Snowy Encounters (2 page)

He arched an eyebrow. His speculative
expression annoyed her. “I could turn around and pretend I couldn’t
find you, but then your parents wouldn’t be very happy with
me.”

“Why do you care? They’re my parents.” With a
glare, she moved past him to her rental. She didn’t want his help,
nor did she want anything from him. Anymore. With bare hands, she
crouched low as far as her boots and skirt would allow without
baring her butt and started to dig at the snow around her tires.
Fashion was pointless here. She should have known better and to
have dressed more sensibly. But she’d been determined to be
prepared in case she ran into Cole. She had to look her best. Who
knew she’d end up stuck out in the cold, and he’d be the one to
come save her while half frozen, hair in utter disarray and lips
probably blue? She dug harder.

“Would you like a shovel?”

She ignored him. Her fingers started to numb.
She blew a breath of warm air on them, before she continued.

“Maddy, come on. Stop it. I’ll send someone
tomorrow to get the car out.” He latched onto her elbow. She jerked
at his touch and fell against the driver’s side door.

A shadow passed over his face as he
straightened from her and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Don’t
be stubborn.”

Her mouth dropped open then closed as she
used the door handle to pull herself up. “I’m not being
stubborn.”

“It’s below zero out. You need help, but you
don’t want it from me. I understand. Now, can you just get your
cute bottom into my truck, so I can drive you home? I don’t have
all night to argue with you.”

She hmpfed, tempted to brush
her hand over her butt, instead, she tugged at the ties around her
waist.
He still thought it was
cute?
There was one point in time where
she’d felt she’d gained too much weight for him to find her
desirable. Shaking her head, she stared at the snow swallowing her
tires. If she continued to dig, she may be able to get herself out
in a few days…after she’d died from frostbite. She hated that he
was right.

“Fine. Let me grab my bag.” She whirled
around. Her expensive black stiletto boots slid. With a scream, she
started to fall backwards. Strong arms wrapped around her and air
rushed from her lungs as she stared up into Cole’s blue eyes, lit
with amusement.

“Still clumsy?”

She growled. Her body warmed. The feel of him
burned through her coat. After he helped her straighten, she pushed
him away. Annoyed, yet grateful she hadn’t landed on her ass and
cracked her head open. That would be the perfect homecoming to
spend a week or so in the hospital. Jerking the backseat door open,
she pulled her small suitcase to the snow-covered floor. “Why would
my mother send for you? Why didn’t Brad come?”

“My brother is probably driving around town
doing his sheriff duties. I had stopped to clean your parent’s
driveway when I realized they were home.”

Maddy frowned. Cole reached forward to take
her belongings, and she allowed him to as she threw her handbag
over her shoulder. “Why were you cleaning our driveway?”

Cole started around the snow bank with her
suitcase as she trailed behind. “I always do. Hank is too old to be
spending hours shoveling.”

Her heart ached. Cole always
had the tendency to help the elders in town, no matter who it was.
His good boy demeanor made him lovable to everyone, but at times,
had irked her more than anything since everyone believed she’d been
the one to do him wrong.
If only he wasn’t
so driven to rebuild the town.

She gasped when her heel landed at an angle,
nearly losing her balance. Cole stopped, threw her an annoyed
glance and latched onto her hand. A tingle shot up her arm, and she
tried to tug away, but he tightened his grip as he helped her
around the snowbank to his car.

Once they reached the truck, Cole threw her
case in the backseat on top of garland and Christmas light boxes
then turned to her. His arms lifted towards her, and she jumped
back. “What are you doing?”

He chuckled. “I was just going to help you
into the cab.”

“I don’t need your help.”

His eyebrow arched as his eyes ran over her
from head to toe. Her breath caught and heat warped through her.
Her body reacted, suddenly forgetting the brisk cold and the
thinness of her coat. “You think you’re going to make it up there
in your short skirt and killer boots?”

She bit her inner cheek. The two narrow steps
up to the cab of the truck seemed high. She didn’t fathom showing
her thinly clad bottom either. “Fine.”

