Page 13 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

The sincerity in her words catches me off guard, and I blink rapidly to keep a fresh wave of tears at bay.

"Me too," I manage finally, clearing my throat. "Now, you gonna help me finish up here or what?"

Mel's eyes sparkle. "Does a bear shit in the woods?"

"You’re a mess." I snort out a laugh, already feeling the tension easing from my shoulders.

"You know it, girl!" She scoops up a pile of towels and starts folding with practiced efficiency. "Now spill—what’s life like in the big city?"

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips as I join her. Maybe this job is just what I need to take my mind off that train wreck of the first night. As I launch into a story about Kendrick and I getting chased out of the community garden by an angry old man with a broom, I can't help but hope that Mel's right.

That may be the case, but I can find my place in this little town.

A few hours later, Mel and I stroll down Main Street, our bellies full of pancakes and coffee from Millie's Diner. I take a deep breath, savoring the crisp mountain air and the warm, buttery scent that seems to cling to this little town.

"Not too bad, huh?" Mel nudges me with her elbow, grinning. "Told you Millie's was the best."

I shake my head in mock exasperation. "All right, I'll give you that one. Those pancakes were pretty much heaven on a plate."

"See? I'm always right." She sticks out her tongue playfully. "You'd do well to remember that, newbie."

I laugh, the sound feeling more natural with each passing moment in Mel's company. "Is that so? Well, maybe you'd better be showing me around this place."

"You got it!" She loops her arm through mine, practically skipping down the sidewalk as she launches into what I assume is the full history of Silver Ridge.

I try to pay attention. I really do. But my gaze keeps getting drawn to the quaint storefronts lining Main Street, each seeming to radiate its unique charm. There's a rustic timber-framed building with the words "Garrison's General Store" painted across the weathered sign, its wide porch dotted with rocking chairs that beg to be sat in.

Next door, a bakery's window is filled with an array of mouthwatering treats, the kind of sugary confections that would've had Meme sending me into the kitchen to bake her some cookies.

That woman had a crazy sweet tooth. She loved my bread, cakes, cookies, pies.

As we pass by, I press my face up to the glass, drinking in the sight of the elaborately decorated cupcakes and pies. A low whistle slips past my lips.

"Damn, I think I just gained five pounds from looking at that," I murmur, only half-joking.

Mel laughs, giving my arm a playful tug. "Come on, Kenz. You know that's against the rules."

"What rules?" I ask distractedly, still mesmerized by the baked goods.

"No drooling over sweets until after you've worked your first full day at the shop," she teases. "Gotta make sure you earn those extra calories."

I tear my gaze away from the bakery window with a longing sigh. "Yes, ma'am. You're the boss."

"Don't you forget it!" She winks at me, that sunny grin firmly in place.

We continue down the street, my eyes drinking in every detail of this picture-perfect little town. From the lovingly tended flower boxes overflowing with bright blooms to the quaint park with its old-fashioned lampposts and wrought-iron benches, it's like something straight out of a storybook.

Part of me can't quite believe this is real—that places like Silver Ridge still exist in our modern world. It's all too easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life, to let the grit and grime dull all the bright, shiny things.

But here? In this charming little mountain haven? It's like someone hit the pause button on the relentless march of time. I find myself longing to soak it all in, to revel in the quiet simplicity of a place where people still take the time to stop and enjoy life.

"You're awfully quiet over there," Mel's voice breaks through my reverie. "Everything okay?"

I blink, refocusing on her concerned expression. "What? Oh, yeah, I'm good. Just... taking it all in, I guess."

She nods in understanding. "It's a lot, huh? Especially coming from the big city."

"That's one way to put it," I chuckle. "This place is like something out of a dream."

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