Snowy Encounters (3 page)

“That’s not true! I could say the same about
you.”

Cole shrugged. His heart tightened. Their
baby had meant everything to him. But it didn’t matter. She chose
her life. Without him.

Neither said another word to each other for
the rest of the ride, but he thought he heard sniffling as he
steered the truck down their street. After they had married, he’d
bought the house close to her parents so she wouldn’t feel far from
them. And somehow couldn’t bring himself to sell it, although he
could just live at the lodge.

He put the truck in park the moment they
reached the Glover’s residence. His snow blower sat to the side of
the white-blanketed lawn where he’d left it in his haste to rush to
Maddy’s rescue. Getting out of the car, he went around to the
passenger’s side. He pulled the door open with a little too much
force and stopped. His ex-wife gazed down at him, tears brimming in
her beautiful green eyes.

A knot formed in the back of his throat.
Maddy wiped at her cheeks and stuck her chin up higher. With a
sigh, he drew her down from the cab into his arms. And held her to
him. He tried to ignore the ache in his chest as she buried her
nose against the collar of his jacket.

“I did want our baby,” she said, softly.

He swallowed hard and rubbed her back. “I
know.”

Warmth surged through him. A sense of
homecoming struck him, and his chest constricted. She pulled back,
looking up at him. His breath caught at the sight of the soft
quiver of her lips. With a groan, his mouth covered hers.

Maddy whimpered. Her hands slid up the front
of his coat and around his neck. Like a starved man, he drank his
fill, tasting her sweetness, reveling in her quick response. He
palmed her bottom, drawing her tight against him. His cock
hardened, and he cursed the layers between them. He wanted to feel
her aching softness, touch her smooth bare skin, and most of all
show her she belonged only to him.

He pressed her against the frame of the
truck, deepening the kiss. Her tongue dueled with his, her fervor
lighting a fire through him.

“Cole,” she cried. Her fingers dug into his
hair, tugging. “Stop.”

He nipped her lip then trailed over her jaw,
sucking on the delicate skin. Her pulse jumped under his touch. He
nibbled on the sensitive spot behind her ear. He knew every curve,
every erogenous spot on her body.

She gripped his shoulders, pushing, but the
attempt was half-hearted. He reached under her skirt. Her bottom
filled his palms, and he rubbed against her, stifling a groan.
Memories of their past rushed at him. Their lovemaking had always
been hot. At times, they’d never made it to the bedroom and had
happily tested out every flat surface in their house.

And she still wanted him now.

“Let me go.”

He paused. Latching onto control and
restraint, he dropped his hands with reluctance.

Maddy’s boot pivoted and she fell, landing in
the snow. She glared up at him. He blinked then mirth struck him
full force. She looked too adorable sitting on the ice, eyes
darting fire. He almost doubled over when she cursed out loud.

“It’s not funny.” She huffed as she tried to
stand.

Taking pity on her, Cole stifled his laughter
and helped her up. Then, turning her around, brushed the snow off
her ass. He tugged her skirt back into place, but couldn’t help
lingering over the bottom curve of her butt and gave her a light
pat.

“Stop that.” She moved away and frowned.

Cole grinned. He knew that look. She had it
every time she was irritated over some thing, but couldn’t decide.
“Stop what?” he asked, innocently.

Her eyes narrowed. “You know what I’m talking
about. Every time you touch me, something happens.”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the
door. “Like what?”

Her fingers balled into fists at her sides.
“Cole Harmon, don’t you dare mess with me. You know what I’m
talking about.”

Cole chuckled and reached into the back seat
for the suitcase. “We better get you inside and dry that cute butt
of yours before it freezes in the cold. Wouldn’t want you to get
frostbite before you go back to the city.”

Maddy growled. She rushed past him to the
driveway. He watched as she slowed her steps and carefully trudged
to the door in her dangerous heels.

He grinned.

She hasn’t changed all that
much
.

Chapter Four

Maddy cradled the hot mug in her hands,
looking out the window. As much as the tea warmed her body, it
didn’t help the raging emotions bubbling in her since Cole had
shown up. She watched him push the snow blower across the driveway,
the fluffy stuff flying in a thick stream to where the lawn was
supposed to be. The landscape was all white. Typical of Five
Oaks.

