Page 5 of Keep Me, Knox (The Mountain Code #5)

Knox

The sun's dropped low enough that the trees are casting long shadows over the yard, and Rosie's finally climbed out of the hammock, far more gracefully than I could have managed myself. She's lumbering toward the woods, cubs bouncing behind her like fat little shadows.

Sage lowers her binoculars and exhales like she's been holding her breath for an hour straight.

"That was amazing," she says quietly. "I got more notes than I could have dreamed of—and photographs and video too."

“I’m glad you got what you needed.”

She chews her bottom lip thoughtfully. “It’s a little concerning that she isn’t bothered by people, though. She knew we were here, and it didn’t bother her in the slightest.”

"She’s used to me. And she knew you weren't a threat," I say.

She glances at me. "How do you know?"

"Because if she did, you wouldn't be standing here."

Sage snorts under her breath. "Well, I suppose that’s true. But that’s what I worry about. If she gets too close to the wrong sort of person, it could end badly for all of them.”

“People are the worst.”

She sighs. “They can be.”

She gets it. That's rare.

The wind picks up a little, rustling the trees overhead. A cooler edge creeps in, carrying the scent of distant rain. I watch her rub her hands along her arms and scan the sky.

"I should probably head back to my truck before it gets dark."

I nod slowly, but my gut twists. "How far away are you parked?”

“A few miles down the hill,” she says, a tiny smile dancing on her lips. “Your driveway is in desperate need for more gravel.”

“But then more people would bother me,” I say, chuckling. “Besides, my truck has four-wheel drive. I manage it just fine.”

She laughs. “Your truck must be a tank. Even the road to your road is horrendous.”

“True enough. So, are you sure you want to drive that in the fading light?”

She hesitates. "Well, it was kind of treacherous.”

"Stay the night," I offer, the words out before I think twice. "I've got a guest room. You're welcome to crash."

It’s going to take every ounce of willpower I have to stay out of the guest room…

She tilts her head. "Do you always invite government trackers to sleep over?"

"Only the muddy blonde ones who refer to Bear 178-A as Rosie .”

That earns me a smile, but I can tell she's weighing it. Not just the logistics— me . Whether I'm safe. Whether staying would be a mistake.

Part of me hopes she says no. That'd be easier.

The other part wants her to say yes so bad it hurts.

She finally says, "Will you make coffee in the morning?"

"Obviously."

"And let me borrow a hoodie or something? As you pointed out, my clothes are a bit muddy.”

I open the front door and gesture inside. "Deal."

She steps in, brushing past me, close enough to make something shift in my chest. Like a door opening that's been locked for years.

I shut the cabin door behind her, and for the first time in a long time, my place doesn’t feel like a hideout.

It feels like a home.