While Snowbound (Sensual Romance Series)

by McIntyre, Anna J.

  She let out a high pitched scream and practically tossed Brady from her body, before rolling off the bed and out of the men’s view. Instead of fleeing, the photographer snapped a few more photographs before making his retreat and racing to the car with his companion. He would have the photographs uploaded to the Internet within the hour.

  Brady grabbed his pants and pulled them on while rushing from the bedroom. By the time he got to the living room and looked out the window, the two men were driving away. Unfortunately, theirs was not the only car on the street. One of the men in the car leaned out the window and pointed to the cabin, causing several of the other vehicles to turn around and drive toward Ella’s cabin.

  Brady immediately shut the blinds and rushed around the cabin locking the doors and closing the window blinds.

  “What the hell is going on?” Ella shouted, now standing in the hallway wearing her robe. She combed her fingers through her hair.

  “I’m sorry, babe, but I’m afraid our little secret is out,” Brady told her as he rushed from window to window.

  “Who were those men? Did they take our pictures?”

  “I’m afraid so. You better go get dressed, because we can’t stay locked up in the cabin.” He peered out a window. “Fuck, there’s already a half dozen cars parked along the street. People are getting out of them and coming in this direction.”

  Ella raced up the stairs to her bedroom. She began to cry.

  Brady felt sick. He walked back into the downstairs bedroom, forgetting he hadn’t closed the blinds when rushing out to the living room. Several people were standing outside the cabin looking in, shamelessly snapping pictures of the room and its unmade bed. Brady could only imagine the headlines – Brady Gates’s Secret Love Nest.

  Angrily, Brady walked to the window and jerked the blinds closed, ignoring the paparazzi outside and the fact they were eagerly snapping his picture. Grabbing some fresh clothes from his suitcase, he walked to the bathroom and dressed.

  Brady found Ella upstairs sitting on the side of her bed, tears streaming down her face. The bedroom lights were off and the blinds closed. He walked to Ella and sat by her side, on the edge of the mattress, wrapping one arm around her.

  “I’m truly sorry this happened, Ella. But you need to pull yourself together and wash your face. You don’t want them to see you cry.”

  Irritated with his words, Ella jerked away from his touch. “They aren’t going to see me again, so if I feel like crying, I will.”

  “I’m afraid that isn’t the way it works.”

  “They had no right taking my picture! They trespassed on my property. I’m going to sue their asses!” Anger replaced her tears.

  “You can try, Ella, but sometimes it’s best just to handle these situations and move on.” Brady stood up and paced the room.

  “Exactly what do they intend to do with those photographs?” Ella asked.

  “They might show up in one of those rags, or on the Internet,” Brady answered in a dull voice.

  “But I was naked!” Ella screeched.

  “Ella, it’s time to plug the phone in. I have a feeling you need to call Amanda. Considering the people surrounding the cabin, I think someone’s found the Jeep.”

  “The Jeep?”

  “I should have considered that. I imagine they noticed the Jeep when plowing the road. Someone probably connected it to me, which explains all those people swarming around the cabin right now.”

  Reluctant to let in more of the outside world, Ella refused to plug the phone in. Giving her time to adjust to the new set of circumstances, Brady sat back down on the edge of the mattress and wrapped an arm around Ella, pulling her protectively to his side. She leaned into him and closed her eyes. They sat in silence for about twenty minutes. Finally, Ella took a deep breath and decided to do what Brady suggested.

  Wiping the tears from her face with the back of her hand, Ella removed the phone from the drawer and plugged it in. The moment she did, it began to ring.

  “Hello?” Ella said, answering the phone.

  “Ella, oh my god, is Brady Gates there?” came the frantic voice.

  “Amanda? What in the hell is going on?” Ella sat on the side of the bed and glanced up at Brady, who watched her.

  “Is Brady Gates with you?” Amanda asked.

  “Yes, what’s wrong?”

