“They got big mouths,” Chloe observed excitedly, tossing in a piece of bread.
“Yeah, they’re bottom feeders,” I answered. Chloe looked at me funny but nodded as if she understood. I smiled when I saw tiny heads start to pop up around the koi. “Look, Chloe, those are turtles popping their heads out of the water. They like bread, too, if you want to toss them some.”
Chloe grinned and tossed an entire piece of bread toward the turtle heads. Madness took over the pond as the fish and turtles ripped it to pieces. Chloe’s eyes were huge as she watched the spectacle, and she giggled and danced around in delight. The adults laughed along with her.
Some of the turtles came close to us and stretched their long necks out of the water. Chloe asked if she could pet one, and I had to explain to her that these were snapping turtles and that they would bite her. She gasped and stared at me.
“Not on purpose,” I hurried to explain. “It’s more of a reflex for them to snap like that. That’s how they catch their food. But never try and touch one of these turtles ‘cause they will hurt you, even if they don’t mean to,” I warned her.
Chloe nodded in consideration. “Do all turtles bite?”
“No, many of the turtles you find on land won’t bite you. But the ones in the water will.”
“Why?” she asked quizzically.
“Because they eat different kinds of food. Land turtles eat plants mostly, and water turtles have to catch small fish to eat. So that’s why the water turtles snap at things, to catch them. Does that make sense?”
Chloe considered my words and nodded in understanding. “Okay, I won’t pet these ones.”
“That’s good,” I told her.
Emily and Kellan sat on one of the nearby benches and watched us toss bread to the fish and turtles. The geese and ducks came back for more bread, and we finished tossing the loaf to them.
Chloe yawned and looked at her mom. “I’m tired,” she announced.
“I bet,” Kellan said. “You had a long day with only a short nap.”
“Let’s go back to the cabin,” Emily suggested.
Kellan stood up. “I’ll take Chloe back and get her ready for bed. You two can spend some time together,” he offered.
“Are you sure?” Emily asked him. “It’s your vacation too.”
“There’s a hockey game on I want to watch,” he replied. Emily narrowed her eyes at him as if to ask if he was really sure. “Go,” he ordered Emily, taking Chloe by the hand and leading her away from the pond. After ten feet, Chloe stopped ran back for a hug and a kiss from her mom and me. When she hurried to her uncle, Kellan bent to lift the small child. We watched them until they walked out of view.
“That was nice of him to take her,” I said.
“I know. He’s the best,” Emily agreed.
“What do you want to do?” I asked her.
Emily shrugged. “I don’t know. You live here. What’s there to do?”
“Nothing tonight, really. It’s Monday. The lounge is open for a while, but that’s it,” I answered. “Want to come up to my cabin for a beer? We can watch a movie or something?”
“Or something?” Emily joked.
“Or something,” I nodded, grinning naughtily.
Emily giggled. “I might be up for a little or something.”
“After you,” I motioned to Emily.
As she walked by me, I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to my side. Hand in hand, I led her to the Bronco parked in the main lot. I took the private drive around the back of the resort up to my family’s row of cabins.
“Wow, this is amazing!” Emily exclaimed. “Look at the view!”
I glanced in the direction she was staring. The sun was setting behind the houses, but the reds and oranges of the sunset took over the entire sky. In the distance, over the ridge, you could see the tips of the snow-covered mountain peaks reflecting the bright colors. It was a sight you could only see in the mountains, that was for sure.
I stopped the SUV. “Come look out my window at the river snaking below,” I told her.
Emily scooched closer and leaned over me so she could see. “The river looks so blue!” she exclaimed. “And look at the reflections! We should go see it one day.”
“Of course,” I agreed, grinning, checking out the view myself. “I never tire of these views,” I told her as she leaned back into the seat, and I urged the Bronco forward.
As we passed each house, I announced who lived there. “The big white house is my mom’s, where we all grew up. We built the other cabins as us kids moved out of the main house. The first cabin is Brad and Angela’s. Then Cole and Lindsay’s. This one is Dax and Oakley’s, and finally, this one is mine,” I told her as I pulled up in front of the porch.
