Page 16 of Playing With The Mountain Man

“This is way too much for two slices of pie,” she pointed out, counting out the cash.

Truthfully, I hadn’t even looked at what I’d given her. With my heart pounding in my chest, all I knew was that I needed to get out of there before someone came up to me and asked for an autograph.

“It’s fine. Keep it.” I waved her off and strode over to my truck.

I’d just managed to get my heart rate back under control when Tillie reappeared, having swapped her sandals for a simple pair of runners.

“This better?” she asked, spinning in a circle with her arms wide.

Her dress flared out, giving me a glimpse of her long, muscular legs.

“Perfect,” I told her with a smile that I felt from the inside.

A moment later, she was riding shotgun as we left the town limits and began the climb up the winding road leading us deep into the Kodiak Mountains.

I slowed to take a corner, and Tillie did a double-take. “Are you sure we’re headed in the right direction? This road’s a dead end," she pointed out.

“Yep,” I replied, keeping my cards close to my chest.

Another turn and I slowed to a crawl as we passed a huge cabin with a porch swing rocking on the breeze.

“Ah, Cody, I don’t think this is the way. This is private property,” she pushed again.

“It’s fine,” I assured her.

“No, really. That cabin is beautiful, but I’m pretty sure the owner isn’t going to be happy we’re interrupting their peace,” she added.

“He’s fine,” I told her, fighting to hold back my smirk.

I parked just behind a large shed and killed the ignition.

“I don’t know …”

“Trust me.” I winked as I jumped from the truck and rounded the hood to get her door.

Even though she didn’t look sure, Tillie rested her hand in mine, and a zap went straight through my body. We both looked up in shock, our eyes meeting. I swear she could hear the blood roaring through my veins.

As quickly as the moment hit, it was gone. Tillie straightened her dress, and I reached into the back seat and grabbed my backpack.

“You ready?” I asked, pulling on my cap and swinging the bag over my good shoulder.

“Let’s do it,” Tillie agreed with a smile.

We walked in silence down the trail to the lookout. Overhead, it was a perfect afternoon. The sun was shining, and fluffy white clouds floated across the bright blue sky. You could hear the rustle of leaves around us and the birds' calls.

Tillie’s steps didn’t falter, and we made the two-mile hike easily.

“Wow! This view is incredible.” She gasped, holding onto the railing and gazing out across the valley.

“It’s pretty special,” I agreed, setting my backpack down on a rock and coming to stand beside her.

“How’d you find this place?” she asked, turning to look at me.

I hated that I couldn’t see her eyes. They were hidden behind her dark glasses, keeping me from reading her.

I turned back to the view, holding onto the railing to stop myself from reaching for her.

“I was out running the trails and stumbled across it. It’s one of my favorite places,” I admitted.