Page 3 of Speed Dating the Mountain Man

I nod, understanding the appeal of escape all too well. It's why I spend so much time in the wilderness, away from the complications of modern life.

As we continue to talk, I find myself torn between two conflicting emotions. On one hand, the five minutes we have together feels interminable. I'm acutely aware of how out of place I am here, surrounded by the chatter and laughter of the other speed daters. I long for the quiet solitude of the mountains, where I feel most at home.

But on the other hand, as Rena shares more about her dreams and aspirations, I find myself wishing we had more time. There's something about her warmth and enthusiasm that draws me in despite my natural inclination to keep people at a distance.

Before I know it, the bell rings, a jarring sound that interrupts the easy flow of conversation between Rena and me. I feel an unexpected pang of disappointment as I realize our time together has come to an end.

I stand up slowly, reluctant to leave this little bubble of connection we've somehow managed to create. Rena looks up at me, her warm brown eyes tinged with a hint of regret.

"Well, I guess that's our cue," she says, offering me a rueful smile. "It was really great talking to you, Aaron."

"Yeah, you too," I mumble, surprised by how much I mean it. I'm not usually one for social niceties, but something about Rena brings out a different side of me.

As I turn to move to the next table, I feel a sudden urge to say something more, to prolong this moment of connection for just a little longer. But the words stick in my throat, and I settle for an awkward nod instead.

"Maybe I'll see you around?" Rena calls after me, a hopeful note in her voice.

"Yeah, maybe," I reply, glancing back over my shoulder.

I make my way to the next table, but my mind is still back with Rena, replaying our conversation and the way her eyes sparkled when she talked about her love of writing. I barelyregister the woman who sits across from me, too preoccupied with thoughts of warm brown eyes and an infectious laugh.

As the next round of speed dating begins, I find myself going through the motions, answering questions on autopilot while my thoughts drift constantly to Rena. I can't shake the feeling that our brief encounter was something special, something worth exploring further.

The rest of the event passes in a blur, and before I know it, I'm standing outside the resort, gulping in the crisp mountain air. I feel a strange mix of relief and disappointment as I head towards my truck, ready to retreat to the solitude of my cabin.

3

RENA

I'm distracted all through my shift, my mind constantly wandering back to last night's speed dating event.

Suddenly, I overhear a guest at one of my tables mention a wilderness guide. “Yeah, Aaron took us out on the most amazing hike yesterday,” the man says, his voice filled with enthusiasm. The guy really knows his stuff. He’s a bit quiet, but man, he can navigate those trails like nobody's business."

My heart skips a beat. They have to be talking about him. How many Aarons can there be in this small town, especially ones who work as wilderness guides?

I hover near their table, taking a lot longer than usual to clean dirty plates away in the hopes I'll hear more about my mystery man. Unfortunately, the man receives a phone call, and the table starts talking about something else.

With plates in hand, I argue with myself as I walk them through to the kitchen, debating whether or not to seek him out. Part of me says it's crazy. We barely spoke for five minutes; how could I be so hung up on a guy I hardly know? But another part, the part that's drawn to his quiet intensity and rugged charm, urges me to take a chance.

I push through the kitchen doors, the plates in my hands clattering as I set them down next to the sink. Penny looks up from the stove where she's stirring a pot of soup, her blonde ponytail swishing in motion.

"Hey, Rena! I never got the chance to speak to you after the event finished last night. Did you meet anyone good?"

I lean against the counter, a smile playing on my lips as I think back to the event. "It was... interesting," I say, trying to play it cool. But Penny knows me too well.

"Interesting, huh?" She raises an eyebrow. "That's code for 'I met someone,' isn't it?"

I feel my cheeks flush. "Maybe," I admit, biting my lip to suppress a grin.

Penny abandons her soup, turning to face me fully. "Spill," she demands, her voice filled with excitement.

"His name's Aaron," I begin, the name sending a little thrill through me. "He's a wilderness guide. Tall, dark, and handsome in a rugged sort of way. Not much of a talker, but there was just something about him..."

Penny's eyes widen. "Aaron? As in Aaron Hanson? The mountain man?"

"You know him?" I ask, surprised.

"Everyone knows him, or knows of him at least," Penny says. "He's a bit of a local legend. Keeps to himself mostly, but they say he can survive in the woods for weeks with nothing but a knife."

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