Page 10 of Stranded with the Mountain Man

Three

DEENA

"Stay within sight of the cabin," Rosco says, watching me lace up my boots at the front door.His arms are crossed over his broad chest, expression somewhere between annoyed and concerned."Cell reception is spotty at best, and I don't need you getting lost on top of everything else."

"I'm not going to get lost." I straighten, meeting his gaze."I grew up exploring these woods too, remember?I probably have a better sense of direction than you do."

"Things change in twelve years.Trees grow. Paths disappear."

I roll my eyes. "I'll be fine.I'm just collecting soil samples from around the property, not hiking to Canada."

It's been three days of this delicate dance between us--me trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy while stranded here,him alternating between gruff indifference and these flashes of protective concern that leave me confused.

"Take Bear with you," he says, not quite making it a request."He needs the exercise."

At the sound of his name, the massive dog rises from his spot by the fireplace, tail wagging hopefully.He's attached himself to me like a second shadow since I arrived, much to Rosco's apparent annoyance.

"Fine." I clip the empty sample bags to my belt."Come on, Bear. Let's go find some interesting specimens while your grumpy owner does... whatever he does all day."

Rosco's lips twitch. "Woodworking.I told you."

"Right. The mysterious workshop where no one is allowed."

"It's not mysterious. It's private."

I want to push, to ask him what he's creating in there that requires such secrecy, but I've already tested enough boundaries this morning.Three days of forced proximity have taught me when to back off.

"We'll be back in an hour," I say instead, whistling for Bear, who bounds to my side with more enthusiasm than I've seen from his owner the entire time I've been here.

"One hour," Rosco confirms. "Or I'm coming looking for you."

The slight edge in his voice sends a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with the morning chill.I nod once before slipping out the door, Bear trotting happily beside me.

The mountain air is sharp and clean after the storm, carrying the scent of wet earth and pine.I inhale deeply, letting it fill my lungs as I follow a narrow game trail that skirts the edge of Rosco's cleared property.Bear ranges ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure I'm following.

I've spent the past three days organizing Rosco's kitchen, reading the surprisingly well-stocked bookshelves in the guest room,and trying not to notice how achingly familiar he still is despite the years between us.The way he takes his coffee, the slight furrow between his brows when he's thinking, eventhe low rumble of his laugh on the rare occasions I manage to surprise it out of him.It's all so achingly familiar.

All of it calls to something in my chest I thought I'd buried long ago.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.Cell service is intermittent up here, but occasionally signals make it through.It's a text from Dr. Hammond..

Dr. Hammond:

Any progress on renovations? Pictures of disaster?Found any endangered mountain lady's slippers yet?

I snap a photo of the forest around me, focusing on a patch of trillium just beginning to bloom at the base of an oak tree.

Me:

House is a total loss. Roof collapsed during storm.Currently staying with a... neighbor until roads clear.Found these this morning though.

I send the photo, then add: Not the lady's slippers you were hoping for, but it's early in the season.

Dr. Hammond replies almost immediately.

Dr. Hammond:

Neighbor? Is he cute? Please tell me you're having a mountain romance while stranded in the storm.It would make the departmental gossip so much more interesting.

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