Mystery Mountain Man (Hot Mountain Nights #9)

1. Chapter 1 - Clint

Clint

"Rangers urge residents to keep trash cans inside garages until trash day, as May brings bears closer to town in search of food."

The warning message comes over the car radio, and I automatically scan the side of the road looking for fury brown bodies.

"I almost didn't have a job. Some of the locals fought the restoration of The Palmer, but Mr. Maloney, our CEO, managed to get the permits and move forward.

And here I am." Brynn Rose, Director of Entertainment at the mountain resort Billings Corp.

booked me at, expertly maneuvers the winding mountain road.

She hangs back as a car speeds up behind us, passing her on a curve.

"Tourists," she mutters with a shake of her head.

Brynn grimaces and gives me a side-eye with a little laugh.

"Sorry. Present company excluded. Some people don't know how to drive up a mountain safely. " She clucks her tongue good-naturedly.

"I learned to drive as a teenager in Grand Falls on the other side of Passion Ridge, but I've been in the city so long, I might as well be a tourist now," I admit.

Brynn continues to chatter away about the resort and town, which is fine by me.

I prefer not to talk if I don't have to.

I train my gaze on a snow-covered mountain peak in the distance, eyeing the cloud cover as we continue our ascent on the circuitous route around the mountain.

I check the weather app for the tenth time since we started the drive.

I'm tracking a monster storm. No snow, but lots of cold, rain, and wind.

I'm only going to be able to get half a day in today, but it's better than nothing.

"Alright, this is Ethan's place." Brynn's chipper voice cuts through my contemplation, and I look up realizing we've arrived.

"He'll bring you back to The Palmer for dinner tonight, so I'll see you then.

" Brynn pulls up to the front of a lakeside mountain house straight out of an architecture magazine.

Large stone walls, sleek wood, and crystal clear glass seamlessly blend the building with the natural landscape.

I stare at the massive arched dark brown double front door.

My bosses at Billings Corporation are the three heirs of the Billings family, so I know they are beyond rich, and I assume they have equally wealthy friends, but I have never seen a home this magnificent in real life.

My apartment is only 700 square feet, and I grew up in a farmhouse on a reindeer farm.

For real. My older brother, Dean, runs the farm now with our parents.

Our peak season was, of course, the holidays, but we had pretty good traffic during the summer tourist season, too, so we were able to maintain a sizable piece of land.

Our house was modest, though. Enough space for our family of five to sleep and eat comfortably when we weren't out doing our chores, so I always struggled to understand why people would spend money on a building.

Now, I know. This is incredible.

"Wait until you see the view of the lake from the back deck.

" Brynn gazes out her windshield in awe like she's seeing it for the first time.

"I'd walk you up, but I'm still on the clock, and Ethan doesn't take no for an answer.

" As if summoned by her mere presence, the front door opens to reveal a tall man with light brown hair and bright blues eyes.

In spite of her former protests, Brynn breaks into a wide grin as he heads straight for the driver side of the car, and she lowers her window.

"Ethan, this is—" she starts, gesturing to me, but the heat in his eyes as he crashes his mouth to hers has me unbuckling and scrambling out of the car quickly.

I open the back door to grab my camping pack loaded with supplies and the new equipment Billings Corp. is paying me to test this weekend. I turn, scratching my neck awkwardly as a sigh from Brynn escapes out her open window.

"Oh god. Get a room, you two." West Billings' voice rings out from the top steps of the large front porch.

West is the CFO of Billings Corp. and I've never seen that man without a smile.

He makes me a little nervous, as he's always joking, and I'm a bit more reserved.

A lot more reserved, to be clear. But, right now, I've never been more grateful to see another human being in my life. I practically sprint toward him.

Ethan reaches a hand up over the roof of Brynn's car and extends his middle finger. West chortles and then takes on a mocking upper-class voice as he ushers me up the front steps. "Clinton, I apologize for the lack of decorum shown by my friend Ethan here. Money clearly doesn't buy class."

"Hey!" Brynn calls out, having lowered the passenger window after hearing West's jabs. Ethan continues to kiss up her neck like we aren't even here.

"Oh no, not you, Brynn. You are a delight and far more sophisticated than that Neanderthal hanging from your window. When I find out what spell Ethan is using to keep you smitten with him, well, I'll get one for myself so I can find someone as perfect as you."

Ethan finally pauses to glare at West's flirting, but Brynn grins. "We always have beautiful women staying at the resort, West. You should book a room. Spend some of that Billings' fortune."

"Deal. Dinner's on me tonight, my love." West blows her a kiss, and Brynn immediately turns to placate Ethan who looks like he wants to tackle West to the ground.

I follow a chuckling West inside, past the massive foyer, and into the open two-story living room. He grins at Barrett. "I won, brother."

Barrett sighs as he reaches into his pocket for his wallet. He hands West a hundred dollar bill and nods at me in greeting. "West has been regaling Ethan with tales of your height and masculine prowess, Clinton."

"Masculine prowess?" I stare at West in confusion.

"Yes, I described you as a Greek god or a handsome Viking.

Your wide shoulders barely fit through the common doorway.

