Page 1 of Kissing My Mountain Man

ChapterOne

LANDRY

With each mile we drive out of the city, the scenic view around us is ever-changing. The vibrant colors of the leaves are beginning to fade, and I’m ready for the new season—crisp, clean air, warm cozy sweaters, and hearty soups to feed my body and soul.

“Seriously, Landry,” Bellamy, my friend, and a fellow graduate student, says from the driver’s seat. “I can’t tell if you’re just excited to get there or you really have to pee.”

“Sorry.” I slip my hands under my thighs to try and still the excitement mounting inside me. “I’ve waited a long time for this—practically a lifetime.”

Since I was a little girl and found the name Clara Bishop in my social studies book in second grade, I’ve been consumed with wanting to learn everything I could about my four-times great aunt.

Clara lived out on the frontier in the late 1800s and defied all societal norms that were placed on women during this time. She was fiercely independent, one of the best sharpshooters in the territory, and she famously documented her life in her journals.

I’ve felt a connection with her that has crossed over a century I could never truly explain, but I feel like I know her. So much so that she’s the catalyst in my thesis for graduate school. And this weekend is the first time I’m getting to visit the historic site of her homestead on Bishop’s Ridge in Woodland National Park.

I glance out the passenger window and watch as the lush mountain range grows with each passing minute. If it weren’t for the road we’re driving on right now, it would look like we’ve stepped back in time over a hundred years ago to the pristine, untouched land of the American Frontier. The dense foliage of the trees makes it hard to see the rugged terrain that I’ll have to trek to see the place where Clara spent most of her life.

The pull to visit this place has always been strong, and it’s taken me years to get the permission I need to visit it. But with the help of my roommate Devrie, I now have a ranger who will be guiding me up the mountain and the backing of my university to be there.

“How many cups of coffee did you drink this morning?” Bellamy asks.

Pointing to the empty cup in the cup holder between our seats, I say, “Just the one.”

“Are you sure about that?” She eyes my knees as they bounce with anticipation.

“I can’t help it. This is such an amazing opportunity.”

“You’ve only been talking about coming up here since the day I met you.” Bellamy chuckles beside me, not taking her eyes off the winding road ahead of us. “I’m just glad it’s finally happening for you. Now maybe you’ll shut up about it.”

“The jokes on you in this scenario.” I laugh, knowing she’s only kidding. “I’m going to have so much more to tell you when I get back.”

“In that case.” Bellamy pushes on the brakes. “I think we should turn back.”

“Too late.” I point at the sign ahead that reads—Welcome to Woodlands National Park.

We drive in silence as we enter the park. I think Bellamy is giving me this time to take in everything I can of this place I’ve dreamed of visiting since I was a little girl. Every tree and rock formation we pass, I wonder if Clara saw the same ones when she traveled west and settled in this area.

“Who’s the ranger that’s going to take you up the mountain?” Bellamy asks.

“He’s my roommate’s brother.” I pull out the slip of paper from my pocket with his information that Devrie scribbled out for me. “His name is Denny Martin.”

“I bet he’s some bearded wild man who hunts his own food and claims he can talk to animals,” she smirks.

“He’s a national parks ranger.” I flash her a skeptical look. “I doubt he looks anything like the recluse you’re describing.”

“I don’t know. My dad loves watching those reality shows about people living in the wild and looking a lot like Bigfoot.”

“Are you really bringing up Bigfoot when I’m about to go hiking in the woods?”

“Just remember, he’s probably more afraid of you than you are of it.”

“I swear if you weren’t my ride right now,” I grumble as she chuckles next to me.

“All jokes aside, I’m happy you finally get to check out this place.”

“Thanks again for driving me out here,” I say. “After my car broke down last year, I didn’t bother replacing it because it costs a fortune to park in the city.”

“No worries.” Bellamy turns down a dirt road that leads to the ranger station. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

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