Page 21 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

Mel snorts. "Yeah, right. That man could have set your clothes on fire with the heat in his gaze. And I saw the way you were drooling."

"I wasn't drooling."

"Uh-huh." Mel's tone drips with disbelief. "And I suppose you weren't using your own x-ray vision to see what was under that flannel and them denims?"

"No! I was not!" I sputter, mortified that I got caught.

Mel just raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching with barely suppressed amusement.

I slump in my seat, crossing my arms. "Fine. I guess you know how to shut down that discussion."

"Damn straight," Mel says, a hint of smugness in her voice.

We lapse into silence, the only sound the rumble of the truck's engine. I stare out the window, watching the mountains roll by. But try as I might, I can't stop seeing Everett.

Lord help me, but that man does things to me.

Things I have no business feeling, especially not after the disaster with Ian. The last thing I need right now is to get entangled with another man, no matter how sexy he might be.

As we round the bend, the sprawling farmhouse comes into view. It's a bit weather-worn, but there's something undeniably charming about it, even for a shelter.

Flower boxes hang from every window, bursting with colorful blooms, and a wrap-around porch beckons invitingly.

"Thanks for the ride."

"You're welcome. Want to ride in together in the morning?"

"You don't have to. I can walk."

"Girl, please. Be ready at eight."

Gratitude wells up, threatening to choke me. "Mel, I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," she says firmly. "That's what friends are for."

Friends. The word settles warm in my chest. It's been a long time since I've had a real friend.

“Thanks, and good night.”

I walk to the door and turn to wave goodbye as Mel makes the rest of her drive up the road to the ranch.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. Not bad for an honest day's work.

As I reach for the door handle, a flicker of movement catches my eye. I turn, squinting at the tree line at the edge of the property.

For a split second, I could swear I saw a familiar silhouette watching from the shadows. My heart leaps into my throat.

It can't be...

But when I blink, the figure is gone, leaving me to wonder if it was ever there at all.

5

SPARKS AND SUSPICIONS

EVERETT

Crash!

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