Snowy Encounters Read Online Free Page B

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.
    Cole shoved his hands into his pockets. “I do
need a decorator at least for Tall Oaks. I could do it on my own
and let my staff help me, but I’m trying to get ready for the grand
opening for Limestone. The Christmas Eve party is all set, but I
definitely need decorations for the place.”
    Maddy set her cup on the table next to the
couch. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be seen
together. You’re the town hero and everyone thinks I left you with
a broken heart. I don’t need the gossip, nor do my parents.”
    Anger rose to his throat.
“You did leave.
You said our marriage isn’t working for you then went off to the
big city, and I got divorce papers six months later.”
    Maddy drew in a deep breath and her breasts
lifted under the soft cashmere sweater, drawing his gaze to her
chest. His feet moved involuntarily closer towards her. “We fought
too much. It was always one thing or another and we barely saw each
other.”
    Cole stiffened. No matter how hard he’d tried
to please her, it hadn’t been enough. He’d pushed himself, worked
harder, hoping she would never leave him once he’d accomplished
building a life for them here. But she’d run anyway. He’d thought
the baby would keep her tied to him, but she’d only shown him how
unreliable her love for him was once she’d had the miscarriage. It
wasn’t as if he’d tried to stop her from making a career for
herself. She was talented and passionate. But she wanted