When he handed it to Ethan, it was like a punch in the gut. Kollette. “Don’t tell me she’s a bank robber or something like that, because I wouldn’t believe you.”
The deputy shook his head. “Nope. Her daddy is looking for her. He said he tried calling her but she hasn’t returned his calls.”
“And he thought she’d be at the Potters?”
The deputy laughed. “Not this woman. She’s the daughter of one of the biggest hotel chains in the States. What the hell would she be doing at the Potters?”
Getting away from it all. But then again, there could be more to it. For all he knew she was hiding, running from her father. She hadn’t mentioned anything that made it sound like there was trouble at home, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t.
Ethan wasn’t about to tell the deputy where to find Kollette, even though he should. Right now he wanted to get back to the cabin and do his own investigating. If Kollette was in trouble, she might need his help.
“What did you say her name was?” Ethan asked.
“Kollette Sommers. Guess she was supposed to be here for work.”
The name didn’t sound familiar to him, but then again, he normally didn’t stay at a hotel when he travelled. And if the Sommers hotels were in Miami, he definitely didn’t go. What he needed was in New York City, and the rest, here on the mountain. “What type of work?”
“Mr. Sommers didn’t say, but I have a feeling they are looking at property to buy for a new hotel. It’d be real good for the county, but I can’t picture where they’d put a place like that around here.”
“Got me.” The mare must’ve been picking up on Ethan’s emotions and started to get agitated. “I better start heading back up to the Potters.”
“Tell them I said hello and we’ll make sure their road gets cleared within the next few days.”
“Will do.” Ethan tugged on the reigns and started heading back towards the cabin. He wanted to give her a kick and get her moving faster, but the slippery slope required them to take their time.
Ethan switched gears into business mode. The Potters definitely owned prime property, hell, half the mountain was theirs. It wouldn’t be ideal for a luxury hotel, but a sweet location for a five star lodge. He could see why someone would be interested in this place. Like a knife twisting in his gut, he couldn’t help but think how fucked up it was if that’s why Kollette was really there. Was she being all nice and friendly to Roy and especially Mabel, only to rip this place out from under them?
It wouldn’t take much for that to happen, because the Potters didn’t have much money. Each time he came and stayed, he tried to give them some. Told them whatever they needed, just ask, he’d get it. They never asked, so he always had to guess and hope what he brought was filling the need. But if a hotel giant did want their property, the Potters would be no match for them. He knew all too well what money and power could do. He’d seen it too much first hand. Hell, it was hard to hold back using the Lawson name sometimes. I might just have to change that if the Sommers try messing with the Potters.
He was getting ahead of himself. Right now all he knew was what the deputy thought, but that wasn’t based on any facts. And even when he arrived at the cabin, it wasn’t like he could just walk up to her and start accusing her of anything. There could be a real simple explanation for all this.
Ethan had made better time going back up than he had thought he would. The cabin was in sight. But the mare needed to be taken care of before he could even think about going inside. As he approached the barn he noticed Kollette was outside cleaning off her Jeep. He hated to be the one to tell her, but even with a Jeep, she wasn’t making it out of there today, or tomorrow. Was she anxious to get off the mountain and report back to her father? God he hoped that wasn’t the case.
He noticed Mabel and Roy were standing on the porch watching over her. They had really taken to Kollette. Why wouldn’t they? She was sweet, funny and…in Mabel’s words, lovable. Ethan wasn’t sure if Kollette knew just how much the Potters liked her. Mabel never let anyone touch her things in the kitchen, yet each day, she had Kollette in there working beside her as she passed down her love of cooking. And Roy never said anything, but Ethan noticed he always made sure there was extra wood on the fire just so Kollette wasn’t cold. He hoped Kollette cared equally about them.
Tonight, instead of playing any games, it was time to put all the cards on the table. He would come clean with why he was there, and hopefully so would she.
Kollette didn’t think about the possibly of the battery dying until Roy mentioned it. In Miami, batteries didn’t lose their charge due to cold weather. As she had expected, Roy had offered to go and start the Jeep for her, but they had already done so much. And it wasn’t like she couldn’t clean the snow off a vehicle herself.
He was right. The Jeep didn’t start on the first try, but eventually the engine turned over. She figured while it ran, she might as well shovel the snow away from the Jeep too. Hopefully they wouldn’t get another storm before she left.
As she saw Ethan approaching on the horse, her first thought was how damn sexy he looked up there. He must’ve borrowed one of Roy’s cowboy hats, but it looked real good on him. She used to wonder what he’d look like all dressed up in a tux. Now she didn’t care. Keep that man in jeans because this rugged look was so much more appealing.
Kollette usually dated well-to-do businessmen. It was natural since in her line of business, that’s who she crossed paths with. She had to admit, it was nice meeting someone who didn’t have more money than God and wasn’t out flaunting it for all to see. Ethan was just an average guy who enjoyed simple things. Things that she found she enjoyed as well. All she needed was a bit of time away to realize that.
She wished she had packed warmer clothes, or at least stopped and purchased some. Because now she regretted not taking him up on the offer for the horseback ride to the hunters cabin. Although she was enjoying staying with Mabel and Roy, she wouldn’t mind a little alone time with Ethan. Not that she wanted things to go any further than they had last night, but even that wasn’t something she wanted the Potters to walk in on.
Kollette gave Ethan a wave, one that probably showed more excitement than needed. Oddly, his didn’t. He looked upset. The news regarding the road must not have been good. Although he probably was cold and tired too, since he been gone a good part of the day.
She watched as he entered the barn. Kollette didn’t know much about horses, or any animals for that matter, but she knew it wasn’t as easy as getting off and closing the door. A part of her wanted to go and offer assistance. The fact was she’d slow him down. He’d have to tell her what to do each step of the way. If he was tired, that was the last thing he’d want.
Kollette turned off her Jeep and headed back towards the porch. “Ethan’s back,” she announced. That was silly for her to say, since they had been standing there and obviously had seen the same thing she had.
“He doesn’t look happy. Guess the roads aren’t cleared yet,” Roy said.
“I guess.” If that’s what was troubling him, then maybe he wanted to leave and knowing he couldn’t, put that scowl on his face. Maybe he thinks last night was a mistake. That I wanted more than just that kiss and he…he didn’t.
Roy added, “He wanted to make sure you would be okay if you needed to leave.”