The Mountain Man's Baby: A Secret Baby Billionaire Romance

By Alice Moore

Who would have thought that a camping trip would turn out this way?

Surely not Caroline. Trying to burst into bigger photography journals, Caroline went to the woods to take the perfect shot but after a fall she is left alone in the woods hoping for some help. Will someone come? Will she accept help from a stranger? BUT what if this stranger was a handsome Mountain Man.... 

Caroline: He was dark and broody, damaged beyond repair before we’d even met. But breaking my ankle brought us together, and even my dog knew there was something there. I got so comfortable in those two days before we parted- it was almost scary. And then the calls started, and I realized that I’d started something I had no choice but to finish. It was something I wanted to finish. It was putting this broken man back together, and falling in love with him during the process. 

James: Who knew a dog had better intuition than most people? If anyone else had gotten to her first, she would’ve lost her foot. The fire in her eyes would’ve been quenched, and her strength would’ve diminished into obscurity. But the things I’d seen- I’d done- haunted me, and I didn’t want her to get dragged down with me. I couldn’t get her out of my mind, and she never failed to rise up to meet me. Her strength- her compassion- were the bright light in my darkness.

The Mountain Man's Baby is a 46K words Billionaire Secret Baby Romance novel with elements of bdsm. It's a HEA standalone with NO cheating and No cliffhanger!

Get ready to fall for a Mountain Man like you never met before! But don't worry about the fall, he will be there to catch you and protect you in his strong arms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Red Kite Publishing
• Release date: Jul 21, 2020

Book preview

THE MOUNTAIN MAN’S BABY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Copyright Notice

The Mountain Man’s Baby

Caroline

Caroline

Caroline

Caroline

James

Caroline

James

Caroline

James

Caroline

James

Caroline

Caroline

James

Caroline

Caroline

James

Caroline

Caroline

Caroline

James

Caroline

James

Caroline

James

Caroline

Caroline

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Copyright © 2018 Alice Moore - 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.

This is a work of fiction. While, as in all fiction, the literary perceptions and insights are based on life experiences and conclusions drawn from research, all names, characters, places and specific instances are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. No actual reference to any real person, living or dead, is intended or inferred.

THE MOUNTAIN MAN’S BABY

CAROLINE

H

olding

 my camera to my eye, my grip firmed as a smile stretched my lips. Carefully I adjusted my lens until everything in my field of vision was perfectly clear, and my smile only grew at how patient my subjects were. The bunnies were still, as if they knew I was watching them, and I took a slow, deep breath before my fingertip flirted with the shutter button.

I zoomed in on each bunny individually, taking a few shots each as they anxiously glanced around while chewing their clovers. Wild tufts of short hair stuck every which way, giving them a cuteness that domesticated bunnies didn’t have. Releasing a hot breath, I lowered my camera to finally glance away from the half-dozen group.

"Kiki- tszt." Fondness struck my chest as my dog crawled forward at my buzz, and I sat back on my butt to watch her. Images of the first time I saw her flashed in my mind’s eye; her partner had been killed in action only four months after being deployed, and no one could get close to her. Her dark brown fur blended in with the forest around us, making her less visible as she stalked up to the bunnies. Each move was fluid, practiced, and I grinned as I shuffled my camera in my lap.

Even my father had been impressed with how well I’d trained Kiki- Hell, he wasn’t the only one. For months I’d been worried she wasn’t taking what I was trying to give, but that all changed a year ago. I’d taken her on a hike, and everything I’d taught her seemed to click in her brain.

The rustling of bunnies scattering broke my reverie, and I pushed myself up to my feet to dust off my butt. Kiki’s vicious growling followed the sound of a struggle, and goosebumps rose on my arms. Glancing around, my breath caught in my throat as my dog slunk between the trees with a white and brown bunny between her teeth. He was big, with the short, fine fur of summer, and his lifeless ears dragged along the ground.

