Page 1 of Marrying the Mountain Man

Chapter One

MINDY

I used to think pitching million-dollar ad campaigns to stone-faced CEOs was nerve-racking. Turns out, nothing beats the emotional rollercoaster of driving into a remote Montana town with two squabbling eight-year-olds who’d decided they hated their soon-to-be father figure—before meeting him.

“Mom,” Connor declared from the back seat, “if this mountain guy is missing a tooth, I get to tell him we never asked for a one-tooth dad.”

Cody chimed in; his arms folded over his booster seat. “And if he keeps a raccoon as a pet, we’re done. I don’t do rabies.”

Suppressing a laugh behind a wave of nerves, I focused on the winding road ahead. “Enough with the wildlife phobia, guys. Let’s give Levi a chance.” My voice came out far breezier than I felt. I was trying to sell them on this new life the way I’d pitched countless ad strategies: with confidence and maybe a dash of overblown optimism.

That optimism had taken a small beating over the nine-hour drive. My back ached from the miles, my cheeks were numb from the drafty car heater, and the twins’ bickering had escalated into a constant stream of comments on everything that might be wrong with Levi Voss. But each time doubt crept in, I reminded myself of the sweet, heartfelt messages I’d received from him. He’d sounded so genuine about wanting us in his life—especially since I was a single mom looking for stability and he was a local bar owner who claimed he was ready for a family. Our DMs—lots of them—convinced me he was excited for an instant family.

Now, as we approached the main drag of Hope Peak, the snow-dusted storefronts glowed under a canopy of twilight. Old-fashioned lamps lined the sidewalks, casting a golden hue on the fresh powder. It was postcard pretty, so different from the city streets I’d left behind. My nerves fluttered again, half from the pressure of uprooting the kids for a near stranger, and half from the flicker of excitement that this might be the boldest, best decision I’d ever made.

Connor’s voice yanked me out of my thoughts as I slowed for a red traffic light up ahead. “Mom, look, there’s like…zero cars on the road. This place is smaller than my old school parking lot.”

In the rear-view mirror, I saw Cody press his nose to the window. “Where’s the huge buildings? Or I dunno…at least a movie theater?”

I sighed, trying not to let their cynicism eat me alive. “It’s a small town, guys. We discussed that. More trees, less traffic. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

Both twins answered with a shared shrug that said it sounded anything but nice. My heart squeezed as the light changed to green and I accelerated through the empty intersection.Please, let them be wrong, I thought.Let Levi be everything he wrote in those messages. Because if he was, the twins would eventually come around, and we’d form the family I’d always wished for them. And for me.

Pulling up in front of Skyline Bar & Grill, I double-checked the name. This was the place Levi said he owned—where he promised to greet me with open arms and an easy smile. Relief bubbled up, momentarily banishing my apprehension.He’s real. He’s here.

“Okay, we made it,” I announced. “Let’s be polite, yeah?”

Connor unbuckled, throwing me an eye roll. “Yeah, we’ll see.”

Cody grimaced when the cold wind hit him as we climbed out. “Feels like we’re at the edge of the Arctic.”

“Come on,” I urged, ignoring the snow seeping into the edges of my boots. The lights inside Skyline beckoned like a sanctuary. Our new home, I reminded myself, clinging to that hopeful note.

The door gave a cheery jingle when we stepped inside. Warm air washed over me, along with a faint smell of grilled onions and beer. A smattering of locals occupied tables and barstools, chatting or watching some sports game on a corner TV. My shoulders eased. This was cozy, reminiscent of a place that might become a second living room.

My gaze darted across the space—and landed on him. He stood behind the bar, wearing a navy flannel stretched over broad shoulders. A dark gold-brown beard trimmed close to his jaw made him look rugged in a heart-stopping way, and the forearms revealed by his rolled-up sleeves could probably chop logs without an ax. My pulse leaped when he smiled my way. Holy…that’s not missing any teeth.

But the expression on his face wasn’t the warm grin I expected. He simply blinked, his gaze flicking between me, Connor, and Cody, as though we were any other single mom and her kids coming in for a hot meal.

“That’s him?” Connor proclaimed under his breath, crossing his arms. Cody mimicked him, so they stood like miniature bodyguards scoping out a suspect. I wanted to hush them, but Levi’s confusion had already stolen my voice.

I managed to step forward, nearly tripping over a loose bit of tile in my haste. “Levi Voss?” I said, aiming for a pleasant tone but hitting quivery territory instead. “It’s me. Mindy. Mindy Barnes.”

He opened his mouth, then shut it. A flicker of panic darted in his eyes. “Uh…hi? Do I know you?”

A few patrons turned. One older gentleman by the far end of the bar grinned, lifting his beer.

Laughter rippled among nearby customers. My cheeks heated so thoroughly I felt sweat bead under my collar. The twins, of course, leaned into the moment.

“You told us to come to Hope Peak,” Cody declared, brow furrowed. “So here we are.”

Levi’s lips parted in silent bewilderment. “I…uh…sorry…What?”

That was definitely not the rapturous greeting promised from our text conversations. My gut twisted. “We’ve been…talking online?” I clarified, my voice dipping in volume. “For weeks, about me moving here with my children?”

He pressed one palm on the bar’s surface, leaning like he needed support. “Ma’am, I’m not sure…” He winced. “I never told anyone to…That is, I don’t recall…”

Connor let out a derisive snort. “Oh boy. He’s clueless, Mom.”

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