Rescued by the Brooding Mountain Hero (Heartwood Lake #3)

1. Jade

1

JADE

1 4,000 feet. 14,000! That's the altitude my GPS unit is saying as I pull up to the parking lot of the Heartwood Lakefront Resort.

I knew traveling to the Colorado Rockies would be an experience like no other, but I did not expect to be struggling to breathe already. Am I coming down with altitude sickness, or is the pressure I've put on myself to make my next novel a success finally becoming too much to bear?

"You're being ridiculous," I chastise myself as I pull my brand-new backpack from the rental car and drop it at my feet. Three more oversized bags later, and I think I've got everything. Yes, it might be overkill for a five-night stay in the mountains, but I never know exactly what I’m going to need when I’m writing, and it pays to be prepared.

The cool mountain air fills my lungs as I trudge up the cobbled path toward the resort, my oversized bags bumping against my hips. I huff, blowing a stray lock of chestnut hair out of my face.

As I step through the grand wooden doors into the Heartwood Lakefront lobby, the bags suddenly feel three times heavier. I can barely see over the stack of them in my arms. Stumbling forward, I collide with what feels like a brick wall.

"Oof!" The impact sends me staggering back, my bags tumbling out of my grip and scattering across the floor. Steadying myself, I glance up to see that the "wall" I ran into is actually a man. A mountain of a man, easily 6'4" with shoulders as broad as a bull.

He looks down at me, amusement twinkling in his striking blue eyes. "Whoa there. You alright, miss?"

"I, uh..." Very coherent, Jade. I mentally facepalm. "I'm fine. Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."

"No worries." He flashes me a disarming smile, then crouches to gather my spilled belongings. "Quite a lot of bags for a petite woman like you."

I bristle slightly at that. "I can handle it. I'm stronger than I look." Never mind that I was struggling a minute ago.

He chuckles, a deep, warm sound. "I don't doubt that. But there's no shame in accepting a little help now and then." He stands, easily hoisting my two heaviest bags.

I open my mouth to protest, but something in his expression stops me. It's not condescension I see, but a genuine offer of assistance. My pride deflates a little.

"Thank you," I say, and I mean it. "I'm Jade, by the way. Jade Westbrook."

"Beau Morgan." He shifts the bags to one muscular arm so he can shake my hand. His palm is warm and calloused against mine. "Welcome to Heartwood Lakefront Resort, Jade."

As I approach the front desk, I can't help but tug self-consciously at my oversized sweater. It's a habit I've developed over the years, a futile attempt to hide my hourglass figure. In the city, I blend in just fine, but out here in the middle of nowhere Colorado, I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb. Especially surrounded by true hiker types.

The receptionist, an older woman with kind eyes and silver hair pulled back in a bun, gives me a warm smile as I reach the desk. "Welcome to Heartwood Lakefront Resort," she says. "I'm Ivy. How can I help you today?"

I return her smile, instantly put at ease by her grandmotherly demeanor. "Hi, I'm Jade Westbrook. I have a reservation for one of your cabins."

Ivy nods, typing something into her computer. "Ah yes, here you are. Staying with us for five nights, correct?"

"That's right." I drum my fingers nervously on the polished wood of the desk. "I'm here to do some research for my next novel. It's going to be a romantic thriller set in the Colorado mountains, so I figured what better place to get inspiration than right here in the heart of the Rockies?"

Ivy's face lights up at that. "Oh, how exciting! We've had a few authors stay with us over the years, but I don't think any were writing about our little slice of paradise. I'm sure you'll find plenty of inspiration here. The mountains have a way of sparking creativity."

I nod, feeling a flicker of hope in my chest. "That's what I'm counting on. My last couple of novels did okay, but I really need this one to be a hit for my publisher to keep me on. I'm hoping that doing some on-site research will help me capture the essence of the place and make the story feel more authentic."

Ivy reaches across the desk to pat my hand reassuringly. "I have a feeling you're going to do just fine, dear. There's something special about these mountains. They have a way of giving people exactly what they need, even if they don't know it yet."

Her words wash over me like a balm, soothing some of the anxiety that's been building in my chest for weeks. Maybe she's right. Maybe this trip is exactly what I need to break through my writer's block and create something truly amazing.

Beau steps up to the desk, his commanding presence overwhelming my senses in an instant.

"Excuse me for overhearing, but did you say you're planning on hiking the trails while you're here?" His blue eyes lock onto mine as he speaks.

