Sheltered by the Surly Forester (Wolfe Mountain Men #6)

Chapter 10

10

EMIE

I hate to crawl out of Josh's arms. He's so warm and languid and sexy when he's asleep. But even though he said I don't have to earn my keep through cooking and cleaning, I want to. I really don't like to take it easy for more than half a day.

After I’ve got the kitchen spotless and have coffee brewing, I take a little break to do a few yoga poses. I'm doing Tree Pose and facing Josh's phone in the charger when a message pops up.

Jonah: Who’s the girl you were grocery shopping with? Everyone's asking. Not my business, but if you're seeing someone special, maybe tell us?

Josh had mentioned his brothers Jonah and Jace but didn't really say how close they were. I think it's part of his gruff loner persona not to talk about himself too much. Not his family. Not his needs. Not his feelings.

Although he expresses things very well through touch, his words could…use a bit of work.

Perhaps after we're together a while, he'll open up. Although I'm not going to make the mistake of thinking I could ever change a man. No way. He just might become…more comfortable. A shift, not a change, you know? Maybe?

After I finish stretching, I check the fridge for leftover veggies, then scramble them together with some eggs for breakfast burritos.

Josh is stirring in the bedroom when I notice his phone wake up again. It's impossible to fight the urge to step over and glance.

Walker: Duuuude! What's this about you and some hot chick shopping for onions? Good for you, man! Can't wait to meet the one woman on the planet who can put up with your moody silences. LOL.

I feel like a jerk for peeking and vow to never look at his phone again.

After rolling up the burritos and putting them in the oven, I pour a coffee and set it on the kitchen table for him just as Josh enters the room.

"Mornin'," he mutters, looking every inch the grumpy loner stereotype. He slips into the chair, taking two sips and staring into the black depths, blinking slowly.

I feel like I shouldn't disturb him. About two minutes later, he gets up and stands behind me at the sink, wrapping his arms around my stomach as his strong chest presses against my back. "Morning, baby."

I twist my head around to catch his lips against mine. "Morning."

His eyes have brightened. "Sorry. Sometimes it takes a good coffee hit before I know which way is up."

"I get it. Hungry?"

He chuckles. "Gorgeous, if I ever say I'm not hungry for your cooking, give me a shake, because something is definitely wrong."

After breakfast, we move to the dining room table, where the maps and paperwork are mostly spread out again. "What's this?" He points to some papers partially striped with yellow highlighter.

"I did some research into what birders are actually looking for. Nature, solitude, being one with the forest, of course. Plus the fresh air and exercise. But apparently they like the sense of discovery. Watching these magical little creatures bouncing around in unpredictable ways. It's exciting and calming at the same time."

Josh's eyes light up and he begins lightly rubbing the center of my back with his palm. "Clever as hell, you are. I was so focused on minimizing the damage to the forest that I didn't even think about what the birders might want."

"I was thinking we could really lean into that. Not just naming the suites after different birds but also hiding them throughout the lodge. A robin light switch cover here, a crow wall sconce there. The artwork, the soap dishes. Not so overdone that it's cheesy or like a theme restaurant, just little occasional discoveries scattered throughout the space. A sense of whimsy, you know?"

"Perfect."

"Also…" I point to some blueprints on how to create a hunter's blind. "This simplest version is just a wooden bench with a camo netting tent around it. I was thinking we could add a table with a waterproof box holding a notebook, so that everyone could log the date and species of bird they see at that spot. We could have a digital version too, but some people like to leave their phones off for a more immersive experience. If we had a series of viewing stations, we could gather data on what birds are seen most often at which spot at various times of year. So they'd be helping us do research."

I grin at the way Josh stares at me, wide-eyed. "If people feel they have worked on the project with you, it gives them a sense of ownership," I continue. "They're more likely to tell their friends and promote it as if it's their own." I shrug. "Sorry. Last year I was really into reading about the psychology of spaces and buildings."

I guess Josh likes my ideas, since he grabs me, pulling me against him for a deep, soul-stirring kiss.

Then he steps away, running a hand through his hair. "Wow. You're obviously on a roll here." His smile sends tingles racing through every part of me. "But I need to check on something today. Someone has reported a couple of trees that are either rotting or infested, and I need to help them deal with it before it spreads."

My hands fly up. "I never want to interrupt your work. Go. Do your thing."

"Want to come with me? I could drop you at the library with my laptop. You could print a bunch of this stuff on larger paper. Better yet, card stock. Put together a presentation board, and we can have it approved for an architect to start work whenever you like."

I can't tell if he's joking. Surely he can't just be handing the project over to me. "Really?"

"It's okay, baby." He snuggles me close. "I’ve worked on projects with the town council before. They're all friendly, chill people. They'll love your ideas, maybe make a few suggestions, then we pick an architect and contractor and away we go."

"Just like that." I snap my fingers. "Boom – let's create a tourist destination." I can't find the words to explain how awesome this is, but I'm pretty sure he can tell from my enormous grin.

"Pretty much."

Geez, if only it was that easy the times I was between homes, wondering if I'd find shelter at all.

Josh seems blissfully ignorant of how charmed his life is. I've noticed a few different university coffee mugs and a hoodie, so I know he's well-educated. Did he even have to apply for his job, or just decide that's what he was good at, and the town agreed?

This is a very strange place. Everyone's lives are intertwined. Maybe it was naive to think that Josh and I could stay in a little bubble. I'm already being revealed as Josh's…well, the word girlfriend is way too official…but…something.

Meanwhile, I'm literally just a girl he found on the side of the road.

There's no way he can explain that to the entire town.

Which means our relationship, unfortunately, has a definite time limit.