Mountain Man's Rival: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Mountain Men of Liberty Book 13)

by K. C. Crowne

  Matt and I laughed. I said, “I can’t drink, Dad,” just as Matt said, “You can’t drink on your medication, Dad.”

  “Fine,” Dad scoffed. “Then bring the sparkling cider for those of us who can’t drink. The rest of you have wine, though. I was saving it for the day Evelyn came home to celebrate her accomplishments anyway.”

  I was home, and I agreed. It was a reason to celebrate.

  “I’ll grab the meatloaf from the oven,” Lily said as she stepped into the kitchen with Matt.

  Dad looked up at me. “She’s a good one. I’m glad Matty finally found himself a good girl.”

  I looked toward the kitchen where Lily and Matt had run off to, and I had to wonder if Lily was scared to be alone with me after telling me she was with my brother. I knew, at some point, we’d have to talk about it.

  “Yeah, me too, Dad. Lily’s a good woman,” I said softly. There was a knock at the door, and I cocked an eyebrow at my father. “Do you have a date tonight?”

  “No, it’s your mom. We’ve been talking a bit and she came into town to say goodbye, so I invited her over to spend time as a family,” he said. He offered a sad smile.

  I knew what he was getting at – this very well could be the last time we spent together as a family, all of us.

  “I’ll get the door.” I walked to the front entry. Declan was at my side, and I gave his hand a squeeze, mouthing, “Thank you”.

  My parents hadn’t been on good terms in forever, and my mom was difficult to say the least. I thought the dinner would be uncomfortable with Declan there, but adding my mother to the mix complicated things even more. I hoped we’d get through this meal together, everyone intact.

  I opened the door, and my mom stood on the front porch with her hair dyed the palest blonde I’d ever seen. She lowered her sunglasses and smiled, pulling me in for a hug.

  “Oh Eva, dear, you look lovely,” she gushed. “And who is this handsome fella? No, wait, I’ve seen you in the press. You’re Declan. Very nice on the eyes… Well done, dear.”

  I cringed and quickly tried to change the subject. “You look good too. Did you have work done?”

  She smiled even wider and raised her brows, or rather, tried to. “Mmhmm. I had Botox last week. It’s amazing, dear. You really should look into it. It would really help with those lines right there.” She smoothed my forehead with her fingertips.

  I frowned.

  “And those too,” she said, pointing out my frown lines before pushing past me. She called Dad’s name and I left her alone with my father while I stood in the front hall with Declan at my side.

  “Seriously, this is a lot crazier than I expected. I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

  “Don’t apologize,” he said, bringing my hand to his lips and planting a kiss on my knuckles. “They’re fun.”

  “If by fun you mean crazy, then yes, you’re absolutely right,” I said with a chuckle. “You know, if you want to run away, I can tell them you had an emergency.”

  “There’s no place I’d rather be right now.” He leaned close and pressed his lips to mine just as Matt called from the other room that it was time to eat.

  Just like old times, the family was all together. And as much as I liked to joke about how terrible they were, a part of me was happy that we could do this one more time.

  “And then Eva, being all but three years old, yelled in the middle of the fancy five start restaurant, ‘Daddy I’m going to poop my britches right here if you don’t take me to the bathroom!’” Mom cackled with laughter and the entire table joined her as I hid my face in my hands.

  “I highly doubt I spoke that well at three, Mom,” I muttered.

  “Oh, you were always very smart, Eva, and you’d ramble on and on. I might not have the words exactly right, but you did say you’d poop your britches.”

  My cheeks burned bright red, and that’s when I noticed that everyone had finished eating, my chance to leave the room while my mom continued to regale the table with childhood poop stories.

  I went around the table, collecting the plates. As I got to Lily’s, she placed her hand on my arm. “Can we talk?” she whispered. “Somewhere private?”

  I nodded and she helped me carry the dishes to the kitchen. Matt called out, “I’ll load the dishwasher, just put them in the sink for now.”

