Page 2 of The Marrying Kind
Thecuteonewas tall with broad shoulders and a five o’clock shadow. He was wearing a gray flannel shirt and had on a baseball cap turned backward.
“He and his family own a bunch of cabins up on the mountain. Rental cabins,” CJ said helpfully.
My gaze returned to hers as hope lifted in my chest.
A cozy cabin in the woods all to myself? My Hallmark-movie Christmas might still be within reach. I’d learned to deal with disappointment, but that didn’t mean this kernel of hope wasn’t welcome.
“But ...” CJ frowned. “I don’t know if they’re open yet. Last I heard, they were still building them. It’s worth a shot, though. I could introduce you. It would be better than sleeping in your car.”
I checked my phone. Nothing from Samantha. “That’s okay. I’m hoping to have things figured out in another half hour or so.”
CJ nodded. “Can I get you anything else then? Something to eat? The brisket sandwich isn’t half bad.”
I shook my head. If Samantha didn’t come through and the rental cabin didn’t pan out, then what? Maybe I’d get a tent and camp.
I must have said this part out loud because CJ made an uncertain sound.
“You could. But you’ve got to be safe when you’re camping in bear country. Take some extra precautions.”
My fingers tightened around the stem of my wineglass. “Like what?”
“Well, for starters, it’s cold this time of year. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still predators out looking for a meal. Mountain lions are another thing to watch out for.”
I’d wanted an adventure, but bears and mountain lions? That was a hard pass.
My gaze returned warily to the cute stranger at the end of the bar.
2
STRANGER IN TOWN
Austen
“I’m not kidding,” I said.
Tripp scoffed. “Did you fall down and hit your head?”
He placed the back of his hand against my forehead as if he were checking for a fever before I pushed it away.
“Don’t be an ass. I didn’t say I had it all figured out yet. I’m just saying it’s time I thought about settling down. My brothers have found wives. You’re married now. It’s time. I need a good woman.”
He shook his head. “Never thought I’d see the day Austen Hart was telling me he was ready to call it quits and find himself an honest to goodness wife.”
I took another sip of my beer and ignored the pointed and somewhat confused expression my friend was directing my way. I was pushing thirty. Was it so crazy that I’d eventually want to settle down?
Tripp scoffed. “What are you going to do, marry the next single woman you see?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
I hadn’t figured he would give me a hard time. I thought if anyone understood this ... this sudden desire for female companionship I had, it would be Tripp. The guy was happily married to his college sweetheart. They were stupid happy and perfect for each other. Sure, I might have given him the impression over the last dozen years or so that I had no interest in being tied down to the same woman, but people can change.
Can’t they?
Tripp scratched at the back of his neck like he was deep in thought. “In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a terrible male-to-female ratio in this town.”
He wasn’t wrong. Kodiak Canyon had a lot to offer, but female companionship wasn’t one of them.
I’d lived in Kodiak Canyon my whole life, and there was no place better, as far as I was concerned. My family and I had figured out a way to make mountain living work for us.
