by Frankie Love
"Goodbye, huh? That ain’t happening.”
At this Tommy's eyes narrow, and he steps toward me, placing his hand on the collar of my shirt. "I’m here for one reason. To make sure you never talk shit about me."
I shake my head. "You think I'd waste my breath on you?"
Tommy juts his chin to indicate his crew. "I got your girl, and I’m taking her with me."
With his gun raised, he drags Josie out to the front room. There's an open wound on her head, blood smeared across her forehead. I’ll kill Tommy for doing this to her.
Her eyelids flutter open, and when she sees me, she gasps. "Beau?"
I nod, moving toward her, needing to cradle her in my arms and never let her go.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Tommy asks. "You don't get her unless you tell us where the money is. you piece of shit."
I clench my jaw, needing to get them away from Josie.
“You tried to send me to prison, Beau, and for that, you must pay.”
I remember the night all too well.
It was pitch dark, and I was on the edge of town. Thought I was going to pick up Tommy's friend for him in a car Tommy had given me a month before. Convenient move on his part.
I was driving their shit, never realizing they were using me as cover in case they were caught.
By the time I realized what was happening, I knew running wouldn't work. I had opened the truck and saw the goods, and my fingerprints were on everything.
I was stuck there and paid for his crime--but that won’t happen again.
Because as the cops blaze down the driveway toward the house, I thank God, Jax and Jonah showed up and had my back.
And Tommy, he's probably wanted on a dozen accounts. I can see it in his eyes.
"What the hell?" he yells, looking around, and seeing Jax and Jonah here. Jax moves behind him, and I reach for his gun, disarming him before he has a chance to do something even more stupid than hurt the woman I love.
Tommy tries to break free from Jax's hold, and Jonah is helping to hold him down.
"I have what I wanted, Tommy. Freedom. And I will never, ever, let you take it from me again."
The cops break through the door, guns raised, and I drop to the floor. Not in surrender. I have nothing to hide.
I'm on my knees, scooping up the woman I love, and pulling her close.
I will never let her go.
Chapter 16
Josie
The police are here all night, taking our reports and taking into evidence Jonah's phone that contains the recording of Tommy's confession, clearing Beau's name once and for all. I'm so grateful Jonah pressed record and managed to get all of Tommy's incriminating words.
A doctor is here, and she's with me for a long time in a back bedroom to check if I am concussed. When I tell her I'm with child, her brows knit with worry. I explain the situation, and she leaves, only to return an hour later with a portable ultrasound machine.
I'm not sure why she felt so inclined to confirm that all was well with the baby, but she must have understood how badly I needed the confirmation that my baby is okay.
It is.
And I am anxious for everyone to leave so I can finally tell Beau. I've never wanted to tell someone anything so badly in my life. I almost died and he nearly did too, but we are alive, and we have a second chance.
When everyone finally leaves, and I finish talking to my dad on the phone then turn to see the house is finally empty.
"What did he have to say?" Beau asks, pushing back a strand of hair and pressing the ice pack to my wound. We're in the kitchen. The beautiful kitchen he's renovated, built for me with his blood, sweat, and tears. I sit on the counter, with him right in front of me.
"He feels awful. And embarrassed. And really, really sorry." My Dad's voice cracked when we spoke. When he heard all that went down tonight. For a second, I felt bad for him, for his wounded pride. Then I look over at Beau, his face written in worry, a man who had served so much time for something he never did and that I didn't even trust him.
I'm the one who should be most ashamed.
"But not as sorry as I am, Beau," I say, the tears falling down my cheeks. "I doubted you when you gave me no reason to."
"Shhh," he says. "It doesn't matter now. Now, you're safe. And it's just you and me now. No one else will come between us."
That is when I start sobbing. The heaving in my heart must terrify him because he wraps his arms around me, and with my knees spread, he nestles between them, holding me so tightly.
"What is it?" he whispers as my tears fall on his shirt.
"It's not just us."
He cups my face in his hands, looking deep in my eyes. "What do you mean?"
I take his hand and rest it on my belly. "I'm pregnant, Beau.”
It takes his breath away; this news. His face breaks into a smile so sweet that my heart melts.
"A baby?" he asks, shaking his head, tears in his baby blue eyes.
“I call it our little blueberry. I found out after I got to my dad's. I should have told you, but I didn't..." My lips tremble and I hate that I have kept this from him.
"It doesn't matter now. Thank God, you're both safe." Then his face creases with concern. "The baby is okay, right?"
I nod. "The doctor made sure of it. I was terrified we may have lost it, but we didn't, Beau."
His shoulders relax as he pulls me to him, and as his lips find mine any doubt I may have harbored about his desire to be a father vanishes. He wants this as much as I do. I can feel it as his hands run over my back, under my shirt, feeling my bare skin. His hands are warm and when he touches me, I feel his desire to protect me pressing softly against me.
He won't let me go.
"You are going to be such a good mother," he whispers, tilting my head back and kissing me again, our mouths parting as his words send a rush of pride through my body. His belief in my ability is more than I ever thought I would find. A real man who knows what truly matters in life.
