Page 8 of Runaway for the Mountain Man
Seems like a short time to get hurt so many times.
Turning back toward him, I see the tension in his shoulders. It’s like he’s bracing for something. What could he be waiting for?
I get my answer with the furrow of his brows.
“That’s all you want to know, how long I served?”
“I mean…” Stirring under his gaze, the weight behind his words feels like my body is being pushed down. “If you wanted me to know, you’d tell me yourself. I shouldn’t have to pressure you by asking. Plus, it’s not really fair for me to learn all this stuff about you while you are clueless about me.”
Even if I am really curious, all the signs that he doesn’t want to talk about it are there.
“Unless…” Pausing, a smile slowly crawls to my face. “Wecoulduse this as a way to get to know each other. Not like there is anything else fun to do around here, no offense.”
The tension in his shoulders eases slightly, and he moves to rub the back of his neck. “So what, twenty questions?”
From his tone, it sounds like a bad idea. I think it’s a great idea.
I want to know as much as I can about this guy. He looks like he got pulled straight out of a nature magazine, and I want to know why he doesn’t already have a girlfriend or wife roaming these halls.
Unless the women in this small town are blind, they should be flocking up here when the weather isn’t awful.
“What else do we have to do to pass the time? I can ask some questions, and you can do the same.” Moving my hands to my hips, my mouth curves bigger, and my grin grows confident. “I can say that I’m an interesting person, so it’s an even trade.”
He snorts, causing my smile to grow. Even if he doesn’t believe me, I know my baggage has some weight behind it.
What’s the risk in complaining to someone? Hell, maybe we can offer each other a therapy session with our stack of problems.
Satisfied with the state of the fire, he moves to sit down, shifting like he can’t get comfortable. “Can’t say I’m not curious about you. I suppose that’ll be fine. Better than just telling you everything and having a pity party thrown right after.”
“Hey, we all have baggage in one form or another. Just… don’t feel obligated to answer if it makes you uncomfortable, okay?”
Following him, I take the cushion at his side. I lean toward him without thinking, brushing against his arm. “You can go first.”
He grunts, and his body relaxes. “Where are you from?”
Easy start. “Born in California. Thanks to my mother’s career, I grew up in Los Angeles for the most part. What about you?”
“Right here in Montana. Didn’t come to Willowbrook Ridge until after I got discharged. Heard the mountains here were the best place to find some peace.” His knee bounces. “Why did you run from your fiancé?”
Groaning, I’d hoped he’d start making his way toward finding out about me, not about the mess I left behind.
“I’d hardly call him that. We’re more acquaintances than anything. I ran because I didn’t like him. Can’t have a happy marriage if we can’t even hit a bar that low.”
“So you won’t be returning to him? Even if he tries to hunt you down?” His brows furrow deep.
Instead of scolding him for asking two questions in a row, I let out a laugh. “Trust me, he’s the kind of man who’d get mud on his Oxfords and have a meltdown. No thanks.”
His frown softens, and his lips part like he’s ready to fire out another question. Guess we’re both too curious for our own good.
“Why aren’tyoumarried?” Spitting out the question in a rush, it comes out far rougher than I’d like. “I mean, you’re a good-looking older man. I’d expect someone in your shoes would’ve tried settling down.”
“Haven’t met the right woman.” The answer comes instantly. He stares ahead, his face stoic. “Stopped looking a couple of years ago. Didn’t thinkthe onewould be on the mountain anyway.”
Disappointment shifts around in my chest, and a little voice in the back of my mind wants to know if he’d be willing to start looking again anytime soon, specifically, while I’m on it.
What a strange thought. At the same time, I can feel the formation of hope building in my chest. Before it grows too big, I crush it down with a reality check.
He won’t want someone like me. My life isn’t silent and peaceful. It’s bright and blinding. Chaos.
