Saved by the Burly Mountain Man, page 8
Contents
Saved by the Burly Mountain Man
Copyright
Saved by the Burly Mountain Man
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
Author’s note and free book
Saved by the Burly Mountain Man
Bearclaw Search and Rescue #2
By Hazel J. North
Copyright
© Saved by the Burly Mountain Man by Hazel J. North
2025
All Rights Reserved
* * *
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Saved by the Burly Mountain Man
I thought I had it all figured out—a quiet life in Bearclaw Ridge with my dog Ranger and the satisfaction of saving lives as a member of the SAR team. But then she stormed into my world and changed everything.
Brody
The mountains of Bearclaw Ridge are where I belong—solitary, adventurous, and unforgiving. My job as a SAR rescuer keeps me more than busy, but then Aria crashes into my world, all fire and attitude, and suddenly, everything I thought I knew about the world is turned upside down.
She’s stubborn as hell and thinks she’s fine on her own, but when she winds up in trouble, it’s up to me to step in.
I never intended for her to change my life, but I’d burn the world down to keep Aria safe. And damn it, I’m falling for her too.
Saved by the Burly Mountain Man is a short and steamy instalove romance featuring a protective mountain man and the curvy woman he falls for. No cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA. This book is part of Bearclaw Ridge Search and Rescue, a steamy instalove romance series set in a small mountain town where every protective mountain man finds a curvy woman to love.
Chapter One
Aria
“I’ll be fine, Faye,” I tell my cousin for the third time. “Stop worrying.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “How can I? Remember how you broke your leg last year?”
“That was last year. Seriously, I won’t break any bones today.”
“You don’t know these mountains like I do,” she says with a raised eyebrow.
I put my hands on her shoulders and grin. “And that’s exactly why I need to explore them. If I’m moving to Bearclaw Ridge, I need to know my way around. You have work, so you can’t come with me, which I totally understand. But you can’t expect me to sit inside all day. I’m twenty-four. I can look after myself.”
She gives me a look that says, can you, though? But instead of speaking the words out loud, she grits her teeth and sighs. “Fine, but don’t do anything stupid. Stick to the popular trails and bring your phone. Oh, and enough water and snacks. Maybe a flashlight, just to be sure, and—”
“Faye, stop.” I interrupt. “I’ve got this. Now go before you’re late for your shift.”
My cousin mutters something under her breath as she grabs her bag. I know she means well, but I’m not about to spend another day cooped up inside.
As soon as the door closes behind her, I lace up my hiking boots, grab my jacket, and sling my trusted backpack over my shoulders. Inside are all the essentials—water, snacks, my phone, and yes, a flashlight—because even I know better than to head out completely unprepared.
The trailhead isn’t far, just a short drive from Faye’s house. When I park, it’s clear this spot is a favorite for tourists. The small lot is nearly full, and groups of hikers mill around, adjusting their gear and chatting loudly.
I fall into step behind a couple, avoiding eye contact with everyone who passes me. I want to be alone with my thoughts today. After the year I’ve had, I desperately need some alone time. My parents sold their house and moved to a smaller one with only two bedrooms. Technically, I still have a place to live, but they made it crystal clear that they think it’s time I moved out and became more independent. So, I decided to come to Bearclaw Ridge to see if the town would be a good fit.
I’ve always loved visiting Faye and her parents here. The town is small, but not too small, and the nature is nothing short of breathtaking. There isn’t a single thing tying me down in my hometown—no job, boyfriend, or house. So why not try out something new? Explore another part of the world?
That’s exactly why I decide to take a detour and step off the busy trail after fifteen minutes of walking.
It’s not that I don’t appreciate the safety of numbers or the well-trodden path, but something about it feels too predictable. I didn’t come to Bearclaw Ridge for the comfort of following in other people’s footsteps. I came for something real, something different.
I glance over my shoulder, almost certain Faye has eyes out here to reprimand me when I don’t follow the rules. But no one so much as blinks when I step off the main trail and disappear into the woods.
The farther I go, the quieter it gets, and the more I can breathe. The faint hum of conversation fades, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. My steps feel lighter and freer. I let out a content sigh. This is what I wanted—a chance to lose myself and be completely alone, even for a little while.
The path I’m following is less of a trail and more of a suggestion. It’s a narrow strip of ground worn down by who knows what. Maybe a deer or a majestic elk? My pulse quickens at the thought of coming eye to eye with wildlife out here. How amazing would that be?
The cold January air nips at my cheeks, and I hear the soft rush of water somewhere in the distance. A river, maybe?
Before I can think about it, my feet are already marching in the direction of what I believe is a river. I know Bearclaw Ridge has a big one where people go wild water rafting, but that’s a couple of miles from here. This is probably one of those gorgeous mountain rivers tucked away between stunning trees.
