Page 10 of The Mountain Man’s Unexpected Bride (Mountain Man Sanctuary #5)

Savannah

I t's been an amazing day. I loved Brock's friends, and I might have an interesting job to go to if I like how things go at Erika's gallery. I'm amazed at how Fletcher's art – which is astounding, by the way – provides him a good living all the way from her gallery up here in Hunter's Peak.

I take a quick shower and get ready for bed.

I want to put some words down about my journey, before sexy times with my mountain man.

I walk into Brock's office and admire the small library that he has.

It's not as big as the other one he has, but I still love seeing all the books and the opportunities for learning.

My mind often wanders to what my life was like before, and even though I don't like to dwell on it too much, I do celebrate the fact that I'm no longer there, wasting my life away as a servant. I start looking around for some paper. I check and find the printer, so I take a few pages from that.

What I can't find is something to write with. You'd think he'd have some pens in his office. Which is why I start opening the drawers of his desk in search of one. After I open two or three, I find one where there are some crumpled papers.

I start to close the drawer, but catch the name Ivanov on part of the paper. Why is my name in this document? I know I'm probably crossing some boundaries here, but I take the papers out and start reading them.

A chill goes through me as I realize this is the contract Brock signed with the mail-order agency and my stepmother. I keep hoping to see something about a wedding, but instead, what I read has all the hairs on my body jump up in fright.

This contract is for a temporary fiancé — no strings attached. No strings attached. NO. STRINGS. ATTACHED.

"WHAT THE HELL, brOCK?"

I've never shouted in my life. Perhaps only after the intense orgasms Brock has been giving me, but normally, I'm a quiet, soft-spoken person. Right now, I want to keep on screaming. I march out of the office, contract in hand, and find Brock with an alarmed look on his face.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do, Brock Masters."

I toss the papers at him, and he catches them clumsily and holds them to his chest. I now see despair on his face, and for a moment, he seems speechless.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Savannah. I couldn't find the right time to bring the contract up."

"I'm not sure I understand what this means. We're not really engaged?"

"We are. It's just that after six months, I'm no longer required to marry you."

His words make me see red. How dare he?

"Didn't you think this was information I needed to know? We've been having unprotected sex, for goodness’ sake!"

His face goes pale at my words. He gets up and tries to touch me. I back away and put some needed distance between us.

"Let me explain, princess."

"Don't say that to me. I thought you were my safe harbor, Brock. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Will you just hear me out?"

I find myself trying to make excuses for him. Maybe whatever he has to say will make a difference. However, I don't get to hear any of it because his phone starts ringing.

"I need to take this, Savannah. It's the search and rescue team."

He picks up and walks over to his office for some privacy. I see the stupid contract on the floor and pick it up, tearing it into a million little pieces. I don't know if that will make a difference or not, but it certainly made me feel better.

After a few minutes, Brock comes back to the living room. He looks devastated, but resigned. I don't know why I even care.

"I need to go help the SAR team. I don't know how long I'll be away. Will you please wait for me so I can explain?"

I'm not sure if I nod or not. All I know is that I walk with tears in my eyes towards my bedroom and close the door behind me. I slide down the door until my butt hits the floor and just let the tears roll down my face as if it was a waterfall.

The next few hours are excruciating as I try to figure out what to do. Thankfully, Erika gave me her number, so I dial that now with the phone the traitor gave me. The phone rings a few times, then she picks up.

"Savannah? Is everything okay?"

"Not really. Can you talk?"

"Of course. What is wrong and what can I do to help?"

"I just found the contract Brock had with the mail-order agency. It's for a temporary fiancé, no strings attached, for the duration of six months."

"Temporary?"

"Yes."

I hear her muffled words as if she's covering the phone and talking to someone else. Fletcher, I imagine. When she comes back to me, I've already decided I've got to leave this mountain.

"Do you want me to come pick you up? You can stay here with us."

"I want to get as far away from this mountain as I can, Erika."

"I get it. I think I know where you can go. I can take you in the morning. Will that be okay with you? Where's Brock?"

"He left for a search and rescue thingy. I don't know when he'll be back. I appreciate your help. I'll be ready in the morning, just come get me."

"Don't worry. I've got you."

As soon as I close the connection, I start bawling my eyes out again. I lie down in a fetal position on my bed and wonder what will become of me. I knew this perfect life with Brock wasn't real. I should have trusted my instincts.

It takes me hours and a small battle with myself over whether or not I should accept anything Brock bought me, but in the end, I realize I need all of this to give me a new chance in life. My heart breaks. I love him, and I never told him.

Truly, he doesn't deserve words of love from me. My heart aches when I think of never seeing him again, but I have to look out for myself. When morning comes, I'm all packed and ready to go. Erika is on time, and I get in her car, trying to keep myself in check.

"You okay, friend?"

"I will be. Thank you for doing this for me."

I'm quiet during the entire ride, but when we arrive at Woodland Falls, I realize why it's a true Christmas town.

It's not even fall, and everything reminds you of the Christmas season.

We pass in front of a huge store that seems to sell everything Christmas, all the time, and I wonder if I'll spend my first paycheck buying stuff from there.

When we get to Over the Roast, we park in front, and Sam comes to meet us outside the shop. She's fun and friendly, and we sit down for coffee. She made a surprise blend just for me, and we take the time to get to know one another until she has to officially open the shop.

A part of my heart is breaking, but another is happy that I'm making friends. It's the start of something – whatever that is – and it makes my heart sing. All I have to do is get over the love of my life.