Snowy Encounters

by Clarissa Yip

  “Mom….” Maddy trailed off. Annoyance and fear boiled in her stomach. No way would she spend her holiday near her ex-husband.

  “Oh, posh. You love planning parties and setting the scene for them. You should do this for him. He’s really in a bind.”

  Maddy saw where this was going. Her mother was insistent when she made up her mind.

  “Honey, he needs help. And who better to do it than you? You’re the only one in this town who has a lick of fashion sense. Everyone still raves about the décor of Cole’s house. If you can't help him with the grand opening, then just help decorate Tall Oaks for the holidays. Maybe plan the Christmas Eve party, too.” Her mother smiled and nodded as if Maddy would readily agree.

  A pang struck her chest. The house they’d bought and renovated together seemed a dream. It had represented their future, their family, but had easily turned into a lonely rehab where she’d been left to dwell in her misery. “I don’t think…”

  The front door swung open abruptly. Maddy’s gaze jerked to the door. Cole filled the doorway, shaking the snowflakes from his hair. Her mother swung around to face him.

  “Cole, I have a great idea!” Mary’s hands clapped together with excitement.

  Cole flicked a glance at Maddy, then back to Mary. “What’s that?”

  “Maddy can help decorate the lodge and maybe help with the party planning. It’d be perfect.”

  Maddy shook her head as dread washed over her. Cole’s hard stare didn’t help, and she hated the familiar slow grin spreading across his face.

  Cole nodded at Mary. “I think that’s brilliant.”

  Chapter Five

  Cole couldn’t keep the grin off his face. He stifled his laughter at Maddy’s infuriated expression. It’d been so long since he’d smiled or actually enjoyed anything. And she’d been home for only an hour. He loved riling Maddy. She fell easily to teasing most of the time.

  “Well, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m here to relax and spend time with my family.” Maddy’s hand tightened around the coffee mug, knuckles turning white from her grip.

  Mary waved an arm in the air. “You're staying till New Year's. We'll have plenty of time. Cole needs help, and I’ll be busy getting ready for Christmas. Kate and all the kids are coming, along with your father’s parents.”

  “Mom, you need me here,” Maddy said through gritted teeth. “Besides, Cole can just snap his fingers and someone would come do his bidding. Maybe one of those women you mentioned.”

  He chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Oh, stop, Maddy. Cole needs help. Don’t be petty. We taught you better than that,” Mary scolded, then looked to Cole. “When do you want her over?”

  Maddy glared. His breathing stopped. A flash of vulnerability swept over her delicate features before it disappeared as quickly as lightning. She licked her lush lips, and his insides tightened, recalling the hot kiss they’d shared outside. Aware of the rising strain of his groin, he shifted on his feet, clearing his throat. “I'll pay you to decorate the lodge and plan the grand opening party. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.”

  Her delectable mouth opened in shock.

  “Of course she will,” Mary answered. “Now, I better go see how Hank is doing in the kitchen. You kids figure it out.” She walked off.

  Cole shoved his hands into his pockets. “I do need a decorator at least for Tall Oaks. I could do it on my own and let my staff help me, but I’m trying to get ready for the grand opening for Limestone. The Christmas Eve party is all set, but I definitely need decorations for the place.”

  Maddy set her cup on the table next to the couch. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be seen together. You’re the town hero and everyone thinks I left you with a broken heart. I don’t need the gossip, nor do my parents.”

  Anger rose to his throat. “You did leave. You said our marriage isn’t working for you then went off to the big city, and I got divorce papers six months later.”

  Maddy drew in a deep breath and her breasts lifted under the soft cashmere sweater, drawing his gaze to her chest. His feet moved involuntarily closer towards her. “We fought too much. It was always one thing or another and we barely saw each other.”

