weeks since Hope was kidnapped, and Cash and Hope announced their engagement. Emelie insisted on throwing a little congratulations party for them. Instead of being out hunting, that’s what I’m doing today.
I really enjoy hanging out with the guys and the girls have made things better. We get together more outside the shop, and I can’t complain about their cooking, especially when they send me home with pies and other desserts.
But it is lonely being the only single guy in the group. Jana and Cole haven’t really been seen since the kidnapping. Cash and Hope have checked in on them and I guess they’re doing well, but just choose to stay hidden away at Cole’s cabin. Today they didn’t even make it out, which I can’t say I blame them.
‘I know it’s hard for you to come out here being the only single guy, but I really appreciate that you took the time, and I know the guys do, too.’ Emelie says, sneaking up beside me.
She’s always been able to read my mind, which is a little eerie.
‘You know, I’m really happy for all the guys. But you girls fit in here perfectly and they got lucky. It’s nearly impossible to meet a girl in this lifestyle. Not everyone is lucky enough to have their soul mate stumble across them in the river,’ I tease her a little.
‘Naked in the river. Don’t forget Axel was completely naked when I stumbled upon him,’ she laughs.
It’s become a bit of a running joke about how unconventional their start was.
‘But seriously,” she says, laughing. “Phoenix met Jenna in town at the shop, Cash met Hope at the grocery store and this is your sign to get out more.’
‘Not going to happen.’ I shake my head.
‘I thought you’d say that.’ Then she reaches into her pocket and hands me a piece of paper.
‘What’s this?’
‘That’s a dating website all my friends were using in Billings. They swear by it. Just be honest and put the type of lifestyle that you lead so that only women who are interested will match with you,’ she shrugs.
She walks away probably because she knows all the names that I will be calling this website if she had stayed.
Men like us just do not meet their girls on a website. It doesn’t happen. But instead of throwing the piece of paper away, I tuck it into my pocket, though I’m not quite sure why. I tried to convince myself it’s because I don’t want Emelie to find it in the trash and have her feelings hurt.
Everyone seems to be having a good time. Instead of exchanging what I’m told are the typical engagement party or bridal shower gifts, the girls each gave Hope a recipe for dinner using animals that we catch out here.
Hope gave her a venison stew recipe which is my personal favorite. Jenna handed over her salmon recipe, Hope’s neighbor a Mrs. Tipton gave her some sexy clothes saying to cook in them and the recipe won’t matter. Since it’s just me left as the single one, I figured I’d at least chip in. Knowing that she likes tacos, I gave her my black bear meat taco recipe.
Emelie planned the party for lunchtime and we all go home long before it gets dark. When I get to the main road, instead of going right to my place, my truck goes left, seemingly with a mind of its own.
Over and over in my head, I’m fighting with myself why I’m going this way. But when I pull into Jack’s shop, I decide to stop fighting it. His shop is open for another hour, so I enter hesitantly. Even though Jack looks surprised to see me, he covers it pretty quickly.
‘I didn’t expect to see you for another two weeks. Everything okay?’ he asks as he steps out from behind the counter.
‘Yeah, I was just hoping I could use your computer. Before I head home, I need to look something up.’
‘Of course, you know where it’s at. If you need any help, let me know.’
Jack has always been a good friend to the guys and me. He helps us order supplies that we might not be able to find here in town. Not to mention, he’s a good sounding board and has lots of great outdoor tips and tricks. Probably the best of all, he has a computer in the back that he lets us use whenever we need it.
Axel and I don’t have internet at our cabin, but Phoenix does and has many kinds of technology set up. Cash has limited technology, but he has gotten internet and he has Hope’s computer since she needs it for work.
So, it’s mostly Axel, Emelie and I that use this computer, though it’s here for any of us that need it. Thankfully, my back faces the wall, so when I type in the website from the piece of paper Emelie gave me, no one can see what I’m doing.
I poke around, but it definitely doesn’t seem like my type of thing. Then I do some more searching, read up on a few different dating websites, none of which really catch my interest. After I signed up for one meant for outdoorsy people, I soon realized that means people that live in the city but like to go hiking on the weekend.
So, I delete my account and am about to give up when an advertisement catches my eye. It’s a site for those who are searching for a mail-order bride. I had no idea that was even still a thing. Though I’ve read about it in some older novels, I never thought something like that was still happening.
But my curiosity gets the better of me and I click on the website to see what it’s about. This site seems much more advanced than the stuff you used to read about. Apparently, it’s for women here in the States who, for one reason or another, need money and are willing to trade their skills for a husband. They can use the money to pay whatever they need to, while finding a safe place to live.
Money isn’t an issue for me. I’m not crazy rich like Phoenix and Cash, but I’ve got a really good nest egg. Besides, my expenses are super low here on the mountain.
According to the website, there’s a very intensive vetting process for both sides of the transaction. After reading through the requirements, I decide to sign up for a profile and take a look around.
I’m scrolling through possible matches when one profile jumps out at me. I click on it and read through the description and there’s only one thought racing through my mind.
Mine.
