Page 23 of Saved By the Mountain Man

It was my best chance.

I turned in the direction of his cabin, my feet slipping in the mud. The wind lashed at me, the rain stinging my skin. The storm was relentless, a reminder of how quickly things could turn dangerous in the Montana mountains.

I slipped. Twice. I hit the ground hard, once so hard that my teeth clattered and my bones ached. My hands were raw, the skin chafed from the pine needles and rocks and my ankle hurt. I’d twisted it, but I couldn’t stop and worry about that now.

I had to keep going until I was safe from the storm that had turned into a beast all around me, howling, gnashing its teeth.

By the time I reached Tanner’s cabin, I was soaked to the skin, shivering uncontrollably. My ankle throbbed, and my palms burned. The cabin looked almost abandoned, with moss against the walls and leaves and pine needles covering the roof, but the windows were clean.

That had to mean something. I pounded on the door, my fists numb from the cold.

“Tanner! Tanner, are you there?”

The door flew open, and Tanner stood there, his eyes wide with surprise. “Rae? What the hell are you doing out here?” His eyes flitted to the storm behind me.

“I got caught in the storm,” I said, my teeth chattering. “I didn’t know where else to go.”

He grabbed my arm, pulled me inside, and shut the door. The storm was suddenly further away, the howling of the wind cocooning us in the cabin. I relished in the warmth inside after the freezing rain outside.

Tanner turned and faced me. His expression was difficult to read. His eyes were dark, his lips parted, and he had a wild look about him. But his eyes also held concern.

“You’re soaked,” he said. “Here, let me get you a towel.”

When I took a step forward, I winced.

“Are you hurt?”

“It’s just a sprain,” I said. “It’s nothing.”

“You’re bleeding.” He took my wrist and lifted my hand. My palms were raw and bloody.

“I fell.”

“I can see that,” Tanner said. His voice was dry. “Don’t move.”

I nodded, too cold to argue. He disappeared into another room and returned with a thick, fluffy towel. I took it gratefully, wrapping it around myself and trying to stop shivering. Tanner took me by the shoulders and helped me in front of a hearth where a small fire crackled, and I groaned when the heat wrapped around me, welcome.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice small.

He nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “You’re welcome.”

We stood there for a moment, the tension between us almost tangible. The storm raged outside, but in here, it was quiet, almost peaceful. I could feel the heat of the fire, the warmth starting to seep into my bones.

“I’m sorry,” I said finally, breaking the silence. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“You’re not intruding.” Tanner’s voice was gentle. “You’re always welcome here.”

I looked at him, searching his eyes for the truth. But I didn’t want to ask, just in case I couldn’t handle it.

8

TANNER

The rain beat against the cabin windows, a relentless barrage that echoed the turmoil in my mind. Rae sat in front of the fire, soaked to the bone and shivering despite the warmth and the towel I’d given her.

I hadn’t been able to leave her out in this storm. Hell, I’d been a dick but I wasn’t a monster.

The part of me that wanted to protect her screamed louder than the part that told me to be careful, and, fuck it, it was Rae. She’dalwayshad a part of my heart. I had to get used to it, because, damn it, no matter how hard I tried to convince myself, it wouldn’t change.

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