“That’s the one,” he grunts and pushes a hand through his hair. “She’s crashed into me a half dozen times our first lesson…she’s cute though, I’ll give her that.”
“Oh…finally found a girl to steal your heart, huh?” Lark teases him.
Aiden huffs, but I can see something below the characteristic annoyance that lingers in his eyes. Aiden and I have been best friends since middle school—he’s a staple at Devil’s Peak and the best ski instructor in the Rockies. We’re lucky he’s willing to give lessons here at the lodge, but the guy can be so grumpy and unfriendly, if he wasn’t an expert he’d have been canned a long time ago.
“Hey, Aiden? I forgot to ask what time tomorrow!” A blonde girl jogs up to us, her eyes on my friend.
His gaze narrows as he takes her in, the tight, neon ski outfit sticks out like a sore thumb around here, there’s no doubt she’s a tourist and the exact opposite of anyone Aiden would choose to hang out with.
“Ugh—how about six?” He throws over his shoulder.
“In themorning?”Her mouth drops.
“Yep. Early bird catches the worm or whatever,” he replies.
“But it’s still dark then!” She protests, eyes darting from me and Lark, then back to Aiden.
A low growl escapes his throat before he spins to fully face her. “It’s the only time I’ve got on the schedule tomorrow, take it or leave it, Snow Princess.” There’s a challenge in his words and an arrogant tip to his chin.
The Snow Princess seems to pick up on his snarky attitude because she squares her shoulders, then narrows her eyes and spits: “Fine.I’ll be there with bells on.Grinch.”
Lark and I burst into laughter as she spins and walks off leaving Aiden standing there on the porch with a look of profound irritation tracing his features.
“Guess you got a morning date. And look at that—she already knows your heart is two sizes too small,” I quip.
“Right, well at least I’m getting paid,” he grunts, then waves before stepping off the porch and heading in the direction of the small cottage he rents from us at the edge of the property.
Next to us, my mother, Margie Warner, sits in her favorite rocking chair, her eyes misty as she watches the scene unfold. She’s been here since Finn was born, helping Lark and fussing over her new grandson with a tenderness that only a grandmother can possess. I glance at her, seeing the love in her gaze, the pride that fills her every time she looks at me or any of my brothers.
“You did good, Ma,” I finally say, my voice filled with sincerity.
She smiles, her eyes shining. “So did you, Hunter. I always knew you’d be a good father.”
Lark shifts Finn in her arms, cradling him closer. “You must’ve done something right,” she says to Margie, her tone filled with admiration. “All nine of your sons are still here on Devil’s Peak, and they’re all so close. I’d say that’s an accomplishment.”
Margie’s face softens, her hand reaching out to gently stroke Finn’s tiny hand. “It wasn’t always easy raising all these wild boys,” she admits, her voice thick with emotion. “But seeing you all grown and happy… that’s worth everything.”
Lark’s eyes are full of warmth as she looks at Margie. “Teach me your ways,” she says with a playful smile. “I want Finn to feel that same kind of love.”
Margie’s gaze shifts to me, her expression turning serious. “You don’t need me to teach you, Lark. You’re already doing it. The love you have for Finn—and for Hunter—it’s plain to see.”
I wrap an arm around Lark’s shoulders, pulling her closer. “She’s more than just a good mom,” I say, my voice low and filled with conviction. “She’s everything.”
Margie’s eyes well up with tears, and she quickly wipes them away, her smile radiant. “I’m so proud of you, Hunter,” she says, her voice trembling. “You’ve built a life here. A real life.”
I press a soft kiss to Lark’s temple, then one to Finn’s forehead, feeling the warmth of my son’s skin against my lips. “I’m the luckiest man in the Rockies,” I say quietly, my voice filled with a raw honesty I don’t usually let show. “The day I found you, Lark, I found myself.”
Lark’s eyes glisten, her lips curving into a smile that’s both tender and teasing.
“Is that right?” she asks, her voice filled with a mix of playfulness and emotion.
I nod, my voice dropping to a low, rough whisper. “And I’m not done, you know. I want to show you just how much I love you.” I lean closer, my breath hot against her ear. “Starting by putting another baby in that belly of yours.”
She lets out a soft, surprised laugh, swatting at my chest with one hand. “Hunter,” she says, her tone a mix of amusement and warning.
But there’s a flicker in her eyes—an undeniable heat that tells me she’s not entirely opposed to the idea. I feel a surge of possessive pride, the kind that makes me want to lay claim to her all over again, to build something even bigger, even stronger, with the woman who’s become my entire world.
“Yeah,” I murmur, my voice low and filled with promise. “Another baby. And maybe another one after that. I want to fill these mountains with our wild, free-spirited kids.”
