As Caytie guided him away from chaotic scene, she led him back through the dining room and outside by the pool. It was peaceful and quiet, and for some reason Caytie started to shake. Then the tears came. She didn’t want to cry.
“Hey now,” Jace said, wrapping his arms around her. “It’s gonna be okay.”
It felt so good to be held, and she basked in the comfort his warm hand sliding up and down her back gave her. She’d missed him so much. At least one good thing had come from their separation. Caytie knew she was in love with Jace. During her sequester, she’d come up with a plan that would allow her to stay in Snow Valley if Jace wanted her. She just needed the courage to tell him.
When her tears finally dried, she sniffed, and edged back to look up at him. “Sorry, I’m not even sure why I’m crying.”
“I can think of few good reasons,” he teased.
She noticed the front of his T-shirt was stained with traces of her makeup. “Sorry about your shirt. I’ll buy you a new one.”
He grinned. “I’m pretty sure it’ll come clean.”
She couldn’t help smiling as she remembered her incident with the manure back at the ranch. “I, um, could wash it for you. I know how to do laundry now.”
“Oh yeah?” His hands pressed against her lower back and he pulled her closer. “I could probably let you do that.”
“I do have one condition though.”
“What would that be?” He gave her a heated look and glanced at her lips.
She really wanted to have the stipulation involve kissing, but hopefully that would come naturally.
“It’s that I use the washing machine back at the ranch.”
“I can agree to that.” His brown eyes studied her intensely. “But I want you to know that if you want to use the washing machine here in California, or even Italy then I’d be okay with that too.”
His words made her heart thump wildly with hope. “Are we still talking about laundry?”
A slow smile spread across his face. “I don’t think so.” He lowered his head so their mouths were inches apart. “I love you, Caytie. I want to be with you, and if that means selling out my part of the ranch then I’ll do it.”
Her breath quickened, mingling with his. “I love you, too.” She ached to press her mouth to his and end her torture, but she held back to say one last thing. “But I don’t want to do your laundry anywhere else but in Snow Valley, Montana.”
He chuckled and she felt his warm breath against her lips just before he covered her mouth with his. The kiss was incredible. Caytie’s skin came alive everywhere his hands touched. She slid her palms up his chest, and knocked his cowboy hat off, tunneling her fingers through his soft hair.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed when someone coughed, and reluctantly she and Jace drew apart. They held hands, and turned to find an FBI agent watching them with an amused grin on his face.
“Sorry to interrupt, kids, but Agent Jensen needs to ask Miss Holbrook a few questions.”
The next couple of hours were enlightening, to say the least. It appeared that in addition to their criminal activity, her father and Edward were broke. They desperately needed Caytie’s trust fund, enough so that Edward had considered putting out a contract on her life. At least her father didn’t seem to be aware of that devious plan. She was so thankful Grandma Rose put in the stipulation that the trust fund would go to a variety of charities if anything happened to Caytie.
During the whole process, she and Jace shared as many kisses as they could sneak in. She also learned that once Victoria came clean with Jace, he and Uncle George contacted one of her uncle’s buddies from high school. He happened to be a retired police officer turned private investigator. What he uncovered warranted contacting the FBI, and eventually all the information came together so they could move in and make the arrest.
It was almost midnight when Caytie was given clearance to leave. Within the hour she snuggled up next to Jace on a private jet bound for Montana. Although the FBI would be confiscating all of her father’s assets, Caytie had enough in her savings account to fund the flight. The FBI graciously allowed her to use the jet one last time since she’d been instrumental in helping with the case against her dad and ex-boyfriend.
Now that they were alone, she and Jace had a chance to talk about what had happened. “I really hoped that when you saw I signed the email as Catherine you’d know I didn’t mean any of it.” She glanced up at him. “Silly, huh?”
“No. Kellen tried telling me the message was lame, and didn’t sound like something you’d write.” He played with her fingers. “I should’ve listened to the kid, but when I read the part about you moving to Italy I lost all hope.”
“I don’t want to move there anymore.” She took a small breath, and moistened her lips. “But you should know I will need to travel to Italy a few times.”
“I understand.” He brought her fingers to his mouth and kissed them. “I don’t want you to let go of your dreams, Caytie, and I’ll support you in whatever you want to do.”
“Thank you. That’s means a lot.” She smiled. “By the way, do you know anything about remodeling a building?”
“A little, I guess.” His brow wrinkled. “Why?”
“We really have to work on your scowling,” she said, using the tip of her finger to smooth the wrinkles on his forehead. The lines in his face softened, but his eyes burned with curiosity. “Anyway, while I was trapped at my house I came up with a business plan. Mabel and Tate have agreed to be my partner in opening Snow Valley’s very first boutique featuring custom made cowboy boots and handbags.”
He laughed, hooking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “I think that’s a brilliant idea. Can I be an investor?”
“Absolutely.” She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. “Now I just have to come up with a great name. What do you think about Rodeo Drive Boutique?”
“Cute, but you do realize that folks in Snow Valley are going to call it ro-dee-o instead of ro-day-o?”
