Page 5 of Oops I Fell For The Mountain Man Next Door

I glance between him and Rachel. "Would you really like to interrogate me about my inappropriate emotional decisions tonight?"

"Go find her." Rachel laughs.

"Absolutely not," my father growls.

"Ignore him. I’ll take care of your father.”

"I usually do." I laugh with Rachel at my father’s expense.

"Marx."

"Good night, Dad."

I walk out of the cabin, set on finding Lana. All the cabins are dark except for one small cabin near the vines, with a few lights still on. I know it’s late, but since whoever is in that cabin might know where I can find Lana, I have to try.

Taking a deep breath, I lift my hand and knock. The porch light comes on, and the door opens. Lana stands there in plaid pajama pants, an oversized sweatshirt, and a confused look on her beautiful face. "Marx?"

"Hi."

She looks down at her watch, then back at me. "It's two in the morning."

"I know."

Her eyes widen as realization dawns. "The wedding."

"I canceled it."

"Is she okay?" Lana leans against the door frame, waiting for my answer. That question tells me everything about Lana—even half asleep, she's concerned about a stranger’s feelings.

"She’ll be okay.” I think about my father holding her tightly in his arms.

"And you?"

“I’ll be okay, too.” I don’t add that, as long as she’ll have me, everything will be all right.

Lana steps onto the porch. "You did the right thing."

I look at her, and for the first time tonight, I can breathe. "Come with me."

She blinks. "What?"

"Not forever," I quickly add, trying not to scare her by telling the truth—I want her forever. "Only a few days," I add.

"Marx."

"I need to get out of here to clear my head.”

"And you want me to come?"

"Yes." I gaze into her eyes, hoping she can see the truth in them that I can’t say out loud, at least not yet.

"Why?" She crosses her arms over her chest, waiting for my answer.

I want to tell her it’s because she makes me laugh, because she’s the first person in a year to ask what I want, and because I've only known her for a few hours, yet somehow I trust her. Instead, I settle on the safest truth. "Because I don't want to be alone."

Her expression softens. "We barely know each other.”

"I know."