Mountain Boss: Mountain Men Series Book One
Mountain Boss: Chapter 5

Panic replaces every other emotion fighting for dominance inside my body.

I must have heard him wrong.

He can’t fire me before I even start.

Can he?

“Sorry, but there’s been a miscommunication.” His fingers flex around mine.

“But…” All the reasons why I need to stay spiral through my mind.

I have my entire life packed into my Jeep.

I don’t have another place to go.

I have two hundred dollars in my bank account and twenty dollars in my purse, and no way to pay for a hotel for more than a single night before I’d be forced to live out of my car. With no way to even fill the gas tank.

“But I was told I got the job.” I struggle to keep the anxiety out of my voice.

“Sorry.”

Sorry?

All he has to say is sorry?

His warm grip still encompasses my hand as he attempts to literally ruin my life.

“Did you hire someone else? Because if the maintenance role is filled, I can take a different position. Anything.” I know I sound desperate. But that’s because I am desperate.

He shakes his head again, his damp hair shifting with the movement. “No, I just—I can’t have you working here.”

My mouth pulls into a frown. “Why?”

“This is a working lodge. And there’s only one cabin for all the employees to sleep in.” He says it seriously. Like it’s some sort of big deal.

I nod. “Yeah, that’s fine. I can sleep anywhere.”

“It’s not fine.” He grits the words out.

“Why?” I ask because I really don’t understand.

Hearing voices, I glance over and see a pair of men walking through the woods toward us.

A quick tug on my hand pulls me forward and off-balance.

My head jerks back to face Mr. Black as I stumble.

He loosens his grip, and my hands dart out automatically. Catching myself against the closest surface.

The heat is instant.

But not just where my palms are pressed against his bare stomach.

No, the warmth of his skin is just the beginning.

My panic is still real, but the lust from before is fighting its way back to attention.

“Can you fix a well pump?” His muscles flex with each word, and the feel of it has me snatching my hands back.

“A well pump?”

He’s even closer now, and I’m forced to tip my head back to make eye contact.

“Yeah, do you know how to fix a busted well pump?” He moves like he’s going to cross his arms, then realizes there isn’t enough space between us for his biceps and lowers them.

“Do you have internet?” I ask my own question.

Mr. Black dips his chin. “This is a lodge, not a cave.”

Such an attitude.

“Okay, well, if I have the internet, then I can fix it.” I sort of lie.

Of fucking course I don’t know how to fix a well pump.

I’ve spent the majority of my life living in an RV where the water comes from a hose. Then in dorms and apartments, where my water comes from the city. But it doesn’t mean I won’t look it up and try. I’ll master scuba gear if it means I can stay.

He’s back to shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter. You can’t stay.”

My stomach sinks. “But why?”

He glances in the direction of the men, then leans down until our faces are only inches apart. “Look, I’m sorry for the mix-up, but on the application, your name was filled out as Court, not Courtney. I thought I was hiring a man. I can’t have a woman working for me.”

My eyes slowly widen as my mind races. “Like… legally? You’re not allowed around women?”

Is he a sex offender? Is that the rule?

I start to take a step back, but Mr. Black darts his hand out, gripping my upper arm.

“I don’t know where the hell your mind is going, but this has nothing to do with legalities.” He looks like he’s trying not to growl at me. “I just can’t have a woman on staff. I can’t have you sleeping in the Bunk House with my five male employees.”

“But I don’t care.” I try to sound convincing. I do care, but I don’t have a choice. “I’ll sign a… paper stating it’s fine.”

“No. It wouldn’t be right.”

Right?

Who cares about right?

I need a place to sleep until I can get a handful of paychecks.

His grip on my arm gentles as he stands back to his full height.

“Sorry you drove all the way here.” He says it without inflection. “I’ll reimburse you for your time and gas.”

It’s my turn to shake my head.

I need to stay.

I need to change his mind.

Like, right now.

“It’s illegal to fire someone for their gender.” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to think them through.

They also came out much louder than intended.

“Are you threatening me?” Mr. Black’s voice is low.