I look over to Thorne and I see the question in his expression. Everybody here in the cabin probably thinks I should go back to town. But it’s not what I want. And it’s time I spoke up for what I want.
“I’m staying here.” I announce loudly. And then to Erika and Poppy, “I’ll explain everything later. But believe me, I’m fine. Actually, I feel happier than I ever have before.”
Given that my two friends have recently found love with their own Kingsley men, and that I am grinning across the room at Thorne, they both understand what I’m telling them.
Erika gives me a quick hug. “Promise me you’ll tell me everything.” She whispers with a grin.
The men are looking around the place. “Nice little house you have here, cousin.”
Thorne nods and pulls me to his side. “I guess we’ll have to have you all up here for lunch sometime. But right now, you’ll excuse me if I want you all to leave now.”
With his arm around me, my happy grin, and Thorne holding the door open. My friends got the hint and filed out the door. They probably had lots to say about the door slamming behind them. But I didn’t care. Thorne sweeps me up into his arms. Kissing me hard, he makes his way over to the bed and I let out a little giggle. My mountain man had just invited his family and my friends to have lunch sometime. Right here, in his secrethideaway. I’m looking forward to it. But I’m looking forward to what his kisses are promising even more.
Epilogue
1 month later
Annie
“You’re so much bolder than you used to be.” Erika passes me some books with a smile. We are in her shop and I’m helping out re-stocking shelves while Thorne is catching up with his brothers. “Even a little bit bossy.” She adds.
If anyone else called me bossy I might take offense. But Erika and I have known each other since we were both the weird, chubby girls in school.
“I think maybe it’s time I was a little bit bold and bossy about my own life.”
“I agree.” Erika nods. “I’m sorry I was pushing you to get out of town. I thought maybe you needed to get away from all these mountain men to find love.”
I give my friend a cheeky grin. “When it turns out I just needed to get the right mountain man into me.”
“Annie!!” Erika pretends to be shocked, but then she grins at me too.
“Okay, maybe I know exactly what you mean. Can you believe we both ended up so happy. And with both of us with Kingsley men. I’m so glad you found someone, Annie.”
Not only have I found the man of my dreams, but that man has meant I can move out of my parents house and he has offered to fund whatever I want. I don’t love him for his money, but it is nice to think about all of the options now. Thorne has asked if I might like to open a book shop, possibly right next door to Erika’s shop. Or that I might like to do a pod cast about books, or even have a go at writing my own stories.
There is lots to think about. But for now I am just happy figuring things out. And I am no longer sweet, plain Annie May. Now I am a woman with a future.
Later that day, on the road on the way back to the cabin, I tell Thorne how Erika said I was bossier than I used to be. He looks over at me with a raised eyebrow.
“What? What is that look?”
“Annie, you are the bossiest person I know.”
“What??”
He grins. “Honey, you boss me around about writing my book and about spending time with my brothers. You were bossy about me taking you home from the Valentine’s Day festival, you were bossy about staying, you were even bossy the first time we had sex.”
I sit back with a little huff. I’m not mad, but I would never have considered myself to be a bossy person.
“Well, you bought me at auction, so you’re stuck with me.”
Thorne pulls over to the side of the road and looks at me seriously. “I love that you are bossy. I wouldn’t change a thing. You have changed my life for the better. You rescued me that first day we met.”
My heart does a little flip. God, I love this man.
He reaches over and unclips my seatbelt. With one movement he has picked me up and dragged me onto his lap. I let out a squeal and then a happy giggle as he plants hot kisses along the side of my throat.
“I love that you're bossy. I love that you tell me what you want in bed. I love your little gasps and moans.”
