Page 18 of Her Mountain Boss (Honey Ridge #3)

Ten

Ford

The day flew by with the wedding at the lodge taking up most of my time and attention, as well as keeping Sophia busy while she helped the event coordinator.

She’s risen to every task given to her, and I know she’ll be an incredible asset here at the lodge.

But despite the busy day, we weren’t able to stay away from each other.

Before getting out of bed this morning, I teased and edged her used little pussy with the vibrator I got for her, and she’d gone off like a fucking geyser when I’d finally given her permission to come.

Then, earlier this afternoon, we’d snuck off to the apple orchard where I’d fucked her hard and fast against the trunk of a tree, sending her back to work with my cum soaking her panties.

But now, I need to get my mind out of the gutter because it’s time to face my brother and Sophia’s mother.

And it’ll probably go better if I’m focused and not thinking about all of the filthy, depraved things I want to do to my girl.

Things like teach her how to cockwarm for me.

Things like teach her how to suck my cock and swallow down every drop of my cum.

Focus.

We’re seated in the restaurant’s dining room, and it’s cozy with the warmth of flickering candles and the tasteful fall decor.

Pumpkins and gourds line the hearth of the stone fireplace, where a crackling fire casts dancing shadows on the timber walls.

The scents of woodsmoke, garlic and butter fill the air, creating an atmosphere that should be comforting, but my nerves are stretched taut as a bowstring.

Derrick and Jenny sit across from Sophia and me, oblivious to any tension, but once we come clean, I’m sure that won’t last.

“This place is just stunning, Ford,” Jenny gushes, her eyes reflecting the firelight.

They’re the same shade of hazel as Sophia’s.

She looks a lot like her mom, honestly. Same curls and freckles, too.

“I can’t believe what you’ve done here. It’s really incredible.

We’ll have to come back for a proper vacation.

And thank you again for giving Sophia this opportunity. I’m sure she appreciates it.”

I force a smile, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass.

“It’s been my pleasure,” I reply, stealing a glance at Sophia.

She’s smiling, her cheeks flushed from the warmth of the fire—or maybe from the worry that’s making her fidget with the edge of her napkin.

She’s breathing fast and shallow, and I want to pull her into my arms, to assure her it’ll be alright. That we’ll get through this.

Fuck, I want to shelter her from everything. But I can’t shelter her from this.

Derrick chimes in, grinning. “We always knew you’d make something of this place. It’s impressive, Ford. Really impressive.”

Our appetizers come, and the conversation meanders between harmless subjects. The upcoming ski season, Derrick’s job back in the city, a cruise they’re planning to take in the winter.

Sophia laughs at something her mother said, something I wasn’t paying attention to, the sound forced and brittle.

She’s trying so hard to be normal, to act like everything is fine.

But I see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes dart nervously between her mother and me.

The plan had been to tell them over dessert.

To enjoy the meal and then drop the bomb that I’m in love with my twenty-four-year-old step-niece.

But maybe we should just rip the proverbial Band-Aid off. This tension is obviously getting to her, and I’m not enjoying it either.

I reach under the table, my hand finding hers. Her fingers are cold, despite the warmth of the room. I give them a gentle squeeze, a silent reassurance that we’re in this together. Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away.

But the moment is fleeting. Derrick’s voice cuts through the haze, pulling me back to reality. “So, Sophia, what have you been up to here at the lodge?” he asks, his gaze shifting between us. “Ford hasn’t been riding you too hard, I hope.”

Sophia chokes on her sip of wine, and I automatically lift my hand to rub circles on her back.

“Oh, you know, just learning the ropes,” she says, her voice a bit raspy. She clears her throat, and I leave my hand on her back. Her mom notices, but I don’t move it. There’s no sense hiding. “Ford’s been a great teacher.”

I share a look with Sophia, and she nods.

This tension is unbearable, and I just want to be done with it.

I turn back to Derrick and Jenny, steeling myself for their reaction.

They’re both staring at us with slightly confused expressions on their faces, eyes cutting between me, Sophia, and where my hand still rests on her back.

“There’s something we need to tell you,” I begin, my voice steady. “Sophia and I have started dating. We’re a couple.”

Stunned silence greets my words. Jenny’s eyes widen, her mouth agape. Derrick’s brows furrow, his gaze darting between Sophia and me, disbelief etched on his face.

Jenny is the first to speak, her tone incredulous. “I’m sorry, what?”

I take a sip of my wine and clear my throat. “Sophia and I are together. We’re in love.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Jenny presses a hand to her mouth, while Derrick’s face darkens. Sophia’s hand lands on my thigh, squeezing hard. I lower my hand from her back and place it on top of hers, squeezing back.

“You can’t be serious, Ford,” Derrick says, his voice low but no less harsh for its lack of volume. “She’s your niece, for Christ’s sake. And she’s half your age.”

I hold his gaze, unwavering. “I’m well aware of that, Derrick. But it doesn’t change how we feel. We didn’t choose this. It just happened. It was…” I shrug, and Sophia turns her hand palm up, weaving her fingers with mine.

“Inevitable,” she finishes for me, and I nod.

