Page 1 of Enamored with the Mountain Man (Mountain Men of Apple Falls #5)

CHAPTER ONE

Chase

I stared out the kitchen window of my newly purchased farmhouse into the backyard.

The farm stretched out just beyond it, a low wooden fence the only thing separating the two.

The grass was overgrown, the vegetable gardens were nothing but dirt, the bushes needed a good trimming, and even a couple of apple trees looked in pretty bad shape.

Rain poured down from the sky in sheets, and I never thought I’d be so thankful for rain keeping me trapped indoors, but here I was.

With a loud sigh, I yanked the blinds closed and focused on fixing breakfast for my two-year-old daughter, Ivy, instead.

She was due to wake any moment now, and once I heard her on the baby monitor sitting on the counter, I knew she’d be ready to eat first thing.

My baby girl woke up hungry and didn’t hesitate to let anyone around her know.

I popped a couple of pieces of toast into the toaster and grabbed milk, eggs, and cheese from the fridge. As I set to work making cheesy scrambled eggs, one of Ivy’s favorites, I thought about what it would feel like to finally be able to give Ivy the family she deserved.

Ivy and I have been in Apple Falls for over a month now, and not only was the farm becoming more hopeless but so was my love life. Meeting a woman seemed impossible as a single dad.

There were always dating websites…

A few minutes later, Ivy’s soft voice came through the baby monitor speaker. “Da Da! Iveee awake!”

I chuckled and listened to her repeat the words. She wouldn’t stop until I opened her door, so I quickly finished the eggs, scooped them into a bowl, and placed the bowl on the stove surface with a lid to keep them warm.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I was outside Ivy’s bedroom door seconds later, and I opened the door to find her standing in her crib, her light brown curls a wild mess and a big smile on her face. “Da Da!” She clapped her chubby hands together.

She was, without a doubt, the best part of my life. Her excitement at seeing me warmed my heart, and I hurried over to her, scooping her into my arms and giving her a big hug. “Morning, sweet girl. Ready for some breakfast?”

“Yes!” Ivy clapped her hands again, and I laughed. After a quick diaper change, we were in the kitchen with Ivy in her high chair. I buttered our toast, cut hers into strips, and made our plates.

“After we eat, we’re going to go visit a fun place where you can meet new friends,” I explained to Ivy like she knew exactly what I was saying.

“Fri?” Ivy tried to repeat the word friend, and I smiled at her adorableness.

“Yes, friends. For you to play with.”

If I was ever going to get this farm under control, I needed a little help caring for Ivy. As much as I didn’t want to bring her to daycare, I didn’t see another way. I couldn’t do yard work while caring for Ivy at the same time.

Later that night, after our nightly bath and bed routine, Ivy was fast asleep in her crib. She loved the daycare we visited earlier, so I enrolled her right then and there. I had a good feeling about the place.

After cleaning up the kitchen, I grabbed a soda from the fridge and settled on the couch with my laptop and a cooking show on the TV in the background.

I opened the browser and navigated to Google, where I searched for dating websites.

The first that popped up was called Mountain Mates. I clicked on it more out of curiosity than anything else, but soon, on a whim, I found myself creating an account and setting up my profile.

Chase Almeida- Single dad to a two-year-old little girl and looking for the one I can continue building a family with. Recently bought a farmhouse in the small town of Apple Falls and have no idea what I’m doing. Life’s an adventure, right? Let’s chat- serious inquiries only.

I read it over and over and hated it more every time. Was it too dull? Too much information? Not enough?

If I didn’t stop questioning myself, I’d never do it, so I hit save and navigated to the women’s profiles. I flipped through them, saving the ones I liked and would maybe message.

Before I knew it, an hour passed, and I had a bunch of saved profiles. I scrolled through them, deciding on who to message when a notification popped up on the screen.

Laineybug sent you a message! Click to open!

I clicked on it, and a messaging box popped open.

Laineybug: Hi! You’re quite handsome.

Laineybug: Feel like chatting?

A tingle ran through me. I liked her screen name, and before answering the message, I minimized the chat box and clicked on her profile. Right away, I was struck by her stunning beauty. Her deep-set brown eyes sparkled in the sun, and I recognized the city skyline in the background.

She was from the city? I’d never seen her before, but then again, the city was huge, and it was impossible to know everyone. I just hoped she didn’t run in any similar circles I had when living there.

Lainey Stuckey: Single city gal looking for some fun!

I own a dance studio here in the city and love teaching kids how to dance.

My studio is amazing but also very busy, and I’m looking for a quick two-week escape with a sexy mountain man who wouldn’t mind playing house for a little while.

If that’s something you’re interested in, message me!

I read over her profile again. My stomach crashed all the way down to my feet. She wasn’t looking for her forever. Why would she message me then when I was?

Laineybug has sent you a message! Click to open!

Another message? She’s determined; I’d give her that. I clicked on the notification, and the chat box opened on the screen.

Laineybug: I know we want different things, but I can’t stop staring at your pictures. Think you can make an exception for a sweet girl like me?

I chuckled to myself.

Hopelessfarmer: Hi there. A woman who knows what she wants, hmm? I like it.

Laineybug: Does that mean you’ll give me a chance?

Hopelessfarmer: We can chat, sure, but seeing as I have a daughter, I can’t do temporary.

Laineybug: Okay, fair enough. So, tell me, Chase, what’s up with the farm you bought?

Hopelessfarmer: Lesson I’m learning- don’t buy a farm when you have no clue how to grow a damn thing.

Laineybug: Got it. What made you buy one?

Hopelessfarmer: I used to be a city slicker myself.

But after gaining full custody of my daughter because her mom didn’t want to be a mom anymore, I decided I didn’t want to raise my daughter in the city.

I was also tired of my demanding job, and I knew I’d hardly see my daughter if I worked all the time, never mind the daycare costs.

I fell in love with the farmhouse as soon as I saw it.

How you picture the perfect farmhouse in your mind is exactly what this one looks like.

I couldn’t resist. Unfortunately, the farm came with it.

Laineybug: Do you have any animals?

Hopelessfarmer: No, thank God. Right now, it’s a bunch of overgrown grass and bushes, a couple of sickly looking apple trees, and a vegetable garden that’s seen better days.

But with lots of YouTube videos, I’ll get it going again.

Maybe get a cow or some chickens in the future. First, I need to get the basics down.

Laineybug: I’ve actually got a great green thumb. My apartment is full of plants, each one my little baby.

Hopelessfarmer: You’re making it very hard not to invite you here.

Laineybug: So do it then.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the couch. Fuck, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

But alas, I couldn’t stop talking to her. Not now. Maybe not ever.