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

by Crowne, K. C.

  “Bullshit. I know what I was told. We know the boss doesn’t fuck around. Either give me the rest, or one of us is dead. It sure as shit won’t be me.”

  “I just have to show you the message I got from the boss. Can I pull out my phone?”

  “Slowly,” I ordered.

  He pulled his hand out from his pocket, phone in hand. He held it up, screen facing me. He was too far away for me to see what was on it, but I sure as shit wasn’t moving any closer.

  “Slide it across the hood of the car toward me. Slowly.”

  He placed the phone down and slid it across, but it came up short and fell off the side, slamming into the ground at my feet. Richard watched me with a blank stare.

  I knelt, the gun trained on him, and picked up the phone. The screen was cracked. I took my eyes off Richard for a second to see the message.

  “FUCK YOU” in big, bold letters.

  That one second was all it took. Richard lunged forward, a knife in his other hand. We rolled to the ground, and my gun slipped from my grip. I grabbed Richard’s arm, holding it away from me as the knife came within inches of my face.

  I kicked upward, kneeing him in the groin. The knife slipped from his fingers just as I heard footsteps crunching on the gravel next to us. Richard was yanked off me in a matter of seconds and thrown toward the brick wall of a nearby building.

  The man standing before me was one of the men I’d seen watching me. I got to my feet, picking up the gun and the knife.

  “I don’t need a fucking babysitter,” I growled.

  “You’re welcome,” the man said.

  I walked past him to Richard, grabbing him by his shirt and lifting him off the ground. “Give me the rest of the money. Now.”

  Richard dug through his jacket pockets and produced an envelope. I dropped him to the ground and quickly counted the money. All $40,000 of it.

  “Get the fuck out of here,” I said, tossing the bag of merchandise at him. I had no idea what was in the bag; that wasn’t my job. It could have been drugs or guns. I didn’t fucking know. It felt too light to be worth $540,000, but what did I know about these sorts of things. I was merely a handler.

  I grabbed the suitcase just as Richard dashed to the SUV and drove off. I’d almost forgotten about the other man until I headed to my truck.

  “You’re not even going to ask me who I am, Jack?”

  “Nope,” I said, flipping him the bird as I climbed into my truck. “Because I already know.”

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  “I only take orders from the boss. If you have something to tell me, go through him. Otherwise, leave me the fuck alone and stop following me.”

  I put the key in the ignition and peeled out of there. I only had a few minutes to make the next drop off before alarm bells would sound higher up in the organization.

  Say what you want about Hank Gillespie, but he ran a pretty tight ship.

  And no one ever fucking betrayed him.

  I sped down the road, out of town, and found myself on yet another back road. Middle of nowhere Utah was sure full of little hiding places.

  A black BMW was waiting for me, as expected.

  Why these assholes all have to drive black cars, I’ll never know, I thought to myself as I pulled up beside him.

  “All there?” the man asked me as I handed over the suitcase, the envelope tucked inside.

  “All there, but go ahead and count it. I know the procedure.”

  The man popped open the suitcase, and I waited as he counted the bills, just like I had earlier.

  “Good job, Jack. Boss will be pleased.”

  “If he’s so pleased with me, can you tell him to call off his dogs?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The babysitters. The men he sent out to watch my every move. It’s getting fucking old.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure, whatever,” I muttered.

  With a parting glance, the man drove away into the night. I drove in the opposite direction, exhausted and eager to be home, thankful for another successful run.

  One step closer to the end, I told myself as I drove home.

  My mind drifted away from the night’s activities and to Cassie. Across town, she was likely sleeping in a hospital after having given birth to our son. She was alone. Probably scared, likely feeling a range of emotions I couldn’t even comprehend.

  I promise you, I will get us out of this, I thought to myself. I’ll take care of you and Owen, and everything will be just fine.

  I just needed a bit more time.