  “He doesn’t have to tell me twice,” I said, trying to lighten the mood with Lily. The entire evening, things had been awkward, and she wasn’t herself around me.

  I knew we had to talk, and if it got me out of hearing another embarrassing childhood story, then I was all for it. Lily and I slipped into my childhood bedroom for some privacy. She walked over to one of my paintings on the door.

  “Wow, you were always really talented, weren’t you?” she asked. She looked around the room, noticing the paintings that adorned every wall, covering most of the wallpaper. Her eyes were big with wonder. “You painted all these?”

  “In high school, yes,” I said. “Mostly my senior year.”

  “You’re telling me that as a senior in high school, you painted all of this? In one year? To this level of quality and everything?’

  “I know, it takes me months to paint a single painting now. Sad, isn’t it?” I said, gazing at one of my early works and noticing that it was a lot better than I realized at the time. Back then, I thought I was a shit artist and would never make anything of myself, at least not in the art world.

  “Well, I think you’re under a lot of stress these days, Eva. A lot more pressure.”

  “Yeah, and the noise and business of the city… and the interviews and everything that goes into being, well, me. It’s hectic.”

  “It is hectic,” Lily agreed, offering me a friendly smile. “And I know you’ve been through a lot. I really am sorry for what happened with Matt. It was selfish of me to jump into his arms like that.”

  “No, not at all, Lily. Matt needs someone right now, and I haven’t been that person. And I think you’re good for each other. I just worry about the distance and everything.”

  “I know, that worries me too, but Matt says we’ll make it work.” She smiled a little. “Somehow.”

  “And I believe you will. Because you’re both good people. I am really, really sorry for thinking the worst of you, Lily.” Tears flooded my eyes again. Dammit, why was I always crying? “Stupid pregnancy hormones are kicking my ass.”

  “I know, come here,” Lily said, reaching out to me.

  I hugged my best friend and it felt good to just hold her close.

  “I didn’t get a chance to tell you this earlier, but I talked to Gerard in New York. He let it slip who outed your pregnancy. A woman named Eileen who works at Dr. Fisher’s office.”

  “The nurse…” Suddenly, I put it together. The one who was so excited I was there. “Shit, Lily, I’m so sorry for thinking it was you.”

  “No, don’t worry about it. It was all a misunderstanding. I just have one question.”

  “Anything.”

  “Can I have my job back?”

  I chuckled and wiped at my eyes. “Of course, silly. As long as you want it back. I mean, I couldn’t manage my crazy life without you at my side keeping me organized and sane.”

  “I promise I won’t let my relationship with Matt get in the way of my job.”

  “I know you won’t. And Lil?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m happy for you both. I really am,” I said, grinning. “You look so cute together, and you’re really, really good for each other. Even my dad agrees, and he doesn’t like most people if they’re not family.”

  “Thank you, Eva. I appreciate that. I really care about Matt, and I want to make this work. He’s an amazing guy.”

  “And you’re an amazing woman.”

  “I’m glad I have your approval, as well as your dad’s,” she said, her cheeks flushing.

  “Speaking of which, we should get out there before Mom starts talking about my puberty horror stories
next, though I fear it might be too late for that considering the laughter coming from down the hall.”

  Lily laughed and walked with me out of my bedroom, toward the raucous laughter. I slipped in beside Declan who asked if I was okay, and I told him I was.

  Mom turned to me with a serious look. “And when were you going to tell me you were pregnant, dear?” she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “I had to hear it from your dad.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t know you hadn’t told her yet,” Dad said.

  “Oh no, it’s fine. I meant to tell you tonight, but you wouldn’t stop talking about my potty-training accidents long enough for me to get a word in.” I stuck my tongue out at her playfully. “But yes, Declan and I are expecting a baby. I’m surprised you haven't read it in the press already.”

