Page 39 of Single Mom’s Mountain Men (Mountain Men Reverse Harem #1)

Wes

T he car is parked in the Gentle Roses lot, waiting for Patty to return with Katie and Maddie in tow.

I’m sitting in the car smiling stupidly as I tap my hand against the wheel.

I’m almost humming to myself, so ridiculously happy it’s not even funny.

Some of it has to do with what Mitch told me the other day.

I’m not sure what possessed him but he’s decided to sell a part of our land and split the profit three ways.

Even stranger than that, he said I don't have to work at the mill anymore since he's hiring new people.

And once he has enough money saved, he's willing to buy our shares too if we want.

"Are you serious?" I'd asked, gaping at him.

He nodded. "Yup. You don't have to work here anymore. You can quit any time you want."

Of course, I wasn’t going to quit quite yet.

Ironically, now that Mitch has eased up, I actually want to help him turn the mill into a raving success like he wants before I even think about leaving.

I’m just happy that he’s finally listening and giving us the option.

I'm especially happy for Charlie because now he can start up that garage like he wants.

And I guess this means that I have to get serious and consider that bar idea now.

But Mitch's announcement isn't even the real reason why I’m content. Most of that has to do with Patty, and the kids as well.

We told her we loved her and she said she loved us too.

I get giddy every time I think about it.

Patty is going to be ours. She’s going to stay with us and start a family with us.

We’ll probably adopt her daughters, and I’m not sure how that would work legally but we’ll figure it out.

We’ll figure everything out because in my mind she’s ours forever and nothing can stop that.

Suddenly, a violent scream pierces through the air.

"What the fuck?" I’m out of the car and running to the door in a split second. Urgency riots through me when I realize how much the scream sounds like Patty’s.

I’m through the door by the time the second scream comes, this time in the form of words.

"What do you mean?" Patty has her hands planted on the reception desk and is screaming at the receptionist who's rearing back. "What do you mean their father picked them up? Where are my daughters?"

The receptionist swallows. "I’m sorry," she says. And then she glances at me for help, leaning back in her seat clearly afraid that Patty is going to leap across the desk and attack her.

And given the furious expression on Patty’s face, I won’t put it past her.

I immediately move forward and take Patty’s hand which she tries to yank out of my hold but then I take her by the shoulders. "Look at me, darling."

She obeys but the shattered expression on her face has my chest squeezing painfully.

"What’s wrong?" I ask. "Tell me."

She points an accusing finger at the receptionist, the fear in her eyes palpable. "She just said my girls got picked up by their father. But that’s not possible. He’s in jail."

"Jail?" That's a shocker. Was that what she meant by it being 'handled'?

"Yes." Her eyes meet mine, tears welling up. "He was arrested by the police for dealing weapons and a bunch of other illegal stuff."

"Weapons?"

Her gaze drops from mine. She swallows and nods tightly. "He’s so much worse than I told you."

"Jesus Patty, why didn’t you tell me any of this? Or tell Charlie or Mitch? Or fuck tell the sheriff?"

She winces, shaking her head so solemnly that I feel bad for my explosion.

"I thought it was handled," she whispers, tears falling freely now, making her voice watery.

"He’d gotten caught by the FBI, they had evidence to keep him in jail and I thought it was only a matter of time before he got sent to prison for good.

I thought all we had to do was lay low till then and we would be fine. "

"Jesus." I drag her into my arms, unable to bear her tears anymore. "You should have told me this.’

A sob escapes into my shoulder, and then suddenly pulls back as she wipes her eyes. "No. I can’t break down now. I need to find my girls."

"What's going on here?" Suddenly, a door at the end of the hallway opens and Mrs. Weatherby steps out of her office. She takes one look at Patty and asks, "What's wrong?"

Patty looks at Mrs Weatherby and says, "I think Keegan took my daughters."

Mrs Weatherby's gapes. "How?"

"Ask her." She points to the receptionist again, who melts back underneath Mrs. Weatherby’s withering glare.

"I thought I made it clear that those two were only allowed to be picked up by their mother or one of the three men, Wes, Mitch, or Charlie."

