Page 5 of Taught By the Mountain Man

The day of the event, I stare at my closet, my nerves tightening into knots as I rummage through every article of clothing I own. A floral dress feels too sweet, too optimistic. Jeans feel lazy, and my usual flannel screams I gave up before I started.

I finally settle on a black skirt and a light blue sweater. It’s simple, soft, and comfortable—but as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I can’t help but feel underwhelmed.

The knock at my door startles me out of my spiraling thoughts. My stomach flips.He’s here.

Barrow

Istand in front of Star’s door, shifting from foot to foot, trying to steady my breathing. My heart’s pounding so loud I’m sure she’ll hear it when she opens the door.

Why am I so nervous? It’s just a casual school event, nothing more. But the idea of spending the evening with Star feels far from casual.

When the door swings open, my words catch in my throat.

She’s…well, the wordbeautifuldoesn’t do Star justice. Not even close. But it’s the best I can manage.

Her soft blue sweater makes her eyes look like the sky on a clear day, and the way her skirt sways as she shifts nervously makes my chest tighten.

“You look amazing,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can think twice.

Her cheeks flush pink, and she ducks her head. “Thanks. You too.”

For a moment, we just stand there, a strange mix of tension and warmth filling the space between us. Finally, I clear my throat and gesture toward the stairs.

“Ready to go?”

She nods, grabbing her coat. As we walk out into the crisp evening air, I can’t help but steal glances at her. There’s something about the way she walks, a mix of determination and hesitation, that makes me want to protect her from whatever’s put that guarded look in her eyes.

Star

The school gymnasium is already buzzing with activity when we arrive. Fairy lights strung across the ceiling cast a warm glow over the room, and the smell of barbecue mingles with the hum of conversation and laughter.

Barrow places a hand on the small of my back as he guides me through the crowd, and the simple gesture sends a shiver down my spine.

“It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” he asks, leaning close so I can hear him over the noise.

I nod, clutching my purse tightly. Overwhelming is an understatement. This isn’t just a gym filled with people—it’s a gym filled with his colleagues, his friends, his world. I feel like an outsider crashing a private party.

“Hey,” he says softly, his hand still at my back. “You’re doing great.”

I glance up at him, surprised by the warmth in his voice. There’s no pity, no condescension — just reassurance.

A sensation that’s hard to place surges in my chest. It’s warm and solid, scented like a golden hearth fire burning away the winter chill.

It takes me a long moment to name it — gratitude. Safety. A gut-deep certainty that Barrow is exactly the man I’ve been hoping for, that I wasn’t sure even existed.

My vision swims with a moment — not with sadness, but with tears of joy. I swipe at my eyes with the back of my hand, hoping Barrow doesn’t notice. I’m not ready to explain myself, or my past.

Not yet.

But for the first time in more years than I can count, I have the feeling that he’s someone I’ll find myself confiding in before long.

I can’t wait.

Barrow

Ikeep one eye on Star as we navigate the room, noticing the way her gaze flits around nervously, as if she’s expecting someone to jump out and tell her she doesn’t belong.

For a moment, I think I catch the glimmer of tears in her eyes. But then she passes a hand over her face and they’re gone. A trick of the strings of twinkled lights draped around the gym, probably.

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