Page 39 of Shared By the Mountain Men Triplets

“Thank you.”

His eyes hold mine. “You’re welcome.” For once, he doesn’t tease or lay on the charm, and though I like his charm, I like this even better.

CHAPTER 17

WREN

Elena and Kira’s words are with me the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, and even more so when Rhett and Cade return from their hike smelling of fresh air and clean sweat. Their important corporate client enjoyed the day and promised to book again in the fall, and Rhett looks relieved, even though he tries to hide it.

After dinner, he steps out onto the front porch, and after a couple of minutes, I follow after him. He’s standing at the far end, one shoulder against the post, his eyes scanning the treeline. He doesn’t turn when I come out. “Cade’s out in the barn.”

“I’m not looking for Cade.”

When he turns to look at me, the porch light deepens the planes of his face, making him look even more commanding than usual.

I stop a couple of feet away from him and lean against the railing. The night is cool, but it’s not uncomfortable. In thedistance, wind moves the treetops, but I can barely feel it here.

“I don’t think anyone followed us today,” I say.

“I know.”

“Boone told you?”

“He didn’t have to.”

I’m still getting used to the way they often speak in omissions.

“What did you think of Kira and Elena?” he asks.

So Boone did report something. “I liked them.”

“They’re good people.”

“They said the same about you.”

“They’re generous.”

I turn my head. “That almost sounded like humility.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

We stand there in silence as crickets chirp and an owl hoots somewhere out in the darkness.

“Where did you go to school?” Rhett asks.

The question surprises me. “The state university. Conservation biology.”

“Did you always know you wanted to do that?”

“I thought about a couple of other options, but it was mostly an easy decision. I’ve always liked being outside,and I love animals. At some point in school, I decided ecosystems were more interesting than individual species.”

Rhett makes a sound that lets me know he’s listening.

“I liked learning about how everything connected. Water, food sources, stress patterns.” I glance over at him. “People are fascinating, too, though I try not to look like I’m studying them as much as I do.”

“What have you learned about people?”

“That you’re not as unreadable as you like to think.” I glance at him again but look out at the trees before I lose my courage. “You’re very controlled, which means the moments when you lose that control tell a lot.”