Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
There was a low hum from the guests coming and going from the lodge.
The open sitting area where Cecelia had decided to set up shop was the perfect place to work.
There was a large fireplace in the center of the room that could be seen from both sides.
Tables and chairs, loveseats, and couches offered plenty of options for people to visit.
There was a small bar area that served anything from soda to coffee.
During the winter, Cecelia would wager this place was brimming with guests. The large windows opened out onto a beautiful landscape, the very same landscape she’d chosen to run through.
Perhaps she’d go for another run before bed this evening.
Eyes were on her. She glanced around the lodge and found more than one person looking at her.
This was normal. At least it was back in the city where everyone knew who her father was.
She anticipated the same would end up happening for the folks around here.
Only, they wouldn’t know who she was, but rather what she was doing there.
Eventually, everyone would recognize her father as the man who wanted to change their way of life.
They’d associate Cecelia with him as his assistant.
The locals wouldn’t trust her. They might shun her.
No one would smile like that man at the sweets shop.
She turned her focus to the task at hand, not bothering to hide the smile that came every time she thought of him. He was a great deal taller than she was, and a local if his attire was anything to go by.
He had on a worn cowboy hat, a T-shirt and a delicious pair of jeans, and boots that were well-loved. Her eyes had locked on his strong, clean-shaven jaw when she’d first seen him, but the second she met those warm chocolate eyes, her reservations had gone out the window.
Cecelia was normally so cool and collected. When she spoke, she said exactly what she needed to in order to get the point across. Thinking about that embarrassing encounter had her cheeks flushing. She pressed cool hands to her face.
Once again, she’d gotten sidetracked. It was time to focus. She was here on business, after all.
Reginald Williams didn’t visit small towns like this one to be unsuccessful.
The plot of land he was interested in would become a luxury resort, helipad and all.
The whispered objection in town was that Rocky Ridge already had the Overlook Grand, and it was as fancy as anybody here wanted to get. Cecelia had run into that all the time.
It had never once held.
The problem at hand was getting the folks from this town to see the potential this place had to offer. Just because her father wanted to develop some of this space didn’t mean they were the bad guys.
Business was business.
She slid her finger over the pad at the bottom of her screen and went through the reports her father had requested.
Months ago, they’d sent a surveyor out to make sure there was enough space to do what he wanted.
They’d gotten plenty of data about how it would affect the current infrastructure and what changes would need to be made to make it work.
The council had assured her that they were willing to update the roads that would lead to the property, but ultimately it came down to a town vote.
She sighed, already preparing for the onslaught of angry community members. If they knew what her father looked like, they’d go on a witch hunt. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind.
Someone plopped down in the chair across from her and grinned.
Cecelia blinked. “Good afternoon.”
The woman flicked her blond hair over her shoulder and leaned in almost conspiratorially. “I heard about you.”
Cecelia sat up straight. “What?”
She had the bluest eyes Cecelia had ever seen.
They were large and framed by long lashes.
Everything about her screamed she wasn’t the same as the other people around Rocky Ridge.
On her left hand a diamond sparkled, and her cat-who-caught-the-canary smile had Cecelia’s walls coming right up. “You’re with them, right?”
“Them?”
She waved a dismissive hand. “You can tell me. I won’t breathe a word to anyone. Especially not my sister. Brooke would throw a fit if she found out I was talking to you.”
“I’m sorry.” Cecelia dragged her hands down her blouse and straightened in her seat. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The woman laughed then held out her hand. “Kelsey Cook. I live up on the hill at Twisted Rivers Ranch.”
She waited as if Cecelia should know what that meant. Her blank stare must have been enough to spur Kelsey on.
“I know what you’re going through, is all I was going to say. You’re an outsider, right? Well, when my sisters and I moved here, people treated us differently, too. You need tough skin.”
“Oh, I’m not moving—”
“Semantics. You’re here to make a change. Ruffle some feathers. Honestly, I couldn’t care less what you want to build on that property. Sure, the Dennison family is going to throw a fit, but then you’re right there at their gates, aren’t you?”
Flustered, Cecelia closed her laptop. “I don’t think I’m the person you think I am.”
Kelsey laughed. “Don’t worry about it.” Her eyes swept over Cecelia’s form.
“I could pick you out of a crowd. Your clothes practically announced you the minute you entered the lobby.” She shrugged one shoulder.
“Anyway, it’s not the end of the world if you want to build something. But maybe you could use some advice?”
“And what would that be?” Cecelia hedged.
“I’d consider a different plot of land, honestly.
This town isn’t dead set against change.
It’s more like you’re trying to throw a frog into hot water.
Ease into it, you know? Let them get to know you and see the dreams you have for a place like this.
Maybe as an act of good faith, offer something they can’t refuse.
