Snowy Encounters Page 9

  “Honey, don’t be so hard on yourself. The town cares for Cole and is grateful for what he’s done, but they want him to be happy.”

  Maddy scoffed. It wouldn’t be with me. His declaration after he’d fallen asleep came to mind. Her heart ached. The best plan was to go back to her empty apartment and live the life she’d chosen before she’d ruined everything. “How’s daddy?”

  “He’s good. Did you spend Christmas with Cole?”

  Pain expanded to her throat. “Somewhat.”

  “And you’re still leaving?”

  Tears clogged her throat and nose. “Mom, I have to. I can’t stay here.”

  “Honey, he loves you.”

  Maddy let out a chuckle. Her mother was always so intuitive about everything. She frowned. “Don’t tell me you lied about Aunt Kate so you could leave me alone here with Cole?” She met silence. “Mom?”

  “All right, I’m guilty. I wanted you guys together to see that you both need each other. I want my daughter and son back. I want grandkids!”

  She froze. Oh my God. I could be pregnant. She shook her head to herself, but her fingers fluttered over her stomach. “Our marriage hadn’t worked before. I can’t fight him or the town. And his father hates me.”

  “Who cares about what everyone else thinks? Has Cole publically scorned you? Told everyone that he hates you?”

  Maddy stayed silent, her mind raced for excuses. “He has his work and his heroic good boy reputation to uphold. I can’t fight with that.”

  “You know that’s a lie. If he didn’t still love you, he would have married someone else by now. I know he loves you. He has to.” The certainty in her mother’s voice opened another wound around her heart.

  The memory of his exit last night stung. “No, he loves the lodge, his work. He chose. I can’t compete with that.”

  “You’re so stubborn.”

  She sighed, frustration withering through her. She’d had this conversation so many times already. “Mom, you know why.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. He loves the lodge more than you, the town hates you and Brad Sr. is a cynical drunk.”

  “Mom! He’s not drinking anymore.”

  “I don’t care. I’ve never liked that man anyway. He’s always mean and opinionated.”

  “But he has reason to….” Maddy couldn’t believe the anger in her mother’s tone. She had wanted to remind her about Brad Sr.’s gold digging wife, but stopped herself. Why bother? Cole’s father never approved of her from the very beginning. What difference would it make now if she stayed?

  “Why are you defending him?”

  “Because….” She trailed off. Why was she defending a man who hated her?”

  “Marriage is between two people. It doesn’t involve the town or Cole’s father. It’s between you two.”

  Maddy didn’t know what to say. She didn’t hate her ex-father-in-law, didn’t hate the town. More than anything, the past few days had made her realize how much she’d missed the place, missed the feeling of home. The time she’d spent here, she’d never been happier—decorating the lodge, playing with the tourist’s kids, Cole teasing her, Cole loving her.

  Hell, I belong here in Five Oaks.

  “Marriage is a compromise and you have to stick around and work it out.”

  Maddy opened her mouth to retort, but nothing came out. Compromise. She thought of the demand she’d inflicted on him last night. If I told you to choose, me or Five Oaks, what do you say? She groaned. No wonder the town and Brad Sr. didn’t like her. Cole had his career and so did she, but he’d never made her choose between anything she’d wanted. Instead of staying and fighting for Cole, she was trying to take away everything that made the man she loved. What have I done?

  “Honey?”

  “Mom, I have to go.”

  “Where are you going?”

  Maddy smiled. “To get your son back.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Maddy rehearsed everything she needed to say on the drive to the lodge. If Cole still loved her, and she hoped he still did, then she was laying down the ground rules. And screw what everyone else thought.

  They were going to compromise.

  As she maneuvered the rental around the mountain, she slowed as she approached Death’s Peak, the same area her car had gotten stuck at on her way into town only days ago. A crowd blocked the road as she drew closer. Another avalanche. With no choice, she pulled the car to the side and parked. Nosy people milled around, talking and whispering to each other. She spotted Brad Jr.’s police cruiser and frowned.

  Maddy got out and jogged to the edge of the crowd. Jumping up, she tried to survey the damage. Frustration settled in. She needed the scene to clear so she could make it up the mountain. To Cole.

  “She’s in there!”

  Maddy froze. The voice ran a chill down her spine. She elbowed her way through the crowd until she met the security tape. Buried under the avalanche, peeked the brake light of a red car, but she didn’t notice anything else besides the man digging away at the snow. Her heart constricted and tears surged to her eyes.

  Brad grabbed Cole’s arm, but he flung his brother off. “Cole, just wait for help to come. They’ll be here soon.”

  “It’ll be too late! I can’t lose her again.” Cole continued to dig through the snow with his bare hands.

  Whispers broke through the crowd as she stepped under the tape, ignoring them. They could hate her all they wanted. Nothing mattered. But the man on his knees, clawing through the wet cold.

  Brad spotted her and opened his mouth to speak. Maddy shook her head, cutting him off as she drew closer to Cole. His pain clogged her throat, her nose. Now she couldn’t remember why she’d believed he’d never loved her.

  “Cole.”

  He continued to dig.

