Page 1 of Saved By the Mountain Man

1

RAE

The bus hissed to a stop, and I stood, my legs stiff from the long ride. I grabbed my worn duffel bag and shuffled down the narrow aisle, brushing past strangers who smelled of sweat and stale fast food.

I pushed my long hair out of my face—it wasn’t necessary to hide my features so much anymore. I was far enough away from danger that I could let out at least one breath.

Montana’s chilly air slapped me in the face as I stepped off the bus, and I shivered.

Right. Silver Ridge was the place I’d chosen to hide, a safe house from way back in my past. The only reason he wouldn’t find me here was that it went further back than that. It was a part of my past that Jethro hadn’t been a part of.

He would hate to know I’d had secrets from him. He was so controlling. But if I didn’t have secrets, I wouldn’t have safety.

I trudged into the small town and glanced around. I’d been here once before, in a different time, a different life.

Nothing had changed. This place was the same as it had always been: stuck in time.

God, I wished I could go back in time, too.

I wished I could have gone back to the time when things were simpler and I thought that love was enough.

Whatever. I rolled my eyes at myself and my naïveté. I should have known better, but it took me damn long to learn my lessons, apparently.

That was the definition of madness, wasn’t it? Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

Whispering Pines Inn loomed ahead, a rustic building with faded paint and a sign that creaked in the breeze. It had to be one of the first buildings built in this town, the kind of place that screamed small-town charm and whispered secrets.

It was the perfect place to disappear for a while.

I pushed through the heavy wooden door, a little bell jingling above me.

The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the biting cold outside.

I glanced around, checking corners, checking waiting areas, making note of who was around and how easy it would be for me to get out of I had to.

Shit could hit the fan at any moment.

Besides a receptionist and a janitor sweeping in rhythmic motions, the inn was quiet.

The lobby smelled of pine and old books. It was a smell that made me feel at home, even when I was nothing but.

Behind the counter stood a woman with long auburn hair tied back and a calm, composed aura. Her name tag read Laura Bennett and when I approached, she looked up and smiled. “Welcome to Whispering Pines. Can I help you?”

“I need a room,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. I didn’t want to sound desperate. I was just a tourist, here to rest my weary bones. That’s what I needed her to believe.

“Of course,” she said and glanced at a large book. “I have a room—

“Something quiet and out of the way,” I interrupted.

Laura glanced up at me, her eyes locking on mine.

“All our rooms are quiet. We pride ourselves on the kind of rooms where you can really rest.”

“I need something… away from people.” I took a deep breath to steady myself. Laura studied my face, clearly trying to gauge me, but I kept my expressionless mask in place. I didn’t need to raise any questions, to get more attention than was normal for a traveler arriving at night.

She looked at the book again. Laura’s brow furrowed as she scanned the names. “We’re pretty full, but let me see what we have.”

I waited, my throat thick, and I fought the urge to look over my shoulder. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Jethro’s icy gaze was still on me, burning into my back. Even here, miles away from everything I knew. I needed to stay hidden, to blend into the background until I could figure out my next move.

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