Page 32 of Scarlett's Mountain Man

She nods.

“The way you gaze at me when you don’t think I’m looking. The way your cheeks turn pink when I say things. The way you clench your legs together when I talk sexy to you,” I point out.

I can’t help but smile as her mouth drops open. She probably didn’t think I was going to go into detail about it.

“Wh-what?” she whispers.

“I could list other things, but I think you get the gist. You also feel it, don’tyou?”

She nods again. “I thought I was the only one. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get rejected. I didn’t want to get made fun of,” she says on an exhale toward the end.

I grab her hands and give them a squeeze. “You never have to be afraid to tell me things. I will never judge you or reject you. I love both of you so much.”

Tears pool in her eyes. “I love you, too.”

I carefully help Scarlett and Juniper get into my lap and hold onto them. This is what I’ve always wanted and now I finally have it.

“I’m never letting you guys go,” I declare. “You aren’t going anywhere. you’re stuck here with me for the rest of our lives.”

“I should be mad and say you can’t decide that for us, but I can’t find it in myself to be. I don’t want to leave.” She nestles her body even more into mine.

“Then you don’t have to.”

She goes silent, and I know there’s something on her mind. I’ve known since the first day. Who would drive for hours so soon after giving birth?

Someone who is in danger.

I haven’t said anything because I don’t want to spook her. I want her to feel comfortable enough to tell me herself. I don’t know when that will be, but I hope it’s soon.

Is the person still after her?

“Scarlett,” I gently say.

She cringes. “You called me by my first name.”

“You aren’t in trouble, but it is serious.” I run my hand up and down her arm, wanting to let her know she’s safe and okay.

“You want to know?” she asks.

She looks down at her hands, and I see Juniper is holding her finger.

“Are you in danger?” I ask, not wanting her to get lost in her thoughts.

She shrugs. “Maybe? I don’t know. I honestly don’t. I left in the middle of the night when he wasn’t at the hospital, so he wouldn’t know I had gone.”

“Who is he?”

“My ex-boyfriend. Well, he was my boyfriend, but he doesn’t know we broke up. I figure me leaving with our daughter that he didn’t want would let him know I broke up with him.” She trails off.

“Is he dangerous?” I can’t help but ask.

“Maybe? He has dangerous friends. Evil, truly evil friends.”

“Names. I want names,” I demand.

“What are you going to do?”

I kiss the side of her head. “You don’t need to worry about that.”