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“You told him she was pregnant?”
Rowan nods and strokes his hand down over his beard. “He was real nice about it. I’ll take care of things from here. You should go get that arm looked at.”
We all know I’m not getting this arm looked at.
“I’m going to talk to the shop owner first. I want to apologize and offer to fix all this.”
“Wait, I’ll talk to her.” Aspen stares up at me sweetly. “She used to babysit Everleigh when she was little. I’m sure I can work something out. You stay with the boys.”
Considering everything sounds better from a beautiful woman, I let Aspen help out on this one.
She tips up onto her toes and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
I resist the urge to smack her ass as she walks away. It’s a hard urge to resist. We’re all a little high from this capture, though it’s nothing compared to every dream I’ve had coming true this afternoon.
When she’s clear out of the space, Hudson, my most inquisitive son, looks toward me.
“So, who is she?”
Before I’m able to answer, Rowan says, “That’s the woman from the trading post, isn’t it? The one whose banana bread you recreated.”
“How do you know?”
“I can tell by the way you look at her. You also complete sentences when she’s around, so… I figure you had to know her from somewhere.” He flashes a smile. “She seems nice.”
“Weird to see you in love, Dad. Didn’t think it was possible,” Hudson adds.
Love. I’m in love. I’ve been in love. It’s nice to hear it out loud.
The rest of the boys stay quiet. I’m sure they’re all in shock. Not because they can’t handle their dad with a woman. They’re old enough for that. I think maybe it’s strange for them to see me with anyone, period.
Aspen returns with a smile on her face. “Mrs. Robinson is the sweetest woman. She totally understands. I told her you’d pay for the damage to the freezer, but she insisted that you didn’t.”
“I’m paying for the freezer, the contents, and the rest of the damage we’ve caused. I appreciate her being so sweet, but I’m sure you had something to do with that.” I lean in and kiss the top of Aspen’s head. Now that the immediate danger has been satisfied, the urge to have her alone again comes spilling back tenfold. I realize I can’t have her right here in the general store, but surely we can sneak away for a second alone. I hate how things were interrupted earlier.
I scoop Aspen’s hand into mine and glance toward the boys. “We’re going to see how much damage this bear did. Let me know when Henry gets here with the equipment.”
It’s clear that no one believes I’m leaving to assess damage. Their half-cocked grins say as much. That’s fair. I gave them all a hell of a time with their women, and I’ve earned what’s coming, but I don’t let it stop me.
Aspen’s hand in mine, we walk out of the general store, and into the little shed behind the building where I intend to kiss her until backup arrives.
Chapter Seven
Aspen
The funny thing about kissing is that it’s never just kissing.
With him, one single kiss has my body in a state of liquefaction.
He grips my waist and guides me closer until I’m straddling him. Judging by the growl moving up his throat, I’d say he likes this new position.
We’re in a small shed behind the general store. I didn’t even know this place existed. Apparently, this is where Mrs. Robinson keeps the overflow of paper products for the bathroom, as well as a few cleaning supplies.
I’m sure it’s not actually warm in here with the wind howling and the snow accumulating fast, but here with this big man, I’m dripping sweat.
I can’t get enough of him.
His fingers graze my lower back and I close my eyes, taking in the rough texture of his skin. I’m not sure what I’m doing. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life, and part of me is paralyzed. I don’t know what to do, what to say, how to act. All I know is I need him… now!