I pull away from him, so I can see him more clearly, my body is hot and craving the man I have missed for so many weeks. "And you are going to be such a good Papa."
"Papa huh?" he asks.
"Mmmhhmm, it fits you."
"Oh girl, this is more than I ever thought I'd have."
"And what's that?" I ask, wanting him to spell it out again because the words make my heart burst with pleasure.
"A woman and a baby, in a house we built together."
"I haven't done much of the building," I tell him. "Looks like you've been here every day. It's beautiful, Beau."
"Don't worry," he says, lifting up my tee-shirt, and throwing it to the side. "I'll put you to work."
He unclasps my bra, and then cups my breasts in his hands, kissing them tenderly, with devotion, before scooping me off the counter and tugging down my pants. He places my bare ass on the butcher block and I reach for the buckle of his jeans.
"I miss you, Beau, so much," I whimper, knowing his magnificent cock is within reach. "I want you so bad."
"Good, because I want you too," he says, dropping his boxers as my hands wrap around his length. His tip is so smooth, and his shaft is so hard and everything about his body is perfection--made for me.
"I love you, Beau Montgomery," I moan, my arms wrapping around his neck and he pulls me closer, pressing his hard cock against me.
"And I love you, Josie," he says, filling me up with all he has to give.
I cry out in pleasure as he moves against me, a hand on my ass, drawing me nearer to himself. He thrusts against me, and I stare at his rock-hard chest, the way his muscles move as he fills me up. I lose myself as we make love, on the counter, in this kitchen he built for me.
My body is on fire as his hard ridges move against my pussy, I'm so slick and ready for him and all I want is this to last forever.
Of course, it won't; but this life together can. And when I come against him, the orgasm rushing through me, blood pumping as hi
s release fills me, I know this life together will. Will last forever.
"I love you," I whisper, squeezing my arms around his neck, clinging to him as if he is the life force I need to survive. And maybe he is. In this moment, he completes me.
He presses his hand to my belly. "Our little blueberry."
He lifts me from the counter, kissing me hard, taking my breath away and forcing my heart to explode. He is mine and I am his.
"Now," he says, kissing my neck, my ear, my nose. "How about we get a second serving of the Josie Special?"
He carries me to the bedroom, and we crash into the bed, falling deeper in love.
Epilogue 1
Josie: One Month Later…
There is only one question on the mountain after the dust settles from the criminal run-in at Granddad's house.
When is Beau Montgomery going to propose?
For a few weeks, I wonder if he even realizes I'm pretty much waiting on pins and needles for him to pop the question, but even after Harper nudges Jaxon to nudge Beau, there is no engagement.
I'm about to lose my mind and that's not just the crazy-making hormones of pregnancy talking.
I want a ring on my finger before this belly pops.
The diner has been slow all morning, yet Rosie keeps talking to the cook about putting more pies in the oven. I ask if there is a catering order I didn't know about, which she says there is.
But I can't think about catering and boxing up pies right now, my mind is occupied.
"You're being a little intense," Rosie says as we clear a table at the diner. With plates piled in my arms, I shrug, walking away from her. "You've only been back in town for a few weeks. Let him get adjusted to being a father before you start demanding a proposal."
"Easy for you to say, you already have what you want."
Rosie smiles. "Sure, but remember my road to getting there? I had to escape a freaking mafia ring to end up here."
"True. I'm an idiot." I press a hand to my forehead. "You're right. I already have everything that matters."
Rosie pats my back. "Relax and trust that everything will work out perfectly." Then she winks as the bells on the front door the dinner jingle, announcing another guest.
I turn around and see Beau walking in.
He gives me a sly smile as a grin spreads across my face. I reach for the coffee pot.
As I walk toward him, the whole gang pulls into the parking lot.
I turn back to Rosie. "What's everyone doing here?"
She just shrugs and heads to the backroom.
"What's going on?" I ask Beau as Harper, Cherish, Honor, Stella, and Grace come into the cafe with kids on their hips and holding the hands of little ones. I see the guys helping kids from carseats, and Beau just keeps his eyes on me--but he doesn't come over.
Then a U-Haul truck comes in the parking lot, reversing toward the back entrance.
Beau mouths the words, "I love you" and I mouth them back, but instead of coming over to me he is swept into the back of the kitchen with a few of the guys. Jonah follows them, giving me a thumb’s up before he walks away.
"Everyone looks so nice," I say, catching Harper's eye. She just smiles, and tugs down the dress her daughter wears. My friends are all dressed to the nines-- which is saying something for a bunch of mountain men. And the women are in pretty dresses and their hair is done. Even the kids are all clean-faced with combed hair.
When my dad pulls into the parking lot I'm really confused. When he opens his trunk, and takes out bouquets of sunflowers I'm flabbergasted.
Behind me, Rosie says I need to follow her. "What is going on?"
"Relax, remember?"
I shake my head thoroughly confused, but then she drags me into her tiny office in the back of the diner and shuts the door.
"Okay, spill," I tell her.
"We don't have time for chit-chat, darling. You need to get dressed."
