Sent for the Mountain Man (Whispered Echoes #19)

1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ben

I guzzle down a large glass of ice water as I cool off. For the last three hours, I’ve been chopping wood and getting everything stacked, bundled, and ready to sell. With sweat clinging to my skin, all I can think about is a cold shower. After, I’ll have a cold beer, some dinner, and finish the book I’ve been reading.

Stripped of my shirts, boots, and socks, I’m about to jump in the shower when there’s a loud knock on the door. I shut off the water to see if I hear the knocking again.

Knock. Knock.

With a frown, I stomp down the hall to the front door. I hate visitors and very rarely get any. If I do, it’s the other mountain men who like to live a more secluded life like I do.

The sun is set, which means nobody on the mountain would be out visiting each other.

I throw the door open, ready to scare off whoever is disturbing me at this hour. Instead, I halt, as the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen stands in front of me. Her jaw drops, wide eyes lock onto my chest.

Stunned to find this beauty on my doorstep, I don’t do anything but glare—a normal setting to my facial expression since I returned from the military. Nothing has been the same since I saw and did the things I did in the name of God and country.

The little blonde with the most sinful curves shakes her head and continues to look up to me with her head tilting back, a huge grin appearing on her face, and hand to God my heart stops for a brief second.

“Oh my gosh. It’s so great to see you.” She launches herself around me, wrapping me in her arms and giving me a hug. I stand frozen as she steps back, grabs her suitcase, and walks inside.

“The train took forever. I thought I would never get here.” She scans around the room. “It’s exactly how I pictured it. Your cabin is amazing. So rustic and comfortable.”

I turn toward her, confused, as she bounces around my place, fidgeting with her fingers. Her cheeks are flushed, and her green eyes shine as they flick between me and the room.

“Your place was easy to find, though. It helps that it’s a direct shot up the mountain. The rental company only had a small sedan left, which had me a little nervous. I didn’t know if it would make it or not. Being so inexperienced with mountains, I figured I would need at least a four-wheel drive. But nope, it was easy peasy. It helps, though I was so determined to get here too. Don’t you think?”

The little lady is adorable as she talks a mile a minute, huffing every so often to blow some of her hair out of her face. I clench my fists to fight the temptation to walk over and swipe the hair and place it behind her ear.

“I can’t believe the time is here. I thought it would never happen, and yet here we are.” She keeps glancing at my chest, and it dawns on me I'm not wearing a shirt. The little whirlwind took me by surprise and made me forget. Although the blush on her cheeks has me not wanting to rush to put on a shirt too quickly.

For the life of me, I can’t remember the last time a woman interested me in any way. It’s been long before I retired from the military. I was done with the women who wanted to bag a Navy seal, and trying to make a relationship work is just near impossible when constantly sent out on missions. Then, when I left the military after losing two of my best friends on a mission, the only thing I wanted was to be left alone.

She finally stops talking and giggles. The cutest sound in the world. “I’m so sorry. I’m acting like a crazy person. I’m just nervous. But you know I get a little chatty when I’m nervous.”

Once again, she’s fidgeting with her hands, but now since she’s not talking, she’s biting on her bottom lip that has my cock throbbing as I try not to moan.

The silence grows between us, and she gets more anxious, shuffling her weight back and forth, and taking a few deep breaths that draw my attention to her large chest. My cock is straining in my jeans, and I continue to stare at her, trying to calm myself down.

The little beauty frowns. “You don’t seem to be happy that I’m here.”

I grunt. “I’m not used to strangers just walking into my cabin like they know the place. Who are you?”

Her eyes widen, and I want to punch myself as she draws in on herself, trying to make herself smaller.

“I sent you my picture. I made sure not to try and catfish you or anything.” She wipes her hands down her body, like she’s trying to wipe away her curves. Her eyes water and she looks like she’s about to cry.

Ah, shit. Please don’t cry.

“You look exactly like your picture.” She gives a weak smile before looking down at the ground, her shoulders slumped.

I lift my brow at her. How does she have a picture of me?

“I’m Emory Page. Your fiancée.”