  “Everyone is looking for him! Ella, some photographers just returned to town—they’re saying things about you and Brady. They say they have pictures.”

  Ella groaned and closed her eyes for a moment. She stood up and walked to the window, still holding the phone. Peeking out the window she was surprised to see the number of cars and people surrounding the cabin.

  “Amanda, we need to get Brady off this mountain. There are people everywhere outside. Get the sheriff up here and have them get these jerks off my property.”

  “My cousin is here. He flew in. We’ll come for Brady, and take him to the airstrip. He can fly out within the hour with Kevin and the pilot. I’ll talk to Chad and get some help from the other firemen to keep the crowd away from the airstrip. Have him ready to go. We’ll be there soon.”

  Ella hung up the phone and looked up at Brady.

  “They’re coming to get you. Your bodyguard arranged an airplane; it’s already here. You’re going home, Brady. I guess you better get your things together. Amanda said they’ll be here soon.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “At least they’re staying off your property,” Amanda commented. She stood at the living room window of Ella’s cabin looking outside. It was a sunny November day, and most of the snow had already melted. Ella was in the kitchen area preparing a pot of green tea to share with her friend. The two women were alone in the cabin.

  “True, but taking Sam outside has become a major pain in the ass. At least they leave at night. Where are they staying anyway?”

  “At the RV park in the village.”

  “I wondered if they were renting some of your cabins.”

  “No. A few called, but I told them the cabins were closed up for the winter.”

  “You think some of your owners will be upset with you, passing up this opportunity? I imagine some are willing to pay well, especially for the cabins close to here.”

  “It wasn’t a difficult call, Ella. Considering the lack of respect they showed to you, I can’t imagine they would treat a rental cabin with respect.”

  “Well, I would have thought they’d be bored with me by now, and move on.”

  “It’s only been a couple days.” Amanda turned from the window and walked to the recliner and sat down. Her baby bump was more prominent than the last time Ella and she met at the rental office.

  “Here, it’s hot, so be careful.” Ella set a cup of tea on the oak end-table next to the recliner.

  “Thanks. And you know, Ella,” Amanda picked up the cup and gently blew on the hot liquid. “We are talking Brady Gates—the Brady Gates. You do realize you’re the hot topic of conversation on all the morning talk shows. Not to mention what they’re saying late night.”

  “I know, my sister called me. Wanted to know what the hell was going on. And those pictures….” Ella grimaced. Picking her cup of tea off the breakfast bar she walked to the couch and sat down.

  “I still can’t believe those guys can get away with that. But Ella, I have to say, you looked good.”

  “Crap, Amanda, you saw them?”

  “I figured as your friend, I should look and let you know what to expect when you leave this place and get back to the real world. Without television or the Internet, you have no idea what they’re saying about you.”

  “I prefer it that way.”

  “You can’t be an ostrich forever. Anyway, I wouldn’t really call the pictures pornographic—just suggestive. You can tell what you two are doing, but honestly, you reveal more in a bikini. Lucky for you, Brady was covering the important parts. He has a very nice butt, by the way.”

  Ella responded with a
snort and took another sip of tea.

  “So, what did you tell your sister?”

  “Pretty much the same things I told you.”

  “She didn’t get the juicy parts, either?”

  “The juicy parts are none of your business. I just wish I could convince those jerks out there it’s none of their business, either.”

  “Have you heard from Brady?”

  “No. And I don’t expect to. We both knew this wasn’t about a relationship. Hopefully, the press and paparazzi will find another story to chase and leave me alone.”

  “According to the weather report, another storm is moving in. They think it’ll be bigger than the last one. That might solve your problem. No way those folks can camp out there in a blizzard.”

  “Crap, when is it to hit?”

  “I heard the day after Thanksgiving.”

  “I need to make plans to get out of here before then. But I’m not sure where to go.”

  “Not up to another blizzard?”

  “It isn’t the blizzard per se. But do you think talk of a storm will scare those people away? Someone is bound to stick it out, and you know what that means?”