  Maggie drew a deep breath then slowly released it. “If you’re planning on making a hole to roll into when I push you off this mountain, that’s cheating.”

  Cole stilled, slowly stood up and turned around. Pressing her lips together, she held in her cry at the wild confusion from his eyes. His hands clenched and unclenched at his side. She watched his Adam’s apple jump as he swallowed. His gaze sharpened, running over her from head to toe.

  “If you leave, you can’t push me,” he stated.

  She gave him a watery smile. “I know. So I’m not leaving.”

  He took a step closer. “Why not?”

  She spotted the insecurity in his face with the quiver of his mouth, but it disappeared quickly. “Because I love you and don’t want to live without you and I don’t care what anyone else thinks but you.”

  A sigh rushed through the crowd behind her, but her attention stayed on her man.

  “What about the lodge?”

  She heaved a deep breath. “I decided that it’s half mine and you should hire me to plan the events there, but we’re going to have to work on your father together.”

  His fingers flinched and he took another step forward, his expression guarded. “How long are you planning on staying?”

  Maddy swallowed hard. Her whole body eaten up with love for this one man. Now she’d felt foolish for ever leaving. “Only forever.”

  One second she stood staring at him, the next, he closed the distance and wrapped her in his arms.

  A sense of belonging rushed at her as she kissed him, pouring all her love into him—her family, her future, and her reason for living.

  She was finally home.

  Epilogue

  New Year’s Eve.

  “Have you seen Maddy?” Cole’s heart skipped. Barely a week since he’d believed her stuck under an avalanche, his world had changed.

  Marie, the receptionist, looked up from the marble counter. “I don’t know where she is.”

  He frowned, his eyes swept over the lobby filled with tourists and guests. He couldn’t find Maddy. Ever since they’d shared a dance in the ballroom, she’d disappeared right after. Glancing around, he spotted Ash and Jo swaying to
the music in their own little corner, while the people around them went about their own business.

  He passed the ballroom on the way to the stairs. The party was in full swing. Maddy’s effort in planning the extravagant event into a big bash had pleased the town with the effort she’d made to involve everyone. The grand opening to kick off the New Year was a success.

  Now if he could only locate his wife.

  When he reached the second floor landing, he made his way down the hall to the French doors that led out onto a balcony. Pushing the door open, he smiled. She stood at the far end, face tilted toward the night sky. Moonlight kissed her pale cheeks. He quietly closed the distance between them and drew her into his arms.

  “What are you doing out here?” he asked.

  Maddy slid her hands around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder. “Just thinking.”

  “About?”

  She tilted back to look at him. “You, me, the open space, avalanches and night sky.”

  He grinned, then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “That’s Five Oaks in a nutshell.”

  “Yup. It’s home.”

  His heart skipped a beat every time she told him something wonderful. “I feel like I haven’t really seen you much all week.”

  “That’s not true. I’m busy. I have events to plan, parties to oversee, a business to run.”

  With a smirk, he pulled her closer. Since giving Maddy full reign of the event planning, she’d gone above and beyond to organize Limestone and Tall Oaks’ events. Her partner had been sad Maddy wasn’t returning, but they planned to continue their business relationship with Maddy working from her new office downstairs. Instead of her complaining about his commitment to work, he worried he might be the one who had to drag her away. “The party is going well. You did a great job.”

  “I know. You don’t have to tell me. I’m good at what I do.”

  He chuckled at her confidence. The music from downstairs floated around them. He tightened his arms, swaying with her in place. “All right, Mrs. Harmon. When would you like to plan this honeymoon of ours?”

  “Where did you want to go?” She laid her hand against his shoulder and stared at her sparkling diamond ring set. He’d slid her rings back on twenty-four hours after he’d realized he hadn’t lost her. The car buried under the avalanche had been luckily empty and abandoned because of the flat tire. After he’d brought her home to their house, he’d made love to her in front of the fireplace until he’d been reassured she was alive. Unwilling to wait, he’d flown them out to Vegas for an impromptu wedding.

  He nuzzled her jaw, loving the feel of her against him. He’d never get sick of holding her or loving her. “Anywhere you want.”

  “Hmmm…I don’t think I want to go anywhere. I kind of like it here.” Maddy grinned.

  “We could have a reception party here….”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t need anything but you.”

  Taking a step back, he stared down at her. Her eyes shone her love. “You know I’d give you anything, right?”

  “I know. You tell me everyday.”

  “Is there anything you want?” He kissed her forehead then rubbed his nose against hers.

  “There is,” she said softly.

  “What is it?

  Maddy pressed her palms against his chest. “I want a baby. I want lots of babies.”

  His heart melted. He lowered his head, and she rose on tiptoes to meet him halfway, her lips brushing against his, sweetly. Who knew his wife would return and offer him the whole world?

  Cole turned towards the black canvas dotted with sparkling lights. The white landscape glittered before him. Maddy hugged him tighter. They watched a swirl of snow dance across the air and disappear.

  The rumble of voices from inside reached their ears.

  “Guess the New Year started,” said Maddy.

  He tilted her chin up. “No, ours started the day you came home to me.”

