Page 20 of Wrecked for Love (Buffaloberry Hill #1)

CLAIRE

It was a Sunday, and I’d slept in a little.

In Buffaloberry Hill, it didn’t really matter what time you woke up—nature would always be there, patiently waiting.

After staring out the window over my coffee for a good half hour, determined not to glance at my manuscript that hadn’t made it past chapter one, I decided a hike was a better option.

Raven Bluff seemed like the perfect spot today.

Late morning, the fall air was crisp but not too chilly, the trees turning golden, and the birds chirping like they were sharing secrets with the breeze.

For a moment, I let myself enjoy the serenity, my boots crunching over the trail.

But just as I was sinking into the peace of it all, a prickling sensation crept in—the one you get when someone’s watching you.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw him—a man I didn’t recognize. And around here, that was rare.

“Hey there,” he called out, catching up to me, his voice too casual for comfort.

“Hey,” I replied, hoping that would be the end of it.

“I’m Armand,” he said, flashing a grin that reeked of a playboy trying way too hard to sell what no one was buying. “People call me Little Vossy. But as you can see, there’s nothing little about me.” He planted a hand on his hip, making sure I noticed the tight fit of his jeans.

“Interesting,” I replied, my eyes sweeping over him. “Guys usually flaunt when they’re trying to compensate for something…well, little.”

“Ooh, you’re the feisty type!”

I gave him a quick glance before speeding up. “Have a good day.”

But he didn’t take the hint. I could hear his footsteps speeding up behind me.

“C’mon, there’s only one trail here, doll,” he slurred, his words thick with arrogance.

“You see it, don’t ya? Me and you, walkin’ this path together.

It’s like destiny, ya know?” His eyes slid over me, sizing me up.

“What can I say? You’re the kinda broad who needs a man like me to guide her. So, what’s your name, sweetheart?”

I silently cursed myself for not bringing my gun. I’d stopped carrying it because, well, nothing ever happened around here. Now, this man was threatening to shatter my sense of normalcy.

“Look, I’d rather hike alone, please.” I tried to keep my voice polite, praying it’d be enough to make him back off.

He let out a drunken laugh, stumbling closer. “Alone? Nah, don’t be like that, sugar. A little thing like you? You need a real man to keep ya safe out here. Wouldn’t wanna get yourself lost or worse, would ya?”

He moved in closer, his breath hovering at the edge of my skin. His hand brushed against my arm before I could step away. But he didn’t just stop there. In an instant, his arm was wrapped around me.

“Piss off!” I yelled, shoving him, but he was a big guy, and all I managed was a slight nudge. He laughed, his hand sliding down to my backside. “Fuck the hell off!” I shouted louder, but it only made him grip harder.

As he started dragging me toward the bushes, a bark echoed through the trees—Koda!

“Well, guess what, asshole? We’re not alone after all!” I drove my knee up toward his crotch. He dodged, his quick reflexes saving him—clearly not his first close call.

Then, a shadow fell across the trail—a tall figure with fury burning in his eyes.

“You heard the lady,” Elia growled, grabbing Armand—Little Vossy—by the scruff of his neck like he was a misbehaving kitten. With a single shove, Elia tossed him aside, freeing me and leaving me breathless but safe, Koda standing protectively at my side.

I sank to my knees and wrapped my arms around Koda, holding him close as Elia confronted Little Vossy.

With a well-aimed punch landing on Vossy’s mouth, Elia cornered him with a look that could cut steel. “Come near her again, and you’ll wish you hadn’t,” he warned, towering over the man and daring him to make another move.

Armand set his jaw, his bravado crumbling under Elia’s unforgiving glare.

He stumbled backward, nearly tripping over himself in his haste to get away.

But before he disappeared, he couldn’t resist one last shot.

“Old scores never die, my friend! See you around,” he sneered, wiping blood from his split lip before disappearing down the trail.

They clearly knew each other. Not surprising in a town this size. But what kind of scores was Armand talking about?

Elia rushed to me. “Claire, are you okay?” His voice was thick with concern, and though he kept his distance, his eyes gave him away. He was desperate to check me over himself.

“I’m fine,” I assured him, though my heart felt like a pack of frozen peas.

“Did he hurt you?” He stepped closer, unable to help himself, his hands hovering near my shoulders as though he was fighting the urge to pull me into a protective hug.

“No, but my hike is officially ruined.” Somehow, I found the nerve to complain, trying to inject some humor into the moment.

