Page 13 of Mountain Reclaiming

I tilt my head, trying to understand her words. “Cause that’s where you work, right?”

“We need to talk. Do you mind moving so I can come in and sit down?”

“Sure,” I step back, waving my arm toward the living room, making sure to keep a firm hold on the door so I don’t tip over. I may have had more to drink than I thought.

She maneuvers in past me, much more nimble without her crutches. She settles in on the sofa, eying the nearly empty bottle on the coffee table.

Arching a brow at me, she asks, “How much of that did you drink tonight?”

I close one eye, attempting to bring the bottle into focus, wobbling as I do, and grab onto the couch to keep from tipping over. “Not really sure. Was celebrating your good news.”

“My good news that I have a job and am moving to Chicago?” she asks slowly. “So that makes you happy? That I’m moving away?”

My arm holding me up gives out, and I fall into a heap next to her. I flop around until I’m sitting with my head resting on the back of the couch, then roll it toward her. She’s frowning again.

“I am happy you have a job you deserve, not so much that it’s going to take you away. I know this was supposed to be temporary, but I didn’t realize just how much it was going to hurt when you left.” The buzz I had is no longer dulling things, and the ache is back in full force.

“But what if I don’t leave?”

I roll my head back and forth. “I don’t want to be the reason you don’t get to have your dream. To work in the field you love so much. You’ll end up regretting me when you’re bagging groceries.”

“So here’s the thing. I got the job I want, and I’m staying here. No bagging groceries needed. I was able to negotiate remote work for a slightly different position with the same agent.”

I blink slowly at her as my alcohol-addled mind processes what she’s saying. “You’re not leaving, and you get the job?”

She smiles. “That's right.”

“Oh, thank fuck!” I pull her into me and inhale deeply, letting her honey sweet scent surround me, calming my senses.

My world is suddenly right again. This time I get the girl, and she gets her dream too. We both do, because she’s become the dream I didn’t know I still wanted.

“Uh, Cash? Do I need to make you some coffee?” she asks, voice muffled against my shoulder.

It makes me realize I’ve probably been smothering her. Pulling back enough to look into her hazel eyes, I shake my head.

“Nah, I think I’m good, just lust drunk on you now.”

Her giggles have my heart soaring. “I think I’ll make some just to be sure. We’re probably not getting much sleep tonight as it is anyway.”

“Now that sounds like the best idea I’ve heard since you said you’re not moving away.”

Epilogue

Ashlynn

I hit send on my latest book assessment for Janie, my boss. This manuscript has real potential, and I’m excited to be passing it on to her for approval. I’m so glad Paisley gave me the encouragement I needed to ask if there was a way I could work remotely.

Now I will die by the phrase—the worst that can happen is they say no, but what if the answer is yes? Getting my dream job and getting to stay in Coyote Creek with Cash is more than I ever imagined I could have.

Spinning around in my chair, I survey the room, which is now my office. My office in Cash’s house, where I now live. The walls are lined with bookshelves, which are already nearly full. Behind my L-shaped desk, the wall is a soothing pale green with a large cork/white board I use to track my tasks and projects. The corner opposite holds a comfy chocolate reading chair and an overhead lamp.

It’s everything I could’ve ever wanted.

A content sigh falls from me as I rise from my chair, stretching my arms. I get so caught up in work I don’t realize how long it’s been since I’ve moved from the spot I’m in. I tilt my head back and forth to stretch my neck while I head down the hall to the kitchen to get started on dinner.

Autumn is here in full force. Leaves are falling, and the chill in the air calls for something warm and cozy. Some soup to go with the bread I made earlier on my lunch break sounds perfect.

“Mmmm. Smells amazing in here, baby.” Cash wraps his arms around me from behind while I stir the potato chowder on the stovetop.