“Wait. I thought you said you got lost?”
“I did. But I didn’t know that when I got here. I thought this is where my father had sent me.”
“And when did you figure out that you were wrong?” he asked. This really was the crucial question and her answer could change everything.
Kollette looked down at her hands as though she didn’t want to talk about it any longer. But he didn’t say anything and eventually she spoke.
“Earlier tonight when my father called.”
“You mean all this time you thought you were at the right place? That you were here by his request?” She nodded. It was like a punch in the gut. And he pressed on. “And what were you supposed to be doing here?”
He noticed her hands tremble. “He was looking for property to build a new hotel on.”
“And you were here to gather all the information you could obtain and then report back to him?”
“Yes.”
Through gritted teeth he asked, “If I hadn’t asked you, would you have told me?”
She turned and looked him straight in the eye. Although her eyes watered as though fighting back tears, her response was cold, but at least truthful. Softly she replied, “No.”
Well he had what he was looking for. But definitely not what he wanted. “I have one request,” he said flatly.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Don’t let Roy and Mabel know anything about this. They are good people and it would hurt them. They deserved better than this.”
“I won’t. I actually didn’t want anyone to know,” she said.
“I’m sure you wanted your lie to go unnoticed.” He got up from the couch and headed for his room. Then turned back and said, “I think you’re more like your brother than you give yourself credit for.”
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“You would’ve made one hell of an agent for the DEA because I didn’t see this coming either and I’m not easily fooled.” He entered his room and closed the door. Tonight the game was over, and she won. Now all he had to do was make sure the Potters didn’t lose.
Kollette, why the deception? The Potters would’ve welcomed you even if they knew why you were really here.
There was nothing Kollette could say. Her heart ached like never before. She did exactly what she didn’t want to do: hurt Ethan. He was right, the Potters deserved better, but so did he. She was so consumed with wanting to prove to everyone that she was just a good as her father that she forgot how he’d gotten where he did.
He might be a loving father, but in the business world, he could be a tyrant. He wouldn’t be outdone by anyone. He had to have the best and be the best. What it meant was most people feared him, opposed to love him.
But she did love her father. And the last thing she had wanted was to disappoint him. It wasn’t like she loved Ethan, but right now, she knew she disappointed him and it hurt almost as much.
Part of her was glad the lie was over. At least now Ethan knew who she really was. She didn’t need the Potters charity like Ethan did, but that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate all they had done for her.
Now since she’d gotten to know the Potters, she had a feeling they wouldn’t have treated her any differently. That’s not who they are. However she couldn’t say the same thing about Ethan.
Sitting alone by the fire, she hoped that Ethan would open his door and return. But the minutes turned into hours. She was about to get up and go to her room when Roy came to add wood to the fire.
“No board games tonight?” he asked.
“No.”
“Guess Ethan was tired from the ride. Maybe tomorrow things will be back to normal,” he said.
That wasn’t going to happen. “I’m hoping the roads will be open and I can head home.” Actually being so close to Ethan and him not speaking to her was worse than being miles away.
“I don’t think they will be cleared for a few days. The county doesn’t worry about us up here because we don’t leave much to go down into town.”
“Really? Are you sure?” she asked.
“You can ask Ethan. He’s the one who spoke to the deputy today.”
I don’t think he’s talking to me any longer. “That’s okay. I’m sure you’re right.”
“You don’t seem very happy tonight,” he asked.
“My father called today. Guess it’s just time for me to get back to work.” She wasn’t about to get into all the details with Roy. Not that it mattered at this point. But she had promised Ethan she wouldn’t. Yet she saw no harm in telling Roy some things. “Did I mention that I am from Miami?” She wasn’t sure anymore what she had said and what she didn’t. If she was repeating herself, hopefully they’d tell her. If not, well at least it was a place to start the conversation.
“Do you like it there?”
“I can’t picture myself living anywhere else. Or at least I couldn’t.” That was true, but whether it was the mountain or the people or the combination, she was bonding with this place too. “But I don’t find myself in a rush to get back, if that makes any sense.”
“I’m sure you’ll feel differently when you get back to your own house and sleep in your own bed. And there is so much more to do there, that you won’t know what to do first,” he said.
That was correct. Even in a short time, she knew things wouldn’t be as she left them. Her assistant manager probably was making changes that he had wanted to do and had just been waiting for her to leave. She wasn’t going to be walking back into a cozy life, but instead an argument that was long overdue.
“Miami definitely had a night life. And actually, just as much to do during the day. My father called today and reminded me that I have work piling up.”
Roy patted her hand, “Then I guess it is time for you to return.”
“Yes. I really wish I could stay longer,” Kollette said.
“Our door is always open. All you need to do is come by.”
Kollette knew Roy meant it. Would he be so welcoming if he knew everything that Ethan and she had discussed? She really believed he would. That’s who Roy and Mabel were.
