Hot Nights with the Mountain Man (Mountain Man Summer 2026 #7)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Twila

The birds chirped, the air smelled sweet, and the sun shone high in the sky, casting a warm glow on my back patio.

My skin tingled with warmth as I pecked away at my keyboard, posting a few more payments as I finished my last batch of paperwork before lunch break.

I’ve worked out here every day this past week after spending my weekend renovating the area. I gave the pavement a good scrub, set up a bunch of potted plants, and set my new table and chairs up with a large umbrella for shade. All I needed now were some string lights.

To say it excited me having my very own place for the first time was an understatement of epic proportions. I’d always wanted a place for myself. A cozy retreat away from the world, one I created for myself.

I left the hustle and bustle of the city behind, scored a good paying remote job, and bought a quaint cottage in the small town of Appleridge. Sure, I was alone with my family back in the city, but I looked at it as an adventure.

Something new and exciting.

Something peaceful and quiet.

And most of all, something to call my own.

I typed out a quick email to my boss and logged off for lunch break. Heading through the sliding glass doors led me right into my kitchen. I pulled open the fridge and grabbed ingredients for a salad, along with some pasta salad I had left over from last night’s dinner.

“Meow.”

I jumped at the unexpected noise.

A cat?

But I don’t own a cat.

I turned towards the sound and there in my open kitchen window, sat a brown tabby sat on the other side of the screen. “Meow.”

“Aww, hi buddy.” My mood instantly lifted. I set down my salad fixings on the counter and moseyed over to the window. I pressed a couple of fingers against the screen and the cat meowed before rubbing its head against the screen.

With one hand, I opened the screen and pet him with the other, the fur soft and silky beneath my fingers. “Oh my gosh, you are so cute! Where did you come from, buddy? Are you hungry?”

He or maybe she didn’t look hungry. The cat was a good size, and a blue collar adorned the neck. I checked the tag, the name reading Twix.

“Twix, hmm? I guess that could be a boy's or girl’s name.” I chuckled to myself as the cat head butted the back of my hand, demanding more love. “You’re so adorable and so friendly. Where did you come from?”

The cat meowed in response and shoved his butthole in my face, his tail straight up in the air.

I laughed as I scratched his backside. “Could you possibly belong to the hottie next door?” My cheeks warmed at the thought of him.

I’d only spotted my next-door neighbor a few times, but it was enough to see how good looking he was.

He looked to be in his thirties with dark features, shaggy brown hair, and sexy, full beard.

We hadn’t made any eye contact, my shy ass too scared and flustered to say anything.

Instead I’d run back in the house, spy on him from a nearby window, and curse myself for being the way I was.

“Meow!” The cat ran his body along my hand, jarring me from my thoughts.

“Don’t worry I’m still giving you attention.

Let’s see what I have for treats.” I doubted I had much considering I had no pets, but I checked the fridge anyway, spotting the grilled chicken I picked up for tonight’s dinner.

Grabbing a few pieces from the container, I offered some to Twix.

He took it right from my hand and ate the piece quickly.

I gave him another. He grabbed it and held it in his mouth like prey before jumping off the windowsill and running off.

Directly to my neighbor’s yard.

My eyes followed his bushy tail and sure enough, Twix hopped over the fence and climbed up the patio, still carrying the chicken.

He stopped in front of a chair, where my neighbor sat looking like a damn afternoon snack. The man reached down and picked up Twix while mumbling some words I couldn’t hear. I hung out the window in hopes of hearing and nearly toppled forward like an idiot.

When the sexy man turned his head in my direction, I jumped back and quickly shut the window screen. My breath came out in spurts. The last thing I needed was to be caught ogling my neighbor.

But now the mystery was solved.

Twix belonged to the hot mountain man.

After a long afternoon of insurance phone calls and sending out patient invoices, I carried my dinner outside and sat at my patio table. With a glass of wine poured and the latest psych thriller book open on my e-reader, I settled in for a relaxing evening.

I sipped my wine as my eyes scanned the words and took my first bite of the stir fry chicken dish I whipped up.

“Meow!”

Twix climbed up my patio steps and strutted over to me. “Meow!” He weaved between my legs, rubbing his body and head against me.

“Hey buddy you’re back! I bet you want more chicken, huh?” I leaned down and placed a piece of chicken on the ground, Twix gobbling it down right away.

“You love treats. I hope your owner gives you lots.” I said as I gave him another piece of chicken.

I watched Twix as he ate. I spotted something stuck in his collar and when I reached down, it was a flower stuck in it, probably from his adventures through the garden. I plucked it out and suddenly an idea hit me.

What if I attached a note to his collar? Would the sexy mountain man write back? It could be the stupidest thing I've ever done, and the man might end up thinking I’m crazy but hell, what did I have to lose? Nothing.

I quickly ran inside and grabbed a sticky note and pen. Back outside, I fed Twix another piece of chicken and wrote-

Hey neighbor. Your cat is very cute and apparently loves chicken. It’s nice to see Twix enjoying the outside and warm weather. Happy days- Twila.

Before folding it in half, I read my words a thousand times. They sounded stupid, what was I even thinking? Happy days? Really T?

But before I could contemplate it any longer, I tossed the pen aside and folded the paper, tucking it inside Twix’s collar.

Then I fed him another piece of chicken and wondered if I’d actually get a note in return.