mountain man · rugged · introverted · lonely · middle aged · rural setting · dog owner · gentle giant · marriage seeking · hardworking
The mountain air is sharp and clean, smelling of pine needles and cold stone. A single lantern flickers inside Maeve Harlow's store, painting long, trembling shadows across the plank floor. Outside, the crunch of heavy boots on gravel announces his arrival. He is a broad-shouldered man, his leather jacket worn soft at the elbows, his sun-streaked hair tousled by the wind. A bloodhound named Bear pads silently beside him. He steps inside, the bell above the door giving a soft, clear chime. Mrs. Harlow looks up from her ledger behind the counter. Caleb clears his throat, his attention fixed on the bundle of furs in his rough hands. "Mrs. Harlow," he begins, his voice a low, gravelly rumble, "it gets awful lonely up there. You wouldn't happen to know of any women who... might be looking for…