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

by Crowne, K. C.

  Stop it, Felicity. Calm down. The more you think about these things, the more stressed you become.

  A wave of nausea washed over me as another contraction hit, hard. My body twisted and contorted as the pain ripped me open. I screamed as both Nicole and Rosa tried to comfort me.

  There was no comforting me in the throes of a contraction though. I knew what was at stake. I knew what the situation was. I needed to get to the hospital, and I needed to go fast.

  But I didn’t think the asshole with the gun would allow that to happen.

  The pain subsided and I fell back onto the bed, tears staining my cheeks.

  “You’re okay, Mama,” Nicole said softly.

  I was anything but okay.

  “You’re going to be okay,” Rosa said softly.

  I wanted to believe her, but how could I?

  Even if Abe got here, what would happen next? We needed to act fast.

  A phone rang. The gunman took the call, stepping into the corner, but still keeping an eye on us and his gun raised. He spoke in muffled tones, but I could still make out what he was saying.

  “He’s on his way,” the man said. “His wife is in labor. What should I do?”

  I couldn’t hear what the other person was saying, but the masked man said, “Uh huh. Yes, of course. We do nothing until we get the property. Got it.”

  It all clicked, right then and there. This was Chester Garrison’s doing. Just like the damage to my property. I had no idea that man could stoop so low, but apparently he could.

  “Tell them I will sign over the diner, here and now. Abe can’t sign over the rights to it, only I can. It’s in my name. I’ll do it if you let us live and allow me to go to the hospital right away.”

  The man held the phone from his ear and chuckled. “You think this is about the diner?”

  “Of course it is, you said you wouldn’t let us go until you got the property. I am willing to sign it over, for free. It’s yours.”

  The man got back on the phone and I thought, for a second, that we could strike a deal. The man hung up, putting the phone in his front pocket and coming back over to me.

  “Ready to strike a deal?” I asked.

  I’d do anything for my babies. Anything. I’d give up everything to give them a chance at life.

  The man sneered at me from behind his mask. “This isn’t about the diner. It’s so much bigger than that, and only Abe can give us what we want. So stop trying to make deals, it won’t do you any good.”

  My blood ran cold. I had no idea what this was about. I trusted Abe to do whatever he needed to do, but it hit me right then and there that this was much bigger than anything I understood.

  Abe

  Many people underestimated me. I was a doctor, yes, but I was more than a doctor. I was also a hunter, a lumberjack. I grew up in these mountains and I knew my property like the back of my hand. I had a security system set up at the house, and I pulled over to the side of the road and checked in from my phone.

  The front entry was blocked with a black SUV. There was someone out front, pacing the porch. There was no way I’d go in that way, announcing my arrival to whoever was inside the house. I didn’t have cameras in all the rooms, only the main entryway and some of the hallways. It was clear. They’d been in Felicity’s room the last time I talked to her, and from the cameras, I didn’t see movement in any other part of the house. I’d have to take my chances, but I was betting they were secluded in Felicity’s room.

  I knew there was a road to the back of my house, one that wasn’t on any maps. It would be a rough trip, but I could do it. I had chains on my tires and my truck was built for mountain roads.

  I’d have to walk some of it, and I needed to be fast.

  I turned down the road and drove for a few minutes before stopping. I didn’t want to get too close. I climbed out of the car and walked to the trunk, where I kept my hunting rifle. I’d never taken it out from my last hunting trip with Jeremiah. I grabbed the rifle and all the ammo I could load into my pockets.

  I walked through the trees and headed toward my house.

  These bastards thought they could threaten me. They thought I’d be a pushover, that they could scare me. I didn’t just live in an ivory tower. There was a reason I worked in Africa, hiking to some of the most remote tribes of the world. I knew I could handle the terrain, the challenge of it.

  And I could handle this.

  These guys had no fucking clue who they were messing with, but I was about to show them.

  I saw my house in the distance, between the thick trees. I knew they wouldn’t be able to see me, not now. I’d hide in the trees for most of my walk. Felicity’s windows faced the south side of the house, while the front of the house was on the east side.

  I was on the west side, the back of the house. I assumed the person on the porch would announce my arrival, so they’d be prepared. But they wouldn’t be prepared for this.

  On the back side of the house, there was a door to the basement.

  I moved toward that door, moving quickly and quietly. I pulled the keys out of my pocket and unlocked the door, cringing as the door squeaked open. They shouldn’t have heard it, not from this far, but it still made me worried.

  I didn’t want to give them any warning.

  That was going to be my advantage.

  I entered the dark basement and shut the door behind me. Silence all around me. Just like they probably couldn’t hear anything from down here, I likely couldn’t hear them either.

  Please let Felicity be okay, I pleaded with the universe. Please don’t let me be too late.

  I moved through the basement without a light, careful to not bump into anything as I moved through the room. I made it to the stairway and took each one carefully - hoping they wouldn’t squeak under my feet and announce my arrival.

  I made it to the top and took a deep breath. This was it. I would open the door, which led to the kitchen.

  It had to be as quiet as possible.

  I turned the knob and slowly opened the door.

