Page 1 of Ashton's Mountain Man

Prologue

ASHTON

3 years ago

Today markeda stark change in the direction of my life… one that I never thought would happen for me or that I could actually have the strength to finally embark on.

I had always seen myself living and working on the ranch, wearing the traditional checkered red-and-black shirts with tan cargo trousers, along with the high ankle strapped steel-toed boots with white cross-crossed laces and silver charms that all the town knew me for. A stereotypical look, you may say, but it was my comfort and love. I’d adjusted the standard way the boots had arrived and added a little something special of my own. It was the style in which my grandpops had imposed onto me in my teenage years before he had an accident out at the top of the slopes. With his thigh pinned in a nasty position, and after too much blood loss and hyperthermia, the odds were stacked against him, and we lost him way too soon. The whole ranch re-evaluated many a policy and plan prior to excursions going forward due to his loss. That wouldn’t bring him back, though.

I’d been debating for the last few months whether I should stick with what I knew, working here and helping my best friend and confidant, West, in the office up at the top of the ranch, or finally taking that jump in my life that I had dreamed of.

Last week, the deadline email hit my inbox for my final decision, just as West walked into the room behind me and happened to catch the sigh of uncertainty leaving my lips. It seemed it was no longer a decision that was solely my secret and one in which I had others to lean on, should I want to.

“I think it’s time we had a talk, man,” West cautiously uttered as he gripped my shoulder and squeezed as I glanced up at him, noticing his gaze reading my screen.

I closed the document and tried to compose myself, focusing on my laces and the two charms clinking together as I moved. There were too many questions at hand running through my mind linked to my life, my friendship, and my career, that I didn’t know what to do. Maybe West had only managed a quick peek at the top section of my screen and didn’t fully understand what was being offered to me. Maybe he’s not bothered as a colleague. I told him what my thoughts were about my future, but he was hurt that, as a friend, I hadn’t told him about my ideas and plans. That potentially, he could just be waiting for me to tell him exactly what was going on and giving me the benefit of doubt so he could give his opinion—or scream and shout at me for not speaking up. One thing was for certain, though. I couldn’t continue burying my face and staring at my laces any longer… I had to spin around and face the music and take in his reaction, whether it be passive, angered, or full of hope. I just had to believe that West would now understand why I had been distant of late and the reasons for spending more time alone—not because of him, but because of my own confusion in life.

“Those reports that I’d asked for you to do can wait until later on, okay?” he replied.

“Thanks,” I whispered as West walked over and wheeled his seat near mine and took a seat, closing the distance. “I don’t know what you saw…or read, but…”

“I didn’t want to pry, but I saw the part about a training opportunity in a city…” West crossed his ankles and tilted his head to the side. “I won’t lie and say it wasn’t a shock.” He narrowed his eyes at me before leaning forward. “You’ve always seemed so happy here. You were dating Maisie for a while, only until last week.” He raised his eyebrow at me.

“I was,” I uttered as I swallowed harshly. “It just wasn't right between us, man. I know she’s your best friend, just like you’re mine, and I promise I didn’t string her along.” I release a heavy breath, holding up my hands in surrender. “I’m not that kinda guy. I just need a change; and accounting would be a challenge away from all this.” I indicated around the room, knowing that I wasn't exactly telling the truth and that it was a training opportunity but also so much more. I had the opportunity to buy my own business. The chance to make a mark. “I thought that maybe this could be something new and interesting to do.” That wasn’t a lie in the slightest.

“You’ve never mentioned accounting before. Which city would it be? Maisie is going to be heartbroken.” West’s tone raised an octave. “What if something went wrong? I mean, you couldn’t go in the attire you’ve wearing now. You’d have to go in suits and wear loafers and all.”