“That’s the idea,” she said with a light laugh. “I figure it’ll bring both men and women in to the shop.”
“Like I said, brilliant.” Jace moved in for a kiss, starting with the skin just below her earlobe. “Just so you know,” he said, brushing his lips along her jaw. “When you go to Italy I’m going with you.”
“You will?” she murmured as he kissed the corner of her mouth. “Because I’ve always wanted to honeymoon in Italy.”
“That’s the idea,” he said in a low voice before capturing her mouth fully.
His skilled, deliberate kisses melted her bones, and shorted her brain, but somewhere in the blissful haze she realized Jace may have just asked her to marry him, or was it the other way around?
“Metaphorically speaking,” she said a little while later as the plane touched the ground. “Did you just ask me to do your laundry forever?”
A slow, sexy grin creased his lips. “Mama Ilene would kill me if she ever got wind that I’d made a proposal like that.” His brown eyes grew serious, his hand coming up to cradle her face. “I do plan on asking you properly, Caytie.”
Her heart fluttered against her ribcage. “I plan on saying yes.”
He gave her that grin again, and tilted her face up. “For the record,” he said just before giving her another kiss. “I think we should take turns doing laundry.”
Additional Works
by Cindy Roland Anderson
About the Author
Cindy Roland Anderson is the bestselling author of clean, contemporary romance filled with humor, romantic tension and some pretty great kissing scenes. Cindy has a degree in nursing, and worked in the NICU until she recently retired to write full time. She loves to bake, not cook (there is a difference!) and enjoys spending time with her family. Cindy is lucky to be married to her best friend John. They live in Northern Utah and are parents to five incredible children. Over the past few years their family has expanded by adding a son-in-law, a daughter-in-l
aw and four adorable grandchildren. Cindy loves to read, almost as much as she loves writing. And she loves chocolate—probably a little too much.
To contact Cindy or to see other projects she is working on go to www.cindyrolandanderson.com or check out her author Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cindyrolandandersonauthor
Tin Foil Tiaras
Jeanette Lewis
Dedication
For Cami, Cindy, Kimberly, Lucy, and Taylor –
The lovely ladies of Snow Valley who all deserve a great many tiaras.
Much love!
Chapter 1
Cameron Elliott flipped her chestnut, caramel-highlighted hair over her shoulder and glared at the baggage carousel, which was still turning, but almost empty. Most of the other passengers on her flight had collected their belongings and were making their way outside. Cameron glanced at the clock on the wall next to the lost baggage counter and jiggled her leg nervously. It was ten minutes after five.
No way. They did not do this. The airline could not have lost her bag, she simply wouldn’t accept it. She did a quick mental inventory of the contents of her purse and computer bag, the only items she’d carried on the flight. She had regular purse stuff like her wallet, keys, sunglasses, tissues, and a package of gum. The computer bag held her tablet, notes, a granola bar, some pens and highlighters, and two paperbacks. She could probably scrounge up a tube of lipstick in the depths of her purse, but one measly lipstick wasn’t going to do her much good. Why hadn’t she thought to carry a few essentials?
The carousel stopped turning with a clank and Cameron fought back a wave of panic. Now what? She looked at the clock again and silently cursed her own arrogance. She should have flown in yesterday, but she assumed there would be plenty of time. Now she had a little over two hours before her meeting in Snow Valley and here she was, stuck at the airport.
Be calm. You can handle this.
Fixing a smile on her face, Cameron approached the lost baggage counter and rang the small silver bell sitting there. She waited a few minutes, glancing around the airport, but no one seemed to be coming to help her.
How long was the drive, an hour maybe? Not to mention finding the right address once she got there. Google Maps had been surprisingly unhelpful when it came to Snow Valley. It had the Drake’s address, but no street view, and Cameron definitely felt more confident when she had a visual reference.
She rang the bell again, this time smacking it harder than necessary. Where were these people?
A door to the left of the counter opened and a young man emerged.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes,” Cameron said, relieved to finally be getting somewhere. “I just flew in from Louisville and my bag is missing.”
The man frowned as he began punching keys on a computer. “Are you sure? I don’t show a flight from Louisville on our schedule.”
Really? Cameron bit back her annoyance. “Sorry, I meant Denver,” she clarified. “I changed planes in Denver, but my bag was checked through in Louisville.”
“Oh, okay. Let me see what I can do.” The man punched another key on the computer, then abruptly turned and disappeared back through the door.
“Uh … okay,” Cameron said to no one in particular.
She considered her options. She could postpone the meeting until tomorrow, or she could leave now and probably make it on time and hope the airline could deliver her missing bag.
Cameron glanced at her clothes. Jeans; a white blouse; low heeled, coral colored sandals and a turquoise and coral scarf was not really appropriate for meeting a new client. She thought ruefully of the three expensive business suits she had packed so carefully. They may as well be on the moon. Shoulda thought that one through.
More for something to do than from any real need, she pulled her phone from her purse and scrolled through her email. Nothing new, just a dozen or so from Dotty she’d already read during her layover in Denver. She winced at the thought of having to call Dotty and report her current predicament, or worse, ask for help. Her first solo trip and she was already blowing it.
