Page 1 of Assembling with the Mountain Man

CHAPTER ONE

Chevelle

“I can’t believewe’re doing this in person.” I held up my champagne flute, filled with the most delicious mimosa, and toasted with my best friend, and now once again brunch buddy, Leighton.

After we both downed half of our drinks, Leighton grinned. “I know. Took your ass long enough to get here.”

“Hey, a girl needs to detangle her life when she’s lived in the same place forever.” I took a bite of my apple cinnamon muffin, the delicious flavors bouncing on my taste buds. “Wow, these muffins are yummy. You weren’t lying when you told me how good they are.”

“Nothing like an apple cinnamon muffin from Ruby’s bakery. The drive is worth it. Everything she makes is delicious. I’ll show you all the good spots.” Leighton sipped more of her mimosa.

“How far away is it?”

Leighton chuckled. “It’s in the next town over, Appleridge. Maybe ten to fifteen minutes but be prepared for others to say it’s way too far.”

“Ah, the small-town way of thinking?”

“Pretty much. Better get used to it. Everyone around here knows everyone else’s comings and goings.”

“I figured.” I finished my muffin before grabbing a bowl of cut up fresh fruit. “Won’t be any sneaking around with a sexy mountain man.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

“Watch out. I’m telling you, there is totally something in the water around here. Love sneaks up and bites you in the ass. They call it the Appleridge love bug. Next thing you know, you’re falling in love with a mountain man and pregnant with his love child.”

I stared at my best friend, Leighton, my muffin forgotten before I burst into laughter. “You can’t be serious. It’s not like mountain men are just falling from the sky.”

“No, but they’re still around.” Leighton winked. “Watch out, they’re wild.”

We both dissolved into infectious laughter.

“Speaking of mountain men, where did your hubby take the kids?”

“Cash said they were going to burn some energy off at the park. I don’t know how he does it. I’m exhausted by the end of the day. Plus, Maddie isn’t sleeping through the night quite yet, so the sleep I get is restless and interrupted.”

“Must be tough with the two littles. How does Sammy do through the night?”

“He’s great. Sleeps through the night without an issue. He’s such a sweet, charming little boy. I can’t believe he’s almost three! I feel like we were just celebrating his second birthday.”

“Oh, I remember you calling me during that bash. It looked like a lot of fun.”

“It was. And soon we’ll be planning Maddie’s first birthday, thankfully we have a few months left until she’s no longer a baby. How does it go by so fast?”

“It seems to go by faster the older we get.”

“You can say that again. Especially when watching children grow. It’s like they grow overnight or something.”

I laughed. “Maddie is your twin. It’s adorable. Do you want more?”

Leighton nodded. “Yes, at least a couple. Cash wants a lot.”

“He’s not the one birthing them.”

“That’s what I said!”

We both dissolved into laughter and moved on to discussing her wedding planning and the job I scored in town at the new flower shop. Right now, I rented an Airbnb cabin down the street from Leighton, while I looked for a more permanent place.

“You’re gonna add so much amazingness to Amara’s flower shop. I stopped in there last week and she’s up to her ears in orders. She probably didn’t expect to be so busy, but I knew this town needed a flower shop, so I’m not surprised it’s a hot commodity. She’s running the show all by herself, so I’m sure she’ll be grateful to see you. When do you start?”

“Actually, today at two. Amara set aside the afternoon to show me around, do paperwork, the whole new hire thing.”

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