Page 84 of Mountain Defender

“Maybe?” she echoes. “What do you mean, Gage?”

Dammit. I’m making a mess out of this.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. My stomach twists in a knot. “I know you need to live at your place. For the dogs. For your shelter. But… I want to live with you. I know we haven’t been dating long, and it might be too soon. Maybe it’s presumptuous…”

Rory twists around so she’s facing me. She catches my hands with hers. In a cautious tone, she asks, “Would you want to move in with me? At my house?”

My heart makes an ungainly leap. “Is that weird? Most of my friends, they ask their girlfriend to move in withthem. But it wouldn’t work for us. It wouldn’t work for you.”

“But what about your privacy? Having lots of peace and quiet? The dogs… they’re good most of the time. But they bark. People come to see them. And… what if you get tired of having me around all the time?”

“Never.” It comes out forcefully. “Never, Ror. I couldn’t get tired of being around you. Yes, I like my privacy. I like quiet. But it’s different with you. I want you around me. And I like the dogs. They relax me. They help when I’m having a tough time with my PTSD.”

Threading my fingers between hers, I continue, “If you’re not ready to live together, that’s okay. I understand. And it won’t change things between us. We’ll still date. Take our time with things. But.” I take another steadying breath. “I want to be with you. Wherever you are.”

Rory stares at me, emotion working in her eyes.

I hold my breath.

Then.

She smiles.

“Gage. I’ve been wanting to askyou. But I was afraid it was too soon.”

“You were?”

“Yes. All the things you said, I feel the same way. I’m happier when you’re around. I sleep better. I feel safer.” A beat, and then she amends, “Not that I want you around to make me feel safe. But… I’ve been scared, thinking about going back there alone. And with you, I won’t be scared.”

A hand reaches into my chest and gives my heart a wrenching squeeze. “Oh, Ror. I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“I didn’t want you to feel obligated to offer to stay with me.”

“I don’t. I couldn’t.”

As I look at her, those three words dance around in my head. Words I’m almost positive are real.

But I’ve never said them to a woman before. And once they’re out, there’s no taking them back.

I think I’m in love with her. But how do I know when I’ve never felt this way before?

Oblivious to my inner debate, Rory asks, “So, you would want to move into my house? What about your place here?”

That’s an easier question. “We can repurpose it as another client cabin. And when friends visit, they can stay there, like Leo and Georgia did.”

She nods thoughtfully. “That’s true. But Gage. Are you sure? I want you to move in, but?—”

“I’m sure.” Now that I’ve pulled the secret wish from my head, it’s an easy answer to give. I brush my lips across hers. “I’m absolutely sure, Ror. As long as you are, too.”

Her gaze softens with affection as she looks at me. “I’m sure, too.”

As I look into Rory’s eyes, something else flickers there.

Something deeper than affection.

Love?

Joy blooms inside me. It’s a breathless sort of feeling, a warmth expanding in my chest and doubling my heart in size.