Matched to the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Mail Order Bride)

Jamie

T he Den is busy, but that's not surprising for a Friday night. As the only place in town to get a hot meal and a cold beer and gather with your buddies, the Den is usually packed.

It doesn't hurt that Ma and Pa Wolf, as they're known to locals, are some of the friendliest people in town, and excellent cooks.

Mia and Briggs are already sitting at a big table at the back when we walk in. I give Ella's hand a little squeeze right as Mia turns and sees us. "Oh my God!" She squeals and runs to us. "You're real." My sister stops in front of Ella and, ignoring me completely, pulls her into a big hug. "You're gorgeous, Ella." She flicks me a glance. "She's gorgeous, ."

"I know." I tip my head and wink at my girl who looks a little shell-shocked.

"Come on." Mia tugs her toward the table. "You've got to meet Briggs. We left the babies with Chloe and Griff, so we can't stay too long. But there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to meet the woman who finally snagged my big brother."

"It's so nice to meet you, Mia," Ella finally has a chance to get a word in. "And you must be Briggs."

I watch as my best friend stands and gives my girl a big welcoming hug. A flash of jealousy flares through me, but it's gone as quickly as it comes. It's nothing more than a hug and we all know it.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ella. Sit."

The four of us fall into easy conversation and ten minutes later, Jaxon and Ella's best friend, Ava, join us. I know that Ella is going to fit in perfectly in Rock Creek, but the fact that she already has a friend here is just a bonus that's really going to help her make the adjustment from the city to the mountains.

"Look at you." Ella reaches for Ava's swollen belly. "I can't believe you're going to have a baby." For a moment, she looks like she might cry and when she glances in my direction, I can see the hope in her eyes. With any luck, my girl is already pregnant with our child.

I slip my hand over her thigh and squeeze, letting my fingers travel a little higher than necessary. I'm the only one who hears her little gasp as my thumb swipes between her legs before I pull away. I do hope my baby is already growing in her sweet belly, but if not, I'm going to have a lot of fun practicing until we get it right.

"." Briggs grabs my attention, yanking me from the dirty thoughts that are about to take over my imagination. "Come with me to get a fresh round of drinks."

I give Ella a quick kiss.

"You're only going to the bar," Mia groans from across the table. "You'll see her in five minutes."

"Oh, like you're one to talk," I fire back. "I've been subjected to enough of your PDAs with my best friend to last a lifetime."

Just for good measure, I give Ella one more kiss and follow Briggs up to the bar.