“He’s a good boy.”

Maddy ignored her mother’s well-intentioned
words. Everyone loved Cole. She’d always been considered the evil
one, especially after divorcing him. She sighed and continued to
watch him through the glass.

When she’d arrived, she’d greeted her parents
then gone upstairs to change into jeans and a sweater. She’d
returned downstairs not long after, relieved to get out of her wet
clothes. Slightly sore from her recent falls, her butt still burned
as if Cole’s hand was imprinted on her skin. Stick Cole Harmon into
the picture, and she’d always be a klutz. The man did things to her
no one else could. She’d never understood and had stopped trying
long ago. But the kiss outside somehow chiseled at the walls around
her heart. She didn’t like the feeling.

“I know, mom.”

“He was really worried when I told him that
you were stuck under an avalanche. You gave us all a scare.”

Maddy scoffed and glanced at her mother.
Concern marred the soft lines around her mouth. She laid a hand on
Mary’s arm in comfort. “I’m fine. Cole got me home.”

Mary sighed. “He works too hard. Never stops
even for a moment to relax.”

Resentment rumbled in her
chest.
What else is new?
“He sounds like he’s doing very well.”

“He is. Everyone is so happy for him. He did
the town proud with the business he brings in.”

The pride in her mother’s voice irritated
her. “That’s good then. It’s what he always wanted. To help rebuild
the town. He told me often enough.”

“Honey, you can’t hate him for that. He only
did what he had to. Cole worked hard for your future together. Nor
did he expect you to lose the baby.”

Maddy stiffened. Cole hadn’t wanted the baby
as much as he'd said, otherwise he wouldn’t have thrown himself
into work the way he did. “Mom, I don’t want to talk about
that.”

Mary winced. “Sorry. It’s difficult for all
of us.”

Maddy redirected her gaze to the window. Her
heart ached when she’d spotted the tears welling in her mother’s
eyes. It was bad enough that she was here, single, divorced and
pining for someone who didn’t love her. Their child would have been
two by now. The nightmare of her miscarriage gripped her heart as
it did every time she thought about the baby. She’d been happy,
shopping in town with her mother for baby accessories, when pains
wracked her body, and she’d been rushed off to the hospital. Three
months into the pregnancy, the doctor informed her it wasn’t meant
to be and there would be many more babies. How was that fair?

She heaved in a deep breath, swallowing the
lump in the back of her throat. Taking a sip of her tea, she leaned
against the window frame. “I really wish you guys came to New York
for Christmas instead. There’s not as much snow there.”

Mary frowned. “I told you. We have to show
support for the new lodge since it's opening New Year's Eve. You
can’t avoid Cole forever.”

“I’m not,” Maddy quickly replied.

Her mother chuckled and patted her arm. “It’s
okay, dear. Cole’s not the type to hold grudges. He’s over the
divorce I’m sure.”

Her mouth dropped open before snapping shut
again. Clearing her throat, Maddy took another sip from her mug.
“That’s good then.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Cole finds
someone and marries again, though.”

Maddy froze. She hated the thought. Her
fingers tightened around her cup. “If his new wife would put up
with his busy schedule, then sure.”

“Oh, you don’t know. The women around here
have been pining after him like crazy. When the divorce came
through, Cole became the center of attention. He’s hard-working,
successful, and available. Not very many men are in this small
town. I’m just surprised he hasn’t singled out a woman yet.”

Warily, Maddy eyed her mother. “Why are you
telling me this?”

Mary gave her a mischievous grin. “Just
making sure my daughter isn’t as ice cold as she looked.”

“Ha, mom.” She didn’t bother to hide the
sarcasm. “It doesn’t matter what Cole does with himself.”

“We all love him no matter what happened
between the two of you.”

Maddy grunted.
Traitors.
They were
supposed to only love her. But then her heart softened. Cole’s
mother had never been around, and when they’d married, Maddy had no
problems sharing her parents with him. Brad Sr. and Brad Jr. didn’t
provide the best family environment like hers. She’d been around
the guys long enough to know they missed having a woman
around.

