Tears fell from my eyes, too. I was so happy.
I had the most perfect wedding day and married a devoted, thoughtful man who I loved more than anything on this Earth.
I had everything I ever hoped for.
A loving, caring husband, the twins whom I loved as my own children, a mother-in-law who loved me like her own daughter, and Brad’s brothers, who all accepted me as part of the family.
And, now Brad and I had a new, beautiful baby on the way.
Our baby.
What else could a woman ask for?
Book Two - Beauty and The Beard
Of all the mountains in the world,
The mysterious beauty had to show up on mine.
Unconscious. Cold. And alone.
I was determined to save her life.
But when those beautiful blue eyes finally opened,
I quickly realized I was the one who needed saving.
She has no memory of her past..
But, one thing I know for sure...
Someone dangerous is after her.
She needs my protection.
Like I need to feel the touch of her lips.
They'll have to go through me to get anywhere near this beauty who has captured my heart.
Cole
“Bring it back, Bella!”
I chuckled as my German Shepard playfully tossed the ball into the air to herself and watched intently as it bounced a few feet away. At the sound of her name, she glanced at me, quickly retrieved the ball, and ran toward me at full speed. I stepped aside just as she burned on past.
“Bella girl!” I called out, laughing.
She stopped, dropped the ball, and looked back at me, ears pitched forward, tongue dangling, seeming to smile at me and say, “Come and get it if you want it.”
As soon as I took a step forward, Bella playfully grabbed the rubber ball and ran away with it. “Keep it. I don’t want it anyway,” I called after her, smiling. I turned my back and pretended to walk away.
She galloped noisily behind me, and when I turned, she sat and dropped the ball at my feet. I quickly picked it up before she changed her mind and tossed it again for her to fetch, starting the “ha, ha, I’m not gonna give it to you” cycle all over again.
Grinning to myself, I watched as she ran to fetch the ball. I glanced at my watch and realized it was later than I’d thought. I needed to wash up at my cabin and head to the meeting at the resort. I called to Bella and headed inside. She understood and carried her ball to the porch, where she’d chew on it until time to leave.
I hurried past my front door, into the hallway of my cabin, and past my living room, which was decorated with shelves that held hunting and fishing plaques and trophies I’d won throughout the years. I walked to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face and looked at myself in the mirror.
The thin sprinklings of gray probably made me look older than my thirty-two years, but the women I’d dated had told me it was sexy. I rose to my full height of six two and studied my reflection. My dark brown hair was tousled, and deep blue eyes that were, according to the same women, breathtaking, stared back at me. I was proud of my thick mustache, which fit my personality as the most outdoorsy of my mountain brothers.
After getting cleaned up and changing into a fresh pair of clothes, I went back outside to find Bella patiently waiting on the front porch.
“Ok girl, I’m ready.”
We headed to my blue Dodge Ram Rebel. I’d just upgraded to the truck the winter before and loved its rugged, off-road capabilities, perfect for the mountains and hunting. It was everything I needed in a vehicle
I opened the passenger door, and Bella jumped into the seat with one big leap. I walked around to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel. “Time for breakfast,” I told her, patting her on the head. Bella barked as if she understood.
I drove down to the Hunter’s Ski Resort, my family’s business. I parked in front of the primary building, which housed the front desk, main common room, guest rooms, and The River Room, our resort restaurant.
Monday mornings were reserved for family breakfast, a tradition we’d observed since my father opened the place. Since his passing, my three brothers, my mother, my sister, and I still met to discuss our plans for the resort, upcoming schedules, and to enjoy our close-knit family. My sister-in-law and my nieces and nephews more often than not joined us.