Give… Trotting up to me with high ears and a doggish grin, Kiki dropped the rabbit at my feet with a whine. Reaching to pet her roughly, I scratched the top of her narrow head before grabbing our dinner. Good girl. Let’s head back.

My boots crunched loudly on the dry leaf litter, and with each step the smells of the forest wafted into my nostrils. Huge pine trees rose on either side of me, tall and majestic, to block out most of the sun. Streams of gold managed to break through the thick layers of needles, but they fell in the background of my scope of comprehension.

I wish I could find a really big, old buck… Then I could be happy with this trip. The low grumble sounded loud in the silence, and I heaved a sigh as I turned my eyes to my camera. Easily worth more than my car, the device contained more than just pictures; my entire career was encapsulated in the massive memory card I’d bought for it. Pausing my trek to uncap the lens, I stared at my reflection with narrowed, searching eyes.

… I should find a stream to clean up in… I don’t want to grow roots, do I, Kiki? Softly Kiki whined, and I shook my head before capping my camera lens again. That’s right! Let’s hurry up or we’ll be eating in the dark.

Applying another layer of bug spray as the sun cast shadows between the trees, I sat on a rock to stare at the fire before me. My life flickered in the flames, and I breathed deep, steady breaths as I watched them dance. A small smile lifted my lips at my father’s image- of the discomfort on his face when he first told me about ‘girl things’. Of his tunnel vision as he restored a car for my 16th birthday. Of his excitement when I told him I got a dog, and that excitement turning to annoyance when Kiki appeared to hate him. Of his expression and aura when he told me the story of my mother on the day I turned 18 years old.

Propping my cheek on my fist, I sighed only for the fire to spew heat into my face, and I blinked hard. Bugs chirped in the growing darkness, but there were no other sounds; it was the perfect scene in which to think back onto how I got to this point.

I wonder what that woman would think of me…? Mumbling into the fire, I reached with my free hand to turn my rabbit spit before rubbing Kiki’s back absently. Dad said she was a crazy, high maintenance bitch- in not so many words, of course- but you have to wonder. I mean, they were in their 20s… I can’t imagine women carry their teenage angst that far.

I could hear my father’s voice ringing in my ears, and I closed my eyes briefly to take a deep breath.

Not all women are as level-headed as you, Caroline. Don’t assume that because she made you, you’re just like her.

Hmm-… Thinking of that night over a decade ago still gave me chills, forcing my eyelids apart as Kiki twisted and groaned in contentment. It’s a good thing I take after you, then, Dad.

Huffing a laugh, I shook my head before uncurling myself to grab the spit. Eying the rabbit carefully, my mouth watered at the crispy looking skin, and I carefully twisted a back leg until it popped from the hip. Kiki’s eyes bored into me as I set it down on a metal plate, shaking my hand to get rid of the burning before doing the same to the other leg.

Here you go, my good girl. Such a polite dog. Kiki was careful not to snatch the bunny, her big, hazel eyes sparkling in thanks before she shuffled to her paws. She was short; I couldn’t remember the exact breed she was, but my mind always went to German Shepard. Rolling the cooked animal around with her muzzle, she snapped open the rib cage to release a huge puff of steam. Smart as Hell, too.

Groaning as I took my first bite, I closed my eyes to savor the salted taste of rabbit. Hunting was a hit or miss most of the time, but this was definitely a hit. God- that’s good…

Kiki’s eating sounds echoed around mine, as if she was enjoying the top half as much as I enjoyed the bottom. The rabbit's legs had been big and muscular, and two were more than enough for me. Pausing to lick the juices from my palm and forearm, I couldn’t help but grin a little crazily at what my father would say if he was here.

He’d fight me for one.

I’d kick his ass, right, Kiki? Twisting to watch my dog gobble furiously, I nodded to myself and took another bite to talk around it. Damned right, I would.

