Snowy Encounters (9 page)

As much as she wanted them to be true, she
couldn’t let herself settle. She needed to know what he was going
to offer her this time around. His lodge, his business had to come
second to her. Now that she knew he’d wanted their baby as much as
she had, some of her faith had been restored. Maybe she’d
overreacted and gone the coward’s way to avoid their past problems.
But if her return meant a second chance for them to be together,
then she needed him to reaffirm his love and show her she was more
important than his life mission to rebuild the town.

“What kind of plans?”

Cole pressed a kiss to her forehead as his
arms loosely settled around her waist. “Some place warm and
private, where I’ll be able to strip this delectable dress off
you.”

Her breath hitched, heat soared down her
spine to her core. “Why are we here again?”

He chuckled. “Just a quick appearance.”

“Well, then you better make it a very quick
appearance.”

His lips brushed over hers. Maddy lifted on
her heels and deepened the kiss, drinking in his taste, his
masculinity. She couldn’t get enough nor could she stop. Her arms
circled his neck and she rubbed against him. Cole groaned. He
pulled her closer as her tongue slipped past his parted mouth and
tangled with his. With a retched sigh, he drew away and rested his
forehead against hers. “Maddy.”

She dragged in deep breaths of air, loving
that he was as perturbed as she was. She ached everywhere. “I want
you now.”

Cole growled. “I need to do this right.”

“Do what right?” Confused, she leaned
back.

He shook his head. “You’ll see. Let’s go.”
Grabbing her hand, he folded it in the crook of his arm and led her
toward Tall Oaks. The formal party was in the small ballroom on the
lower floor. Instead of the front entrance, Cole tugged her along
through the courtyard to the French doors. They passed the
magnificent Christmas tree, and the walkway lights lit a path in
the dark to the French doors.

With each step, Maddy’s heartbeat
accelerated. Déjà vu rushed at her. The scene reminded her of
another time when she’d walked next to him with the train of her
dress over one arm to a ballroom full of people, waiting for their
appearance.

Long white gown, sparkling tiara and a
ballroom full of guests ran through her mind.

Her own wedding.

Cole led her to the double doors that led to
the reception hall, and they spotted a crowd standing by the door.
Brad Jr, Cole’s brother and town sheriff appeared at their side as
they approached.

“Maddy!” Brad Jr. opened his arms. With
reluctance, she allowed Cole’s younger brother to hug her. It
wasn’t that she didn’t like Brad Jr., but she’d just never cared
for his arrogant and conceited demeanor towards the opposite sex.
“How are you?”

She forced a smile. “Good.”

“We missed you around here.” He elbowed Cole.
“Especially my brother here.”

Glancing at Cole, she followed his gaze to
the ballroom.

“What’s going on?” asked Cole.

Brad smirked. “Everyone is half drunk
already, so now it’s just one big hella party.”

Maddy moved next to Cole, who automatically
wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. “Too much
eggnog?”

“This event will probably make the tabloids
for sure. Paige over at the Gazette is probably hiding around here
with her camera to get a piece of the action since I had to break
up a fight earlier. Two of your guests got a little rowdy. Damn
shame to start the holidays like that.”

Cole gave her hip a squeeze. “How come no one
called me?”

Brad shrugged. “I was around to get something
to eat. It wasn’t a big problem.” He tucked his thumbs into his
belt; his chest rose, showing off his Sheriff’s uniform with pride.
“I would have prevented that fight at Stumps yesterday if Josephine
Button hadn’t tried to seduce the new guy in town in front of all
‘dem people.”

“Jo?” Maddy stood on alert. Memories of her
neighbor’s sweet granddaughter came to mind. The girl had been the
talk of the town for years since she’d crawled out of the car naked
with Brad.

“Jo Button. You remember me and her had a
thing together. She’d get with anyone if she had the chance.”

“Brad,” Cole warned.

“What?” Cole’s brother frowned. “It’s the
truth. She’s hot for any—”

“Are we still staying?” Maddy interrupted.
She didn’t want to hear any more from Brad. Even after three years,
he hadn’t changed any. Still young, stupid and overeager to brag.
Cole had always been different from his family. She dreaded seeing
Brad Sr.

