Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection

by Crowne, K. C.

  I held up a hand. “It’s alright. Just clock in, we’re slow today so it’s all good.”

  Allison was a young woman, college age. Not really that much younger than me, but sometimes it felt like twenty-one was a lifetime ago though I was only seven years past it. A lot can change in seven years, especially when you go all in and decide to open your own business.

  “You’re good to your employees,” Abe said.

  “Yeah, well, they’re people too. And they’re my neighbors and friends first - employees second.”

  “I like that about you.”

  Man, my cheeks were just going to be permanently red this morning.

  “Felicity?” Allison’s voice called from the back. “The time clock isn’t working.”

  Dammit. Something else.

  It was always something. “Well, enjoy the rest of your breakfast,” I said to Abe. “I need to take care of some things in the back. Holler if you need more coffee.”

  I hurried to the back where Allison and two others were waiting to clock in. But she was right, the time clock wouldn’t let them enter their employee ID for some reason. With a groan, I hurried back into my office to grab the form to keep track of their hours manually - and I saw the mail I’d casually thrown on my desk yesterday.

  Something from the city caught my eye. Not sure how I’d missed it, except by the time I got the mail, we were slammed and it was probably the last thing on my mind.

  I opened it quickly and read through the letter, my heart dropping into my stomach.

  An inspection. And it was scheduled for next week.

  There was no way I’d get everything fixed, and a few of the problems were not up to code. I could ask Grant or one of my other friend’s husbands for help, but I didn’t have the money to pay them. And I always paid people for their work; I wouldn’t take handouts.

  I’d have to figure something out.

  I sighed and went back out, not wanting to hold things up much longer.

  For now, I had to get through the day. Put out the fires that needed to be put out right away, then worry about the inspection later.

  Abe

  Karen walked through the door of the diner, and right away, she saw me. I couldn’t be sure that my mother had sought me out, knowing that I often visited the diner before work, but it felt like a possibility.

  After all, I rarely saw her out that early in the morning, not since she’d retired from her own medical practice years ago.

  “Mom,” I said, standing to hug her. “What brings you out on this rainy day?”

  “Oh, you know, I get a little stir crazy,” she said, shaking off her raincoat.

  Though grey now, my mother had had the same brown hair and brown eyes that I did and I resembled her in all but my size which I’d gotten from my father.

  She sat across from me and frowned when she saw my plate.

  “I was hoping to catch you before you ordered, so we could grab breakfast together.”

  “Ah, so this isn’t a coincidental meeting.”

  I took a seat and offered her a bite. She frowned even deeper now, running a hand through her short, grey bob.

  “You’re a busy man, it’s often hard to reach you.”

  “You can try calling. I will always call you back. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t call my mom back?”

  “But I don’t like leaving voicemails, and you know how I feel about the phone.”

  I chuckled. Yes, I knew how she felt about the phone. And in a town the size of Liberty, it was easy to track someone down; there weren’t too many places to hide.

  “So, what’s going on, Mom? Why did you seek me out on this rainy Monday?”

  “It’s your Aunt Sue,” she said, letting out a deep sigh.

  “Is she sick?”

  “No, she just had another grandbaby. Another! Can you believe she’s got eight of them, Abe? Eight! And well, we won’t even talk about how I don’t have a single one.”

  I cringed. It had always been a point of contention between my parents and me. I was an only child, their only chance to have grandchildren and carry on the Hammond name. And I wanted children, it just didn’t seem to be in the cards.

  “I went to therapy on Friday, and she said that I need to connect with my son more. Since grandbabies aren’t in the picture, I need to focus on what I do have, my relationship with you. And that’s why I’m here, to have breakfast with my son.”

  She sat upright and kicked her chin out, defiant and headstrong as always.

