Page 4 of The Mountain Man’s Curvy Bride (Mountain Man Sanctuary #3)
Daisy
The diner is exactly the kind of place you'd expect in a quaint mountain town—cozy, filled with the smell of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon, and decorated with quirky vintage signs.
Everly and I slide into the booth first, instantly resuming our lively conversation, while Wes and Liam sit across from us, exchanging quieter, more subdued small talk.
"So, Everly, how did you and Liam meet?" I ask, genuinely curious as I settle comfortably into the red vinyl seat.
Everly's face lights up, her cheeks flushing slightly as she leans in closer, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"Oh, it's quite the story," she says, glancing affectionately at Liam, whose ears turn a faint shade of pink beneath her gaze.
"It was one of those freak summer storms—you know, the kind that comes out of nowhere.
My car blew a tire right near Liam's mountain, and before I knew it, I was stranded with roads flooding all around me. "
"No way!" I gasp, completely enthralled. "That sounds like something out of a romance novel."
"It really was!" Everly laughs, her eyes sparkling. "Liam found me soaked to the bone, standing by my car looking totally helpless, and he insisted I wait out the storm in his cabin. I argued at first, but he wouldn't take no for an answer."
Liam chuckles softly from across the table, shaking his head. "You weren't that hard to convince."
Everly grins playfully, nudging him with her foot beneath the table. "True. You were pretty persuasive."
Their easy affection makes my heart ache slightly.
I can't help but steal a glance at Wes, who sits quietly beside Liam, his dark eyes observing our conversation with guarded interest. His presence is solid and reassuring, yet distant in a way I can't quite pinpoint.
Watching Everly and Liam, their fingers interlaced atop the table, laughter in their eyes, I feel a pang of longing.
I've never had someone look at me like that.
Steven certainly never did. My ex-boyfriend was the opposite of affectionate—always distant, always critical.
He had a way of making me feel smaller than I was, a shadow rather than a person.
Breaking free from him had been one of the hardest yet best decisions I'd ever made.
The moment I saw Wes's online ad for a bride, I'd felt a surge of hope, a chance for a fresh start in a place where nobody knew me or my history.
"So, Daisy," Everly says cheerfully, pulling me back to the present, "what made you decide to marry this big grump over here?"
She nods playfully toward Wes, whose expression immediately darkens into an embarrassed scowl. I can't help but giggle, finding his discomfort oddly endearing.
"Well, honestly," I begin, fiddling with the edge of my napkin, "I needed a change, and Wes's ad caught my eye. The idea of a peaceful life in the mountains sounded... perfect."
Everly nods knowingly, her smile gentle. "I get it. Sometimes the best choices we make are the ones that seem the craziest."
Liam smirks at Wes, nudging him with his elbow. "Did you hear that? You're someone's best crazy decision."
"Shut up," Wes grumbles, though there's a faint twitch of amusement on his lips.
Our meals arrive quickly—plates piled high with fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and golden hash browns. As we dive into our food, the conversation continues easily, punctuated by bursts of laughter and teasing banter.
Between bites, I find myself sneaking peeks at Wes.
He's quiet, thoughtful, but his eyes are warmer now, softer as he listens to Liam's exaggerated storytelling.
There's something captivating about Wes—something steady and reassuring beneath that gruff exterior.
I wonder what he's thinking, if he’s also wondering about our future or regretting the decision already.
"Earth to Daisy," Everly teases gently, waving a forkful of pancake in front of my face. "Lost in thought over there?"
I laugh sheepishly, cheeks warming. "Sorry, just distracted. It's nice being here. It all feels so normal."
Everly nods, understanding shining in her eyes. "I know exactly what you mean. There's something special about finding a place that feels right."
"Exactly," I agree softly, stealing another quick glance at Wes. Our eyes meet briefly, and my heart skips an unexpected beat at the intensity of his gaze before he quickly looks away.
By the time we finish eating, I'm pleasantly full and happier than I've felt in a long time. The waitress clears our plates, topping off our coffee cups as we linger, reluctant to end the easy camaraderie of the meal.
Everly leans across the table, her voice conspiratorial. "We should definitely do this again soon. Maybe dinner at our place next week?"
"We'd love that," I say instantly, glancing at Wes for confirmation. He hesitates for a split second, then nods.
"Great!" Everly claps her hands excitedly. "It's a plan."
We say our goodbyes in the parking lot, Everly and I exchanging phone numbers with promises to chat soon. Wes and Liam exchange gruff farewells, clapping each other on the shoulder in that masculine, affectionate way they have.
As Wes and I climb back into his truck, a comfortable silence settles between us. The drive home is quiet but peaceful, the scenic beauty of the mountain roads wrapping around us like a warm embrace.
"Today was nice," I finally say softly, glancing over at him.
He glances at me briefly, his expression thoughtful. "It was nice. Better than I expected."
I smile warmly, leaning back into the seat, feeling a quiet sense of contentment settle deep within me.
Maybe this arrangement started as something practical, something born of necessity, but in this moment, it feels like so much more.
Like the beginnings of something real, something I've been longing for my entire life.