  Cassie

  “When do you think he can go home?” I asked the same question almost every single day. And every day, I got the same answer: once his breathing improves. Each day, Owen grew stronger and stronger. It was only a matter of time before he could go home with me.

  “I think maybe in another week, tops.”

  It had already been a week since my son was born. I’d been home alone. Though not really home since I was staying with Madison and spent every waking minute at the hospital. I hadn’t talked to my father and continued to ignore his calls. They had stopped after a few days. I wasn’t in the best headspace to deal with his passive aggressiveness or his non-apologies.

  Madison held my hand through all of it, and I was grateful to have my best friend by my side. She kept in touch with Jack, but I hadn’t talked to him. He said most people would expect him to keep in touch with his sister, but it might look weird if he was talking to me. I understood, but it didn’t make the distance any easier.

  I was back at Madison and Teddy’s house, curled up in their spare room, my heart hurting when my phone rang. It was an unknown number. Considering that I’d get calls from doctors and the hospital from strange numbers, I answered it on the first ring, worrying something might be wrong with my baby.

  “Cassie?”

  Shocked, I said, “Jack? I thought we couldn’t talk.”

  “I bought a burner phone for now,” he said. “I didn’t realize the baby would be in the hospital this long. I’m sorry for not calling sooner.”

  “It’s fine,” I murmured softly, cradling the phone in my hand.

  “How’s Owen?” he asked.

  “He’s doing better. The doctor thinks he can come home next week. He’s putting on weight, but he’s still having some trouble breathing.”

  “I’m so sorry I can’t be there for you and Owen, Cass,” he said, and I could hear the pain in his voice. “Soon, though, I promise.”

  “What’s the plan?” He was quiet on the other end of the line. “Jack? I need to know there’s a plan, something in place so you can see your son, and right now, I’m not feeling confident.”

  “Cassie, do you trust me?”

  I had to think about that for a second. I’d known Jack for years, most of my life, in fact. But I never really knew him. Still, I knew his sister and saw the type of man he was for those he loved, and I found it in my heart to answer, “Yes.”

  “Then trust that I’m doing everything in my power to fix this.”

  “And that’s all you’re going to tell me, huh?” I rolled over in the bed, bringing my knees to my chest, so I was now in a fetal position. “Don’t you think I deserve more than that? Don’t you trust me?”

  “I do trust you, Cassie. But I need to protect you, and the less you know…”

  “The better,” I finished for him, rolling my eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

  “Cassie, please. I’m working on something, and I think I’m close. I just need to get the final pieces to take everyone down for good, so they’ll all rot in prison where they belong.”

  That was new information. “So you’re trying to find evidence to get people convicted, is that it?”

  He let out a dry chuckle. “Should’ve known the lawyer would understand exactly what I’m doing.”

  I sat up in bed, suddenly more alert. We were treading into familiar
territory for me when talking about the law. “I don’t think it takes a lawyer to understand. But coming from a legal perspective, you have to be careful. Do you even know what kinds of evidence hold up in court, or what could be dismissed? Because you have to be very careful with all of that. I can help you.”

  He was quiet for a bit longer, then let out a deep breath. “When the time comes, when I’m actually in a place where I can get what I need, I’ll talk to you about the options. But that’s it. I don’t want you to know too much or get too close to this. It’s not safe.”

  In another life, one where I didn’t have a son to think about, I would’ve told Jack I was a grown woman and could handle myself. I would’ve taken any and all risks to clear his name. But there was more on the line than just my own life. These people wouldn’t hesitate to go after the people you loved to hurt you, and Owen was too precious to put at risk.

  Jack was right. I needed to keep my distance.

  “Fine, I’ll not get too close, but I will help you in other ways. Don’t leave me out of this, Jack. You hear me?”

  “I hear you, Cassie. And I won’t,” he said, his voice soft. “Listen, I have to go, but please know, I can’t wait to meet my son, and I’ll make up for lost time as soon as I can.”

