Page 2 of Canadian Wild: Love

I’ve never seen anything more stunning and my fingers absolutely itch to drag my laptop out and attempt to describe the vista around me to my subscribers.

A gentle beep-beep grabs my attention back and I shake my head to clear it. A small SUV sits beside me, the driver waving, smile wide. “Are you Mrs. Montgomery?”

I sigh. “Again with the name,” I mutter. I honestly don’t know if it was worth it to keep the name at this point but I don’t want to start over with my career even if I do want to start over with what’s left of my personal life.

I smile at the driver when he gets out and pops the back open, picking up my suitcase. “Is this all your luggage?”

“Yes. I figured I might have to get some new clothes depending on the weather but I’m alright with that.”

He nods. “I hope that you can find what you need, Depending on the time of year, it’s sometimes hard to get stuff in but I think that you should be good right now. The first snows have started but it’s not too deep yet.”

“I can’t wait to see snow!” I say, my heart tingling with excitement.

“You’ve never seen snow?” I think he almost falls over in shock.

Laughing, I grasp the door and step inside the car. “Yes, but it’s been a long time. I’ve been living in Florida. They don’t really have snow.”

“Beautiful by the ocean, though.”

“You are correct. I used to walk down to the beach every evening to enjoy the sound of the waves on the beach. It was very soothing. Definitely helped me sleep some nights.” In particular the nights where I couldn’t stop thinking about the mess that my marriage had become.

I push the thought away with a shudder. No way am I going to let my ex-husband ruin the rest of my life. I’m going to finally get to live it the way I’ve always wanted and I refuse to let the past obliterate my enjoyment of the future. I’m going to roar out my happiness at the start of my new world’s view.

I stare out the window as the driver’s chatter flows around me, barely touching the little bubble of happiness rippling around me. My hand touches the cool glass and I watch themountains swinging past me, feeling the power of them even through the clear barrier.

I’m going to be alright. I smile and sigh, leaning closer, enthralled by everything around me, happier than I’ve been in years. Happier than I ever remember being, the words flowing into my head as I sit there, writing my latest headline in my mind.

“I’m in Canada,” I say.

“You are, indeed,” the driver smiles. “I hope you enjoy your stay.”

How could I not?

CHAPTER 2

Emile

I’m going to be alright.I push all the bad thoughts out of my mind and sip at my beer, staring into the fire pit outside of my cabin, deep in the mountains. It’s quiet and still tonight. There’s a slight chill in the air, crisp and clean.

Once again, I stare down at the message from my ex-wife. Another damn request for money. Money which she’s not getting. I’ve made my contribution to her life. For ten years I had to pay alimony to her and those days are done. Tonight, I’m celebrating my last payment as ordered by the court.

I take a sip of the beer, enjoying the hoppy flavors and the way it numbs some of the damn feelings.

I hate that I have the memories of that time in my life. Hate it all. But you live and learn and what I learned is that women suck. Plain and simple.

I fell in love with my ex when I was in high school. She was the beautiful, perfect, bubbly cheerleader that all the guys wanted. And I got her. I thought I was the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet.

We got married right out of high school and I started driving a truck for the local freight company. For ten years I worked my ass off and came home every other weekend to spend time withmy wife, not even realizing how unhappy she was. I was always just happy to spend time with her. She took care of the bills and everything else when I dumped all of my paychecks in our joint account. As long as I had a little money out on the road to pay for my food and fuel, I didn’t worry about any of it. After all, I had my wife and a home in our little town that seemed perfect.

Another sip and my lip curls, anger and hurt coiling up in me. There I was thinking I was living my dream. Maybe I was. But it wasn’t her dream.

Every weekend when I came home she started whining and complaining that she needed more time with me. More time together. She was lonely.

I snort under my breath and take a long swig. What a fucking crock! She wasn’t lonely. Her fucking boyfriend wanted my job. Wanted to make more money so that they could be together faster.

But I didn’t know that shit. All I knew was that my woman needed me. So I asked my work to take me off the road for awhile. I started working on the loading docks, killing myself to make more money and spend more fucking time with her.

Weirdly, it seemed like it wasn’t helping a damn thing. She was annoyed at me all the time.You need to keep your things picked up. Why can’t you be quieter when you get up for work? I’m not getting enough sleep.

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