Offering her hand like she was the Queen of
England and he a mere subject, she stuck her nose in the air. Cole
gave a short hoot of laughter. He settled his hands around her
waist and threw her up on the seat. She grunted as the door shut,
and he walked around the front of the truck to the driver’s
side.

Why did he still look so handsome? She’d
hoped he’d put on weight, grew a beer belly or even shrunk in
height. Nope. Just the opposite. From what she could make out, he
only appeared bigger, leaner with harsher lines around his eyes and
mouth. His rugged exterior probably still devastated the ladies in
Five Oaks. Five years older than her, she’d been shocked when Cole
started paying attention to her. He’d been the manager at Tall
Oaks, before he bought it from the previous owner, and he’d set out
to make their first date special. Which he had, until she’d tripped
him down a few slopes and accidentally poured hot cocoa down the
front of his pants. A disaster that didn’t call for another chance,
but he’d still pursued her after, even though she’d done more
bodily harm to him than any of his past girlfriends combined.

She inwardly cursed herself. Now wasn’t the
time to think of the past. At least, they weren’t at each other’s
throats like they’d been near the end of their marriage. They’d
fought almost everyday, until they’d started to avoid each other.
And then, she’d finally had enough. He’d loved his business more
than her, and she couldn’t accept that.

The divorce had been necessary. Now that
she’d started a new chapter in her life, she couldn’t have been
happier.

Or so she told herself every day.

“I didn't know you were
coming home. What made you decide to return
this
holiday?”

Maddy looked out the window
as he set the truck in motion. “Mom didn’t want to do Christmas in
New York this year and wanted me to take a vacation.”
And see your new lodge grand opening.

“How’s New York treating you?”

She shrugged. Maybe he was trying to be
civilized. “I love it.”

He sighed. “You always wanted to live in a
big city.”

She didn’t know what to say to that. It’d
been a topic they’d argued over. He hated the big cities, but she
would have stayed in Five Oaks if she didn’t have to compete with
his other mistress—the damn wretched lodge. “What’s with all the
decorations?”

“It’s for the holidays.” He drew in an
agitated breath. “The decorator I hired from Pentonville bailed on
me. She was supposed to come last week, but pushed it to this week
and finally told me she had an emergency and couldn’t do it.”

“Are you having a holiday party or
something?”

“I am, along with a grand opening of another
lodge.”

Maddy knew, which was why her mother had
wanted her home besides the holidays. To show her support—for the
town and for Cole. But she didn't plan on staying that long if she
could get out of it. No way. She sunk further into her seat. He’d
been obsessed with rebuilding the town with the small lodge he’d
started when they were married. “Congratulations.”

“The new lodge is bigger and more
extravagant. I’m hoping to attract more tourists from overseas.
It’ll help the town a little.”

She nodded. “I’m sure it will.”

“Tall Oaks became too small, so I figured
opening a bigger one would be a better draw.”

“That sounds great.” Her voice lacked
enthusiasm. She didn’t care. She’d always hated his passion for his
business.

“The grand opening is New Year’s eve.”

I know.
Maddy folded her hands in her lap. “I’m sure it’ll be a
success.”

“You wouldn’t have returned if your parents
refused to come to you, huh?”

She stiffened.
What was that supposed to mean?
“I love Christmas in New York.”

Cole grunted. “I wasn’t trying to keep you
out of this town. They’re your parents and they love you. You
should visit them more often.”

“Who says you were the reason for me not
coming home?”

“You used to love the holidays here. You
loved all the Christmas traditions and rituals our town has. Then
after our divorce, you avoided the town. What am I supposed to
think?”

Her fingers gripped her bag. “Maybe I didn’t
want to follow tradition. I wanted something different. Don’t think
so highly of yourself.”

Cole flicked her a disbelieving glance.
“Whatever you say, short stuff.”

“Don’t call me that.” Irritation rose,
masking the warmth over the nickname he’d given her over the years.
She wasn’t lacking in height, but compared to him, she was on the
short side.

He chuckled. “If it weren’t for those boots,
you’re still a midget.”

