Page 11 of Claimed By The Mountain Man

“I—My dad tried to sell me last night to pay his bills.”

“What? Oh my god, where are you? I’ll come rescue you! What’s the address? Hudson! We have to go get Scout!” she yells to her boyfriend and boss.

“I’m safe now. I made it out of the church before they could force me to go through with the wedding.”

“Wedding? What wedding?”

I sigh and start at the beginning. By the time she’s all caught up, Hazel is furious.

“I’m going to murder your dad!” she seethes.

“Yeah, there might be a line for that right now,” I mutter.

“Well, they can get in line behind me.”

I smile, picturing my best friend squaring up with my dad. Hazel can be downright terrifying when she wants to be. She never takes anyone’s shit. That’s how she lasted so long as Hudson Cole’s assistant—well, that and the guy has been head over heels for her since day one.

“So, what’s your plan now?” Hazel asks.

“I’m not sure. I can’t go back. I can’t face my dad, and I’m not marrying that guy. I don’t ever want to see either of them again.”

“I don’t blame you,” she grumbles. “Well, you can come stay with us.”

“Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. My dad is pissed, and he knows that we’re best friends. You’re the first person he’ll think of to find me.”

“That’s true.” She sighs. “Well, we can hide you in the apartment.”

“I don’t know if he’ll give up that easily. It’s better if I stay here.”

“And where is here exactly?”

“I’m in Wolf Valley. My car broke down outside this guy’s house, and he’s letting me stay with him.”

“What guy?”

“Uh, his name is Carter.”

“Wait—” She cuts me off. “Hudson? Where does your friend Carter live?”

“Wolf Valley,” he says a minute later. “Why?”

“Oh my gosh! I wonder if you’re at his place!” Hazel laughs. “What a small world that would be.”

“I don’t know, maybe? There has to be more than one Carter in this town.”

“Yeah, I guess. He just moved there. He was in the military and⁠—”

“The Marines?”

“Yeah. Oh my gosh! It is Hudson’s Carter!”

“Wow, what are the chances?”

“I know, right? Well, Carter is a good guy. He’ll take good care of you.”

“He is,” I assure her.

“And Wolf Valley isn’t far. I think like half an hour, so if you need me, we can be there quickly.”