Take Me to the Valley (Mountain Men of Whiskey River #8)

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Evan

I remember the first time I held my daughter in my arms. Her mother was signing away her parental rights right there in the hospital room. I promised that little girl that I would fill her life with love, laughter, and friends. Since that day, it’s been my sole purpose.

Standing in my new home outside the city limits in the Whiskey River Mountains, I think I finally made good on that promise. We have so many friends here today helping us move and unpack the house. More than I could have ever hoped for.

As soon as Axel's wife, Emily, heard that I was moving, she enlisted all of their friends and their wives to help out. Who knew bringing a guy in for questioning on a possible kidnapping charge that turned out to be nothing would lead to a friendship like this?

I will never forget how protective Axel was of Emelie even then. I hope my daughter finds a man like him one day.

The mountain men of Whiskey River Montana are super protective of each other. They have slowly welcomed me into their circle and now that I have moved to the mountains, that protection includes both me and my daughter.

“Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” my daughter, Skye, comes running down the stairs, laughing and calling for me.

In that moment when I turn to watch her with a huge smile on her face and her hair dark brown hair flowing behind her with curls at the end of it, she looks so much like her mother.

“Yes, princess?” I ask, bending down to scoop her up.

“Jenna said Willow is going to help her decorate my room as a princess room, but I had to ask you first. So, can we? Please, please, please?” She asks in a high-pitched, excited voice while she giggles at me.

She makes it impossible to say no, not that I ever would. I knew when we moved in, she would want to decorate her room. Granted, I kind of hoped she would want a camp or nature room over a pink princess room, but if that is what she wants, then that is what she gets.

“Of course you can.” I set her down and pull out my phone. “Just in case that’s what you decided, I ordered you this princess bed canopy. It will be here next week.”

“Daddy!” Skye screeches, giving me a huge hug. It's like the one she has been hinting at, but according to Sage, Jack's wife, who I ordered it through when I was in town last, it's better because it has fairy lights in it. Apparently, that's a big deal with things like this.

Looks like she was right, and I owe her one when I see her next.

“Go make plans with the girls so they can tell me most of what you need, and I can get it ordered,” I say, as she bounces off.

She has so much energy. Just like her mom does. It's what attracted me to her and made me think it was love. I wanted it to be love, but when she got pregnant and told me she was putting the baby up for adoption, the illusion shattered.

It's for the best. I got my little princess and realized I wanted to be in love with someone so badly I had even tricked myself. After that, I swore off dating because I couldn't risk masking my true feelings again and hurting my Skye.

“This place needs some work, but I think it's perfect for you.” Cody says, walking up beside me.

He and I have been best friends since we were in diapers. His family owns the whiskey distillery in town that recently opened up.

“I think so too. Plus, I need to find some busy work this winter,” I agree.

“You still thinking of retiring from the force?” He asks in a lower tone because he knows he's the only one I've told. It's a small town and the last thing I need is for that to get out and around town before I have even talked to my boss.

“Yeah, I like the idea, but what would I do? Plus, I don't think it's the right time after I just moved in. Before I make a bigger decision like that, I need to settle in.”

“I agree. Next week, sometime after one o’clock, we should grab a drink and make one of those pro-con lists you love so much and see where you end up,” he jokes.

I know he thinks it's all good fun. But the pro-con lists have helped me make some of the best choices in my life. When I skipped the list, I made some of the worst. Though it doesn't stop him from poking fun at me about them any chance he gets.

“Alright, just let me know for sure. By mid-week, Skye will be ready for your mom’s home cooked meal. Since we will be living on frozen meals until the new kitchen appliances get here.”

They were among a few more things I had ordered from Sage and Jack. Because of how remote we are, it will take longer than I planned for them to be shipped here. Once they arrive, I will have the guys help me get them to the cabin.

It takes more work, but it’s the tradeoff for living in the mountains. One thing I'm excited about is to finally be living out of town. Skye is enthusiastic too, but I don't know if it's because I'm excited or if it's because she truly is. Either way, I plan to make sure she loves it out here as much as I do.

Though I didn't move as far into the mountains as Bennett and Cole have. This way, I can still easily get to town in the winter. I have to with my job and Skye's school. But it's enough I have some mountain views, land, and can be much more self-sustainable.

“Well, I’ll let you know for sure when we can meet,” Cody says, interrupting my thoughts. “Mom will make that mac and cheese Skye loves. Bring her after school and they can make it together.”

“I think she'd love that,” I say as I watch Axel pull Emelie into a hug and to kiss the top of her head.

While I won't ever admit it out loud, I want that. I want a mom for Skye, and I want to come home to this house to my sweetheart, and build a life together. Who knows, maybe it can still happen, but right now I have to build my life as it is.

“Oh, I meant to tell you. I saw Skye's mom on a commercial the other day for some insomnia drug. She's hitting the big time now, huh?” Cody laughs.

Skye's mother signed over her rights, got clearance from her doctor and went to Hollywood so fast it made my head spin. She’s had a few small parts on some soap shows and now this commercial. Seven years in and she still hasn’t had that big break. Nothing worth showing Skye, anyway.

We haven't heard from her, and I prefer it that way. Skye doesn't ask about her much, but I try to keep it positive. She knows her mom is an actress in Hollywood and just couldn't be a mommy. Hopefully, she understood.

Though I know someday, she will have more questions, and I dread that day. Thankfully, that isn't today.

“Keep that to yourself. Skye isn't asking questions about her mom, and I'd like to keep it that way as long as possible.”

“She will someday, though,” he says.

“Then I'll pull up her Wikipedia page and explain it all.”

“What are you two gossiping about?” Storm asks.

“Someone we knew growing up. Nothing important,” Cody covers for me.

He might give me shit, but he has my back at every turn and for that I'm grateful.

“Thank fuck!!” Storm says. “I’m just far enough away from where I grew up to not run into anyone I know, unless I want too. Now, I'm taking off to get home to my wife and son. Let me know when the appliances get here and I'll come help you get them up the mountain and installed.”

I nod and he says goodbye to everyone else and heads out. Not long after, everyone else begins to leave, and before I know it, it's just me and Skye. Her eyes are starting to droop as she sits on the couch leaning on me.

“Okay, Princess. It's time to get ready for bed. It's been a long day, and there is more unpacking to do tomorrow,” I say. Then I scoop her up in my arms as dramatically as I can and toss her over my shoulder, which causes her to giggle.

We run through her bedtime routine and once she is in bed, it’s obvious something is on her mind.

“What in going though that head of yours,” I ask.

“Will you sleep with me, Daddy, just tonight?”

I know it's a new house with new sounds and shadows. No wonder she’s a little nervous and scared.

“How about I lie with you until you fall asleep? If you wake up and are scared, you can get in bed with me.”

She nods, handing me the princess book she has me reading to her each night. Before I’m even halfway, Skye is fast asleep. Soaking in the moment, I watch my child sleep so peacefully, and I stay a little longer.

I let the enjoyment of the first night in our new home and the start of life I want for her and for myself seep into me.

It’s understandable why Skye is scared. I am too in a different way, though it's the fear that comes with excitement to start a new journey.

I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Though I just wish it had given me some warning.