Page 5 of Ignited By the Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man #2)

KEELY

The only thing better than the pumpkin spice latte was the glow I had as I walked from booth to booth.

Last night had been the most amazing night of my life, and it was only the beginning. That much was clear as I wandered around, talking to vendors and enjoying the crisp mountain air.

"I fell in love with this town," Sienna, one of the vendors, said with a big smile. "In fact, I'm moving here. Just have to talk to my parents. They own a farm in Georgia."

Her words piqued my interest. "What made you decide to move here?"

That was when her face really lit up, her smile widening and her eyes twinkling. "His name's Blade. He lives here. I just met him, but I know it's the real thing."

My eyes widened. "Already?"

She shrugged. "When you know, you know, right?"

"Right. That seems to happen a lot around here, doesn't it?"

She nodded. "There's something in the water in this town. Women come here and they don't leave. But I think it's more the men they meet here than the water."

I clamped my lips together. I wanted so badly to confide in her about the man I'd just met. But that wouldn't be professional. I had to stick to the interview.

"Excuse me," Sienna suddenly said.

I stepped back as two women walked up to the table. Was it my imagination, or did one give me a dirty look? I hid behind my disposable coffee cup, taking a mindless sip.

I took another step back and looked down the row of vendors. Across from us was another row, and in between, a dozen or so people wandered around. Even more were standing in front of various booths.

I looked around for a friendly face but didn't see one. Near the popcorn booth, two women stood talking. When I caught their eye, they turned and pretended to be interested in the popcorn.

Sienna was alone again, and her eyes were on me. After looking around to make sure the coast was clear, I started walking toward her. As I approached, she glanced to her right after the women who'd just left, then turned her attention to me.

"What's going on?" I asked. "I feel like people are talking about me."

"They said something." She shook her head.

"They told me I shouldn't talk to you. That you're just going to paint everyone here as simple mountain folk.

I told them that was the opposite of what you're doing, and they should give you a chance.

" She looked off to the side. "I definitely got an outsider vibe. "

"I think in a town like this, it takes a while for people to warm up to you, which is weird because I haven't felt that vibe since I've been here. Everyone’s seemed welcoming so far." I paused. "Maybe the key is hooking up with one of the local guys."

She laughed at that, and I opened my mouth to reveal my secret. I was hooking up with one of the local guys, but it was more than hooking up. I was madly in love, just as she was with her mountain man.

But again, before I could say anything, someone interrupted. This time, it was the very mountain man I couldn't stop thinking about.

"Ready for that tour?" Silas asked.

I didn't miss the knowing look on Sienna's face as Silas and I walked away together. "The apple orchard is just through here," he said, his hand warm on the small of my back as we walked. "The lighting should be perfect for photos right about now."

I nodded, trying to summon the enthusiasm I'd felt an hour ago. But everything had changed. The glow from our perfect night together was dimming, replaced by the cold reality that I was still an outsider here. That maybe I always would be.

"You okay?" Silas asked, his step slowing. "You seem…different."

"I'm fine." I adjusted my camera strap, putting some distance between us. "Just trying to stay focused on the work."

He stopped walking entirely. "Keely. What happened?"

"Nothing happened. I'm remembering why I'm here." I forced a professional smile. "I have an article to write, and you've been incredibly helpful. I really appreciate the tour."

He flinched. “That's not what this is, and you know it."

"Isn't it?" I turned to face him fully, crossing my arms. "I'm a journalist. You're a local showing me around. That's exactly what this is."

"Bullshit." His eyes searched my face. "Last night—"

"Was a mistake." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but I forced them out anyway. "I got caught up in the moment. It won't happen again."

He stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "Something happened between when I left you this morning and now. What was it?"

I wanted to tell him. God, I wanted to collapse into his arms and let him fix whatever was broken. But how could I explain that his own community didn't want me here? That they saw me as a threat, an outsider who would exploit them for a story?

"People talk in small towns, Silas. Maybe you should listen to what they're saying."

"What people? What are they saying?"

Before I could answer, a female voice called out from behind us. "Silas! There you are."

We turned to see Bobbi approaching, her face bright with excitement. She was the innkeeper who'd apparently been the town matchmaker for years. I’d met her the second I checked into the inn and she’d given me an earful about the town and the harvest market.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." She beamed at both of us. "I heard the most wonderful news."