  “Oh, I did, but you know how they spread lies, so I assumed it was another rumor because how dare the media know before your own mother.” She sniffed. “Please tell me you’re not moving back to this shit town to raise the little rascal?”

  “It’s not a shit town,” Matt said from beside her.

  Mom waved him off, and I was at a loss for words. “I wasn’t planning on it at first, but I’ve come to see that Liberty isn’t that bad.”

  “Could’ve fooled me,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Not bad, huh?” Declan whispered beside me with a hopeful smile.

  Chapter 19

  Declan

  “What are your plans, Declan? Thinking of relocating to New York?” her mother asked.

  I answered at the same time Eva did, though our answers differed. “Maybe.”

  “No,” she said.

  We looked at each other.

  “What do you mean, maybe?” she asked me with a raised brow.

  “Well, I’m not ruling it out. I want to be there for my child, especially in the early years. It makes little sense for the baby to go back and forth from Utah to New York. It just seems easier if I—”

  “No, Declan. I thought we agreed. We’re going to make it work long-distance.”

  “I don’t think we ever agreed that I couldn’t choose to move if I wanted to.”

  “You don’t really want to, though,” she informed me. “You hate the city; you love it here. I’m not going to be the reason you uproot your entire life.”

  Matt cleared his throat to interrupt. “Hey, everyone, what if we moved this into the living room so Dad can get comfortable?”

  Lily jumped up from her seat. “Yes, let me help you.”

  Eva’s mother stayed put, her eyes fixed on us, but she didn’t say anything.

  “Mom?” Matt said, stopping by her chair.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Let’s give them some space,” he said pointedly.

  “Fine,” she muttered, pushing herself from the chair with a heaving sigh. She followed the rest of the family into the living room. As soon as we were alone, Eva started in on me again.

  “Your company is here.”

  “I can retire early. I’ve set enough aside to live comfortably for a long time.”

  Eva stared at me. “Do you really want to retire, Declan? Your business is successful and really taking off. I think you’d grow bored.”

  “I can find work in New York, surely.”

  “But your friends, your family, your entire life is here.”

  I leaned forward, resting my hand on her belly and looking deep in her eyes. “Not my entire life or my whole family,” I reminded her. “My child will be on the other side of the country, and I don’t want to be a long-distance father.”

  Eva scowled and refused to look me in the eye. “I don’t want our lives to get complicated, Declan.”

  “It’s too late for that, I’m afraid.”

  “No, we’ll figure something out,” she insisted. “I can’t ask you to do this.”

  “You’re not asking me. I’m making the choice myself.”

  She pushed her chair back and stood up, running a hand through her hair, still refusing to look me in the eye.

  “I need some air. I’m going outside. If it’s okay, I’d like to spend the rest of the evening with my family, without talking about all this.”

  “Would you like me to leave?” I asked as I rose from the table.

  “I hate to ask that of you, but I think I need some space, Declan. This is all too much right now.”

  “Listen, I don’t want to leave Liberty. You’re right about that,” I admitted. “I have friends and family here. I have my career. But you and my child mean more to me than anything in the world, and I see no other way around this.”

  Eva looked at me with sad eyes. She shook her head and repeated, “I need some space.” She rushed for the back door. I wanted to chase after her, but she told me what she needed.

  I slipped into the living room and said goodbye to everyone.

  “I have to work early, but it was good to see everyone again,” I said with a polite wave.

  Everyone said goodbye to me, and Matt offered to walk me to the door, but his mother jumped at the chance instead.

  “I’ll do it,” she said, running to my side.

  “I’ll join you,” Matt said.

  “No, stay right here and help your father,” she ordered, looping her arm in mine.

  I shot Matt a look and shrugged as Eva’s mother walked me to the front door.

  She leaned close, so close I thought she might kiss me. She whispered, “Whatever you do, please, please make sure Eva doesn’t give up her life in the city. She’s happy, and I’d hate for something like this to ruin it.”

