Page 47 of Christmas With the Bossy Mountain Man
"A year ago, I was stuck in my ways, content with my solitary life. Then this stubborn woman" —he squeezes my waist gently— "broke down in my parking lot with a car that was more rust than metal, and everything changed."
Chuckles ripple through our friends at his description.
"We invited you here today not just to see the cabin, but to share some news." He looks down at me, silently asking if I want to take over.
I nod, facing our gathered friends with a smile I can't suppress. "Two pieces of news, actually." I hold up my left hand, letting the spring sunlight catch on my engagement ring. "First, we're getting married."
Cheers erupt, with Sage rushing forward to hug me while Roman claps Diesel on the back. The congratulations flow, along with demands to know when, where, how he proposed.
Once the excitement settles slightly, I exchange a glance with Diesel, who nods encouragingly.
"And second," I continue, heart racing with joy, "we're expecting a baby. Due in November."
The reaction is immediate and overwhelming—more cheers, tears (from Sage and, surprisingly, Marcus), and a smug "I told you so" from Roman that makes everyone laugh.
As our friends surround us with love and excitement, I look up at Diesel, finding his eyes already on me, filled with a happiness so complete it takes my breath away.
This man, this life, this love—none of it was in my plans when I inherited Grandpa Joe's cabin and set out on a cross-country drive in a beat-up Mustang. But now I can't imagine any other path, any other destination.
"Thank you for breaking down in my parking lot," Diesel whispers against my hair as our friends continue to celebrate around us.
I smile up at him, heart full to bursting. "Thank you for being the grumpy mechanic who fixed more than just my car."
His answering laugh, deep and genuine, is the sound of home. Of belonging. Of a love I never expected but now can't live without.
Later, as the party winds down and the last guests depart, Diesel and I stand on the porch, watching the sunset paint the mountains in shades of gold and pink. His arms encircle me from behind, one hand resting protectively over my stomach.
"Happy?" he asks softly.
I lean back against him, taking in the cabin, the view, the life we've built together. "Completely," I answer truthfully. "You?"
His lips find my temple in a gentle kiss. "More than I ever thought possible."
We stand in comfortable silence, watching darkness fall, stars beginning to appear in the clear mountain sky. Tomorrow brings more adventures—a trip to Chicago to pack up the last of my things, plans for the wedding, preparations for the baby. But tonight, in this perfect moment, it's just us, wrapped in the love we found in Crimson Hollow.
"Come to bed," I say finally, turning in his arms to take his hand. "I believe I made you a promise earlier."
His eyes darken with desire as he follows me inside, closing the door behind us on the world outside. Within these walls, we've created our sanctuary, our home, our future.
And as Diesel's lips find mine in the darkness of our bedroom, I know with absolute certainty that this is exactly where I'm meant to be—in his arms, in this cabin, in this small mountain town where a broken-down car led to the greatest love of my life.
