Page 2 of Rescued By the Brooding Mountain Hero

Beau holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "I don't doubt that. But the Rockies can be unpredictable. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

I can't help but roll my eyes as Beau's words reach my ears. Great, just what I need - some macho mountain man thinking he needs to swoop in and save the poor, helpless city girl.

I turn to face him, one hand on my hip. "Thanks for the advice, but I think I can manage."

Beau holds up his hands in a placating gesture, but I can see the hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Whoa, easy there. I wasn't trying to imply that you couldn't. It's just that the weather up here can change on a dime, and if you're not prepared, it can be dangerous. Especially for someone who's not used to it."

I bristle at that last part. "And what makes you think I'm not used to it? You don't know anything about me."

"Fair enough," he concedes, his blue eyes still twinkling with amusement. "But I do know these mountains. I've been a rescuer here for over a decade. I've seen what can happen when people underestimate them."

I can feel my annoyance rising, but I force myself to take a deep breath. As much as I hate to admit it, he's probably right. I am out of my element here. But that doesn't mean I need some rugged mountain man babysitting me.

"I appreciate the concern," I say, trying to keep my tone even. "But I can take care of myself. I'm not some helpless damsel who needs rescuing."

Beau chuckles at that, a deep, rumbling sound that sends a shiver to my core despite my irritation. "Oh, I do not doubt that. You seem like a woman who knows her mind. I can respect that."

I blink, caught off guard by the compliment. "Well... good. As long as we're clear."

"Crystal." He gives me a mock salute, then heads back towards the lobby. “Enjoy your stay, Jade. And remember—if you decide to go hiking, make sure you're prepared for anything. The mountains don't care how stubborn you are."

With that parting shot, he returns to the couches in the lobby seating area, leaving me fuming in his wake.

I turn back to Ivy, who's watching me with a knowing smile. "Don't mind Beau," she says. "He means well, even if he can be a bit... blunt at times. He's just very protective of these mountains and the people who visit them. Anyway, here's your key. You're in cabin 34. Head through these doors and turn right. You can't miss it."

I take the key from Ivy with a grateful smile, trying to shake off my lingering annoyance at Beau's condescending warning. I can handle a little hike.

Shouldering my heavy backpack, I head out of the lobby towards the cabins, my oversized bags bumping against my legswith every step. The thin mountain air burns in my lungs as I huff and puff my way up the path, mentally cursing myself for packing so much stuff.

By the time I reach my cabin, I'm drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. I fumble with the key, my fingers clumsy with exhaustion, before finally unlocking the door and stumbling inside.

The cabin is cozy and rustic, with a plush bed, a small kitchenette, and a fireplace that I can imagine myself curling up in front of with my laptop. It looks like it's recently been renovated, and if I were in a better mood, I know I'd be swooning over all the little touches. But right now, all I can think about is collapsing onto that bed and never moving again.

I let my bags slide off my shoulders and thud to the floor, wincing as the weight finally lifts. Maybe Beau was right about me packing too much. Not that I'll ever admit that to him.

I flop down on the bed, my aching muscles screaming in relief. I close my eyes, letting the peace and quiet of the cabin wash over me. This is exactly what I needed - a chance to get away from the noise and chaos of the city, to immerse myself in the rugged beauty of the mountains, and let it inspire my writing.

I can feel the story taking shape in my mind already - a tale of love and danger, of a woman finding herself in the midst of untamed wilderness. I can picture my heroine, a city girl like me, stumbling into a world she's not prepared for and learning to navigate it with the help of a rugged, infuriatingly attractive mountain man...

I sit bolt upright, my eyes flying open. Oh no. No, no, no. I am not basing my hero on Beau. Absolutely not. That arrogant, overprotective, unfairly gorgeous...

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought. I'm just tired and overwhelmed, that's all. Once I've had a nap, I'll take a walkand get to know my surroundings. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a character who's nothing like Beau.

2

BEAU

"You like her, don't you?"

My mom's words snap me back to the present, and I force myself to stop staring at Jade's curves as she leaves the lobby carrying more luggage than she knows what to do with. It kills me that I didn't offer to help her, but it was clear she wanted to show me how independent she is. I don't have any plans to get on her bad side.

I sigh, unable to get her out of my mind. "She's going to be trouble, I can tell already."

Mom raises an eyebrow at me. "Beau Morgan, you will never find a girl to put up with you if you judge them that quickly."

"I know, I know." I hold up my hands in surrender. "I'm just saying she doesn’t seem like the type of girl who takes well to being told what to do."

"Reminds me of someone else I know," Mom says pointedly.

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