Page 32 of Single Mom’s Mountain Men (Mountain Men Reverse Harem #1)

And Mitch, the rock, takes charge and makes me feel like I have nothing at all to worry about.

They’re all amazing men, but I have to keep my feelings in check. For all our sakes.

Still, I silently make it my mission to somehow get Mitch to relax and let go of at least some of his burden. It's going to be a process but I'm not going to stop until I succeed.

“You don’t have those nightmares anymore right?” he asks and I turn my attention back to his eyes, still glittering in the dark.

I shake my head. “No, I don’t.” It’s not a total lie. I do still dream of Keegan once in a while, but it’s nowhere close to the bone-chilling dreams I used to have everyday.

Mitch continues staring. “If they ever come back, let me know.”

“What are you going to do?” I quip. “Boss them away? ”

“I’ll exorcise them,” he says with no trace of humor. “I’ll do whatever I need to do to make sure they stay dead, and to give you some peace.”

My heart races faster, emotion clogging my throat.

Oh God. Why does he say the most perfect things? I need to get out of here before I make a mistake.

"I'll make you some eggnog," I say standing. "That should help you sleep."

The rest of the week passes in much the same way with a few notable differences.

I’ve started making Mitch eggnog each evening, as well as nagging him to go to bed an hour earlier than normal.

He argued against the latter vehemently, but after I proved to be as hard-headed as he was, he eventually began relenting.

I also offered him a massage once, to help him relax, but his eyes darkened beyond belief and he shook his head.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said in a voice thick with desire. The same desire that rushed through me at the thought of my hands all over his gorgeous body.

“Yeah, you’re right,” I choked out and then got out of there as fast as I could.

In any case, I hoped the eggnog was helping him sleep peacefully.

But I also spent my free time on Charlie’s computer, searching for therapists in the area, who had experience with military vets and PTSD.

They also had to be okay with virtual meetings, because I doubt Mitch will want to drive out of town however many times a week to see them.

I start making a short list and once I’m done I’ll begin making calls to see who’s available .

The truly difficult part is going to be convincing Mitch to honor the appointment, but I’ll just have to put my foot down and nag him until he does it.

Still, I silently make it my mission to somehow get Mitch to relax. It's going to be a process but I'm not going to stop until I succeed.

"I'll make you some eggnog," I say to start with. "That should help you sleep."

The next day, when I go in to pick my girls up from daycare, Mrs. Weatherby meets me at the reception.

"Hey." She smiles. "I was hoping to run into you. Can we talk in my office for a second?"

"Sure," I respond, curious as to what she has to say to me. I follow her to her disorganized office, a small space with a brown fabric couch shoved in the corner and books haphazardly thrown onto it.

"I wanted to run something by you." She gets straight to the point as she closes the door behind her. "I'm friends with Sheriff Good."

I immediately stiffen, sensing where this conversation might be going. "You didn't..."

She holds up her hand. "Of course not. I gave you my word that I wouldn't divulge your secret and I've kept it. But I think you should talk to him."

"No." I shake my head. "I can't."

"What if your husband finds you?" she asks. "What if he tracks you down here? Sheriff Good can keep an eye on things, and he'll be the first one to know if anyone new arrives in town. "

"He's not coming after me." The last I searched, Keegan was in police custody, no bail granted.

They were still investigating but I was sure it would be over soon.

"I'm good," I tell her. "Trust me."

The woman stares at me for a few minutes and then releases a sigh. "Alright. For your sake, I hope you're right."

I nod, not giving voice to the apprehension lacing through me. I hope I’m right too.

“So,” she continues in a significantly lighter tone. “How is everything? With the men that is?”

Immediately, a rush of red fills my face. The question was asked innocently enough that I don’t think she meant anything sordid by it, but it instantly brings to mind all the filthy things I’ve been doing with Charlie and Wes, and the heart thumping feelings all three men induce.

Also, my recent realization that I’m dangerously close to falling in love with them.

“It’s fine,” I squeak out hoping that would be end of it, but Mrs. Weatherby catches on, a wicked smile filling her face.

“Uh oh. I know that look. You’re head over heels for one of them, aren't you? Which one is it? I put my money on Wes. That man could charm the panties off a nun, and he’s got a good heart to boot. Always eager to help me with repairs around my house.”

I blush even more, recalling just how many times Wes charmed my panties off. And Mrs. Weatherby is right. As playful as he is, there’s a sweet and dependable side to Wes, always ready to help me solve any problem.

“Or is it Charlie, the big teddy bear?” Mrs. Weatherby continues, rubbing her chin. “I saw the way he looked at you the last time the two of you dropped the girls off. That man is a goner for you.”

I cough to hide my reaction, because I know exactly what she’s talking about.

I see it too, Charlie’s looks. Although I don’t necessarily think they signify love, they make me feel so many pure, innocent emotions, that I start craving things like hand-holding and butterfly kisses and the kind of courtship that I thought only existed in romance novels and hallmark movies.

“Although, I won’t write off Mitch either.” She keeps going. “I know some women like the strong brooding type. I was never as close to him as the other two, but I see the appeal.”

Of course. Anyone with a pulse could see Mitch’s appeal. And Mitch is more than just strong and brooding. He also has his own boyish charm and a funny side too.

“So which one is it?”

All of them.

“None,” I say coughing again. “I like the men and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me but I’m not looking to date. I’m just grateful for all their help.”

“Uh huh.” Mrs Weatherby doesn’t look like she buys it with the secretive smirk still sitting on her lips. She even winks at me on the way out.

Later that evening, after Charlie takes the girls on a walk with Wiley, and I put the finishing touches to dinner, I half think about her words, while paying attention to the heated argument that’s going on between the three brothers.