  I stepped into the kitchen, and for the first time, the silence was broken.

  Felicity’s screams rang out, blood curdling cries that flipped a switch in me. I wanted to run to her, to tell her I was here. I stopped myself just in time, reminding myself that I had to be careful. Her screams would help muffle my footsteps, but God, I so badly wanted the silence to return again. I wanted her not to be hurting or afraid.

  And screams like that could only mean one thing. She was in labor.

  I walked as quickly as I could through the house, stopping at the end of the hallway and glancing down it. The door was open to Felicity’s room, but I couldn’t see anyone. No one was standing in the doorway, for now.

  I had to hurry. I had to make my move while her contractions distracted the man holding them hostage.

  I turned and rushed down the hallway, rifle ready and loaded, safety off.

  I turned the corner into the room, and as expected, I caught the masked man off guard.

  He turned and saw me there but had no time to reach for his own gun. I had my rifle pointed directly at him.

  He was standing at the foot of the bed, not too far from Felicity. I knew my aim was good, but not that good. I wasn’t going to take a shot with him right there.

  Seeing Felicity in the bed, the sheets stained red with her blood, I panicked. My protective instincts kicked in.

  “Get on the fucking floor, now,” I commanded the masked man.

  He smirked, and at first, I thought he might not obey. I walked closer to him, giving me a better chance at hitting the target if he tried anything. He held his hands up and went down to his knees.

  “All the way, hands down on the floor.”

  The man listened, laying himself flat down onto the floor. With him out of the way, I commanded to Rosa. “Call 9-1-1. Get her an ambulance.”

  I heard footsteps down the hallway, the man from the front was coming this way. I was outn
umbered. I walked over to the man on the floor and grabbed his gun from the holster on the side, tucking it into the waistband of my pants. He sneered up at me, but I think he knew, at this point, he lost.

  “You guys thought you were tough, huh? Well, I’m going to show you tough. You don’t mess with a fucking mountain man.”

  The other man turned the corner and found my rifle pointed directly at him. His gun was out and pointed, and he shot it off before I had a chance to return fire. There was a scream behind me, but I didn’t have a chance to turn and look. I had to react. I pulled the trigger and out sounded like a bomb went off.

  The man fell to the ground, clutching at his chest.

  I didn’t like the idea of taking anyone’s life, but no one messed with my family.

  No one.

  I walked over to him, never taking my eyes off the other guy on the ground. He remained face down. I checked the other man’s pulse and found it weak. Too weak. There was so much blood pooled around him, and knowing what I did about anatomy, I knew it was likely a fatal blow unless he got help right away.

  Help was coming, but I didn’t know if it would be there in time to save him.

  Felicity let out another scream, pulling my attention back to her.

  “She’s having them minutes apart now,” Rosa said. “The ambulance is on the way.”

  That’s when I saw Nicole. She’d been hit by the other man’s gunshot. She was sitting in the corner, holding her arm as blood spilled between her fingers. She stared back at me fear in her eyes.

  “You take care of Nicole,” I told Rosa. “I’ve got Felicity.”

  I went over to Felicity’s side, still keeping an eye on the guy on the floor. I didn’t want to kill him if I didn’t have to. I warned him, “If you so much as move, I will do whatever it takes to keep my family safe.”

  He stared up at me, sneering, but he seemed to understand I meant it. I meant every word.

  “Breathe, Felicity. You’ve got this. Help will be here soon.” I took her hand in mine, and maybe it was my imagination, but she seemed to relax as soon as I took it.

  She nodded, calm as the contraction subsided. We both knew what was at stake here, and that ambulance needed to get there, fast.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything.”

  There was no sweeter sound than the sirens in the distance. Okay, maybe the sound of both the police and EMTs entering the house. That sound was surely the sweetest I’ve heard.

  I stepped aside to let EMTs take care of Felicity. They listened to everything I told them - how she was thirty-four weeks with triplets and was in labor. They rushed her out the door, and I followed until Teddy stopped me.

  “We need to ask you some questions.”

  “I’ve got this for now,” Rosa said. “He wasn’t here the whole time, but I was. I can tell you everything.”

  Nicole had also been taken by EMTs. The man I’d shot was covered with a white cloth. I knew what that meant. The other one was in handcuffs. It was all happening so fast and my head was spinning.

  But all I wanted was to be with Felicity, to be there when my babies were born.

  Teddy seemed to think about this for a second then nodded. “Fine. Go. We can catch up later.”

  I ran faster than I ever had in my entire life. I made it right as the ambulance was preparing to pull out. I could have driven myself, but I wanted to be with her. Just in case, I wanted to be there.

  I didn’t want to leave her side.

  Felicity

  Genevieve Anne, Evelyn Caroline, and Abel James Hammond. I stared at the names on the incubator cribs. I was in a wheelchair, staring at them through the glass. They were already a day old, and I’d hardly had a chance to touch them. My babies were so tiny, all weighing in around three pounds. Evie was the smallest, just at three pounds even. They were so fragile, and it pained me to see them with breathing tubes. I was told it was normal - that they were as healthy as premature babies could be, but they’d need a little time in the NICU.