Your height alone causes panties to drop.

I even explained the way your long blond hair rustles, as if a permanent wind follows you wherever you go.

And I especially emphasized how charming you are with the ladies. " West wiggles his eyebrows at me.

A snorting laugh bursts out of me, and I gape at West wondering what the hell he's talking about.

"I don't have a crush on you, Clint, if that's what you're thinking. Although, you could do worse than me; let's be honest. I'm a catch." West looks genuinely disgruntled by my assumed distaste with the idea of dating him, and I find myself at even more of a loss for words than normal.

"For fuck's sake, West. You're making this an HR issue." Barrett pinches the bridge of his nose. "Clint, Weston decided to rile Ethan up. He's a bit of a caveman with Brynn, and my brother fed you to the proverbial wolf."

West grins at Barrett and then tips his head to me. "I bet Barrett that Ethan wouldn't even say hi to you when he saw what you looked like and realized you were alone in the car with Brynn all the way from the resort."

The front door slams, and Barrett calls out, "What good is an elite boarding school education if you're going to be a common peasant with manners, Ethan?"

Ethan struts into the living room, extending his hand to me. "Ethan Hobbs. Welcome to my home."

I shake his hand, noting the pressure behind his firm grip. "Thank you, Mr. Hobbs. And I am not a ladies’ man." Okay, not a fact I usually admit so adamantly when I first meet someone. West's laugh echoes off the tall ceilings, and my cheeks heat.

"Call me Ethan, please, Clinton. And yes, I realize I've been hoodwinked.

A pawn in this plebeian's sick mind games.

" Ethan glares at West who cackles with glee.

I adjust my pack, pulling out my phone to look at the advanced weather app one more time as the two of them gripe back and forth with each other.

I'm anxious to get out into the woods. Excited to try the new equipment, because I'm a complete tech and gadget geek, but also ready for some peace in nature.

"West, just apologize."

As much as I crave solitude, Barrett's permanent exasperation with his brother makes me miss my siblings.

My brother, Dean, and my sister, Jenn, stayed in Grand Falls, and I haven't been back in over two years.

My brother and sister both have kids now, and I sometimes worry that my decision to work in the city is going to make me a permanent bachelor.

"I can't help myself. I never thought I'd be the last one standing," West declares, echoing my thoughts as he gestures wildly with his arms. "First Ethan, then Vaughn.

It's not fair! I'm ready to meet the love of my life, get married, and make loads of gorgeous babies, if my future wife wants them.

And yet, the two grumpiest assholes on the face of the planet get to meet their perfect matches first?

The universe is against me." He throws himself to the couch dramatically as his cell rings.

Ethan rolls his eyes. "The universe is definitely against you, you poor, billionaire baby," he deadpans, and even I have to stifle a grin.

West, oblivious or purposely choosing to ignore Ethan's sarcasm, simply nods as he answers his phone on speaker. "Rachel, my favorite future-sister-in-law. The guys are being mean to me." West pouts.

"And what bet did you make that pissed them off this time, West?" Rachel's voice comes through the speaker loud and clear.

West starts to protest her accurate assessment of the situation, but Barrett grabs the phone. "Hey, Rachel. Clint just got to Ethan's, and he looks ready to head out."

I nod, hoisting my bag up on my back again.

"Wonderful. Clint, did you get checked in okay?

" Rachel is the office manager at Billings Corp.

and one of the nicest people I've ever met.

She started as our CEO, Vaughn Billings', executive assistant, but one thing led to another, and now they're getting married.

An event which has sent West into a mid-life crisis of some sort, apparently.

The entire situation gives me a headache.

"Yes, thank you," I manage to call out. "I-I didn't need anything that fancy."

"Nonsense. I hope you get recharged in nature this weekend. I'm calling because we've been tracking a storm, and I want to make sure it's on your radar?"

I nod at Barrett who looks at me with concern. "Yes, I should be able to get about four hours in today before I'll need to head back, and then I'll go out again tomorrow, if I can."

"Okay, no need to rush it. I'll add days to the reservation if you need to take a few more." Rachel's voice muffles, and then Vaughn's voice fills the room from the speaker.

"Clinton, make sure you share your location with Barrett and give him a plan for where you're going. Nothing we make is worth more than your safety."

I nod. "Yes, sir."

"And be careful of splinters. Did you bring tweezers?" Barrett asks, and I look at him in confusion. West snorts and then coughs, hiding a grin. I assume this is another prank I don't want to be a part of.

"I have a first aid kit," I reassure Barrett, and he nods seriously.

After we hang up, I send the coordinates to Barrett and Rachel with a rough idea of my schedule, and then Ethan drives me a little farther up the mountain to the best entry point to the woods.

"Good luck, Clinton. Watch out for bears and beautiful women."

I snort. "I'll probably have more luck with the bears, Mr. … uh, Ethan."

Ethan grins. "Festival Valley is full of surprises, man." He gives me a final salute before he pulls away in his Porsche.

As I walk onto the entry trail, I can't help but imagine running into a beautiful woman out in the woods.

It'd be nice to meet someone who likes the outdoors as much as I do.