My Mountain Man Recluse: A Grumpy Sunshine Age Gap Romance

5. Jagger

The rain’s so hard I can barely hear Suzie on the other end of the radio. Minty sits at my feet in my office, which is a small room tucked under the stairs by the kitchen. It’s as far away as I can get from Izzie, but even with the door closed, the smells from whatever the hell she’s doing in my kitchen waft in and make my stomach growl.

I built this cabin for one. Small and compact to suit a man and his dog. The kitchen is also the laundry, the open plan downstairs serves as living and dining space, and the bathroom and this small office are the only closed off rooms.

It’s not made for two people, and I’m not used to company. Which is why I’ve been hiding in here like a coward hoping Suzie needs my help.

“Fritha’s been found. She’s holed up with Colter in one of the fire huts,” Suzie tells me.

Fritha’s the daughter of the fire chief. She went out for a hike and got caught in the storm. Search and Rescue and half the fire department have been out looking for her. I offered to go, but I’m too far out. Suzie wants me to stay put in case anyone on this side of the mountain needs assistance.

I press the button to speak. “Anyone else?”

The radio crackles, the storm messing with the signal. “Nothing’s changed from ten minutes ago, Jagger. We got tourists sheltering in huts all around the mountain, but everyone’s accounted for. We don’t need you.”

I drum my fingers on the table.

“I’ll stay by the radio,” I tell her for the tenth time.

Suzie works the control room for the Search and Rescue team. I’m one of the volunteers. I was hoping duty might get me out of the cabin and away from the temptation of Izzie, but no such luck. Damn tourists all followed recommendations for a change and got themselves to safety before the storm hit.

Now I’m stuck with the one woman I’ve been trying to get away from for the last two years, ever since she grew into a woman with tantalizing curves and a kind heart.

Now those curves are sashaying around my kitchen in my fucking sweatpants, and if I leave this office there’s a possibility I might do something inappropriate like grab her ass and pull her to me and kiss those sassy lips…

The radio crackles, and I’m pulled out of my fantasy by Landon’s gruff voice.

“You got my girl up there, Jagger?”

There’s a note of worry to his voice, and I’m quick to reassure him.

“She’s here, and she’s safe. In the damned kitchen baking cookies or something.”

Landon chuckles, and his relief is palpable.

“She told me she was heading back.”

“My fault. I cut myself, and she stayed to fix me up. Then the rain was too heavy.”

He’s silent, and I’m not sure if he heard me. The signal can be flakey, especially in a storm. I’m about to repeat when the radio crackles.

“Just like her mother in that way.”

Landon doesn’t often speak of his late wife and I frown at the radio, wondering what’s got him feeling sentimental. Then it hits me.

I scan the calendar taped to the wall. August 19th. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the accident.

Ah shit. And Izzie is up here bringing me lasagna and thinking of everyone else but herself. She should be home with her dad, looking after him. They should be looking after each other.

“I’ll get her back to you as soon as this rain eases.”

The frequency from the comms center buzzes, and I flip to Suzie.

“Hope you don’t have anywhere you need to be, Jagger.”

“Why, what’s up?”

“There’s a slip on the Black Saddle Road. It’s impassable.”

Ah shit. No matter what happens with the storm, Izzie is stuck up here with me.

A twinge of excitement runs through my loins. She’s here in my cabin. Mine to look after, mine to protect from the storm.

“Did you hear the news?” Landon comes back on, and I may as well be on a party line here. “Road’s washed away. She’ll have to stay with you.”

“No problem, buddy. I’ve got the generator hooked up and the fire on. We’ve got provisions. We’ll be fine.”

As long as I can keep my hands off her.

“Where’s she gonna sleep? You’ve got that tiny cabin and only one bed.”

My pulse thumps at the thought of Izzie in my bed, her hips pushed up against me, her breasts bumping into my back…

I shake the image out of my head.

“I’ll take the couch. She’ll have the bed,” I say firmly.

“Jagger, take care of my little girl.”

I sound off the radio and hang my head between my legs. Minty whines and licks my face, and I stroke her behind the ears.

I’ve got a boner just thinking about Izzie sleeping in the same cabin as me. How the hell am I going to get through the next few days without doing something we’ll both regret?

In the bottom drawer of my desk is a bottle of bourbon. Without bothering to fetch a glass, I take a swig straight from the bottle. The fiery liquid burns a trail to my stomach and settles my nerves.

I need the courage before I go out there and face Izzie.

I gave her father my word I’d look after her, and that’s what I’ll do.