Nine Month Contract (Mountain Men Matchmaker, #1)

by Amy Daws

“If there’s something I want, I’m not going to pussyfoot around and act like I don’t want it just to be cool or play games. I want you. I’ve been thinking about you since the moment I woke up.

“On the outside, you’re this rugged, scary guy offering dirty orgasms, but on the inside, you’re total mush, aren’t you?”

“Boundaries feel like secrets.”

It just took me a while to realize that I can still have a family without a wife. I mean, not physically, obviously. That’s why I need you. But emotionally, financially, I can do this. I can be a good dad on my own. I don’t need a partnership to have this.”

“But if that other person makes you happier than you’ve ever been, then the change isn’t always a bad thing. Being in love with someone makes change feel exciting, not sacrificial.”

my parents...they had kids by default. They didn’t try for them, didn’t struggle for them. They certainly didn’t dream about them. They just got them. Which made throwing them away so damn easy.”

“He likes to be alone, but not too alone.” Luke interjects, “He actually doesn’t like to be alone at all. He’s just particular about who he spends time with. He has zero tolerance for people he doesn’t like.” “I keep a small circle. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Then tell me not to go,” Wyatt croaks, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his thick neck. “Tell me to tell Calder to fuck off. Tell me that it would make you fucking crazy to think about me seeing another woman’s body because it makes me want to violently hurt someone when I think about you just having coffee with Avery.”

Let’s just go back to how we were because nothing you’ve just shared with me changes how I feel about you.”

“I’d want you even without this baby.” “Well, I don’t want you because of this baby.”

My dad always said if a man has a plan, he can be content in his life.

And when her eyes filled with tears, I couldn’t help but hold her. I’d never wanted to comfort someone more in my entire life.

God, she’s fucking incredible. But even if I do love her, even if I admit that she has lit up my whole fucking life these past few months in ways that have nothing to do with my baby inside her...she doesn’t want any part of this. She doesn’t want a family. She doesn’t want a kid. She doesn’t want me.”

“I don’t think she knows how to admit what she wants. She’s too busy expecting the worst because that’s what the world has given her.”

But now, I have different dreams. I want Trista to want all of this with me. I want her to want the baby, you guys, this mountain. Me. I want it all, even at the risk of life-changing pain.”

“But are animals really enough?” she asks seriously. “Seems kind of lonely to me.” “Animals can’t disappoint me the way humans can,”

“Well, preferring loneliness over rejection or disappointment won’t work forever. You’re hurting yourself under the guise of protection, but it makes no sense because all you’re doing is literally hurting yourself. It’s a pointless cycle. And you’re missing out on life, girl. Being human. Having human experiences and splashes of pain.

we didn’t go through our shitty lives just to turn into scared little pussies. If you want more, you have to take it because no one will give it to you.”

Honestly, if she wants to bring more animals up on the mountain, I’m game. I’ll take a flock of chickens if she needs that to feel safe with me. With us. I’m going to be her friend because I don’t give a shit what was in her past. I give a shit about what is in her future.

But it’s clear as day they didn’t do this for me. They did this for Trista. And this is exactly what I want for her. A family who just...gets her.

I love those gifts. And I love the things you do for me. The breakfasts, the car vacuuming, the random topping off of gas. It’s so nice, and I’m so tired of pretending I don’t like them,”

“I’m tired of thinking I can do everything on my own. I can’t pretend anymore, Wyatt.” “Then don’t,”

“Watching your family these past several months...it’s intense. You guys just give unconditional love by default. You forgive each other so easily. You defend each other without question. It’s unreal. You are so fucking lucky, Wyatt.” “I know,” I state, a heaviness pressing down on my chest. “No wonder you felt brave enough to be a single dad. You have a literal army out there who will drop whatever they’re doing to support you and this baby.”

you told me once that you’re a ‘five minutes from now’ person, always stressing about the future. And remember, I’m a ‘five minutes late’ person because I’ve been constantly stuck in the past. But what if, together, we’re right on time? What if we help each other be in the present every day? Doesn’t that sound good, Wyatt?”

“I’m in love with you, lucky number thirteen. You’re not my second choice or thirteenth choice. You’re my only choice.”

“Hit me up when you need to talk. Don’t let the time difference stop you.”

I’ve been quiet my whole life because the only voice I wanted to hear was yours.”

This mountain was once my escape from the world, my quiet sanctuary to get away from my thoughts. But I love the noise you bring into my life. You turned my house into a home, and I want to continue our life up here forever...whether that be with more babies or more animals or more of both, I’m all in. I love you, past, present, and future, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry