouldn't allow it.” He always gets a bit worked up when I’m not where he thinks I am. It always ends with us both naked and him inside of me.
“I love you.” He hands me the book.
“I love you too.” I hold it close to my chest. It’s our love story.
“Then when we get home, you’ll get your little ass up to our bed and be naked by the time I’m done unloading everything.”
“I—”
“You’re not helping me. You’re getting naked.”
“I can do that,” I agree. He leans in to kiss me as snow starts to fall. The storm is closing in. It’s time to get back up the mountain.
Back home.