My brothers and I were especially close and looked a lot alike because we all took after our father. But our personalities were very different. Brad, for example, as the oldest, was the most responsible and managed the resort, taking on the role of boss and leader. As second-born, I was more interested in being outdoors, in building and fixing all sorts of things, and avoiding paperwork at all cost. I worked as the handyman around the resort and could fix almost anything. Dax, as the third brother, was the smartest of us, a computer genius, in my opinion, though I’d never tell him that. He was artsy and creative and had fantastic ideas for marketing and making sure the Hunter Resort name was out there. The youngest and the most ambitious, Harley wanted to expand and build resorts around the country while the rest of us were content to stay in Colorado. He was also a fitness nut, so he led our ski lessons and the fitness classes we offered.
Hunter’s Ski Resort was a popular destination for its hometown feel, delicious food, and great ski slopes. Expanding wasn’t an idea I cared for, but I understood where Harley was coming from and would support him as long as this place, the original resort, remained the same.
On the way down the driveway, I passed Brad and Angela’s cabin and noticed the jeep was already gone. I passed Mom’s big house, where we’d grown up and assumed one of the others had picked her up since I hadn’t heard from her.
I was glad the main driveway was still clear from when I’d plowed it the night before. Pine tree-speckled mountain tops twinkled with snow as far as the eyes could see. The sun was rising quickly and reflected off the shimmering ice floating on the Blue River situated below the resort, down in the valley. From my position on the mountain ridge, I could see a moose off in the distance drinking from the far side of the river.
The sight always took my breath away. I was damn lucky to have grown up in such a place, and I didn’t want a thing to change.
The resort was supposed to be packed this week. December was one of our busiest months. Hunter’s Resort was a skier’s paradise. Besides skiers, hunters, ice fishermen, nature enthusiasts, and those who just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for the holidays visited our resort.
I pulled into the lot and slid my truck beside Brad’s white Jeep Wrangler just as Angela was stepping out of the passenger side.
As I climbed out of my truck, I heard a small voice say, “Hi, Unca Cole.”
The miniature version of Angela stood on the curb, hugging her favorite raggedy brown teddy bear. White-blond, springy curls blew in the morning breeze, and big blue eyes beamed at me with excitement.
“Good morning, Abigail,” I greeted as I bent to lift the small child. I swung her to my side and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.
Abby giggled and pushed at my face; my mustache tickled her. “Where Belwa?” she asked, her struggle with the letter L adorable but not yet concerning.
“She’s right here,” I replied, heading around to the passenger side and opening the door. Abby reached out her arms to Bella, who moved her snout straight to the little girl’s face to give her a big wet kiss. Abby laughed wildly as Bella lapped at her rosy cheeks.
“Okay, Bella,” I said, moving the small child away. “That’s enough kisses.”
“More kisses!” Abby squealed, reaching for Bella, who panted happily.
“No more kisses, Abby,” Brad told her, laughing. “It’s time for breakfast. Everyone’s waiting for us.”
“Okaaay,” Abby sulked, crossing her little arms as I held her.
“You can sit beside Bella inside. How’s that sound?” I bribed.
“Yay!” she replied, grinning again.
“Okay, let’s go, Bella.” Bella jumped to the ground and bounded up the steps to the resort’s front doors, knowing it was time to eat. With a two-year-old around, there was always an abundance of scraps under the table easily obtainable for a fast hound.
“Where are the twins?” I asked Brad.
“They stayed at Mom’s last night, and Harley picked them up this morning.”
Dax’s pickup and Harley’s SUV were already in the lot, so everyone was there. Our group headed inside to greet them.
“You guys made it,” Dax exclaimed, smiling as Abby waved at them.
“’Bout time. I’m starving,” Harley added, sitting beside Dax, grinning.
The twins, both on their phones, looked up and greeted their dad and Angela. Reid said good morning to me, followed quickly by his brother, then they returned to their phones.
“Morning, guys,” I said even though they weren’t paying attention.
Brad put his head between them and whispered, and the boys sighed and put their phones away. Mom’s strict rule was no phones at the table unless you were checking schedules to report. That included the boys.
Mom rose from the head of the table to pull out Abby’s highchair, and I slid her inside. Bella took her spot next to the highchair, patiently waiting for her first handout. I kissed Mary Beth, my mom, on the cheek and took my seat between her and the twins. Brad took his seat at the other end of the oblong table with Angela beside him.