“This is amazing,” Emily said excitedly after I helped her down from her seat.
“I agree,” I told her. “I love living here.”
“You have such a great view from your porch, too,” she added.
I opened the door and motioned for Emily to go inside. I flipped on the lamp to brighten the room.
“I can’t believe you live here,” Emily said in her lovely voice. “Look at all the details in the woodwork,” she purred, trailing her fingers over the carved etchings.
“My brother, Cole, is a woodworker. I planned the designs, and he did most of the etching.”
“Wow,” she said again, her gaze wandering from one area to the next.
I smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I do,” she grinned. “A lot.”
I opened beers and gave Emily a quick tour of my cabin. The living space, dining area, kitchen, and my office were downstairs. Upstairs, I showed off my master suite and master bath.
“This is heavenly,” Emily swooned, studying the bathroom. “What a perfect, relaxing bathroom. Just look at that tub!”
I grinned. “I made sure to get a good spa tub. I work out a lot, sometimes more than once a day, with my classes and ski lessons and all. The hot water and jets do wonders for my sore muscles,” I explained. “You can try it out any time you like.”
Emily turned to me and smiled. “Anytime?”
“Anytime,” I whispered seductively.
“Okay,” Emily whispered, her eyes on mine.
I grabbed the beer from her hand and put it down beside mine on the bathroom vanity. I dragged Emily into my arms and closed my mouth firmly on hers. Emily fervently returned my kiss, her body quivering with anticipation as she felt my cock swelling against her middle.
The wait had been too long and got the best of me. I moved my hand over Emily’s heaving bosom and grabbed at her shirt, pulling it over her head. Reaching behind her back, I unclasped her bra and watched as her perfect tits sprang from their enclosure. I stepped back and slid out of my flannel and pulled off my tank top. Emily’s eyes seductively roamed over my chiseled torso.
I shrugged out of my jeans and kicked off my boots. Groaning, I moved to do the same to Emily’s remaining clothes. On my knees, I slid my hands up her bare thighs, and she uttered a soft moan as my fingers reached between her legs.
I was breathing hard, gasping for air as if drowning. I pushed two fingers into her warm pussy. She was so wet. Emily leaned back against the bathroom vanity countertop and opened her legs to me, and I felt a feverish need to taste her flowing juices.
I moved my mouth along her silky thigh until I found her wet warmth. I pushed my tongue into her pussy, lapping at her juices. Finding her clit, I circled my tongue against it until I felt her body tense up.
Emily’s fingers latched onto my thick hair, and I heard her cry out in pleasure. Her body shuddered, and I flicked my tongue at her clit until she released her juices onto my face. I lapped at her sweet flow until I had my fill.
She recovered quickly and pulled me up by my hair to meet her gaze. I saw a burning desire in her blue-grey eyes. Emily put her palms on my pec muscles and pushed me backward into the bedroom. At the bed, she pushed me hard enough for
me to fall and climbed on top of me. Straddling my thighs, her soft hands roamed my body and found their way to my erection. I closed my eyes and let her hands do magic to my throbbing member.
I felt Emily’s wetness on my legs and needed her to fuck me. I grabbed her small waist with my strong hands, lifted her body, and slammed her tight pussy onto my waiting cock.
“Harley,” Emily groaned loudly as my thick dick pierced her tight channel. Her pussy lips smacked off my balls, and I lifted her body to repeat the motion. Her body soon adapted to my thick girth, and Emily leaned her hands onto my chest and slid her pussy up and down my cock.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the ride. Emily took her hands from my chest and sat up tall. She bounced on my dick, and I opened my eyes to watch her tits heave as she fucked me.
My longing for her luscious body surged, and I reached up with both hands to palm her plump breasts.
She closed her eyes as her head fell back, and I felt her pussy tighten around my cock. I let her ride me into oblivion, watching her lovely face as she came for the second time.
When she finished, I was beyond the point of control and couldn’t take it anymore. My cock shuddered inside her, and I drove my shaft deeper into her as I came. Groaning loudly, I exploded into orgasm.