She kept her growl to herself.

She’d forgotten how much he’d liked to tease
her. And his teasing always led to trouble.

Chapter Three

She’s actually here.

Cole’s fingers tightened around the steering
wheel as he carefully maneuvered the truck down the slick road.
Tension buzzed in the truck’s cab. They’d sat quietly on the drive,
but every cell in his body was overly aware of the woman next to
him—practically humming with excitement.

And that annoyed him.

First worried, then filled with relief when
he’d pulled up to see Maddy standing by the snowbank. She wasn’t
under it as Mary led him to believe. He’d jumped into his truck
once she’d revealed Maddy’s location and raced to the scene as
quickly as the dangerous roads would allow. He’d almost stopped
breathing during the drive, mind overactive, imagining the
worst-case scenarios, but once he’d arrived, he realized what a
fool he’d been.

Just like always.

She looked good. Too good. He didn’t see the
small town girl he married, instead, he found a polished stranger
with red-highlights in her dark chocolate brown hair, city-slicker
jacket, thinner than his thermals, and sexy black boots that set
his heart beating faster.

No sensible woman would wear stiletto boots
in Five Oaks, but then Maddy had always loved fashion, loved
design, and decorating. Which was why she chosen to end their
marriage.

The town wasn’t good enough for her, and
neither was he.

He quelled the ache in his chest. If she’d
stayed, they would have tried again for a family—a family of their
own. He thought of the little dark-haired cherub they might have
had. But some things weren’t meant to be. His throat constricted as
it did every time he reminisced over the happenings and
possibilities of their marriage. It hadn’t been a smooth ride.

He flicked her a glance. Maddy sat, hands
folded over the designer bag in her lap, staring ahead. The
snowflakes fluttered in the glare of the headlights, giving the
imagery of a white night with stars rushing at them. He loved the
snow. Always had and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

But he didn’t like the way she’d so easily
dismissed his accomplishments. Like an overeager schoolboy, he’d
gone about bragging about his lodges, and she’d only showed
indifference.

“You should come up to the lodge and go
skiing when you have time.”

He caught her surprised expression then she
shrugged.

“I doubt I’ll have time.”

He frowned. She wasn’t giving an inch.
“There’s nothing much to do around here, but ski.”

“All I plan on doing is spending time with my
parents, maybe catch up with a few people, then I leave to go back
to New York.”

With an inward growl, he pressed on the gas a
little too much. The car jerked and swerved before he allowed the
wheel to right itself.

Maddy gasped beside him.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

Silence filled the cab.

She cleared her throat. “How’s your dad?”

“Good. Still the same. Just busy and
complaining about my brother.” He threw her a smile.

She chuckled. The sound pierced him with
warmth. He’d always loved her laugh. It’d been the first thing that
had attracted him to her. “Brad still running rampage on the
town?”

“No. He’s taking his job seriously, which is
good, but you know my dad. He always has an opinion on everything
and that drives us all nuts.”

“Yes, he does.” She stilled before adding
softly, “Like how he thought I’d leave you for a richer guy.”

Cole drew in a deep breath and swallowed
hard. His father was opinionated, but always had their best
interests at heart. He’d been right. Maddy did leave him. No,
divorced him when she realized he wasn’t what she wanted. Just like
his mother had ran off with another man at Christmas when he was
younger. His chest constricted in pain, but he kept his focus on
the road ahead. “You hated it here. I know. Our baby probably
wouldn’t have kept you here either way.”

Maddy gasped. “How dare you bring that
up?”

The outrage across her face
was almost laughable. He spotted the hurt in her eyes.
Good.
It hadn’t taken her
long after their miscarriage to forget their baby and move on with
her life. While he lived in the past, working hard to make
something for their future, she’d veered off in her own direction
without consulting him until the last minute, when she’d announced
she wanted a divorce. It’d been so easy for her to walk away from
him. It wasn’t fair. Everything he’d done had been for her, and
still it hadn’t been enough. “It’s the truth, isn’t it? You never
really wanted our baby anyway.”