15. Milo
Milo
The morning sun is bright and warm over Hardrock Park’s annual fair, and my heart feels like it might burst right out of my chest.
This is it. Day One of Milo’s Wheels & Reads .
I pedal slowly through the grassy field where the fair is set up, the retro bell on my handlebars jingling cheerfully with every turn. My newly converted bike is absolute perfection: mint green frame gleaming, coffee station stocked and ready, little book rack filled with carefully chosen titles.
The smell of fresh espresso and warm pastries drifts behind me as I ride, and people are already turning their heads.
“Coffee and books on wheels? Best idea this town has ever seen!” someone calls out.
I grin so wide my cheeks hurt and steer toward a group of locals waiting by the lemonade stand. Orders start coming in fast… lattes, iced coffees, a couple of my special honey-cinnamon cold brews.
I’m moving on pure adrenaline, steaming milk, pulling shots, handing out cups with my little reusable sleeves that have tiny bicycles printed on them.
And best of all?
I’ve already sold three first-edition prints of classic novels I sourced from a local collector. A beautiful old copy of Pride and Prejudice just went to a smiling older man who told me he’s been looking for one for years.
I’m making money and making people happy. What’s not to love?
By mid-morning the fair is packed with locals in flannel and sundresses mixing with tourists in bright hats and cameras. The whole place smells like popcorn, grilled food, and much more.
My legs are already tired from pedaling, but I’ve never felt more alive.
Then I spot Mr. Deeney making his way toward me, bushy eyebrows furrowed against the sun. My stomach does a little flip. He’s been polite since the bike pickup, but I still remember how cold he was when he first saw me with Connor.
He stops in front of my bike, eyes scanning the setup with clear approval.
“Morning, Milo,” he says gruffly. “I’ll take one of those fancy lattes you keep bragging about.”
I beam and get to work, pulling a perfect shot and frothing the milk just right. When I hand him the cup, he takes a sip and actually lets out a surprised hum of pleasure.
“ Damn ” Mr. Deeney says. “That’s some mighty good coffee, young man.”
Before I can thank him, he clears his throat and looks me straight in the eye.
“Also… I owe you and Connor an apology. Earlier this morning I tracked him down at the hardware store and told him I was wrong to be so wary. I was rude, and I shouldn’t have judged him based on old rumors.
I can see now what a good man he is. Steady.
Protective. The way he looks at you… well, I should have trusted your judgement from the start. ”
Tears prick my eyes instantly. A surge of fierce pride rushes through me, so strong it makes my hands shake a little on the handlebars.
“Thank you, Mr. Deeney,” I whisper, my voice a little trembly. “That means more than you know.”
He gives me a gruff nod, pays for his latte, and tips generously. “Keep doing what you’re doing, Milo. This town needs more of it. It’s an honor to have you call this place your home.”
As he walks away, I have to take a second to just breathe.
Not only is today shaping up to be an incredible first day for my business…
but Connor is winning people over too. Even the most skeptical ones.
My mountain Daddy is finally finding his place here, and it makes my heart feel too big for my chest.
I’ve also had visits from Mr. and Mrs. Peplinska, with both of them saying that Connor had stopped by to help them with some odd jobs at their grocery store.
Oh, and they were very complimentary about my coffee making skills too!
Then Miles and Henry Roberts from Ten Trees B&B stopped by and said that they would put a business card for my coffee on their front desk, plus make personal recommendations to all their guests who were looking for the best coffee in town.
I even laughed when Miles said that this was on the condition that Connor did some shirtless DIY for them later this week.
I know that Connor will always be a mountain man at heart, and I wouldn’t want to change that. But to know that the community is embracing him just makes me feel so warm inside.
I’m still glowing when I spot Taron waving wildly from across the field.
Kaleb and Connor are right behind him. My breath catches the second I see Connor…
tall, broad, wearing a black t-shirt that stretches across his chest and jeans that hug those powerful thighs.
He looks every bit the proud mountain man, and the soft smile he gives me when our eyes meet makes my knees weak.
