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

by Crowne, K. C.

  “I don’t think the nurses will let me camp out beside you, but I’ll be here as much as I can.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” he said, his voice clearer. “If you have to leave, I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work. To make our family work. I’ll move to Los Angeles myself if I have to.”

  “Teddy,” I said, stopping him with two fingers pressed against his lips. “Teddy, listen. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying in Liberty with you.”

  Teddy sat up, which was probably a bad idea by the look on his face. He grimaced, and I helped him get comfortable the best I could with one working hand. But as I leaned down to help him, he pressed his lips to mine.

  “Good, Madison. Because I can’t live without you. I love you.”

  My heart stopped, and I stared deep into his eyes. “I love you too, Teddy.”

  Ooo000ooo

  “Just because you’re home doesn’t mean you can go back to work right away,” I argued with him as we entered his house. He’d been released from the hospital but told to take time off - several weeks off and a few months without strenuous activities. It wouldn’t be easy, but I would be there to make sure he listened to the doctor’s instructions.

  I had moved in with Teddy, which was fast, but considering we were having a baby together, it just made sense. Teddy had a nice, two-story home, the same home he grew up in. It was perfect for a family and a bit lonely for a single man anyway.

  The baby would have a room right next to ours, and we had plenty of room to spread out - including a yard that led into the woods, with plenty of trees to climb and enough space for a swing and other playground equipment. I pictured kids - yes, kids, plural - running around that backyard, laughing in the summertime as they raced to the tree at the edge of the yard. Or playing in the snow together, throwing snowballs at their daddy.

  I could see myself – and our child - having a happy life here.

  Staying in Liberty was definitely the right choice, even if it meant putting a hold on my career plans. I would figure it out in time. Right now, we needed to heal and have the baby and get used to our new normal.

  Teddy took a seat on the leather sofa in the living room, letting out a sigh. He was moving around pretty well for someone who had been shot in the shoulder only days before. Doctors said he was healing fine; most of the damage was in the muscle, which would need therapy to rebuild.

  He patted the seat next to him. I sat down, and he placed a hand on my knee, turning to me.

  “I had a lot of time in the hospital, as you know,” he said. “And I found a couple of incredible psychology programs at colleges nearby. They have online classes too, for when the baby comes. Or you can commute a few days a week, it’s not too far. And the school has a graduate counseling and therapy program too, which you can go straight into upon finishing undergrad.”

  I held up my hand with the ugly cast on it to stop him. “You found me a college to go to nearby?” In all the chaos, that had been the last thing on my mind.

  “Yeah, because I want you to be happy, Madison. I want you to go after your dreams. While you live here, you can attend classes full-time. You won’t have to work since I make more than enough to cover the bills.”

  I continued to stare at him, unable to speak at first.

  “Well? Does that sound good to you, or am I way out of line here?”

  “It sounds perfect,” I muttered, feeling the tears in my eyes. “I honestly didn’t know what I would do. I figured I’d give it time, find a job locally.”

  “No, you work on your education. I’ll handle the rest.”

  I lunged forward and wrapped my arms around him, careful not to put too much weight on the injured shoulder. I hugged him tightly, kissing him.

  He pulled away from the kiss with a laugh. “That’s not even the good news I waited to share with you,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Good news?”

  “We have more than enough evidence to link the McBrides to your father’s murder,” he said. “All charges against Jack have been dropped, and he should be released this afternoon.”

  The tears spilled over. “Teddy, I can’t thank you enough. For everything.”

  “I know it’s going to be hard for Jack, but hopefully, once people hear about what he did to help you, maybe it’ll change the public perception of him.”

  “Thank you,” I said, wiping at my eyes.

  “No need to thank me, Madison. Like I said, I’d do anything for you. I love you. I want to spend my life with you - and I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy, Teddy. So very happy,” I said, kissing him again. “And I love you too. So, so much.”

  Epilogue

  Several Months Later

  Zoey Lynn Williams was born healthy and happy. Lynn was Teddy’s mother’s name, his only request when naming our child. Otherwise, he said it was up to me. I was the one going through nine months of pregnancy and labor; he would be okay with whatever name I chose. He liked Zoey, though, said it was his favorite name from those I listed. So he still had a say in naming our daughter.

  Teddy had known from early on that I was having a girl, or maybe it was wishful thinking. He said he’d always thought of himself as having at least one daughter. We’d already made plans to start trying for another when Zoey was a year old. Teddy was an only child, and he said he wanted to make sure our children always had each other.

  Like Jack and I did.

  We were crammed into the tiny hospital room. The only person missing was Cassie, though I knew she was dealing with her own stuff and couldn’t make it to Liberty. In fact, she hadn’t been back to Liberty since I’d called her to help Jack. Jack wouldn’t talk to me about what happened or why she left so fast, and neither would Cassie. But I had a feeling that maybe something happened between the two of them, even if no one would tell me the truth.

  Uncle Jack was doting n his niece, eager to hold her even if he was afraid he might drop her. Seeing my behemoth of a brother with a tiny baby in his arms melted my hard. I prayed that one day he might have a child of his own. He would make a good father; I had no doubt.

