Chapter 2
Slade was in his workshop on the mountain. He was working on a custom rocking chair for a client in town. He let his mind go as his hands worked. It was the familiar meditation of creation. In the distance, he could hear the sound of Ben’s truck coming up the mountain road.
It brought a smile to his face. Before he could finish putting things away, he heard Jamie bursting through the door. He looked up to see him coming in with his overnight bag, full of energy.
His smiling face hit Slade in the heart. Jamie looked so much like his mom, Slade’s younger sister Emma. He still couldn’t believe Emma had been gone for four years now. Ben caught Slade’s eye as he came in behind Jamie.
“Slade, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” Slade walked over, his nerves on high alert.
“There are rumors going around saying you’re dating Jamie’s art teacher, Mia Brooks.”
Slade’s hands stilled on the wood, and he looked up into his brother-in-law’s eyes.
“I didn’t believe it. I mean, you never said anything about it. But I’ve gotten several texts about it, so I wanted to ask you if you were.”
Before Slade could respond, Jamie bounded over. “Are you dating Miss Brooks, Uncle Slade? She’s the best teacher. She always helps me with my drawings, and she laughs at my jokes, and she smells like cinnamon and paint.”
Slade crouched down to Jamie’s level, his mind already working through the implications. “That’s a lot of nice things to say about Miss Brooks. She sounds like a great teacher.”
“She’s the best. So are you really dating her? Dad said you were.”
Slade looked at Ben, who had the grace to look sheepish.
“I heard it at the station. Tessa Harley, you know, the event planner who’s getting married on Christmas Eve?
She told someone, who told their husband, who works with the night shift.
Half the department was talking about how Carter had finally come down off his mountain for a woman. ”
“Is it true?” Jamie asked, his eyes wide with hope. “Are you really dating Miss Brooks?”
Slade’s jaw tightened. Small-town gossip moved like wildfire. Especially through the fire station. “When did you hear this?” he asked Ben.
“About an hour ago. Got three different text messages about it before I left work.” Ben pulled out his phone and showed Slade the group texts:
Heard Slade Carter’s got a girlfriend? Jamie’s art teacher.
Mia Brooks is dating the mountain man? Since when does he date?
Guess someone finally tamed the hermit, lol.
Slade’s hands clenched. Tamed. Like he was some kind of wild animal that needed breaking.
“So?” Jamie tugged on Slade’s sleeve. “Are you dating her?”
Slade looked into his nephew’s hopeful face, so much like Emma’s. Jamie loved his teacher. Had talked about her constantly for the past two years. Every weekend visit included at least a dozen Miss Brooks said stories.
And Slade had listened to every single one. He’d been paying attention long before today.
“Jamie, why don’t you go put your stuff in your usual room?” Ben said, his eyes on Slade. “Uncle Slade and I need to talk for a minute.”
“But—”
“Go on, bud. We’ll make hot chocolate in a bit.” Jamie grabbed his overnight bag and ran off toward the cabin, no dent in his energy.
The moment Jamie was out of earshot, Ben crossed his arms. “So you’re not dating her?”
“No.” Slade’s mind was working fast. Piecing it together. “But she told people I am.”
“Why would she do that?”
Slade thought about what he knew. Mia Brooks. Jamie’s art teacher for the past two years. Sweet, kind, patient with every kid in her class. He’d watched her at parent-teacher conferences, at school events. During the annual Christmas field trips to his tree farm.
She had a smile that could light up a room. Curves that made his hands itch to touch, and a gentleness with Jamie that made something in his chest ache.
And he knew about the wedding. The whole town knew. Her ex-boyfriend Derek marrying her former best friend Tessa on Christmas Eve. Everyone expected Mia to smile through it. To be gracious. To be the maid of honor.
He’d heard the gossip the last time he’d come to town for supplies. It was at the feed store and the coffee shop. Poor Mia. So gracious about the whole thing. We should find her someone nice. She shouldn’t be alone.
They’d been pressuring her. Pitying her. Trying to set her up like she was some kind of charity case. And she’d needed someone untouchable. Someone no one would question or try to replace. Someone who would make them all back off.
She’d chosen him. “She’s protecting herself,” Slade said quietly.
Ben frowned. “From what?”
“That wedding. Everyone trying to set her up. Pitying her.” Slade’s hands flexed, his jaw tight. “They’ve been pressuring her.”
Ben was quiet for a moment. Understanding dawning in his eyes. “So she made up a boyfriend no one would dare question.”
“Yeah.” And something about that, about her saying his name when she needed protection, made something fierce and possessive rise up in his chest.
“So what are you going to do?” Ben asked carefully.
Slade had already decided. The moment Jamie said her name.
Something had clicked into place. Two years of watching her from a distance.
Two years of listening to Jaime’s stories about the amazing Miss Brooks, who made every kid feel special.
Two years of seeing her at school events.
Catching glimpses of her in town. And of watching her laugh during the Christmas tree farm field trips.
Two years of telling himself he was too much. Too intense. Too isolated for someone like her. But she’d said his name. She’d claimed him as hers. Even if it was a lie. Even if she didn’t know he existed beyond Jamie’s uncle.
No, he was going to make it real. “I’m going to talk to her.” Slade headed toward the cabin. “Tomorrow.”
Ben called after him, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Should I be worried?”
Slade looked back, something dark and satisfied settling into his chest. “She started this. I’m just going to finish it.”
Inside the cabin, Jamie was unpacking his bag in the small bedroom Slade kept ready for him. Photos of Emma lined the dresser. Of her smiling, holding baby Jamie, laughing at something off-camera.
“Uncle Slade?” Jamie looked up. “Are you mad that people are talking about you and Miss Brooks?”
Slade sat on the edge of the bed. “No, buddy. I’m not mad.”
“Good.” Jamie grinned. “Because Miss Brooks is really nice. And pretty. And she always smells good. And she would be really good for you.”
“Yeah?” Slade asked. Out of the mouth of babes.
“Yeah. You’re always alone up here. And Miss Brooks is always alone at school events. I think you would be good together.”
Slade ruffled Jamie’s hair, his decision solidifying. “You might be right about that.”
“So you ARE going to date her?” Jamie’s eyes lit up.
“We’ll see.” Slade stood. “Come on. Let’s make that hot chocolate.”
As they headed to the kitchen, Slade’s mind was already working through tomorrow. He’d go down to town. Find Mia. Have a conversation. She needed someone to play the part of her boyfriend? Fine. He’d do it.
But he wasn’t going to be fake about it. Not even a little bit. She’d said his name when she needed protection. Now she was going to get exactly what she’d asked for and more. Because Slade Carter didn’t do anything halfway. And he sure as hell didn’t pretend when it came to what he wanted.
And he wanted Mia Brooks. He’d wanted her for two years. He just hadn’t let himself admit it until now. Tomorrow, he’d go claim what was his.