After a few minutes of light conversation, Michael, The River Room’s Head Chef, brought out a cart full of platters of breakfast foods. We waited for him to set them on the table before digging in. Ms. Everett, a plump elderly lady who'd been with us since the beginning, carried over a large pitcher of OJ and began to fill our glasses. Once filled, she left and came back with a tray of small fruit bowls, which she placed in front of each of us.
“Why don’t you join us this morning?” my mom asked her.
“Oh, no, thank you. I have to get the rest of the prep done for the soup. I’m runnin’ late this morning,” she exclaimed and ambled back to the kitchen.
For the next few moments, the only sounds were silverware dinging on plates and noisy chewing as everyone enjoyed their breakfast too much to speak. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Hunter family; we certainly knew how to eat.
Finally, Brad sat back, rubbing his full belly, and said, “Alright, let’s begin the meeting. Anyone wanna start?”
“I will,” Harley began, swallowing his bite and drinking some juice before continuing. “The good news is I’m booked the whole week with ski lessons. Got some private lessons scheduled and family group sessions planned.” He took another drink. “Bad news, maybe, is that the lifts have been moving slower than normal.” He frowned as he set the glass on the table. “At first, I thought it was my imagination, but yesterday they were moving even slower. I think the gears need to be checked.” He looked at me as he finished his report.
Besides maintaining the roads, I did the landscaping and fixed practically anything that needed fixing. “Okay, I’ll be up to take a look at it this afternoon,” I assured him.
“Cool, thanks, man,” Harley replied with a wink. “And, what else?” he continued, thinking. “I posted my fitness classes for the week, so I’ll be running back and forth from the fitness room to the lodge. Mark, the new ski lift attendant, is doing a good job. And Michelle will be covering the bar and ski rentals for the week, so all is good on my end.”
“Thanks, Harley,” Brad said, nodding before turning to our other brother. “Dax?”
Dax pulled back his long, sandy-colored hair out of his deep, blue eyes and said, “I got some new ads to run this week. And I’m working on a new commercial.” This was answered with a few excited murmurs around the table. “I have a meeting in Breckenridge on Wednesday with the local network. I’m hopin’ they’ll give me some kinda deal to run the commercial for the next few weeks.”
“Sounds like you got it all worked out,” Brad said, smiling.
“Of course,” Dax said, forking some eggs into his mouth. “I’ll help out at the lodge, too. It’s gonna be busy for all of us this week.”
“Yes, it is,” I agreed. “If it snows, I might need you or Brad helpin’ me with the walkways and roads. One of my workers broke his foot last week.” I saw Brad’s concerned look, and before he could say anything, I put up my hand to cut him off. “He didn’t get hurt here. He was cutting wood at home, and a log fell on his foot.”
Brad let out a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry he got hurt, but glad it didn’t happen here,” he remarked.
“Yeah, really,” I agreed. “Anyway, I might need help since he’s out for a while. It depends on how much snow we get.”
“The Hunters have no problem getting our hands dirty,” Brad commented, eliciting nods from all the brothers.
“Besides general maintenance, I need to cut a shit-load of wood for the common room and the lodge fireplaces. I got behind on that,” I admitted.
“While you’re at it, cut some wood for my cabin,” Dax ordered half-jokingly.
“Cut your own wood,” I retorted, smirking. “Somethin’ wrong with your arms?”
“No, it’s just best that you do it with those manly, rugged hands. My hands are too nice to get all calloused,” he joked, beaming at his perfectly manicured fingernails.
“You do have lady hands and arms,” I joked back. I grinned as the teasing commenced. “Admit it, deep down, I know you’re jealous of my big muscles.”
“I’m not jealous,” he snorted. “I got big muscles, too.” Dax pulled up his sleeve and flexed. His bicep bulged from his upper arm, extremely defined and toned.
