Page 5 of Chosen for the Mountain Man

Once I throw on a clean T-shirt and shorts, and steel myself against the onslaught of temptation, I return to the main room to find her perched on the overstuffed arm of my recliner.

“How do you like the place?” I ask, trying to play it cool.

Her gaze travels down my body, as if she’s assessing me. Then she bites that lush lower lip.

She’s killing me.

“It’s charming and comfortable…and not surprisingly, neat and clean,” she says. “A lot like you.”

I chuckle and feel my cheeks turning red.

“Speaking of surprises…”

Her brow goes up in anticipation.

“I thought we could have a picnic lunch out at my favorite overlook. Why don’t you change into something you can hike in, and we’ll head out?”

“Oh,” she says, but there’s something in her eyes. A wariness.

“We don’t have to. I mean, if you don’t trust going out on the trail with me?—”

“No, I’m fine, Max,” she interrupts. “I’d love to go on a hike with you. A picnic sounds lovely.”

I grin. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” she confirms, and stands up. “Give me ten minutes to change.”

She walks by toward the guest room and touches my arm. It flexes involuntarily, and I struggle not to pull her to me. Damn, this woman has me reacting like I’ve never seen one before.

Later, I’m leading us through the familiar forest paths, unable to take my eyes off her. The sun dapples her face through the leaves, highlighting her freckles. I’m finding it easy to talk to her. As if we've done this a hundred times before.

“I found this spot during one of my long afternoon walks earlier this year after the snow had melted. The view is so worth the hike.”

“You take a lot of long walks?”

“Most recently after Ro went off to live with Duke.”

I’d told her about our parents' accident ten years ago, and how I’d left the Marines to come take care of my sister, Ro, who was only sixteen at the time. Between my cleaning business that I began shortly after that until just last year, it had been me and Ro on our own.

“Is that why you decided to move out here all by yourself?” she asks.

I shrug. “Needed a change of pace after Ro moved out. The quiet, the fresh air... it's good for the soul.”

She nods. “I can see that.”

We finally reach the spot—a clearing that overlooks a stunning vista of the valley below. A gentle stream runs nearby, the water crystal clear and sparkling in the sunlight.

“Wow, Max,” Ciara breathes, stopping to lean against a tree as she looks out at the view. “This is... incredible.”

“I like to think I have an eye for beauty,” I reply, gazing over at her.

She chuckles. “Stop it.” She comes over to nudge my shoulder as I kneel down to spread the blanket out.

I grin and unpack the basket of food. “So, you said your sister was worried sick about you meeting me,” I say, remembering her mentioning it earlier.

“Hallie's always worried about me. She gets it from my parents. Not sure where they got it from,” she admits, her voice trailing off.

“You’retwenty-eight, and incredibly smart and responsible. You’ve got a great head on your shoulders. What do they haveto worry about?” I hold my hand out to help her down onto the blanket.

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