“Thank you Roy. That means a lot to me. And if you and Mabel ever find yourself in Miami, you can stay with me.”
Roy laughed. “In my younger years, I would take you up on that. Now I just want to be here on my mountain.”
“I can see why. This place is…special.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s just trees, grass and dirt. Being here with Mabel is what makes this place special.”
“I really believe if I stayed here for a month, she’d make a chef out of me,” Kollette smiled.
“She is a mighty fine cook, but even if she burned everything, I’d eat it anyway.”
“If I ever meet someone, I hope he feels that way about me,” she sighed. “I’m much better at business than I am in domestic duties. I thought I couldn’t do it, but Mabel made me realize that it was just because I’d never been shown how. I think when I get home I’m going to try cooking more.”
“And I’m sure it’ll turn out fine.”
“Too bad you don’t have a phone here so I could call Mabel to coach me through,” she laughed. “Because I’m sure I will need it.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to bring all your questions when you come back.” Roy got up and said, “It’s late. I better get back to bed. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked.
“Just a feeling. Good night Kollette.”
“Good night Roy.”
Before he left he turned back and said, “Kollette, don’t worry, whatever is bothering Ethan, you two can work it out in the morning. A good night sleep is all you both need.”
Forcing a smile she said, “Thanks. I think you’re right.”
When he was gone, Kollette looked at Ethan’s door one more time. She wanted to go and knock on it, tell him again how sorry she was. But that word, sorry, se
emed so empty. If it had been him who’d done this, would she have forgiven him? She probably would’ve yelled, screamed and actually told the Potters what a horrible person he was. So in a way, she should be grateful that Ethan let her off so easily. But that only made it feel all the worse.
Getting up to go to her room, she now hated the thought of closing her eyes. Because she wasn’t so sure she was ready for tomorrow.
I wish you were right Roy. But this isn’t a bad dream and sleep can’t fix it. This is my doing and now I pay the price.
And unfortunately, that price was Ethan.
6
Kollette was right. Sleep didn’t change anything between her and Ethan. His ever watchful eyes were no longer on her. If anything, it was like he couldn’t bring himself to look at her, which hurt even more.
“Aren’t you feeling well?” Mabel asked.
Heartache wasn’t actually an illness, but it surely was making her stomach do funny things. “My body is just recovering from the cold yesterday. You’re right, I should’ve dressed warmer to go clean off my Jeep.”
“Why don’t you go and sit by the fire. I can handle making dinner.”
“I know you can, and it would probably taste better, but I want to learn everything I can while I’m here. What are we making today?” she asked.
“Chicken and dumplins. It’s something my grandma used to make when I was small. Of course I put my own touches to it.”
“Well let’s get started, because now I’m hungry,” she said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as possible.
“Just so you know, it’s also Ethan’s favorite. I don’t think he’s feeling like himself today either. Maybe this will cheer him up.”
Only thing that’s going to do that is if I leave. She had every intention of doing that once the roads were open. But Roy said that wasn’t going to happen for a few days. Surely the Potters were going to start to question the change between her and Ethan. Kollette was actually surprised they hadn’t already.
“Tell me where you want me to start.”
“It’s all about making a good chicken stock. The broth is the key, but people don’t always know that.”
They spent the next few hours cooking up a storm. Thankfully they were so busy that Ethan didn’t come up in the topic again. That didn’t mean she hadn’t thought about him several times. Kollette needed to find some time alone with him. She’d apologized yesterday, but obviously that wasn’t enough. After dinner she was going to make him listen to her, one way or another.
“It really smells delicious,” she said.
“I think this is the best batch yet. You and I make a good team,” Mabel said. “I guess you grabbing the paprika powder, instead of black pepper, was a good thing. Cooking is all about experimenting. Now baking is a different story. It’s like being a chemist. You need know what reacts with which ingredients or you end up with something that looks like a brick instead of a light fluffy cake.”
“I think I’ll stick with cooking for now. Besides, if I learn to bake, I’ll need to go to the gym even more,” Kollette said. “I just look at dessert and it goes to my hips.”
Mabel looked her over and said, “Then I better get baking, because you’re tiny and could use a bit more meat on you. That’s why you’re so cold. Look at me. I have plenty of insulation,” she laughed patting her stomach.
“Not at all. You’re just used to this temperature. And of course, you have Roy to keep you warm,” she winked.
“That helps too,” she blushed. “I’ve noticed Ethan doing quite a bit of looking in your direction. And you’ve been spending a lot of evenings up late together. Seems like there’s something brewing between the two of you.”
There was. “No. It’s not like that. We’re just killing time while waiting for the roads to open.”
Mabel shook her head. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve never heard Ethan laughing like he has these past few days. It’s nice.”
He wasn’t laughing right now. “I think it was the competition that he enjoyed. I wasn’t about to let him win.”
“Good. Men like a challenge. And Ethan seems to really like you. I hope the two of you stay in contact when you leave.”