I nod, trying not to get distracted by the way his broad shoulders fill out his flannel shirt. "Yeah, I was hoping to do some exploring and get a feel for the area so I can make the descriptions as authentic as possible.”

Beau's brow furrows slightly. "Well, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. There's a big thunderstorm predicted to roll in tomorrow. If you do go out on the trails, make sure you check the weather forecast first and keep an eye on the sky. Storms can come on fast up here in the mountains and be pretty intense."

I appreciate his concern, but I can't help feeling a little defensive. "I'm sure I'll be fine. I've done plenty of hiking before." That's a big fat lie.

Beau holds up his hands in a placating gesture. "I don't doubt that. But the Rockies can be unpredictable. It's always better to be safe than sorry."

I can't help but roll my eyes as Beau's words reach my ears. Great, just what I need - some macho mountain man thinking he needs to swoop in and save the poor, helpless city girl.

I turn to face him, one hand on my hip. "Thanks for the advice, but I think I can manage."

Beau holds up his hands in a placating gesture, but I can see the hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Whoa, easy there. I wasn't trying to imply that you couldn't. It's just that the weather up here can change on a dime, and if you're not prepared, it can be dangerous. Especially for someone who's not used to it."

I bristle at that last part. "And what makes you think I'm not used to it? You don't know anything about me."

"Fair enough," he concedes, his blue eyes still twinkling with amusement. "But I do know these mountains. I've been a rescuer here for over a decade. I've seen what can happen when people underestimate them."

I can feel my annoyance rising, but I force myself to take a deep breath. As much as I hate to admit it, he's probably right. I am out of my element here. But that doesn't mean I need some rugged mountain man babysitting me.

"I appreciate the concern," I say, trying to keep my tone even. "But I can take care of myself. I'm not some helpless damsel who needs rescuing."

Beau chuckles at that, a deep, rumbling sound that sends a shiver to my core despite my irritation. "Oh, I do not doubt that. You seem like a woman who knows her mind. I can respect that."

I blink, caught off guard by the compliment. "Well... good. As long as we're clear."

"Crystal." He gives me a mock salute, then heads back towards the lobby. “Enjoy your stay, Jade. And remember—if you decide to go hiking, make sure you're prepared for anything. The mountains don't care how stubborn you are."

With that parting shot, he returns to the couches in the lobby seating area, leaving me fuming in his wake.

I turn back to Ivy, who's watching me with a knowing smile. "Don't mind Beau," she says. "He means well, even if he can be a bit... blunt at times. He's just very protective of these mountains and the people who visit them. Anyway, here's your key. You're in cabin 34. Head through these doors and turn right. You can't miss it."

I take the key from Ivy with a grateful smile, trying to shake off my lingering annoyance at Beau's condescending warning. I can handle a little hike.

Shouldering my heavy backpack, I head out of the lobby towards the cabins, my oversized bags bumping against my legs with every step. The thin mountain air burns in my lungs as I huff and puff my way up the path, mentally cursing myself for packing so much stuff.

By the time I reach my cabin, I'm drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. I fumble with the key, my fingers clumsy with exhaustion, before finally unlocking the door and stumbling inside.

The cabin is cozy and rustic, with a plush bed, a small kitchenette, and a fireplace that I can imagine myself curling up in front of with my laptop. It looks like it's recently been renovated, and if I were in a better mood, I know I'd be swooning over all the little touches. But right now, all I can think about is collapsing onto that bed and never moving again.

I let my bags slide off my shoulders and thud to the floor, wincing as the weight finally lifts. Maybe Beau was right about me packing too much. Not that I'll ever admit that to him.

I flop down on the bed, my aching muscles screaming in relief. I close my eyes, letting the peace and quiet of the cabin wash over me. This is exactly what I needed - a chance to get away from the noise and chaos of the city, to immerse myself in the rugged beauty of the mountains, and let it inspire my writing.

I can feel the story taking shape in my mind already - a tale of love and danger, of a woman finding herself in the midst of untamed wilderness. I can picture my heroine, a city girl like me, stumbling into a world she's not prepared for and learning to navigate it with the help of a rugged, infuriatingly attractive mountain man...

I sit bolt upright, my eyes flying open. Oh no. No, no, no. I am not basing my hero on Beau. Absolutely not. That arrogant, overprotective, unfairly gorgeous...

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought. I'm just tired and overwhelmed, that's all. Once I've had a nap, I'll take a walk and get to know my surroundings. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a character who's nothing like Beau.