Later that evening, as I put the finishing touches to dinner, I half think about her words, while paying attention to the heated argument that’s going on between the three brothers.

"No way," Wes scoffs. "You can't think Warton Prep is better than Sheffield Elementary. "

"It's a private school," Mitch points out.

He seems much better this evening and I'm glad he no longer seems mad at his two younger brothers, although he pointedly refuses to discuss the topic of our relationship.

"They have better teachers and get buckets more funding each year for books, equipment, school trips - everything. "

"Yes, but they're an all-girls school. And there's too much focus on study. Where's the fun in that?"

"It doesn't have to be fun. Katie wants to be a writer. I think Sheffield will be a good school."

"They do have links to a college with a good writing program."

All of us pause to look at Charlie.

"I checked online yesterday," he says.

"Of course you did," Wes rolls his eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you, online and real life are two different things."

I hide my smile as I turn back to the stove. This morning, I asked the men about their thoughts on schools for my daughter and since then, they've been in heated discussions about it.

It warms my heart that they've gone to such lengths to do their research about what schools my older daughter can go to in the area. It shows they truly care about her.

"She won't be happy at some snooty, rich people's school," Wes says loudly. "Right Katie? You want a school with nice normal kids, right?"

"Right," Katie, who is with Maddy, petting the dog, agrees, much to my relief.

"That's good," I say, turning to place the plates on the table. "Because I don't think I can afford private school fees right now. "

All three men blink at me, astounded. "Who said you would be paying for it?"

I chuckle right back at them, waiting for the joke to land but none of them smile or even seem to be remotely joking.

"Are you serious?" I blurt out. "Why would you pay for my daughter’s school?"

They look amongst themselves, each person waiting for another to answer the question.

"I mean," Wes finally speaks up. "Why not? We have the money, and we’re not spending it on anything except new tools for Mitch to tinker with. And we love the girls and want them to go to a good school."

"You do?"

They all nod.

"If it helps," Mitch points out. "You can consider it a perk of the job. I’m not paying you all that much anyway."

"You’re paying more than enough for the work I’m doing."

"I don’t think so. What you do is invaluable. It’s more than just cooking and cleaning, Patty. It’s like you’re turning this house into a home."

The statement hits me deep, where that old insecurity still lies, along with that dream of having a family and a home of my own. Emotion mounts so quickly that I have to turn away sharply so they don’t see the tears forming in my eyes.

"Thank you for saying that." I say in a hoarse voice.

"And we mean it," Charlie finally says gently. I hear him walking up behind me and he presses a kiss against my hair. "You mean a lot to us. You and the girls. And to be clear, even if we weren’t hooking up the offer still stands. We just want to take care of you.”

He says it in a quiet tone, but it's as impactful as a bomb, setting my emotions in disarray. Nothing has shaken me quite this much before, a powerful emotion reaching into my chest and taking hold.

I think about the words when I go to sleep with my girls in my arms, and Wiley curled up at the foot of the bed, the place he has carved out as his own at night.

I also remember it when I wake up before dawn, walking outside to stare at the dark blue sky, with just a hint of orange peaking on the horizon. A gentle gust of fresh mountain breeze surrounds me, and I close my eyes, drawing in the scent of pine trees.

So nice and peaceful.

They gave this to me. My mountain men.

Not only are they so sweet and respectful to me, they’ve given me this home, full of peace and joy and love. They did this and asked for nothing in return.

We just want to take care of you.

God, how could I not love them?

I close my eyes, turning my face up to the sky. Wind rustles my hair, the emotion in my heart bubbling up and overwhelming me.

I know I shouldn’t, know that I don’t deserve them, know that it’s wrong. But I can’t deny how I feel. I love them.

All of them..

A rumble of sound breaks my concentration and my eyes open to find Wes approaching on his bike.

"What are you doing up so early?" he asks grinning.

I shrug. "Just wanted some fresh air. You?"

"Same," he says. "I was itching for a ride before Mitch wakes up and starts with his bullshit again. What do you think?"

I cock my head. "What do I think?"

"Yeah. You wanna come with me?"

My eyes pop wide. "You want me to get on that thing? "

He laughs. "It’s not a thing. Her name is Gemma and she's as gentle as can be. Hop on. I’ll go nice and slow, don’t worry."

I open my mouth to tell him no thanks, but then my hesitation hangs in the air. Curiosity takes over.

I have always wanted to try bike riding despite the danger. And Wes is giving me a beseeching look that’s difficult to refuse.

"Alright," I say.

Surprise flashes on his face. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. If you promise to go slow."

"Scout’s honor."

I smile as I approach him. "You were never a boy’s scout, were you?"

"No, I was not." He winks and then helps me climb on.

But true to his word he does ride slowly.

Still, there's some leftover terror that spikes as we begin winding up the mountain.

I start out by clutching him tightly, burying my face in his back, but then eventually as we continue at that stable speed, I pull my face away to look, beginning to relax a little and starting to enjoy myself.

And what a sight it is.

We're on the edge of the mountain, on a narrow road overlooking stretches of green that melt into the sky that's now a kaleidoscope of blue, red, and orange. I stare at it for so long, because I can't believe it's real, I can't believe a sight like this really exists.

I could have lived my whole life without seeing this. If I'd never come here, I never would have seen such a beautiful scene.

And there’s just something about being on a bike, ascending a mountain, watching the sun rise that makes it all feel tiny but also so profound at the same time. Nothing matters, but everything also matters.

And my problems are nothing in the grand scheme of things. I am just wind, breath and life.

I feel free.

I stretch out my arms, that feeling building inside me.

Then finally, a laugh bursts out.