Page 14 of Trusting the Grumpy Mountain Man (Forbidden In Fall Mountain Man #1)

RILEY

SIX MONTHS LATER

"And that concludes our quarterly review." I close my laptop, smiling at Director Yates across the conference table. "As you can see, Peak Survival continues to exceed all benchmarks for participant improvement."

The director, a no-nonsense woman in her fifties who's become something of a mentor over the past six months, nods approvingly. "Impressive work, Ms. Chaffeur. Your compliance adaptations have created a model we're implementing in three other counties."

"The credit belongs to the program," I say, gathering my notes. "I just helped translate its success into language the department understands."

"False modesty doesn't suit you." She stands, extending her hand. "We both know Peak Survival would be shuttered without your intervention. The department owes you a debt of gratitude."

I shake her hand, still amazed at how quickly things have changed. Six months ago, I was facing a career crisis and heartbreak. Now I'm a consultant for the department, helping programs like Peak Survival navigate regulatory requirements without sacrificing effectiveness.

"Speaking of debts," Director Yates continues, "your former supervisor has been reassigned to records management. Her approach to innovative programs wasn't aligned with our new direction."

I suppress a smile at the news of Margaret's demotion. "I'm sure she'll excel at record keeping."

"Indeed." The director's eyes twinkle with shared understanding. "Will Mr. Reeves be joining us? I'd like to discuss the expansion funding before I head back to Sacramento."

"He's finishing up with the current group." I check my watch. "Their graduation ceremony is today. He should be here shortly."

As if summoned by his name, Jax appears in the doorway of the newly constructed administrative building.

Six months of building improvements haven't changed his essential nature.

He still looks more comfortable in flannel and work boots than in the slightly more formal attire he wears for official meetings.

"Director Yates." He nods respectfully. "Sorry for the delay. Jesse was giving his final speech."

"No apology needed." She waves away his concern. "Ms. Chaffeur has been thoroughly briefing me on your remarkable progress."

Jax's eyes find mine, that familiar warmth in them making my heart skip. Six months together, and he still looks at me like I'm the most fascinating person he's ever met.

"Riley has a way of making even bureaucratic reports sound interesting." His subtle wink is for me alone.

We spend the next hour discussing expansion plans.

The department has approved funding for additional staff, allowing Peak Survival to double its capacity by spring.

Judge Martinez has begun referring teens from neighboring counties, creating a waiting list that validates everything we've fought for.

When the meeting concludes, Director Yates heads to her car for the drive back to Sacramento. Jax and I walk her out, standing together on the porch of the admin building that now houses proper offices, medical facilities, and meeting spaces. All built to code, all properly documented.

"Quite a change from six months ago," I observe as her car disappears down the gravel road.

"When you showed up to shut us down?" Jax wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me against his side. "Best failed evaluation ever."

I elbow him playfully. "I wasn't trying to shut you down."

"No, you were trying to change me." He presses a kiss to my temple. "And you succeeded more than you know."

We walk toward the graduation ceremony, scheduled to begin in the newly constructed outdoor amphitheater. Another improvement funded by the department grants I helped secure. Six months of hard work transforming the physical space to match the program's effectiveness.

"How's Darius doing?" I ask as we approach the gathering. "Ready for his big moment?"

"Nervous but prepared." Pride colors Jax's voice. "He's been accepted to the forestry program at UNR. Full scholarship."

"That's incredible!" I beam up at him. "From assault charges to college in six months."

"He just needed someone to believe in him." Jax squeezes my hand. "Something we have in common."

The ceremony is simple but meaningful. Each teen receives a certificate of completion and shares something they've learned from the program. When Darius steps up, his transformation from the angry, defensive boy I first met is remarkable.

"Before Peak Survival, I thought strength meant never backing down," he says, his voice steady despite the audience.

"Mr. Reeves taught me that real strength is knowing when to stand your ground and when to adapt.

Ms. Chaffeur showed me that rules have reasons, but people matter more than procedures.

" He looks directly at us. "Thanks to both of you for not giving up on me. "

Tears prick my eyes as I applaud with the others. Jax's hand finds mine, squeezing gently. This is why we fought so hard. For moments like this. For kids like Darius finding their way.

After the ceremony, we host a small reception for the graduates and their families. I circulate among the guests, still amazed at how quickly I've been accepted in Whisper Vale. From outsider to community member in just six months.

"You've worked miracles with this place," Mason says, joining me by the refreshment table. "Never thought I'd see the day when the department was throwing money at us instead of obstacles."

"Just needed the right translator." I smile, watching Jax across the room, deep in conversation with Judge Martinez. "Someone who speaks both languages."

"Speaking of translation." Mason nods toward Jax. "He's got something for you later. Don't let on I said anything."

Before I can question him further, he's gone, moving to congratulate one of the graduates. I push his cryptic comment aside, focusing on the celebration.

By evening, the guests have departed, and the new group of teens is settling into their first night in the upgraded bunkhouse. Jax and I walk hand in hand back to what is now our cabin, the admin building now serving its proper purpose rather than as Jax's living quarters.