“We’ll just stay for a little bit.” Cole
brushed his knuckles over her cheek. She gave him a soft smile.

“So you two back together or something?”

Maddy felt Cole stiffen, his hands dropped to
his sides and he moved away.

“Let’s go get something to eat,” Cole
suggested. He pressed a hand to her back and led her to the coat
area.

“You’re brother hasn’t changed much.” Maddy
allowed him to help her with her jacket.

Cole shrugged. “Brad is still young. He has
lots to learn. Just a little overeager in everything, but he’s a
good Sheriff, especially since dad stepped down.”

“How is your father?”

“The same. Off the bottle, that’s all that
matters.”

Maddy nodded. Brad Sr. had been an alcoholic
for years since Cole’s mother had left them for a richer man. She’d
never understood Cole’s family. While she was raised with
traditions and ethics, Cole’s brother and father didn’t have any.
The first Christmas Cole had spent with her family, he’d been
excited like a child. His joy for the holidays had only fueled her
desire to make their own traditions. Emotions clogged her throat as
she thought of their baby. Dragging in a deep breath, she pushed
the pain aside.

Cole turned to her, his eyes darkened as his
gaze trailed over her up and down. She smiled, glad that she’d
chosen this dress. Her black halter evening gown hugged her like
skin, and she could barely breathe, but Cole’s reaction was worth
it. He pulled her closer. “Maybe we shouldn’t stay here.”

She grinned and shook her head. “Nope. You
said you wanted to make an appearance.”

He sighed. “Crap. You’re right. I have to.
Otherwise, the town is going to give me talk for not coming. I need
their support with the new lodge opening.”

Jealousy surged through
her.
The lodge.
Somehow, his words didn’t comfort her at all. He led her to an
empty table and sat her down, while he went off to grab drinks.
Maddy glanced out toward the dance floor. Streams and lights hung
from around the pillars, a crystal chandelier lit the center of the
room, and the crowd seemed to be having a good time.

She caught a few curious stares from the
tables surrounding her, but she ignored them as she toyed with the
material of her dress. People were probably wondering why she was
there with Cole, since she’d been the one to leave him and end
their marriage. They saw her as the city girl that wanted more than
what the small town could offer. Part of that had been true, but
everything boiled down to her need for Cole’s attention. Had she
been wrong to leave and divorce him?

She shook her head.

“Maddy, is that you?”

She stiffened as she slowly stood and turned
around. Her ex-father-in-law squinted at her as if unable to
believe she was here. “Hi.”

Brad Sr. broke out into a grin. “You’re
back.” He closed the distance and hugged her.

Maddy forced a smile. He was Cole’s father,
but like everyone else, his opinion no doubt was no better than the
townsfolk. “How are you?”

“Great. When did you get back?” He released
her, and she took a step back.

“I’m just home for the holidays.”

“That’s good. Your parents miss you, I’m
sure.”

She nodded.

“You come with a date?”

She bit her lip, worry forming a lump in her
throat. “Well—”

“Hey, Dad.”

Brad Sr. jerked his gaze to Cole, who held
two glasses of wine. “Hey, son.”

Cole handed her a drink. Maddy took it
reluctantly as Brad Sr.’s smile transformed into a frown.

“You two come together?”

Maddy’s heart beat faster.

Cole wrapped an arm around her waist and
pulled her to him. “Yeah, why?”

Brad Sr.’s jaw clenched. “What are you
thinking? She divorced you, left you for the big city. Why are you
letting her break your heart again?”

“Dad,” Cole warned.

“No, you know I’m right. She’s just like your
mother. Now she’s probably back because you have more money and
you’re more successful. Don’t fall into that trap. She’s just using
you.”

Maddy gasped.

Cole drew her behind him. “It’s not like
that.”

Brad Sr. crossed his arms over his broad
chest, anger blazing from his deep blue eyes. “Then what is it?
Explain it to me. She comes back and then you’re all of a sudden
playing into her game?”

“No,” Cole said, fiercely. “Look, just let me
handle my life.”

His father’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“You mean, let you mess it up again and ruin your life when she
robs you blind and goes back to the city?”