“When I get back, it’s back to business. I don’t have time to date,” she said. And even if she did, Ethan wasn’t going to be interested.
“Kollette, you need to make time for what is important. A job is good, but when you’re sick, it doesn’t take care of you. When you’re sad, it doesn’t comfort you. And when you’re lonely, it doesn’t love you.”
“Some day that might happen for me. Right now, I have a career I need to work on.” It was all she had, and focusing on it was what she needed to do so she wouldn’t think about what was missing in her life.
Roy came into the kitchen and announced, “They’re clearing the road. Even all the way to our cabin. I’ve never seen this before. Come and look.”
Mabel took off her apron and followed Roy. Kollette did the same. When they got onto the porch, she saw the large plow pushing the snow off into the woods. Ethan came out and joined them.
“They said they weren’t going to be able to do this for a few days,” Ethan said.
“I’ve never seen them come all the way up either. Maybe it’s a new guy who forgot to stop,” Roy chuckled.
Mabel said, “Nope. Look. That is Alan. He’s never come onto our property before. But why don’t you go and invite him for dinner before he turns around and leaves. We got plenty.”
Roy headed down the stairs and went up to speak to Alan as Mabel requested. Sure enough Alan climbed out of the truck and returned with Roy.
“Evening Mabel. Thank you for the invite,” Alan said.
“You’re welcome. Oh, this is Ethan and this is Kollette, our friends.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Alan said.
They all went back inside where Mabel said, “Let me take your jacket and you can warm up by the fire. I was just about to drop the dumplins in, so I just need about ten minutes before we eat.”
“Let me help you,” Kollette said.
“No. You have done enough today. You and Ethan can sit and talk with Alan. Roy can give me a hand.”
Roy chuckled. “I must be in trouble, because she never lets me help.”
Mabel gave him a light jab in the ribs. “You know you’re nothing but a distraction.”
“And you love it too,” he teased as they left the room.
Alan shook his head. “We’ll be lucky if they don’t burn it now the way those two are.”
Kollette smiled. “It’s sweet to see how affectionate they are with each other.”
“Sweet wasn’t the word I was going to use. So how long have you two been married?” Alan asked.
“We’re not married,” Kollette said.
Alan raised his hand. “Sorry. I mean together.”
Ethan said firmly, “We’re not together either.”
Alan looked at them both and must’ve picked up on the awkwardness and changed the subject. “I can’t believe my boss sent me up here today. It wasn’t on the schedule for a few more days. Guess something’s going on because he pulled me off the job I was doing and told me this had to be cleared before the end of the day or he’d have my hide. Normally we don’t do private property either, but guess that changed too, ‘cause he said I had to plow the Potters out completely. Heck I thought for sure he was going to have me clean off Roy’s truck too. You’d think there was an emergency happening the way he was going on.”
Kollette could feel Ethan glaring at her as though she had something to do with this. She wanted to tell him she was as shocked as he was. But the problem was, her gut told her this was her father’s doing. That was only going to fuel Ethan’s anger even more.
“Well at least you guys will be able to get out when you want to leave. Good thing too, because I hear there’s another storm coming right behind this one. I doubt my boss is sending me back up again because we haven’t finished
all the main roads.”
Ethan turned to her and said, “You should be happy now. You’re free to leave anytime you want. It’s still light out. Maybe you can follow Alan back down to the main road.”
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Mabel asked.
She hadn’t heard them return. Not taking her eyes off Ethan she said, “Unfortunately I am. I need to get home.” Getting up she headed to her room.
“Where are you going?” Roy asked.
“I should pack. Ethan’s right. I need to head out before it gets dark. I wouldn’t want to get lost.” Not again.
“But I thought you’d be here for a few more days,” Mabel said. “Ethan, tell her she should stay.”
Ethan got up and said, “Mabel, I’m sure she has better things to do than to sit around here.”
“But who are you going to play games with?” Mabel asked.
“I’ve had my fill of games.”
No one else seemed to have noticed that was directed at her. She took this as her cue to go and pack. But when she got into her room, she closed the door and the tears began to flow. As she folded her clothes, she sobbed quietly. No one needed to know how much she was hurting, especially not Ethan.
She knew her father had been only trying to help. He had no way of knowing that she wanted to stay a bit longer. Part of her had hoped that with a bit more time, she and Ethan could work things out and she could make him understand that there hadn’t been any malicious intentions behind her being there. Even if she thought this place would be a perfect addition to her father’s company, they never would’ve done anything underhanded in order to obtain the property. It would’ve been handled legal and the Potters would’ve been paid fairly for their land.
But after getting to know them, she understood that there was no dollar value she could put on this place. And she was glad that she’d informed her father early on that this place wasn’t for them. Even before she knew she was at the wrong place. Hopefully her father didn’t want to look at the Potters as a potential investment, because this place was and always should be, the Potters.
The Billionaire's Deception (The Blank Check Series Book 5) Page 7
