Page 1 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN

CHAPTER ONE

Jace

“Oh, look at my handsome boy!”Nan clapped her hands excitedly as she watched me walk up the pathway to her front door. “Aren’t you just a sight for sore eyes?”

I laughed and took her into my arms, her petite frame so small in my giant 6-foot bear hug. “I’ve missed you, Nan. It’s not the same at home without you.”

“Sweet boy, let me have a good look at you.” She took a step back and looked me up and down before beckoning me inside. “Looking a little thin. You’re eating enough, right? Not working too much?”

I closed the door behind me and set my bags down. It was my first time visiting her in new senior community apartment in Love Canyon, California where she moved a couple of years after my grandfather passed. She lived in Appleridge her whole life and wanted to explore. With her two friends in tow, she packed up and moved out here, leaving the family business to me.

As sad as I was, who was I to stop her? Nan deserved to relax on the sunny west coast after raising her own children and thenme when my parents died unexpectedly. She deserved the world. I’d make sure she always had it.

“Eating enough? Mostly. Working too much? Never.” I grinned and took a look around her place. “Give me the grand tour, I’m ready.”

Nan waved her hand at me and fluttered off into the next room. I followed behind and entered her kitchen. I should’ve known we’d stop here first. She wanted to feed me. “Sit down first. You need to eat something.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m fine, Nan. I grabbed something earlier. Come, sit, and tell me how life is in Cali.”

“You sit. I’ll put on the kettle.”

I shook my head and chuckled to myself as I took a seat. Nan never stopped. “How about you sit, and I put on the kettle?”

“Nonsense. You’re already sitting, see?” Nan tipped her chin towards me before placing the kettle on the stove and turning on the burner.

I gave up on the losing battle. “Whatcha been up to?”

“Oh, you know, the usual lunches with the girls, my daily walk, and I’ve picked up a new hobby- paint by number kits. The girls and I get together and paint, have a glass of wine, and gossip.” Her eyes sparkled as she retrieved two mugs from the cabinet and placed them on the table. She dropped a tea bag in each and brought over the sugar.

“Well, aren’t you just a busy lady?” I smiled, happy to see her so happy. “I love this for you, Nan. I love seeing you so happy.”

“Thank you, my sweet boy. Now enough about me. What’s new in Appleridge?” The kettle whistled and Nan flicked off the stove before filling our mugs with steaming hot water. After she placed the kettle down, she took a seat across from me.

“Same old crap, different day. There has been a lot of new developments in the area. A logging crew came in and cleared a lot of land in both Appleridge and Apple Falls. Looks like a lot ofnew houses and commercial building plans are underway. I just hope they don’t clear too much land on the mountain. I like our cabin being tucked away from others. I don’t want neighbors.” I smirked and Nan laughed as she dunked her tea bag up and down in the water.

“It is very peaceful. But I suppose small towns need to grow, eventually.”

“Nah. I like when things stay the way they are. Why fix something that isn’t broken?” I echoed one of Grandpa’s many statements he said on repeat.

Nan smiled wistfully. “If only everyone else saw things the same way. Everything good with the business? No troubles?”

“Nope. Runs like a well-oiled machine, just the way you and Pops left it.”

“Perfect. Have any pretty ladies stolen my sweet boy’s heart yet?”

“Ha. Not quite. I’d actually have to date one for that to happen.”

“Oh!” Nan’s mouth dropped open and she snapped her fingers. “That reminds me! I wanted to see if you’d like to go on a blind date.”

I nearly choked on my sip of tea. “A blind date?”

“Yes. I joined a book club and met more nice people from the community. One woman I’ve become close with, and she’s worried about her granddaughter finding love. Anyway, I thought, why not set up something for when you’re here? She’s smart, successful, very career driven and?—”

“Nan, sorry to interrupt, but why would you set me up with a girl here? You know I can’t move here with the family business and all.”

“Oh sweetie, it’s no big deal. I’m not saying fall in love with her. I just owe my friend a little favor is all. Do a little wining and dining and she’ll get some practice, as will you, with dating.Besides, I’ll be at book club on Friday night anyway, so that’s the perfect time to take her out.” Nan sipped her tea, her soft brown eyes pleading with me.

“You little sneak! You know I can’t say no to you.” I chuckled. “But now you’ll owe me one.”

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