Silas and I exchanged confused glances. "What news?" he asked.

"About your article," Bobbi said, turning to me. "Word's gotten around that you're writing about our fall traditions, and everyone's so excited. We've never had positive press coverage before."

My heart sank. "Positive press?"

"Well, of course positive. Sienna told Mrs. Upchurch about your conversation, and she told me how respectful and interested you were.

How you really wanted to capture the authentic spirit of our community.

" Bobbi clasped her hands together. "We're all hoping this might bring more visitors to our festivals.

Heaven knows we could use the tourism boost."

I stared at her, my world tilting. "But I thought…someone said people were worried I'd make you look bad."

Bobbi's face fell. "Oh, honey. You must have run into the worry committee."

"The what?"

“Sheila Jenkins and her sister Ruth. They're convinced every outsider is here to hurt the town somehow.

" Bobbi waved a dismissive hand. "They've been like that since that terrible article five years ago about mountain communities.

But the rest of us know better. Especially after Silas vouched for you. "

"Silas vouched for me?"

Bobbi nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes. He’s been telling everyone that you’re the real deal. That you understand what makes our community special and want to share that with the world." She leaned in conspiratorially. "He also mentioned you might be sticking around longer than planned."

Heat crept up my neck as I glanced at Silas. He was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

"Actually," Bobbi continued, "we were hoping you might consider extending your stay. Maybe covering our Christmas festival too? It's even more magical than this one."

I felt like I was drowning. “I… I don’t…”

"She needs to think about it," Silas said smoothly, his hand finding mine. "It's a big decision."

Bobbi nodded. "Of course. Take all the time you need." She squeezed my free hand. "Just know that you're welcome here, dear. More than welcome."

As she walked away, I stood frozen, my hand still in Silas's.

"Two busybodies,” he said quietly. "That's what had you ready to run."

"It wasn't just them." My voice came out smaller than I intended. "It was everything. The looks, the whispers. I felt like I didn't belong."

"You do belong." He turned me to face him, his hands gentle on my shoulders. "You belong here with me, if you want to. Not because of your article or your work, but because of this." He gestured between us. "Because of what we have."

"We've known each other for two days."

"And it feels like a lifetime, doesn't it?"

It did. That was the terrifying, wonderful truth of it.

"I'm scared," I whispered.

"Of what?"

"Of wanting this too much. Of letting myself believe I can have a home here." I looked into his dark eyes. "I've been running for so long, I don't know how to stop."

"Then don't stop." His thumb brushed across my cheekbone. "Just change direction. Run toward something instead of away from it."

"What if I'm not cut out for small-town life?"

"What if you are?" His smile was soft, hopeful. "What if everything you've been looking for has been waiting for you here?"

I thought about Sienna's words. When you know, you know.

I thought about the fire we'd built together, the way he'd made me feel safe and wanted and cherished.

I thought about the workshop where he'd created beautiful things with his hands and how I'd felt more at home there in one night than I had anywhere in years.

"I don't have a permanent address," I said weakly. "I don't even own furniture."

"I make furniture for a living." His grin was wicked. "And I have plenty of room at my place."

"Silas…”

"Stay," he said simply. "Write your article. See how it feels to be part of something instead of always documenting it from the outside."

"What if it doesn't work out?"

"What if it does?"

I looked around the festival, seeing it with new eyes. Not as a journalist capturing a story, but as someone who might actually belong to this community. Who might build a life here.

"I'd have to go back to Chattanooga first," I said slowly. "Pack up my stuff, finish some assignments…”

"I'll help you move." He didn't even hesitate. "Whatever you need."

"This is crazy."

"The best things usually are."

I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him, right there in the middle of the apple orchard with festival-goers wandering past and the autumn sun shining down on us.

"Okay," I whispered against his lips. "Let's be crazy together."

His smile went straight to my heart. "Forever?"

"Forever."

As he spun me around, my laughter echoing through the trees, I realized I'd finally found what I'd been running toward all along. Not just a story or a place, but a home. A future. A love that felt like coming alive for the first time.

And it had all started with a scattered pile of kindling and a man who taught me that the best fires are built slowly, carefully, with patience and the right foundation.

Just like love.