Page 38 of Mountain Man

“I promise,” I said, making sure he heard the truth in those words. “I’ve never had a home, not a real one. And being with you, Hank, you are home. You’re what I’ve been searching for my whole life. Why would I ever leave that, leave you, now that I’ve finally found you? It’s not going to happen. That will never happen.”

He growled and carried me down the hall toward the bedroom. “Tell me you love me again.”

“I love you.”

He dropped me onto the bed and covered me. “Again,” he rasped.

I slid my hand up the side of his throat, pulling him closer, and said against his lips, “I love you.”

“Birdie,” he said in a way that lifted goosebumps over my skin. “I’ll work every day to make sure you’re happy. Whatever you want, whatever you need, I’ll—”

“Hank,” I said.

He looked down at me.

“I’ve got you. I already have everything I want and everything I need. Love me and I’ll be the happiest girl in the world. That’s all I need.”

He buried his face against my throat again, and then he made love to me until the sun came up.

Epilogue

Five years later

Birdie

The sound of sweet little girl giggles filled the living room, followed by Hank’s deep voice and his soft chuckles.

As always, hearing my husband with his girls got to me. There was no sound I loved more.

I quickly put the last of the chocolate frosting swirls on the cake and turned to face them just in time. Hank rounded the corner, a grubby four-year-old on each shoulder.

I grinned at Beth and Emmy, giving the twins a little nod, and they both yelled, “Happy Birthday, Daddy!”

A huge smile spread across Hank’s face before he dropped to one knee, lowering his daughters to the floor. The girls threw their arms around his neck, planted a wet kiss on each cheek, then released him and rushed me for a piece of cake.

“Daddy has to blow out his candles before we eat cake!” I said.

They squealed and clapped their hands as Hank moved in closer and I lit the candles. He dutifully blew them out, then I lit them again twice more so the girls each had a turn as well.

We all ate cake, and after a bath, Hank read them a story—and like always, fell asleep as soon as the girls did. I walked in to find him in the armchair, Beth and Emmy asleep in his lap and draped over his chest.

I gently shook his shoulder, and he opened his eyes.

“Let’s get the girls to bed,” I said and picked up Beth. Hank did the same with Emmy, and we put them to bed, pulling the door closed behind us.

I took his hand and led him down the hall to our room. “I had a surprise for you, but I think you might be too tired.”

His arms came around me from behind and he lifted me off the floor. I stifled a squeal, but couldn’t hold back my giggle as he dropped me on the bed and came down on top of me.

“I’m not too tired for my surprise,” he growled against my ear.

He grew hard against my leg and I shivered. “You sure about that?”

“Positive.”

“I’m wearing something special for your birthday,” I said, sliding my hand down the front of my robe.

Hank’s eyes flared, and his gaze dropped down to my chest. “Show me,” he rasped.