  The truth was, I’d been thinking about giving her what she wanted. Because I wanted to have a family myself. Before, I’d always assumed it meant that I had to have a wife to have kids, but that was old fashioned thinking, and we had the technology to make it happen. I had the resources to care for a child. I had more than enough money to care for them and pay for their education and give them a good life. I was slowing down career-wise, and it finally felt like the right time. Not to mention, I wasn’t exactly getting any younger.

  But I didn’t want to get my mom’s hopes up. Not until I met with a surrogacy agency and looked into the options. I still had a ways to go with it, and it wasn’t guaranteed, so I kept my trap shut. If I gave her false hope for something she wanted that badly, I’d never hear the end of it - and I’d feel like a huge ass if it didn’t come to pass.

  “Have you thought about surrogacy, Abe?”

  “Excuse me?” How had my mother literally read my mind?

  “Surrogacy. You’re not getting any younger, sure, but I think you’d qualify, and we both know you’d make an excellent father. So have you?”

  I opened my mouth to say something, but she’d caught me off-guard. I wasn’t prepared to tell her my plans on meeting with an agency. I also couldn’t outright lie to her either.

  But then, an angel with light blonde hair and bright eyes appeared. She had the sweetest face I’d ever seen. Big, blue eyes, perfectly pink lips, and cherubic cheeks with dimples.

  Felicity walked over, her hips swishing, showing off her curves. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, Mrs. Hammond. Is there anything I can get you to drink?”

  My mother looked from me to Felicity, and a knowing smile spread across her lips. She reached for Felicity’s hands, taking them in hers. Felicity looked a little surprised.

  “Oh dear, it’s alright. I’ll just take a coffee, if you wouldn’t mind.”

  This woman was not my mother. Felicity strode off and I couldn’t help but check out her ass. She was twenty-eight years old, and she had the curves of a Grecian Goddess. What warm-blooded man wouldn’t check that out?

  My mother cleared her throat.

  “Yes?” I asked.

  “I changed my mind.”

  “About what?”

  “Surrogacy being your only option. I think that young lady would give you beautiful babies, and from the way you’re looking at her—”

  “Mother, please,” I scolded.

  “I’m just saying, she was checking you out too and—”

  “You already know my feelings about this.”

  “It’s been five years, Abe. Are you really going to let one horrible woman ruin you for everyone else?”

  “She wasn’t horrible until the end.”

  “No, she was always horrible, she was just good at hiding it.”

  “And how do I know that I’m not just terrible at picking them, huh? Maybe I’m an awful judge of character.”

  “Please, you made a few mistakes, doesn’t mean you’re doomed to only date floozies.”

  I grabbed the napkin and clenched my fist around it. A mistake.

  “Gloria wasn’t just a little mistake. I almost married her.”

  “Yeah, but you didn’t.”

  “Only because her side piece reached out to me. If he hadn’t, I never would have found out about the three other men she was stringing along.”

  Mom sighed. “She was something else, that one.”

  “And Lana? What
about her?”

  My mother cringed. “Well, you know I didn’t like her from the beginning.”

  Lana hadn’t been as bad as Gloria. She’d had a drinking problem, that she hid well, and would often make poor decisions when she went out. But she had no intention of ever quitting the booze, so I quit her instead.

  I’d had other relationships too - many over the years. None of them ended well. Not all of them were utter disasters, but they were so short-lived.

  Needless to say, I didn’t believe in monogamy. And since I had no desire to engage in polyamory, I remained single. I had lost my desire to play the field, and it was time to grow up and pay attention to the things that mattered. In my case, that just happened not to include.

  “Felicity isn’t like that though. She’s a good girl, I’ve watched her grow up.”

  “Maybe she is, I don’t know.” I didn’t trust anyone. Or maybe it was me, maybe I was the one turning these women into cheaters. It was just easier to be single.

  I knew my mother was right about Felicity though, or at least I wanted to believe she was. Felicity seemed like one of the good ones.

  She was also twenty years younger than me.

  She needed to date around, find someone her own age.

  Not someone like me.

  It was off the table.

