Page 4 of Devoted Mountain Man

I hesitated. I didn’t want to be rude.

“Young?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“I wrote my first book in college as part of a class assignment. It was a short story, but once I started, it was clear it was going to be anything but short. I was lucky enough to get a book deal out of it.”

“Sounds like you were talented, not lucky,” I said.

She shrugged and took another sip of beer. As she lowered the bottle again, she said, “There’s plenty of really talented authors just waiting for book deals. It’s a bit of timing and luck. I just happened to hit when publishers were looking for the type of books I write.”

I didn’t believe that for a second, but I had a feeling she wasn’t going to be swayed. So I let it stand.

“So, you have writer’s block?” I asked.

She nodded and sighed. “I guess it’s a term everyone knows—even non-writers. I thought getting away from the city would help clear my mind.”

She lived in the city. Did that mean she was from far away? Why was I hoping that wasn’t the case? It wasn’t like I was looking for a relationship or anything.

“What city?” I asked.

“Boone.”

Oh. That wasn’t far away at all. I’d never been there, but it was relatively close to Seduction Summit.

“So, what’s the story with the dog?” she asked, gesturing down at Gigi, who she’d been petting with her right hand while holding the beer bottle in her left. Gigi had curled into a ball—half on, half off her lap—and was fast asleep.

“She was my ex’s dog,” I said, staring at the adorable little mutt. “We were living together on base. Apparently, she bought this dog while I was overseas. When I came back, she told me she’d fallen in love with someone else. I guess she thought the dog was a good consolation prize.”

I spoke the words in a flat tone. No emotion whatsoever.

The truth was, it hadn’t surprised me one bit that Jeana had broken things off. We’d never really gotten along. But I liked the stability that came with being in a relationship.

“Was she?” Vanessa asked.

The question left me beyond confused. I tried to recall what I’d said about my ex. Nothing I could remember fit the question.

“Was she what?” I finally asked.

“A good consolation prize.”

Oh. Vanessa was talking about Gigi. I lowered my gaze and immediately felt that rush of warmth that spread through me when I looked at the adorable little furball.

“Best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I said. And I meant it.

But the truth was, I wanted more of that. I wanted to look at a woman—maybe even a child of mine someday—and feel this overwhelming sense of love. I just didn’t want to fall into another relationship where things weren’t quite right.

“That’s sweet,” she said. “And you live here permanently?”

I nodded. “A military buddy told me about this place. He got me on one of the logging crews. It’s a great gig. And you can’t beat living in the mountains.”

“You can’t.” She shook her head. “I should be able to find plenty of inspiration around here.”

“But you write thrillers. Maybe you need to be somewhere dark and dangerous.”

“Like in the middle of the woods in a cabin away from everyone?” She laughed. “My next book is supposed to be set in the woods. She’s on her honeymoon. Gradually, though, it becomes clear her husband isn’t who she thought he was. That’s my idea, anyway.”

I took another swig of beer as I watched her. She lit up as she talked about her book. I wondered if she realized that.

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