Hunter's Fortune (River Jewel Resort Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

I’m trying to get to my family’s cabin and I really don’t need attitude and condescension from some hilltop hillbilly. So, if you have an idea on how to help me, great. If not, kindly take yourself back to wherever you came from.”
    “You have quite a way with words. I have no idea why you’d be all alone.”
    Picking up on his sarcasm, Hunter continued, “Whether I’m all alone or not is of no consequence to you.”
    “I beg to differ. Ya’ see, if you weren’t all alone, I wouldn’t have to be here listening to you whine and cuss out squirrels. If you weren’t alone, you wouldn’t be stuck out here in the middle of nowhere on my land. And I wouldn’t have to be stuck with a woman who clearly has issues. I’ll go get the necessary equipment and be right back so you can be on your way.”
    Taken aback at his brusqueness, Hunter stood there with her mouth wide open as the man disappeared into the woods, leaving her standing on the side of the road.
    “Humph.”
    Chapter Three
    An hour later, the man returned and made quick work of fixing her tire. Hunter thanked him and offered a hefty sum for his help. The man declined.
    “Please, just go.”
    “Alright then. But clearly, you could use the money, could you not?”
    “Fine.” He accepted the few hundred dollars and Hunter was finally on her way.
    She made her way across the ridge, driving slowly and alert for any wildlife that might happen to wander into her path.
    “I’m so exhausted. I wish I could just find a hotel for the night. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day to drive to the cabin.” She turned the radio on and found herself immersed in the beat of the latest pop-country song that the entire country was going nuts over. The celebrity gossip rags had the singer’s face splashed on every cover. Hunter could never remember her name, though. To her, all of the newest artists sounded the same and looked the same.
    Just as she drove over a hill, she saw a large building, alight in colors of pink and blue. Not offensive or neon shades, but welcoming, and images of a big, soft bed filled her mind. Hunter took the next left-hand-turn and followed the road until she found herself in front of the most incredible structure she’d ever laid eyes on.
    “How can this be? River Jewel Resort? I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve never seen this before.”
    The parking lot was empty, but every window seemed to have a light on. She parked her car close to the building and opened her door to step out into the night.
    “Brr. Where’d this wind come from?”
    The forecast had called for unseasonably warm temperatures, but she had to admit to herself that the weatherman was often wrong.
    “Wow!” Hunter was taken aback by the sheer beauty of the establishment before her. A sense of peace unlike any other came over her as she stepped closer to the place where she hoped they’d have a room for her.
    “Good evening, Miss.” A man appeared out of nowhere and startled her.
    For the second time that day, she threw her hands up and screamed. Hunter’s purse and keys landed a few feet away on the pink, pea-gravel lot.
    “Oh! I’m so sorry. Here, allow me to help.”
    The man hurriedly gathered her belongings and handed them to Hunter. She yanked them from his hands and scowled at him.
    “I’m so sorry, Miss. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s my duty to welcome each guest and I…”
    “I really don’t care what your duty is. And I think you should be more careful. Jumping out of the bushes is not exactly helpful.”
    “But, I didn’t…”
    “Whatever. I don’t have the energy to go back and forth with you. I need a room and I’m not getting one by standing here talking to some bell-hop.”
    “Yes, Miss, I completely understand. Would you like me to park your car for you?”
    “Clearly,” Hunter squinted to read his name tag, “I’ve already parked my car, Javier. Maybe you should’ve appeared a bit sooner and we could’ve avoided this