Page 10 of The Forbidden Mountain Man Lumberjack
"I've been thinking about your selective harvesting system," I say as I hand him the last plate. "It's impressive, but have you considered mapping it digitally? You could track growth patterns over time, predict optimal cutting schedules."
"We keep records in the ledgers at the office."
"Which are useful, but limited. Digital mapping would allow you to visualize patterns, share knowledge more efficiently with new crew members."
He leans against the counter, arms crossed, considering me. "You don't give up, do you?"
"Not when I believe in something."
"And you believe in turning logging into a computer game."
I roll my eyes. "I believe in preserving the knowledge you've built while making it more accessible and efficient. There's a difference."
A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Persistent."
"Stubborn," I counter.
"Pot, kettle."
We both laugh, and the sound of his deep chuckle does something to my insides that I refuse to examine too closely.
Outside, the morning is clear and crisp, the storm having passed overnight. As we walk to his truck, the rising sun catchesthe water droplets clinging to pine needles, turning the forest around the cabin into a glittering wonderland. I pause, taking in the beauty.
"It never gets old," Wyatt says softly beside me.
"I can see why you love it here." I breathe in the clean mountain air. "It feels...real."
He looks at me with an expression I can't quite read. "Most people don't get it. They see trees as obstacles or commodities. Not as living things."
"Is that why your selective harvesting is so important to you? Because you see the forest as alive?"
He nods slowly. "My grandfather taught me that we're caretakers, not just harvesters. We take what we need, but we make sure there's always more growing."
"That's exactly the kind of philosophy worth preserving in any system you implement." I turn to face him fully. "Sustainable forestry practices are the future, Wyatt. Your investors know that too. They don't want to change your core values—they want to leverage them."
He studies me for a long moment, pine-shadow eyes searching mine. We're standing close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from him, smell the coffee and something woodsy that's uniquely him.
"You really mean that, don't you?" he asks finally.
"Yes."
The word hangs between us, simple but weighted with sincerity. For a heartbeat, I think he might move closer. His gaze drops to my mouth, and my breath catches.
Then he steps back, breaking the moment. "We should get going."
The drive to the office is quiet, my mind replaying that moment outside the cabin. What would have happened if he hadn't pulled away? If I had closed the distance between us?
Nothing good, I remind myself firmly. He's my client. This job is too important for complications.
At the office, the hauling crew is already preparing for the day. Wyatt introduces me to Liam, the transportation foreman, a stocky man with an easy smile despite the early hour.
"She'll be riding with you today," Wyatt tells him. "Show her everything."
"Will do, boss." Liam nods at me. "Hope you're ready for the scenic route. First pickup is forty minutes up, then we head to the mill in Carson, about an hour east."
"I'm looking forward to it," I reply honestly. Understanding the full operation is critical to developing effective systems.
Wyatt shifts his weight, looking oddly hesitant. "I'll be with the cutting crew today. Different section than yesterday."
