Page 1 of Stepbrothered by the Mountain Man

Chapter One

Maya

“Could there be a more perfect spot on the mountain to build my dream cabin?” I ask my best friend Cali as I spin around with my phone, showing her the breathtaking panoramic view. The short answer is no.

I can see everything from here. From the cliff side, that’s reminiscent of craggy steps chiseled by past giants, to the massive gleaming lake in the valley, to the surrounding, snow-capped mountain peaks. If the land wasn’t so small, I’m sure my stepbrothers would’ve chosen this location to build the Bear Lair Lodge and Lounge. A choice I’m ecstatic they didn’t make because this baby is destined to be mine.

“It’s spectac—” Cali manages to get out before the video call freezes for the fiftieth time. “I—”

I hold the phone higher, hoping to catch a better range of the signal, to no avail. My bars go down from three to two and her voice sounds robotic and far away as it crinkles across the speaker.

“Love—” And then the call cuts out.

I sigh and pocket it. Poor internet reception was the only downside to living out here, but the gorgeous views made up for it.

Soon this was going to be my view every day.

Beau, my middle stepbrother, owns half of the mountainside, and he’s willing to sell portions to his family at amazing prices. I think it’s a combination of generosity and not wanting to deal with strange neighbors, though neighbor is a loose word. Grant, my oldest stepbrother, and his wife Emmy bought a lot a few acres higher to the east seven months ago. Technically, their property borders this one, but there’s no way I’d ever spot them and vice versa, given the distance. That was a comfort, having tons of privacy, while knowing my family was just a few acres away.

Yes, it was perfect. The problem was, I only had half the money saved. That didn’t stop me from visiting every week, though. I was already envisioning my cabin’s layout, and where I’d sit to enjoy the sunsets and sunrises.

Speaking of, the sunset was just starting, but I knew how fast the darkness devoured the forest.

As I pivot to grab my backpack, I spy a pair of gleaming eyes watching me from the bushes. Given that they’re at human height, I know I didn’t get lucky with a deer.

I swallow, my eyes drifting to the stump where my air horn sits. I always use it to warn the wildlife when I’m around, and it works excellently on bears as a deterrent, not when they’ve already spotted me. Now that this one had, it was a fifty-fifty shot if the piercing sound would help. Regardless, the cans are three feet away.

Please be a black bear.

Black bears were more docile, plus they outnumbered grizzlies in this region. Levi, the last Woods brother, taught me a ton when I first moved to the mountains. But the one thing I took to heart was the old saying, “Black, fight back. Brown, lay down. White, say goodnight”.

In the orange sunlight, a strip of black fur gives me a microscopic speck of hope.

Spreading my arms, I wave them wildly and shout at the top of my lungs. Slowly, I ease toward my backpack and the horn and bear spray sitting next to my sketch pad.

The creature takes a step closer, the last remnants of light illuminating his black face and beady eyes. My heart pounds in my throat as I approach the sprays. I would have to crouch to grab the cans, but that would make me smaller and less intimidating. Each second feels like an eternity as I lower my right arm.

The bear takes another curious step closer, then another, despite my shrieks.

No! This couldn’t be it! I wasn’t ready to say goodnight.

A bone-chilling noise rings out from somewhere behind me and immediately my flapping hands fly against my bleeding ears.

The bear stops its advancement, and once I’m over the shock of my saving grace, I grab both cans and press the bear horn, joining in with whoever was blowing theirs. With quick bursts, I continue my waving, backing up slowly as the sound from the other horn draws nearer. I don’t turn around, though; I don’t take my eyes off the bear, not even to blink.

A few more pumps and the bear whips around, running down those giant steps and back to safety.

A hard chest bumps into my back, a strong arm wrapping around my waist.

“Maya, what on earth are you doing here alone?”

I’m shaking like a leaf as I turn around into Levi’s chest and throw my arms around his neck.

“I-I...”

“What were you thinking?!” His words are as sharp as the daggers he keeps on his hip. But his arm that holds me close and the hand that nests in my curly hair are tender and comforting.

I snuggle deeper into his embrace, relishing in the feel of his bushy jaw grazing my forehead.

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