Snow Day

by Shannon Stacey, Jennifer Greene

  Colton turned his attention back to the computer monitor, letting his mind run with the pictures in front of him. “Look at the line of the beach.”

  Rand rose and moved around the desk, looking over Colton’s shoulder. “What about it?”

  “It’s a perfect setup—swimming, boating. And the land is almost level.” Once the plan had formed in his mind, Colton knew exactly what he wanted to do.

  Rand stilled. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  “We’d have to truck in sand, maybe create an artificial reef. But remember what we did in Spain?” He referred to a Herrington Resort they’d developed five years ago.

  Rand sucked in an audible breath. “Tell me you’re not serious.”

  “I’m completely serious.”

  “Stalker behavior, Colton. Off the charts.”

  “It doesn’t matter how we found it.” Colton spoke to himself as much as to Rand. “The point is, there’s a real opportunity here.”

  “Now you’re deluding yourself.”

  Colton gestured to the screen. “Tell me that isn’t perfect. Give me one good reason why we shouldn’t explore putting a hotel on this beach.”

  “Permitting would be a nightmare.”

  “I already checked it out,” Colton countered. The Tucker’s Point civic website was surprisingly comprehensive. “We’re golden up to seven stories, and we can modify the waterfront.”

  Tucker’s Point was historically a fishing village. It had been revitalized in the past few years, becoming more of a tourist town, but their land permitting system was likely left over from its days as a working harbor.

  “Okay, forget the hotel. You’re out for revenge, or you’re out to win her back. Either one of those things will end in disaster.”

  “I’m out to build a new resort.”

  “That’s a flat-out lie.”

  Colton enlarged one of the photos. “Look at this. I’ve thought it through.”

  “For all of what? One day?”

  Colton ignored the jab. “Marina here, behind the point. A swimming beach here, main guest tower back there, golf out the back and along the cliffs. Put a clubhouse at the southern tip, and a restaurant, pool, fountain feature in the middle....”

  “Colton.”

  “It’s an hour and a half from an international airport. Several of the restaurants in the town center are four-star or higher. Sure, they’re boutique, but it’s a place to start. And the town is chockablock with funky arts stores and antique shops.”

  “Have you seriously convinced yourself this is about the property?” Rand demanded.

  “It’s all about the property.” Colton was willing to accept that it was over between him and Tessa. He might not like it, and he might not understand it, but he absolutely accepted it.

  Rand braced a hand on the desk. “Listen to me. I’m your closest friend.”

  Colton resented Rand’s tone. “And I’m your boss. No matter how it happened, we’re in on the ground floor of a prime beachfront property. It hasn’t even been listed yet. It’s priced at residential zoning. And we said we’d look at the East Coast next.”

  “We also said we’d look at the West Coast next. And we said we’d wait two years before starting a new development.”

  “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day.”

  “It’s about the girl.”

  “It’s about the land. The girl is incidental.” Colton was enough of a businessman to keep the two separate.

  Rand straightened. “You won’t win her back.”

  “I don’t want her back.”

  If she’d asked to come back a few months ago, he might have been willing to reconcile. But wanting to understand why she’d broken things off was a long way from wanting to rekindle anything.

  “You’d bulldoze her home?”

  “It’s falling apart.”

  “You want to make her hate you?”

  Colton refused to care about Tessa’s opinion of him one way or the other. “We’d be first into the local market. You know as well as I do what that can mean.”

  “A leg up on the competition and a serious boost to the bottom line,” Rand acknowledged.

  “We’ve never built a resort from the ground up.”

  Of the thirty-four properties owned by Herrington Resorts, half had been built by his grandfather. The other half had been purchased from rival companies. It would be immensely gratifying for Colton to finally create something that was completely his own. Not that there was anyone around to be proud of him.

  “Have Lily book the jet for tomorrow morning,” he told Rand. There wasn’t a moment to lose on this.

  “Tomorrow is New Year’s Day.”

  Colton hesitated, drawing in a sharp breath of impatience. “Okay, set it up for the second. You haven’t used my name?”

  “Barry only knows you’re a resort developer.”

  “Good.”

  There was a beat of silence between them before Rand broke it. “Let me say it again, Colton. This is a mistake.”

  “Let me say it again, Rand. It’s about the property.”

  Though he might ask Tessa a couple of clarifying questions while he considered the purchase, Colton would never let his personal life interfere with business. He’d buy or not buy the property based on merit alone. Tessa was absolutely incidental.

  * * *

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE you were serious about moving it up here,” Emilee called from the bottom of the east staircase, raising her voice above the whine of the power buffer’s electric motor. The women had spent the past three days exploring the castle basement.

  Tessa was in the great room, a canvas drop cloth on the floor, giving a final polish to a replica suit of armor created years ago by her great-grandfather. She’d hauled it up in pieces from the basement and assembled it near a front bay window where the light was best.

  Tessa shut off the buffer and turned, pulling her safety goggles onto her forehead. She was slightly out of breath, her right arm aching from her shoulder to her wrist. “It used to be up here when I was a kid. It’s one of my earliest memories.”

