Page 6 of Emergency with the Mountain Man (Silver Ridge Mountain Men #1)

six

Jake

I wake up to the sound of Norma humming in my kitchen, and for a moment I think I'm dreaming. Then the smell of coffee and bacon reaches me, and I realize this is real—the woman I love is making breakfast in my cabin, wearing nothing but my flannel shirt and a smile.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

"Morning," I say, padding barefoot to the kitchen where she's wielding my ancient cast-iron skillet with apparent expertise. "This is a nice surprise."

"I figured it was the least I could do after keeping you up half the night." She grins over her shoulder, completely unrepentant about our marathon session of lovemaking.

"I'm not complaining." I wrap my arms around her from behind, pressing a kiss to her neck that makes her shiver. "But you didn't have to cook. I would have been happy to take you to Juniper's for breakfast."

"I wanted to. Besides, your kitchen is amazing. I could get used to cooking in here."

The casual comment sends warmth spiraling through my chest. The idea of Norma getting used to being here, of this becoming routine for us, is everything I've been hoping for.

"Speaking of getting used to things," she says, turning in my arms. "We should probably talk about what happens next."

"What do you want to happen next?"

"I want to keep seeing you. Officially, publicly, no more pretending this is just friendly small-town hospitality." She takes a breath, gathering courage for what comes next. "I want to see if we can build something real together."

"I want that too. More than anything."

"Even if it means dealing with the inevitable town gossip about the new vet falling for the local logger?"

"Especially if it means that. Let them talk. I want everyone to know you're mine."

The possessiveness in my voice makes her eyes darken with renewed desire, but before I can act on it, her phone buzzes with an incoming call.

"Dr. McKenzie," she answers, professional demeanor sliding into place instantly. "What? When did this happen? Okay, I'll be there in twenty minutes."

She hangs up with a sigh. "Emergency at the Patterson farm. One of their mares is colicking, and it sounds serious."

"Go," I say, already missing her. "Save the horse. I'll be here when you get back."

"Promise?"

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away."

She laughs, standing on tiptoe to kiss me quickly before disappearing into my bedroom to find her clothes. Twenty minutes later, she's gone, leaving me alone with the lingering scent of her shampoo and the memory of her laughter echoing through my cabin.

I've never been happier in my life.

Several long hours later, Norma returns with that same tired but satisfied expression I'm learning to love. Her face lights up when she sees me working on the cabin's front steps, reinforcing a board that's been loose for months.

"How's the mare?" I ask, setting down my hammer.

"She'll be fine. Mild colic, probably from getting into the grain store. A few hours of walking and some medication got her sorted out." She settles beside me on the step, close enough that our shoulders touch. "You know, I never expected to love this life so much."

"The veterinary practice?"

"All of it. The practice, the town, the mountains..." She looks at me with soft eyes. "You."

My heart skips. "Norma—"

"I know it's fast," she interrupts. "I know we've only known each other three weeks. But sitting in my truck this morning, driving back here to you, I realized something."

"What's that?"

"I'm not scared anymore. Of trusting someone, of opening my heart, of believing in forever. Because it's you, Jake. And you make everything feel possible."

I set down my tools and turn to face her fully. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I'm saying I love you. Completely, desperately, with everything I have. And if you'll have me, I want to build a life with you here in Silver Ridge."

The words hit me like a physical blow of pure joy. "If I'll have you? Norma, you're everything I've ever wanted and things I didn't even know I needed."

"Then ask me."

"Ask you what?"

Her smile is radiant. "Ask me properly."

Understanding floods through me. I stand, pulling her to her feet, then drop to one knee right there on my front porch. Her hands fly to her mouth, eyes filling with tears.

"Norma McKenzie," I say, meaning every word, "I don't have a ring yet, and this isn't planned or fancy, but I can't wait another minute. Will you marry me? Will you let me love you for the rest of our lives? Will you build a home with me here in Silver Ridge?"

"Yes," she breathes, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, yes, yes!"

I surge to my feet and lift her, spinning her around as she laughs and cries and kisses my face. When I finally set her down, we're both grinning like fools.