  Cole stiffened. No matter how hard he’d tried to please her, it hadn’t been enough. He’d pushed himself, worked harder, hoping she would never leave him once he’d accomplished building a life for them here. But she’d run anyway. He’d thought the baby would keep her tied to him, but she’d only shown him how unreliable her love for him was once she’d had the miscarriage. It wasn’t as if he’d tried to stop her from making a career for herself. She was talented and passionate. But she wanted things he couldn’t give her, just like his mother had never been happy with his father. “I’m not asking you to stay. I’m asking you to decorate my lodge. That’s it.”

  Her lips thinned, and then she straightened, indifference taking over her features. “Fine. I can decorate. If you tell me what you need, I’ll make it happen and I would also need a few staff members to help me.”

  He studied her for a second. The stubborn tilt of her nose, the proud jut of her chin. Maddy never backed down from a challenge. Neither did he. The opportunity appeared and he seized it. Once she saw his lodge and how well he was doing, maybe she’d…she’d what? He frowned, more to himself than her. “Fine. Meet me at the diner tomorrow at noon. I should be able to get a list for you by then and we’ll go shopping for whatever you need.”

  “Fine.” She grabbed her cup from the table and walked past him, avoiding his eyes.

  Cole drew in a deep breath. He felt like he’d just won a battle. Over what, he wasn’t sure.

  “And Cole?”

  He whirled around.

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’ll wish you had asked someone else. Don’t blame me if I set your lodge on fire. By accident.” Maddy seethed then stalked off.

  Cole watched the gentle sway of her hips as she marched down the hall to the kitchen. He blinked. Then laughter rumbled from within his chest. She wouldn’t destroy his business on purpose, but her natural disaster tendencies did seem to get her in trouble.

  He couldn’t wait for her to start decorating.

  Chapter Six

  Stumps Diner was the hangout of Five Oaks. With only a few restaurants, antique stores, gift shops and other specialty businesses, the town had grown since Maddy left. She’d used to love wandering the streets with her mother, and she and Cole had spent many dates at the diner in their usual booth. The food was great, even though the place had needed some heavy remodeling and change.

  After the tow truck dropped off her rental, Maddy left the house to meet Cole. She’d arrived at the place a little after noon. Surprise struck her when she’d spotted a couple locking lips against the side of the building. Jo Button and Ash Delaney. Never would she have imagined them together. Maybe the town had changed more than she'd assumed since she hadn't been home in so long. She ignored them and made her way to the entrance. The bell above the door rang when she jerked it open, and every pair of eyes turned in her direction. Maddy scanned the room, swallowing hard at the shocking stares she’d received. Her gaze circled the area for Cole, and she glanced down at her watch to check the time. He was later than her. The jerk.

  Making her way through the restaurant, she picked a booth next to a window and slid in. She sighed. Even more aware of the nosy speculations of her appearance, she cleared her throat and picked up a menu behind the napkin dispenser.

  “What ‘cha gonna have, honey?”

  Maddy didn’t recognize the waitress. In a pink uniform, white apron tied around her waist, wisps of strawberry blonde hair loose from the thick mass on top of her head, she was cute. The waitress popped her gum, giving Maddy the same all-around look over.

  “Can I have a diet Coke for now, please?”

  The woman chewed her gum before giving it another loud pop. “You waitin’ for someone?”

>   Maddy nodded.

  “You gonna wait and order?”

  “Well—”

  “She’s with me.”

  The waitress swirled around. Cole moved into view, tugging at his collar and taking off his gloves. “Cole, honey. You’re back so soon.”

  “Hey, Brie.” Cole unzipped his jacket as he moved closer.

  “I missed you last night. I was hoping you’d show up.”

  Maddy’s eyes narrowed. The waitress’ easy smile turned sensual at the sight of her ex-husband.

  “I got busy. Can I get a cup of coffee though?” He slid into the seat across from Maddy and flicked her a puzzled look.

  “Anything you want, doll. I’ll be back.”

  Maddy watched the waitress skid off to get Cole’s drink. Fingering the edge of the menu, she stared at the glossy food pictures, but didn’t see anything. Her mind ran rampage. What was the relationship between the two? How long had they known each other? Did Cole like her? Was he into blondes now?

