Page 83 of Mountain Defender

Love.

Am I falling in love with Rory? Is it possible to be in love with someone so soon?

Or.

Did I start falling in love with Rory from the day I met her?

“I guess.” She sets the mug down and turns towards me. “I just worry. Everyone here has done so much already. I already feel like I’m taking advantage of Enzo’s generosity, staying here when the cabin could be used for a new client.”

I frown at her. “What do you mean? Why would you leave?”

But I know why. I just don’t like the reason.

Rory picks up a piece of bacon and nibbles on it. Then she puts it back down. A tiny worry line etches between her eyes. “Because there’s no reason for me to stay here now. Ford, Mavers, and now Wade… They’re all in jail. It’s safe to go back to my house again.”

“But you’re hurt,” I retort. “With a concussion, you should?—”

“Gage.” It’s soft. Patient. “I love staying here. And the first couple of nights, it made sense. But now… I feel like it’s selfish to take up this cabin when it could be used for someone else.”

A weight settles on my chest. “You’re not. We still have an open cabin. So there’s no rush. You can stay as long as you want.”

Her mouth pulls into an unhappy line. “Even if I could, what about the dogs? I can’t expect people to foster them indefinitely.”

Desperation builds at the thought of Rory leaving. “Max is adopting Charlie and Bandit. Mrs. Adamson said she wants to keep Daisy. And I think Enzo and Winter will end up adopting Comet, since he and Rusty get along so well.”

“I hope they do. But there are still eight more dogs who need permanent homes. And until they find them, I need to bring them back to the shelter. Plus, there are more dogs who need help. Rescues down south that are overflowing.” She sighs. “I have a responsibility, Gage. And more than that, Iwantto help.”

“Ah, baby. I know.” Nudging the tray aside, I pull Rory into my arms. “I just…”

Justwhat?

What do I want?

Her soft green eyes meet mine. “What, Gage?”

“I don’t want you to leave.”

Confusion pinches her features. “I’m not leaving Bliss. I thought you knew that. We talked about?—”

“No. I mean, I don’t want you leaving the cabin.”

But is thatreallywhat I want?

“I can’t stay here forever,” she replies patiently. “You know that.”

“I know.” As I look at Rory, desire wars with fear. Deep down, I know the truth. But I’m afraid of saying it. Afraid of ruining things. Of losing the only woman I’ve ever seen a future with.

Then again. I showed her my prosthetic. Bared my greatest insecurities to her. And if I don’t ask, will I regret it?

Of course, we would still date even with Rory back at her house. But I’ve gotten used to spending my days with her. Working on my laptop while she reads at the other end of the couch. I don’t want to spend my nights alone, worrying if Rory’s okay. If she’s safe. If she’s having nightmares. If she’s missing me as much as I’m missing her.

I feel like I’m balanced at the edge of a precipice; my next step leading to joy or disappointment.

“What I mean,” I start, “is that I like being with you like this. Seeing you during the day. Sharing our meals together. Watching your animal shows at night. Falling asleep next to you and waking up with you in my arms every morning. And… I don’t want that to change. I know you might not feel the same way…”

“Are you—” Rory stops. Her brow creases. “Are you talking about living together?”

“Maybe?” Even as I say it, I’m mentally reshuffling things. We couldn’t live at my cabin, not with all Rory’s dogs and the space she needs for her shelter. So we’d have to live at her place, which I wouldn’t mind. But is that too pushy, basically asking if I can move in with her?