24. My Heart
24
MY HEART
KENZIE
I stand in the kitchen, my hands covered in flour, a smile playing on my lips as I knead the dough for Thanksgiving dinner rolls.
The warm, yeasty scent fills the air, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze drifting through the open window. Outside, the Montana mountains loom large and majestic, their peaks dusted with early snow.
"Kenzie!" Hazel's voice rings out from the living room. "Can we help?"
I laugh, wiping my hands on my apron. "Sure thing, button. Come on in!"
The patter of little feet echoes through the house, and soon, the twins burst into the kitchen, their eyes wide with excitement. Harper's curls are wild, a telltale sign she's been rolling around on the floor again .
"What can we do?" Harper asks, bouncing on her toes.
"Well," I say, tapping my chin thoughtfully, "how about you two set the table for dinner? Daddy should be home soon."
They nod eagerly, scampering off to grab plates and silverware. I watch them go, my heart swelling with love. It's hard to believe it's only been six months since I first arrived in Silver Ridge. So much has changed, and yet it feels like I've always belonged here.
As I turn back to my baking, a strong pair of arms wraps around my waist from behind. I lean back, recognizing Everett's solid warmth immediately.
"Smells good in here," he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.
I turn in his arms, flour-covered hands leaving white prints on his shirt. "You're home early."
He grins that crooked smile that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. "Couldn't stay away. Not when I've got all this waiting for me."
His hand drifts to my belly. We haven't told the girls yet. We’re waiting for the right moment since I got a clean bill of health from the doctor. And she saw two heartbeats.
Maybe Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas. Just to think, we'll go from two to four kids overnight .
"How are you feeling?" Everett asks, his mesmerizing eyes searching mine.
"Good," I say, and I mean it. The morning sickness has finally eased up, leaving me with a constant, low-level excitement. "Just tired. And hungry. All the time."
Everett chuckles, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Well, lucky for you, I picked up some of those pickles you've been craving on the way home."
I gasp in mock surprise. "My hero!"
He laughs, a deep, rumbling sound that I feel in my bones. It's a sound I never get tired of hearing, especially since it was so rare when we first met. Everett's changed so much in these past months, opening up and letting his guard down. We both have.
"Daddy!" The twins' voices echo through the house, and soon, they're barreling into the kitchen, attaching themselves to Everett's legs.
He scoops them up, one in each arm, peppering their faces with kisses as they giggle uncontrollably. The sight never fails to melt my heart.
"All right, munchkins," Everett says, setting them down. "Why don't you two go wash up for dinner? I'll be there in a minute to help."
As the girls scamper off, Everett turns back to me, his expression softening. "I love you," he says simply.
"I love you too," I reply, standing on tiptoe to kiss him.
It's a gentle kiss, full of promise and contentment. When we break apart, I smile, thanking God that this is my life now. Flour-covered hands, the scent of fresh bread, and a family that loves me unconditionally.
"So," Everett says, leaning against the counter. "You ready for the chaos tomorrow?"
I laugh, thinking about the Thanksgiving preparations. We're hosting a whole shindig, inviting his folks, sister and her family, the Raven V team, and the Petersons. It's a far cry from last year when I was alone in my tiny apartment, eating a microwave turkey dinner.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I say. "You sure you're okay with all this? It's not too much?"
Everett shakes his head, his eyes warm. "Kenz, nothing's too much when it comes to you. Besides, it'll be good for the girls to have a big family gathering."
Family .
The word still sends a thrill through me. For so long, it was just Meme, Kendrick, me, and me. Now, I have Everett, the girls, and a whole community that's embraced me.
"Speaking of family," I say, my hand drifting to my stomach. "When should we tell them?"
Everett's eyes light up the way they always do when we talk about the baby. "How about tonight? Just us and the girls?"
I nod, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Perfect. "
As if on cue, we hear the girls thundering back down the stairs. Everett gives me one last kiss before heading out to help them, leaving me alone in the kitchen.
I turn back to my baking, humming softly to myself. The house is filled with warmth and the promise of tomorrow's feast. Outside, the sun is setting, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink.
Six months ago, I never could have imagined this life. Now, I can't imagine anything else. As I shape the dinner rolls, I send up a silent prayer of thanks.
For Everett, for the girls, for these babies, and for a second chance.
Tomorrow, we'll host Thanksgiving dinner. We'll tell everyone about the baby. And maybe, just maybe, Everett will finally pop the question he's been hinting at for weeks.
But for now, I'm content with this moment. Flour on my hands, love in my heart, and the future stretching out before me, bright and full of promise.