When my body finally stilled, Emily fell limp onto my chest. I put my arm around her back and pulled us both up onto the pillows. Laying with her naked in my arms, I kissed her mouth tenderly.
Looking deep into her eyes, I knew I would never let her go. I’d find a way to keep her with me if it was the last thing I did.
Emily
I was looking forward to the family dinner meeting Brad had set up for Harley and me. But I was still unsure how starting a business at the resort could work. Harley was excited about it, so I didn’t express my concerns again. I didn’t want to ruin the moment yet. But ruin it I would have to; I wouldn’t lose my daughter to be with him.
Kellan drove us to the resort in our borrowed car. When we pulled up in front of the main building, Harley was there waiting for us. He ambled to the car and helped Chloe out of the car seat.
Turning to me with my daughter’s hand in his, he asked, “Ready?”
I nodded. I must have been wearing my nerves on my face because Harley grinned and took both of my hands in his. “No reason to be nervous. You already met everyone except Cole.”
“I know,” I admitted. “But I can’t help it. Everyone’s been so kind. I just want to make a good impression.”
Harley smiled and nodded. “Trust me, you already have.”
He led us up the front steps and held the door open for us to enter. I went in first and gasped. Stopping suddenly, Chloe and Kellan, who were following closely behind, piled right into me.
“What?” Kellan asked, troubled. I was taking up most of the doorway, so he couldn’t see what was standing in front of me.
“A dog!” Chloe squealed happily as she peered around my leg.
“A big dog,” I corrected her, my eyes on the large creature. I instinctively put my arm back to shield Chloe from the beast. The last thing I expected to see when I entered the common room was a huge German Shepard staring me down. As I backed up, pushing Chloe with me, the dog laid down. It’s tongue lazily rolled out of its mouth as it panted softly.
“Good girl, Bella.”
My eyes flew toward the husky voice coming from a husky man, whose resemblance to the rest of the family was apparent. The dog turned her head and wagged her tail furiously at the voice.
The man looked at me, his head tilted curiously. “You don’t have to worry. Bella’s friendly. She’s trained to lay down if a guest acts afraid of her.”
Relieved I wasn’t about to be mauled by the dog, I took a deep breath. “Okay,” I said, still holding Chloe back. I heard Harley chuckle from behind us. I turned to glare at him.
“Let me gooo,” Chloe whined.
I let her go by but held on to her arm. I moved aside to let Kellan and Harley in the doorway first.
“You can let Chloe go. Sorry, I must have forgotten to mention Bella,” Harley said, grinning.
Still scowling, I asked, “You think? I wasn’t expecting to walk straight into a huge dog!”
“Sorry,” Harley repeated. “Bella’s harmless, though, and she loves kids.” He gestured to the man with the dog. “This is my brother Cole, Bella’s master. Cole, this is Emily and Kellan Mayberry and Emily’s daughter, Chloe.”
Cole nodded. “Nice to meet you. Sorry Bella scared you,” he said, extending his hand.
“Likewise,” Kellan answered with a quick shake.
I nodded and accepted Cole Hunter’s hand as well.
“Can I pet the dog?” Chole asked, jumping up and down, begging me with her eyes.
I looked at Cole before answering her. He nodded that it was okay, so I told Chloe to go ahead. “Be gentle,” I reminded her.
I bit my lip, my nerves jangling as I watched my daughter approach the massive dog. But to my surprise, Bella remained still and allowed Chloe to pat her on her head. The giant animal, who had to weigh as much as Chloe, rolled over for a belly rub. Chloe giggled and kneeled beside the animal, rubbing her stomach. Bella closed her eyes, enjoying every second of it, if her tail banging on the floor noisily was any indication.
A small audience formed in the doorway of the dining room’s double doors. Harley’s nieces, Abby and Raini, looked on from around their Uncle Cole’s thick legs. We watched as they shyly approached Chloe. The girls had only briefly met the day before, so this dinner was a chance for them to get to know each other a little better.