I follow the sound as it grows louder, and my excitement builds with every step I take. When I finally break through the trees, the sight of the river takes my breath away. Wide and powerful, it rushes past with an energy that feels almost alive, churning white foam over the rocks.
I just stand there for a moment, grinning like a fool and taking it all in. What a beautiful sight.
I step closer to the edge, my boots crunching against the frozen ground. Crouching, I brush my fingers over a patch of moss growing on the rocks. The river’s roar fills my ears, drowning out everything else. I lean forward, trying to see what lies downstream, and my foot slips on the frosty edge. I yelp, flailing my arms to catch my balance, and my heart leaps into my throat. For a second, I think I’m going to fall in, but I manage to stumble backward onto firmer ground.
Fucking hell, that was close. I shouldn’t do that again. I glance around, half-expecting Faye to magically appear and scold me for being so careless.
I sit for a bit to shake off the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I know I can be impulsive sometimes, but I don’t have a death wish.
I pull my knees up to my chest and rest my arms on them, staring at the river until the adrenaline from my near fall starts to fade. In its place is a sharp awareness of how isolated I am. I’m happy about that, but a twinge of unease hits me as my mind wanders to the possible negative consequences of being so alone. I push the thoughts of doom down. I’m not some helpless damsel. I can handle this.
To be on the safe side, I get my bottle of bear spray out of my bag and wrap my fingers around it. Getting up, I decide to explore a little more, keeping a safer distance from the river this time.
The gurgle of the water softens as I move away from the river. I step over a fallen log, careful not to slip, and spot a clearing ahead.
That’s when I hear it—a sound that makes my heart stutter. A low growl, deep and rumbling, carries through the trees. My body freezes before my brain has even processed what it could be.
My eyes dart around, scanning for the source, but the shadows between the trees are too dense. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, and I tighten my grip around the can of bear spray.
Faye’s voice rings in my head: You don’t know these mountains like I do.
No kidding. Fuck. What do I do now?
Another growl rumbles from somewhere between the trees, and cold sweat forms at the back of my neck. There’s no way I could outrun whatever’s growling at me.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see something. A figure emerging from the trees like it’s part of the forest itself. A man appears, tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and a big beard that looks like it’s seen more than a few days of mountain life. His gaze is sharp and focused.
But what catches my attention more than anything is the dog standing beside this mountain man, its ears pricked and muscles tensed. It lets out a low rumble, warning something in the woods to stay back.
“Easy there,” the man says, his voice c
I freeze again, my heart hammering in my chest. The dog, a massive creature with fur that looks like it’s made for the coldest winters, growls as if confirming what the man is saying.
“Don’t come any closer,” I reply, my voice tight as I try to make sense of what’s happening.
The man looks me over with narrowed eyes. His gaze shifts back to the trees, the growl I heard earlier now echoing through the forest with a purpose. The dog stays perfectly still, its head cocked as it listens, waiting for its next command.
“You’re lucky I came this way,” the man says, his eyes flicking to mine before glancing back at the woods. “You need to get moving. Whatever’s out there isn’t far.”
“I’m not going anywhere with a strange man.” I jut my chin out and plant my legs wide. “And I have bear spray.”
The man gives me an incredulous look, then shakes his head while muttering something under his breath. “Fine, stay here. But if you want to live, you’d better follow me.”
Chapter Two
Brody
The girl doesn’t speak or move. I can feel her gorgeous green eyes on me as I walk away. She might be stubborn and think I’m the greatest threat out here, but she’ll soon realize I’m not.
Of course, I’m not planning on leaving her behind with what I’m sure is a mountain lion on our tail. I just hope she comes to her senses before I have to turn around and sling her over my shoulder.
My bluff seems to work because it only takes about half a minute before I hear her footsteps behind me, scurrying to catch up.
She’s still panting when she finally pulls up beside me, her breath visible in the cold air. Her face is flushed, and I can tell she’s trying to mask that she’s more rattled than she wants to admit. Her jaw is set, her posture stiff, but there’s a quickness to her step now, as if she’s finally realizing the situation isn’t something she can handle alone.
“Not a fan of walking behind people?” I keep my tone even, not wanting to make her feel like I’m mocking her, though part of me can’t help but enjoy how she’s trying to keep up.
She shoots me a quick look but doesn’t say anything. I think she’s going to ignore me, but then she answers, out of breath, “I prefer the option of moving fast... just in case.”
I glance down at her pack and then at her—she doesn’t seem the type to back down easily. “You weren’t in much of a hurry earlier, were you?”
She doesn’t respond, her face flushed even deeper now. For a second, something stirs inside me, something a little unexpected. It’s not pity or sympathy but a quiet understanding. She’s not as sure of herself as she’s letting on.