Just then Grace comes in with a garment bag. "I finished it in time. I swear my fingers were gonna bleed from the stitching--but it's done." She hangs the bag on the back door and pulls down the zipper revealing a beautiful, white gown.
"Oh, my gosh," I say, pressing my hands to mouth. "What is this for."
"It's your wedding day, Josie," Rosie tells me. "And it's time for you to put on your wedding dress."
"I hope you like it," Grace says. "You always said you didn't want a wedding with a lot of fuss, and it looks like your groom knows you well."
I let out a loud laugh, complexity shocked. "This is insane," I say, looking at the gorgeous dress. Simple, but with delicate lace on the neckline and sleeves. "I can't believe you made this, Grace."
She smiles. "Growing up in a cult taught me a few skills that are handy. I can sew and can, like nobody's business."
"And this is happening, like, now?"
Rosie nods. "Like right now."
In the diner, I hear the lyrics of my favorite song...Home is when I'm alone with you.
This is really happening.
My hands are shaking, my heart pounding.
"I don't think I can get dressed," I say laughing despite the insanity of what is happening.
"Let us help," Grace says. And so they do.
----
When I walk out of the office and head toward the diner, I see the place has been transformed in a matter of minutes. The tables are pushed against the walls, flowers are arranged on each of them. The kids and their parents all stand quietly, in a semi-circle. Music plays and Rosie hands me a bouquet, but all that fades away the moment I see Beau.
Beau wears a suit and his hair is pushed back from his eyes and he is nothing but a true mountain man, polished for his wedding day.
I only have eyes for him.
My father takes my arm, smiling at me in a way I never expected.
"Hey," I say softly. "You knew about this, Dad?"
"I did." My father looks at me with tears his eyes. "Beau came to my house two weeks ago and asked for my daughter's hand in marriage."
"And you said yes?"
"I said my daughter was a lucky woman."
Holding the sunflowers in one hand and my father's arm with the other, we walk down the makeshift aisle.
When I look at Beau, standing there, waiting for me, my heart skips a beat and I swear I'm going to trip. But then his eyes fix on mine again, and the world melts away.
Jaxon is the officiant, holding a paper with a script, I'm guessing, and he motions for me to stand opposite Beau as my father gives me away.
Beau smiles, shaking his head. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, Josie."
I press my lips together, knowing if the tears start they'll never stop.
"This is too much," I say, not understanding how I ended up with the life I always wanted. My friends and father are gathered around me, and I'm about to exchange vows at the very place I met the father of my child.
"Not too much," Beau says. "We will build this life together, and it will be everything we dreamed of, and more."
Epilogue 2
Beau: Two Years Later
My son, Forrest, bolts from the front door, and finds me on the front porch. His face turns into a toothy toddler grin and I reach for him, pulling him to my lap.
"Hey there mister, where do you think you're going?"
"Treat, Papa?" he asks with wide eyes, blue ones, matching my own. To say I'm a softie for this kiddo is an understatement. He came into our lives and opened our hearts. We thought we understood love before, but then we met Forrest and changed forever.
"Did your mama tell you to come ask me that?"
Josie hollers from the kitchen. "I said no such thing!"
Forrest erupts in giggles, then whispers, "Mama's muffins."
I furrow my brows. Then I sniff the air and nod. "You're right. Mama made cookies. What for?"
"The baby."
"Baby? We don't have a baby here," I say, tickling him. "You're a big boy."
I'm still ama
zed that my life consists of sitting on the front porch of my house, with my son in my arms. I don't know how I got it so damn good--but I swear, I'll never take it for granted.
"Mama baby," Forrest says, his little face scrunched up in question.
Before I can say anymore, Josie walks out of the house, a plate of muffins in hand. "Hungry, boys?"
"See, Papa!"
"I do," I say, ruffling his hair. Josie sits beside us, a smile on her face. "You're in a good mood,” I say taking a muffin from the plate.
Why wouldn't I be?" She asks. "They're blueberry muffins."
"I see that. They look good."
"Why do you love blueberries so much, Mama?" Forrest asks.
I look down at my muffin, remembering the way Josie always called Forrest our little blueberry.
My eyes meet Josie's, the love of my life, the woman I am so damn lucky to call my wife.
She bites her bottom lip. "Can you make a guess?"
I cock my head at her, nearly choking on the muffin as it dawns on me.
"We're having another baby?"
Her face is as bright as the first day we met when she reminded me of a sunflower in bloom.
“Twins!”
I wrap my arms around her, inhaling her lavender perfume that reminds me of when we first met. Forrest squeals as he's caught in between us, knowing he's safe and secure in our arms.
I kiss Josie, knowing that while our home is built on solid ground, our love is fucking indestructible.
Other books in The Mountain Man’s Babies Series:
TIMBER
BUCKED
WILDER
HONORED
CHERISHED
PLAYLIST for BUILT
❤️Josie’s Favorite Song❤️:
Home —Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
And more inspiration for the story…
To Build A Home — The Cinematic Orchestra
All Is Well — Austin Basham
Mess Is Mine — Vance Joy
