Protecting Her Secrets (Mountain Men of Culver Springs #1)

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Skylar

I wake up with the rising sun, feeling refreshed even though Walker kept me up late doing delicious things to my body. It’s no surprise Walker isn’t in bed next to me. That man doesn’t appear to need much sleep to survive. Instead, he lives for the things that bring him joy, which is why I’d put money on him being outside with his animals. He can say he keeps the goats to clear land, Moodonna for fertilizer, and the chickens for eggs, but it’s a lie. Those animals are part of the family he has created here on the mountain.

After a quick bathroom break, I head downstairs, where a fresh pot of coffee is waiting. I take a sip and wince. This is not the fair trade, organic, whatever-the-hell-else brew I’ve enjoyed since being here. Setting the mug down, I dig through the cupboard and behind the airtight containers where he stores all his pantry goods is a bag of decaf. Seriously?

I sigh when my heart warms, and my irritation fades away. There can’t be very many men out there who would go out of their way to take care of a woman who’s pregnant by another man. And not only that, but he considers this baby his. How can I be upset about that? So, I pick up my disgusting mug of decaf and sip it happily as I sit down in the living room with my cell phone in hand.

Last night was heavy, and I did a lot of emotional work to deconstruct the way I viewed and handled my situation. Maybe Walker was being too easy on me. Maybe he’s blinded by love. But his words empowered me, and now, I feel ready to take back control of my life.

The first step is texting Jazzy. I really need to go shopping, but also, I want to make friends and start growing roots. I’ve held myself back from any attachments for so long, it feels awkward to reach out, but Jazzy makes it easy, and after a quick exchange, we have plans to meet up later this morning.

Floating on that success, I pull Lisa Warner’s number out of Walker’s phone and plug it into mine before making a call.

“Hello?” I can barely hear the greeting through the sound of boisterous children.

“Hi,” I greet awkwardly. “You don’t know me, but I think you know my husband, Walker?”

“Hold on one second. Let me find somewhere these kids can’t find me.” The noise slowly fades until it’s barely noticeable. “There. I holed myself up in the cleaning supply closet. Lord knows they never come in here.”

I chuckle. “Smart thinking.”

“You’re Skylar, right?”

“Yes,” I confirm, not surprised at all that she already knows who I am. I’m starting to catch onto this whole small-town thing.

“Oh my god, my friends are never going to believe this. I can’t wait to tell them I spoke to the town celebrity,” she says without an ounce of sarcasm.

“I. . . don’t know how to respond to that.”

“Skylar, you’re the woman who bagged one of the town’s most eligible bachelors. It’s a feat every single woman in a hundred-mile radius has attempted, so of course, you’re going to be the talk of the town. Have you seen the paper this morning?”

I stutter, feeling a little panic coming on. “N-no.”

“You’re front and center. It’s a beautiful picture of you, but the headline was a little troublesome.”

“Headline?” I ask hesitantly.

“It was something like, “Walker Carter Falls for Pregnant Alien—Is Culver Springs prepared to welcome a new species into our citizenship?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Oh, don’t you worry about it. Everyone knows Micah exaggerates his headlines.”

“That seems like more than an exaggeration.”

“You should be proud. Micah’s paper hasn’t sold more than ten copies a week since the Geezers discovered Facebook, but your paper has already sold twenty, and it’s not even noon.”

My mouth hangs open, and my mind blanks—is this even real life? This town is crazier than I thought. I shake my head and try to get back to the reason I called. I’ll let Walker deal with this later.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I called.”

“A little, yes.”

“I heard you run a daycare, and I was wondering if you’ve thought about hiring help? Back in Bakersfield, I was technically a teacher’s aide at a preschool, but I basically ran the program. Now that I’ve moved here, I was hoping to work with kids again.”

“Your timing is impeccable. Just this month alone, I’ve had to deny care to three families because I’m at capacity with it being only me. But if I had help, I could expand.”

