Scarlett

I smile to myself as I drive down the mountain path toward Winterdale. Yesterday, during my trip to the grocery store, I had a stroke of good luck—my second since I arrived in Colorado, the first being Gunner rescuing me from the creek. I stopped at a quaint little coffee shop to grab a latte after I’d bought my groceries and noticed a sign saying they were urgently looking for new employees. I asked the smiley woman behind the counter about it, and she gave me her number, telling me to call her this morning so we could schedule an interview. I did as she asked, and she said I could come in straight away to see if I was a good fit for the job. While working at a coffee shop isn’t my dream, Mountain Brew seems like an awesome place from what I saw yesterday, and it could help me keep my head above water while I try to settle into my new life here. Normally a job interview would make me nervous, but I’m still too giddy after yesterday. I haven’t stopped thinking about Gunner since he emerged from the trees and pulled me out of the creek. After spending the whole evening daydreaming about him, I finally had to put the TV on to try and distract myself. It’s not healthy to be thinking about a stranger this much—I need to focus on building a stable life here for myself, not fantasizing about a guy I’ve only met once. But there was just something about him… As I make a left turn, I force my attention back to the road, noticing a truck in my rearview mirror. I’m pretty sure it’s been there since I left my cabin, and as I take another turn, I see the truck follow. I guess it’s not that unusual—there’s bound to be other vehicles on this mountain road now and then, even if I’ve hardly seen any since my arrival. Once I finally enter Winterdale, I expect the truck to turn off, but it follows me onto the main street, slowing down as I pull up outside Mountain Brew. When I get out of the car, I shoot a curious look at the truck which is now parked a little way down the street, but the sun is reflecting off the window so I can’t see the driver. Must be a coincidence, I think to myself. Just somebody from the mountain driving into Winterdale. Don’t get paranoid. With renewed purpose, I walk away from my car and head into Mountain Brew. It’s small, rustic, and smells deliciously of coffee. The smiley woman I met yesterday, a brunette called Felicity, beams at me from behind the counter as I enter. “Scarlett, great to see you,” she says. “Come on through.” She leads me into a backroom, leaving her coworkers to keep serving customers. The interview doesn’t last long. Felicity asks some questions about my work experience back in Oklahoma City, and I show her my résumé, which she skims over approvingly. Soon enough, we’re done talking about the job and Felicity starts to tell me about Winterdale. “You’ll love it here,” she assures me. “It’s a very friendly place, and so beautiful too. I moved to Florida a while back but couldn’t stay away.” She smiles. “It has that effect on people.” After we share some more small talk about the area and the beauty of Crave County, Felicity finally claps her hands together. “Well, this all sounds great, Scarlett. We’d love to have you on board!” I beam at her, shaking her hand as she offers it to me. “That’s wonderful! I’m looking forward to it. When can I start?” “As soon as you like. You can work your first shift tomorrow if you want.” Relief rushes through me as I accept, and I stop to grab another coffee before Felicity and I say our goodbyes. See, I think to myself. I can do this! Feeling a spring in my step as I head out of Mountain Brew, sipping my coffee, I take a moment to look around at the adorable mountain town where I’m about to start working. I was so full of doubts when I left Oklahoma, but so far, luck has been on my side. My parents feel further away than ever, and I let out a happy sigh as I walk slowly back to my car. It takes me a second to register the truck. It’s still there, parked a few vehicles away from me, and I can see a shadowy figure in the driver’s seat. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I discreetly try to reposition myself so I can see more clearly. My heart thumps hard as I crane my neck and see the telltale sign of a hulking figure with a dark beard and broad shoulders filling the space behind the windshield. Gunner? I stare at the truck for a few moments, gawking stupidly before I feel my feet start to carry me automatically toward it. Was he…following me? Has he been sitting out here waiting for me? The idea seems crazy even as I think it. Why would Gunner be following the clumsy city girl who fell in a creek? The girl he had to carry back home because she couldn’t even take a simple walk in the forest without injuring herself? It doesn’t make any sense, but still, something about the idea sends a shiver of pleasure up my spine. Somehow the thought of Gunner following me makes me feel safe, not fearful. But no, this is ridiculous. Of course he’s not following me… paranoid…delusional… I take a deep breath as I reach the truck, my stomach somersaulting as Gunner meets my gaze. I tentatively wave at him, and he immediately rolls down his window. “Hi,” I