They all order drinks. Taron gets a vanilla latte with extra foam, Kaleb a strong black coffee, and Connor—of course—wants the darkest roast I have.
While I make their drinks, I can’t resist teasing. “So I heard you two ran a log-cutting stand earlier. How did that go?”
Kaleb grins. “We had a line halfway across the fair. Prize for the best cut.”
I giggle, unable to help myself. “I bet the stand’s success had something to do with it being run by two hunky Daddies showing off their big strong arms all day.”
Taron bursts out laughing. Connor’s eyebrows shoot up, but there’s heat and amusement in his eyes. Kaleb just shakes his head, chuckling.
“Careful, boy,” Connor rumbles, voice low enough that only I can hear. “Keep calling me hunky in public and I’ll remind you who that title belongs to later.”
Heat floods my face, but I grin shamelessly as I hand them their drinks.
The rest of the afternoon flies by in a happy blur of orders, laughter, and more book sales than I expected. By the time the fair starts winding down, my legs are sore, my cash box is satisfyingly full, and my heart is fuller than ever.
It might only have been a first day, but I’m feeling deep down in my soul that this business is going to be sticking around for a very, very long time!
* * *
Later that evening the four of us end up at the Woody Hollow, spirits running high after such a successful day. The place is packed and lively, music playing, laughter everywhere.
We’ve claimed a big table near the back and are halfway through our first round when an elderly couple approaches us. And it’s the very same couple Connor and Kaleb protected that night a while back when some drunk out of towners were hassling them.
The old man clears his throat, eyes warm. “We just wanted to say thank you again. And to buy you all a round of drinks.”
His wife nods, smiling at Connor and Kaleb. “You two showed us what real men look like in this town. We won’t forget it.”
Connor looks genuinely touched. He stands and shakes the old man’s hand.
“Just did what was right, sir,” Connor says. “And it was an honor. Manners mean a lot to us, and we don’t take too kindly to those who don’t observe them. Especially in the presence of good folks like yourselves.”
We thank them profusely as the bartender brings over fresh drinks. Once they leave, I lean into Connor’s side, feeling another wave of pride for my man. He’s changing things here. Slowly, but surely.
But as the night goes on, I notice my Daddy seems a little distracted.
His hand keeps stroking my thigh under the table, but his eyes keep drifting, like his mind is somewhere else. I wait until there’s a lull in conversation, then squeeze his hand.
“Daddy,” I whisper. “Are you okay?”
He looks down at me, something intense and soft in his gaze. “Come outside with me for a minute, sweet Rabbit.”
My heart picks up speed, but I nod and let him lead me out the side door into the cool evening air. The fairy lights strung along the tavern’s back patio glow softly around us. Connor walks me a little further away from the noise, then stops and turns to face me.
He takes both my hands in his big ones. For a second he just looks at me, eyes searching my face like he’s memorizing every detail. Then, slowly, he sinks down onto one knee right there on the wooden planks.
My breath catches.
“Milo,” Connor says, his voice deep and steady, but full of emotion.
“I’ve spent a long time thinking I didn’t deserve forever.
That it was safer to stay alone. But you crashed into my life…
literally… and changed everything. You make me want to be better.
You make me want to build something real.
I want to be your Daddy every single day.
I want to protect you, support you, play dolls with you on the rug, and hold you when you’re scared about your dreams. I want all of it. ”
He squeezes my hands, eyes shining.
“Will you be my Forever, little one?”
For a second I can’t speak. Joy explodes inside me so bright and big that tears spill down my cheeks.
“Yes!” I squeal, throwing my arms around his neck the second he stands up. “Of course I will! Yes, yes, a thousand times yessssss !”
Connor lifts me clean off the ground, spinning me once as I laugh and cry at the same time. When he sets me down, he kisses me deep, claiming me forever.
“I love you, Milo Parker,” he murmurs against my lips.
“I love you too, Connor King,” I say, tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. “My mountain Daddy. My Forever.”
We stand there under the fairy lights, wrapped up in each other, hearts beating in perfect sync. The future stretches out ahead of us… bright, uncertain in places, but ours.
And I know that nothing can ever stop us now.