The Making of Mountain Man's Decoy Kiss
Behind the story of Mountain Man’s Decoy Kiss
Sometimes a man can afford almost anything and still have trouble figuring out what he wants. That’s where I found Trace Murphy.
In his early thirties, Trace is a billionaire with plenty of options and a bit of a Peter Pan streak. He’s intelligent, capable, and accustomed to making things happen. But building a successful business doesn’t necessarily prepare a man to build a life he loves. Somewhere beneath his confidence, Trace is still searching for something he hasn’t quite learned how to name.
Then he spends time at Stone Mountain Weddings.
If you’ve read Mountain Man’s Ever After, you already know Jack and Chloe Stone. Their relationship, and the life they’re creating together, has a special influence on Trace. He watches two people bring their interests, talents, and ambitions into a shared future. Each has something meaningful to contribute. They enjoy each other, believe in what they’re building, and have found a place where they belong.
Jack gives Trace a glimpse of the kind of man he might become. A man who puts down roots. Who finds satisfaction in the work in front of him and the people beside him. Who has reasons to stay.
I realized while writing this one that this made Trace something of a wannabe mountain man. I rather enjoyed watching that possibility take hold.
Of course, imagining a different life and being ready to share it with someone are two separate things.
That's where Darla puts her bright touch on things.
A talented bridal designer, Darla understands the care that goes into making something fit. She also knows that an attractive, wealthy man can look wonderful on the outside and still be entirely wrong for her. Rich men seem to find their way into her life, and experience has given her good reasons to be cautious.
She wants lasting love. She also wants to keep her voice, her work, and the right to make her own decisions.
That creates an interesting challenge for Trace. He’s used to having the resources to solve problems quickly. What feels helpful to him can feel like interference to Darla ... especially when he gets ahead of himself and starts speaking for her.
One of the things I like about him is his willingness to apologize. He doesn’t always get it right, but when Darla lets him know he has overstepped, he listens. Their relationship grows through those moments. We see her honesty in what she expects and her ability to instantly set boundaries. We also see Trace's willingness to reconsider.
Darla’s forgiveness matters, too. Opening her heart means taking a chance on someone who may occasionally stumble. She has to decide whether she can trust Trace to hear her, respect her, and learn what loving her requires.
With a wedding in the background and a decoy relationship bringing them closer, there’s plenty of opportunity for attraction to complicate their plans. You can expect things to get steamy too.
I hope you enjoy watching these two find their way to each other and seeing what happens when a young billionaire starts dreaming of a mountain home.