“Is this your dog?” Chloe smiled up at them.
“Bella is Uncle Cole’s dog, but he shares her with us,” Abby announced.
Chloe nodded. “She’s nice.”
“Yep, and she likes to play tag!” Raini chimed in excitedly.
“Tag?” Chloe asked.
“Yep, you wanna play?” Chloe nodded. “Bella, come on!” Abby urged the dog to follow her. “Come on, Chloe. She’ll follow us.” She waved her arm as Raini ran by her.
Chloe looked at me for permission, and I smiled at her. “Go play.”
With a mile-wide grin, she got up and ran after the other two little girls while Bella trotted happily behind them. My grin widened as I watched Chloe run off with her newfound friends.
“Whew, your smiling again,” Harley joked, pretending to wipe his brow. “I didn’t know you were afraid of dogs or I would have warned you.”
“It’s okay,” I told him. “It’s irrational, I guess, but I can’t seem to help it.”
“Come on,” he said, taking my hand to lead me into the dining room.
I noticed the dining room had transformed a little from yesterday. The tables had been pushed together near the large picture windows to form one long gathering space. Fifteen settings and one highchair were placed around the table. The entire family greeted us with a friendly hello and made us feel welcome. As Harley led Kellan and me to our seats, I looked for Chloe, who was playing nicely with the other two girls and Bella.
“They’re fine. They can play while we talk,” Brad assured me with a smile. “Dinner’s not quite ready yet, so we can get the meeting part out of the way first.”
“Okay,” I agreed.
Even though I was nervous about the meeting and the terms Brad would bring to the table, I really had nothing to worry about. He explained that he still wasn’t too certain about opening a spa, but if Harley and I wanted to go in half and half on it, the resort would pay to expand the gym. Once the spa and gym were paid off, we could start paying a small percentage of the income to the resort as a form of rent, which would include Dax doing the advertising. We would have an initial, built-in customer base as the resort’s guests would be using the spa at an additional rate. This would be more profitable for both of us than if we were to open a spa in a remote location where we would have to pay monthly rent, utilities, and advertising, as well as find our
own customers. Moreover, we wouldn’t have to pay someone to run the spa or gym because Harley and I would do it. We could come to other terms later if our situation changed.
Harley and I both thought Brad’s terms were fair. The whole thing sounded so exciting, but I still didn’t think I could actually be a part of this. I had a lot to think about. Harley had said that he would find a way to make it work. I was secretly hoping he would be able to. But knowing Shawn like I did, I doubted he could pull it off. I’d never been able to; what could he do that I couldn’t.
* * *
Wednesday afternoon, Kellan, Chloe, and I were coming home from a nature walk. Lindsay had let us borrow one of her cameras and loaded it with film. She told us to go out and shoot some pictures, and she would show us how to develop them in the resort’s darkroom. Learning that Lindsay was a famous wildlife photographer was exciting and interesting. She even gave Chloe one of the wildlife books she’d published with her own animal photos. It was Chloe’s new favorite book, and she flipped through the pages endlessly.
Chloe was so excited about the idea of taking pictures and developing the film, which surprised me. I had no idea she would enjoy it so much. It made me wish I’d taken more pictures with her when we went out at home.
Chloe was hand and hand between Kellan and me, swinging our arms as we sang Row, Row, Row Your Boat down the driveway to the cabin. Kellan hesitated, and I looked up and saw a man standing at our cabin doorway. I wondered if he was resort staff, but I didn’t recognize him.
“Do you know who that is?” I asked Kellan.
“No,” Kellan replied, as the man turned toward us. He had a big manila envelope in his hands. “Let me see what he wants,” Kellan said, letting go of Chloe’s hand and trotting up to the porch ahead of us. “Can I help you?”
“Yes, is this where the Mayberrys are staying?” he asked.
“Whose asking?”
I started to get nervous when the man hesitated; he didn’t say who he was. Instead, he asked for me. Kellan tensed up in a protective stance. What could this man want? Nobody knew we were here except for Harley and his family.
Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection Page 74