Page 11 of Seduced By the Mountain Man

By six-thirty, I was at the activities center, methodically checking equipment for the day's hike like my life depended on it. Water bottles. First aid kit. Trail maps. Anything to keep my hands busy and my mind off her.

Matt strolled in whistling, looking annoyingly well-rested despite having "shown Amber the night trails" until the early hours.

"Morning, boss." His cheerful greeting grated on my sleep-deprived nerves. "Perfect day for Mount Lookout, huh?"

I grunted something noncommittal as I checked the straps on a backpack for the third time.

"You okay?" Matt's brows furrowed. "You look like you got hit by a truck."

"I'm fine." I straightened, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension. "Just didn't sleep well. How was your... trail tour?"

His face lit up. "Amber's amazing. We're meeting up again tonight after the resort activities."

"Just be on time for the kayak prep tomorrow," I said, more sharply than intended.

"Yes, sir." Matt's grin didn't falter as he started organizing trail snacks. "By the way, Ruth was asking about the Fourth of July events. Wants to make sure we're prepared for the stargazing session and night hike."

"We'll be ready," I said, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. "I need you to check the headlamps today. Half of them were flickering during the last night hike."

"On it." He paused, watching me too carefully. "Everything really okay? You seem... off."

I exhaled slowly. "Just got some things on my mind."

Matt seemed about to press further but thankfully dropped it when Ruth appeared at the door.

"Morning, gentlemen." The resort owner's silver hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, her weathered face creased in a smile. "Weather report looks clear for your hike, but there might be a brief shower rolling through mid-afternoon. Pack extra rain ponchos."

"Already on it," I assured her, grateful for the distraction.

"Good." She lingered in the doorway. "Jace, a word?"

I followed her outside, the mountain air crisp in my lungs.

"I noticed some tension with one of our guests yesterday," Ruth said without preamble. "The brunette from the lakeside cabin. Previous acquaintance?"

I should have known Ruth would notice. The woman missed nothing.

"Old friend," I said carefully. "From back home."

Ruth's knowing eyes saw right through me. "Just make sure whatever's happening doesn't interfere with the guest experience. That said..." A hint of a smile curved her lips. "Sometimes the best things in life require taking a chance."

Before I could respond, she was already walking away, leaving me to wonder how transparent my feelings for Delaney really were.

***

By nine o'clock, the hiking group had assembled by the trailhead. Fifteen guests in various states of outdoor readiness, from seasoned hikers in proper boots to city slickers in brand-new everything.

Delaney and her friends arrived last, Whitney complaining loudly about the "ungodly hour" while Kayla quietly adjusted herbackpack straps with practiced efficiency. Amber immediately broke off to flirt with Matt.

And then there was Delaney.

She wore hiking shorts that showcased those long legs, a moisture-wicking tank top under an open plaid shirt, and her chestnut hair pleated into a thick braid. No makeup, just a light sweep of sunscreen across her nose and cheeks, highlighting those freckles I'd always found so damn appealing.

Our eyes locked for a brief moment before she deliberately turned away, focusing intently on adjusting her hat. The message was clear: that kiss didn't happen.

A bitter echo of my own text from six months ago.

I cleared my throat, silencing the chatter. "Welcome to the Mount Lookout trail. It's a moderate hike, about four miles round trip, with some elevation gain. The views are worth it—on a clear day like today, you can see three mountain ranges and the entire lake."

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