Page 2 of Praised By the Mountain Man

So that’s what I do, I spend the next hour and a half venting, and laughing, slowly sipping on my beer. I feel so much lighter by the time I’m walking out of the brewery to go pick up Ruby that I don’t even notice the man rolling a dolly right in front of me.

I walk straight into him.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” I say, looking up at the man. The eyes that meet mine are dark blue and swimming with curiosity. They’re the kind of eyes you could get lost in for hours. He has close-cropped brown hair with a matching, neatly trimmed beard, and I can see a tattoo peeking out of the slightly open collar of his denim button down. He might be the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He reminds me of Chris Evans.

“All good,” he says, a bit gruffly. He looks me up and down in a way I’ve never experienced, like he’s really looking atall of me. “You’re Ava and Luna’s friend, right?”

I’m surprised he’s keeping the conversation going when everything about him screams that he is in a rush.

I nod. “Yes. I’m Tessa,” I say, somewhat stupidly considering he didn’t ask for my name.

“Tessa,” he says, nodding his head in what looks to be appreciation. “I’m Luke. I run the deliveries here.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Why is this so awkward?

“Well, I need to be heading out.” I scurry off without another word, thinking about the interaction my whole walk back to my car. I get there and realize I don’t have my keys.

Shit.

I spot them on the center console. How could I have been so careless? I don’t have time to wait for AAA to come and unlock it before I need to get Ruby, so I rush back to the brewery hoping that one of the girls could give me a ride.

But, when I walk in, I see them both working behind the bar—Ava helps out sometimes when they get slammed—and I can tell neither of them would be able to get away. I turn and walk out of the door, contemplating my next move.

“Shit,” I say again, this time out loud.

“What’s wrong?” I hear a deep voice ask from behind me. It’s Luke.

“I—I locked my keys in my car, and I have to pick up my sister in,” I glance down at my watch, “fifteen minutes. I don’t have time to wait for the service to unlock it. I was going to see if Ava or Luna could give me a ride, but obviously they’re slammed. I just need to figure out what to do.” I take a breath, realizing I’m rambling and spiraling out of control in front of this man I don’t even know.

He looks at me for another moment, eyes piercing me yet again. After a moment he simply says, “I’ll take you.”

I’m shocked by the offer, from out interaction a few minutes ago, it didn’t seem like he ever wanted to see me again, and now he’s volunteering to help me get Ruby? Men are so confusing.

“Really? Oh my gosh, that would be so nice, but you really don’t have to. We just met, I’m sure you have something better to do—”

“Just follow me, blondie,” he says, cutting me off and grabbing my hand to lead me towards his truck.

Maybe it’s a good thing I walked into him earlier.

Chapter Two

Luke

Thank god she walked into me earlier.

I have seen Tessa around here and there over the last year, first noticing her gorgeous golden hair and delectable curves when Ava and Luna started bringing her around. She’d always stop in for a few minutes before having to run off to do something for her sister. Ava mentioned something about them losing their parents a few years ago, so I know she’s had her hands full.

Today, when she walked into me, green eyes peering up at me, filled with apology and perhaps a hint of embarrassment, I knew I was a goner. I had been about to ask her if she wanted to hang around, maybe have a drink and get to know each other, when she abruptly said she needed to head out. I didn’t mind, I knew I’d find a way to see her again.

Find a way to make her mine.

So, when she walked back in and needed a ride, I didn’t hesitate for a second.

I’m glad I was here. When I first got back from active duty with the Marines a few years ago, I was looking for a fresh start. My grandparents used to vacation in Whiskey Mountain all the time, for the lakes in the summer and the mountains in thewinter, and I always felt an overwhelming sense of peace in this place. With how unsettled I was after everything I had seen in the Marines; I knew it was the perfect place to go.

I bought a small cabin just outside of town and joined a local veteran’s group, which is where I met Ethan and Scott. When they mentioned they needed someone to run around and grab their orders, I jumped at the chance. It was the perfect job for me, giving me solitude in the truck and a bit of social interaction when I drop off the deliveries. It’s also given me the chance to really get to know Scott and Ethan and their friendship has made all the difference as I transition back into civilian life.

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