The cabin has changed too, with my touches evident throughout. Books on the shelves that weren't there before. Curtains on the windows. Proper kitchen equipment rather than the minimal bachelor setup Jax maintained.

"Tired?" he asks as we enter, shrugging off his jacket.

"Pleasantly so." I kick off my shoes, padding to the kitchen for water. "That was quite a day."

"Not over yet." He follows me, a hint of nervous energy in his movements that catches my attention.

"Oh?" I turn to face him. "Something planned that I don't know about?"

"Maybe." His smile holds secrets. "Put on something warm. I want to show you something."

Curious, I change into jeans and one of his flannel shirts that I've claimed as my own. When I emerge from the bedroom, he's waiting by the door with a small backpack.

"Where are we going?" I ask, pulling on my boots.

"You'll see." He takes my hand, leading me outside.

The night is clear and crisp, stars brilliant in the Nevada sky. We follow a path I recognize, heading toward the outlook where we had our painful conversation six months ago. The spot where he told me to leave, to take the promotion, to forget about us.

"Feeling nostalgic for our first breakup?" I tease as we climb the gentle slope.

"Something like that." His voice holds an emotion I can't quite identify.

When we reach the overlook, I gasp softly. Someone has set up a small fire pit, surrounded by cushions and blankets. Twinkling lights strung in the nearby trees create a magical atmosphere against the backdrop of the valley below.

"Jax," I breathe, taking in the scene. "What is all this?"

"Sit with me." He guides me to the cushions, settling beside me. From his backpack, he produces a thermos of hot chocolate and two mugs.

"Mason said you had something for me." I accept the steaming mug, watching him over the rim. "Is this it?"

"Part of it." He stares into the fire, gathering his thoughts. "Six months ago, we stood here and I pushed you away. Told you to choose your career over us."

"Ancient history." I reach for his hand. "We're past that now."

"We are." He meets my eyes, the firelight reflecting in his blue gaze. "But I want to make sure we never go back there. To that place where either of us thinks we're not worth fighting for."

My heart begins to race as he sets his mug aside and turns to face me fully.

"Riley Chaffeur, you walked into my life with a tablet and regulations, determined to find everything wrong with my program." His voice deepens with emotion. "Instead, you found everything right with it. With me."

"Jax," I whisper, setting my own mug down with suddenly trembling hands.

"You taught me that adapting doesn't mean surrendering." He takes both my hands in his. "That sometimes rules need bending, and sometimes stubborn mountain men do too."

From his pocket, he produces a small wooden box, hand-carved with intricate patterns. My breath catches as he opens it to reveal a ring. Simple and elegant, a diamond nestled between two smaller sapphires the exact color of his eyes.

"I love you, Riley. Your brilliance, your determination, your heart that's big enough to fight for kids you just met and a man too proud to ask for help." His hands are steady as he holds the box. "Will you marry me? Be my partner in everything, officially?"

Tears blur my vision as joy bubbles up inside me. "Yes," I manage, voice thick with emotion. "Of course, yes."

He slides the ring onto my finger, then pulls me into his arms, his kiss tasting of chocolate and promises. When we finally break apart, we're both laughing, and I'm wiping away happy tears.

"Did you make the box?" I ask, examining the beautiful carving.

"With Darius. Part of his final project." Jax's smile is soft with meaning. "He said it was fitting since you two both broke through my defenses."

I laugh, curling against his side as we watch the stars. "How long have you been planning this?"

"Three months," he admits. "Wanted to do it here, where I almost lost you. Replace that memory with a better one."

"Mission accomplished." I hold up my hand, admiring how the ring catches the firelight. "Though I've had plenty of good memories here since then."

"First of many more," he promises, pulling a blanket around us as the night air chills.

We sit in comfortable silence, watching the fire and the stars. Six months ago, I arrived in Whisper Vale certain of my path and priorities. Now everything has changed, yet I've never felt more certain of anything than the man beside me and the life we're building together.

"The director mentioned expanding to other sites," I say after a while. "We could help set up programs throughout the state."

"Always working." He chuckles, pulling me closer. "Even during a proposal."

"It's called multitasking." I kiss his jaw. "A skill you mountain men could learn."

"I prefer focusing on one important thing at a time." His hand tilts my chin up for another kiss, deeper and more promising. "And right now, that's you."

Later, back in our cabin, wrapped in each other's arms, I reflect on the journey that brought us here. From adversaries to lovers. From evaluation to partnership. From uncertainty to this unshakable certainty that I'm exactly where I belong.

"What are you thinking about?" Jax murmurs against my hair, his voice heavy with approaching sleep.

"How sometimes the best things happen when plans fall apart," I tell him, tracing the scar along his cheekbone. "When you have to build something new from the wreckage."

"Like a survival shelter," he says, understanding immediately.

"Exactly." I curl closer, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. "You taught me that."

"And you taught me that sometimes the most important rules are the ones you write yourself." His arms tighten around me. "For what matters most."

As sleep claims us both, I know with absolute certainty that what we've built together is stronger than any structure, more lasting than any regulation. A foundation made of broken pieces, carefully reassembled into something beautiful and enduring.

Something worth fighting for. Worth changing for.