Page 88 of Grumpy on the Mountain

Molly tilts her head back to look up at the elaborate structure, and her face transforms with wonder.

"Oh my God, Beau. This is what you've been working on all week?"

"Among other things, yes."

David winks at me and Molly is just shaking her head in amazement. She moves over and slides easily under my arm, swarming me with her incredibly addictive perfume.

"Maisie had very specific requirements," I say, fighting a smile as our tiny dictator begins explaining the finer points of teddy bear seating arrangements to anyone within earshot.

"Think our kids would be this bossy about their tea parties?" I ask casually, handing Molly a beer from the cooler David brought out.

"Our who said what now?!" The bottle slips in her hands, and she nearly drops it. "Ourkids?"

"Just saying," I shrug, like I haven't just dropped a bomb into our conversation. "Genetics are genetics. Your bossy. She's bossy. Seems to run in the family."

Her cheeks flush pink, and she stares at me like I've just suggested we colonize Mars. "I'm just going to ignore that insult because, Beau Callahan, did you just casually mention having children with me at asix-year-old's tea party?"

"Maybe."

"We've been together for three weeks!"

"So?"

David coughs into his beer, clearly trying not to laugh. Sienna has gone very still, obviously listening to every word while pretending to photograph the treehouse.

"So?" Molly sputters. "So that's crazy person behavior!"

"Is it?" I step closer, lowering my voice so only she can hear. "Because I'm pretty sure I knew I wanted forever with you about five minutes after seeing you again."

Her breath catches, and those green eyes go wide and soft in a way that makes me want to kiss her until she can't remember why she thought three weeks was too soon for anything.

Because with Molly, it's more than three weeks. I've been in love with her since I was old enough to understand what that warm feeling in my chest was whenever I looked at her.

It just took me this long to be brave enough to reach for her instead of pushing her away.

Maisie's voice drifts down from the treehouse, where she's apparently started the formal tea service. "Lady Fluffington says the crumpets are divine!"

"I should document this," Molly laughs, pulling out her phone. "This is too adorable not to share."

She starts snapping photos—Maisie in her elaborate hostess role, the gorgeous treehouse setup, David and me standing beneath the tree looking proud.

"Oh God, Mol. Your followers are going to die over this," Sienna says, leaning over Molly's shoulder to see the screen. "A thousand people obsessing over your perfect mountain life."

I freeze on the spot, beer halfway to my lips. "Followers?"

"Yeah! Molly's Instagram has blown up since she moved here," Sienna explains cheerfully. "All those gorgeous photos of mountain life, the cabin,you.She's almost like a small-town influencer now."

Molly gives Sienna a playful shove and they laugh together, not sensing my sudden drop in mood.

Instagram. Followers. Photos of me, my cabin, our life… shared with a thousand strangers.

The beer in my hand suddenly tastes like ash. My lungs constrict and that familiar pressure builds behind my eyes. It's the same feeling I get when the nightmares come. When the memories hit.

I take a deliberate breath, forcing my expression to remain neutral.

I look at Molly, who's suddenly very interested in adjusting her camera settings. "You think you're aninfluencer?"

"Oh Christ, no. Seriously, it's nothing major," Molly says quickly. "Sienna's being ridiculous. It's just some people who like the photos. Look—"