Jack
I don’t run from things.
I never have.
Not from a fight, not from a storm, and damn sure not from a woman.
But this—finding out I’ve got a daughter I never knew about—this knocked the breath out of me like a steel-toed boot to the ribs. I needed space before I said something I couldn’t take back. So I did the only thing I knew how to do when the world tilted under my feet:
I drove.
The stretch of road between Devil’s Peak and Copper Mountain cuts through fir trees and frozen ridges, the Phantom River running alongside it like it’s racing me. I grip the wheel tighter with every mile, the scent of pine and snow curling into the cab of the truck, but my head’s not here.
It’s back in that cabin.
Back with her.
Withmy daughter.
King’s place sits just off the main drag in Copper Mountain, tucked behind his workshop where he carves custom rifle stocksand drinks bourbon straight from the bottle. I pull in, kill the engine, and don’t even have time to slam the door before he’s standing on the porch, arms crossed, knowing look on his face.
"Well, shit," he says. "You look like you’ve been sucker-punched."
"Not punched." I drag a hand through my hair. "Just wrecked."
He nods. "Come on. Indie just made chili. You’ll feel like less of an emotional porcupine once your stomach’s full."
Two bowls, a beer, and a ten-minute explanation later, King leans back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"Let me get this straight. She had your kid, never told you, showed back up with the little tykeat your house,and you didn’t drop to one knee the second you found out?"
I glare at him. "You’re not helping."
"I’m not trying to. I’m trying tofixyour dumbass."
I drag a hand down my face.
"You love her?"
I don’t even hesitate. "Yeah."
"You love the kid?"
My chest tightens. "She’s mine. That’s all I need to know."
King nods like he’s been waiting for me to say that. "Then get your ass to the jewelry store and put a damn ring on it."
"You really think it’s that simple?"
He leans forward, expression softening just a fraction. "Jack, when I met Indie, I was half-feral and carrying enough baggage to crush a semi. She took one look at me and saw past all of it. Married her as soon as she’d have me. Best decision of my life. She gave me direction, gave me a reason to stop sleeping with a loaded gun under my pillow. Gave me peace."
I stare at him, heart beating like a war drum.
"That woman came back for a reason. She trusted you enough to stay. She just needs you to trustherback."
The jewelry store’s small. Quiet. Just one older guy behind the counter polishing a display case when I walk in.
He looks up. "You look like a man on a mission."