  And my mother was getting better about her dramatics. She had come a long way, and we were still working on our relationship. I was blessed that little Zoey would have the opportunity to know her grandmother since Teddy’s parents were both gone.

  “And you know, anytime you need a babysitter, I’m just a call away,” Hannah cooed. “Because I can’t get enough of this sweet face. Look at her cheeks!”

  She had my round face with Teddy’s darker hair.

  “It’s sure going to be hard to keep up with your studies with that cutie around,” my mother commented. “If you need an extra hand or two, you know where to find me.”

  I had a feeling we had plenty of helping hands. We were surrounded by a family of people who loved us.

  “Thanks, but I’m taking online courses this semester. Then I just need to finish my research in the final semester, which I’ll be doing independently, only need to go to campus once a week to meet my advisor. I think I can handle that.”

  “And soon, you’ll be a college graduate,” my mother said with pride.

  “And off to graduate school,” Teddy added from his spot beside me.

  He’d been focusing mostly on the baby. I hadn’t realized he’d been paying attention to our conversation. But of course he was. He was always listening, always paying attention. I never had to worry as long as Teddy was by my side.

  “Yes, and hopefully, I can finish that in less than two years. Then I can start practicing and hopefully start my non-profit soon. Teddy is going to help me, of course. I couldn’t do any of this without him.”

  “Yes, you could,” Teddy replied. “You’re a smart girl. You would have gotten there eventually.”

  “Yes, but you’ve made it easier for me to go back to school full-time,” I countered. “And we’re in this together. We both want to work with kids and are dedicated to helping t
roubled youth find other paths.”

  “I’m so proud of you, Mads,” my brother said, speaking up from his corner. “You’ve done amazing things.”

  “And I have no doubt you’ll do amazing things too, bro,” I said with a smile.

  I knew it was going to be hard, but I had faith in Jack. I knew what he was capable of. He was trying to make up for his past mistakes, and while it wasn’t smooth sailing, I knew, in the end, it would be worth it.

  And of course, he wouldn’t have to do it alone.

  He had us.

  He had his family.

  Book Eight - Mountain Man's Secret Baby

  She kept the baby a secret.

  But when I see my sister's best friend again...

  My instincts go on overdrive.

  Her curves - delicious and full.

  Her beauty - better then I remembered.

  Cassie is pregnant with my baby.

  Now I have one goal: Protect them both - or die trying.

  Cassie

  Shit. Shit. Shit!

  My heart felt like it would surely explode out of my chest.

  Jack Wiley was the one person in the entire world I wasn’t ready to see.

  Of course he had to be in the very same store as me, at the same moment in time.

  Because why not?

  As charming as it was living in Liberty, the small town had its downfalls.

  I needed just a few things; it should have been a quick in and out. An errand for my mom, while she was home taking care of my father, who’d recently suffered a heart attack.

  It also gave me a chance to stretch my legs and get some fresh air, which was more than welcomed these days.

  My little trip was going just fine.

  Until I saw him.

  The sight of Jack’s boyish and masculine physique lit a warmth inside me.

  Shoot! How long had it been since I’d been close to a man?

  Exactly eight months. The last time I’d seen Jack, actually.

  My mouth watered at the sight of him and I couldn’t help but notice that his arms had new tattoos, more than when I saw him last.

  I imagined he had even more covering his chest and back.

  I pictured the peaks and lows of his naked body.

  All muscle.

  All man.

  Get a hold of yourself woman, I scolded myself.

  Jack’s chestnut hair was just long enough to graze his chin, the beginnings of a beard outlining a perfectly chiseled jaw.

  His large stature was hard to miss; he towered over pretty much everyone in town and had arms the size of tree trunks.

  And who could forget that ass?

  The one that could make jean makers weep.

  A body like his could make anything look good.

  He was a sight for sore eyes indeed.

  Except I didn’t want to see him.

  Not yet. Not like this.

  Jack turned the corner just as I ducked behind an end cap of cereal stacked eight feet high.

  I should be safe here, I thought to myself as I swung around the side. I took a deep breath, but the relief didn’t last long because the cereal boxes started to shake.

  “No, no, please,” I whispered, trying to grab one of them. It was like a game of Jenga, however, and when one box got knocked loose, they all tumbled down.

  All eight feet of cereal boxes fell to the floor with a crashing sound that drew the attention of everyone in the small grocery store.

  Including Jack.

  “Cassie?”

  Dammmmmit!

  “Hi Jack,” I said, waving awkwardly from the other side of the mostly empty display. The cereal boxes hid most of me still, which was a blessing for the moment.

  “What are you doing back in town?” He averted his gaze for a second as if he had trouble looking at me. Considering how we’d left things, I wasn’t surprised.

  “Uh, I guess you haven’t heard,” I replied. “My dad had a heart attack. He’s fine, he’s recovering at home already, but I came back to help my mom and sister take care of him.” I nibbled my lip. That wasn’t the whole truth but he didn’t deserve to know every detail of my life. Not after everything that went down.

