Page 29 of The Ice Queen in the Corner Office

She spun and disappeared into the darkness. I carried my bag back down the steps and caught up with her. “I thought I had a room inside the main house.”

“Oh, no.” Her voice was soft and sweet, but somehow also…Taunting? “Your assistant said you’d require the best room we’ve got. Our best rooms are the cabins. You’ll have privacy, your own bathroom, and a hot tub on the porch.”

“That sounds amazing.”

Something cracked behind me, as loud as a shotgun blast in the still night. I spun, but I couldn’t see anything in the darkness.

“You know maybe the house would be better,” I said. “I’m not a huge fan of man-eating bears.”

Saying I wasn’t a fan was putting it mildly. I hated the great outdoors. Give me a luxury suite in the middle of the city, and I was happy. I didn’t need mountain views, mosquitoes, or man-eating beasts.

“No bears out here,” she said, amusement lacing her words. “I can assure you it will be perfectly safe.”

She stepped onto the porch of a tiny cabin with a single bulb illuminating the weather-worn exterior. She unlocked the door and led me inside.

It was nicer than I’d expected, but still far more rustic than anywhere I’d stayed in my adult life. I’d had more than my share of rustic as a kid, though, so it didn’t scare me.

There was a large, king-sized bed, a chair, a T.V. and not much else. But it was clean and warm.

May crossed the room and opened a door. “Here’s your full bath.”

She stepped aside and I went into the room, it was small but there was a decent-sized shower and tub combo, as well as a pedestal sink. It would suit my needs just fine.

“Did you say there’s a hot tub on the—”

I stepped into the main room to find May standing by the front door and, next to her, arms crossed over his chest, was Noah Reynolds, Jill’s brother and the former owner of the Reynolds Hotels and Resorts, which I’d bought.

I looked around for cameras or some evidence that I was being pranked, but I saw nothing. I was confused, out-of-my-element, and feeling vulnerable, so I did what I always did in those sorts of situations, I pretended I was feeling the complete opposite.

“Noah,” I said. “It’s a been awhile. You’re looking a little rough. Missing the corporate life?”

“Missing sleep,” he said. “I’ve got three kids under three at home and—”

May elbowed him in the side and he straightened.

“What the hell are you doing here, Owings?”

I leaned against the wall and tried to figure out what the hell was going on. I hated not knowing where I stood.

“I’m taking a vacation, Noah. I know you never got in the habit, but it’s what us successful business folk do when we have the money and the time for leisure.”

His hands fisted and he lunged forward, but May grabbed his elbow and pulled him back.

“There’s no need to resort to violence,” she said. She stepped in front of Noah and stuck out her hand. “I’m May Reynolds, Noah’s sister. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

I shook her hand, but I was too shocked to make my typical glib remarks. “Is the whole family here for a vacation together?”

Her eyes widened, and she looked back at Noah.

He glared at me. “Don’t fall for his shit, May. He knows exactly what’s going on.” He stalked over and stood in front of me. “The other hotels and resorts weren’t enough for you? You had to come after Mom and Cody’s place?”

I stared at him, completely confused, but I got that he genuinely believed I was a threat to his mom and I wasn’t going to push buttons on that front. I wasn’t in the mood for another black eye.

I held my hands up in surrender. “Noah, I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. I’m here on vacation.”

“And you just happened to come here? To my mother’s bed and breakfast and my brother’s winery by coincidence?”

Aw, shit.

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