Page 3 of Married in Misty Mountain

But they all have life experiences, and I have none. I’m 23, and I do not know a trade and have no real relationship experience. I’ve never even been kissed.

Maybe I should have had a better plan before leaving my parents behind and that awful creep Derek.

A group of college-age backpackers are coming out of the general store as I wait to go inside. They look excited about their upcoming trip and are showing off some of their new, expensive-looking gear. They seem like nice, friendly, and fun people. It makes me miss having friends my age.

What is that like?

Okay, Shenna Blake. Pity party over. Buck up and go in there and get yourself a job.

It’s your last chance.

I wait for the hikers to pass before I step inside.

Inside the store, I find who I assume is Jack, a handsome older man stocking shelves and sporting what I’ve silently nicknamed the “Misty Mountain uniform”: long beard, plaid shirt, rugged, ripstop trousers, and hiking shoes that cost more than my much-needed car repairs.

Jack beams at me, both of us recognizing each other from my meager weekly grocery trips, where I buy mostly ramen and hot dogs. In addition to mountain gear, the store is everyone’s go-to for groceries, tools, and camping supplies.

“Hey there,” Jack calls out. “What brings you in on a Saturday night?”

I smile sheepishly. “Clara Montgomery said you might know if anyone local is hiring.”

Jack nods in understanding. “You must be Mildred. Yeah, I’ve seen you before but never caught your name. I’d remember that, for sure. You don’t look like a Mildred. Is it a family name?”

This man is a lot like Hank, with a dad vibe about him.

I shrug. “No, my parents just decided to saddle me with a name fitting a 99-year-old.”

Jack laughs, which compels me to keep going. “Well, it’s a nice name.”

“Yeah,” I say, knowing I’m headed into full-on babble mode, but I can’t stop. “It happens when people don’t have access to birth control. Pretty soon, you’ve got twelve little offspring running around, and you’d better name them all something unique, or it’s tough to keep them all straight. Especially when you’ve got half-sisters and a million first cousins, and pretty soon your half-sisters are having babies too, and…” Oh my gosh.

Jack’s eyebrows are lifted high on his forehead as he processes the craziness coming out of my mouth.

This is getting messy.

Someone, please change the subject before I confess everything.

“So…Clara says you need a job?”

I fight against the negativity at knowing that Clara has already asked Jack to help me in the time it took for me to walk down here. Now’s not the time to be prideful, Shenna.

“Yes. Do you know anyone hiring?”

He purses his lips. “I don’t, actually.”

Well. So much for swallowing my pride.

“I see.”

Ugh. If I go back to my apartment now, I might be able to get on the crappy Wi-Fi tonight before the signal craps out and figure something out. “Sorry to bother you…” I move to leave, but Jack puts his hand up.

“Wait. That doesn’t mean I’m not hiring. I just so happen to be looking for an assistant manager.”

I tilt my head suspiciously as I turn back to face him. He seems as equally surprised as I am at that announcement.

Assistant manager? He’s got to be pulling my leg.

“But…I never saw anything posted about a job opening here. Your bulletin board was the first place I checked.” I gesture to the corkboard display on the wall next to the cash register. People post not just about job openings but about their lost cats and dogs, fundraisers for local causes, and sign-up sheets for wilderness excursions by someone named Mountain Man Hurley. That sheet is always full, despite the triggering name of that wilderness guide, whoever he is. Yes, I said triggering.

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