Page 9 of Admiring the Mountain Man
Carefully making my way back down without breaking an ankle, I shift through the box to find a flashlight or two until I can figure out what I’m going to do until the power turns back on.
As I’m hoping it’ll flicker back on like nothing happened, the continuous darkness surrounding me swallows up my hopes.
Digging out a bulky flashlight, a matching handheld radio, and some batteries, I return to Hayes and set everything down. Fiddling with the radio, I search through the static for any station.
“NowI get to lock things up, but I need to take care of some stuff before I can leave.”
Need to text Gavin since I know I can’t get a hold of him. Need to call the electricity company. Need to worry about all our food in our walk-in cooler and freezer.
He moves to stand, joining me at the front door. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his keys. “I should go turn on the truck to make sure it’s heated up.”
I jerk at the very thought. Sure, he’s got a point, but I don’t want to see him limp out there and get caught in the wind.
“Let me,” I start, already holding my hand out. “It’s the least I can do with what you’re offering.”
Blinking down at me, he doesn’t offer his keys. Instead, he offers something better. Asmile.
If it’s not the curve that prickles my skin up in goosebumps, it’s the rush of wind licking my skin as he shoves the door open.
“I’ll be back.” Leaving it at that, he abandons the bar and heads toward his truck. It’s parked all the way across the lot. Instead of parking in one of the spots to help people like him, he’s purposely made it harder for himself.
I don’t understand why, and it leaves me frustrated and wishingIwere the one taking the pelting down raindrops.
Sighing softly, I turn away long enough to go fetch some towels. He’s going to need a few of them once he comes back inside dripping like a wet dog.
By the time I return to the door, I see he’s still outside. Rather than turning his truck on, he’s staring at it. From the way he’s rubbing at his bearded cheek, I can see there’s an issue.
Another loud boom makes me jump and jerk.
Pushing open the door, I call out to him, beckoning him to come back in. Thankfully, he does.
Holding the door open for him, I’m in awe as he walks in my direction. Reminds me too much of the first time I looked at him.
His hair is molded to his skin, his beard covered in droplets of rain. The shirt he’s wearing clings to his body like a second skin, leaving little to the imagination. The fabric outlines the hard planes of his chest and the ridges of his stomach. Every breath makes the material hitch and pull, revealing more than it conceals.
Burying his fingers into his hair to push his bangs back, his eyes look troubled.
Before I’m swallowed up by the heat growing on my face, I’m trusting the towels in his direction. I can barely even ask him what the issue is without choking on my tongue.
“Must’ve run over something on the way down.” He grips the towels, in no rush to put me out of my misery. “Tire is flat and I don’t have a spare. Not that I could change it now, not with the condition of the weather.”
Meaning… we’re stuck here. Alone together.
Oh boy.
“Maybe we could call a mechanic–” I start, trying to be hopeful.
Hayes shakes his head, making droplets drip down his throat. “The whole street is without power, by the looks of it. Something tells me the same could be said about this side of the town. Doubt they have a phone working, and already have enough issues going on.”
Okay, yeah, we’re stuck here.
“Well, go ahead and take a seat. Try to dry off and use this as a lesson to wear jackets on rainy days.” Locking the doors, I turn toward our food that has probably grown cold by now.
I can’t even reheat it in the microwave.
“Take care of what you need to. I’ll be here.” Sounding less stressed than I am, his cane thumps with each step before he settles back in his seat, a relieved sigh leaving his lips.
Even with a list of tasks, I know I’ll be distracted.