The oven timer dings, pulling me from my thoughts. I slide the tray of rolls in, breathing in the comforting scent of fresh bread. As I close the oven door, I hear laughter drifting in from the dining room.
Curious, I peek around the corner. Everett's on his hands and knees, crawling under the table while the girls giggle uncontrollably. He emerges triumphant, holding a wayward fork.
"Found it!" he declares, brandishing the utensil like a trophy.
The girls collapse into fits of laughter, and I join in. They still have him wrapped around their fingers. But it's perfectly imperfect.
"All right, you three," I say, stepping into the room. "Dinner's almost ready. Who wants to help me bring it to the table?"
Three hands shoot up immediately, and soon, we're all bustling around the kitchen, carrying dishes and chattering excitedly. As we settle in to eat, I catch Everett's eye across the table. He winks, and I feel a flutter in my stomach that has nothing to do with the babies.
Dinner is a lively affair, filled with stories about the girls' week at school and Everett's latest work project. As we're finishing up, I notice Everett giving me a meaningful look. I nod slightly, knowing it's time.
"Girls," Everett says, his voice gentle but excited. "Kenzie and I have something we want to tell you."
Hazel and Harper look up, their eyes wide with curiosity. I take a deep breath, my hand finding Everett's under the table.
"We're going…two babies," I say, my voice filled with joy. "You're going to be big sisters. "
"Two?" Harper asks.
I nod.
For a moment, there's silence. Then, all hell breaks loose.
The girls are out of their seats in an instant, jumping up and down and shouting with excitement.
"Babies!" Hazel is jumping up and down like she's won the lottery. "We're gonna have babies."
"When? Where is it? Can I feel it?" Harper squeals, throwing her arms around me.
Hazel's right behind her, peppering us with questions. "Is it a boy or a girl? Can we name them? Can one sleep with me and one with Harper?"
Everett laughs. "Whoa, slow down there, munchkins. The babies need time to bake. But when they come, we're going to need your help to take care of it. Think you're up for the job?"
The girls nod solemnly, their eyes shining with determination. "We'll be the best big sisters ever," Hazel declares.
"The very best," Harper agrees.
As the excitement settles, we move to the living room for our nightly routine. The girls curl up on either side of me on the couch as Everett lights a fire in the fireplace. The warm glow fills the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
"Can you tell us a story, Miss Kenzie?" Harper asks, her voice sleepy.
I smile, running my fingers through her curls. "Of course, peanut. What kind of story would you like?"
"Tell us how you and Daddy met," Hazel pipes up. "That's my favorite."
Everett chuckles from his spot by the fire. "You've heard that one a hundred times, button."
"But it's the best story," Harper insists. "Please?"
I laugh, settling back into the couch. "All right, all right. Once upon a time, in a little town called Silver Ridge..."
As I recount the tale of our first meeting at the bus station, I thank God for every hardship I've had to overcome to get here. Then, I move to the first misunderstanding to where we are now.
What a journey.
The girls listen with rapt attention, even though they know every word by heart. When I get to the part about Everett rescuing me from Paige and Ian, Hazel cheers.
I leave out Ian and Paige's arrest and possible imprisonment because it’s not for them to know. But maybe we’ll tell them everything when they’re older.
"Daddy's a real hero," she says proudly.
Everett comes to sit beside us, wrapping an arm around my shoulders .
"Nah," he says, his voice soft. "Kenzie's the real hero of this story."
I lean into him, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "I think we're all heroes in our own way," I say. "Sometimes it just takes a while to figure that out."
As I finish the story, I notice the girls' eyes drooping. It's been an exciting evening, and tomorrow promises to be even more so.
"All right, munchkins," Everett says, standing up. "Time for bed. We've got a big day tomorrow."
There's some token protest, but soon enough, we're tucking the girls into bed. As we close their bedroom door, Everett pulls me close.
"You okay?" he asks, his thumb tracing circles on my hip.
I nod, leaning into him. "More than okay. I'm happy, Everett. Really, truly happy."
He smiles, that soft smile that's just for me. "Me too, Kenz. More than I ever thought possible."
We make our way back downstairs, settling on the couch in front of the dying fire. Everett pulls a blanket over us, and I snuggle into his side.
"So," he says, his voice low. "Thanksgiving tomorrow. You ready to tell them?"
I laugh softly. " You think everyone will be okay with the news?"
Everett kisses the top of my head. "They'll be thrilled, Kenz. This town loves you, you know that?"
I do know that, and it still amazes me sometimes. How I went from being an outsider to being embraced by this community. It's more than I ever dared to hope for.
The drugs found in the cabin and Paige’s part in my abduction showed the town their true colors.
