Page 16 of Grumpy on the Mountain

Molly's cheeks flush pink. Goddamn, she's adorable.

"Sorry," she murmurs.

Maisie, who has been unusually quiet for approximately forty-five seconds, pipes up with the observation that sends my heart into my throat.

"You look at her like Daddy looks at Mommy!" Maisie says.

I choke on my hot chocolate, scalding liquid burning down my throat. Molly's eyes widen in alarm.

"Maisie!" Sienna hisses, but there's laughter and amusement in her voice.

"What?" Maisie looks confused. "It's true! He gets all squinty and his mouth goes all tight. See! Like that. Like he's trying not to smile!"

"I think it's time for me to go," I announce, setting down the mug so hard that hot chocolate sloshes over the edge. "Storm's letting up. Roads will be clearing."

"But you just got here!" Maisie wails dramatically.

I shove my feet back into my boots, desperate to escape. Quickly.

"I'll come back for the treehouse. When it's not... snowing."

Sienna doesn't even try to hide her amusement. "Sure, Beau. Run away. That's very manly of you."

She tilts her mug up like some kind of toast. I shoot her a glare that would make most people tremble but she just grins wider,like she's seeing something that I'm trying too fucking hard to ignore right now.

I'm halfway down the porch steps when the door creaks open behind me.

"Beau, wait."

Molly steps out, arms crossing tight over her chest against the cold. The movement pushes her breasts higher beneath her sweater, and my eyes catch there before I can stop them.

I jerk my gaze up to her face, hoping she didn't notice.

"You don't have to leave because of what Maisie said."

The wind whips strands of honey-blonde hair across her face. My fingers twitch with the insane urge to brush them away.

"Or because of… you know.Me."

"It's not that," I lie. "Got work to finish."

She shivers, and I resist the overwhelming impulse to wrap her in my jacket and hold her close to my chest so she stops shivering.

"Okay then. Thank you again," Molly says softly. "For everything."

I nod once, not trusting myself to speak, and continue towards my truck.

"And Beau?" Molly calls after me and I curse under my breath.

"What?"

"I'm glad it was you. Who found me, I mean."

Dead God, woman. What are you doing to me?

I don't respond, just pull the door shut behind me as the truck roars to life, and I grip the steering wheel like it's the only thing keeping me tethered to reality.

I back out of the driveway too fast, tires spinning on the fresh snow.