  “What’s going on with you?”

  She jerked her head up and frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re curling the edge of that menu. Chris isn’t going to like it if he has to print more menus.”

  Her hands fell to her lap. “I was thinking.”

  Cole chuckled. “About what?”

  She bit the inside of her cheek. It wasn’t any of her business. They were divorced. Who he saw, who he dated, wasn’t her problem. At all. “Is that one of your girlfriends?” she blurted and inwardly cursed herself. Of all the things she could have asked, she’d asked that. But she kept up a stony expression anyway.

  His eyes widened before the corners of his lips curved upward into a slow smile. “Are you jealous?”

  She had that coming, of course. Maddy shrugged and pretended to peruse the menu in front of her. An annoying ache formed in the pit of her stomach, the green monster threatening to claw out. “Think whatever you like.”

  Cole laughed, just as Brie returned with his coffee, her Coke missing. Maddy glared.

  “What ‘cha gonna have today?” Brie pulled out her notepad.

  “I think a tuna melt with fries and onion rings sound good. A side salad, too, please.”

  Maddy kept her gaze down. She didn’t want to see them making goo-goo eyes at each other.

  “What are you going to have, Maddy?”

  She flipped the menu close. “Nothing. I already ate.”

  Cole frowned. “She’ll have the same thing, along with a diet Coke.”

  “Sure thing,” the waitress said, brightly, as she leaned in closer to Cole. “I’ll bring you a piece of pie after, sweetie.”

  “Thanks, Brie.” Cole smiled, warmly.

  Maddy wanted to reach over and pull at the woman’s hair and then tell her off. She stopped. What the hell am I doing?

  “Friend of yours?” the waitress asked Cole.

  Maddy crossed her arms. “No. We don’t know each other.”

  Cole gave her a warning glare. “Maddy is going to decorate the lodge for me and get it ready for Christmas and New Year’s.”

  Brie, the annoying waitress, clapped her hands together. “Oh, that’s great! Then you should have some time off. We could go catch a movie or something.”

  “Well, I suppose—”

  “Excuse me.” Maddy slid out of the booth and strode to the restroom. She couldn’t listen anymore. How dare the woman hit on her husband right in front of her? Who the hell did she think she was? Maddy threw the bathroom door open and moved to the sink. Tears rushed to her eyes.

  Realization struck. As much as she wanted to be over Cole, she wasn’t. He still wreaked havoc on her emotions. Being a thousand miles away from him was easy to forget he’d ever existed until she’d return to her lonely apartment with thoughts of Five Oaks and her family. He’d be the first to appear in her dreams.

  But he wasn’t her husband anymore. She’d divorced him and she had to accept the truth. She couldn’t go back. It was too late.

  If she hadn’t lost the baby, then maybe….

  She turned the faucet on. No matter how many times she dwelled on the past, it wouldn’t change anything. Cole wasn’t hers any longer. He could date whomever he pleased, sleep with whomever he wanted.

  It didn’t concern her.

  Then why was it that she’d been in town less than twenty-four hours and her heart had already broken again so many times over?

  Drawing in a deep breath, she stared at her reflection. She wasn’t ugly, but she wasn’t cute like the waitress either. Too short, slightly stumpy, and recent age lines knocked her confidence down. Maddy could see it already. Her future was going to consist of her, living alone in her cold New York apartment, with her pet fish, and no one to come home to. Her hand lifted to her stomach. She’d give anything to be pregnant with Cole’s child again. If it’d bring him back to her.

  But then it wouldn’t be fair to put the baby last.

  Maddy wouldn’t have it. If she married, she wanted it all, a devoted husband and a loving father for their children. She needed to come first. Cole had taught her that. She pinched her cheeks. Get a grip, Harmon. Slapping a hand to her forehead, Maddy glared at her reflection. Dammit, Glover. Get your name straight first.

