Page 2 of Tempted By the Mountain Man
I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember and I knew that I wanted to do something involving books as a career since I was just a little kid. I thought maybe it would be as a librarian or something, but then when I was in high school, I tutored some freshmen and edited their papers. I loved it and I knew then that I wanted to be an editor.
I graduated and was lucky enough to land a job right away. I thought that all of my dreams were about to come true, but these last few years, well, things just haven’t been how I thought they were going to be.
The publishing industry isn’t as drama free or exciting as I once thought it would be. I’m sick of being forced to work on projects that I’m not passionate about. I’m tired of dealing with managers and higher-ups that don’t take me or my ideas seriously. I’m just done with being miserable.
After this week though, that’s all going to change. I’m going to come up with a plan, a way to get me out of this rut that I’ve been in.
I back away from the bookshelf and continue my lap around the living room. I’m admiring some figurines on the fireplace, smiling at the kitschy fish statue when a light flashes over me. I frown, turning back to the front windows just as a pair of headlights flash through the glass panes and I freeze, wondering who that could be.
TWO
Amos
“Letme just find you the keys,” Sally says as she shuffles some papers around on her desk. “They should be around here somewhere.”
I nod, waiting patiently as she searches the mess that is her desk. I knew that she wasn’t the most organized as soon as I walked into the rental agency office. I mean, she’s got a pair of glasses on her nose and another sitting on top of her head.
“Here they are!” she says victoriously and I smile, holding my hand out for her to drop them into my palm.
“Thanks.”
“Of course. Now, you know the address, right, dear?”
“Yep, I’ve got it,” I say as I rise to my feet.
“Sorry about the delay. My husband is sick, and normally he takes care of this side of the business. It’s been a bit mad around here the last few weeks.”
“I hope he feels better soon,” I say honestly and she nods, waving me off.
“Oh, he’s already on the rebound. Thank you, dear.”
I smile, waving at her one more time before I head out to my truck. Sally is right behind me and I know that she’s headed home too. It’s getting late and quite a few of the shops in this small town are closing for the night.
I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life, but I only recently moved to Maple Bend. Well, actually, I don’t think that I can say that I have officially moved since my house isn’t quite done yet. Hence why I’m renting a cabin for the next two weeks up in Honey Peak. I’ll be close enough to check on the construction progress but still have my own place. I’d hate to have to live in a hotel or something for the next two weeks.
The sun is starting to set over the water as I hop into my truck and head to the nearby grocery store. The Maple Bend Market is dead at this time of night, and I grab a few things. I can grab some more groceries or takeout later, so I just get the necessities right now. Some things for breakfast and to throw some sandwiches together for lunch tomorrow.
By that time I’m back on the road and headed up the mountain to my rental cabin. Maple Bend is only half an hour from Honey Peak and the cabin, but by the time I pull up out front, the sun has already set.
I can’t get a good view of the location, but what I do notice is the car already parked in the drive and the lights burning bright in the house.
I frown as I park, wondering if the cleaning crew could still be here or if maybe Sally’s husband is here to check on something. She didn’t mention anyone being out here, but she seemed a little disorganized, so she might have just not remembered.
I climb out of the truck, grabbing the keys for the cabin as I head for the front door, but I don’t need them. The front door is unlocked and I open the door, my feet grinding to a halt when I see the beauty standing in the living room.
She’s the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen in my life. Her big blue eyes are wide with surprise and my heart lodges somewhere in my throat at the sight of her. I swallow hard, my eyes lowering to take in her soft stomach. I love the way her waist nips in before it flares out to her wide hips. She’s got the kind of body that a man can hold on to and I can’t help but picture it now.
I don’t know what this is, this visceral reaction that I have toward the sight of her but my gut, hell, every fiber of my being is telling me that this girl is meant to be mine. I’m sure of it. I’ve just found the other half of my soul.
“Marry me,” I blurt out and she blinks, a surprised laugh leaving her perfect lips.
“Can I help you?” she asks a little warily and I nod, giving her my most charming smile. I want her to feel comfortable and at ease with me.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” I ask her and she glances at the open door behind me and then back to my face.
“What are you doing here?”
“I rented this cabin for the next few weeks. I just picked up the keys from the company,” I say, the keys dangling from my fingers.