I pulled up my flannel sleeve and flexed my bicep as well. Having a burlier build than Dax, my arm was thicker than his, making my muscle denser but not quite as defined. “I think I’m the winner,” I told him. “I’m bigger.”
“Not fair since you resemble the Hulk,” Dax said with a roll of his eyes. “My muscle’s more defined, for sure,” he stated, pushing on the hard bulge with his finger. Hard as a rock, it didn’t budge.
“Mmmm,” I hummed as I studied his bicep before pushing my finger on my own. Just as hard, only a white print remained from the pressure of my finger. “I guess we can call it a draw. So you can cut your own wood. Just wear work gloves to protect your pretty little hands.”
“Had to try,” Dax said, still grinning at his flexed bicep, glancing at the twins, who were busy eating their second breakfast.
“Boys,” Mom scolded, her lips pursed. “Not at the table.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
“Sorry, Mom.” We put our muscles away.
“Anyway, my muscles can help you with cutting some wood if you need it,” Brad offered, businesslike as always. “Not for your cabin, Dax, for the resort,” he added when Dax gave him an expectant glance.
“Oh, man,” Dax whined, giving Brad an exaggerated frown and puckering his brow. The twins laughed uproariously, and little Abby followed, not really knowing what she was laughing at.
“You shoulda been an actor,” Angela commented with a laugh.
Dax held up his hand, his fingers extended, and intoned a random line from Shakespeare. He read all the time and often suggested books for us he thought we might like.
“Quit the theatrics,” Harley said.
“Phone, Harley,” Mom reminded him.
“Just checking emails, Mom,” he said, though he put it away. “All business related.”
Brad smirked, then continued. “As for me, I’ve got a couple of meetings with vendors lined up. The liquor order is coming on Wednesday, food and other supplies on Thursday. Plus my normal inventory, scheduling, and payroll.” He looked at our mom, eyebrows raised. “Mom? What’s going on with you?”
Mom looked up; she’d been distracted by her granddaughter after chiding Harley. “Mmmm, well, I’ve got an appetizing, home-style
menu planned, with a touch of elegance, of course. Ms. Everett and I are preparing some lovely homemade soups. And I’m planning to put out a few sign-up sheets for family activities during the week. I’m thinkin’ crafts for the kids and a friendly card or dominos game for the adults. Maybe a nice, slow-paced nature walk one afternoon.”
“I’ll help with any activities scheduled after the boys’ classes,” Angela piped in. “Schedule a nature walk for Saturday, if you can, so the boys and I can come.” She glanced at them. “We can take the camera and get some pictures.”
They nodded, and Reid asked, “Would it be okay if we go outside?”
“Go ahead. This can’t be fun for you two,” Brad answered.
“I’d love your company, Angela,” Mom said after the boys and dog ran out of the room.
“Sounds good,” Brad replied, nodding his head in agreement and smiling at his wife. “So I guess we’re all set for the week. Like always, email me your tentative schedules so I can find you if needed.” He smiled broadly. “I’m looking forward to a fun and busy week. Let me know if anything comes up or if I’m needed anywhere,” he added, reaching for another slice of Texas toast.
Everyone nodded, turning back to the food on the table for seconds. As I finished my eggs, I saw Abby nonchalantly drop a chunk of scrambled egg on the floor, leaning over the edge to watch as Bella slurped it up happily and noisily. I glanced around the table; no one had noticed, so I just watched her, an amused grin on my face. A second later, her half-eaten toast disappeared. Her innocent blue eyes widened when she saw me watching her.
I put my finger up to my lips to indicate I wouldn’t tell. Her secret was safe with me. Abby’s face lit up with a silent giggle. She mimicked my notion by putting her tiny pointer finger over her lips. The sight warmed my heart.
One day, I’d have a little one of my own running around – just not anytime soon. I was enjoying my life as a bachelor a little too much. It’d take one very special lady to get me to settle down. And so far, no one really fit the mold.
Take a Mountain Man Home for Christmas: A Mountain Man Romance Christmas Collection Page 18