Page 123 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Kendra

I look at myself in my mirror.

The gold frame looks good propped up on my dresser. And I even dressed it up with some perfume bottles and my potted string of pearls plant.

I wasn’t willing to throw a live plant away, but looking at it on my desk all day while I was working was just too much.

But in here, next to my new mirror, I can pretend I bought it for myself.

I take another inhale, then shove the air out of my lungs forcefully.

The sound is rough.

Cleansing.

Then I smile at my reflection.

No teeth, just a lift of the lips. Natural.

Believable.

Luther is here.

Dad shouted as much a minute ago. And I shouted back that I’d be right there.

I smooth my hands down the front of my yellow top.

The opposite of blue.

And I tug on the waistband of my dark-wash jeans.

A short rainstorm rolled through this afternoon, cooling everything off and leaving the deck furniture wet, meaning we’ll eat inside.

I tuck my hair behind my ears.

“You are good. This will be fine. Luther is a nice guy. He won’t say anything out of line. You can be calm around him.”

I do one more noisy exhale, then I turn my back on my reflection and open my bedroom door.

I hear their voices, but then I hear the sound of the back door sliding closed as they move out onto the deck.

My shoulders relax.

It’s the perfect start.

Stepping out of the hallway, my movement catches the attention of both men.

Dad’s mouth is moving, already telling Luther a story. And Luther is nodding, but his attention is on me.

I can feel his eyes take me in.

Can feel the way they always take me in.

I am good.

I inhale.

I lift my hand.

And I smile.