I’ve received so many apologies, and thankfully, it’s behind us.
"I love them too," I say softly. "All of them. Even Paige."
Everett chuckles. "Now that's true growth."
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the fire flicker and fade. My mind drifts to tomorrow's festivities, to the babies growing inside me, to the life we're building together.
"Everett?" I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
He shifts, looking down at me. "For what?"
I smile, feeling tears prick in my eyes. "For everything. For giving me a chance. For loving me. For this family we're building."
Everett's arms tighten around me. "Oh, Kenz," he murmurs. "You don't have to thank me for that. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me. To us. "
I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze. The love I see there takes my breath away. Slowly, deliberately, I lean in and kiss him.
It's a soft kiss, full of tenderness and promise. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against his.
"I love you," I whisper.
"I love you too," he replies.
I think about the journey that brought me here. The bus ride to Silver Ridge, that first disastrous meeting with Everett, and the drama with Ian and Paige. It all seems so long ago now, like a different lifetime.
And in a way, it was. I'm not the same person I was six months ago. I'm stronger now, more confident. I know who I am and what I want.
What I want is this - Everett's arms around me, the girls sleeping peacefully upstairs, and the promise of our growing family. What I want is Silver Ridge, with all its quirks and challenges. What I want is the life we're building together, day by day.
As the fire dies down to embers, I feel my eyes growing heavy. Everett notices, of course. He always notices.
"Come on, sleepyhead," he says, his voice warm with affection. "Let's get you to bed."
I nod, letting him help me up. "You think you can tuck me in?"
Everett, leans in and kisses the inside of my neck and then my lips. "I'll do more than tuck you in."
The heat in his words is scorching.
"Well, stop all that talking and…show me." I brush my hand over what's waiting to go down in the bedroom.
"Oh…I got you." He runs behind me and sweeps me up.
We laugh all the way to the room, and he lays me on the bed. And slowly starts removing my clothes.
"Promise me something," he asks, kissing my stomach.
My eyes dip close as his hands wiggle between my thighs.
"Promise me you'll say…yes."
My eyes snap open, expecting to see a ring, and I see him lowering between my legs.
"To what?"
"This..."
His tongue slides between my folds. I'm lost in a world that's only us.
"Oh God," I moan.
He licks and sucks, his tongue sliding into me. My pussy spasms around him.
I writhe beneath him, my hips bucking, chasing the pleasure he's giving me.
"Everett," I plead.
His eyes find mine, dark with lust, his tongue relentless.
I come undone, my body shuddering, his name a cry on my lips.
"I need you," I gasp, reaching for him and pulling him close.
His lips find mine, his cock nudging at my entrance.
"I'm yours," he murmurs, thrusting into me.
I moan, arching into him, taking him deeper.
"So good," he growls, his fingers gripping my hips, pumping into me.
He fills me, stretching me, the pleasure bordering on pain.
"Yes," I whimper, wrapping my legs around his waist.
"Fuck," he groans, his pace quickening, his cock slamming into me.
"Don't stop," I plead because I can never have too much.
"Never," he growls, his thumb circling my clit, sending sparks of pleasure through me.
He fucks me hard, his thrusts deep and fast, his body moving against mine.
The air fills with the sounds of our bodies colliding, the wet slide of his cock, the ragged breaths, and my moans.
I cling to him, seconds away from shattering. And then he leans into me.
His voice is soft, barely more than a breath against her ear, as he whispers, “I promise to stand by you, through every high and low..."
He's fucking me so good that the emotions and sensations are almost too much.
"...to love you in every way I know how," he continues, his lips trailing down my neck.
Tears fill my eyes, my body trembling, on the verge of release.
"You’re my strength, my heart, my everything."
He lifts his head, his eyes locking with mine, and the raw emotion in his gaze steals my breath.
"No matter what comes our way, it’s you and me, always."
And with those words, I fall apart, the pleasure crashing over me in waves.
"I’ll spend my life making sure you never have to doubt that.”
I cry out, my pussy clenching around his cock, the intensity sending him over the edge.
"Kenzie," he grunts, his body stiffening, his cock pulsing inside me. "Marry me."
"Hell, yeah… "
As I drift off to sleep, I think about tomorrow. About the turkey roasting in the oven, the pies cooling on the counter. About the house filled with laughter and love. About telling everyone our news.
But mostly, I think about how grateful I am. For getting entangled with my mountain man, for our girls, for the babies on the way. For the chance to start over, to build a life I never thought possible.
Six months ago, I came to Silver Ridge looking for a fresh start. What I found was so much more. I found a home, a family, and a love that takes my breath away.
Thank you for reading Entangled with a Mountain Man !