“So, uh, what’s your deal? You just happened to show up when some animal was about to jump me?”
I arch an eyebrow. “Are you suggesting I was stalking you or something?”
“Well, were you?”
I glance at the feisty woman beside me, her expression honest and fierce, and laugh. “You honestly think I spend my free time following strangers in the woods?”
She shrugs, scrutinizing me like she’s trying to figure me out but can’t. “You could be the type who’s into that kind of thing. How am I supposed to know?”
I snort, shaking my head. “Right. You’ve got me. I’m a full-time woods stalker. When I’m not rescuing lost hikers, I’m out here trailing people in my downtime.”
“Fine, I believe you,” she says, then frowns. “What’s that about rescuing hikers?”
“I’m with the SAR team. If something goes wrong out here, I’m the one they call. Well, me and my colleagues.”
Her eyes widen, and enthusiasm seeps into her tone. “The Search and Rescue Team? Of Bearclaw Ridge?”
“Yeah. Why?”
It’s not as if working for the SAR team is impressive enough to elicit such a reaction from her.
“My cousin works there too! Faye. Dispatch team. Do you know her?”
“Really? Yeah, I know her very well.”
Her face brightens at the mention of her cousin. “Small world. I guess that means you’re on the job a lot, huh?”
“More than I care to be,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “But it’s part of the deal. Someone’s got to keep people from wandering off the trails and getting lost out here.”
She nods, her expression softening as she looks around at the quiet wilderness, perhaps thinking about how easily things can go wrong. “I can’t imagine the pressure.”
I shrug, trying to downplay it. “It comes with the territory. It’s not for everyone, but it works for me.”
We walk in silence for a while. It’s strange, but even though I barely know this woman, something about the way she carries herself puts me at ease.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Brody. And this one over here is Ranger,” I say, pointing to my dog, who lets out a bark in reply.
“Nice to meet you guys. I’m Aria.”
“What brings you out here all alone, Aria? And I’m not asking so I can lead you to an isolated cabin and kill you.”
A smile plays on her lips despite her frown. “That’s oddly specific. Are you sure you’re harmless?”
I shrug. “Don’t know how to make it clear to you that I am.” Her stomach growls, and I laugh. “Didn’t pack enough snacks? Here, take my apple.” I fish it out of the side pocket of my backpack.
She shakes her head. “Nice try. I’m not eating that.
“What’s wrong with my apple?”
“It could be poisoned.”
I chuckle. “Are we in a Snow White play without me knowing? Eat the damn apple. Or don’t. I honestly don’t care, Aria.”
Her eyes dart to the fruit in my hand. A smile breaks out on her face, and she takes the apple from me. The moment our fingers brush, a weird sensation comes over me. Warmth spreads through my limbs, even though the cold air bites my cheeks. It’s strange and unexpected but also extremely pleasant.
“Thanks,” she says, taking a big bite of the apple.
Juice seeps down her chin as she sinks her teeth into the fruit’s flesh, and I can’t stop myself from watching how it trails down her soft skin.
She catches me staring, and her eyes narrow, but they still hold a playful glint. “Don’t tell me this apple is poisoned after all.”
“If that’s true, we’d better come across some dwarfs soon,” I answer with a wink.
Aria rips her eyes away from me and gazes further ahead. “Where are we going, anyway? I never asked.”
“I’m headed to the SAR headquarters.”
“Great. I’ll tag along.”
“You will?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I’d love to see where Faye works. Is that against the rules or something?”
“No, it’s not. It’s just… don’t expect too much. It’s not exciting at all. Don’t you have anything better to do?”
“Nah.” She stops in her tracks, excitement written all over her features. “I have an awesome idea. What if I trailed you for a day? Like, go out on a rescue mission with you and see what it’s like to be a field rescuer?”
Is she serious right now? There’s no way in hell I’d take her with me.
“Well, what do you say?”
So she is being serious. But it’s never going to happen. “No way. That would be highly irresponsible and dangerous.”
Something about taking her on a rescue mission nags at me. I couldn’t imagine willingly putting her in harm’s way like that. I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel a strong urge to protect Aria as best as I can. It’s ridiculous. I don’t even know why the idea of her getting into dangerous situations bugs me this much. I mean, I don’t want anyone to be in danger, but definitely not Aria.
I rub the back of my neck, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling around. “Aria, I get that you’re curious, but the woods aren’t a playground. It’s not something you can dip in and out of whenever you feel like it.”
She tilts her head, an eyebrow arched in that damn sassy way of hers. “I’m not stupid, Brody.”
“I never said you were. But that doesn't change that rescue missions aren’t a game.”
