Mountain Man's Rival: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Mountain Men of Liberty Book 13)

by K. C. Crowne

  I helped her into the truck, and we drove in silence until I got to the turn for the hotel.

  “Can we go back to your place? I really don’t want to be alone right now.”

  “Of course. I wasn’t planning on taking you back to the hotel, anyway,” I said, continuing straight instead of turning.

  “Thank you, Declan,” she said softly.

  We drove through town toward my place in silence. I didn’t know what to say to her and knew that words did very little to ease the pain of what she was going through. But I tried anyway.

  “I’m sorry about what the media said about you. You look beautiful, and always have been beautiful. Their comments were uncalled for.”

  “They’re assholes,” she said with a dry laugh. “And life is too short to care about the opinions of assholes. I’m done worrying about what they think of me.”

  She turned her face toward me, a hint of a smile enhancing her beauty.

  “Still, it wasn’t right,” I said, taking her hand.

  She shrugged. “No, it wasn’t, but it hasn’t been okay for years and I put up with it. Not anymore. I’m done. This was the final straw for me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, I’m selling the penthouse and moving to back Liberty. I’m no longer going to create art only the rich can afford. I’m going to create art for myself, and if people don’t like it – fuck ‘em.”

  My heart pounded in my chest. I’d wanted to hear those words, that she was going to stay in Liberty, from the beginning, but it still gave me pause.

  “Eva, are you sure? We talked about this, and you said you weren’t going to make any rash decisions until after the baby was born. I don’t want you to give up your entire life if you’re not sure.”

  She sat up straight and stared deep into my eyes. “Oh Declan, I’ve never been surer of anything in my entire life. What they did to me, exploiting a woman at her most vulnerable, was despicable. Not only that, they fat shamed me. Do I really want to bring a child up in a world where a woman’s only value is in her beauty and whether or not she can fit into a size 0? No. That’s not the kind of world I want my child to live in, and frankly, it’s not a world I want to live in anymore either.”

  I didn’t say anything for a few seconds. The last thing I wanted to do was push her to make a decision she didn’t want, but clearly, she was passionate about this.

  I pulled into my driveway and parked the truck. Eva removed her seat belt and crawled over to me, taking my face in her dainty hands.

  “You have to trust me, Declan. I’m a grown woman, and I’ve lived in that life long enough to know it wasn’t good for me, and this is my decision to make. I’m not basing this off anything other than what I want for myself and my family.”

  She pressed her lips to mine, and I stroked her cheek.

  “Please tell me you want me to stay,” she whispered.

  “Oh God… Have you ever had any doubt, Eva? I never wanted you to leave in the first place, and the idea of us being apart has killed me. Why do you think I was willing to give everything up and move with you? Because I want you, and I want our family to be together.”

  “I want that too,” she said with an adorable smile. “More than anything else. And I think it’s possible, Declan, I really do. I’ve talked to Matt, and after working with the kids at the arts center, I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life. I want to help children who were like me and create art for myself, not for anyone else. And I want us to be together – all three of us.”

  She placed my hand on her belly and kissed me again.

  “I love you, Eva.”

  Eva sucked in a quick breath and stared at me wide-eyed. “You don’t have to say it back to me. I just want you to know.”

  “I love you too, Declan.”

  And I knew it was all over for me.

  I was done for in the bet with the guys, and honestly, it didn’t even matter. Because I had the girl I’d always wanted and that was enough for me.

  The next day at work went about as I would expect. I called the guys into my office, and not a single one seemed concerned. They were all on the verge of laughing but kept it together long enough for me to tell them the truth.

  “Well, I’m out of the running. Eva and I are together, officially.”

  Clark burst into a fit of laughter. Liam chuckled to himself, and Ezra and Mike tried to feign surprise even though they already knew I was a goner.

  Ezra did look concerned, however. “Does this mean you’re leaving the company?”

  The laughter stopped. Clark’s gaze narrowed in on me. “Why would it mean you’re leaving?”

  “I’m not leaving,” I said, and you could feel the tension leave the room as everyone let out a collective breath. “Eva is staying here. We’re going to build a life together in Liberty.”

  Clark spoke a little too loudly. “I knew it! I knew you’d be the next gone. I would have pinned you as going down first, Declan, but Liam threw us for a loop.”

  I shrugged. I knew they’d give me shit. “I promise you, had Eva and I not reconnected, I would have been single longer than any of you.”

  “Bullshit,” Liam chuckled.

  “Nah, seriously… I’d given up on ever finding someone that made me feel the way she did,” I said. “If I couldn’t have her, I didn’t want anyone.”

  Liam and Clark shared a look, and I knew they didn’t believe me. Clark would never understand, or maybe one day he would. I hoped, for his sake, maybe he would because everyone deserved to find their special someone.

  “You know what? I don’t even care that you’re being a sap. I’m happy for you, man,” Liam said, walking over and pounding me on the back. “Our kids will grow up together. I love it.”

  “Yeah, and I know Zoey would love to meet the baby. She’s been begging Michelle and me for another sibling for some time,” Mike said.

