Page 21 of The Mountain Man's Unexpected Bride
"I need to take this, Savannah. It's the search and rescue team."
He picks up and walks over to his office for some privacy. I see the stupid contract on the floor and pick it up, tearing it into a million little pieces. I don't know if that will make a difference or not, but it certainly made me feel better.
After a few minutes, Brock comes back to the living room. He looks devastated, but resigned. I don't know why I even care.
"I need to go help the SAR team. I don't know how long I'll be away. Will you please wait for me so I can explain?"
I'm not sure if I nod or not. All I know is that I walk with tears in my eyes towards my bedroom and close the door behind me. I slide down the door until my butt hits the floor and just let the tears roll down my face as if it was a waterfall.
The next few hours are excruciating as I try to figure out what to do. Thankfully, Erika gave me her number, so I dial that now with the phone the traitor gave me. The phone rings a few times, then she picks up.
"Savannah? Is everything okay?"
"Not really. Can you talk?"
"Of course. What is wrong and what can I do to help?"
"I just found the contract Brock had with the mail-order agency. It's for a temporary fiancé, no strings attached, for the duration of six months."
"Temporary?"
"Yes."
I hear her muffled words as if she's covering the phone and talking to someone else. Fletcher, I imagine. When she comes back to me, I've already decided I've got to leave this mountain.
"Do you want me to come pick you up? You can stay here with us."
"I want to get as far away from this mountain as I can, Erika."
"I get it. I think I know where you can go. I can take you in the morning. Will that be okay with you? Where's Brock?"
"He left for a search and rescue thingy. I don't know when he'll be back. I appreciate your help. I'll be ready in the morning, just come get me."
"Don't worry. I've got you."
As soon as I close the connection, I start bawling my eyes out again. I lie down in a fetal position on my bed and wonder what will become of me. I knew this perfect life with Brock wasn't real. I should have trusted my instincts.
It takes me hours and a small battle with myself over whether or not I should accept anything Brock bought me, but in the end, I realize I need all of this to give me a new chance in life. My heart breaks. I love him, and I never told him.
Truly, he doesn't deserve words of love from me. My heart aches when I think of never seeing him again, but I have to look out for myself. When morning comes, I'm all packed and ready to go. Erika is on time, and I get in her car, trying to keep myself in check.
"You okay, friend?"
"I will be. Thank you for doing this for me."
I'm quiet during the entire ride, but when we arrive at Woodland Falls, I realize why it's a true Christmas town. It's not even fall, and everything reminds you of the Christmas season. We pass in front of a huge store that seems to sell everything Christmas, all the time, and I wonder if I'll spend my first paycheck buying stuff from there.
When we get to Over the Roast, we park in front, and Sam comes to meet us outside the shop. She's fun and friendly, and we sit down for coffee. She made a surprise blend just for me, and we take the time to get to know one another until she has to officially open the shop.
A part of my heart is breaking, but another is happy that I'm making friends. It's the start of something – whatever that is – and it makes my heart sing. All I have to do is get over the love of my life.
Chapter 10
Brock
It took us two days to locate the missing hiker and then another half day to return to the house. No, not the house —home. My luxury cabin in the woods got upgraded from house to home the moment I chose Savannah to be my fiancé.
I'm weary, tired, and dirty when I go inside. Everything is eerily silent, and I grow anxious as I search each room for her, the woman I love. She's nowhere to be found, and I start to panic. There's no note telling me where she went, and her clothes and suitcase are gone.
