The Grumpy Mountain Man Next Door

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Nellie

I scanned the row of orange juice lined up neatly on the refrigerated shelf and debated if I wanted pulp or no pulp. Most of the time, I chose none, but I wanted some variety.

New place, new town, new me, so why not some new orange juice?

Even the brands were different in the small mountain town.

A new experience. Something I very much needed.

I grabbed a bottle and closed the refrigerator door. As I shifted backwards, a cart appeared behind me and, by accident, I bumped into it.

“Whoa, watch it, lady!” A gruff, deep voice sounded from behind me. I looked up to find a mad yet handsome face staring me down, his cart rammed into the side of mine.

“Well, I can't get out of this tight spot with you in the way.”

“Then hurry up. You keep everyone waiting as you read every label. It's just orange juice, dammit!”

My blood boiled, and I white knuckled my cart as I moved forward instead, hoping to get away from him as quickly as possible. “Have the day you deserve.” I called over my shoulder, not waiting to hear his response. I hoped one of the orange juice bottles exploded all over him.

As I finished up my shopping and checked my grocery items out, the rage inside didn't simmer down. Why did he need to be so damn grumpy?

I thought small towns were supposed to be full of nice people, people who knew your name and offered a lending hand. Guess not around here.

Not that I left my cabin much. But I came up here for a reason and it wasn’t to explore everything Appleridge had to offer.

I wanted to finally finish writing my children's book series. Not have run-ins with grumpy town’s people.

No matter how hot they were.

I gently tossed my bags in the trunk of my car and slid in behind the steering wheel. I turned over the engine and cranked the heat, the wind blowing something fierce and chilly.

The fall season was in full swing, with the crunchy orange leaves floating in the wind, and the pumpkins sitting on porches waiting to be used.

I loved fall. And being up in the mountains was even better.

After agreeing to rent out my best friend’s family cabin, mainly to get away from the city and write my book series, I ran to the dollar store and stocked up on fall decorations.

My best friend, Sally, laughed as she watched me load up my cart, but she promised she'd visit and we'd decorate together.

I was still waiting on that promise, but I put a pumpkin on the porch. I couldn't resist.

As I went to put my car in reverse, I glanced out the rearview mirror and spotted Mr. Grump climbing into the truck a row behind me. As he backed out, I watched him intently, curious about the handsome, grumpy guy.

Whatever, it didn't matter. I wouldn't date a guy that grumpy no matter how good looking he was.

I pulled out behind him, and he took a right out of the parking lot, heading in the same direction I was.

We drove along, his truck taking every turn I needed, when finally he took a direct turn onto my street.

A zing of nerves shot through me. Did he know where I lived? But no, that was crazy. I had no clue who the guy was. Besides, I was the one following him.

The truck drove down the road, passing a few cabins before turning into a driveway.

The driveway of the cabin next door to mine.

My next-door neighbor.

He was my next-door neighbor.

Oh shit.

Okay, so the handsome grumpy guy was my neighbor. Who cared?

I parked my car at the top of the driveway and killed the engine.

What did it matter?

I’d been here for a few days already and never saw him. We'd continue on with our separate lives, nothing changed.

A loud crack echoed through the air as dark clouds rolled in. I grabbed my groceries and hurried inside as the rain started to fall.

Once inside, I unpacked my food and prepped for dinner. In the crock pot, I put together a broccoli cheddar soup and set it on high. I got a fire going in the living room and lit a few candles before disappearing into the bedroom in search of some cozy pajamas.

After I showered, I planned on working on my book, the stormy afternoon rain a perfect backdrop. Then I could relax, have dinner, and work on some self-care. Something I had seriously slacked on.

But ending a relationship, quitting a job, and moving to pursue a lifelong dream often did that to a person. Stress, stress, and more stress, even if I was working towards my life’s dream.

Despite it all, I loved every second.

An hour later, I sat on the couch, lap desk set up with my laptop open and ready.

But the words never came. I stared at the text box, the graphics I sketched mocking me in the background as I debated over how to move the story forward. Did the princess go home or continue the mission?

The rain pelted the roof above me, and I stared out the window, watching the wind whip through the trees.

An idea sparked.

And finally, the writing took off.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked, the sun streaming in through the blinds.

Bang! Bang!

The loud tapping continued, the sound driving a nail through the side of my head.

Okay, maybe I did have a bit too much wine last night.

I ran my hands under my pillow and grabbed my phone, checking the time. Eight thirty-one. Only eight thirty in the morning and someone was making this much racket?

What the hell?

I threw the covers to the side with force and scampered out of the bed, running over to the window toward the sound.

My mouth dropped open as my eyes processed the scene.

My sexy neighbor, hammering wood, his muscles flexing with every movement. A tight cotton t-shirt stretched across his biceps and his dark blue jeans hugged his ass perfectly.

Holy shit.

The grump was sexier than I thought.

I mean, I knew he was handsome.

But in a large coat yesterday, his muscles weren't on display and in my anger, all I really looked at was his face.

Now? I wanted to look at him all day.

I couldn't forget the fact that he was making so much noise at only eight thirty in the morning, though. Not very neighborly of him.

Both attraction and anger swirled together in my stomach, a crazy concoction I’d never experienced before.

One part of me wanted to yell and scream at him.

The only part wanted to climb him like the tall tree he was.

How is there such a thin line?

And now, not only was he rude, but he was also loud.

Yet I couldn't stop staring. I wanted him. In every possible way.

Throwing on my sweatpants and hoodie, I marched outside and over to his yard before I chickened out or changed my mind.

He had it coming.