The Mountain Man's Kitten - Thickwood CO

“So what? The important thing is that I found out all about this plan.” I turn around. “And now I’m going. And I’m taking Miss Muffet.”

Miller growls, and I feel it vibrate through my ovaries, stopping me in my tracks. “I didn’t want to do this yet, but I guess I have no choice.”

I turn around, and he heads to the picture on the wall. When he pulls it aside, there’s a safe behind.

“Are you serious right now? You have a safe hidden behind a painting? Is this an episode of Mission Impossible?”

He shakes his head as he turns the dial a few times, then pulls the safe door open. A moment later, he puts a box in my hand.

“What is this, Miller?”

“Just open it, kitten.”

I watch him, but I do as he says, pulling open the lid of the box to find a ring. And not just any ring. It’s a ring ring. Like, probably the most expensive piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen. And it’s not fair that my heart nearly explodes as I look at it, thinking that it might be for me. But that’s stupid, right. I mean, he hates me. He hates my dad, and this is all just a part of his plan to get even. Just like those dart holes in that newspaper picture.

Right?

“A wedding ring? Who’s getting married, Miller? You and your girlfriend?”

“Katarina.” He takes my hand between his massive paws, dropping to one knee as he looks up at me. “I didn’t want to do things like this. But I guess it’s kind of fitting. Everything for us has been dictated by some higher power, making sure I do things the way I should. I’ve wanted you for three years, ever since I met you, but it’s taken that kitten, and a storm, and a fallen tree…”

“Miller, what’s going on?”

“Just read the inscription, please, before I have to find more words.”

I raise the ring to my eye, and read the inscription around the band. Katarina + Miller. You’ll always be my kitten.

I can’t breathe. Disbelief covers me as I stare down at Miller and see the smirk pull at the corners of his lips.

“Please, marry me?”

Finally, I nod, and whisper: “I can’t believe this is happening…”

Chapter Thirteen

Miller

ONE WEEK LATER…

“What’s he doing here?” Her dad glares as I slip my hand into Katarina’s.

She nods. “We’re…” She turns to me and I smile as I look down.

“Together,” I finish. “And getting married.” When I meet her dad’s eyes, a look of fury passes over his face, but it’s gone just as quick.

“No, you’re not. This is a joke.”

Katarina shakes her head. “It’s no joke, Dad. Look, I know the two of you don’t see eye to eye.”

“Don’t see eye to eye? Look at him. Nobody sees eye to eye with that monster.”

“He’s my monster,” she says, sounding annoyed. “I want the two of you to bury the hatchet. For me.”

We’re meeting in a cafe, which Katarina said was for the best. She arranged to meet her father here, and just brought me along as well. Simple. Not that I’m any happier about it than her dad, to tell the truth, but I will do anything for her, even if that means making peace with my nemesis.

“Sure, I’ll bury the hatchet,” her father says, meeting my eyes. “In his head.”

“Dad, that’s enough. I can’t have the two men I love clashing with each other for the rest of my life…”

“Look, Mr. Harcourt, I know I have to share part of the blame for anything that’s gone on between us. And I know this is a shock to you.”

He shakes his head. “It isn’t.”

“Sorry?” Katarina says.

“It’s not a shock, honey. You don’t think I’ve seen the way you look at him, or the way he looks at you? I’m not blind.”

His words take me by surprise. I had a plan when I came in here, and I’m desperately trying to gather the threads back together. “Mr. Harcourt…um…about the easement over my land. Maybe if I take another look at the contract, I can see my way to finding an arrangement that works for both of us and—”

“You think I’ll sell my daughter to you?”

“What? No…” I shake my head violently. This isn’t going at all as I’d hoped. “What if I just tear up any paperwork that’s going through the courts right now and we call it a family arrangement? No need for any money to exchange hands.”

He grins. “Done.”

Katarina and I answer in unison: “What?”

He just nods. “I win, Miller. I was always going to, because I’m the better businessman, the better bluffer and the better deal maker. Face it, I’m smarter than you are. You think I could keep my daughter away from you even if I wanted to? I couldn’t even stop my wife from going off and doing her own thing. But this right now?” He leans forward over the table and indicates for us to take a seat. “This means I win.”