Page 6 of Adored By the Mountain Man

“You’ll be able to handle everything,” he says as if it’s no big deal.

“How can you be so sure?”

He sets down his mug and looks me straight in the eye. “Because you care enough to worry about it. The ones who mess up are usually the ones who think they’ve got it all figured out. The ones who don’t even worry at all.”

Something warm unfurls in my chest at his words. “I’ve never looked at it like that. Thank you.”

He runs a hand through his beard. “I’ve got a suggestion, though.”

“Okay, tell me.”

“A practice run. Just you and me, overnight. We’ll set up camp, go through the basic routines, work out any kinks before the kids arrive.” He pauses. “Think of it as a dress rehearsal. Tomorrow.”

My heart skips another beat, but I try to keep my voice steady. “That’s a good idea.”

A whole night camping with Harlan. Just the two of us under the stars. I take a sip of coffee to hide the fact that I’m probably grinning like an idiot.

“Perfect,” I finally manage. “What should I expect?”

His mouth quirks up in what mightalmostbe a smile. “Expect to learn why city folk shouldn’t play in the woods without supervision. We’ll head out to Lake Hartley. It’s the perfect spot. Close enough to bail when there’s real danger, remote enough to learn a few things when the going gets tough. I’m thinking about teaching these kids all kinds of skills here at Camp Evergreen base camp before taking them on an overnight camping trip to Lake Hartley.”

Wow. He’s thought all of this through already? I figured he hated the idea of helping me, but he’s putting in a lot of effort for someone who was opposed to the idea just yesterday.

“What should I bring?” I ask.

“Pack like you would for the kids. One night, basic supplies. I’ll bring my own gear.” He stands, and suddenly, the kitchen feels smaller with him taking up so much space. “Meet me at the trailhead tomorrow at four.”

“Four in the morning?”

“Afternoon. We’ll hike in at sunset, make camp in the dark. That’s when most people make their biggest mistakes. It’s the best way to learn, right? Failing and getting up again.”

“Great. I’ll be there.”

He heads toward the door, then pauses and looks back at me. “Callie?”

“Yeah?”

“Wear layers. Even though it’s summer and sweltering outside, it gets cold by the lake at night.”

And then he’s gone, leaving me standing in my kitchen with the lingering scent of pine and something distinctly masculine that makes me want to follow him outside and beg him never to leave my side again. Instead, I grab my phone and dial Fern.

“He wants to take me camping,” I say the moment she picks up.

“Hello to you too. And by camping, you mean…?”

“I mean camping. Overnight. At a mountain lake. Just the two of us.” I run to the window and watch his truck disappear.

“Oh, honey. You are in so much trouble.”

All I can do is agree with her. I’m definitely in trouble.

Chapter Four

Harlan

What have I gotten myself into? This was supposed to be simple. Help Callie out with Camp Evergreen, collect my pay, and disappear back into the mountains where I belong. Instead, I’m anxiously waiting until she shows up for our camping practice run, excited about the prospect of spending a whole evening, night, and morning with her.

The sound of tires on gravel breaks through my thoughts. Her car rounds the bend, and I catch sight of Callie through the windshield. My chest does something I haven’t felt since the accident. Since before everything went to shits.

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