Page 1 of The Mountain Man's Flame

1

NOVA

“I hateit when a handsome duke blackmails me into marriage,” I mutter as I restock the historical romance shelf at my local library.

“That’s only because you haven’t found your twin flame yet,” my bestie and fellow librarian, Chloe tells me.

“What the hell?” I ask her. As soon as I say the phrase, I look around for Mrs. Kay, the head librarian. She’s always giving me dour looks. Fortunately, she’s not here. The advantage of the incoming snowstorm is that it’s just me and my bestie working at the library today.

“A twin flame,” Chloe says, ignoring my swearing, “is the other half of your soul. It’s the connection you were always meant to have.”

I snort. “Yeah, OK.”

I don’t believe in love. But I do believe in abandonment and coming home in third grade to hear your mom telling you that dad left again because that’s what men do—they leave.

“It’s a connection on every level. Emotionally, mentally, sexually.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Everyone has one.”

Chloe should know better than to buy into this bullshit. Her husband abandoned her when testing revealed their five-year-old son is autistic.

Speaking of, she probably needs to go pick up her little one if she’s going to beat the incoming snowstorm and make it safely home. I tell her that as I lug the squeaking cart that’s overloaded with books.

“I can’t leave you alone,” she protests.

Shaking my head, I say, “It’s fine. I’ll finish these two carts and be home in plenty of time before it starts.”

I step around the bucket on the floor that’s catching water from the leaking roof. This whole place is in desperate need of an overhaul. But Mount Bliss is a tiny town with a tiny budget. Most residents live at poverty level which means luxuries like a new roof for the library just aren’t an option.

“I’m going to help you find your twin flame,” Chloe insists as she quickly adds two books to the biography section. “As soon as this snowstorm is over, it’s time for Operation Bag a Hunk.”

Despite the fact that I’m not interested, I still smile at the name of the operation. “I can get a hunk if I want to.”

She frowns at me. “You have to go on more than just two dates. You need to give a man an actual chance.”

She thinks just because I have a foolproof system for my dating life that it means I’m lonely or something. But I’m not. Two dates is enough to tell what type of guy he is. Thanks to my methods, I’ve never once had my heart broken. The system is flawless.

“You’re going to be late,” I remind her because I don’t want to keep talking about this. Chloe might have an open heart and she goes on her fair share of dates. But I’ve also shown up at her house with ice cream to comfort her many times after she’s kissed yet another frog. It’s your girls you can count on. Not the men in your life.

She glances toward the window where the sleet is starting to ping off the ground. “Alright, but text me when you’re home safe and sound.”

I dutifully nod as I add two more books to the section. I love working in the library and I don’t mind spending the extra time in it alone. “You too, sweetie.”

It only takes me an hour to get the remaining books shelved then I pack a canvas tote of a few books for myself. The coming snowstorm means lots of extra reading time, which is my idea of paradise.

As soon as I’m done, I lock up and hurry to my car. It’s an aging Toyota that I should probably trade in, but my salary only stretches so far. Besides, old reliable has always been reliable…until now.

My stomach sinks as I twist the key, and nothing happens. No matter how many times I try again, it doesn’t start. The sleet from earlier has changed into big, fat snowflakes that are accumulating across the pockmarked asphalt.

I reach for my cellphone only to find the battery is dead. Fortunately, the library still has a landline. Outside in the cold air, I shiver as snowflakes melt in my hair. Hefting my tote bag, I spot movement behind me in the woods. Something big and dark hovers just outside of my peripheral vision.

My heart pounds as I imagine one of the black bears that are common in this area emerging from the dense forest surrounding the library.

Keeping my head down, I sprint toward the building and manage to get inside just as I hear a snarl. At least, I think I do. I don’t bother to turn back and see.

Inside, I discover the phone lines aren’t working. It’s not uncommon for them to go down during a snowstorm here. It just usually takes a bit longer before it happens.

Since the phone isn’t an option, I head to the employee’s lounge to see if perhaps someone left an old cellphone charger in there. It’s a bit of a long shot since Mrs. Kay is such a stickler for keeping the place pristine but a girl can hope.

I search through the bin for lost items but so far all I’ve found is one doll, two hair clips, and a little gnome figurine that’s head has been broken off.

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