Page 4 of Hunted By the Mountain Man

Butterfly?I don’t allow myself to reflect further on that unwelcome nickname or the fragility it implies as I struggle into my hiking boots, shoving the folded tripod into my bag, and reattaching my rolled up yoga mat to my pack. I start down the trail at a heightened pace … a pace I can’t maintain. And yet, my legs refuse to slow.

Eyes press into me from every direction as I hustle down the pathway I struggled to ascend earlier. I work hard to retain a calm outer veneer, but inside, uneasiness and fear simmer. Fortunately, this is a popular route, and I pass group after group of visitors, slowly relaxing and reflecting more deeply on my interaction with the stranger.

Looking at my phone, I realize the five-mile hike that required two-and-a-half leisurely hours just flew by in a little over an hour.

I hear a crackling of broken branches, turning to see the black-bearded mountain man glaring savagely at me from a distance. A deep growl rumbles up from his chest.

He wants me to be scared. It couldn’t be more obvious, and so I retort, lifting my chin imperiously, “I still don’t think you want to hurt me or let anyone else, for that matter.”

For the first time this week, the man looks shocked, his jaw slackening, and his eyes narrowing. His reaction makes me laugh. It also makes me feel oddly empowered.

Without a second glance, I beeline for my car. I may not be terrified of the mountain man, but I’m more than ready for the safety of my car. And I could definitely use some hot food and a cold shower.

I climb in, setting my purse in the passenger seat. My heart pounds behind my ribs, my hands shake, and my breath continues to come in little pants. I feel simultaneously invigorated, nervous, aroused, and anxious. I start to back up...

“Hey!” a high-pitched voice exclaims as I feel a thud, slamming on the brakes. Staring out the driver’s side window, I realize that I’ve hit a man. A man I know.

Rolling down the window, I scream, “Oh my God, Ralph, are you okay? What were you doing there? I didn’t see you.”

“Try checking your rear view mirror next time.” Ralph shakes his head, laughing. “You realize this is only one step above a hit and run, right?”

I cover my hand with my mouth ashamed of myself.

He pats his gray T-shirt and denim shorts, rustling his medium-length brown hair as he assesses his leg where I bumped him. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. But you owe me a drink later.”

“A drink? Where?”

His goofy smile glows. He’s everything the mountain man at the lake is not—harmless, clumsy, and nerdy. “The bar at the Paradise Inn, unless you know of some little hole-in-the-wall I haven’t found yet?”

“The Paradise Inn’s fine,” I reply, my mind still scattered. “Are you sure you’re okay? How hard did I hit you?”

“Just enough to get my attention,” he says, his cheeks glowing. “How about six tonight?”

I scrunch my face, my pulse finally slowing. “Will the rest of the group be there?” While Ralph’s a nice enough guy, he’s not my type. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression by meeting up with him alone.

“Probably. It’ll be dinnertime, after all.”

“Okay. See you then.” A sudden realization hits me. “Are you taking the trailhead up to Lake Florence?”

“Dunno,” he says in non-committal tones. “I’m kind of going wherever opportunity takes me.”

I scrunch my face, confused by his words.

He adds, “I keep telling you, Brynn, I’m not like you or the rest of the crew. I don’t need to do the whole HRT or even half of it. Touching grass, people watching are enough for me. Besides, Lake Florence is a bit overrated.”

“So, youhavebeen there?”

He shakes his head. “No, I mean overrated based on the photos I’ve seen on Yelp and many of the reviews.”

“Those aren’t the photos and reviews I’ve seen,” I counter. But then again, who am I to tell him what he should find impressive?

As if reading my mind, Ralph adds, “Opinions are like assholes, Brynn. Everyone has one.”

“You have a point. Well, have fun, whatever you do, and if you see a giant with black hair and a beard, tell him ‘hello’ from Brynn.”

Ralph deepens the crease in his forehead. “Making friends with Bigfoot, now?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Be careful out there. See you tonight.”

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