Page 14 of The Mountain Man’s Curvy Bride (Mountain Man Sanctuary #3)
Daisy
The scent of Wes's cooking fills the cabin, a comforting blend of herbs, garlic, and roasted chicken that makes my mouth water.
From the kitchen, I watch him move effortlessly, chopping vegetables with a steady rhythm, his movements sure and strong.
Watching him like this, so calm and competent, fills me with a deep sense of happiness.
For a moment, the world feels perfectly right.
But beneath the warmth and contentment, anxiety lurks.
Steven’s unexpected appearance haunts me, twisting in my stomach like a knot I can't unravel.
The idea that my past might destroy the fragile peace we've built terrifies me.
Wes has already dealt with so much—inviting my baggage into his life feels unfair.
I shake off the dark thoughts, focusing instead on the present. Wes glances up and catches my stare, a soft smile curving his lips. “You alright over there?” he asks gently.
"Fine," I reply quickly, returning his smile even though my chest feels tight. “Just thinking about how lucky I am."
His gaze softens, warmth and affection evident. "I’m the lucky one, Daisy. Don’t forget that."
“I won’t,” I promise softly, my heart swelling.
He returns his attention to the stove, the sizzling sound of dinner grounding me momentarily. I remember suddenly that I left the freshly laundered blankets hanging on the back porch rail to dry. “I’ll just grab those blankets from outside,” I call over my shoulder as I head for the back door.
“Don’t be long. Dinner's almost ready,” Wes calls after me, his voice relaxed.
Stepping onto the porch, the cool evening air washes over me, crisp and refreshing. The fading daylight bathes the trees in shades of gold and pink. It’s peaceful, a stark contrast to the unease still gnawing at my core.
I gather the blankets quickly, folding them in my arms. But as I turn back toward the door, a sudden rustling in the brush catches my attention. I freeze, heart skipping a beat as I strain to see through the encroaching darkness.
A shadow moves near the edge of the trees. Fear spikes instantly, my blood turning icy cold. "Wes?" I call weakly, my voice barely above a whisper, panic rising quickly.
Before I can scream, before I can move, a strong arm wraps around my waist, yanking me back roughly. The blankets tumble from my grasp, forgotten as terror floods me completely. A harsh, familiar voice whispers fiercely in my ear, hot breath sending chills down my spine.
“You thought you could hide from me, Daisy? You thought you could just run away and leave me behind?"
Steven. My breath catches painfully, heart slamming violently in my chest. His grip is punishing, digging painfully into my sides, holding me tightly against his solid frame. Tears sting my eyes, fear paralyzing me momentarily before adrenaline jolts me back to reality.
"Let me go," I whisper desperately, struggling against his hold, but Steven’s grip only tightens further.
"Not a chance," he growls fiercely, dragging me further from the porch, further from safety. Panic overtakes me completely, every muscle screaming as I fight against his hold.
"Wes!" I finally manage to scream, voice raw with terror, praying desperately he'll hear me.
"Shut up!" Steven snarls viciously, his hand clamping over my mouth, muffling my screams. I thrash against him, but he's stronger, more ruthless. My vision blurs with tears, hopelessness creeping in.
He pulls me toward the woods, the darkness swallowing us whole. Despair grips me, my mind racing with thoughts of Wes, of the beautiful life we'd begun together, slipping further away with each forced step.
"You're mine," Steven growls darkly, his words sharp and possessive. "And you'll learn never to defy me again."
My heart shatters silently within my chest, my mind screaming Wes’s name, desperately hoping he’ll somehow find me before it’s too late.