Should I Fall (Mountain Men of Cinnamon Creek #2)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Stormi

“For the love of all things pumpkin spiced, please go do something fun,” Erin pleads with the women piled in her lodge room.

It’s the most emotion the ex-bride-to-be—my sister—has shown since someone tipped her off about Chad cheating on her with our stepsister Gwen, back in the Omaha airport this morning.

Fucking Gwen.

I knew that bitch was bad news from day one.

The room falls silent, because we’ve been trying to get my sister to talk since we boarded the plane destined for Bozeman, Montana earlier today. My typically extroverted, can’t-shut-up sister has been scarily quiet this entire trip.

I scan the lodge room, noting her room is angler themed.

The picture of a hawk swooping down to catch a fish is both fascinating and terrifying.

Aside from that nature print, the rest of her room is cute, cozy, and very mountain-esk.

Lots of fishing poles mounted on the wall, but also lots of cute fish decor.

I might be the only one who’s secretly thrilled that our beach resort trip was switched out for one in the mountains. I don’t hate the beach, but there’s something so soothing about the mountain air that I was never going to find on the crowded beaches of Cancun.

And after the week I’ve had, I’ll take all the fresh mountain air I can get.

I also hope Gwen has shown up in Cancun to face the consequences of her actions by now. If I could only see the look on her face when she realizes all the booked rooms were cancelled and the bridal party never showed. Oh to be a fly on the wall.

I might be the only one who’s tickled pink that Erin’s fiancé—ex- fiancé now—fucked up before she married him.

I’ve never liked Chad. But insisting he has bad vibes has never gotten me anywhere with my family.

I’m the whimsical sister who sounds part witchy, part crazy.

They don’t take me seriously, except when it comes to my practical job.

It’s the only thing they think I haven’t flaked on.

Once they find out what I did a few days ago, they’ll probably write me off completely.

“We’re worried about you, sweetie,” Devin says, finally breaking the silence. She’s the bridesmaid I know the least. She and my sister met at a book club a couple of years ago. Devin has good vibes, through and through.

“I need time to decompress,” Erin insists, her voice unsettlingly calm.

“But Erin—”

The attempt Alanna—Erin’s best friend since second grade and the former maid of honor—makes to interject is quickly cut off.

“No buts. You all spent a lot of money to be here, and I want you to enjoy this trip. I know it’s not what you planned, but this place is like a fucking Hallmark movie in autumn.

It’s called Cinnamon Creek for crying out loud.

Don’t be stupid and waste your time trying to hover over me. It’s…morbid.”

“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” Gabby asks, the murder twinkle still strong in her eyes. If our cousin had it her way, we’d be burying a body or two in the Nevada desert right about now.

“I’m only going to say this once,” Erin says, her tone level and serious.

“The minute you leave my room, I’m locking the door and disappearing into my Kindle.

I’ll resurface on Sunday in time to leave for the airport.

You wonderful bitches better go make some memories so I can live vicariously through your stories. ”

“If you need anything,” I add.

But Erin has shut back down, so I don’t bother finishing my sentence. Instead, I very discreetly leave a rose quartz crystal on her nightstand to aid with her healing. It’s the love language I speak best, even if my family doesn’t understand it.

The four of us glance at one another and come to a silent but mutual agreement that it’s time to give my sister the space she’s asked for.

The others retreat to their rooms.

But I’m too antsy to sleep right now.

I slip downstairs to the lobby, hoping to gather some brochures and plan my weekend getaway.

I want to know what the charming small town of Cinnamon Creek has to offer.

And maybe, I’m also being a bit evasive.

Which is why I gravitate toward the most remote option first and pick up a flyer for a fire watch tower tour.

“That’s such a scenic experience,” Winnie, the sweet-as-pie elderly woman at the front desk says, startling me. I figured she’d gone home and I was all alone.

“I didn’t realize you could visit these,” I say of the fire watch tower.

“Oh, yes. But you’ll either have to hike to it or be flown out there by helicopter.”

“That remote, huh?”

“You get to see sights you can’t see from a simple pull off,” Winnie continues. “And Dash is such a knowledgeable guide.”

“Dash?”

“He’s the one who mans the lookout tower during the fire season. He’s a former smokejumper. He’ll be your guide once the helicopter drops you off.”

I return the other flyers to their former homes, already decided that this is the one I want. I couldn’t get much more mountain fresh air than from a place literally posted in the middle of the mountains, far away from any signs of civilization.

“Are there any tours tomorrow?”

“As a matter of fact, there are,” Winnie says, returning to her station behind the front check-in counter. “And I happen to know there’s one spot left open. It’s yours if you want it.”

I glance at the staircase leading the second floor, where an entire bridal party is staying.

I feel a twinge of guilt, both for leaving my sister behind and also for not asking any of the other women if they want to join me.

But selfishly, I don’t want anyone to come with me.

I want some time to sort out what I’m going to do with my life now that I’ve quit my job without a backup plan.

The last thing I need is that information getting back to my sister.

I stare at the scenic photo on the front of the brochure. Maybe I should move into the mountains and become a forest witch.

The thought makes me laugh a little. Sadly, it’s not enough to erase the dread twisting my stomach in knots.

“I’ll take the spot,” I tell Winnie.

“Oh good! I was hoping you would. I think you’ll find this experience is just what you need.”

I snap my attention to Winne, certain I’ve misheard her. Or maybe she’s just a touch intuitive and can sense my energy is all kinds of wonky.

“Now, make sure you’re downstairs by eight-thirty tomorrow morning to catch your ride to the airstrip.”

“Airstrip?”

“Unless you wanted to hike it?”

“Just out of curiosity, how long is that hike?”

“Nine point six miles.”

“I’ll be taking that helicopter ride,” I say, letting out a laugh that loosens the knots in my stomach.

I love nature, but I have my limits. I’m too out of shape for a hike like that, and there’s no crystal in my stash that could help.

I’d be an easy-to-catch snack for any number of wild predators.

“Probably wouldn’t do me any good if I got eaten by a bear before I made it out there. ”

“Probably not,” she agrees.

“Eight-thirty?” I confirm.

“Yes,” she says, nodding as I start to walk away. “And Stormi?”

I’m halfway to the staircase, but I stop to turn around. “Yeah?”

“Don’t mind Dash. He’s rough around the edges, but his heart’s in the right place.”

Odd, but okay. I give Winne a salute of acknowledgement and head upstairs, daring to feel a shred of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, my shitty week—and shitty life—will turn around tomorrow. At the very least, I can spend the day pretending I have it all together.