  Running her hands under the warm water, she scrubbed fiercely.

  She could handle this. Go in, get the job done, and get out. Mentally patting herself on the back, she ripped a paper towel from the dispenser.

  Cole Harmon could buzz off.

  Chapter Seven

  Maddy grabbed a pack of bows off the rack and threw it into the cart Cole pushed behind her. She perused the selections and frowned. They were at the party supply store in Pentonville since Five Oaks had nothing with regard to event planning. Slim pickings.

  She stopped when they came to a Santa display with its sled and reindeers. Envisioning a white landscape set up, she tapped her chin in contemplation and tried to recall the layout of Tall Oaks. The place was a decent size and if she could get good ‘ole Nick on the roof, then maybe they could have all of the reindeers running across the top.

  “Are you serious?”

  With an annoyed frown, she turned around. “What?”

  “You want that thing?” He pointed at Santa’s belly.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s hideous and plastic. I want elegant and tasteful.”

  Her eyebrows lifted. “And you don’t think I can do that with this thing?”

  He grinned. “Not that I don’t have confidence in your abilities. But, it’s tacky.”

  Maddy bit the inside of her cheek. “Do you want me to help you or not?”

  Cole crossed his arms over his chest. “And you really want that with all those plastic reindeers?”

  Her hands fisted at her sides. She had been thinking about it, but now she knew she wanted the display for sure. “Yup. That’s what I want.”

  “Well, I don’t want that thing.”

  She jabbed him in the shoulder with her finger. “Do you want to do this by yourself?”

  Cole glared. “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth.

  She smiled and walked on. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cole pause and pick up plastic green trays and cups. She backtracked to where he stood. “What are you doing?”

  “What? I need these for the grand opening party.”

  Exasperation seized her. “Put those back. You can’t use those at the party.”

  “Why not? It’s a grand opening. The town is invited. I figured it’d be more festive.”

  Her hands settled on her hips. “Those are tacky.”

  He gave her an amused glance. “And your Santa isn’t?”

  “Fine. Have it your way.” Maddy whirled around and stalked down to the next aisle. Cole’s chuckle followed her as she grabbed garland off the shelves. Irritation whipped through her. Her decorator’s instinct cried out, telling her he was making a mistake. Plastic? Plastic at a party? It was repulsive.
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br />   They made their way to the counter and Cole paid for their purchases. After they loaded up the truck, they walked to the corner deli that offered catering. She could have stayed outside since she wasn’t planning on helping him plan the grand opening party, but curiosity forced her to follow. Maddy stood next to him at the counter as he studied the menu. The place was like a hole in the wall, but busy. A young girl, loudly popping her gum, eyed them up and down.

  “I need a few platters for New Year’s eve,” Cole stated. The girl took out a pad and pen, waiting for Cole to choose.

  Maddy watched as he pointed to a tray of pigs in a blanket and hot dogs. She gasped and gripped his elbow. “No!”

  Cole jerked and frowned at her. “What?”

  “What’s wrong with you? You can’t serve that at the party.”

  He gave her his condescending look she’d always hated. “Then what am I going to serve? I thought you couldn’t help me plan the grand opening party. And I already let you get away with that hideous plastic Santa and his deformed reindeers.”

  Annoyance gripped her. She didn’t want to help him, but his sense of party etiquette was disastrous. Appalling. How could he think to serve such things at an event? He has no taste! Pasting on a smile for the girl, she grabbed Cole’s elbow. “Thank you very much but we won’t be needing anything.”

  She pulled him out of the deli before he could say another word.

  “I need to order food or I won’t have anything for the grand opening.”

  Maddy stopped and turned around to face him. Dread formed a lump in her throat. She was going to regret this. She hadn’t really planned on staying until New Year’s and now it seems, she had no choice. “I’ll plan your stupid party and order the food.”

  Cole broke out into a grin. “Great. Let’s go home.”

  Her mouth dropped as he strolled to the truck.