  “What?”

  “Some idiots won’t leave and I’ll be forced to let them take refuge in my cabin, or risk them freezing to death. While I might prefer to let them freeze, I wouldn’t do that. But I certainly don’t want to be snowbound with them!”

  “You have a point. Plus, I wouldn’t be surprised if some would welcome a storm, knowing you would have to let them into your cabin. So, where will you go, home or your sister’s in California?”

  “Both places are out of the question at this time. I called one of my neighbors, and she tells me reporters have been bothering everyone in the condo complex, trying to dig up dirt on me. From what I understand, they’ve even tracked down the hair salon I use and several of the businesses I frequent.”

  “They’ve been doing that in the village, but I didn’t think they’d descend on your condo, especially since you’re here. What’s wrong with your sister’s place?”

  “Reporters have been knocking on her door and showing up at her work.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “I figure, if I can just hide out for a while, in a few weeks, I’ll be yesterday’s news and I can get back to my normal life.” At that moment the phone in the kitchen began to ring. Ella set her cup on the coffee table and walked to the kitchen. She looked at the phone, yet didn’t pick up the receiver. Letting it ring she returned to the couch and sat down.”

  “Aren’t you going to answer it?” Amanda asked.

  “Nope. Thank God for caller ID. I started getting calls from reporters and pranksters right away, so I’ve been screening my calls. If I don’t recognize the number, I don’t pick up.”

  They were quiet for a few minutes, each lost in thought.

  “Hey, I know where you can go!” Amanda excitedly suggested. “My brother’s house at Morro Bay.”

  “California?”

  “Yeah, not far from San Luis Obispo. His house is about a block from the beach. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. It’s a small three bedroom.”

  “Are they still in Europe?”

  “Yeah. The last time I spoke to him he said he’s supposed to be transferred back late spring.”

  “He hasn’t rented the house out? I can’t imagine leaving it empty.”

  “No, he refuses to rent it. I have a cousin, in fact it’s Kevin’s sister, who takes care of it. She lives over in Cayucos, not too far from his house. She regularly goes over there, moves his vehicle from the garage to the driveway, opens and shuts blinds. Basically, he wants to keep up the appearance that someone lives there. He never got cozy with the neighbors, and most aren’t full timers anyway, so I doubt they know the difference.”

  “If you don’t think he would mind, that would be great.” Ella said excitedly.

  “Sure, I’ll call him when I get home. So, how do you plan to get out of here?”

  “I know this sounds paranoid, but I thought of it when we were talking about the phone a few minutes ago. I understand law enforcement has the ability to track cell phones. If you can believe those cop shows. I’ve got an iPhone and I have no idea if some obsessive paparazzi could find a way to track me. I’d like to get one of those throw away phones and leave my iPhone somewhere for a while.”

  “Considering what you’ve been through in the last few days, I understand.”

  “Of course, there’s no way for me to get another phone without being seen and I imagine my big ol’ Suburban will be easy to track anyway.”

  The two women sat in silence for a few more minutes, considering the options.

  “I’ve an idea. Chad’s driving into Canyon City in the morning, and he’s planning to stop at Walmart. I’ll have him pick up a phone. As for the car, take my Mustang and store the Suburban in our garage. You should be able to avoid the reporters if you leave at night and use the back road to come to our house.”

  “I can’t take your car.”

  “Why? It just sits in the garage this time of the year anyway. In the winter I normally use our other car, because it has four-wheel drive. The Mustang’s in great shape; Chad just had it serviced. It’ll do it good to take a road trip.”

  “Wow, Amanda. That’s very generous of you.”

  “My renter did cause this mess. And who knows, maybe someday you’ll share the juicy details.”

  They both laughed.

  “Of course, you’ll need to get out of here before that storm hits. At least off the mountain.”

  “That means I should leave no later than tomorrow night. The next day is Thanksgiving.”

  “Make sure to leave some lights on, no reason to let them know you’re gone. Chad can come up here and close things up for you.”

