Page 55 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

We meet at the front of the truck—Kendra looking around at the towering pines, me resisting the urge to take her hand in mine.

I want to. I want to so badly.

But we’re still too close to home.

And the more I think about it, the more I think this might be a dumb idea.

Possibly the dumbest.

The owners know me better than they know Joe, so I know they wouldn’t go blab about me bringing Kendra here. But it’s not just Sterling and Courtney here. There are all the employees. And whoever else might be stopping by to buy stuff.

My steps start to slow.

“Black Mountain Lodge,” Kendra mumbles while subconsciously matching my new pace. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“You met the owners during that barbeque.”

She cocks her head, brows furrowing as she tries to remember.

It’s fucking adorable.

I reach up and rest my palm on the back of her neck.

“Kendra?” A male voice stops me from pulling my girl in for a kiss.

We both look up, spotting the man as he cuts through the forest to join us on the path.

“Fisher?” Kendra sounds confused.

And I amend my previous thought.

It would be even more adorable if she didn’t remember Fisher at all.

It’s fine.

Kendra just has a good memory.

I’m not jealous.

She was practically in my lap, kissing me like her life depended on it not too long ago.

“Good to see you again.” Fisher’s smile is wide.

Totally fine.

Then he opens his arms, like he’s going to hug her.

Never mind. This is not fine.

Totally not fine .

Kendra lifts a foot, like she’s going to step away from me. Like she’s going to hug this other man in front of me.

I tighten my hold on the back of her neck.

She clears her throat like she’s trying to cover a laugh. But she puts her foot back down where it was.

“Nice to see you too.” She holds out her hand.

His eyes lock on to where I’m gripping Kendra as they shake hands.

“You guys here for the bake sale?” he asks as he releases her hand.

“Sure are.” I release my hold on Kendra and step forward, putting myself between him and my girl and grabbing his hand before he can lower it. “Good to see you, kid.”

I pull him in, like men do, and slap my other hand against his back.

It might be a little rougher than necessary… But is it, though?

“Don’t let us keep you.” I dip my chin as I step back.

Run along, Fisher Boy. This girl is taken.

He purses his lips as he steps back, like he’s fighting a grin. “You two have a nice time.”

Kendra waves. “Thanks. See you around.”

Fisher hops back a few steps before he turns and walks back into the woods.

The guys out here are a different breed. I like the outdoors and all that. But I also like a weekend on the couch.

“He’s such a nice guy.” Kendra’s tone is light, but she keeps her head down, not making eye contact.

I grip the back of her neck again and start walking her forward. “Just keep racking up the punishments, Brat.”

She snickers. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh.”

Kendra leans into my side. “You didn’t have to rough him up like that.”

I scoff. “Yes, I did.”

She shakes her head.

Ahead of us, another cabin comes into view that’s a little different from the rest.

In front of the building is a concrete pad covered with picnic tables. A few people are seated at them, eating and talking, but I recognize them.

I guide Kendra to the front door, which is propped open with a brick, and she steps through.

The air is scented with buttery pastry and sugar, and my mouth starts to water as I follow Kendra inside.

This is where the staff and guests of the Lodge usually eat, so the inside has just as many picnic tables as there are outside, but right now, half of them are covered in baked goods.

Courtney and Cook are behind the stainless-steel island in the back half of the room, bagging up items for a customer. But Sterling is on this side of the counter.

And he’s grinning.

I shudder. Sterling does not grin.

Creepy smile still on his face, the man crosses the floor, stopping in front of us.

“Rocky.” He nods to me. Then he holds out a hand to Kendra. “Sterling Black. I know we met the other weekend, but in case you forgot.”

Kendra smiles as she shakes his hand. “Appreciate that, but I remember you guys.”

She’s just good with names. Has nothing to do with the fact that these men are attractive.

“Courtney will be happy to hear that.” Sterling lets go of her hand. “She’s been asking me how long she should wait before asking you to lunch.”

“Sterling,” Courtney snaps, clearly catching our conversation.

Sterling just laughs. “What?”

Kendra glances up at me with a questioning look on her face, like she’s asking permission.

I nod.

And her answering smile is fucking gorgeous.

With her happiness on her face, Kendra, my beautiful girl, leans into me to look around Sterling. “Lunch would be awesome.”

Courtney lets out a sound of excitement, and Kendra presses her hand to my side before stepping away and walking toward the counter.

“So…” Sterling shoves his hands in his pockets as he rocks back on his heels.

“So, what?”

“So… you’re messing around with your friend’s kid.” Sterling can hardly contain his humor.

“And you messed around with your employee.”

Sterling smirks. “Yeah, but I married her. Joe know you’re fucking his daughter?”

“Watch it,” I snap, then take a breath to settle myself. “And what do you think?” My blood has been simmering with possessiveness all day, and these guys aren’t helping.

“I think this is gonna be fun to watch.”

“You’re a dick.” Shaking my head, I walk past Sterling to where Kendra is talking to his wife.

Courtney is telling Kendra about the animal shelter they raise money for, and I can’t help myself. I place my palm against her lower back.

Kendra’s shoulders relax at the contact.

A second later, Sterling stops beside me with a snicker.

“Dick,” I huff under my breath so only he can hear me.

He lets his shoulder bump mine. “Honey.” He catches his wife’s attention. “Hook this fine couple up with some pies.”

Fine couple.

I jab my elbow out, aiming for his ribs, but he jumps out of reach.

Courtney asks what we’d like, and I tell her we’d like something savory for lunch, along with some sweets to take home.

Courtney nods and puts two of her Havarti and ham hand pies and two mini apple pies on a pair of metal plates for us to eat here as our lunch. Then she puts what has to be half a dozen more mini pies into a bag, along with a short stack of Funfetti cookies.

“Oh, um, could I buy a brownie too?” Kendra asks quietly.

She sounds a little… embarrassed?

Then I remember.

I remember and my chest suddenly feels tight.

I like you a brownie amount.

I curl my fingers into the material of her shirt, holding her in place beside me.

I like this girl more than a brownie amount.