  “It’s just you and me now, man,” Clark said, his gaze narrowed on Ezra. “You’re going down.”

  Ezra chuckled, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Sure, keep telling yourself that, Clark.”

  “Well, good thing the car is already an antique,” Mike said with a laugh. “Because I have a feeling this is going to take a while between these two.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not,” I said, shooting a look at Liam. “After all, he surprised all of us, didn’t he?”

  Clark and Ezra scoffed at the idea, but I knew, somewhere out there, there was a woman for both of them.

  It was only a matter of time.

  Chapter 24

  Eva

  I stared at my mostly empty penthouse, a hand resting on my belly to remind myself why I was doing this.

  I remembered the day I bought the place, how I’d looked out the windows overlooking Central Park thinking I made it. It had felt amazing at that time, like all my dreams had come true. I was younger then, and I hadn’t yet burned out on being famous and everything that goes along with it.

  I loved those years, and part of me would probably miss the city. But I was making the right choice and could always come back to visit. In fact, for the next couple of years, I would probably come back often to take care of the gallery and finish up my business here. But it was only a matter of time before I said goodbye to all that. I no longer wanted to create art for the gallery. I wanted to create art for me.

  I walked over to the windows and watched the world below, the apartment eerily silent for how much activity was going on below. I heard the elevator ascend to my floor. The movers had left already, so I knew it wasn’t them.

  I turned with a smile on my face and rushed to greet Declan, who had coffee and bagels for us. Lily and Matt came in behind him.

  “Look who I found downstairs,” Declan said as I snuggled against his chest.

  “Perfect timing.” I kissed him and greeted my brother and Lily. “How was the flight?”

  “Not too bad,” Matt said, holding Lily’s hand in his. “A little b
ittersweet, but I know we’ll see each other again soon.”

  “And I’m thinking of moving to Liberty, once I finish everything here…I just need to figure out what I’m going to do next, since not many people need assistants in Utah, I’m sure.” Lily chuckled at her little joke.

  “You know, I told you that you have a job with me, no matter what,” I said.

  “I know, but I think it’s time I moved on. I’ve enjoyed my time as a personal assistant, but I think it’s time I work toward something else.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Like…writing?”

  “Well, I’d like to, but we’ll see what happens.”

  “You have my support no matter what you decide to do, but I think it’s time you followed your own dreams, Lily.”

  I gave my best friend’s hand a squeeze and glanced over at Declan, who was still holding the bagels.

  “Shall we have one last meal here before we leave?” I asked.

  Lily checked the time on her phone and frowned. “Do we have time?”

  “Yes, we have time. You just got here,” I said. “Sorry there’s no seating. You just missed the movers, so we’ll have to settle for the floor.”

  I plopped down in the middle of my living room and waited for the others to join me. Declan shrugged and sat down beside me. Lily and Matt looked at each other, shared a laugh, and joined us.

  It was just bagels, nothing grand or significant, but it was nice having a last meal together in my penthouse. I might have felt a little sad leaving but having them there reminded me why I was doing this and that it would be worth it.

  Lily kept checking the time even though I told her to not worry about it.

  “But Gerard…”

  “Gerard can wait,” I interrupted. “I’m leaving this life behind, Lily. I don’t care what they have to say about me anymore.”

  My “farewell” interview to the world, in a way. I had no plans to be interviewed again in the future; I was announcing my retirement. The media would probably still talk about me for a bit, but after a while, my boring life in Utah would surely force them to move on to someone else. I couldn’t wait for that.

  “Alright, Lily. Let’s get moving,” I said.

  Declan helped me get up off the floor, a task that was getting harder as my belly grew. It was no longer possible to hide my pregnancy, nor was I worried about doing so. The world already knew, and they were going to talk no matter what.

  We packed the trash and carried it out with us, and I took one last glance at my place before stepping into the elevator and saying goodbye. But I was surrounded by my family, and that made it much easier. Declan held my hand firmly in his as we exited the elevator and headed down the street to the gallery, where Gerard was waiting.

  Gerard was looking at one of the last paintings on display in the gallery when we arrived. He turned and offered a curious smile as he saw Declan and me together.

  “Well Ms. Stone, you look lovely,” he greeted me, shaking my hand. “And may I ask, is this mystery man the reason you’re leaving New York?”

  “First of all, his name is Declan,” I said, taking his hand again. “He’s only part of the reason, but yes, I love him and want to follow my heart. I’m no longer happy in New York and it’s time I move on to things which bring me joy.”

  “Well, I must say, we’ll miss you and your work, but you look happier than I have seen you in a very long time,” he complimented sincerely. “So what are your plans for your career since you’ll no longer be living in the city?”

  “I’m still figuring some things out, but I think it’s time I start creating art for myself again. Not that I haven’t enjoyed my time creating it for others, but I feel like I’ve been called to a higher purpose.”

  “And what is that purpose?”

  “I want to teach children, introduce them to this beautiful world,” I said with a smile, leaning close as I added, “Did you know that funding for the arts is often the first thing cut in many public schools? Children aren’t given the same opportunities I had, and I want to fix that.”