  I came back because I desperately needed help.

  The last several months had been pretty hard on me.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, running a hand through his hair.

  His eyes still caught me off guard by their splendour. They were steely grey. Almost blue, but not quite. “No, I hadn’t heard. Listen, I’m sorry about—well, you know. Really.”

  “Yeah, it’s … fine,” I muttered, trying not to let the hurt show on my face. My eyes welled up with tears though I blinked to get rid of them. I instead focused on picking up the cereal boxes.

  “Here, let me help you.” He reached down to start picking up cereal boxes in front of the display. As long as he stayed on that side of the display, this little meeting would be peachy.

  “You left town abruptly,” he commented quietly. “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.”

  “Well, last I heard, you were going to prison for murder,” I said, more scathingly than intended. “Can you really blame me for leaving? Not like you talked it over with me, even though I was called in to help you.”

  “There was no helping me. I never wanted you involved.”

  I glanced at him coldly, then back down at the cereal. “So, you decided to just turn yourself in for a crime you didn’t commit?”

  “I had to, Cassie. I had to protect my sister. You know that.”

  I knew Jack would do anything for his sister - my best friend, Madison. He was willing to give his life and his freedom for her safety.

  “You could have talked it over with me,” I muttered. “Though it’s not like we were dating, so I guess I should just get over it, huh?”

  “Cassie—” Jack stood up, placing several boxes on top of the display. “It’s not like that.”

  “It’s not like what? You didn’t just toss me aside like all the other girls you’ve tossed aside before?”

  “No, it’s not—”

  After a few moments of us picking up my mess, a stockman walked over to us. “Oh, let me get that,” he said. “You don’t need to be bending over like that. Not in your condition.”

  “Your condition?” Jack asked, straightening.

  I stepped closer to the display, my protruding belly failing me again by knocking the boxes we’d already stacked back down to the floor.

  Dammit Fruit Loops!

  “Sorry,” I mouthed to the stockman.

  “It’s okay, but maybe step back so it doesn’t happen again, please?”

  An easy enough request, sure, but that meant exposing myself to Jack. Both the stockman and Jack stared at me as if waiting for me to move. The poor guy wanted to get back to work and didn’t want to worry about me knocking things over again.

  Jack asked again, “What did he mean by your condition? Are you sick?”

  I’d always been a curvy girl. I had hips and thighs, my belly was never completely flat, even if I was in pretty good shape. Maybe if we’d run into each other a few months ago, I could have played it off as some weight gain. But now?

  Nope, the minute he saw me, Jack would know I was very much pregnant. There was no denying.

  “I didn’t want to tell you like this…” I said.

  “Tell me what?”

  Jack didn’t wait for me to answer. He stepped around the display.

  I wanted to so desperately to hide amongst the cereal boxes, to just disappear into a puddle of milk and Cocoa Bits.

  Anything but this.

  “Jesus, Cassie,” Jack mumbled when he saw me for the first time since I’d left Liberty several months ago. “How far along are you?”

  “About eight months,” I said, sticking my chin out. I placed a hand on my swollen belly, feeling protective of the child inside me – my little boy. I watched as Jack did the math in his head, but I answe
red his question before he had a chance to ask, “Yes, it’s yours.”

  Jack grabbed my arm and walked me down the aisle, almost walking too fast for me to keep up. “Jack, what are you doing?” I asked, yanking my arm free. He pulled me into a walkway leading to the back of the store.

  “No one can know about this, you hear me?” His voice was low, almost a whisper. He leaned close to me, nearly resting his forehead against mine. His lips were mere inches away from mine. His thick, luscious lips that felt so good pressed against mine.

  “Don’t worry about it,” I growled, stepping away from him. With my hands on my hips, I stood my ground. “No one has to know, and I don’t expect anything from you. I can raise this child alone. I just didn’t think it was fair keeping it from you and planned to tell you when I was ready, but since it’s clear you don’t want to be in his life, don’t even worry about it.”

  “Cassie, wait. That’s not—”

  I turned on my heels and marched through the aisle. I walked past my cart, needing to get out of the store before I completely broke down.

  Tears burned in my eyes.

  Stupid girl, what did you expect? It was a one-night stand, nothing more. It was just sex.

  Just a hook-up.

  For him.

  I walked out the sliding glass doors and into the parking lot. The sun beat down on me. I waddled to my car with perspiration building on my face.

  To add to a horrific encounter, it was also unseasonably warm for early fall in Utah.

  The pregnancy hot flashes were on overdrive.

  I prayed that my tears would mingle with the sweat, not giving away my emotions to my sister waiting in the car. She had her own errands to run, and we’d agreed to meet at the car when we were finished.

  Isabelle stared at me as I opened the driver’s side door and climbed inside. “Uh, did you forget something?” she asked with a chuckle.

  I knew she was kidding, but I wasn’t in the mood for her teasing. I shot her a look that silenced her laughter.

  “Cassie, what’s wrong? What happened?”