"Yes, but…" she muttered. "He said he was their Dad and…"

"And I told you specifically that they were not to be picked up by their dad."

For the first time, a defensive look appeared on the receptionist's face. "I don't think that's right, to keep a child from their father just because she got a new boyfriend. You never said he was a criminal, and he seemed really distraught about not being able to see his daughters."

"Jesus Christ," Mrs. Weatherby looks to the ceiling, but it doesn't quell her anger because she still explodes, "What is wrong with you?

You didn't think there was a reason we specifically noted that they were supposed to never go anywhere with their father?

Or did you not care because of whatever stupid prejudice you hold against the Norris brothers? "

The receptionist cringes but still fights back. "The girls confirmed he was their dad and agreed to go with him. I didn't know... I mean he didn't seem like a bad guy."

"He never does," Patty says bitterly and then puts a hand on the shoulder of the still-fuming Mrs. Weatherby. "It’s alright. I know how charming Keegan can be sometimes and he can pretend like he’s the most mundane person ever. "

"I’m so sorry about this Patty," Apology and fury are in Mrs. Weatherby's tone. "I told you I would keep your girls safe, and I couldn’t even keep that promise. She's new and I hired her because I owed her dad a favor but I never thought she would do this."

"It's okay." Patty swallows tightly and I can see how hard she’s trying not to lose it again. "Right now, I don't care about any of that. All I want is to find my daughters."

"Let’s go to the sheriff," I say, instantly.

If this man is as bad as she says he is, he might be willing to take the girls out of the country.

"We need to get roads shut down. And if he just picked them up he couldn’t have gotten far.

We may have just missed them. We can call the FBI and tell them that he's on the loose.

"He has people on the FBI on his payroll," Patty responds. "I'm sure that's how they got him out of jail in the first place. But how on earth did he find me here? I left no clues. I left everything behind."

Just then the phone rings. Patty draws it out of her pocket and stares at the number flashing on the screen while growing increasingly pale.

"It's him," she whispers.

I take her free hand squeezing it in comfort. She meets my gaze, swallowing when I nod.

"Hello?" she finally answers, putting it on speaker.

"Is that my Patty cake?" comes the voice of pure evil. She flinches and it reminds me of how she reacted when I called her the name. That’s why she doesn’t like it. It’s this asshole's fault.

I hate him.

And I hate that he sounds very pleased with himself right now.

"Where are they?" Patty asks, tension lacing her tone .

"They’re fine. Asleep in the back seat. I just wanted to call you in case you were thinking about calling the police. You wouldn't be that stupid, would you? I mean, you do want to see your daughters alive again?"

"Please don't hurt them."

He chuckles. "Oh, I don’t plan on it. As long as you do what I say okay?"

Patty's breath catches in her throat.

It takes everything in me not to take the phone from her but I know it’s important to keep him talking. We may get clues from what he says and I don't want him to know that I'm also listening too.

"How did you find me?" Patty asks.

"I told you, Patty cake. I have friends everywhere and one of them spotted you. I told you I would find you if you ever left me, didn't I? And I told you what would happen when I do."

Patty swallows. Her hand shakes as she grips the phone.

"I also know it's you that ratted me out to the police," the bastard continues in that conversational tone.

"But it's okay. I forgive you. I understand I wasn't very nice to you then, but in my defense, I was under a lot of pressure.

You get that, right Patty? Anyway, I won't be like that anymore.

So you're going to come back to me and we're going to be a happy family. Okay?"

Patty bites her lip, her face twisting in anger. And then she chokes out, "Okay."

"Excellent. I'm going to text you an address where you'll meet me in a few hours. And remember, no cops. And no biker boyfriend either. Capiche?"

"Yes. I understand."

"I can't wait to see you again, Patty." And with another laugh, the bastard hangs up .

Patty looks at me and I try to compose my features, but I know it's impossible to hide the murder in my heart. I'm somewhat glad we're not going to the police now, because I don't plan on sending this Keegan guy to jail again.

One way or another, her ex is going to have to die.