Page 10 of Broken Mountain Man

"You know what? Never mind. Let's just eat."

"Gladly," I say coolly, turning around and heading back towards the kitchen area.

Upon re-entering the kitchen, the sizzle and savory smells of whatever simple meal Russell had started greet us. For a long stretch, we work in silence—him finishing the cooking, me setting the battered table with some chipped plates and utensils I can find.

Finally, two heaping portions dished up, Russell breaks the quiet tension.

"Here, eat up." He slides one of the plates towards me as he takes a seat.

I eye the bland-looking mystery meal dubiously. "What is it?"

"Survivalist cuisine," he grunts, grabbing a mouthful. “You'd better get used to it if you want to make it out here."

Rolling my eyes, I take a begrudging bite, chewing slowly. It's...not entirely terrible, I suppose. Simple, but filling in a satisfying way. We lapse back into silence as we eat, the occasional clank of utensils on plates the only sound.

Eventually, I can't take the oppressive quiet anymore.

"You know, for someone who claims to be such a tough outdoorsman, you've got awfully thin skin."

Russell pauses mid-chew, "That so?"

"Oh yeah," I confirm, holding his gaze boldly. "All I did was point out your charming people skills, and you got all huffy. So much for being a grizzled, grumpy man." I add sarcastically.

His eyes narrow to slits, but he doesn't rise to my needling bait. Damn, if the man isn't at least consistent in his stubborn refusal to engage. Maybe I'm going about this the wrong way.

I lean back in my chair, studying him appraisingly, "You really don't get lonely out here all by yourself?"

Russell shrugs one broad shoulder.

"Got used to it, I guess."

"How long have you been living like this?" I ask, unable to hide my disbelief.

He pauses, brow furrowing slightly as he seems to calculate.

"More than five years, probably. I'm not really sure."

My jaw drops at his admission, "Wait, you're saying you seriously haven't talked to another human being in over five years?"

"I talk to people," he counters gruffly. "You know, idiots like you who get lost wandering through the woods they shouldn't be in."

I huff out an exasperated breath, "Alright, fair point. What I did was stupid, and I get that now."

To my surprise, instead of just leaving it at that, Russell leans back as well, eyeing me with newfound curiosity.

"Why'd you move out here to Sweetheart Falls anyway? You probably had more opportunities in any other place."

I blink, momentarily thrown by his interest.

"I love living in a small town, and although things didn’t work out in Pine Valley, I enjoyed living there. I’m not a city girl, to be honest. So, I happily took this new job opportunity."

He grunts in acknowledgment, seemingly waiting for me to continue. When I don't elaborate further, he prods, "But then you got fired from this job, right?"

Frowning, I nod slowly, "Yeah, about two months in. Apparently, I 'didn't have the right temperament' for the role." I shake my head ruefully. "Which is just corporate code for 'she didn't put up with our BS.'"

"Huh." Russell studies me appraisingly. "Can't see you as the type to just roll over and take crap from nobody."

I can't help but crack a wry grin at that.

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