Jenny’s voice shakes slightly as she speaks. “Sophia, honey, what are you thinking? This is… this is wrong. He’s your uncle.”

Sophia takes a deep breath, her voice steady. “He’s not though, Mom. Not in any way that matters. He’s my step-uncle. We’re not related by blood.” She takes another breath and squares her shoulders. “I love him. And he loves me.”

Our table falls silent again, the weight of our confession hanging heavy in the air. Derrick and Jenny exchange a look, their faces a mirror of shock and disbelief.

Jenny’s eyes flash, and I can see anger bubbling below the surface. “You were supposed to be here to learn, Sophia. To grow. And instead you…what? Hopped into the boss’s bed?”

Sophia flinches, her shoulders tensing, but she doesn’t shrink away. Instead, she straightens, meeting her mother’s eyes head-on. Her voice shakes, but it’s strong, filled with conviction. “No. I fell in love with someone who saw me. Who took care of me. Who has never treated me like a child.”

Jenny makes a disapproving tsk sound, and it takes all the restraint I have not to tell her off. But given that I’m in this for the long haul with Sophia, I know that getting into it with Jenny isn’t the right move. Especially because Sophia’s holding her own just fine.

The tension is so thick it’s suffocating. Derrick’s face is a mask of shock and anger, his jaw clenched tight. Jenny looks like she’s been slapped, her eyes wide, mouth agape.

Sophia takes a deep breath, her thumb rubbing against my hand. “And I won’t apologize for it. Being with Ford is what I want.”

That’s my girl. Stronger and braver than she thinks, but I’m not surprised. She has so much strength inside her.

Jenny’s gaze shifts to me, her eyes narrowing. “And you,” she says, her voice like ice. “You should know better. She’s half your age.”

I meet her gaze, unflinching. “Here’s what I know,” I say, my voice steady. “I know that what we have is real. I know that I love her, and she loves me. And that’s all that matters.”

Derrick slams his fist on the table, making the dishes rattle. Several heads swivel in our direction. “This is insane,” he growls. “You’re both out of your minds.”

Sophia shrugs. “Maybe we are,” she says. “But it’s our choice to make. And we’ve made it.”

“What do you think people will say when they find out?” Jenny hisses. “When they learn that you’re with a man old enough to be your father? Who is technically your uncle?”

“Let them talk,” I say, calm and steady. “I’m not ashamed of her. Not for a second. We wanted to tell you the truth instead of sneaking around behind your backs. Because you both matter to us, and what we have is real. We didn’t want to hide.”

Sophia turns to her mother, her eyes pleading. “He makes me happy, Mom. He treats me like gold. Don’t you want that for me?”

Jenny’s mouth opens, closes, then opens again, but no words come out. She’s at a loss, and I can see the wheels turning in her head. She’s trying to process, to understand. But sometimes, love doesn’t make sense. It just is.

Sophia looks at me, and I can see the love shining out at me. My sweet girl. And in this moment, nothing else matters. Not the shocked silence from Derrick and Jenny, not the potential fallout, not the judgment from others.

The silence stretches, heavy and uncomfortable, until Derrick finally speaks, his voice gruff. “I think we need some time to process this.” He looks at Jenny, who nods, her face pale. “We’re going to head back to the city tonight.”

Sophia’s face falls, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “You’re leaving?” Her voice is small, a whisper.

Jenny closes her eyes for a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. She takes a breath, and then reaches out, placing her hand over Sophia’s. “We need some time, sweetheart. This is…a lot to take in.” My respect for Jenny grows in that moment. She’s shocked and upset, but she’s trying.

I can see the panic rising in Sophia, her breath coming faster, her eyes darting between her mother and me. I squeeze her hand. “It’s okay, baby girl,” I murmur. “They just need some time.”

Derrick looks at me, his expression serious. “We’re not disowning her, Ford. But we’re not exactly embracing this situation either. We’re overwhelmed.”

I nod, understanding. I’d expected as much. This isn’t something they can just accept overnight. “I get it, Derrick. It’s a lot to take in. But I want you to know, I love her. And I’m going to take care of her. For the rest of my life, if she’ll have me.”

Jenny looks at me, her eyes searching. She nods, slowly. “I can see that, Ford. I just…I need some time.”

Sophia’s eyes fill with tears, and I pull her close, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “It’s okay, kitten. They just need some time. They’ll come around.”

Derrick and Jenny stand, gathering their things. Sophia looks up at them, her eyes pleading. “You promise you’ll come back?”

Jenny smiles softly, cupping Sophia’s cheek. “We promise, sweetheart. We just need some time.”

With that, they leave, and Sophia watches as they disappear through the restaurant’s doors. Then she turns to me, her eyes filled with worry. “What if they don’t come around, Ford? What if they never accept us?”

I pull her into my lap, wrapping my arms around her and kissing the top of her head, not caring about the curious stares we’re receiving. “They will, kitten. They just need some time. They’ll come around.”

She cuddles into me and I tighten my grip on her, murmuring soft words into her hair. Words about how proud I am of her, how much I love her, how we just need to be patient and give them time. I’m confident that Derrick and Jenny will come around.

And they can take all the time they need, because I’m not going anywhere, and neither is Sophia.