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After a hike up the mountain that tests my stamina to its limit, we arrive at a gorgeous clearing. A gentle breeze sweeps around us and carries the heavenly scent of pine. Trees surround us on three sides, but there’s a magnificent view of the entire valley in front of us. My jaw drops to the ground as I take a few steps closer.

The valley spreads out beneath us like a quilt of green shades dotted with beautifully colored wildflowers. In the distance, the other mountains of Bearclaw Ridge stand tall, their peaks reaching the clear sky.

Holy smokes, now I get why Grizz is so obsessed with preserving the local fauna and flora. This view is like nothing I’ve seen before.

Grizz watches my reaction with a smug smile. “It’s something, huh? Untouched and unspoiled. Nothing short of magnificent if you ask me.”

I nod. “You’re right.”

I don’t know what happens, but I feel strangely connected to the beauty surrounding me. I guess it’s true that being in nature has a magical quality.

“Enjoy that view, Hannah. When I say, you can turn around, but not a second earlier, okay?” Grizz tells me in a gruff voice.

I don’t know what he’s got planned, but I’m sure it’s something special. That’s another thing I’m starting to realize. Despite the hurt he’s been carrying around, Grizz cares. He’s kind and loving and passionate, and I want more of him. I want to get to know every single part of this hot mountain man.

I bite my lip. How, though? I’m sure he doesn’t feel anything for me after I almost tried to destroy the ecological balance of his town. I say almost because after visiting The Ridge Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center and witnessing the beauty of this small town, I can’t in good conscience let Mr. Dickison buy the plot of land. In fact, I don’t even know if I can keep working for him, but I don’t have another option, do I? I need the money. Having ideals is all fine and dandy, but I don’t want to end up starving, homeless, or both.

Behind me, I hear Grizz softly rustling, and it sounds like he’s setting up something. I don’t dare peek. I promised I wouldn’t, so I focus on the breathtaking panorama before me, drinking in the details.

A few moments later, Grizz finally calls out to me. “All right, Hannah, turn around.”

When I do, I see Grizz standing next to a picnic blanket with a selection of bread, fruit, cheese, cake, and more. An uncorked bottle of champagne is safely tucked inside a champagne bucket, and there’s even a candle, though I think it’s one of those battery-powered ones. I can’t believe it. Grizz, the grumpy and burly mountain man, has prepared a picnic for me.

“Come, sit. I hope you like it,” he mumbles, looking as awkward as hell.

It’s clear he’s not used to romantic gestures like this.

“Wow, this looks amazing, Grizz,” I say as I settle on the blanket.

“I told you I’d take you on a date, didn’t I? I’m a man of my word, Hannah.”

He gives me a look that makes my heart skip a few beats. I watch as he fills two glasses with champagne and hands me one.

“Here’s to a great day together.”

We both take a sip of champagne before filling our plates.

“No one has ever taken me on a picnic. Especially not in such a beautiful setting,” I confess.

“Really?” Grizz asks with a surprised look.

I nod. “Really. I haven’t been very lucky in the romantic gestures department. And we never went hiking when we were younger, so I don’t have a lot of experience with that either. My parents hated that sort of thing. They claimed there were better ways to spend your time than fighting off mosquitoes and getting blisters only to be rewarded by what they called a nice view. But when I look at the view here, I wouldn’t call it nice. I’d call it magnificent.”

“Did you go hiking a lot as a kid?” I ask before popping a strawberry in my mouth.

“All the time. My parents used to go camping with us a few times a month. We always had a blast. They taught us how to survive in the wild, how to fish, how to start a campfire… My brother and I loved those trips.”

He shrugs. “You know how it goes. You get older, and the family holidays aren’t front and center anymore. My parents live in Alaska now, so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like. But when we do, we make time for a hike, even if it’s only a couple of miles. And we still go on one camping trip a year. Me, my brother and his wife and kids, and our parents.”

“That sounds great,” I say wistfully. Sadness tugs at me as I think about how distant my family is. “My parents aren’t into the whole close-knit family thing. They’re workaholics who place a lot of importance on a successful career. They keep pushing me to level up, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I’m doing this job because they convinced me it was the right path. Now, I’m not so sure.”

“You can always change your mind and do what you want.”

I let out a laugh. “If only I knew what that was. I’ve been trying to live up to my parent’s expectations for so long that I don’t even know which dreams are theirs and which are mine. It’s crazy how we’ve had such different upbringings.”

Grizz tells me more about how he spent his days when he was a kid, and I do the same. It’s great to share childhood memories with him. Before I realize it, the sun is setting, painting the sky in a beautiful orange and red glow.

“I’m happy you brought me up here, Grizz,” I say with a contented sigh. “Not only did you make me see why preserving ecosystems is so important, but I also like being here with you.”

“If you like this, I can take you hiking and picnicking more often.”

“Tempting as that sounds, I’m afraid I won’t be around for much longer. My flight back home is in a couple of days.”

“What if you stayed?”

I laugh. Is he serious? “I can’t. I have a job and a life to return to.”

“And if those weren’t obstacles?”

“Then sure, I’d love to stay.”

He runs a hand through his beard, his forehead wrinkled in a frown as he thinks. “We’ll figure something out if we both want to pursue this.”

He catches my eye and nods. “I know we got off to a rocky start, but I’d like to get to know you better, Hannah. Spend more time with you. I like you.”

“Hell, yeah. How could I not?”

I laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I showed up here with intentions that completely clash with your values? Or, you know, clashed. You were right to be upset. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me.”

He shakes his head and moves closer. “Hate you? You’re not evil. You’re an amazing woman. I don’t hate you, Hannah.”

I swallow. “That’s good to know because I like you a lot. I don’t know how that’s even possible. I mean, we barely know one other, but it feels as if we’re meant for each other.”

Grizz is right next to me now, taking my hand in his. “I feel the same way. This connection between us is undeniable, right?”

I stare into his eyes and move closer, our knees touching. I lick my lips. His hand flies to my mouth, pulling my bottom lip down with his thumb.

He gives me a questioning look. I nod, giving him permission to do whatever he wants to me. The moment his lips touch mine, a volcano of molten lava erupts from a place deep inside me. The world suddenly, finally, makes sense.

I part my lips and eagerly slide my tongue into his mouth. He kisses me back with the same passion that seeps through everything he does, and it’s such a turn-on to be wanted by him.

I throw my legs over his and wrap them around his waist. He places his hands on my ass and pulls me against his body, making me wet with desire.