Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man, page 1
Contents
Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man
Copyright
Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Epilogue
Author’s note and free book
Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man
Bearclaw Search and Rescue #1
By Hazel J. North
Copyright
© Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man by Hazel J. North
2024
All Rights Reserved
* * *
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man
Tracking down a missing hiker during a dangerous storm is just another day on the job for me, but when our new medic, Sarah, shows up, I’m the one who’s lost. To her.
Asher
Leading Bearclaw Ridge’s SAR team, I’m used to tough missions, but everything changes when Sarah steps in as our new medic. One look at this stunning, curvy woman, and I’m ready to risk it all for her. She tries to play it cool, acting like this is just a job, but I know better. Sarah’s the one I want, and I’m determined to make her mine.
Sarah
In my line of work, emotions are a luxury I can’t afford. I’m here to save lives, not pick up men. But then I meet Asher, the rugged mountain man leading Bearclaw Ridge’s SAR team. My heart is on the line now, and it’s impossible not to fall hard for him. But isn’t there a rule against dating a colleague for a reason?
Rescued by the Rugged Mountain Man is a short and steamy instalove romance featuring a protective mountain man and the curvy woman he falls for. No cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA. This book is part of Bearclaw Ridge Search and Rescue, a steamy instalove romance series set in a small mountain town where every protective mountain man finds a curvy woman to love.
Chapter One
Asher
The chill of the late afternoon seeps into the Search and Rescue headquarters every time the building door opens. I should probably close the door of our SAR office, but I like to keep it ajar, letting in the sounds of the police station next to us. Their chatter and running are a constant reminder to stay vigilant and prepared because emergencies can strike at any time. Knowing I might have to drop everything at a moment’s notice to answer the call of someone in trouble stokes the fire in my gut, driving me to be ready for anything. Few things can compete with that rush of adrenaline.
I bend over the table in our office, checking and cleaning our team’s climbing gear. These are the kinds of tasks that have to happen in between missions, and I love them. Working with my hands and using my skills to save lives feels like a privilege. Being appointed SAR team leader after years of proving myself was the best day of my life—so far.
I glance up at Faye, our dispatcher, whose eyes are glued to the screen in front of her. Her fingers work fast as she inputs the details from this morning’s rescue mission.
“Do you think we’ll get any more calls today?” I ask her.
She laughs. “If the weather keeps worsening like it has, it’s a safe bet. You know how people are, always pushing their luck, even when the forecast looks iffy and it’s getting dark.”
I nod, tightening a carabiner before setting it aside. “Yeah, I wish more people realized the mountains can turn on you in an instant.”
Faye’s expression shifts to something more serious. “Couldn’t agree more. Let’s hope hikers are heeding the weather warnings. Last thing we need is another rescue in a storm.”
“If they do go and get in trouble, we’re ready,” I say, packing the climbing gear into our bags.
“Any news?” Brody asks, walking in with a bag of cookies from Mountain Morning Brew.
I take one and shake my head. “The radio’s staying silent.”
“Great. No news is good news in our line of work,” he says, propping his feet up on his desk. “I just passed the community center. The renovations are starting next month.”
“So that fundraiser the town organized during Winter Fest was a success?” Faye asks.
Brody nods. “You bet.”
I lean against my desk. “Have any of you met the new medic yet?”
“Sarah?” Faye asks. “I saw her yesterday while you guys were on the mountain. She seems like a sweet, capable woman.”
“I sure hope she’s up for the challenge. Working as a medic on the mountain is nothing like working in a hospital.”
Faye rolls her eyes at me. “Asher, come on. She’s highly skilled and spent the last five years as a first responder. You don’t have to worry. Besides, her shift starts in five, so you’ll finally be able to meet her and see for yourself that she’s the right woman for the job.”
“You’re right, I’m—”
Before I can finish my sentence, the dispatch radio crackles to life. Faye’s eyes darken when she takes the distress call.
“We’ve got a report of a missing hiker on Cedar Ridge Trail. Female. Not entirely unfamiliar with the area, so they think the weather caused her to get disorientated. Last seen a couple of hours ago.”
I nod, adrenaline surging through my veins. “Copy that. Any other details?”
“The hiker’s name is Megan. She’s in her twenties, and her friends say she planned to take a short hike but didn’t come back. We need to mobilize a team,” Faye replies, her focus sharp as she pulls up more information from the computer to which all dispatch details are sent.
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, already thinking through our options. “Get the rest of the team to take the west side of the trail. I’ll head out to the east side with the medic. Where is she?”
Right then, a stunning woman with curves to die for bursts through the door, catching me off guard. My breath hitches in my throat, and my mind races as I take in the way her hair falls around her shoulders, the way her uniform fits just right, and the determination etched on her face. This isn’t just another medic; this is her, the woman of my dreams.