“I know I haven’t mentioned it before.” I held out my hand in support of him as he reached forward and squeezed it tightly, our gazes connecting instantly as I fought the suppressed wince. “Maisie has you. You’ll be there for her if I do this. I have to make a decision today,” I admitted, dropping my head low. “They have multiple opportunities available that I’ve applied to.” That was another lie. I had to do this as a fresh break. A chance to find myself again and ground myself as this new improved person,away from here…and from him. Once I had found the path I needed, I could return and make those connections with him again. “If I did do this, I wouldn’t be that far away—just a phone call. You know that, and Fire Mountain Ranch needs you.”

“That’s why you have to open that email back up and accept the position at any placement available,” West cut in sharply, his gaze narrowed and darkened, making my breath hitch at the sight. “This is your chance, Ashton. Take it while you can. Fire Mountain Ranch will never disappear. Maisie and I will still be here, waiting for you once you have qualified, but this opportunity won’t be.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I’ve never been more sure in anything,” West assured me. “I’ll tell Maisie later for you and sort out goodbye drinks at Brown Bear Ridge with either Carlson or Brock. Just make sure you complete those forms.” He pulled his hand away from mine and pushed himself to stand. “Better get myself back to work. See you later, man.”

I’m not ashamed to admit that it felt strange to be the last person walking into the Brown Bear Ridge for the night, knowing I’d be greeted by a group of people filling the bar, all awaiting my arrival. Normally, I’d be the first one in the place, setting up the drinks and, more importantly, the line of shots, having a laugh with the guys as they chased their tails after having forgotten about the whole arrangement for the night. It just wouldn’t be the same again after tonight, but I had no other option.

I’d played this game too many times, having arranged the goodbye shots for many members from Fire Mountain Ranch who were ready to move on. So much so, that the guys at BrownBear Ridge were confused if I wasn’t in at least some time during the month. It showed why they were uncertain who they were sending off, and when, at times, to be honest. With being situated in the small, secluded town of Ashwood, Montana, without much interaction from the other towns nearby, you basically ended up having to get used to being in each other's business. I just don’t think Carlson, Brock, West, Maisie, or any of the other guys, ever imagined I’d be the one saying goodbye to my hometown.

It had come to a time, though, when I had to and had no other choice…

In some ways, West seeing that email had actually pushed my hand and made the decision that little bit easier for me. I’d somehow lost control of myself and my inhibitions and was unsure how to a handle on them.

I’d become intoxicated with West’s best friend Maisie and hoped that maybe, just maybe, the two of us being together could be the stability in my life I needed, but the spark that she insisted was there for her didn’t exist for me.

Not like it did for someone else… Not like it did for how I thought about West.

“Come on, man, drink it!” West shouted as he slammed the glass of Fireball in front of me. “That’ll warm you up.” He smirked, slapping me on the back before grabbing two more and walking across the room, passing one to Carlson with a large cheer igniting from his mouth.

I downed the shot, looking over at him and Carlson as they clinked their glasses together and threw back their own drinks. My gaze wanted to be continuously locked on his body, trailing it up and down, trying to secure it in my memory, especially how each muscle peaked and tensed when he flexed his muscles without even knowing he was doing so. But I had to tear it away and scour the room or I’d raise some tough and hard questionsto answer if someone caught who had my attention. I mean, that’s the problem with such a small place; no one can keep your business out of their life. They needed to step right onto that stage and be the centre of all the action, waiting to be handed a carton of popcorn and a pat on the back as thanks for the heads up. My eyes landed on Maisie and Brock as they laughed and talked away in the corner of the room, and I shook my head at the irony, knowing the conversations I’d been garnered with during our short but intimate relationship had consisted of Brock.

It didn’t stop my realization of coming to the surface about West, though. How lately, I had been seeing him in a different light, which had led to more confusion than I wanted to admit. The more time I spent around the man was making it harder to hide and deal with.

How could I go from wanting a woman to a man, but not just any man—my boss and best friend?

This was the only way I could think of having my future and giving him and the others who mean something to me one too.

“Right, let’s get this party started… Is anyone else having another round?” I shouted across the bar, slamming my hand on the table. “What about Sambuca?”

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