Chapter 36
L auren stood near the lodge, waiting for Mac while Cord and Beckett gassed up the motorcycles. In the two short weeks that she'd been here, the sun was already moving across the sky. There were more shadows on the lake.
"If we can get the trail maintenance done before winter, it'll cut our chores down in late spring as the snow melts. Maybe we can keep on top of it next year." Cord put the cap back on the dual sport.
"You said the same thing last year." Beckett zipped up his coat. "Trees fall and branches break. There's not a damn thing we can do to make the job easier."
Lauren's attention drifted when she spotted Mac at the lake.
He was walking toward her. She raised her brows. No, he was stalking straight toward her with those long strides of his.
For a big man, he was surprisingly light on his feet. His flannel shirt was unbuttoned, showing the hair on his chest.
His gaze locked on her like she was the only thing that existed. Her breath caught. Butterflies exploded in her stomach, fluttering so hard she nearly dropped her coffee.
He didn't say a word to Cord or Beckett. Just walked straight up, leaned down, and scooped her into his arms like she weighed nothing. She squealed as he flipped her over his shoulder, her legs kicking in protest.
"Mac!" A snort escaped through her laughter as she gripped the back of his shirt. "Put me down. I'm going to fall."
Instead of doing what she asked, he carried her away. She bounced against his shoulder with each step. The air pushed out of her lungs.
"You're going to break your back." She grunted. "Put. Me. Down."
"Sh." He slapped her ass. "Be quiet or you'll ruin the surprise."
She gasped, half laughing, half thrilled. "There's a surprise?"
"Mm-hmm."
She tried to lift her head, twisting to see where they were going, but he kept a firm grip on her. His shoulder was solid beneath her stomach, and she could feel the heat of him even through her sweater.
When he finally set her down, she wobbled, and he held her until she found her balance. His hands stayed on her waist, keeping her still.
Before she could ask what the surprise was, he kissed her. Warmth filled her. She fisted his flannel shirt and let him lean her back, deepening the kiss. She hummed in pleasure. He had her forgetting where they were and what was on her mind. When he pulled back, she was breathless.
"Follow me," he said softly. "Quietly."
She nodded, heart racing, and took his hand.
They walked down a narrow path near the lake, past the rope swing Jetter loved, and stopped near a thick bush. Mac crouched, put his finger to his lips, and then pointed.
Lauren followed his gaze, looking at the foliage in the tangle of limbs, and finally gasped silently when she spotted what he was showing her. "Is that a baby owl?" she whispered
Mac shook his head. "Full-grown."
"No way," she whispered. "It's the size of a Lindor chocolate truffle."
"A little bigger than that. Maybe a tennis ball." He softened his voice. "It's a Northern Pygmy Owl. Don't let its small size fool you. They're fierce and often go after song birds twice their size."
She knelt beside him and watched. The owl turned its head, and she grabbed Mac's arm in surprise.
Before she could ask, he said, "They have two black marks on the back of their head. It's their fake eyes, so predators don't get them from behind."
The owl's head turned and blinked slowly. She had the urge to open her hand and see if it would fly to her, but that was crazy.
"The babies must be even tinier," she murmured.
"I imagine." He paused, looking at her. "Do you ever think about having kids?"
The question landed softly, but it stirred something deep inside of her. The owl forgotten, she turned to Mac. "Someday, I would love to have a child."
His gaze softened, giving a gentle hint that he appreciated hearing that.
She swallowed hard, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation.
It wasn't as if she hadn't already pictured what it might be like to have a baby with Mac.
It wasn't hard, considering he had Jetter who was a splitting image of him.
She moistened her lips. "I mean... yeah. I've thought about it. Not in any urgent way. But I'd want a family. Eventually."
Mac nodded slowly, his gaze on the horizon. "I wonder what it'd be like to do it differently this time. With someone beside me. Not alone."
Lauren's heart tugged. She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. "You've done an incredible job with Jetter."
"I've done my best," he said. "But there are things I missed. Things I didn't know how to give him."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "You're not alone anymore."
He kissed the top of her head, lingering there. "You settle me more than this mountain, woman."
Before she could say more, Cord's voice rang out from the side of the lodge. "You two lovebirds coming or what?"
"Asshole," muttered Mac.
She laughed. "You wouldn't know what to do without your cousins."
"I could think of a thing or two."
He stood, pulling her up with him. "We need to do trail maintenance."
"I'll probably go back to the cabin and—"
"Wanna ride with me?"
Lauren raised an eyebrow. "On the dual sport?"
"Yeah." He smoothed her hair off her forehead. "While I work, you can explore or take pictures. Maybe find another owl."
"Tiny owl." She smiled. "I'd love to go with you."
He led her to the pole building. Inside, he handed her a helmet.
"It should fit. It's Jetter's. We'll have to order you one of your own." He stepped over to the motorcycle. "All you have to do is hold on. I'll do everything else and make sure you're safe."
He swung his leg over the bike. After several honest attempts and failing, Beckett walked over, picked her up, and plopped her on the small seat. She wrapped her arms around Mac's waist. These mountain men didn't mess around.
With her heart thudding from the thrill of experiencing something different and getting to plaster herself against Mac's back, she grinned in the privacy of the helmet.
As the engine roared to life and they pulled away from the lodge following Beckett and Cord, Lauren thought about babies and trail rides and the man she'd fallen in love with. Every day, her future stopped feeling like a question and started feeling like a promise.