The realization hits me like a punch to the gut, and I can’t shake the feeling that fate has dropped her right into my path for a reason.
“Are you Asher?” she asks, her voice steady, though I can see the adrenaline pulsing beneath the surface.
“I am. You must be Sarah, our new medic.”
She nods. “Ready for duty.”
“Good, because we just had a call about a missing hiker.”
The urgency in my voice seems to sharpen her focus. I watch as she shifts into professional mode, her brows furrowing slightly as she processes the information. “What do we know?”
“Her name is Megan. In her twenties. Last seen on Cedar Ridge Trail a few hours ago. Her friends think the weather may have thrown her off course,” I explain, my mind racing through the logistics of our search. “We’ll start at the trailhead and head up. I know the area well, but I’ll need you to come with me and monitor her vitals if we find her. She might be in shock, especially if the storm hits like they’re predicting.”
“Got it,” she says, determination written all over her gorgeous face.
I wish I could get to know her better first, but there’s no time for chit-chat and introductions. We’ve got to move. Fast.
“Good luck, guys! I’ll be in touch with more details soon,” Faye says, her eyes glued to her screen again.
“Follow me,” I tell Sarah, leading the way to the truck parked outside the SAR headquarters. The crisp mountain air bites at my skin, but I hardly notice. The adrenaline coursing through my veins is all-consuming.
Sarah moves with purpose, her tactical uniform clinging to her in all the right places, and I find my eyes lingering a moment too long. This isn’t the time to get distracted, but something about her captivates me. Maybe it’s the way she seems unfazed by the chaos around us or the fierce look in her eyes that tells me she’s ready for anything. Fuck, I hope she is ready for anything.
As I climb into the driver’s seat, I glance over at Sarah, who’s securing her gear in the back. “You sure you’re ready for this?” I ask, trying to gauge her experience.
“Absolutely,” she replies, her confidence unwavering. “I’ve trained for situations like this. Let’s find her and get her back.”
I nod, impressed. This woman might be exactly what our team needs. As I start the engine and pull out of the lot, the gravity of our mission settles in. We’re headed up the mountain into a brewing storm, and I can’t shake the primal urge to protect Sarah, even though she looks more than capable of taking care of herself.
Chapter Two
Sarah
I sit next to Asher, the leader of the SAR team, acting as cool as a cucumber—emphasis on acting. Inside, my heart is pounding. This is my first real mission since joining the team, and I’m pretty nervous.
But it’s not just the nerves about proving myself as a medic during rescue missions that have my heart racing. It’s Asher himself who’s giving me heart palpitations.
He’s a giant of a man with a thick beard, a determined expression, and eyes that could melt my panties. His dark hair is perfectly tousled, and the stubble on his jaw gives him a rough edge that I find oddly appealing. I realize it’s not appropriate. Asher is my boss, after all. A hot one, sure, but I probably should’ve seen that coming. Someone working for the Search and Rescue team in these rugged mountains couldn’t be anything other than strong and capable. Asher’s colleague Brody has the same build, but he doesn’t set my insides on fire like Asher does.
Something about the way he grips the steering wheel and focuses on the road with an intense stare sends a thrill through me. He exudes the kind of rugged confidence that tells me he feels at home in the wild.
“What’s the plan when we get to where Megan was last seen?” I ask while we snake further up the mountain in the SAR truck.
“Hope we find her before the storm makes things worse,” he says with a concerned frown.
Big raindrops splatter on the windshield, and the wipers work overtime.
I swallow. This mission sounds like it’s going to be a tough one. “Let’s hope she’s nearby. No one wants to be caught in this kind of weather.”
“Damn right. We’re going to do everything in our power to save her. But I do hope she won’t ever make a mistake like this again.”
“Getting lost?”
He shakes his head. “No, venturing out when there have been weather warnings. People don’t realize the mountains don’t care if you’re experienced or unprepared. They demand respect, no matter who you are. Out here, you have to work with nature, not against it. Most people forget that, think they’re in control.”
I nod. “Yeah, it’s hard to believe the risks people are willing to take sometimes.”
“Absolutely. I never put the blame on anyone, though. Curiosity, adventure, sometimes just wanting to clear your head—all reasons people end up in trouble.”
I mull over his words until he breaks the silence with a question. “So, what made you decide to join Bearclaw Search and Rescue?”
I glance at him, caught off guard by his question. Does he think I’m not capable? I hope that’s not the case because I’m more than competent. “Honestly? I’ve always loved the mountains. I grew up not far from here and spent a lot of time hiking and camping. When I saw the ad for the job, I knew I had to go for it. It combines my love for nature and helping people.”
He nods, his gaze steady on the road ahead. “I admire your courage, Sarah. It takes guts to jump into something like this. You’ll see a lot of tough situations, but the payoff for saving lives is worth it. Most of the time, anyway. Sometimes, there’s no happy ending. You should always prepare yourself for that possibility.”