  Emilee walked into the room, circling the armor suspiciously. “It certainly makes a statement.”

  “There aren’t many houses that could pull this off.”

  “You definitely need the large room.”

  “And the stone walls help.”

  Emilee came to a stop in the middle of the room, gazing around. “You ever think of modernizing the decor, rather than going with extreme retro?”

  “My great-grandfather made this.” Tessa ran her fingertips across the shiny breast plate. The edges were etched with scrolls and swirls that mirrored the designs on the shoulders and arms.

  “I hope he didn’t use it.”

  “He was born in 1914.”

  “You’re the history major, but that was after the Renaissance, correct?”

  Tessa rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”

  “I’m just wondering why he felt the need for a suit of armor.”

  “It’s art.”

  “That’s debatable.”

  “Well, it’s staying.”

  “We both know I have to go back to Boston tomorrow,” said Emilee. “But I’m a little afraid of leaving you alone here. Next thing, you’ll put that boar’s head above the fireplace.”

  “It’s hardly moth-eaten at all,” Tessa teased.

  They’d both groaned in disgust when they’d found the mounted taxidermy tucked away in the basement.

  Emilee held up a warning finger. “I draw the line at dead things.”

  Tessa laughed. “Me, too. But I also found some terrific pottery vases this morning. I remember now that my mom made them. For a long time,
we kept them in the kitchen.”

  “Let me guess, you put them back, too?”

  “She used pearlescent mauve-and-peach glaze. They look great in the breakfast nook.”

  “You do know you’re reconstructing your childhood.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing. I’m recreating the castle’s glory.”

  “You’re harkening back to a time when you felt safe and happy.”

  “I’m perfectly happy as an adult.”

  “Maybe so, but you should think about selling some of this instead of wallowing in it. I bet you could get good money for it online.”

  “Maybe the boar’s head. If anyone would actually buy it. But most of this is great stuff. I’m going to save it for my own kids.”

  Emilee assumed a mock expression of shock, gazing pointedly at Tessa’s flat stomach. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “I’m talking about someday. Someday, I’ll have kids.”

  “And you think they’ll want to live in a museum?”

  “It’s sure better than that new monstrosity next door.”

  Tessa’s best childhood friend had grown up in a classic Tudor mansion on the next property. Sadly, the family had moved to Seattle during high school, and the new owners, the Biddles, had leveled the house, building a stark, white, geometric glass-and-stucco contemporary that looked like a cross between a warehouse and an aquarium.

  “They must get amazing views out of that place,” Emilee observed.

  “I get amazing views from my bedroom.”

  “Sure, you do. Through narrow, blurry, leaded glass. I’m talking panoramic—”

  A sharp knock sounded on the front door.

  Emilee stopped, tone dropping to a whisper. “You suppose the neighbors heard us talking about them?”

  Tessa glanced out the window, seeing a black sedan parked in the driveway. “That doesn’t look like the Biddles’ car.”

  She stripped off the goggles and set the power buffer down on the drop sheet, raking back her sweaty hair as she headed for the door.

  She pulled it open. Then her stomach dropped to her toes as she came face-to-face with Colton Herrington.

  CHAPTER TWO

  COLTON WATCHED TESSA’S expression go from astonished to annoyed, then to remote. Remote was the one he remembered, and the one he hated. Given a choice, he’d laugh with her or make love to her. Not that either of those were going to happen. But he’d still much rather argue with her than face her indifference.

  It took a long moment, but she finally spoke. “What are you doing here, Colton?”

  “I’m here to see Barry.”

  “Barry’s not here,” came her immediate answer. Then her eyes narrowed. “Why do you want Barry? How did you meet Barry?”

  Rand stepped smoothly into the conversation, offering his hand. “Hello, Tessa.”

  She blinked at him, seeming as surprised to see him as she was to see Colton. “Rand?”

  “It’s nice to see you again,” he offered pleasantly.

  “What are you doing in Tucker’s Point?”

  “We expected your brother to be here already,” Colton felt compelled to explain. “Did he talk to you—”

  “Is this a joke?” Emilee Hiatt appeared beside Tessa’s right shoulder, her tone both accusing and demanding.

  “Yeah,” Colton drawled, annoyance blooming inside him. He’d never been crazy about Emilee. “We flew all the way from Boston to be funny.”

  Tessa squared her shoulders and crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s going on here, Rand?”

  Rand glanced to Colton, obviously looking for direction.

  At the same time, a sports car turned off Beech Tree Road, pulling noisily into the short driveway, drawing everyone’s attention.

  “Here’s Barry now,” said Rand, obviously relieved.

  Colton didn’t think it was worth either explaining or arguing while Barry quickly parked and exited his vehicle, so he stayed silent. He assumed Barry had already told Tessa there was a potential buyer. But the fact that the potential buyer was Colton was obviously going to be news all around.

  “When did you meet Barry?” Tessa repeated to Colton.

  “I’m meeting him now,” Colton answered.