say brightly, my voice sounding a little weak. Gunner nods at me, something flickering in his eyes. “Hey.” “Uh…” I begin, quietly wondering what to say. Are you following me? Have you been thinking about me the same way I’ve been thinking about you? “What…what brings you into Winterdale this early?” I try to sound like it’s just a casual question, but my voice sounds weirdly high and squeaky. Gunner frowns slightly. “Just running some errands…” His voice falters before he adds, “What about you?” “Oh, I had an interview. Mountain Brew, you know?” I point back toward the coffee shop. “They just gave me a job, so that’s a big weight off my shoulders.” “Nice.” Gunner flashes me a rare smile. “I’m happy for you. They do the best coffee in town. Awesome espressos.” “Cool! Well then, I’ll make sure you get free espressos for life for rescuing me yesterday,” I say a little too enthusiastically. “Or uh…actually thinking about it, I’m probably not allowed to do that, but uh…” I blush, tapering off, but Gunner just chuckles softly. “Don’t worry about it,” he says. “I told you it was no problem.” There’s a brief pause, and I stare at my shoes, heat blooming in my cheeks as I feel those intense green eyes lingering on me. I’m scared to meet his gaze. I’m convinced that he’ll be able to see everything that I’ve been thinking about him written in my expression. I never was good at keeping a poker face. It must be so obvious. “What do you have planned for the rest of the day?” Gunner asks eventually, breaking the silence. “Nothing much.” I still don’t look at him, but I keep my voice light. “Just watching TV. I’ll probably end up binge-watching the season I started last night.” “Well, if you’re not busy later,” Gunner begins, and the uncertainty in his voice makes my gaze snap to him immediately. “I figured, if you want, you could come over for dinner?” For the first time, he looks almost nervous. My heart is in my throat as his invitation hangs in the air between us, and I have to hold myself back from squealing out my answer. “That sounds good,” I say, forcing calm. “I’d like that…though thinking about it, it should really be me inviting you,” I add, frowning. “I mean, you’re the one who did me the favor. I’m sorry again for…”“Hey, no more apologizing, okay?” Gunner says, his voice firm as he cuts me off. “You’re the one who’s new in town, and I want to invite you.” I shiver with delight at his words, at how intense he sounds, but I try not to show just how crazy this sexy mountain man is making me. “Thank you,” I tell him, trying to sound dignified instead of squeaky and excited. “I’d love to come over for dinner.” Gunner nods, and I see the shadow of a smile on his face. “Good. How does seven sound?” “Seven sounds perfect.” Gunner reels off his address and I quickly tap it into my phone so I can’t forget. “Well, I’ll let you get on with your errands,” I say, my hands trembling a little as I push my phone back into the pocket of my jeans. “See you tonight.” “Yeah, see you tonight.” I’m strangely reluctant to step away from his truck. I could happily stand here all day in Gunner’s presence, savoring the way my body reacts to him, the way my chest fills with excitement, my heart fluttering like a caged bird behind my ribs. He looks just as handsome as he did yesterday in his worn flannel shirt, his green eyes twinkling as he runs an absent-minded hand through his beard. His pickup is big, but he still seems to fill out much more than just the driver’s seat, his broad shoulders seemingly too wide for the vehicle to contain. “Well,” I say, even though I already said my goodbyes, “Um, have a great day!” “You too. Enjoy your Law & Order binge-watch.” I chuckle. “I will. Bye, Gunner.”My pulse quickens as I practically skip back to my car, my mind reeling as I think ahead to dinner tonight. I can’t wait to see Gunner’s cabin. Can’t wait to spend real time with him…get to know more about this mysterious mountain man. Maybe even find out what brought him here from San Diego three years ago. He seemed reluctant to talk about it yesterday, but maybe over dinner in a more relaxed setting when the conversation is flowing, when he’s not carrying me through the forest while I shiver in wet clothes… But despite my excitement, something is nagging at me as I turn on the engine and start my drive back up the mountain. It swirls around in the back of my mind as I take the twists and turns through the trees before finally reaching my cabin. It’s only when I’m settled on the couch a few minutes later, the remote in my hand, that it suddenly hits me like an avalanche. Enjoy your Law & Order bingewatch. I think back, racking my brains, but I can’t remember ever mentioning Law & Order during our conversation. All I said was I planned to spend the day binging a season of a TV show…I never said what the show was. But then how could he have known? I frown to myself, shaking my head and clearing the thought. I must have mentioned it…maybe yesterday I mentioned it… But I’m still not convinced as I hit the play button and relax back against the couch cushions, my thoughts too full of Gunner to focus on the show.

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