  “But she’s so pretty, smart, healthy, talented…” mom continued listing off Felicity’s positive traits.

  “Yes, she is, and I hope she finds someone who gives her everything she wants one day.”

  “Who?” Felicity’s voice caught me by surprise.

  She placed the coffee in front of my mother.

  Before my mom could speak, I said, “I think my mom is ready to order. Aren’t you, mother?”

  “Yes, I think so. I’ll have the senior special, dear.”

  “How would you like the eggs?”

  “Fertilized,” my mom said just as I took a drink from my coffee. I spit it out all over the table. “Kidding! You know, old people humor. I’ll have them scrambled. Thanks, dear.”

  Felicity shot me an amused, but confused look, but then wiped down the table and scampered off to the kitchen.

  I wanted to get out of there, to head into the office and leave this conversation behind. But I couldn’t trust my mother not to do or say something embarrassing. Knowing her, she’d broker a deal with Felicity in my absence, convincing the poor girl to give her grandbabies.

  And as much as the idea appealed to me, I liked her food too much to ruin never being able to step foot in here again.

  Felicity

  “What a day,” I moaned as I slipped into the booth. “Sorry I’m late, I had to fix the time clock or else spend eternity entering all the time in manually.”

  “Why didn’t you call Grant for help?” Piper asked, speaking about her husband and Leah’s brother. “He’s happy to help out.”

  Inwardly, I cringed. I hated asking for help, especially from friends. If I couldn’t pay them, I didn’t want them to work for me. Too much potential for drama.

  “Oh, it’s fine,” I said, waving it off. “It’s an easy fix.”

  Felicity, why did you say anything? You shouldn’t talk about these things. You don’t want people to worry about you or pity you.

  Piper looked ready to argue, but I quickly changed the subject. “How are the kids?”

  Piper’s eyes lit up right away. She’d always wanted to have a large family, and she was well on her way of achieving that. Two kids currently, one of which wasn’t her own by birth, but she loved that little boy as much as if she’d birthed him herself.

  “Caleb starts kindergarten next year. Can you believe it?”

  “Wow, no, I can’t.”

  “I can’t imagine when Matilda goes to kindergarten, she’s going to give the teacher’s a very hard time. She’s as stubborn as her father, I swear.”

  I smiled, outwardly, but on the inside there was a pit of jealousy in my belly. I tried to push it away as the two of them talked about their children. I sat in the background, single and alone, sipping my drink and nodding along as if I could relate to potty training issues or how the kids grew out of their clothes too fast.

  Leah must have sensed that I was feeling left out.

  “We need to set you up, Felicity.”

  “Oh, no, really,” I laughed. “No you don’t.”

  Leah scanned the room and a smile grew across her face. “I think I know just the guy too.”

  “No, Leah, please—”

  But Leah was out of her seat and walking across the bar before I could stop her. I looked at Piper who shrugged.

  “We just worry about you.”

  “I know, but I’m okay. Really.”

  “Are you?”

  I opened my mouth to say that yes, I was fine. Everything was hunky dory, but that would be a lie. I hated lying to my friends. Conveniently not telling them things was one thing, outright lying another.

  Besides, Leah was already back with an eligible bachelor at her side.

  Levi Atwood was around our age; a year above us in school. He was a firefighter, and most would consider him attractive. He had blonde hair and blue eyes and stayed in good shape. Typical boy next door.

  And also not really my type.

  “Levi, have you met Felicity? Kellen and Levi work together sometimes, and Levi here is recently single.”

  Levi chuckled awkwardly, running a hand over his smooth-shaven face.

  “Of course Levi knows me. He comes into the diner several times a week,” I said dryly. I leaned in closer to Levi. “I’m so sorry she’s dragged you into this, Levi. You don’t have to be subjected to this; you can go.”

