Page 3 of Her Mountain Man Grump

She takes a step back the way she came. “I was just leaving…”

Her sweet voice sends a ripple of desperation through me.

“Wait.” I reach down to grab my sandwich, still in its wrappings. “You hungry? Got a steak sandwich here. Haven’t touched it.”

She pauses. I can see the longing in her eyes, the way she clutches her stomach like it’s paining her. Her dilemma is all too clear, and I can almost hear her brain whirring as she tries to decide what to do. A deep protective urge rises inside me as I watch her. I desperately want to take her back to my cabin and make sure she’s safe, but if I spook her, she’ll disappear as quickly as she came, like a deer bounding away through the trees.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “I’m not gonna hurt you. Just let me help.”

The forest seems to hold its breath as the girl searches my face, looking for any trace of danger. I keep my eyes on her, praying she can read my good intentions in my expression. The silence between us seems to last a lifetime, but finally, she takes a tentative step forward.

“Okay,” she says weakly. “Thank you.”

My heart leaps, but I keep my expression calm as the girl approaches. I hold out the sandwich and she takes it, her features melting with relief as she bites into it hungrily. She devours it like she hasn’t eaten for days.

Fuck, this angel really is in trouble…

I don’t usually feel this kind of concern for people. I make a rule of minding my own damn business and keeping to myself as much as possible. Hell, that’s why I moved out here—to be alone. But this beautiful redhead is stirring up something I’ve never felt before. Something deep and urgent.

I need to protect her.

Keep her safe.

Determination thrums through my veins as I watch her, noticing the way her hands tremble around the sandwich, her eyes darting around fearfully between bites. I don’t know who this girl is or what she’s running from. But whatever it is will have to go through me first.

3

EMMA

I wolf down the sandwich,too hungry to be self-conscious as the mountain man watches me intently, like he’s worried I’m about to run away. I considered it, especially when I first saw him looming out of the trees, a scowling giant with eyes like thunder. But my hunger won out despite my fear.

“What’s your name?” the man asks, his deep voice rumbling through me.

For a moment, I consider lying. I could give him a fake name—hide my identity. But somehow, that doesn’t feel right. My instinct is to tell him the truth.

“Emma.”

He nods. “I’m Brody.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, avoiding his gaze. Now really isn’t the time to be noticing how handsome he is.

“You need somewhere to stay, Emma?” he asks. “Someplace safe?”

The word ‘safe’ snags in my chest, and I swallow hard, forcing myself not to cry. But before I can figure out my answer, Brody continues, “I have an outbuilding not far from here. Been renovating it. It’s not finished yet, but it’s there if you want it.”

I force myself to look at him. Despite the permanent scowl on his face, there’s a gentleness in his eyes that makes my heart flutter. I want to trust this rugged stranger. I want to believe he can help me.

“Thank you for the offer,” I say quietly, “but I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t need your money. The place is just sitting there empty, not ready to be rented out yet. It’s not perfect, but the essentials are there.”

Hope flickers in my gut. I want to accept Brody’s offer, but my instinct is to be cautious. I know how dangerous it can be to owe people. To be dependent.

But I don’t know if I can face another night in my car.

“You’re sure?” I ask tentatively.

“Wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t.”

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