Excitement bubbles inside me. “Really?”

“Don’t get too worked up. I couldn’t afford to pay you much, and we’d have to start with part-time.”

“Totally fine with me.” I’m not so much worried about the pay as I’m just happy to be doing something with myself. “Do you want to set up an interview?”

“Nah. Walker’s one of the most trustworthy people I know, so if you’re with him, that must mean you’re trustworthy too.”

“I promise I am. When can I start?”

“Are you free tomorrow? Maybe from noon to two? That’s the calmest part of the day, so I’ll have time to show you around my slice of heaven and introduce you to the children.”

“Sounds great.”

“Perfect. See you then!” She stops me before I can hang up. “Wait. I just have to ask. You’ve never been probed, right?”

“Probed?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Stupid question. See you tomorrow.”

She hangs up before I realize she was asking if an alien has ever stuck something up my butt. God, I hope she was kidding.

I’m still replaying our conversation in my head when Sprocket appears, tail wagging. He jumps onto the couch and attacks me with wet kisses, making me laugh as I try to push him away.

“Sprocket, down,” Walker calls. “That’s my woman.”

Sprocket obeys, but not before he takes the empty coffee mug from my hand. I open my mouth to protest but decide to let it go. I’ll get it from under his bed later. My gaze shifts to the tall man standing over me. He looks absolutely gorgeous in a fitted pair of jeans that hug his muscular thighs in the best way. Up top, he has on a fleece-lined, camel-colored jacket, and on his head is a brown beanie, stray locks of hair peeking out and curling around the knit hat.

“Good morning.” I bite my lip.

He bends down and plants a kiss on my lips that warms my nether region. Pulling away, he plops down next to me. “Morning. Did I hear you talking on the phone?”

“Yes. I hope you don’t mind, but I got Lisa’s number out of your phone and called to ask if she was hiring.”

“What did she say?”

I beam. “I start tomorrow. She said the pay sucks and it’s part-time, but at least it’s something.”

“That’s great! What time? I’ll make sure I can take you and keep a lookout while you’re there.”

“Shit. I forgot I still need to be babysat.”

“You’re not being?—”

“I know. But I didn’t even think me working there might put Lisa and the kids at risk.”

“There’s no risk unless Klutch or his minions come back to town. And if they do, I’ll be the first to know, and we’ll get you out of there. I know you’ve been bored hanging around the house, so I think this will be good for you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. What time?”

“She said noon to two.”

“Perfect. I’m sure Lisa won’t mind if I hang out at her place and do some work. Have you eaten breakfast?” He stands and heads to the kitchen.

“No, not yet.” I join him, pulling out a cast-iron skillet to fry some bacon. “I texted Jazzy too. She wants to go shopping with me today. Is that possible?”

“Sure. Just let me know when you want to go, and we’ll head out.”

After a yummy breakfast and a shower with Walker, which turned into him holding me up against the tiled wall by my thighs and plowing into me until I gave him two orgasms, I was dressed and ready for the day. I can’t wait to get new clothes. Wearing the same jeans and flannel is getting really old.

I meet Jazzy at Books and Beans. It’s perfect, actually. I can imagine myself coming here, finding a book, then grabbing a coffee and relaxing in one of their very comfortable looking chairs. Walker gets in line for coffee, saying he’ll need it if he’s tagging along while we shop all afternoon, while I find Jazzy sitting at a table by the front window.

“Hey, girl!” She jumps to her feet and gives me a hug, startling me.

“Hi,” I say, patting her back.

“I’m so glad you texted.”

“I’m so glad you have time to go shopping with me.”

She hooks her arm through mine. “There aren’t many options in Culver Springs. Actually, there are only two options, but I’m sure we can find you enough stuff to get by until you can go to the city.”

Walker’s just grabbing his coffee as we pass, and he takes his position behind us, something Jazzy doesn’t miss.

“A sexy bodyguard? Lucky us.”