  “It’s okay,” Levi said, “I just don’t think I’m ready to start dating again. Mallory and I broke up a week ago, and—”

  “No need to explain,” I said. “Leave the poor guy alone, Leah. Let him wallow in the cheap booze and not be forced to move on before he’s ready.”

  Even if Levi had been okay with it, I wasn’t. He wasn’t my type. Not that I really could explain what my type was, but Levi wasn’t it. He would make a nice guy for some lady, I’m sure. Just not me. There was no chemistry there. We’d never clicked that way and forcing it wouldn’t be good for either of us.

  Levi took off, joining his group of friends again, and Leah sat down across from me, with a frown on her face.

  “Not even one date with the guy?”

  “Why? Because you feel sorry for him or because you feel sorry for me?”

  “For both of you.”

  “Well, don’t feel sorry for me. I’m fine,” I said. “I have plans to open another restaurant in the future, and I don’t have time for dating anyway.”

  Leah shook her head, but she didn’t say anything more about it. I really didn’t want my friends forcing newly single men upon me. I didn’t want to enter into a relationship simply to no longer be alone.

  My standards were also very, very high.

  “Oh, hey there,” Abe’s voice caused me to perk right up.

  Abe had come up behind us, and slipped into the booth beside me, taking me by surprise. Both Piper and Leah gave me a surprised but approving look.

  “Oh, hello,” I said, a little surprised myself. He was so close to me, and damn, he smelled so good. And I looked like a mess. My hair was messy from being up in a bun all day, and while I had changed clothes before coming into the bar, I didn’t put much effort into it - just a black tank top, jeans, and a cardigan since it was chilly. I hadn’t dressed to impress.

  He had a beer in his hand. “Can I buy you a drink? I mean, you did give me a free biscuit with my meal today, it’s the least I can do.”

  He nodded at Piper and Leah, acknowledging them, but his eyes were all on me.

  And maybe it was the alcohol, but he was leaning in pretty close. He was checking me out, his gaze falling down to my cleavage before looking me in the eye once more.

  “Oh, no thanks, I’m good,” I
said, holding up my beer. “But thanks anyway.”

  He was in jeans, dear God. Jeans and a t-shirt that hugged his body. It was so unlike his usual work clothes of dress slacks and button-up shirts. I actually got a hint of what he might look like naked, and it would certainly aid in my dreams that night.

  “Alright, well, it was good seeing you outside the diner,” he said. He patted my arm, and his rough hands felt so warm against my skin. I didn’t want him to pull away. He lingered there for a second longer than a casual touch, but he pulled away and stood back up. “Have a good night, ladies. Nice seeing you.”

  Piper and Leah both muttered something to him as he walked away, but I didn’t catch it. I was staring at his ass in those jeans. Dammit. Why did he have to be so fucking perfect and ruin every other man for me?

  “Uh, Felicity. No wonder you’re not interested in Levi,” Leah said. “You could have just told me.”

  “What are you talking about?” I watched as Abe walked over to the bar, leaning against it to order another drink, showing off that tight ass even more.

  “Because it’s obviously there’s something going on there.”

  My neck snapped back, and my brain followed, bringing me back to reality.

  “There’s nothing going on between us.” I laughed, but neither Piper nor Leah joined in.

  “Uh, the electricity between you two was nearly enough to light up the whole bar,” Leah said. “I mean, I think they can see those sparks all the way in Salt Lake City.”

  I looked to Piper, hoping she would agree with me, but she chuckled, “Leah’s right. That was hot.”

  I took a sip from my beer, refusing to look my friends in the eyes. “You guys are crazy. I have no idea what you’re talking about,”

  “Sure, you weren’t just undressing him with your eyes or anything.” Leah laughed.

  “I mean, he’s a good-looking man, but that’s it. He’s twenty years older than me, for God’s sake.”

  “Yeah, but Elle and Jeremiah make it work, don’t they?” Leah argued.

  “That’s different. He’s from a totally different background than me. He’s a freaking doctor, and what am I? A cook at a diner?”