Page 10 of Autumn Feud With The Mountain Man (Ozark Mountain Men Falling For Love #1)

Shelby

One month later.

I couldn’t believe how long it had been since I’d called Elizabeth.

We were normally nightly phone call kind of friends. Even though they were short calls, they were important.

But time had slipped by.

First, she’d been busy with a big case.

Then I’d been busy with a big dick .

But that’s not how friendships were supposed to be. So I was taking the time tonight to FaceTime with her.

Elizabeth looked drawn and tired.

I recognized the look, because I’d had the same appearance the whole time I worked for the firm, too. They took too much. There was nothing left for living.

“You seem so… cheerful. It’s weird,” Lizzie said with a frown on her face.

“It’s this place. It’s different here. It’s like I can actually be alive. I had no idea how much of a toll those eighty-hour workweeks were taking on me. I’d love it if you could come here and see it for yourself.”

She shook her head as if that were impossible. “Why would I do that? Besides, you’re coming home soon, right?”

“Oh… that’s up in the air.”

Lizzie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not thinking of staying there. Are you? You said you were surrounded by a bunch of rednecks and country folk.”

I bit my lip. I knew she wouldn’t take this well.

“They’ve grown on me. And maybe I was being judgmental. It wasn’t very nice of me to say that.”

Lizzie snorted. “Since when have you been nice?”

Since Thatcher.

Being with him had changed me somehow. It wasn’t just the town. If I were being honest, it was all him. He’d made the place come alive for me.

Flippantly I said, “I’m trying it on for size.”

She laughed. “I’ll just wait until you come back. I can skip the smell of cow shit on my shoes.”

It was crazy how fast things had changed. Six months ago I would have agreed with her whole-heartedly.

Now… I loved this place. And I realized I loved Thatcher, too.

“Liz. I have to tell you, the place grows on you. I mean, just the other day we went for a haybale ride out at his friend’s farm and—”

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed. “Who’s he ?”

“Uh, Thatcher. His name is… Thatcher.”

Now she looked scared, like she’d just realized this might be real for me.

“Congratulations. Are you two dating, or is it casual?”

How could I say this?

“I just wish you could come and meet him. I never thought this would happen to me. He’s so handsome.

And tall. And his body’s like a work of art; all the men around here are like that.

But… I think we’re getting serious. If things keep going the way they are, I could even see us getting married.

He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. ”

Lizzie’s face crumbled right in front of me. Then she put on a brave mask, a fake smile landing on her lips. “Oh. That’s so… wonderful! Wonderful, uh, so you’re not moving back?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think I am. I canceled my storage unit. You can get anything you want out of there for the next ten days. It wasn’t worth having the furniture shipped. Besides, Thatcher has this rustic vibe going, and my velvet couch wouldn’t match well.”

“You’re giving up your green velvet couch?” Elizabeth looked seriously concerned about me.

I winced. I’d spent four thousand dollars on it. “Yeah.”

Thatcher was worth a hundred of those couches.

Quietly, Lizzie said, “The firm’s been asking about you. They say your knowledge of acquisition law is remarkable. They’d like to have you back. They’re taking on a big merger soon. Westwind and Ativita.”

Those were two huge mega-corporations. Normally, hearing that would have me salivating. But now it just made me tired.

And I needed to lay it all out so Elizabeth could get used to the idea that this move was real.

“I’m going to buy the law practice here, Liz.

I’m in a rental right now, but Thatcher and I have talked about getting a place together.

To buy . His brother Buck is coming back soon, and he wants to give his cabin to him. I’d really love for you to meet him.”

“His brother?”

“No. Thatcher.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “What do you even know about him? It’s been a month. What does he do for a living? Who are his parents? What are his goals?”

Confidently I said, “He owns his own company. And his parents are lovely.” I’d met them last weekend. They’d welcomed me straight into the family as though they already knew I was the one.

“What kind of company?”

Never try to slip anything by a lawyer. It’s like they sensed what you were downplaying.

“He runs a trash removal service.”

Lizzie’s eyes got huge.

Then she spoke without thinking. She did that sometimes, and I always recognized it when it happened.

“You left Williams, Phelps and Harmon, the most prestigious firm in New York City, to marry a fucking trashman ? Are you serious, Shelby? Are you having a nervous breakdown at twenty-six years old?”

“He’s an amazing man. And it shouldn’t matter what he does for a living. I’m in love with him. That’s all that matters.”

I watched my best friend in the whole world shut down. She was closing me out. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me for a trashman.”

“I’m not leaving you, Liz. I just can’t live that life anymore.

It’s not for me. If you saw this place and met these people, you’d understand there’s something different out there for us.

A new life is possible. It doesn’t have to be work, work, work and then you die surrounded by pretty baubles.

Just last night, we went out, and the fall wind was whipping leaves around us in the air.

We brought his sleeping bag out and watched the stars for hours.

That would never happen in New York City. ”

I didn’t mention that we’d made love afterward, in the backyard of his cabin. Or that I’d been late to work the next morning because I overslept. Or that Hank didn’t mind at all . My old bosses would have been screaming.

“Life can be more than work, Liz. You deserve better than the firm can give you. Come visit us. Just once. You might fall in love with the place.”

She sighed as I heard the ding of a text coming through. “That’s them now. I’ve got to go. It was nice catching up. Have fun with your new life.”

Then the screen went blank.

I had to give up either my best friend or the love of my life. And it hurt .

If I could just get Liz to come out here once, I knew I could convince her to stay. I’d always been stronger in debate than her. She’d see the wisdom of the decision. She’d feel the magic of this place. These people .

Thatcher wandered in with two mugs of hot apple cider. He was already changed into his cozy flannel bathrobe for the night. “You off already? I was hoping to meet her.”

Hiding the storm inside me, I put on a brave face. “You’ll meet her next time we chat. She had some work stuff to do.”

As he took a sip of his cider, he gave me a measured stare. “How did she react to your decision to move here permanently?”

I snuggled deep in his arms. “She had a little resistance to the idea. But she’ll come around. She always does.” At least I hoped she would.