Maddy waited for Cole to defend her, but he
didn’t say anything. Pushing Cole to the side, Maddy stepped up.
“I’m not back to ruin Cole’s life. I’m not here to do anything. I’m
just home for the holidays.”

Brad Sr.’s lips thinned as he drew in a deep
breath. “See that you don’t. I don’t mind you home. I loved you
like a daughter, but Cole’s my son. He don’t need you in the way of
his success and the good he done for the town.”

He huffed, whirled around and stalked
off.

Maddy stared after him. The urge to follow
and make him understand ate at her. Understand what, she didn’t
know. Glancing around the room, she noticed the accusing stares,
especially from the women. She shouldn’t be here. While Cole had
helped the town, she’d done nothing. They all believed her return
was to hurt the town’s good boy—the hero. Maddy didn’t even look at
Cole. She started for the door.

“Maddy!”

She ignored him, weaving through the
partygoers as she made her way to the coatroom and grabbed her
jacket.

“Maddy.” Cole latched onto her elbow. “Stop.
Where are you going?”

Swallowing hard, she met his gaze. “I can’t
stay here. I shouldn’t have come with you.”

He frowned, trying to pull her into his arms,
but she jerked away. “Fine. I’ll drive you home.”

She nodded. Cole helped her into her coat,
and led her out of the ballroom. They walked in silence, side by
side, not touching. An ached formed in her chest as the winter
chill rushed at her the moment she stepped outside. Cole shoved his
hands in his pockets, head down as if deep in thought.

Brad Sr.’s words replayed in Maddy’s mind.
Was she really that horrible of a person? Had she ruined Cole’s
life? Music from the party followed them. As they walked toward the
parking lot, a couple on the other side of the grand Christmas tree
caught her attention. They stood in each other’s arms, swaying to
the soft tunes drifting from the party. She stopped and stared,
unable to take her eyes off them.

They seemed to be in their own world,
oblivious to their surroundings, attuned only to one another. Her
heart ached as she recognized the familiar faces. Ash Delaney and
Jo Button. Happiness glowed on Jo’s face under the fairy lights
around them as she looked up at Ash. The love radiating from the
woman’s face caught Maddy’s breath. As neighbors, Maddy never
believed the horrid rumors of Jo. The town’s obnoxious opinions of
Jo had gotten out of hand many times, but Maddy knew different.

Their obvious affection for each other
reminded her of another couple. So long ago. She and Cole. Tears
filled her eyes. She was never going to have that again.

“Maddy.”

She turned. The concern in his face did her
in. Maddy sniffled, and Cole opened his arms. She launched herself
in them, clutching the front of his jacket. “I’m so sorry. I’m the
worse person ever.”

He drew back. “Don’t let what my dad said get
to you. He’s cynical since my mother left, you know that.”

She studied the grim set of his mouth. Her
finger rose, tracing the strong line of his jaw. “And you? I know
we never talked about your mother. Do I remind you of her?”

He stiffened. “I…”

“Don’t lie,” she warned.

Cole hugged her tight. “Let me show you
something.”

Chapter Seventeen

The car door swung open. Cole’s masculine
cologne filled her nose. She couldn’t see him, but the brisk wind
blew over her face as familiar hands settled over her waist.

“Did you peek?”

“No.” Maddy frowned. “Can I take off the
blindfold now?”

“Not yet.”

“Why can’t I see?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Her feet touched icy ground, and she steadied
herself, gripping onto his shoulders. “Are you planning to kill
me?”

Cole chuckled. His lips brushed her ear and a
shiver trembled down her spine. He’d left her alone for a while in
the truck, while he’d gone off. She didn’t know what he was doing,
but she trusted him not to push her off a cliff.

“Will I make the headlines tomorrow?” She
reached out a hand to emphasize. “Maddy Glover found at the bottom
of Death’s Peak in evening attire.”

“Don’t be a smart ass.”

She scoffed. “Easy for you to say. You’re not
the one blindfolded and trying to walk across snow and ice, trying
not to fall flat on your face.”

“I can fix that.” Cole lifted her up into his
arms and she gasped, caught by surprise. He started to walk as she
tightened her hold around him. She loved being carried. “I haven’t
brought anyone here yet. I wanted you to be the first to see
it.”