She watched as Cole dusted off the snow
blower and carefully hefted the machine into the back of the truck.
“Why didn’t dad hire someone else to clean the driveway?”

“Cole always does it. He likes doing it, but
then I think he does it so us old folks wouldn’t hurt ourselves out
there.”

Maddy nodded.

“I wish you would stay for his grand opening
and show support for the town. The new lodge is beautiful. Good
fifty rooms.” Mary toyed with the window curtains.

“I said I'll try, but I do need to get back
to work. My partner just signed an account with some dating
service. We’re planning their events and parties. Some promotional
matchmaking deal.”

“Oh!”

Maddy jumped at her mother’s sudden
outburst.

“You should help Cole decorate his lodge for
the holidays and maybe plan his grand opening party! The person he
hired backed out on the deal and now that he has a lodge full of
tourists, he needs help getting ready for Christmas and New Years.
A little late, but—”

“Mom….” Maddy trailed off. Annoyance and fear
boiled in her stomach. No way would she spend her holiday near her
ex-husband.

“Oh, posh. You love planning parties and
setting the scene for them. You should do this for him. He’s really
in a bind.”

Maddy saw where this was going. Her mother
was insistent when she made up her mind.

“Honey, he needs help. And who better to do
it than you? You’re the only one in this town who has a lick of
fashion sense. Everyone still raves about the décor of Cole’s
house. If you can't help him with the grand opening, then just help
decorate Tall Oaks for the holidays. Maybe plan the Christmas Eve
party, too.” Her mother smiled and nodded as if Maddy would readily
agree.

A pang struck her chest. The house they’d
bought and renovated together seemed a dream. It had represented
their future, their family, but had easily turned into a lonely
rehab where she’d been left to dwell in her misery. “I don’t
think…”

The front door swung open abruptly. Maddy’s
gaze jerked to the door. Cole filled the doorway, shaking the
snowflakes from his hair. Her mother swung around to face him.

“Cole, I have a great idea!” Mary’s hands
clapped together with excitement.

Cole flicked a glance at Maddy, then back to
Mary. “What’s that?”

“Maddy can help decorate the lodge and maybe
help with the party planning. It’d be perfect.”

Maddy shook her head as dread washed over
her. Cole’s hard stare didn’t help, and she hated the familiar slow
grin spreading across his face.

Cole nodded at Mary. “I think that’s
brilliant.”

Chapter Five

Cole couldn’t keep the grin off his face. He
stifled his laughter at Maddy’s infuriated expression. It’d been so
long since he’d smiled or actually enjoyed anything. And she’d been
home for only an hour. He loved riling Maddy. She fell easily to
teasing most of the time.

“Well, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m
here to relax and spend time with my family.” Maddy’s hand
tightened around the coffee mug, knuckles turning white from her
grip.

Mary waved an arm in the air. “You're staying
till New Year's. We'll have plenty of time. Cole needs help, and
I’ll be busy getting ready for Christmas. Kate and all the kids are
coming, along with your father’s parents.”

“Mom, you need me here,”
Maddy said through gritted teeth. “Besides, Cole can just snap his
fingers and someone would come do his bidding. Maybe one of
those
women
you
mentioned.”

He chuckled and crossed his arms over his
chest.

“Oh, stop, Maddy. Cole needs help. Don’t be
petty. We taught you better than that,” Mary scolded, then looked
to Cole. “When do you want her over?”

Maddy glared. His breathing stopped. A flash
of vulnerability swept over her delicate features before it
disappeared as quickly as lightning. She licked her lush lips, and
his insides tightened, recalling the hot kiss they’d shared
outside. Aware of the rising strain of his groin, he shifted on his
feet, clearing his throat. “I'll pay you to decorate the lodge and
plan the grand opening party. You don’t have to, if you don’t want
to.”

Her delectable mouth opened in shock.

“Of course she will,” Mary answered. “Now, I
better go see how Hank is doing in the kitchen. You kids figure it
out.” She walked off.