Donovan Dunn
As Chloe and I change into some dry, warm clothes, outside our room I can hear the clomp of little feet racing toward the stairs.
“Slow down, buddy!” Jake calls, his voice muffled from the thick wood of the closed door.
Chloe laughs. “I guess that’s our cue to head back downstairs, huh?”
I just grin at her and nod. It felt so nice to have a spare moment to lounge in bed with her. Back home, neither of us get time for such things. We’re always rushing somewhere or finishing something or heading to an appointment with someone. But here, for just a few minutes, I’d tried to focus on nothing but the woman in my arms and what this trip could hold for us.
Managing to secure some kind of business deal with Ethan and Co-Co would be great for Dunn Advertising, not to mention make this entire trip a write-off.
This place is gorgeous and deserves way more attention than it gets. Hell, maybe they could even franchise and build a series of Everett’s Christmas Lodges all across the country.
Once I'm able to convince the owners to sign with me, we can explore all those options and more.
I know Chloe will be just as thrilled as I am to have them as clients. I’m aware that she wants this trip to be an escape from work, but I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to find out a little working vacation can yield new revenue for us.
Plus, I don’t mind putting in some hard work behind the scenes to make it happen. It’s the best of both worlds. Not only will we have a nice getaway for Christmas, but we’ll have a boost in business, too.
Taking Chloe’s hand, I lead her out of our suite and toward the staircase. Behind us, I spot Morgan and Eric in the hall. The two lovebirds are certainly taking their time. They’re leaning against their door, whispering in one another’s ears.
I smirk to myself remembering the honeymoon stage Chloe and I shared. We couldn’t get enough of each other. But anyone can have that kind of physical attraction. It’s finding common ground and important things to share with your significant other that really matter later.
I'm lucky enough to have truly found my partner in Chloe.
Her fingers intertwine with mine as we make our way downstairs. Her movements are elegant and smooth. I admire the way her dark hair tumbles over her shoulders. She’s so beautiful without even trying. Sometimes, when I look at her, I’m just . . . speechless.
My heart squeezes painfully with the love I feel for her. It’s bittersweet, this unyielding affection I have for her. Because as much as I love her, I’m equally scared I’m going to lose her.
I know it’s irrational to think that way. What happened with Vivian was a devastating accident. It’s not likely Chloe will get swept away by a storm, but I can’t seem to push the worry from my mind that something else might swoop in and steal away the overwhelming joy she brings to my life.
As if she can sense my worry, Chloe glances my way, her lips pulling into a frown. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head, giving her hand a squeeze rather than telling her what’s on my mind. Even if I could find the words, this isn’t the time or the place. I can hear Morgan and Eric a few paces behind us, and already Co-Co’s enthusiastic voice is ringing through the lobby as she greets us.
Once we’re all together, Co-Co addresses the group. “Okay, are you ready for your first adventure?”
Ryan cheers even though he doesn’t know what we’re doing yet, but I have to admit, the exuberant hostess’s enthusiasm is contagious.
“Snowmobiling!” Co-Co announces.
“And you’re coming along with us, right?” Ethan adds, playfully throwing his arm around Co-Co.
The hazel-eyed woman nods. “Yes, of course. I mean, I kind of want to stay here and bake cookies with the girls and the kids, which is the other option, by the way,” she adds. “But I’ll be going with the snowmobile group in case anyone needs a nurse.” She flashes a spirited grin at her fiancé.
“Wait, really?” Jake asks, worriedly, his arm suddenly hooking around Stacy, pulling her closer. “Do you usually need medical assistance on these kinds of trips?”
“No, but you can never be too prepared,” Co-Co replies.
“Count me in,” Eric announces.
“Me too,” Owen says.
“I’m out,” Stacy says, her eyes looking a bit larger than usual.
“Me too,” Margot adds.
With Stacy being pregnant, it’s a no-brainer that she’ll be skipping the extreme winter sport to stay behind and make cookies with the kids. I’m guessing so will my Chloe. Like me, she tends to enjoy the finer things in life, which are normally indoors. But Jake . . . I’d automatically assumed the athlete of our group would jump at the chance to race through the wintery wilderness on a snowmobile.
Morgan laughs. “Don’t worry, Stacy! I'm going with the boys, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on them.” She sets her hands on her hips, grinning at the guys. “Or should I say they’ll be keeping an eye on me, since they’ll be eating my dust?”
Eric laughs. “Oh, it’s on!” His eyes swivel to me. “What do you say, Donovan? Chloe? You guys in?”
I look at my beautiful fiancée, but she’s already shaking her head. “I think I’m in the mood for cookies,” Chloe says.
I squeeze her hand, to let her know that’s perfectly okay, but add softly, “I think I’m in the mood for some wilderness.”
Chloe balks in surprise. “Really?”
“We’ll get to see a lot of the grounds while on this snowmobile tour, right?” I ask interestedly.
I’ve been studying the map of the place on one of the lodge’s pamphlets since we arrived. I'm eager to