The door opened again and hope flared as airline guy appeared. “Miss Elliott, right?” he asked.
Cameron nodded. “Did you find my bag?”
“It appears to have been misdirected in Denver, but was put on a flight that will be landing in about thirty minutes.”
Thirty minutes for the plane to land, then another ten or fifteen for the bags to be unloaded … she would definitely be late if she waited.
“Could you have it delivered to me when it comes in?”
“Certainly. Where will you be staying?”
“The Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley.”
The man fired up the computer again. “No problem. We can have it to you by six o’clock tomorrow night.”
“What? No, that’s way too late. I need it tonight.”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t have anyone available to make such a long delivery any earlier. You could come back for it,” he suggested, smiling as if this was somehow helpful.
Cameron wanted to scream. Her schedule was booked, there was no way she could come all the way back to Billings. Not to mention, she would have to spend two days in the same clothes and find somewhere to buy some toiletries … and some underwear because, ew. She sighed and made her decision. “I’ll wait for it tonight,” she told airline guy.
After making sure he knew where to find her, Cameron moved to a bank of chairs across from the baggage carousel and turned back to her phone. She called the rental car company to make sure they’d hold her reservation, then she pulled up the number for Joyce Drake’s cell phone and dialed.
Crap.
“Hello?” the voice on the other end was brisk and businesslike.
“Mrs. Drake?”
“Yes, can I help you?”
“This is Cameron Elliott, I’m supposed to meet with you in …” Cameron glanced at the clock, “in about an hour.”
“Oh hello, Cameron!” Joyce’s voice suddenly turned friendlier. “We’re all looking forward to working with you. Do you need directions to the house?”
“Ah … no. I’m calling to see if we can postpone our meeting. I’m afraid the airline has lost my bag and I’m stuck at the airport waiting for it.”
Joyce tsked into the phone. “Oh dear.”
“Could we reschedule for later tonight?”
“I’m sure you’ve had a long day traveling. Why don’t you come in the morning and we’ll dive right in?” Joyce suggested.
Cameron agreed and after they settled on a time, she stuffed her phone into her purse with a sigh of relief. Joyce seemed flexible, maybe this was just a little glitch.
***
It was almost eight by the time Cameron collected her bag – miraculously arriving when the airline guy had promised – and picked up the car. Her head pounded and her stomach growled, the chicken wrap she’d eaten in Denver seemed like a long time ago.
She stopped for fast food and then, following the navigation from her phone, headed for Snow Valley. She’d planned to use the drive time to go over her strategy for the Drakes, but instead found herself transfixed by the beautiful countryside. She had seen mountains before, but not like these. These were mountains, taller and more ruggedly beautiful than anything she’d imagined. The rolling Appalachians she knew had nothing on these wild, rocky peaks, some still snowcapped even though it was mid-June. Suddenly she had the urge to go hiking; mountains this spectacular should be explored.
***
The Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast was several miles outside of town, but Cameron was glad Joyce suggested it over the motels she passed on Main Street. The B&B was an old Victorian, obviously remodeled, with a wide wraparound porch with comfy looking swings and rocking chairs.
“You’re in the Hidden Lily room, my favorite,” owner, Rayna Dash said with a smile almost as bright the streaks in her purple hair. “And don’t miss our Big Sky breakfast every morning.
I really put on a spread.”
“Thanks,” Cameron took the brass key for her room and lugged her suitcase up the stairs and down the hall. The room had a quaint Victorian theme with flowered wallpaper, a brass bed, and a white embroidered comforter. An old fashioned wash basin with a porcelain pitcher and matching bowl stood in the corner, but it was only for decoration, thank goodness. The room had a private bath, also thank goodness. Two years in the dorms of Ohio State had convinced Cameron there were some things people did not need to share.
She unzipped her suitcase and spent several minutes freshening her makeup and fixing her hair, making sure it was lying smoothly over her shoulders. Then she grabbed her phone, pulled up Dotty’s contact information, and hit the FaceTime button. Dotty always claimed to have a gift for interpreting body language and she preferred face-to-face conversations, even if it was from 1500 miles away.
Dotty picked up on the second ring. She was still at the office, even though the time difference meant it was almost eleven o’clock in Louisville.
“Finally,” she said without preamble. “I was beginning to wonder.”
Dotty Westbrooke was the founder and owner of Westbrooke Pageant Consultants. Her age was a closely guarded secret, but Cameron guessed she was probably in her early 50’s. She was at the end of a sixteen hour workday, but hardly looked it. Not one of her dyed black hairs was going rogue from her sleek bob and her makeup was flawless.
“How did it go tonight?” Dotty asked.
Cameron tried not to wince visibly. “There was a little hiccup; we rescheduled for tomorrow morning.”
“A hiccup?” Dotty’s perfectly shaped brows swooped together. “What does that mean?”
Cameron gave her a quick rundown on the trouble with the airlines, making sure to emphasize that none of it was her fault and that Joyce had been very accommodating. Dotty watched her intently and she had to resist the urge to turn the phone away from her face.
Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) Page 18
