Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“How exciting.”
He gives a thoughtful nod. “Yeah, I love what I do.” He throws me a smile that does funny things to my stomach. “And now here I am rescuing stranded influencers.”
I grin. “You know?”
“The shoes,” he says, eyes twinkling. “You may be wearing yoga pants, but those are influencer-level sneakers. Plus, I recognized you. Melanie Mason, right?”
My cheeks warm. “Guilty.”
“Well, the rescue pups are about to have a hell of a photographer.”
For the next twenty minutes, the conversation flows easily—Lucas is a great listener with a dry wit, and every time he smiles I catch myself wanting to lean closer. We talk about the rescue, about my social accounts, about life in the mountains.
“Next time I come you’ll have to take me hiking in the mountains,” I say as we round a bend, the cabin coming into view. Warm lights glow through the big windows, and a few dog silhouettes bounce happily behind the fence.
“Deal.” He glances at me, smile softer now. “And next time you drive up here—make sure you’ve got a spare.”
I laugh, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Next time I’ll just call you first.”
He parks beside the cabin, engine idling. I turn to him, heart still fluttering from the unexpected rescue and this surprisingly charming ride.
“Thanks again, Lucas. Really.”
He meets my gaze, voice low. “Anytime, Melanie.”
Our eyes linger a beat too long before I grab my bags and hop down, cheeks flushed. Charlotte waves from the porch, calling out, “You made it! We were about to send a search party.”
Asher appears beside her, frowning like the protective big brother he is until Lucas steps out.
“Lucas?” Asher says, brows lifting. “You two know each other?”
“Now we do,” Lucas says easily, eyes flicking back to me with a smile.
And just like that, my weekend in the mountains has gotten way more interesting than planned.
2
Melanie
Dogs rush me as I step closer to Charlotte. I breathe in the fresh air, and try not to keep looking at Lucas as he and Asher talk about security things. But it’s hard, y’all. So hard. He’s the epitome of handsome. Beyond that, really. He’s like a perfect specimen of man. Muscles galore. Eyes the color of the sky on a winter day. And a smile that could melt hearts. I think mine is literally melting right now.
I immediately get body-checked by a golden retriever the size of a loveseat and fall back down to reality. “Hi, Moose,” I laugh, because obviously he’s the dog Moose Char’s been telling me about. “I am honored you picked me as your new mom.”
“Get in line,” Charlotte calls, waddling off the porch in a cream beanie and hiking boots, her hand resting on her baby bump. She collides with me in a hug that’s been too long. “You made it!” She rubs her belly. “I’m about to pop, so I’m glad you came before the baby comes and adds to the madness.”
I give her another squeeze. “You’re going to be a great mother.”
She smiles, her hand sliding to her back. “I’m just ready for this one to be here already. The waiting is the hardest part.” Her smile shines. “I’m just so glad you made it.”
“Me too. I’m so proud of me.” I glance past her shoulder at the panoramic view. “Is this a movie set? Be honest.”
“Just our backyard,” she says, all smug sunshine, and it makes me ridiculously happy.
Asher raises a hand to wave. “Welcome to the ridge, Melanie.”
“Hi, Dad Friend,” I tease, because I can see all the dogs looking to him as the Alpha. “Love what you’ve done with the forest.”
“The forest came preinstalled,” he deadpans. “We just added dogs.”
As if on cue, three more show up—one dignified gray-muzzled shepherd, a brindle pittie with the zoomies, and a tiny black floof that looks like it’s running on espresso.
“I brought my camera, an extra battery, and a pocketful of bribes,” I say, producing a zip bag of training treats. All six dogs sit. “Oh. They’re professionals.”
“Asher runs a tight ship,” Charlotte says, bumping him with her elbow. “Speaking of, our crew is in and out this weekend. You’ve already met Lucas—he just got back from an out-of-town assignment with Riggs.”
“I have,” I say with a big smile. “He’s quiet like a crockpot.”
Lucas’s eyes shine and he gives me that heart-melting smile again. My knees buckle, but I try to pretend he doesn’t have that kind of effect on me.
But how can he not?
He huffs a surprised laugh. “Haven’t heard that one.”
“Give it time.”
“Lucas,” Asher says, by way of introduction. “Melanie’s helping shoot adoption photos this weekend.”
“Copy that,” Lucas says, and somehow “copy that” manages to sound both tactical and flirty. “Welcome to snow-melt season. Watch the slush—black ice hides under it.”
“Understood.” I pivot to head toward the house and step straight into a thin ribbon of invisible ice. My heel skates. Moose yips like he’s calling a foul.