Page 9 of Lonely in Misty Mountain

After we bundledup and cleaned off Kaiden’s truck while warming up the engine, we climbed inside and blasted the heat. Junie sat between us, and she liked my cold cheeks with her cold tongue. “Aw, Junie gives the best kisses.” I snuggled up close to her and she licked me more.

Kaiden laughed. “You smell goodandtaste good. Junie’s got great taste just like her dad.” He winked and shivers ran through me.

Even though we just met last night, it felt like I’d known him forever, the vibe between us comfortable and never awkward or weird. Did Miss Lila secretly know what she was doing when she spoke to me about him?

Honestly, I’ll have to thank her. Because the quiet mountain man wasn’t so quiet around me. He may not advertise his secret love for books around town but the way his entire face lit up when he showed me his library told me all that I needed to know. His passion for books was just as strong as mine.

And the way he comforted me when I spoke about my parents blew me away. I didn’t tell many people about my painful memories, and certainly not any guys I dated. But with Kaiden it was different. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted us to share our deepest, darkest secrets, and a part of me was scared shitless. Scared to be vulnerable, scared to let someone in, but if I were to let anyone in, it would be him.

“You ready for an adventure?” Kaiden’s question interrupted my thoughts.

“You bet.”

“Alright, first, we’ll do my driveway, then the dirt road. The main roads should be plowed, but I have regular clients I take care of, then I help out the town as well. Including the lot at Evergreen Books & Trinkets.”

“Let’s get it!” I clapped my hands excitedly which caused Junie to lick my face again. “I’ve never seen so much snow, never mind drive around in it!”

Kaiden laughed. “You’re too fucking cute.”

I batted my eyelashes. “Take me away, tour guide.”

“You got it.”

It was fun watching Kaiden expertly navigate the snow, plowing it away easily, his truck driving down the slick snow-covered roads without a hitch.

We spent the day plowing out lot after lot, road after road, stopping twice to let Junie out to go the bathroom.

Kaiden plowed the lot of Evergreen Books & Trinkets, the Pine & Petal Café, the Rusty Elk Tavern, and the Misty Mountain General Store. I had yet to try out the restaurants but had popped in the store from time to time, the older gentleman who ran it a big help with locating items in the store.

“Jack Gregory runs the store, he’s a great guy. Kind, helpful. Clara owns the cafe and her husband, Hank, owns the tavern. All great people and great food.”

“You’ll have to take me one day.”

“Are you asking me out on a date, Harper?”

I grinned sheepishly. “Maybe…”

“I’d be honored to. When the snow melts, I’ll take you to the Misty Mountain Lookout. Gorgeous views, especially during sunrise or sunset.”

“I bet. This town itself is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it bloom during spring.”

“You’re in for a treat.”

Around lunch time, Kaiden stopped back at his cabin where he fixed us a lunch of BLT sandwiches with potato chips on the side before we went back to plowing for the rest of the afternoon, leaving Junie behind this round.

When the sun began to set, I told Kaiden my address and he drove me to my cottage. A huge part of me didn’t want the day to end but there was my cat to think about and laundry waiting for me. I could also use a hot shower.

“Thanks for today, Kaiden. I had a great time. And for last night.”

“Anytime sweetheart. I had a nice time, too.”

Kaiden walked me to my door and wrapped his muscular arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth.

“When are you scheduled to work again?” He asked.

“In a couple of days.”

“Then I guess I’ll be seeing you sooner rather than later considering your car is still parked in my driveway.”

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