"I can't believe this is my life," she says, shaking her head in wonder.

"Better get used to it, future Mrs. Webster."

"I like the sound of that."

"Good. Because I plan to spend the next fifty years making sure you never regret saying yes."

Before she can respond, the sound of vehicles approaching draws our attention. Maple's car pulls into my driveway, followed by what looks like half the town.

"Did you?" Norma starts.

"I didn't invite anyone," I say, confused.

Maple gets out of her car with a huge grin, followed by Flint, Juniper, Vernon Cooper from the Silver Lodge, and at least a dozen others. They're all carrying food, drinks, and decorations.

"Surprise!" Maple calls out. "We're throwing you an engagement party!"

"How did you even know?" I ask, still stunned.

"Tom called everyone after you left work early," Juniper explains, setting down a covered dish. "Said you were acting like a man about to propose, and we should be ready to celebrate."

"Plus, Mrs. Patterson mentioned the new vet seemed awful happy when she left the farm," Vernon adds with a wink. "Seemed like a good sign."

I look at Norma, who's laughing and crying at the same time. "Welcome to small-town life," I tell her. "No secrets, but lots of support."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," she says, then raises her voice to address our impromptu party guests. "Thank you all for being here. I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather celebrate the best day of my life."

The cheer that goes up from our friends and neighbors echoes across the valley, a sound of pure joy that seems to make the mountains themselves smile.

As the evening unfolds—with food and laughter and stories about Silver Ridge romances that came before ours—I watch Norma seamlessly integrate into our community.

She listens to Mrs. Patterson's advice about wedding planning, laughs at Tom's terrible jokes, and accepts congratulations from people who've known me since I moved here but are already treating her like family.

"You done good, cuz," Maple says, appearing at my elbow as we watch Norma teaching some of the kids how to bandage a stuffed animal's "injury."

"She's incredible."

"She is. And she loves you something fierce. Anyone can see it."

"I still can't believe she said yes."

"Why? Jake, you're one of the best men I know. Kind, loyal, hardworking, protective of the people you love. Any woman would be lucky to have you."

"Even a brilliant veterinarian who could have anyone?"

"Especially her. Because she's smart enough to see what really matters." Maple squeezes my arm. "Stop doubting yourself and just be happy."

She's right. Looking around at this celebration, at the woman I love surrounded by the community that's embraced her, at the life we're going to build together, I am happy. Completely, overwhelmingly, eternally happy.

Later, after the last guest has gone home and we've cleaned up the remnants of our impromptu engagement party, Norma and I sit on the porch swing I built last summer, wrapped in a blanket and watching the stars emerge over the valley.

"So," she says softly, "when do you want to get married?"

"Tomorrow?"

She laughs. "I was thinking maybe we could wait long enough to plan a proper wedding. Let Maple and Juniper have their fun organizing it."

"As long as I get to call you my wife, I don't care what kind of wedding we have."

"Good. Because I'm thinking small and simple. Just us, our friends, and these mountains as our witnesses."

"Perfect."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, both processing the magnitude of what's happened today. In the space of a few hours, we've gone from taking it slow to planning a wedding. It should feel rushed, crazy, too fast.

Instead, it feels exactly right.

"Jake?" Norma says eventually.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For showing me that love doesn't have to hurt. That trust doesn't have to be earned through pain. That I can be myself—completely, authentically myself—and still be cherished."

I tighten my arms around her, overwhelmed by the trust she's placing in me. "Thank you for taking a chance on a logger who fell for you at first sight."

"Best decision I ever made."

"Second best," I correct.

"What was the first?"

"Moving to Silver Ridge. Because it brought me to you."

She tilts her head up to kiss me, soft and sweet and full of promise. "I love you, Jake."

"I love you too, soon-to-be Mrs. Webster. Forever and always."

As we head inside to begin our life together, I send up a silent thank you to whatever force brought an injured bear cub into my path three weeks ago. Some encounters change everything, and some love stories are written in the stars.

Ours definitely is.