Page 12 of Taught By the Mountain Man

I take the note, carefully unfolding it with hands that feel too shaky. My breath catches as I read the simple words, Barrow’s handwriting warm and direct:

Had an amazing time last night. I’d love to see you again. How about meeting me at the sandy bank on the river after your shift? I’ll bring the fire, if you bring yourself.

- Barrow.

My stomach flutters at the words. I feel the heat on my cheeks again, and I quickly glance up at Ruby, who’s watching me expectantly.

“Well?” she asks, practically holding her breath.

I’m trying to keep my composure, but it’s not working. I’m terrified, excited, all of it at once. “I don’t know...” I trail off, my voice barely above a whisper. “This is...it's crazy, right? Falling for a guy I barely know?”

Ruby raises an eyebrow, her expression pure mischief. “Are you kidding? This is exactly what you need, Star. You’re going. I can feel it.”

She’s right. I can feel it too.

Something inside of me that I’ve tried to ignore for years is waking up, and it’s leading me straight to him.

“Okay,” I say, almost to myself. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Ruby claps her hands together in excitement, her grin stretching wider. “Yes! Trust me. Barrow is exactly what you need.”

I laugh nervously, still holding the bouquet like it might somehow disappear. “I don’t know what I’m doing...but I’m going.”

“Good,” Ruby says, practically beaming. “I don’t think you’ll regret it.” She gives me a wink as she heads off to the back to prepare for the lunch rush.

I stand there for a moment longer, staring down at the tulips in my hands, the warmth of the note still lingering in my fingers.

Barrow wants to see me again.

He wants me to meet him at the river, with nothing but a fire and the cold night air.

I know I’m nervous.

But I can’t lie to myself — I want to go.

No, Ineedto. I can’t wait to see him again.

Later that night, I finish my shift, my nerves twisting tighter with each passing minute. The cold night air hits me the moment I step outside, and I pull my coat tighter around me, trying to settle my thoughts.

I keep replaying everything in my head. The flowers. The note. My certainty that I need to meet him tonight.

I’m still not sure how all of this happened, but something inside me is telling me this is a chance I have to take. And as the chilly autumn wind bites at my cheeks, I remind myself that I’m not going to turn away from this. Not this time.

The walk to the river feels longer than it should. My heart is beating in my throat, and with every step, I think about how crazy it is that I’m doing this—meeting a man I barely know in the middle of nowhere.

But then I see the flicker of light in the distance. My heart skips, and I break into a jog, my breath coming in quick bursts.

As I get closer, I see Barrow, standing beside a crackling fire, his face illuminated by the warm light, and I can’t help but smile. The worry in my chest eases just a little.

I stand for a moment, taking him in—his broad shoulders, the gentle smile that’s already forming when he sees me approach.

“You came,” he says, his voice soft and filled with that warm relief. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”

I can’t help but laugh, the sound a little shaky. “Yeah,” I reply. “I’m here.”

Barrow steps closer, his eyes soft and steady as he looks at me. “I’m glad,” he says, his gaze flickering down to the blankets he’s laid out on the ground, the thermoses beside them. “I wasn’t sure what you’d think, but I’m glad you trusted me enough to come.”

“I almost didn’t,” I admit. “This is wild, right? I mean, meeting a guy at the river in the middle of the night? What kind of woman does that?”

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