Page 1 of Protected By The Mountain Man

Chapter 1

Mia

The day was perfect.

Even more perfect than perfect, if such a thing was possible.

I paddled my kayak to the cove.

This one?

Studying the steep bank I’d need to climb to get onto solid land, I decided to go further.

I’d never been out on Hidden Lake before, but it was beautiful. And I was so glad I’d decided to come on my own.

I was here on Red Oak Mountain vacationing with friends. Chris and Susan were both signed up for the mountain bike race, and Kaitlyn and I had tagged along with them all the way from Chicago.

Today, the three of them had gone out to the biking trails to get a feel for them. But I’d spied a kayak rental sign on our drive through town and decided to go on a mini-adventure all on my own.

Trying new things was in my blood, and Ilovedadventures.

Red Oak Mountain looked like it was full of adventure.

I’d never kayaked on my own before, but in the few short hours I’d been out on the lake, I’d fallen in love with it.

The lake was still and silent, giving me plenty of time to sit with my thoughts.

I paddled to the next cove.

This is it.

It was ideal.

This cove had a small sandy beach that led to a forested hill. I could just make out a small clearing at the top. I’d have my lunch on the beach after a little swim. Then later on, I’d hike up to the top of the hill to take in the view.

Paddling the kayak to the shoreline was a simple feat since I’d chosen my cove well. I pulled the small craft up onto the sandy beach and grabbed my picnic lunch.

This is exactly what I’d needed. One day to myself.

My friends were great, but I still relished somemetime.

And I had a lot to think about.

Looking around, I realized just how isolated the spot was. I could still see a sliver of the lake from my cove, but there was no one else around.

Only two boats and one paddle board had passed me earlier, and I hadn’t seen anyone in the last thirty minutes.

I was all alone out here.

This truly is a hidden lake.

It had been named well.

A tiny grin popped out on my lips as I stripped out of my clothes and threw them in the kayak. I was going to have a naked swim, then sunbathe for a while before snacking on my lunch. After that, I’d kayak back to the lake entrance.

As I got in, I noticed the water was warm for the first few inches, then progressively cooler the lower it got. It felt like heaven on this hot summer day.

I floated on my back while I tried to decide what to do with my life.

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