Grayson

Marlena

My friend Patience is getting married and I can’t wait to be in her wedding in Rye Creek. Especially since she’s fixed me up with a single mountain man of my own for the weekend. A little flirting, a little fun, and a no-strings fling is just what I’m in the mood for.

Grayson

I’ve been ready to settle down for years. I even have the house and white picket fence to prove it. When I meet Marlena, the curvy bridesmaid I’ve been matched with for a weekend of wedding events, I know she’s the one I’ve been waiting for. I just need to convince her to give me a shot at more than a weekend… maybe even forever.

Meet the mountain men of Rye Creek and the curvy women who steal their wild hearts. The Matched with a Mountain Man series can be read as standalones. Each book features a happily-ever-after with no cheating and no cliffhangers.

I shook my head as I rolled through the tiny town of Rye Creek. What the hell had Patience gotten herself into? We’d been good friends back in LA, and when she told me she was leaving the sun and sand of Southern California for the snow and mountains, I wanted to check her temperature and make sure some kind of fever hadn’t overtaken her. Then she started posting pictures online with her brand new fiancé, and I figured out what had possessed her—crazy love for a rugged mountain man.

I was disappointed she’d left, but I was used to change. Usually, I was the one who picked up and took off for brighter prospects. I’d grown up in Texas but been in LA for five years, the longest I’d ever spent in one place, and I was itching to strike out for somewhere new. I got cranky if I stuck around one spot for too long.

As much as I craved some girl time, this weekend was about Patience and Slate. She’d asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them. I’d always been a girl who didn’t wait for the party to find her, so I knew we’d have a good time. Plus, she’d promised to pair me with a gorgeous, single mountain man of my own for the weekend, and I was due for a little fun.

I pulled into the resort owned by her friend Ember and had the valet park my car. His eyes tracked me as I walked around and grabbed the handle of my bag. I may have given my hips a little extra shake just for him before heading inside. It was going to be fun seeing what these mountain men were made of.

I was used to attention of the male variety. I’d been dealing with it all my life. That’s what happens when a girl matures a little early. I’d been a double D since my freshman year of high school and had the curves to balance out my ample bust line. It used to bother me when I caught men staring, especially when they thought they had the right to do more than look.But I’d learned how to use my looks to my advantage. I had to. 

Growing up with a mom who wasn’t around much meant I had to learn things on my own real fast. I might have been taken advantage of a few times over the years, but I lived life on my terms now. That’s how I liked it.

I entered the main lodge. The ceiling of the lobby stretched overhead—two stories with walls made of giant logs and all kinds of antler decor. It was like I’d stepped onto one of the movie sets I worked on. Though I had a feeling the folks here were the real deal, not posers like the actors I catered to.

“You must be Marlena.” A woman stepped out from behind the desk. “I’m Ember, one of Patience’s friends.”

“It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” I offered a hand, but she opened her arms instead.

“I’m a hugger, is that okay?”

“Um, sure.” Truthfully, I wasn’t much of a hugger, especially with a stranger, but if she was a friend of Patience’s, I figured she must be okay.

Ember wrapped her arms around me for a quick embrace. “I’m so glad you could make it. I know Patience is looking forward to seeing you.”

“Marlena!” A shriek came from the other side of the lobby.

I let go of Ember and turned to see Patience running toward me. She looked different in jeans and a flannel shirt. And what the hell did she have on her feet? Thick, fluffy boots covered her legs from the knees down.

“I thought you’d be here earlier. We’ve been waiting.” She slung an arm around my neck and pulled me into a huge hug.

“I had a flat tire outside of Sacramento. Took me a little while to get the lug nuts loosened.” I squeezed tighter when I caught sight of the wall of muscle behind her. “Please tell me he has a brother.”

She laughed and pulled back. “Marlena, meet my fiancé, Slate.”

He thrust out a large hand. “Patience has told me a lot about you.”

“Well, she hasn’t told me enough about you.” I waggled my eyebrows at my friend. 

His mouth curved up as I slid my hand into his. “I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

“Marlena could get along with anyone,” Patience said. 

I was sure she meant it as a compliment, but I didn’t count my ability to put up with Hollywood bullshit as one of my strengths. I’d learned at an early age how to grin and bear things. I’d had to in order to survive.

“I’m going to let you two get caught up.” Slate pulled his hand from mine. “I’ve got to round up the guys to make sure everything’s ready for the rehearsal dinner tonight. Don’t forget we’re all meeting at the bar.”

“Have fun.” Patience rose to her tiptoes to kiss him goodbye. 

He pulled her close. A quick peck on the lips turned into a sweltering public display of affection in less than a minute.

“Should I make some popcorn?” I joked to Ember.

Patience laughed and tried to fix her smeared lip gloss. “I’ll see you later, babe.”

“Love you.” The look in his eyes held volumes of sugary sweetness.

“Love you, too.” She watched while he took long strides toward the door, then turned back to me and grabbed my hands. “You’re going to love Slate’s friends. I’ve got you paired up with Grayson as your groomsman.”

“Does he look anything like your panty-melting fiancé?” I was joking. Kind of.

Patience linked her arm with mine. “Oh, I think you’ll like him. He’s shy but could use a bit of fun this weekend.”

“Well, I’m the right gal for that. Fun’s my middle name.”

“Let’s get your room key from Ember and we’ll get you settled in. We’ve got the rehearsal at six and dinner right after. I’m so glad you came and absolutely can’t wait for you to meet Grayson. I know he’s looking forward to it.”