Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 18

My alarm startles me awake, I'm not sure exactly what time we went to bed. I guess it wasn't quite enough sleep though. I try to reach for the alarm, but I'm pinned down. I lift my head, oh. Michael is wrapped around me like a koala, I scoot his arm off and smack my alarm.

"Guys, we need to get up." I rub my eyes trying to wipe the sleep from them. Then notice James is missing from bed, and he's not in the bathroom. I stretch out, then hurry through my morning routine and get dressed in my uniform by the time Andrew and Michael are just barely up checking their phones.

"Let's go," I throw a pillow at them, heart racing that I might possibly be late for work.

As I open the door to the hallway I'm met with a mouthwatering smell, bacon, potatoes, pancakes maybe? I check Charley's room, he's not there, then peek into the girl's room. Both beds are made, are they really up and about this early?

I make my way down to the kitchen, I can't remember the last time someone made me breakfast. All the kids along with James are cooking and smiling as Priscilla reads out instructions. I rub my eyes, "Morning mommy!" Charley comes and gives me a hug and drags me over to the dining table. "Eat."

James gives me a big smile, "Good morning my beautiful woman." He sets a plate down in front of me with some sort of potatoes, greens, bacon, eggs and crepes maybe?

"We wanted to surprise you!" Lexi grins at me, as her and Amelia set the rest of the table.

"Are you surprised?" Amelia asks, big eyes hopeful.

"More than surprised!" I exclaim, "I can't believe you got up so early to make this!" I get out of my chair to hug the three girls.

"It was Priscilla's idea, she told James everything to cook." Lexi grins at the blushing girl in question.

"I see," I beam at them, "Well then, thank you Priscilla, come sit and eat." I pat the chair next to me.

Priscilla gives a shy little smile sitting next to me. "In the movies this is what guys do to get the girls. Is it working?" Amelia asks.

I choke a bit on my tea, coughing before answering her. "I'd say this helped."

Amelia sticks her tongue out at Lexi, "I told you she'd rather have food that jewelry."

Lexi rolls her eyes sitting down, "I thought animals would be a better present."

I arch a brow, "What kind of animal?"

Lexi grins, "We could see out the window and giant white barn! You could have anything you wanted! Maybe even an elephant!"

James bursts out laughing, "Girls you are ridiculous. I'm sure that barn was for farm animals."

I nod, "We had horses, cows, goats and chickens until my parents died. Maybe one day the barn can be full again." I say wistfully.

Andrew and Michael sit down at the table joining us. "Good job Pris." Andrew says ruffling her hair.

"Hey, we all helped." James defends the kids.

Michael looks grim, I reach across the table placing my hand on his, "What's wrong?"

He wrinkles his nose still looking at his phone. "Boss wants the three of us back in Seattle immediately. Something is going wrong with the investors."

Amelia stomps her foot under the table, "We're supposed to have until Sunday!"

Andrew turns his head slowly to her, "Young lady is that how we behave?" He says softly.

She rolls her eyes, "Sorry. Is there any way we could stay longer?" She gives her dad puppy dog eyes.

"No sweetie, I'm sorry we'll have to go back early."

Priscilla and Lexi both are quietly crying, I go in between them hugging them both. "This isn't goodbye, alright girls?"

I glance up at James, Andrew, then Michael. They nod, Michael clears his throat, "Now that we have your number. We'll get things settled in the city and be in contact soon. This isn't our end." He promises the kids, and me.

We try to finish breakfast on a light note, but it's strained. At the vehicles, I hug and kiss each man goodbye. I want to have hope that they'll contact me after they leave. But the odds honestly aren't great, so I savor every moment. Until at last we have to go, we all have work to get to.