Snowy Encounters Read Online Free Page A

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