Matched to the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Mail Order Bride)

Ella

T he last few days have been a total blur, packing and finishing up the jobs I have outstanding so I don't need to worry about work while I'm in Rock Creek. It didn't even occur to me to ask Jamie if he had a good Wi-Fi signal in his cabin.

Not that I want to even think about work while I'm there.

No. I need to focus on Jamie and our connection and... marriage.

The whole thing still seems crazy. But I keep thinking of Ava and how well it all worked out for her.

I debate calling her to tell her about Jamie. I'd prefer not to have any outside interference at all. But ultimately, I can't not tell her, so I call her from the bus.

She answers on the first ring.

". I've missed?—"

"Guess where I am?" I'm bursting to tell her. The fact that I haven't told Ava about Jamie yet is crazy. I have to remind myself that it all happened so fast, there just hasn't been time.

After all, it's only been two days since he sent me the bus ticket.

"At home," she says with a smile in her voice. "Where you always are. Working, probably."

I falter a bit. I guess I really am that predictable. To be fair, that is usually where I am, and what I'm doing. But that's all about to change.

"I'm on a bus," I say quickly. "About ten minutes out from Rock Creek."

"You're what?"

I nod, even though she can't see me.

"Are you coming to visit? That's awesome. I'm?—"

"No," I interrupt her. "I mean, not really. I guess sort of. But..." I blow out a breath and start from the beginning, filling in my best friend on the last few days. And Jamie.

Ava's silent when I'm finished until finally, she squeals. "That's incredible, . I'm so excited for you."

I can't keep the grin off my face. "I mean, there's nothing to get excited about yet." I'm still trying to measure my excitement in case it doesn't work out for one of the million reasons that have crossed my mind in the last few days.

What if he doesn't like what he sees?

What if he changes his mind?

What if he's a crazy serial killer?

What if it turns out I can't hack life in the mountains?

"If the site matched you, I'm sure it'll be awesome," Ava says. "And obviously he likes you, too. He sent you a bus ticket."

"He did." I can feel my excitement—and my nerves—growing.

"Have you been chatting a lot? What's he like?"

"He's..." I blush at her question. "He's really direct," I tell my friend, opting for discretion. She doesn't need to know all the details about our conversations over the last few days. "He really seems to know what he wants."

"And he wants you," Ava squeals. "It's so exciting."

"It is." I can't keep the smile from my face.

"But ..." Ava's voice shifts, and instantly my heart sinks. "The mountains? Really? I mean, you're not really the outdoorsy type and, well, Rock Creek is pretty outdoorsy."

She had a point. And it was definitely one I'd considered. I wasn't lying when I told Jamie I'd never been to the mountains. Heck, I seldom ventured into the park down the street. But it's not because I don't like the outdoors. It was just never part of my life.

Growing up, Aunt Beryl and Clarissa considered it outdoorsy to have lunch on a patio, and when I finally got out on my own, I had other priorities.

"I know," I tell my best friend. "But to be fair, I just haven't had the chance to experience the great outdoors. I think I'll like it once I do. I mean, you seem to like it there."

"I love it here," Ava says. "It's incredible. And the mountain man in my bed has a lot to do with that."

A full-body shiver goes through me and I swallow hard.

"Do you know Jamie?"

"Not well," Ava says. "He's best friends with one of Jaxon's brothers and he seems like a good guy."

"And he's hot."

"I wouldn't know," she says with a laugh. "You know I only have eyes for my man." My eyes drift outside to the snowy landscape we're driving past as we pass a large timber sign announcing the town of Rock Creek. My heart catches in my throat. "I have to go, Ava. We're almost in town."

"I'm so excited for you, . It's going to be great. Let me know how it's going," she says. "I mean, if you have a free second." I can almost hear her wiggling her eyebrows and I feel a pang of excitement. And something else... anticipation? Fear?

I have no idea what will happen. But I know what I hope

will happen. The way we've been flirting, it's hard to ignore the chemistry between us. I just hope that chemistry is just as strong in real life.

If it's not, I don't?—

No.

I won't let myself spiral. Not now.

Out the window, I can see the occasional log cabin tucked into the trees just off the road, and then more buildings. And Main Street.

It's time.

I end the call with Ava and promise to stay in touch. Hopefully, we'll be neighbours soon and I'll be able to see my best friend more often.

But I won't get ahead of myself yet. One thing at a time.

First, I have to meet my mountain man.

We're almost there.

My phone dings with a notification.

I almost don't look, assuming it's Ava with some last-minute advice.

Jamie:

Don't be nervous. I'll be the guy you won't be able to take your eyes off. I can't wait to see you, .

A bloom of warmth spreads through my chest the way it always does when Jamie texts me.

Our messages over the last few days have become much flirtier, which both excites me and terrifies me.

Again, I hope he's not disappointed.

I'm about to respond when another message comes through.

And kiss you for the first time.

Whatever I was about to type slips away at the promise of my first kiss being only moments away.

The bus rolls to a stop, but I'm sitting on the opposite side, so I can't see anyone waiting outside.

With a deep breath, I stand and tug on my brand new white puffy coat, purchased last minute for this trip, and shuffle in my faux fur-lined boots to the front of the bus, as the driver pulls open the lever, opening the door to my future.