Only when the sun was about to set did I push myself up, and my full belly pushed a soft groan from my lips. Resisting the urge to wipe my hands on my clothes, I grabbed an empty bucket to shuffle heavily from the fire. The night was warm and moist, and I only briefly debated putting the flames out before abandoning the idea.

Trickling water entered my scope of comprehension, giving me a direction that I followed aimlessly. The stream wasn’t even deep or wide enough to encase my palm, but there was plenty of water to wash my hands and forearms. Cool and brisk, the clear, clean liquid smelled fresh, and I cupped my greaseless hands together to draw it to my lips.

Where do we go tomorrow, huh? My question wobbled as I rubbed my cheeks roughly, and I swiped away water and grime to glance at Kiki. Her keen eyes wandered, ears stiff and alert, and I smiled as I shook my hands wildly. I guess we’ll just get there when we get there.

Taking the 150 feet or so back to camp slowly, I stared down at my steps from under furrowed brows. Big, red welts rose around my ankles where my socks had rubbed away my bug spray. Every short advance made the bites itch, and I let out an irritated sigh and shoved my hands into my shorts’ pockets.

The night was quiet, and I crawled into my tent before my watch read 10p.m.. Snuggling into my sleeping bag, I stared at the plastic dazedly to loosen my mind. I only had two days left out here, and then I would be going back home. Against the front of the tent, Kiki laid down to send a groan through the tent poles.

I could stay out here forever, you know, Kiki? Closing my eyes, I nestled into my bag with a heavy sigh. But then I’d go insane. It’s only been a week and I talk to myself all the time.

Kiki didn’t answer, and I listened to the sounds of the night in a stillness I couldn’t feel in the city. There was nothing better than this, I knew; there was no sweeter smell than pine, and there was no better sound than the chirps and rustling that floated through my tent walls.

Wake me up in the morning and we can go for a run, okay? My mumble was met with silence, and a huffed a laugh. If it wasn’t for Kiki, I’d probably go insane out here; there was no other way to put it. Without my father around to talk to, she was the next best thing.

It’s kinda messed up to compare a person and a dog, but they’re basically the same. Quiet. Pushy. Anywhere is a good place to pee.

Good night, sun. Good night, moon. I hope to see you both real soon… Humming softly, I nestled into my bag to make an earnest effort to go to sleep.

CAROLINE

T

ime lost meaning

 out here where no one was telling me when to wake up or what to do. My eyes opened to the light of the sun, discolored by the pale orange of my tent. My ears twitched with the sounds of birds calling to each other into the warm air. No alarm clock blared, leaving the gentle noises of nature to work their magic on a body and mind that had become used to them.

And yet- they never ceased to awe and amaze.

For a long while I stayed in my sleeping bag, content to listen to the activity around me. Staring at the top of my tent through bleary eyes, I let my mind wander to what might happen during this last full day in the wilderness. Tomorrow I would be heading back to my truck and then an airport, and then I finally get home.

To my white picket fence house in a quaint, little city bristling with military personnel. Sucking in a deep, hard breath at the thought, I shook away the images that blossomed in my mind’s eye. Home was such a relative word; it could be interpreted so many ways. The forest was my home- the place where I felt the freest and almost weightless. My house is where I was loved- by my father, my dog, and my handful of neighbors that greeted me whenever we were outside at the same time.

Sluggishly pushing myself up to sit, I groaned loudly as I reached to swipe my hand through my hair. Against my feet, Kiki lifted her head to watch me stretch, and I scratched my scalp absently. Warm, stale air caressed my bare arms, and for a moment I was content to just sit.

Grabbing my camera, I kicked my way out of my sleeping bag to crawl out of my tent. As usual Kiki wiggled her way beyond the flap first, and I winced at the harsh flash of the sun that spears my eyes. Shuffling into the open air, I scrambled to my feet to stretch tall, flexing my toes and tightening my grip on my camera strap.

Oh-h! Fudge! My back