Page 6 of The Mountain Man's Chance

As much as it killed me inside to do so, I knew it was the right thing to do. Or maybe Lena knew it was the right thing to do, and I just listened. She cornered me the other night at my homecoming party and told me I was making things worse. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the truth.

Over the past few days, I kept myself busy with my new start-up. I avoided the diner like the plague and learned my cooking skills pretty much sucked.

Thankfully, Crew and Arlo, my two closest friends from my squad, did regular diner runs, and Rowan, another squad member, enjoyed cooking, so he covered a few meals.

All the guys pitched in ideas of how the company would work, where we would offer our services, and more. I was excited to get started since my time in the military was behind me. While I enjoyed serving my country, I was ready to settle down and start a life.

And no matter what life I pictured myself having, Camille was always there, by my side, as my wife, partner, best friend, and mother to my children.

“What’s up with you lately?” Crew asked over lunch one afternoon.

“What do you mean?” I responded.Where was this coming from?

Crew shrugged. “You seem…different. Arlo agreed with me and?—”

I cut him off. “You’re talking to Arlo behind my back now?” I joshed, elbowing him in the side. I honestly didn’t care, but I was curious as to how I acted differently.

Crew held up his hands in surrender. “Only good things, my man. Just want to make sure you’re okay. Being back here and all. I’m sure there’s a lot of memories hitting you every which way.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.” I clapped him on the back. Crew had been by my side on our squad for two straight years, so I trusted the guy with my life.

“Is it about that chick from the diner?” Arlo asked as he took a seat next to Crew.

My fork froze midair, only halfway to my mouth. Dammit. My mother did say I always wore my heart on my sleeve. “Her name is Camille. Not that chick.” I grunted.

“Whoa, sorry, man,” Arlo said. Crew shot him a dirty look.

“It’s fine. I’m fine. Let’s change the subject.”

* * *

The following day,the squad and I worked side by side, and by five o’clock that evening, all of my brain power was depleted. I called it a night, and on my way home, I placed my usual order with the diner. I’ve avoided the place long enough.

Camille’s mother sounded overjoyed to hear my voice. A small part of me hoped Camille answered the phone, and an even bigger part of me hoped I’d see her when I picked up my order.

As I drove through Appleridge, the radio warned of an incoming rainstorm with heavy winds and possible power outages. Shit, I wasn’t sure if I had any flashlights or batteries back at the house, so I made a mental note to grab some after I picked up dinner.

When I pulled into the diner parking lot, the sky opened, and the rain poured. I ran into the diner as fast as I could but still ended up soaked.

“Phew, that storm came on fast, huh?” Marty, a local townsman who ran the Appleridge Inn, stood in the doorway on his way out, his eyes locked on the now raging storm outside.

“Yeah, the radio said to expect a lot of wind and possible power outages. They should probably close up early tonight.”

“I think you might be right, Zach. It’s good having you back.” Marty clapped me on the shoulder. “Get home safe.”

“Thanks,” I said before walking over to the pick-up counter. Usually, my order was ready and waiting, but it was not tonight. I looked around and noticed the diner was pretty empty. Were Camille and her parents still here?

I strode toward the kitchen, and that was when I heard Camille’s panic-stricken voice.

“Oh my God! Okay, don’t get out of the car. I’m coming to you. Tell me exactly where you are.”

What the hell was happening?

My heart lurched. I couldn’t stand here and do nothing. I had to help. I rounded the corner and walked over to her. “Camille, what’s wrong?”

If she was surprised to see me, she didn’t act like it. Instead, her shoulders visibly relaxed, and she rushed toward me. “Zach! My parents…I sent them home early because of the storm, and now they’re stuck on the road!”

“Shit. Where? I’ll go get them, don’t worry.”

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