“I’m sorry.” His voice softened with genuine regret.

I avoided his gaze, knowing full well that with one look into those eyes, I’d be a giddy mess. Instead, I turned my attention to Koda, who was more than happy to give me an enthusiastic lick. “I missed you too! Yes, I did!” I laughed between grimaces as his tongue attacked my face.

Then I got up, finally shifting my attention to the handsome human towering in front of me. Since he hadn’t said a word, I figured I’d restart the conversation. “So, you hike here on Sundays too?”

“Well, uh…I actually went to the shelter earlier, and Mr. Gunn said I might, uh, find you here.”

Knock me over with a feather! He was looking for me?

“Uh…I didn’t mean to come off as creepy,” he added awkwardly.

I could’ve teased him more about stalking me, but I decided to let him off the hook. “Guess I owe the old man, then,” I said with a grin. I gestured for him to turn, signaling I was ready to head back. Koda trotted alongside me, happily keeping pace.

I wanted to ask about what that thug had meant by “scores,” but with adrenaline still pulsing through Elia, now didn’t seem like the right time. He’d either snap or dodge the question—no sense in pushing it.

“So, you came back. But…really, what are you doing here?” he asked. “What could this town possibly offer you?”

“You’ve got that classic local syndrome—you know, where you forget how beautiful the place you live in really is.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of its beauty, trust me.” His gaze swept over the surroundings, though his attention kept shifting back to me.

“The town has a lot to offer, actually. I plan to be in Buffaloberry for a while, I hope.” I caught him looking and blurted, “You look good.”

He gave his T-shirt and jeans a once-over, then flashed a half-smile. “Thanks.”

We then walked the rest of the trail at a hurried pace, neither of us in the mood to linger after what had just happened. The tension slowly began to lift as we reached the trailhead.

“Are you okay driving home by yourself?” Elia asked with concern.

“Yeah. Thanks for the, um—” The word got stuck, and I awkwardly muttered, “Protection.”

He gave a brief nod before heading toward his truck. I mentally kicked myself for letting Little Vossy throw me off. Now, I’d missed out on what could’ve been the rest of the hike with my unexpected cowboy, who stood head and shoulders above that pest.

“See you later,” I said reluctantly.

But he stopped, turning back. “Hey, you know what? I’ve got another trail in mind,” he called out. His voice was lighter, eager to put the earlier events behind us. “Raven Bluff’s popular, but there’s a hidden gem I know. You trust me?”

His grin was infectious, and I found myself smiling back. “Always. Lead the way.”

“I can drive us back here afterward if you want to hop in my old truck,” he offered.

I jumped at the idea like a dog eager for an adventure—more excited than Koda, who stood at the back, already content.

We climbed into his truck, and it felt like it was welcoming me back, nudging memories of the last time I’d sat here, acting silly during that storm.

The faint scent of hay tugged at my nostalgia.

The worn leather seats cradled me like an old friend, while the familiar rattle of a toolbox under the seat completed the feeling of home.

“So,” Elia started, glancing over at me. “How long are you planning to stay here?”

I shrugged, trying to keep it casual. “Don’t know yet. I really like it here, so maybe a few months. How’s the town treating you?”

“Same old, same old.” He grinned. “The gossip’s still thriving, the diner’s still greasy, and Koda’s still convinced he’s the boss of everyone.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Some things never change.”

He turned onto a narrow dirt road I didn’t recognize, and as we climbed higher up the hill, the scenery shifted. The trees seemed denser, the air crisper. Buffaloberry Hill had never been so intriguing.

“I had no idea this place was here.” I glanced around. The landscape was jagged and rocky—different from the rest of Buffaloberry—almost like we’d stumbled near a cave or something.

“Not many people do. This spot’s a bit of a secret.”

He slowed the truck as we approached a bend. “Now, just a heads-up. There are real moose around here, so keep your eyes peeled. And if you see one with a calf, try not to spook her. Moose moms don’t take kindly to strangers near their babies.”

I grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll give Mama Moose her space. No need to get on her bad side.”

Elia nodded, sneaking a side glance while keeping his hands steady on the wheel. “Good.”

We parked the truck and stepped out onto the trailhead.

The moment we started walking, the world seemed to fall into a peaceful stillness.

There was no one else around—not a soul in sight.

It was just us, the rustling leaves, and the occasional chirp of birds.

The air smelled of pine and earth, crisp and clean.

The silence was soothing, broken only by the sound of our footsteps and Koda’s panting as he trotted ahead.