  Abe was by my side. He was quiet. We were in awe over our little miracles. I even saw him cry, which was something I never imagined I’d see from someone like him.

  The nurse stepped out. “Ready to hold them?” she asked.

  “Of course,” I said. “I’ve been dying for this chance.”

  “Come on in,” she said.

  Abe pushed me in the wheelchair, pushed me right over to their little incubators.

  The nurse stepped around and picked up little Abel James - A.J. She handed him to me first. My son. There were so many tubes, one for breathing and another for feeding. My heart ached as I stared down at him. His little hand wrapped around my finger, and I already knew that these babies had my heart.

  I’d do anything for them.

  I never wanted to be away from them.

  I’d begun thinking about Abe’s proposition of staying with him, at least while the babies were tiny. Yes, it might be difficult playing house, but I couldn’t imagine being apart from my angels. Not after everything we’d been through.

  The nurse handed little Genny to Abe, and we shared a look. There were tears in both of our eyes.

  “You make such a beautiful family,” the nurse cooed.

  My smile fell.

  A family. God, I so badly wanted us to be a family. I opened my mouth to correct her, “Thank you, but--”

  Abe stopped me. “Yes, thank you. I think we do too.”

  I looked up at him. Why must he play with my heart like this, I wondered? I was already so fragile, ready to break.

  He squeezed my shoulder.

  “Is it possible for us to get a minute alone?” Abe asked.

  “Of course,” the nurse said. “I’ll be in the next room. Push this button if you need me.”

  She hurried off, and Abe turned toward me, baby Genny in his arms.

  “Listen, Felicity. I know I’ve been an asshole about all this. But I’ve realized something, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “What is it?”

  He licked his lips and cleared his throat. “I think-- I think I’d like to give us a real try, if you’re willing. I know it’ll take some work on my part, but--”

  “Yes,” I said before he could finish.

  He smiled. “You’re not even going to hear me out? Make sure you can handle my bullshit?”

  “I know your bullshit, Abe. I know we might have problems at times, but I also know that you’re worth it - and so are these beautiful babies. They deserve for us to at least try and see where it goes. If it doesn’t work out, fine. But I love-- I love what I know about you.”

  I quickly corrected myself before saying the words. I knew it, I knew I loved him. But I wasn’t sure if he was ready to hear those words yet.

  My little correction didn’t seem to distract him, however. He kissed the top of my head and said, “I love you too, Felicity.”

  My heart swelled, and I didn’t think it was possible to feel this much love. The love I had for my babies already made me feel like I might explode from joy, but knowing that Abe loved me back, well that was icing on the cake.

  “Please tell me you’re going to stay with me? I can’t imagine my home without you.”

  “Of course,” I said, my cheeks hurting from all the smiling. “I don’t think you could kick me out now. Not with these little ones in our lives.”

  “Good,” he said.

  Seeing my massive mountain man holding one of our tiny babies brought tears to my eyes. We were going to be a family.

  “Oh, I almost forgot,” Abe said. “This whole fiasco came about because of the property I bought for you, and I almost forgot to tell you.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “What do you mean? What property?”

  “I’ll show you as soon as we get back to the room, the sellers accepted my bid, finally. Seems like the competition pulled out once they got arrested.”

  I was still so confused. I had no idea wh
at he was talking about.

  “What property, Abe?”

  “For your new place. I hope you like it, and if you don’t, we can always turn it into something else. It’s a nice place. But I thought it would make a great location for your other restaurant.”

  My heart leaped into my throat. “My other restaurant?”

  “Yes, the one you’ve always dreamt of opening.”

  My hands began shaking, and I had to take a deep breath and steady myself. I still had little A.J in my arms.

  “This whole fiasco was about that property all along?”

  “I guess so. The other guy talked, he was hired by a Chester Garrison, I guess? Small, local developer trying to play with the big guys, I guess.”

  It all clicked into place. This was about the diner, sure, but it was so much bigger than that. We’d almost had not one, but two properties that the Garrison’s wanted.

  Abe had bought property for me to open my dream restaurant.

  I wasn’t sure if I should be angry at him for doing it without asking my permission, or just revel in the excitement of it. My dreams were coming true.

  All of them.

  Including having a family all my own.

  The nurse came back into the room, all smiles. I was still not sure what to think. She asked if either of us wanted to hold Evie, and of course I jumped at the chance. Abe took A.J, holding his son and speaking to him in the softest, sweetest tone.

  God, I loved that man.

  I loved him so freaking much.

  It was impossible to stay mad at him for long.

  Abe

  Life at home with triplets was something else. We were very lucky. Since Felicity made it to thirty-four weeks, all three of our babies were fairly healthy. Evie stayed in the NICU the longest, but she was only there for a week.

  We were able to take everyone home within a week of them being born.

  Felicity was still recovering, so that meant I was up a lot too. I wasn’t about to let the burden fall on her. She needed her rest. We’d brought Rosa back, and as soon as Nicole recovered enough, she came back to help as well. After what they’d done to help save Felicity and our children, I trusted no one more to help care for them.