Scorched by the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Summer 2026 #19)

Chapter 1

SAGE

The sun is high in the sky and I shiver as a bead of sweat rolls down between my shoulder blades.

I stayed out after the morning hike, assuring the group's guide, a very nice young man named Silas, that I would be back at the resort by lunchtime.

He'd given me a reluctant nod, promised that he'd be watching for my return, and that I should stay close to the resort.

I understood. The story about a photographer who'd gotten lost while hiking alone was the steady topic of conversation. A wildfire had erupted while she was out on her own. She'd been rescued and by all accounts, was happily living the dream with her mountain man hero.

It was a real life happy ever after.

Good for her.

I have no expectations that is waiting for me. Relationships don't work out. Not in my experience, at least. You name it, I've had it happen.

Cheated on? Check.

Stolen from? Check check.

Catfished? Triple check.

Those experiences had stung, but they'd also taught me a lot. They were, in fact, one of the reasons I was here. As a travel writer, I didn't stick around anywhere for very long. Seeing new places consistently made me happy and I didn't stay in one place long enough to ever feel lonely.

Having the chance to write a piece about the Resort at the Ridge was a huge opportunity. It didn't hurt that my room was gorgeous, the food gourmet, and the spa treatments beyond amazing. The massage alone had been so relaxing, I was sure they could've poured me off the table when it was done.

But I couldn't finish my story without experiencing things outside the resort's well-appointed buildings.

Which is why I decided to join in the group's early morning hike today.

Silas was a great guide, and I make a note on my dictation app to mention him in the story.

I'll also have to ask if we can include a group picture of all the guides.

Another note on the app. A picture of those mountain men will definitely be a treat for readers.

Which should translate to bookings.

And isn't that why I was hired to write this article in the first place?

I keep pressing on, musing over my ideas as my phone records, and catching glimpses of the lake getting closer through the trees.

Its silvery surface calls to me, promising a cool break from the heat of this summer day.

The staff had reported storms were predicted for later.

I sneak a glance toward the sky, looking for any signs of storm clouds on the horizon, but the trees lace together over my head, revealing only bare slices of blue above me.

My mind is on the story, how much time I'll need to finish writing and get it submitted to the resort's management, when my foot lands on something that rolls under my sole.

I stumble, my ankle rolling to the side and hot pain flashing up the outside of my leg.

I go down hard, the impact driving the air from my lungs, and my phone flies out of my grip.

Chills chase across my skin as I try to get my feet under me and my ankle buckles, unable to bear my weight.

"Well, this sucks." I laugh at myself and look back the way I came. From this vantage point, the path I'd been following looks steeper than I thought it was. "Probably should've been paying attention to where you were walking, Sage."

I crawl over to where my phone is laying on the forest floor, gritting my teeth as even that simple movement makes my ankle hurt. But once I have my phone, I can call the resort and they'll send someone out to come get me. This is a problem that has an easy solution.

Except that when I make it to my phone, it's clear that the impact didn't just crack the screen. It won't even turn on, no matter how hard I frantically press the button, and I once again eye the path behind me. Crawling up that way is going to take a lot of time.

A rumble of thunder sounds above me, and I shiver as a sudden wind rolls through the trees around me. So much for the storm happening later. Sounds like it's here.

My gut twists with fear. I'm well aware that my forestry skills are nil, and I'm not in the kind of condition that means walking out of here is feasible.

And screaming for help isn't likely to get me anywhere.

Anyone paying attention to the weather will be back at the resort, holed up cozy and warm, with room service on call and maybe even an impromptu facial added to their calendar.

Whereas I'm likely in for a very different kind of mud treatment.

I drag myself over to a large tree, leaning my back against it and cradling my broken phone to my chest. Thunder cracks above me, and I jump at the sound. It's louder already, and I don't miss the arc of lightning that streaks down over the lake.

Maybe sitting under a tree isn't the best idea. Except I'm surrounded by trees, so there's nowhere else for me to go.

The light grows dim, proof there are clouds gathering quickly above, and the shadows deepen.

I hear a crack of a twig in the brush, and instantly all the warnings of bears in the woods leaps to the front of my mind.

Should've stayed with the group. Should've gone back and booked another massage. Should've done anything but decide to try hiking on my own.

My heart pounds as I catch sight of movement up ahead. I drag in a breath, desperate enough to try screaming, even though I know no one will hear.

The branches part and a large shape lumbers through.

It's not a bear.

It's a man.

Big, broad shoulders stretching the dark flannel that barely buttons over his muscled chest.

He frowns and a sound rumbles out of him. An angry kind of growl.

Maybe he's a bear, after all.