Chapter 6 #2
He immediately recognized the man she was talking to. There was no mistaking the short, well-dressed man in khakis and a polo shirt that probably cost more than most people make in a week, with his receding hairline and the arrogant confidence that came from never having been told no.
Robert. Her ex-husband.
Cole’s hands stilled on the reins he’d been gathering.
What was he doing here?
As he watched, Robert moved closer to her, saying something that caused her to step back. Her body language indicated discomfort, but he kept talking, one hand reaching out as if to touch her arm.
Conrad showed up in the lodge doorway, his face dark, clearly having noticed the interaction.
Cole handed the reins to one of the stablehands who had come to help. “Get them cooled down and turned out. I need to handle something.”
He began walking toward the lodge, his heart pounding as he watched Robert’s hand close around her wrist. And Jewel, his Jewel, pulled away sharply, her face pale but her chin lifted in defiance. Whatever Robert was saying, she wasn’t having it.
But the fact that he was here at all, that he had once again shown up in Otter Creek, that he was standing on his property touching her as if he had any right to do so, was infuriating.
His jaw clenched automatically as he closed the gap, and his boots hit the porch steps with a loud thud that made the wood creak. Robert’s hand was still on her wrist, and the sight of it stirred something dark and primal in his chest.
“Get your hand off her.” His voice came out hard and flat.
Robert looked up, a slow, insolent smile spreading across his face. “Cole. Good to see you again. I was just catching up with Jewel. It’s been a while.” He slowly released her wrist.
The easy familiarity in his tone set Cole’s teeth on edge. Robert stood there on his porch like he owned the place, with that same entitled stance he had when he showed up at his house earlier this summer, demanding to talk to Jewel.
“What do you want?”
Robert’s gaze shifted back to Jewel, his face filled with false concern. “I was in the area and thought I’d check in. Frankly, I’m surprised you’re still here, sweetheart. I figured by now you’d have finished this whole nanny situation and gone back to Albany. It’s been what, almost three months?”
Her face was pale, but her voice remained steady. “I told you three weeks ago when you called that it’s none of your business what I do. And I’m not selling the condo.”
“Right, right. The whole ‘I need a fresh start’ and ‘I need some time’ thing.” Robert’s tone made it clear what he thought of that.
“I just thought maybe by now you’d realized that playing house in the mountains isn’t really sustainable long-term.
You’ve got a life back home. A career. Assets to manage. ”
Jewel took a step back. “My career is safe, and I’m managing my assets just fine.”
Robert’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Are you though? Because from where I’m standing, you’re living in someone else’s house, taking care of someone else’s kid, in the middle of nowhere. That doesn’t exactly scream ‘safe or ‘managing assets’ to me. It screams hiding.”
Cole clenched his fists to stop himself from punching Robert. “She’s not hiding. She’s working. And what she does with her life is none of your business.”
Robert’s attention shifted back to him, evaluating.
“My, my. Protective, aren’t we? I have to say, when Rebecca told me Jewel was playing nanny for your kid, I figured it was temporary.
A few weeks, maybe a month. But three months?
” He shook his head, looking concerned but friendly.
“That’s starting to look like something else entirely. ”
“Get to the point or get off my property.”
“The point is that Jewel is still my concern. The market is good right now, and if she’s not moving back, she should liquidate her assets. She’s missing some good opportunities, and I can help her.”
“I’m not selling you the condo. I’ve told you that multiple times. My answer isn’t going to change.” Her voice sounded firmer now.
Conrad stepped away from the doorframe to stand on her other side; his expression was stormy. “Sounds like you’ve got your answer, mister. It’s time to leave.”
Robert’s gaze flicked to Conrad, assessing this new player. “And you are?”
“Conrad Blackwell. Cole’s brother. You need to go.” His tone made it clear he wasn’t interested in pleasantries.
“I’m just having a friendly conversation.”
Conrad crossed his arms. “No, you’re harassing someone who’s asked you to leave multiple times. So, either you walk to your car, or we help you get there. Your choice.”
Robert’s pleasant mask flickered, revealing something cold before he smoothed it back into place.
“There’s no need for threats. I’m going.
” He pulled a business card from his wallet and tried to hand it to Jewel.
When she didn’t take it, he set it on the porch railing.
“When you’re ready to be reasonable about the condo, call me. I’m staying in town for a few days.”
“Why?” The question escaped before he could stop himself. Why would Jewel’s ex suddenly be spending so much time up here?