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CHAPTER1
NATE
I crouched low,my breath coming out in short white puffs thanks to the frigid early morning temps. The huge bull elk swung its head around, aware of, but unbothered by, my presence. My office had received a report of suspected illegal hunting taking place in the area, and I’d made it a point to get out here early this morning to check.
So far, the only living creature I’d come across was the massive twelve-point beast in front of me. He lifted his head, putting his antlers on full display. Then he let out a high-pitched bugle. The haunting sound carried through the crisp morning air—a warning to other nearby males to stay away from his territory during rutting season. I loved my job as a wildlife conservation officer based out of Mustang Mountain and couldn’t believe I got paid to spend my days monitoring the miracles of nature.
After spending more time than I should have observing the elk, I retraced my steps to where I’d left my vehicle. This was my favorite time of day. The calm and quiet of early morning lingered. Frost covered the withered grass, and the sun was just starting to peek above the mountains. If only I could spend every day wandering around the woods instead of sitting behind a desk and tackling the administrative tasks that went along with my job.
I was about to climb into my truck and head back to the office when something red snagged on a nearby tree branch caught my eye. Moving closer for a better look, I scanned the immediate area. A set of large footprints led past the tree, and they appeared to be recent. Thinking whoever was in the area might be one of the suspected illegal hunters, I took a few pictures with my phone before following the tracks.
The prints disappeared once I reached the edge of the clearing where I’d seen the bull elk. With nothing to go on but a piece of red flannel, there wasn’t anything else I could do. It pissed me off to think that some asshole might be hunting without a license.
Though I’d grown up hundreds of miles away, I now considered this part of Montana my home. Mustang Mountain had provided a place of refuge for me when I needed it most, and I’d sworn to protect the land and the animals who lived here.
I was still fuming twenty minutes later when I stopped at the cafe, hoping I’d catch the sheriff before he finished his breakfast. I was in luck. Sheriff Cade sat in his regular booth near the back, his nose buried in the pages of the weekly paper.
“Hey, John. Care if I join you for a few minutes?” I didn’t wait for a reply before I slid onto the padded seat across from him.
“Make yourself at home.” He waved at the server, who was already on her way to the table with a fresh mug of coffee.
“Thanks.” Grateful, I wrapped my fingers around the handle of the mug, wishing I was sitting down at the counter in back of Nelson’s Mercantile instead. Everyone knew Ruby made the best coffee in town.
“What can I do for you this morning, Nate?” Sheriff Cade folded the paper and set it by his empty plate.
“I had a report of some suspected illegal hunting. While I was checking out the area, I came across some footprints and a piece of fabric.” I held out the patch of red flannel. “It’s probably nothing, but I was wondering if you’ve heard of anything going on in the area?”
He shook his head. “We’re still trying to figure out who’s behind that string of break-ins. You didn’t happen to capture images of the prints, did you?”
“Already emailed them to you.” I’d also sent a text out to my fellow Mustang Mountain Riders to see if any of my MC brothers might know what was going down. We kept a close eye on everything happening in Mustang Mountain and oftentimes knew about shit before the sheriff even heard about it.
Sheriff Cade signaled for his check, then slid his hat on over his salt-and-pepper hair. “I’ll see if they match any of the prints we picked up at the most recent break in. Looks like my day’s off to a busy start.”
“Thanks, John. Let me know if you come up with anything.” I stood, ready to move on.
“I will. And hey,”—Sheriff Cade pointed to the newspaper—“good luck this month.”
“What are you talking about?” I squinted down at the local paper. It only came out once a week and didn’t feature any real news. Usually, it was filled with announcements about upcoming weddings and babies being born. We’d seemed to have a string of both in recent months thanks to Ruby’s ridiculous matchmaking efforts.
“She got you, Nate.” He held up the paper and pointed to a picture of me standing by the river. I didn’t have on a shirt and my beard was much thicker than it was now.
“What the hell?” I snatched the paper out of his hand and scanned the article. Ruby Nelson, self-proclaimed successful matchmaker, had declared me November’s Mountain Man of Mustang Mountain. The picture had to have been taken at last year’s Chill Thrill fundraiser when a group of us jumped into a frozen Bliss Lake for charity.
“Figures she’d work her way around to you.” Sheriff Cade clamped a hand on my shoulder. “Good luck. If Ruby’s got you in her sights, you’re going to need it.”
“No way.” My jaw clenched so hard it seemed like my molars might crack. I’d seen what happened to my friends when Ruby decided they needed to settle down and find a mate. They’d all crumbled. From Jackson to Owen, not a single one of them had been able to avoid her efforts.
That was about to change. There was no way Ruby would be able to tie me down. I’d given my heart away once, and I’d never gotten it back. Unlike the other guys, I was incapable of love.
Unless Ruby could find a way to turn back time so I could go back and change the past, she’d be wasting her time, and I couldn’t wait to prove it to her.
CHAPTER2
AINSLEY
I’d beenon the road for almost six hours when I finally pulled up in front of the Nelson Mercantile in downtown Mustang Mountain. The drive from Bozeman had given me more than enough time to question my intentions multiple times. I still wasn’t sure why I felt the need to get eyes on Nate. It had been eight years since we’d seen each other. Eight years since he broke my heart and sent me away. My best friend thought I’d completely lost my mind—and maybe I had. I just knew that if I went back to London without seeing him, I’d always regret it.
My neck pinched as I climbed out of my dad’s old SUV. Even though I’d grown up in Montana, it had been a long time since I’d driven more than a few miles. Living in London, where I could hop on the underground or grab a cab, meant I wasn’t used to spending much time behind the wheel. I rolled my head from side to side, trying to loosen up the tightness in my shoulders. Maybe I could schedule a massage when I got back to Bozeman before I had to fly home.
