Mountain Boss: Mountain Men Series Book One
Mountain Boss: Chapter 23

I use the last of my strength to climb onto my bunk, the height feeling taller than it was last night.

Kneeling, I straighten the layers of clothing on the plywood before lying on top of them.

I took some Tylenol with my multivitamin after dinner.

My body still aches, but at least I won’t get scurvy.

I pull my blanket up as I settle on my side.

It takes some shifting and some rearranging of shirts, but I replace a position that doesn’t actively hurt.

Staring into the darkness, I think about my boss.

About how I might actually hate him.

I slide my palms together, entwining my fingers, and close my eyes.

I’ve been on my own since I was nineteen.

I’m used to it.

I should be used to it.

My fingers tighten around each other, pretending I have someone’s hand to hold other than my own.

Maybe it’s the darkness outside.

Maybe it’s the quiet.

Maybe it’s the fact that I’m literally stranded here.

But here, tonight, I feel a whole lot lonelier than I have in a long time.