Whatever you’re planning, just make sure that you keep to the core values. ”
Core values.
She made an excellent point. There had been projects they’d worked on in the past where they’d catered to the towns. But those communities were open to discussion. They were willing to compromise on certain things.
But Rocky Ridge?
They were as flexible as a metal pole.
Cecelia nodded. “That makes sense. I’ll make sure to pass that on to my—” She cut herself off before she could reveal her boss was her father.
“Boss,” she finished. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to have all the advice he can get.
” Probably not. But if it was coming from Cecelia, he was more likely to consider it.
Kelsey nodded. “Great. And maybe consider a different location. I’m sure there are other spots that would be just as good. When you’re too close to civilization—”
“There are several acres of land—”
She laughed again, giving Cecelia the feeling that she was more carefree than the typical person.
“You know country folk. People in the city don’t mind being sandwiched together.
It’s just their way of life. But out here?
You’re breathing down someone’s neck if you can see their house from your front porch. ”
Cecelia’s mouth dropped open. No, she hadn’t considered that perspective, but it did make sense. She snapped her mouth shut before she got caught looking like a fish. “Thanks.” She didn’t know what she was thanking her for this time, but it felt like the only reasonable thing to say.
Kelsey stood up. “Anyway, I’m heading out. Good luck with everything.” Then she winked and zipped her lips. “Don’t worry. Like I said, I won’t say a thing.”
Cecelia watched her go, stunned from their interaction.
That had been interesting. It made her wonder what Kelsey’s sisters were like.
She grinned after a few minutes. As far as locals were concerned, Kelsey wasn’t half bad.
Neither was Wendy, for that matter. Maybe she’d have a better experience this time around than she thought.
Her thoughts were pulled from Kelsey when her phone lit up. It started to ring over and over, causing a few people nearby to glance in her direction with irritation. She scrambled to pick it up and answer.
“Hey, girl!” Brittany’s chipper voice came through so loud that Cecelia had to lower the volume. “It feels like forever.”
“It’s been two weeks.” Cecelia laughed. She gathered her things and headed for the elevators.
Britt was her best friend, the one person besides her father who knew she wanted her own company, and the one person who didn’t agree with her father about whether she was ready.
Cecelia let her talk about her dating life and said nothing about a cowboy in a sweets shop.
Britt would have her staking out the place by morning.
“So, you getting any closer to starting your business?” Britt asked as Cecelia reached her door. “You’ve had some time to do more planning, haven’t you?”
“My dad thinks I need more experience under my belt.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. Tell him after this project you’d like to reevaluate.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Cecelia admitted, pulling out her card. “We’ll chat later. Promise.”
Cecelia tossed her computer and phone onto her bed. She glanced around the beautiful room and sighed. These four walls were closing in on her. She’d enjoyed the seating area on the main floor. And she’d loved being in town.
Maybe she could scope out some of the places in town and do her work away from the lodge. That thought took hold, and she reached for her phone to do it when it rang in her hand. She blinked. Wendy Gilley.
Wendy: Hey! I’m going out with some friends. Come along?
Cecelia’s thumb hovered over the notification. She was being invited to spend time with a group of women from town. If they were anything like Wendy or Kelsey, that sounded like it could be fun. It was later in the evening, and she didn’t know what that would entail.
Cecelia: What do you have in mind?
Wendy’s response was immediate.
Wendy: You ever been country dancing?
Cecelia smiled. That definitely sounded like fun.
Cecelia: I’m game. Send me the address and I’ll meet you there.
She showed up at a brick building in a nearby town. Music spilled out every time the door opened. There was only one problem.
Cecelia should have asked Wendy for the appropriate attire.
She was wearing a black dress that hugged her form.
At least she’d been smart enough to pair it with the cowboy boots she’d bought in town.
But most of the patrons were wearing jeans.
There was the occasional skirt, but those were also made from jean material.
It was all very casual, and Cecelia was showing her stripes when she stepped inside dressed like she was heading to a bar in New York.
Several people looked in her direction. If this was a movie, the DJ would have made that scratching sound with a record player. At least, that was how it felt at that moment. Her palms went clammy and her eyes scanned the room for Wendy. If she wasn’t there yet, then Cecelia had a chance to escape.
As if her feet had already gotten the memo, she took a small step backward. There was no sign of Wendy, and Cecelia had already made up her mind to text her that she wasn’t going to make it. One more step. Then another.
Cecelia spun around and ran face-first into a very tall, very firm chest.
Two hands came out and caught her hips as if by instinct.
She lifted her eyes and lost her train of thought.
Gorgeous, deep brown eyes peered back at her. One side of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a smile.
The cowboy from the sweets shop in town.
“Hi,” she murmured.