  “Something like this? You mean our child?” I asked, my gaze hardening.

  She shook her head. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just meant that she’s worked so hard to get where she is. I’d hate to see her give it all up.”

  “I don’t intend for that to happen,” I told her.

  “Good. You’re a good man, Declan,” she said, surprising me by pulling me into a tight hug. I felt her hands on my ass as we pulled away, and she gave me a cheeky grin.

  “My girl did well for herself,” she muttered as she return to the living room.

  I left the house, but there was a lingering ache inside me because I knew we were no closer to figuring out our relationship than we were before. Eva might be more open to giving us a chance, but only at a distance.

  I’d meant what I said - I had no intention of being a long-distance dad.

  I had to clear my head. I couldn’t just go home and stew after our argument, I knew that much. I sent the guys a text.

  Hey, anyone around?

  Mike’s response came a few moments later.

  Hanging out with Ezra. What’s up?

  Ezra and Mike. They were level-headed and wouldn’t just tell me what I wanted to hear.

  Mind if I join you guys?

  I walked out to Ezra’s patio where Mike was already seated, beer in hand. Ezra handled me a bottle and motioned for me to take a seat in one of the chairs beside Mike.

  “Where’s the others?” I asked.

  “Liam has his hands full with the kids tonight, Alex had an event,” Ezra said.

  “And Clark left for the bar about an hour ago, said we were too boring for him,” Mike chuckled. “Said I talked about the kids too much or some bullshit.”

  “Still feeling resentment over that, huh?” I said, opening the bottle and taking a swig.

  “Yeah, I don’t know if he’ll ever get over the fact that I settled down,” Mike said of his stepbrother. “Maybe if he gets a family of his own one day, he’ll understand.”

  I scoffed at the idea of Clark ever having a family of his own. “Yeah, we know that’ll never happen.”

  “Who knows? People said that about Liam and look at him. He’s got his hands full with that horde,” Mike said.

  “I guess…” All this talk about families got me thinking about Eva and our child. I turned the beer bottle in my hand, studying the label as
if it were a book to be read.

  “Something on your mind, man?” Ezra asked.

  I looked up at him and thought about what I wanted to say. Opening up wasn’t the easiest thing for me, especially with other men. But if I were to confide in anyone, these two were the best ones to listen.

  I sighed and leaned back in the chair, running a hand over my face. “Yeah, I guess so. I dunno, there’s a lot going on with Eva and me right now, and I’m not sure what to do about it.”

  “Ahh, I told you, man. I told you she would bring you heartbreak.”

  “I’m thinking of moving to New York City,” I blurted before I could think through my confession.

  “You’re what?” Ezra and Mike asked at the same time.

  “Yeah, I’m thinking it would be best if I moved there.”

  “Why? For a relationship with Eva?”

  I shrugged. “She doesn’t want me to. She says she doesn’t want to be the reason I uproot my life, but I can’t help but think… it’s what I need to do.”

  “No. Absolutely not,” Ezra said, shaking his head. “She’s made it clear she doesn’t want you to move for her, and it’s clear she isn’t interested in the same level of relationship you are.”

  Before he could hammer in his point, I looked Ezra straight in the eye. “She’s pregnant.”

  Ezra fell back in his seat and stared at me in disbelief. Mike asked, “And it’s your child, I presume?”

  “It is,” I said.

  “Shit. That complicates things. Maybe you should have started with that,” Mike said.

  “Yeah, probably should have,” I admitted.

  Ezra continued to stare at me, and I remembered his words earlier about being careful with her. I thought he might bitch me out, ask me why I wasn’t more careful, but he surprised me by asking calmly, “And what does Eva want to do about parenting together?”

  “That’s the problem. She wants us to co-parent our child with her in Manhattan and me here. And I don’t think I can do that.”

  “I don’t think it’s right to ask you to do that either,” Mike added.