Page 11 of Taught By the Mountain Man

“You know, I think tulips would be nice for a first gesture,” she says, pulling a bunch of vibrant pink and yellow tulips from the cooler. “Roses are nice, but they’re a little...heavy, don’t you think? Tulips are softer, lighter. Maybe better for a first date kind of thing.”

I blink, caught off guard. I didn’t even think about the meaning behind flowers. I just figured flowers were flowers. But she’s right. Roses might come off too strong, too forward. Tulips, though… they feel lighter. Gentler.

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing the bouquet, trying and failing to figure out what she means by afirst gesture. I feel a little better about it now, less like I’m about to launch into some over-the-top gesture. This feels more like me—simple, thoughtful, not trying to make it more than it is.

Becki watches me as I head to the counter. “Good luck,” she says, her voice teasing but there’s warmth in her eyes too. “You’ve got this, Barrow.”

I give her a nod, confused. “Er, thanks, Becki.”

I head to Snowpack with the bouquet tucked under my arm, my thoughts racing. I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ve never been great at this whole "trying to win someone over" thing, but with Star, it feels different.Shefeels different.

When I get to the cafe, Ruby’s behind the counter, wiping down the surface with a rag. She looks up when I walk in, and I’m relieved to see that she’s not too busy.

“Hey, Ruby,” I say, my voice tight. “Is Star here?”

Ruby shakes her head. “No, not yet. She’s on later this afternoon, though.”

I hesitate for a moment, then pull the tulips out of the paper wrapping and set them down on the counter, along with a note I wrote in the quiet of the morning.

“Can you give these to her when she comes in?” I ask. “Tell her I had an amazing time last night. And, uh, tell her I’d love to meet her at the sandy bank by the river after her shift for a late-night picnic, if she’s up for it.” I’m stammering, but I hardly care. It’s more important to get the words out, no matter how clumsily.

Ruby looks at the flowers and the note, and then up at me, her eyes dancing. “Sure thing, Barrow. I’ll let her know.”

I give a nod and turn to leave, the uncertainty still sitting heavy in my chest. What if Star doesn’t want to see me again? What if I’m reading this all wrong?

But I can’t back out now. I’ve got to at least give Star a chance to decide. The ball’s in her court now.

And no matter what happens, I’m going to do my best to be the kind of man she deserves. The kind of man who will show her she can trust again, who will be there when she needs him.

Star

Iwalk into the Snowpack the next day, my head still buzzing from the night before. Everything about it was unexpected — Barrow, the dance, the way he looked at me, the way everything felt so…right.

I can’t stop thinking about him.

My chest tightens as I step into the cafe and head straight for the counter, trying to pull myself together.

Ruby is already there, looking way too chipper for this early in the day. She shoots me a knowing smile and leans over the counter with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Look what came for you,” she says, pulling a small bouquet of tulips from behind the counter.

My heart skips a beat, and I blink down at the flowers, confused.

“For me?” I ask, feeling heat rise in my cheeks. Ruby’s too excited for this to be anything butsomething.

“Uh-huh,” she says, practically bouncing with excitement. “Barrow dropped them off this morning. Along with a note.”

She hands me the bouquet like it's the most normal thing in the world, but my fingers tremble as I take them.

“Barrow?” I whisper, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice.

Ruby’s grin only widens. “Yep. He asked me to give them to you when you came in. What are you going to do, Star? Tell me you’re going to meet him tonight, right? You have to!”

I stare down at the flowers, the note tucked between the stems, and my pulse picks up. I can feel Ruby’s eyes on me, and for a moment, I’m frozen.

My mind is racing, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. It’s not just the flowers. It’s the invitation.

It’shim.

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