Page 4 of Picked By the Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man #6)
Keaton
“Oh hell. Look, it’s not that bad. Some vinegar and water and then a good scrub in the shower with soap will have you good as new.
” I hastily attempt to calm the woman sprawled on the ground.
Like most men, I don’t do well with crying, and for some reason seeing this particular woman weeping has an unfamiliar tightening happening in my chest. Instead of calming her, she starts wailing. I can barely understand her words.
“III dddoon’t hhhaave aaany wwwaater,” she sobs.
My brows pinch. “What do you mean you don’t have water? You’ve been living here for almost a week.”
I know this because I’ve been keeping a close eye on what’s been happening over here. I want to be ready to pounce with an offer the minute she’s ready to cry uncle. Now looks to be the perfect time, but I don’t have the heart to ask her to sell while she’s crying and covered in skunk spray.
“There’s no water in the house, and only one spigot has a trickle of water. I can’t get anyone to call me about coming out to look at it,” she sniffles.
My lips turn down at her announcement. I can’t believe a city girl like her has been living without water. I would’ve thought something like that would have her turning right around and giving up.
It’s becoming apparent that maybe I’ve underestimated her determination.
On my way over here, I saw a significant portion of brush had been cleared and gathered into a pile.
She’s been doing all of this by hand because the tractor has remained in the barn.
I wonder if she doesn’t know how to operate it or if there’s something wrong with it.
I have to admire the grit she’s showing when I figured at the first bump in the road she would be packing up.
When I heard her screams, I thought for sure it was my opportunity.
At least that’s what I was telling myself as I rushed over here, but my heart had lodged itself in my throat at the thought something could’ve happened to her.
Her cough pulls me from my wayward thoughts.
At this point, even my eyes are starting to water.
There’s no way I can leave her like this.
She’s miserable, but even so it does nothing to hide her attractiveness.
The snug t-shirt and jeans she’s wearing, like the purple dress, hug those curves just like I itch to do.
“Come with me. You can shower at my place.” The offer is out before I have a chance to really think it through. An image of her naked in my space crosses my mind and has my blood humming.
Her eyes jerk to mine, wide with shock. “Really? Why would you help me?”
“I’m not a monster,” I mutter gruffly, chagrined I left such a bad impression she thinks I wouldn’t help someone who’s clearly in need of it.
To be fair, we didn’t meet under the best of circumstances. I was completely caught off guard and not happy to find out the property had slipped through my hands. I’m certainly not going to hold it against her at the moment, though.
She’s still sitting there staring at me as if I’ve grown a second head. “Well, come on then, let’s get you cleaned up.”
That snaps her out of her trance as she scrambles to get up from the ground.
I keep my distance as I lead the way to my property. When we get to the cabin I built myself, I briefly wonder what she might think of it, not entirely sure why I would care in the first place. Shaking my head, I toe off my boots before opening the door.
Turning back, I see she’s taking her tennis shoes off as well. They probably have to be thrown out with the rest of her clothes. The stink is a bitch to get out of fabric. It’s then I realize I don’t even know my curvy neighbor’s name. No wonder she thinks I’m an asshole.
“I’m Keaton, by the way. Sorry for not introducing myself before.”
She nods with a tight smile. “I’m Becca.”
The corner of my mouth tips up. “Becca fits,” I observe.
“I’m just glad my parents didn’t go with Becky.” She wrinkles her nose.
I can’t help my snort. “Well, Becca, let’s get that stink off of you. A pretty thing like you definitely shouldn’t smell this bad.”
Her cheeks turn so pink I can see it beneath the dirt and grime caked on her face. It only adds to the appeal of this sexy, feisty woman who is becoming a distraction I don’t need, nor want. But it seems my body has other ideas as my heart thunders in my chest just from being close to her.
We troop through the house, briefly stopping in the kitchen so I can grab the half-full jug of vinegar and a trash bag from the pantry. Then I lead her through my bedroom to the master bath.
I made the gray slate tile shower in here extra large to accommodate my size.
It’ll give her more room to rinse off, and the rainfall showerhead and portable wand will help as well.
That’s what I keep telling myself at least, but I’d be lying if I said the thought of her in my shower didn’t have my dick twitching.
“Fill the vinegar jug with water and then use the whole jug to rinse off before soaping up. It’ll help break down the oils clinging to your skin.
You can put your clothes in the trash bag.
You’ll probably want to throw them away.
The oil is pretty tough to get out of fabric.
I’ll leave some clothes on the bed for you,” I instruct, setting the jug and bag on the counter before pulling out a towel and washrag for her.
She nods. “Thank you. I really appreciate the help.”
“It’s nothing. If we’re going to be neighbors, it’s the least I can do.” I step out, closing the door behind me before I do something stupid like offering to help her soap up.
I lean against the door, listening to the rustling of her clothes as she disrobes on the other side. My eyes fall closed as I imagine all that silky skin on display.
With a groan, I pull myself away from temptation. I grab a blue t-shirt and gray sweats out of my dresser, laying them on the bed for her before heading downstairs to throw something together for dinner for the two of us since it’s getting late.