Page 1 of Demolishing with the Mountain Man
CHAPTER ONE
Zale
I wipedmy brow with the back of my hand before pulling another weed out. These things came with a vengeance, ready to take over my garden at a moment’s notice.
“Phew.” I said as I got to my feet and surveyed the yard. It was a lot of work keeping the garden and lawn tended to, but I enjoyed it. Enjoyed the feel of the sun on my back and the reward of seeing a nice-looking yard surrounding my cabin.
“Grass is looking good, Zale.” My neighbor from next door, Bill, called from where he stood in his driveway.
“Hey! Thanks Bill!” I waved and smiled, happy to see a friendly face. I loved my neighbors. Since moving in five years ago, I’ve gotten to know everyone on the street. It becomes like your community, trusted neighbors you could rely on when needed. “The fertilizer you suggested worked great. Thanks again for the tip.”
“Anytime, pal. I’ve got some firewood for you in the back. Help yourself to it whenever you’d like.”
“Awesome, thanks. It’s like you read my mind. I thought about building a fire tonight. Perfect weather for it.”
“Yeah, get it in before the rain comes tomorrow. See you around.” Bill waved before getting in his car. He loved to give me firewood. His son dropped off piles and piles to him every week, having lots of extra from his job as a lumberjack. Bill insisted he’d never use it all and it was his way of paying me back for helping him around his cabin. As he told me often, he’s not a handy person, but a paper pusher.
Across the street, a family lived and on the other side of me was an older woman who lived alone. It was a pretty quiet neighborhood, for being near each other. I’d thought about renting a cabin in the woods, no one else around for miles, like so many do on the mountain, but I’d miss being around people.
I wanted to socialize and help each other out. Community was important to me.
A loud bang echoed through the air, and my head turned toward the sound.
“Shit!” A woman stood on the front lawn of the cabin last on the dead street, a lawnmower next to her. I squinted my eyes for a better look. I hadn’t realized someone had moved into that cabin. It sat empty for quite a while. It needed repairs, but it seemed like whoever owned the place couldn’t afford them.
I stepped forward, needing a better look, and found myself walking towards her. I watched as she tried to start the lawn mower once more, yanking on the string again and again. But the engine only sputtered.
“Hey!” I called as I got closer. She turned her head towards me, her eyes wide, her eyebrows lifted. “Do you need any help?”
She didn’t answer, yet continued watching me as I jogged towards her, stopping when I reached the end of her driveway.
Before I said another word, I drank her in from head to toe. Tight leggings hugged her curves, her ass perfectly round andplump, her hips thick and womanly. A cropped top showed off her stomach and small waist, leading up to her ample breasts. Hazel brown eyes and light brown hair brought out the beauty of her olive-colored skin, dotted with freckles.
“I’m your neighbor. Name’s Zale. I live a few cabins down. I don’t mind helping you start the mower. Sometimes they can be a little tricky.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got it.”
She tried again to start the mower and again, it didn’t work.
“Ugh! What the hell!” She threw her hands in the air.
“You probably need to prime it first.”
“Prime it? What the hell does that mean?”
I chuckled. “Here, I’ll show you.”
I walked over to her and the mower. A light lavender scent mixed in with the scent of grass hit my nose. My insides spun, unsure why this one woman had such an effect on me.
Who was she?
“There’s gas in it, right?” I asked, keeping my tone light and friendly.
“Yes. I filled it up before I started.”
“Okay, so to prime it, you see this button here?” I pointed to a small red button next to the gas cap. “Press it four or five times, wait a few seconds, and then yank the shit out of the string.”
She finally cracked a smile, but it didn’t last long. “What did you say your name was again? Zale?”
