Page 9
Story: Wanted Mountain Man
“He wasn’t looking at me.” Though secretly I had seen the interested look from the big, handsome mountain man. This small town is filled with them. “I just don’t understand. Only a couple of weeks ago I would have done anything to be noticed and none of these guys gave me a second look.”
Kate nods. “It’s the happiness factor. Now that you are here, and in love with the gorgeous Sheriff Jack, the happiness you feel automatically makes you more attractive. People can apply this and shave off that, but at the end of the day it is inner beauty and happiness and joy that people are attracted to.”
I sit back and look around at the trees in the park. The fresh mountain air. This town, which I am beginning to love. And I think about my handsome stranger turned Sheriff, who I am totally head over heels in love with. I let out a contented sigh. “You know what, I am really happy. I’m so glad I came here and got lost in the mountains.”
Kate grins. She has heard the whole story when we meet at Book Club. And I learnt that she moved here and fell in love with her mountain man, artist neighbour. So she knows what I am talking about.
Sure, there have been a few teething problems as Jack and I start to really get to know each other. Like he is perfectly ordered, shoes shining, socks in their place in the sock drawer. And I enjoy a little bit of cluttered mess. But he is also strong and brave and protective. And he loves to make me happy. So we are finding our way together.
“So, what do you think?” Kate pulls my attention back to her. “Now that we have decided that you are happy and these guys find you attractive, would you model for me? It would really help me out.”
I’m not sure. After that one experience I’ve been turned off the idea of modeling plus-sized clothes. But I would like to help out my new friend. And Jack hasn’t mentioned me getting a job, but it would be nice to have my own money. And something to do while Jack is off protecting the town.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
* * * * *
“That’s it. Just look relaxed. Look to the left. And smile.”
Click. Click. Click
“Fantastic!”
I’m glad I agreed to this. Kate runs websites for different businesses in town and it is a plus-sized clothing store that I am modeling for. Kate is here, the photographer is really nice and the clothes are beautiful.
I glance over at Jack before I do a little twirl. He is standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching everything. When I told him about this job he wasn’t too pleased at the idea of me modeling. And so he had insisted on being here to make sure everything is okay.
“Comfortable Jack?” Kate calls over to him and he nods. “Get yourself a coffee if you are hanging around, we’ve got a lot of clothes to get through.”
I laugh at his frown and skip over to him. “I’m fine here on my own if you want to go home?”
He runs a hand through his hair. Cut shorter since we came back to town. The beard trimmed down too. Much more dashing and handsome like this.
“Yeah, probably best I go. I’m this close to throwing you over my shoulder and taking you home.”
“Really? You like these dresses.”
I swear the man is almost blushing. He hooks his thumbs in his jeans pockets and shrugs. “I like the pink one.”
“Maybe I’ll buy it.”
He takes out his wallet and hands me his credit card. “Buy anything you want. And we will talk further about how beautiful you are when you get home.” With a sexy wink I watch him walk off, unable to keep the grin off my face.
Who would have thought life could be so good for a hot mess like me? Just goes to show what one wrong turn can bring.
* * * * *
Kate nods. “It’s the happiness factor. Now that you are here, and in love with the gorgeous Sheriff Jack, the happiness you feel automatically makes you more attractive. People can apply this and shave off that, but at the end of the day it is inner beauty and happiness and joy that people are attracted to.”
I sit back and look around at the trees in the park. The fresh mountain air. This town, which I am beginning to love. And I think about my handsome stranger turned Sheriff, who I am totally head over heels in love with. I let out a contented sigh. “You know what, I am really happy. I’m so glad I came here and got lost in the mountains.”
Kate grins. She has heard the whole story when we meet at Book Club. And I learnt that she moved here and fell in love with her mountain man, artist neighbour. So she knows what I am talking about.
Sure, there have been a few teething problems as Jack and I start to really get to know each other. Like he is perfectly ordered, shoes shining, socks in their place in the sock drawer. And I enjoy a little bit of cluttered mess. But he is also strong and brave and protective. And he loves to make me happy. So we are finding our way together.
“So, what do you think?” Kate pulls my attention back to her. “Now that we have decided that you are happy and these guys find you attractive, would you model for me? It would really help me out.”
I’m not sure. After that one experience I’ve been turned off the idea of modeling plus-sized clothes. But I would like to help out my new friend. And Jack hasn’t mentioned me getting a job, but it would be nice to have my own money. And something to do while Jack is off protecting the town.
“Okay. I’ll do it.”
* * * * *
“That’s it. Just look relaxed. Look to the left. And smile.”
Click. Click. Click
“Fantastic!”
I’m glad I agreed to this. Kate runs websites for different businesses in town and it is a plus-sized clothing store that I am modeling for. Kate is here, the photographer is really nice and the clothes are beautiful.
I glance over at Jack before I do a little twirl. He is standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching everything. When I told him about this job he wasn’t too pleased at the idea of me modeling. And so he had insisted on being here to make sure everything is okay.
“Comfortable Jack?” Kate calls over to him and he nods. “Get yourself a coffee if you are hanging around, we’ve got a lot of clothes to get through.”
I laugh at his frown and skip over to him. “I’m fine here on my own if you want to go home?”
He runs a hand through his hair. Cut shorter since we came back to town. The beard trimmed down too. Much more dashing and handsome like this.
“Yeah, probably best I go. I’m this close to throwing you over my shoulder and taking you home.”
“Really? You like these dresses.”
I swear the man is almost blushing. He hooks his thumbs in his jeans pockets and shrugs. “I like the pink one.”
“Maybe I’ll buy it.”
He takes out his wallet and hands me his credit card. “Buy anything you want. And we will talk further about how beautiful you are when you get home.” With a sexy wink I watch him walk off, unable to keep the grin off my face.
Who would have thought life could be so good for a hot mess like me? Just goes to show what one wrong turn can bring.
* * * * *