  “I’ll leave the Christmas tree lights on.”

  Amanda and Ella chatted for another hour before the two old friends said goodbye and Amanda headed back down to the village. Plotting her escape, Ella started doing her laundry, and cleaning up the cabin.

  The next morning, Amanda called and assured Ella everything was a go. Amanda’s brother said Ella was welcome to stay in the beach house for as long as needed, providing she was gone when he returned to the states. Chad agreed to pick up a disposable phone, and had already filled up the Mustang’s gas tank and checked the oil. The car was ready for a road trip.

  Ella kept the blinds on the garage window closed, so a nosy reporter or pushy paparazzi couldn’t peek in the window and see she was packing the Suburban. There was still some food left, which she packed in her ice chest. What wouldn’t fit in the Mustang, she would leave at Amanda’s.

  “Will you be spending Thanksgiving alone?” A reporter called out when Ella took Sam outside late that afternoon.

  Ella ignored the question, as she had all the others, and went back into the cabin when Sam was finished.

  “I have to give your Ella credit; she’s keeping her cool, according to everything I’ve read,” Kevin commented as he surfed the Internet on his iPad, looking for articles on Brady’s recent mishap. He sat with his boss on the balcony of Brady’s hotel suite.

  “She’s not my Ella,” Brady snapped, taking a quick swig of beer.

  “The way you’ve been stressing over her since you got home, she’s obviously something to you.”

  “This is not home,” Brady muttered. Living in a luxury hotel no longer appealed to him.

  “Whoa, I wonder how she’s going to handle this,” Kevin asked, staring at the iPad. He let out a low whistle.

  “Handle what?” Brady sat up a little straighter, worried about Ella and the damage he caused.

  “According to this article, one of her books is number one over on Amazon, and most of her other books are on the top ten list. Looks like they are also doing well at the other sites. Hmmm, according to this article, all of her books have soared in the charts. Apparently, she’s gone from selling just under a hundred books a
day to over ten thousand. No reason to worry about Ella. You’ve propelled her to rock star status in her own field.”

  Brady reached over and snatched the iPad from Kevin.

  “One thing I know about Ella, if her books are selling because she slept with me, that is not going to make her happy.” Silently, Brady surfed through the Internet, looking for reviews on Ella’s books.

  When he found what he was looking for, he quietly read while Kevin watched. After a few minutes a smile formed on Brady’s lips, and he began to chuckle.

  “What is it?” Kevin asked.

  “According to these reviews, curiosity over our relationship may have gotten people to buy her books, but the readers, the reviewers, they love them. In fact, I know one of these reviewers. He absolutely hates my guts, but he loves my Ella.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  It was late afternoon when she finally reached Morro Bay. Kevin’s sister was there to greet her and show her around the house. After unpacking the Mustang, Ella went to bed, since she had been driving for hours. In spite of her exhaustion, she was unable to fall asleep. Resigned to the fact it was impossible for her to sleep during daylight, she got up and made herself a cup of hot green tea, and headed outside with her laptop, Sam trailing behind her.

  Ella sat on a patio chair, her closed laptop propped on her thighs. Breathing deeply, she closed her eyes and drank in the salty fragrance of the ocean. She hadn’t been to the coast for several years, and forgot how much she enjoyed it. It wasn’t as cold as she expected. Wearing jeans and a pullover sweater kept her warm. Sam sniffed around the courtyard, exploring new scents.

  Calm washed over her. There were no paparazzi and intrusive reporters hovering about. She wondered if they were still camped outside her cabin. She’d called her sister to let her know she’d arrived safely, but her phone reception was not terrific, so it was a short call. Ella thought it strange to be in California and not see her sister or parents. Perhaps, when things settled down, she could head south and visit with her family.

  Closing her eyes again, she took another deep breath and thought of Brady. She hadn’t told anyone—not Amanda or her sister—how much she missed him. Or the fact that she’d fallen in love.