  “And what are your plans for doing that?”

  “I want to open a non-profit, one similar to the Brooklyn Arts Center, but in my home state of Utah,” I announced, grinning. “A center where children can enroll in free after-school programs. My focus won’t just be on fine arts, but I plan to work with my brother to incorporate athletics and programs for writing and theater as well, among others.”

  “I think that sounds like an amazing venture, Ms. Stone,” Gerard said. “And what are your plans for the gallery?”

  I looked around at the gallery I’d built all on my own over the years. Tears sprung to my eyes, but I blinked them away. “I plan to run it from afar, for now. Though it won’t look the same as it does today, it will showcase my work, along with others who are just starting out. I hope to introduce the world to up and coming artists who aren’t getting the attention they deserve. My work will also look different, as I will be focusing on creating art that makes me happiest, so it may not be as trendy or as popular. I also intend to lower the prices a bit, because I feel like my work is for everyone - not just the wealthy who can afford it.”

  “Wow, so a lot of changes going forth for the Eva Stone brand. So I am assuming this is officially your retirement from the spotlight?”

  “Yes, most definitely.”

  “Does this have anything to do with the photos published recently, the ones accompanied by the not so nice words?”

  “It has some to do with it, yes,” I confessed. “I’m tired of living in a world where my value as a woman is based upon my appearance alone. I’m an artist. I always meant to create art, but I was pulled into a lifestyle I’ve never really liked. The fatphobic comments from the media only cemented in my mind that I don’t want to live like this. I don’t think any woman should live like this, and it’s time the media realizes they can’t get away with treating women like this.”

  My gaze narrowed on Gerard, wondering what his reaction might be. He was a part of the media machine, after all, though I had to admit, he’d never once said anything shameful about my appearance and generally focused on my art. Still, he was a journalist.

  His expression was passive, his eyes kind. “I completely understand, and I agree with you, Ms. Stone.”

  We finished the interview, and I excused myself as I felt tired. Lily and Matt stayed behind. Lily said she could answer additional questions for me, but I knew there was more to it than that. She was working toward her own goals, and her goal was to be a writer. Gerard was one of the few in the industry who wasn’t completely terrible.

  Declan led me out of the gallery and to the car waiting for us. We’d reserved a hotel room near the airport, and first thing in the morning, we were going to leave New York behind.

  I relaxed into the seat of the limo and slipped off my shoes. Declan, without asking, began massaging my feet. “So, are you having any doubts?”

  I stared directly at him. “Are you serious? I have no doubts whatsoever. If anything, the interview with Gerard just sealed it for me, and I know I’m doing the right thing. Not just for me, but also our family.”

  “Good,” he said, leaning close to kiss me.

  “I can honestly say, I’ve never been happier.”

  Chapter 25

  DECLAN

  Six Months Later

  “Hey honey,” Eva’s voice sounded strained on the other end of the line. “I think it’s time. I’m on the way to the hospital now. Lily is driving me.”

  I closed my laptop and was out of my office in seconds. “It’s time,” I called to Ezra as I hurried by his office.

  “Good luck, man,” he called back to me.

  Liam shouted from somewhere in the office, “Name the little man after me, got it?”

  I chuckled to myself, shaking my head as I left the building. I let Eva and Lily know that I was heading to Liberty Hospital and would be there in a few minutes.

  On the outside,
I might have looked calm, but on the inside, I was a nervous wreck. My hands were shaking as I drove to the hospital.

  Our son will be here soon.

  The drive felt like it took an eternity, even though it was only fifteen minutes.

  “Perfect timing,” I said to myself as I saw Lily’s car parking. I pulled up beside her car and hopped out, rushing over to the passenger side to Eva.

  She was breathing heavily when I opened the door for her, but she smiled when she saw it was me. “You got here fast,” she commented, flinching as a contraction hit her at the same time.

  I knelt on the ground and let her squeeze my hand until the pain had passed. Lily had rushed into the hospital to ask for a wheelchair and assistance.

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” I told her.

  “I’m glad we made it. I thought maybe we wouldn’t. The contractions are coming fast,” she informed me breathlessly. “I don’t think we have much time.”

  I rubbed her belly and felt immense happiness rush over me. “Good, I can’t wait to meet our little guy.”

  Lily returned with a nurse, and the two of us helped her into a wheelchair. The nurse stepped up to push her inside, but I was right next to her. Lily followed us with insurance cards and everything in her hands already. Even though she was no longer working as Eva’s assistant, she was always there, organized and ready to help.

  The next hour or so went by in a flash. Eva was right about it not taking very long. We were barely in a room before our son made his appearance. Upon hearing those first cries, a surge of pride washed over me.

  “You’re amazing,” I told her as I kissed her forehead.

  A few moments later, they brought our son to us and let Eva hold him. Staring down at him, I realized I’d never felt a love like that before. Not just for our little boy, but Eva as well.

  She snuggled him for a long time before asking, “Would you like to hold him?”