Page 81 of Beastly Mountain Man

The laugh disappeared.

My eyes burned unexpectedly.

“That doesn’t solve anything.”

“I know.”

“You’re not supposed to be this reasonable while I’m having a difficult moment.”

“I can try to be worse.”

“Please don’t.”

He opened one arm.

I moved into it without thinking about whether I was supposed to.

Lucky held me against his chest while I stared at the fire.

After a minute, I said, “What about you?”

“What about me?”

“You’re very good at taking care of people. Fixing things. Feeding people. Making sure everybody is warm and safe and has the correct number of waffles.”

“Two was the correct number.”

“Debatable.”

“I have evidence.”

I tilted my head back to look at him.

“Does it ever bother you when people only see that part?”

Lucky thought for a moment.

“Sometimes.”

He looked toward the windows.

“I like the work. I like fixing something that was broken when I walked in. I like knowing people are comfortable because I did my job. None of that bothers me.”

“But.”

His mouth curved faintly.

“You started this. You don’t get to complain about my but.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Some guests learn my name. Some don’t. Most are decent. But there are times when somebody remembers the hot water came back and never really notices the person who got it running.”

I understood that too well.

Lucky continued, “That’s fine when it’s work. I’m paid to make sure the hot water works.”

He looked down at me.