“Trust me, I worked as a first responder before this.” I sigh. “I’ve seen my fair share of bad outcomes.”
“That experience will help you more than you know. You just have to remember that it’s okay to feel emotions while on a mission, whether good or bad. We’re human, after all.”
I smile at him. “I guess I’ve always tried to compartmentalize my feelings when I’m working. It’s easier to focus on the task at hand when you’re in what I call robot mode.”
“That’s a common approach,” he replies, his voice thoughtful. “But don’t turn off every emotion, and don’t forget to take care of yourself. We look out for each other in this line of work. We’re a real team.”
“Thanks, Asher. It’s good to know I’m not in this alone.”
“Definitely not,” he says, offering a small smile that sends another rush of warmth through me. “Like I said, you’ll have a team behind you, and we’ve got your back. Trust your instincts and follow my instructions. Once we find Megan and get her safely off the mountain, I’ll make sure you get to meet the entire team. It’s easier to work with people you know and trust. We do quite a lot of team building activities for that reason.”
“Team building, huh?”
To be honest, I hate those ridiculous activities. I never had a problem with any of my colleagues, but did I want to be stuck in an escape room with them for hours or go wine tasting together to ‘raise the team spirit’? No thanks.
Asher laughs. “No need to look so worried, Sarah. It’s nothing weird or cliché. Just casual stuff like hiking together or organizing a barbecue.”
I nod, my doubts easing a bit at the thought of something less awkward than trust falls or rope courses. “That sounds better, I guess. I can handle a barbecue.”
“It’s more about bonding over shared experiences than forced fun. Besides, I think you’ll find our team consists of a great bunch of people. We look out for each other, on and off the clock. There’s our field rescuers—Brody, Wes, and Sawyer. You’ll love them. And, of course, Amy and Faye, who are in charge of dispatching.”
“Right, I briefly met Faye yesterday.”
“You’ll fit right in, Sarah. I’m sure of it.” His eyes linger on me, and my stomach flutters with excitement and anxiety.
The truck rumbles over a pothole, jolting me against the back of my seat. I grip the edges of the passenger seat with both hands, my knuckles turning white against the dark fabric. I’m not used to rough terrain like this, and the way Asher navigates it with ease only amplifies my admiration for him.
“Hold on tight,” he says, a playful grin on his face as we bounce along the rugged road.
“I will,” I say with a laugh. “The ambulance used to go fast, but not on mountain roads like these.”
“If it’s any consolation, the rough driving part is over.” Asher points to a small clearing in front of us, where he parks the car. “This is as far as we can go. We’ll have to do the rest on foot.”
I hop out of the truck and grab my medic bag. Asher’s boots hit the ground a split second after mine, and I sense his shift in focus simply by looking at him. He’s in full SAR mode now. He grabs his gear with smooth movements like he’s done this a thousand times. Which he probably has. It’s crystal clear he’s way more experienced than I am.
I double-check my medic bag and adjust the straps while Asher scans the tree line ahead. “We’ll need to move fast. Megan’s been out here too long already, and with this weather, every second counts.”
“Understood,” I say, trying to match his focus. The way he takes control, instinctively knowing what needs to be done and then doing it is… well, impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it. Butterflies swarm around in my stomach, and it’s all because of Asher.
Asher leads the way, all business now, his tone serious. “Stay close, watch your footing, and if anything feels off, let me know right away. Don’t hold back. Secrets on the mountain are a no-go. It leads to dangerous situations.”
I nod. “Got it.”
Asher talks into his radio, letting Faye at the SAR headquarters know we’re starting our search.
“Perfect, Asher. Brody and Wes are on their way to the west side of the trail, like you asked. Be careful out there, okay? We want you all back safe and sound.”
Asher’s eyes flick to mine, an unspoken reassurance in his look. “Will do, Faye. We’re on it.”
I take a deep breath in and fall into step behind Asher. My first real mission as Bearclaw Ridge’s SAR team medic has begun.
Chapter Three
Asher
The crunch of my boots on the forest floor is the only sound breaking the stillness around Sarah and me. This land is my second home. I know every turn of every trail, every thick patch of underbrush, and every angle that the light filters through the pine trees, depending on the time of day. Sarah, however, isn’t familiar with these mountains and this forest, but she walks beside me with a composed expression.
It’s impressive how calm she looks for someone on her first SAR mission with a man she barely knows in unfamiliar terrain and worsening weather. What a strong, capable woman.
And then there’s the way she looks. My dick twitches every time my gaze strays to her. It’s not okay. She’s my team member. There are rules about dating a colleague, but she’s the woman of my dreams. I never understood that whole “when you know you’ve found the one, you know” spiel, but I do now. Sarah is it for me.