  We said our goodbyes, and I hung up the phone. My heart still felt empty, and I still felt alone. But knowing that Jack would come to me helped. Knowing that he had an actual plan, and I could help him with it filled a little bit of that hole inside of me. At the very least, it gave me some hope, which I desperately needed right then.

  * * *

  The day my son came home, two and a half weeks after he was born, was easily one of the happiest days of my life.

  I was still staying with Madison and Teddy, and I carried my tiny bundle of joy into the house. Madison had helped me set everything up, and since she had Zoey, I was able to use most of her old things. It didn’t matter to me that some of the items were pink or purple as long as my son was taken care of; that was all that mattered to me.

  I was telling Madison how I couldn’t have done this without her when I realized someone else was in the house. I stopped in the foyer and listened to the sounds. Teddy was talking to someone. I looked at Madison, who had the biggest grin on her face.

  “Come on, follow me,” she said with a little giggle.

  I followed her down the short hallway and into the living room. Before I even got there, however, I recognized the voice. “Jack!” I exclaimed as soon as I entered the room. Tears filled my eyes. “What are you doing here?”

  Jack had been sitting on the sofa when I entered, but he was up and walking toward me the moment I stepped into the room. His dark eyes were filled with emotion. He’d cleaned himself up a bit. His beard was longer but trimmed nicely. His hair was also a bit shorter.

  Without speaking, Jack reached for Owen, and I handed him his son. I’d never thought I would see Jack shed a tear, but his eyes welled up as he stared at his little boy.

  “He’s so little,” he murmured, letting Owen’s little fingers wrap around his massive one. “And they’re sure he’s healthy enough to come home?”

  “He’s almost seven pounds now, and his lungs are great,” I told him. I could hardly speak; I was still shocked to see him there. And even more so by how tiny Owen looked in his massive arms and against his giant build. Again, I had to ask, “What are you doing here? Is it safe?”

  I wasn’t sure what Madison and Teddy knew, so I didn’t want to ask too many questions until we were alone.

  “Teddy helped sneak me in the back way,” he said.

  I cocked an eyebrow at Teddy, who was standing off to the side with Madison and their daughter. He shrugged. “Not many people realize there’s a back way onto the property,” he said. “It’s not clear, not on any maps. No one would see him, so we don’t have to worry about gossip getting around.”

  I wanted to ask Teddy what he knew. Being the sheriff of Liberty meant that he wouldn’t just let Jack handle things on his own when it came to criminal matters. I was confused and completely thrown for a loop but decided to drop it - for now - and focus on what really mattered.

  Our son.

  “I think we should give them a few minutes alone,” Madison said, gently tugging on Teddy’s arm.

  “Oh yes, of course.”

  They left the room, and for the first time in weeks, I was alone with Jack. I had so many thoughts, so many emotions and questions, and I wasn’t even sure where to start. And all those thoughts fluttered away when Jack smiled at Owen, tears in his eyes.

  “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” I said, feeling choked up.

  “Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe him,” he said. “I never thought…well, you know. I never thought I’d ever be a father.”

  I stepped closer to him, standing by his side so we could both look at our precious little boy.

  “And now that he’s here, I just want to do everything I can to keep him safe, to never see him hurt or scared or feeling like I’m not there for him.”

  “You will be there for him, Jack,” I said, stroking his arm.

  Jack nodded but didn’t say anything. He turned to look at me, a giant smile plastered across his face. “You’re so beautiful.”

  His words took me by surprise and brought color to my cheeks. “Thank you.”

  I wasn’t sure what Jack and I were. He was the father of my son, and I wouldn’t deny him his right to see him. I wanted him to be in Owen’s life, but I didn’t know what that meant for us. But the way he looked at me made me think maybe there was a future for us as well.

  “Why don’t we go sit on the couch?” I suggested.

  Jack followed me and sat beside me, Owen in his arms. He’d been around his niece a lot, but I wasn’t sure how much experience he had with newborns. Maybe he was just a natural, but he held Owen carefully, supporting his head and cradling him close. Owen wiggled around, but he seemed to know he was in good hands. He didn’t fuss one little bit. He waved little hands and stared up at us with eyes the same color as his father.

