CHAPTER ONE
Mia
Iexpected Rock Creek to be a small town, but I was not expecting it to bethissmall. The bus dropped me off in front of a little general store. Beyond that, there are a few other shop fronts, and someplace called the Den. It looks like it’s either a bar or a diner, or maybe both. Either way, it seems to be my best chance to find someone who knows my big brother.
I didn’t tell Jamie I was coming to visit. I knew he’d say no. He prefers me to be tucked away in my dorm room in the big city, where it’s “safe.” According to Jamie, the small town in the middle of the mountains that he called home was “no place for a young woman” and full of “wild and unpredictable men.”
He really wouldn’t want me here if he knew that was a big draw for me to come visit.
I’ve missed my big bro and obviously he’s the main reason I came to Rock Creek.
Jamie is fifteen years older than me, and for all intents and purposes, more of a father figure than a big brother. Our parentsdied when I was only four, and he’s given up everything to raise me and make sure I had all the opportunities he never did.
It’s exhausting trying to be everything for him. I need a break.
And that’s the other reason I’m in Rock Creek.
I take a second to adjust my denim mini skirt and shrug my cardigan off my shoulders to expose a cleavage-revealing crop top before tugging my hair out of the elastic that held it out of the way for the long bus ride. I fluff my long locks over my shoulders.
There. Now I’m ready.
Now, where are all those wild and unpredictable men?
A chill runs through me as I lift my backpack onto my shoulder and start a slow walk down the sidewalk toward the Den. I know what I’m doing is risky, but after four years of nursing school, where I’ve spent every free minute studying and reading and studying some more, I’m beyond ready for a little fun. Especially considering my recent acceptance into med school means another four years of celibacy and focus.
At least.
The truth is, I’m not a natural student. Despite how many times Jamie tells me how smart I am, I have to really focus and cut out all types of social distractions—including boys—if I want to get good grades. Which I do. Because if I don’t, my big brother will be disappointed and I just can’t bear the idea of letting him down.
This is my window. I only have a few days off from my serving job, which I need to help pay for school, so I’m going to make the most of it. I’m twenty-two, and still a virgin. But not for long.
Jamie always tells me that the reason he’s still single is because in Rock Creek the men wildly outnumber the women. That means the odds are in my favor to find a willing young manto help me with my whole virginity problem. Plus, I’ll be able to visit my favorite brother while I’m here.
It’s a two-birds, one-stone kind of situation.
As long as I ignore the fact that my brother will likely murder any man who puts his hands on me, everything should be fine. But with such limited time off, I don’t have another option. Besides, I’ll deal with that problem when the time comes.
For the moment, I’m going to focus on?—
“Hello there, little darling. I don’t think I’ve seen you in town before.”
It’s happening.
A thrill shoots through me. I straighten my shoulders and, with a bravado I don’t feel, I spin around to meet my potential suitor.
Briggs
It’searly afternoon when I finally finish going over floor plans at Timberwolf Log Homes head office in town. Between the five of us, my brothers and I run pretty much all aspects of the log home business, as well as our newest venture, Wolf’s Wild Wilderness Lodge, an adventure tour business.
We’re about to open the main lodge at WWW and start welcoming guests just in time for the upcoming winter season.
A trip into town means a visit to my parents at the Den, Rock Creek’s favorite gathering place. I’m starving, and I could use a bowl of Ma’s famous chili. It’s a warm fall day, so I leave the truck at the far end of Main Street and walk the short distance to the bar.
Nothing is too far in a town the size of Rock Creek.
Like the rest of my brothers, I live in the mountains, not in town. I like the privacy and the solitude of being just a few miles out. Truthfully, my cabin isn’t too far out, close enough to walk on a nice day. But it’s just far enough to be quiet.
Unlike some of my more reclusive brothers, however, I enjoy the human contact that coming into town periodically affords me.
