Page 3 of Stolen By the Mountain Man

“What do you call it?” I asked.

“Senior living community, assisted living, memory care… And we refer to our residents as older adults, not seniors. It’s just about erasing stigmas that come with those types of facilities.”

“Ahh,” I said. “Noted.”

I had a lot to learn about Daphne’s occupation. I had the rest of my life to learn it, though.

“It’s kind of like lumberjacks, right?” she asked. “You prefer the term loggers?”

I shrugged. “You can call us lumberjacks. We don’t really walk around with axes, chopping down trees, though. We use equipment for a lot of it. That’s why the name for it has changed. But I’ve definitely chopped down plenty of trees with axes, and I love a good flannel shirt when the weather’s cold.”

“Red and black checkered?” she asked with a smile. “Isn’t that lumberjack plaid?”

“I don’t have any that are that color,” I said. “But the boss man is looking into getting us sweatshirts with our company logo on them.”

My voice was loaded with dread as I said those words. I’d chosen Seduction Summit because the pay was good, and the work was plentiful on top of that. A couple of my best buddies from the base had moved here, and there were plenty more where they came from. But I’d spent so much time in uniform, I was kind of enjoying my freedom to wear what I wanted.

“Not too many women in this town, I’m taking it,” Daphne said.

“There’s a ski lodge up ahead.” I gestured toward the road in front of us. “We’ll pass it in a few minutes. But, aside from that, there aren’t very many jobs to bring women here.”

“Women can be lumberjacks too,” she said.

“Sure.” I nodded. “Do you know any who want to?”

I glanced over at her. Her smile widened even further.

“No,” she said. “I do have a friend who’s interested in becoming a police officer. Any room for those in your town?”

I shook my head. “No police department. Not even a sheriff. They all come from next door—a town called Adairsville.”

“What if somebody has an emergency or a kitchen fire gets out of control?” she asked. “Ambulances and fire engines can get there, right?”

I heard a hint of panic in her voice. I was surprised by the strong urge to protect her. It sent adrenaline pumping through my veins.

That shouldn’t have been all that surprising. She was my fiancée, after all. Even though I’d only officially just met her, protecting her was my role.

But this wasn’t about some promise I’d made through a dating app. No, this was more primal than that. From the second I’d seen her, I decided she was mine. But not in some caveman-style, old-fashioned way.

Whether we’d promised to marry each other or not, after meeting Daphne in person, I was sure of it. There was no other woman for me. I’d never met anyone who brought this feeling out in me, and it was terrifying and exciting all at the same time.

Yes, this was why none of my other relationships had ever worked out. Daphne was the woman I’d always longed for. The woman I’d been searching for all my life. I just had to make sure nothing happened that got in the way of us being together for the rest of our lives.

3

HELENA

Holy mother of bachelor pads. This guy took things to the next level. I could hardly believe what I was seeing.

Isaac lived in a charming log cabin set on a steep incline for a backyard. Not very good for the fence I’d want to have for our dog someday. But the hill allowed him to have a walk-out basement. And that was where we stood right now.

“The guys come over on Friday nights,” he said. “We throw back some beers and hit a few holes.”

“You have a miniature golf course in your basement,” I said.

He stood near the small kitchen, looking around. “They’re actually putting greens. Each with a different level of difficulty.”

I felt like a moron, but I might as well ask. “What’s the difference?”

---