  I snuggled closer to Jack and the baby and ended up resting my head on his shoulder without even realizing it. Owen drifted off to sleep in Jack’s arms, and I was getting pretty tired too. Jack didn’t seem to want to put the baby down, though.

  “Alright, I guess I should put him - and you - to bed,” he teased, speaking quietly, so he didn’t wake our child.

  “Hey, I’m not that sleepy yet.” That was a lie. I was exhausted, and I knew it was only just the beginning. Sleepless nights were in my future, and I wasn’t sure if I’d have Jack around to help me with those. But I didn’t want this night to end. I feared that by going to bed, Jack would leave and who knows when I’d get the chance to see him again.

  He rose from the couch, and I led him down to the spare room we were staying in. We’d set up a bassinet next to my bed for now. Jack gently laid Owen in the bassinet. He stood there, transfixed for several moments.

  Everyone had talked about Jack as if he was a good-for-nothing, but there he was, careful and doting with the tiniest of babies.

  Jack stared at Owen, and I joined him. The room was dark except for the full moon shining in from the window illuminating Owen’s face. I looked up to catch a glimpse of Jack and found his eyes were turned toward me.

  Before I knew what was happening, he leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to mine. It was a sweet kiss. Just our lips pressed together at first. As if he was testing the waters, making sure I wanted it.

  I opened my mouth to him, inviting him in. He took my face in his big, strong hands and pulled me closer to him.

  We carefully moved backward and away from the crib. I tried to be quiet as he pulled at my shirt, lifting it over my head and tossing it to the ground beside the bed. His rough hands pulled at my skirt, which slipped down to the floor. I stepped out of it, all while removing his clothes as quickly as I could. My hands were shaking, and I fumbled a bit, but he he
lped me with his belt buckle.

  Once I unzipped his pants, I slid a hand down and grabbed him. Jack let out a low growl, his eyes rolling back in his head as I stroked him.

  I bit my lip as I stared at him. God, I wanted him, and it was torture that I couldn’t have him yet, but doctor’s orders said no sex for six weeks. I was desperate to share some sort of intimacy with him, so I dropped to my knees before him; his cock still firmly in my hand. I stared up at him, and the look on his face caused my insides to ache.

  I never had to question whether he thought I was beautiful because the way he looked at me made me feel like a goddess. Like the only woman that mattered to him.

  I parted my lips and took the head of his cock between them, swirling my tongue around the slick flesh.

  “Jesus,” he groaned, his hands gently resting on the back of my head. He wasn’t pushing me down, but rather playing with my hair. Stroking my head softly. Lovingly.

  I took more of him into my mouth, moving at my own pace. The sounds he made, the way the muscles in his abs tightened as he groaned, and the look on his face as I took as much of him into my mouth as possible made me feel powerful. I made up the difference with my hand, moving up and down on his shaft, my eyes tilted up to watch as his face contorted into a look of bliss.

  I loved making him feel good, even if I couldn’t have him completely.

  “I need to taste you, Cassie,” he growled.

  It had been nearly three weeks since I’d given birth, but I just wasn’t comfortable with him going down on me. “I can’t yet. Just let me pleasure you.”

  “That doesn’t seem fair,” he said with a frown, pushing me a little. “I don’t feel right about it.”

  I smiled up at him, I hope seductively. “You’re gonna pay me back in a few weeks.”

  “I promise I will,” he replied, the corners of his lips lifting.

  I rose and pushed him towards the bed. He sat down hard, then laid back as I climbed on the bed and lay between his legs. I cupped his balls gently with one hand and listened to the moan that turned me on I wished for the three weeks to pass quickly. I released him and grabbed his throbbing cock, which had leaked a little pre-cum. I licked it off and engulfed his head with my mouth. The moan got louder, and his hips bucked just a bit before he settled.