Page 1 of Her Mountain Man Neighbor
1
GRACE
I restmy head on my hand and stare out the window. The trees outside blaze with color—reds and oranges catching the afternoon sun. Leaves drift lazily to the ground, carpeting the forest in gold as I take a sip of cocoa and sink deeper into the squashy armchair.
I can’t believe it’s October already. It’s officially been a month since I arrived at Holden’s cabin—a month since I left the Hamptons and said goodbye to my old life forever. Everything has changed so fast, and I’m still scrambling to catch up.
It all started with my sister, Mila. Our parents tried to force her into an arranged marriage, but she couldn’t go through with it. She jilted her groom and escaped into the woods, where a mountain man called Holden found her and kept her safe.
But that wasn’t the end.
After my sister fled the wedding, my parents decided I should take her place as the bride. They had an agreement with the groom’s family and were determined to keep up appearances. I trembled all the way up the aisle, tears streaming down my face…until Mila came back for me just in time. She brought me to Holden’s cabin, and I’ve been living here with them ever since.
It’s a beautiful place—a cozy log cabin tucked away in the forest. I love the peace and quiet, the gentle sounds of nature all around me. Holden insists I can call this place home for as long as I want, but I know I can’t stay forever. I need to learn how to stand on my own two feet.
But it’s so much harder than I expected.
All my life, my parents have dictated everything, from my clothes to my hobbies. I was never allowed to get a job or earn my own money. Now that I’m free to do what I want, I feel so lost. The real world seems huge and terrifying, and I’m completely unprepared for it. I grew up in a bubble—stifling and privileged—drifting around high-society events and following orders from my parents. That’s all I’ve ever known.
But that’s behind me now.
Things need to change.
I turn away from the window, catching sight of Mila and Holden sitting on the couch. There’s a movie playing,You’ve Got Mail, but neither of them is looking at the TV screen. They only have eyes for each other. I see the knowing glances, the secret smiles when they think I’m not looking…and don’t get me started on the noises coming from their bedroom every night.
God help me. The noises.
I’m third-wheeling big time, intruding on their new life together, and it’s time to do something about it. I need to find a job. Save some money. Rent an apartment. I need to do all the things that normal people do without letting fear hold me back. A positive mindset—that’s all I need. Staying optimistic and looking on the bright side is how I lived with my parents for twenty-two years. It’s my survival mechanism, and I can’t let it fail me now.
It’s going to be great.
Everything is going to work out.
I take a breath and force a broad smile before I get up from the armchair and join Holden and Mila on the couch.
“You okay, Gracie?” Mila asks, beaming at me as I sit down. She’s always beaming these days, happiness glowing from every pore. That’s the effect Holden has on her, and I’m thrilled my sister has found somebody who loves her so much. She deserves it.
“I’m good,” I tell her, returning her smile. “Just thinking about how I should start looking for a job soon, so I can save up some money to move out…”
Mila eases out of Holden’s embrace, leaning toward me. “Are you sure you’re ready?” She frowns with concern. “There’s no rush. I know this has been a really hard time for you.”
She’s right about that. After Mila and I both refused the arranged marriage, our parents cut us off without a second thought. They swore they’d never speak to us again, and I believe them. Mila took it in her stride, happy to have them out of our lives for good. But for me, it wasn’t that simple. I always believed that deep down…really, really deep down…my parents loved me. The thought was like a little flame of hope, keeping me warm in my darkest moments. Now it’s been snuffed out for good. They never loved me. They never cared.
“You’re right,” I mumble. “Ithasbeen tough…but I don’t want to wallow in self-pity forever. I need to get it together.”
Mila reaches out to give my hand an affectionate squeeze. “Well, if that’s what you want, then I’ll support you all the way.”
I squeeze her hand back. No matter what happens, at least I’ll always have my sister.
“You want me to ask around about jobs in Cherry Hollow?” Holden says. “Try to find you something in the town?”
“That would be great! Thank you.”
I feel a rush of affection for him. He’s been so good to me since I arrived, treating me like his own sister. Heck, the waythings are going between him and Mila, I’ll probably be his sister-in-law for real before long. Right on cue, Mila snuggles back against him, and he wraps his arms around her, pressing a kiss on her head. She looks up at him, their eyes meeting, and I swear the air seems to thicken with tension.
Uh-oh…
“I think I’m going to take a walk,” I say, jumping up from the couch.