  ***

  ~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

  An avid reader and writer, Clarissa spends most of time with her head stuck up in the clouds and lurking behind her romance novels when she's not writing up a storm. Currently residing in Hawaii, Clarissa enjoys traveling all over the United States, so you'll never know where you'll find her. She also loves video games, scrapbooking, trying new foods, and of course, shopping.

  If you'd like to draw her out of her cave, please drop her a note on her website at: http://clarissayip.com or email her at clarissayip@gmail.com. She loves visits by her readers and friends. And check out what she’s up to on Twitter @clarissayip.

  Love by Auction

  Copyright © 2010 by Clarissa Yip

  Intent on leaving the Date for Charity Auction, billionaire Mark Passmore vows not to bid—until he sees the gorgeous blond strut across the stage. Need overwhelms his senses. He has to have her.

  With an etiquette drill sergeant and society snob for a mother, Rebecca Hathaway, a.k.a Ice Princess, accepts an extraordinary dare—one that lands her in the arms of her ex, except he doesn’t know it’s her.

  After an explosively passionate night with Mark, Rebecca sneaks back to her mundane life of tea parties and book clubs. But she knows she’ll never be the same again.

  Although he ended their relationship three years ago, Mark never stopped loving Rebecca. When he learns the truth of Rebecca’s role in the auction, will he forgive her for her betrayal or walk away once and for all?

  ~Excerpt~

  “I can't do this.”

  Rebecca Hathaway drew in a deep breath and wanted to pass out. The satin corset hugged her bones like steel bands around her waist, cutting off circulation. Microscopic lace underwear and garters bared her ass, and red four-inch heels threatened to snap her neck with each little step she took toward the vanity table in the dressing room.

  “Yes, you can. Think about where all that money is going to go. It'll give the sick children a new pediatric wing at the hospital. Or part of a wing.”

  Rebecca whirled around, the movement knocking her onto the nearby couch. She glared at her friend, Erin, who stood staring at her up and down, admiring her fine handiwork of transforming Rebecca into a trampy-looking prostitute.

  She waved a hand down over her outfit. “And you think the men are going to auction for this? It's demeaning for a woman to stand up on stage and have men try to buy her.”

  “It's for a good cause, and all they get is a date. What harm could a date be? Besides, you haven't had any fun in a while.” Erin tugged her off the couch and helped her to the full-length mirror.

  Flustered, Rebecca replied, “I have fun.”

  “Yeah, if going to those boring tea parties, planning social gatherings and hosting book clubs is your idea of fun then I truly worry for you.”

  Rebecca frowned at her reflection. Her breasts threatened to spill over the tight satin, the lace barely covered her privates and to top it off—she was now blonde-haired, blue eyed. She dropped her face into her hands and groaned. “How did I get talked into this? I'll just donate the money myself.”

  Erin wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her to the vanity table, surrounded by bright light bulbs like a make-up station for movie stars. “That's not the point. You're the one that took on Kelly Marsh's dare just because she called you a prissy society snob.”

  “Just kill me. I don't know why I let that woman rub me the wrong way.”

  “It's competition. She's jealous. She's always been jealous of you. If you win this dare then maybe she'll finally give up.”

  Rebecca scoffed. “I doubt it. I grew up with her. She hates my guts for no reason, and all I've done is be nice to her my whole life. Even those times she spilled tea in my lap at those tea parties or tripped me at the balls.”

  “Well then, this is your chance to show her that you're not the ice princess you pretend to be in public and put Kelly Marsh in her place.”

  “Why couldn't she have entered us in a beauty pageant or just put me on a pi
e throwing stand at a circus?” Her stomach swirled in chaos. “My mother is going to disown me, and I'll never be able to hold my head up at any social event again.”

  “Don't be melodramatic. No one is going to recognize you. That wig hides all your black hair and those blue contacts cover up your green eyes pretty well. Kelly knows you'd beat her at a beauty pageant and figured you wouldn't go through with this.” Erin paused and grabbed a charcoal eyeliner pencil from the dressing table. “Pie stand, Bec, really?”

  Rebecca grinned.

  She held still as Erin added more to the heavy makeup already caked on her face. She'd never worn so much in her life, besides the normal mascara and lipstick. “If I could see Kelly Marsh right now, I swear I would forget about being a lady and just deck her one.”

  Erin laughed. “How about after you win the bet?”

  “Can't I just forfeit or something?”

  Erin dropped the pencil. “No way. You'll never be able to hold your head up.”

  Rebecca glared. “I remember now. You're the one who told her I would do it.”

  Her friend shrugged. “She made me mad, too. I can't stand her.” Erin picked up a brush and dabbed at the powder jar, before dusting Rebecca’s nose. “It'll be fun, Bec. All you have to do is strut your stuff, get the highest bid, and go out on a date.” A mischievous smile broke over her face. “And of course, if you're willing to offer more, then I wouldn't stop you.”

  Rebecca's mouth dropped. “Are you insane?”

  “Relax.” Erin pinched her chin and dabbed on more lipstick. “It's just a dare, Bec. I knew you'd be like this—all that strict social upbringing and no fun. Just treat it like one of those auctions that you go to with your mother.”