  “You know what I mean.”

  Colton noticed her tight expression. “I haven’t met him before today.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Barry bustled forward, his black overcoat pulled tight against the light flakes of snow. “My flight was delayed. Tessa, sweetheart.” Wasting no time, he pulled her into a hug. “How are you? It’s so great to see you.”

  “I’m confused,” she answered, pulling back, glancing at Colton and then back to Barry.

  “I know. I know. I should have called, but I thought...Why don’t we all step inside?” Barry gestured to the open doorway with a welcoming arm.

  Tessa didn’t look at all happy at the prospect of inviting them inside, while Emilee looked positively irate. But the two women grudgingly stepped aside, and Colton walked with Rand into the grand entry hall of the castle.

  The castle was dated, but still quite impressive. The stone on the curved walls had aged to light gray. The hallway was illuminated with sconces, and two ornate pillars flanked the entrance to the great room. As Barry gathered their coats, Colton followed Tessa into a huge and equally impressive room with beams arcing across a high ceiling. His attention was snagged by a massive stone fireplace and a freshly polished suit of armor.

  The hardwood floors were well-worn but highly polished, reflecting the daylight that made its way through the recessed windows. Colorful area rugs brightened the floor, delineating several furniture groupings.

  “Coffee?” Barry asked brightly, gesturing to the sofa and several armchairs that surrounded the fireplace. Then he turned to Tessa. “Is Matilda around?”

  “They’re in Oregon for the holidays,” Tessa answered. Their housekeeper, Matilda Booker, and her husband, Milton, always visited their family over Christmas and New Year’s.

  Barry frowned. “Oh. Of course. How could I forget?”

  “We don’t need coffee,” Colton said, waiting for Tessa and Emilee to sit.

  “Forget coffee.” Tessa’s hands went to her hips as she stared at her brother. “What the hell is going on?”

  “Let’s all sit down,” Barry suggested.

  After a long, stubborn moment, she dropped her arms and sat in one of the big armchairs. There, she pulled her wool-sock-covered feet beneath her jeans. Colton couldn’t help but note how disheveled she looked in a loose, blue-plaid flannel shirt. Her ponytail was messy and there were traces of dust on her hands.

  “Tessa,” Barry opened with a smile, as they all got settled. “I have very good news.”

  Tessa gave a fleeting, suspicious glance at Colton. “I’m listening,” she said to her brother.

  “These two men.” He glanced expectantly at them.

  “I’m Rand Garvy,” Rand quickly put in.

  “Good to meet you.” Barry turned to Colton.

  “He’s Colton Herrington,” Tessa all but shouted. “My ex-fiancé, Barry.”

  Barry glanced to Colton in confusion that seemed to be turning to consternation. “What’s he doing here?”

  “He’s the buyer,” Rand explained. “We are absolutely interested in purchasing the property. Everything I told you is factual.”

  Colton couldn’t tear his gaze from Tessa as she paced across the floor. It had been months since he’d seen her like this. Come to think of it, he’d never seen her like this—cheeks flushed, hands gesticulating, blue eyes blazing, glaring at him as if she’d like to attack.

  “What do you have to say for yourself?” she demanded of him.

  “I want
to build a resort,” he answered simply. “Well, I’d like to look at the possibility of building a resort. Here. In Tucker’s Point.”

  “You can’t build a resort here,” she snapped.

  “We’re working on the zoning,” said Barry.

  Tessa turned on her brother. “What zoning?”

  Barry seemed to regroup. “The land zoning. Listen, Tessa, I know you didn’t expect Colton. It surprised me, too, of course. But this is good news. You should be happy.”

  Her tone turned incredulous. “Happy about selling Land’s End?”

  “We talked about it, the cost of the upkeep, the—”

  “When? When did we—”

  “Tessa,” Emilee interrupted, coming to her feet to place a hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “Perhaps Colton and Rand could excuse themselves for a few minutes so you and Barry can talk?”

  Tessa filled her lungs with air. “That would be good.”

  Emilee turned to them, tone firm. “Can I show you two gentlemen outside, maybe around the grounds?”

  Colton would have preferred to stay and support Barry in the argument, but there was no way he could reasonably do that.

  “We’d love to take a look around the grounds,” he agreed, keeping his voice even as he rose to his feet.

  “Don’t bother with the tour,” Tessa said tightly. “There’s absolutely no point.”

  “No harm in looking,” Rand put in. “We’ll give the two of you some time to talk.”

  Rand looked about as excited as Colton felt about leaving Barry alone with Tessa. They’d both expected Tessa to fight against selling to him. He hadn’t expected her to fight against selling at all.

  * * *

  THE FRONT DOOR opened then closed behind the trio, a burst of cold wind swirling into the room.

  Tessa glared at her brother.

  “Why don’t you sit back down,” he suggested.

  “I don’t want to sit back down.”

  “Do it, anyway.”

  “Have you lost your mind?”

  He crossed one leg over the other, stretching his arm along the back of the sofa, looking every minute of his five years older than her. “We talked about this, Tessa.”