“I have to agree with you.” I toss him a wink over my shoulder, knowing he heard her comment.

We step out onto the sidewalk that has been shoveled free of snow, the fat chunks of salt crunching under our boots as we make our way down the street.

“Okay, where do you want to go to first: the mercantile or Louisa’s House?”

“Louisa’s House?” I ask.

“She’s a Geezer who runs a thrift shop”—she leans in close, talking through her teeth—“and sex shop, out of her basement.”

My eyes widen at the sex shop tidbit, though I don’t know why. At this point, nothing should surprise me about this town. “I think I’m good on sex toys?—”

“Speak for yourself,” Walker mutters.

I roll my eyes. “But do you think she has any maternity clothes?”

“Considering most of what people donate to her comes from an old person, the options aren’t great, but she might have some. Why?”

“This baby is growing like a weed. Trying to button my jeans was a challenge this morning.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Walker interjects, looking concerned.

I stop and turn to face him. “You wanted me to tell you I’m getting too fat for my pants?”

“Not fat. Pregnant. And yes, I want to know every tiny detail.” He rests one hand on my shoulder while the other lowers to touch my belly. “If I don’t know you’re feeling insecure, how can I know when to remind you how beautiful your body is?”

It’s a corny response, but I fall for it, hook, line, and sinker. My insides melt, and I’m ready to skip shopping so we can go home and he can do just what he suggested. Each time he touches my little bump, I feel a bond forming between the baby and him, and it’s sexy as hell.

“Well, fuck me sideways. Who knew the grump had game?” Jazzy says.

Walker sighs, the first thread of his patience gone, which makes me wonder how long it’ll be before he starts complaining. “Start at the mercantile, and if you can’t find anything, then we can go to Louisa’s.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I rejoin my new friend.

The mercantile is the strangest store I’ve ever been to. It has everything from home furnishings to fishing lures, most of it made by local small businesses. The aisles are small and jam-packed full of items that would take you hours to sift through, but I have an objective, and I don’t want to make Walker suffer any more than necessary.

Weaving through displays, Jazzy leads me to the far corner, where there are four racks of women’s clothes and two racks of men’s. Most of it is athleisure, which will work well for me, not only for working at the daycare but being able to expand with my growing belly.

As I flip through the racks, a woman approaches us. She’s an employee, judging by her black apron and name tag.

“Hi, Minty. How are you?” Jazzy doesn’t give her the same enthusiastic welcome she gave me, but the young woman seems shy and standoffish.

“Do you guys need any help?” Her head is down, and her voice is small, making it hard to hear her.

“Nah, we’re good.” Jazzy turns to me. “Have you met Skylar?”

Minty’s gaze shifts up for a split second before she shakes her head. From what I can tell, she’s a beautiful woman, probably in her mid-to-late-twenties. She has a long, thick mane of blonde hair she hides behind, along with her oversized clothes. If not for the apron, I wouldn’t be able to tell she had a waist at all.

“Hi. Minty, is it?” I hold out my hand, a gesture she ignores. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hi.” She clasps her hands in front of her.

“Minty’s fairly new to town too,” Jazzy says. “She’s renting the little apartment upstairs.”

“Where’d you move from?” I ask.

“Back East.”

I don’t press her for more details. There’s a reason she’s being vague, and as someone who has spent the last many years keeping people at a distance to hide my secrets, I get it. Not that I can say she’s in the same situation; I just get that vibe.

“Oh, cool,” I say.

“If you need anything, let me know.” She turns and walks away.

“There’s a story there,” Jazzy says.

“Yeah, I agree.” I lift my brows. “She’s really pretty.”

“She is.” Her tone has a suspicious lilt.

“I’m just saying. If you want to know her story, maybe ask her to lunch.”

She watches Minty as she folds sweaters in the men’s section. “Maybe.”

“And if something else happens, then so be it.” I smirk.

“You’re trouble.”