It's October, Hartley.
I wanted to see it before the weather changed.
Hon, are you trying to win him over for business or pleasure?
My skin heats, knowing that part of my need to please him has nothing to do with my job, and everything to do with the fact that I'm madly in love with the man. A man I frequently refer to as an ass. But that doesn't keep me from wanting him. One of his many admirers, to be sure.
I roll my eyes.Get it together, girl.
And then my phone dies. Searching the glove box, I remember I took the charger out since I don’t use the car often.Fan-fucking-tastic.
That's it. I'm heading back. The winds of fate are warning me against this plan, and I'm not too proud to listen. I'll have Celeste come up here with me in the next few weeks, and we'll borrow a car or something.
The car bumps over something as I pull away, followed by a loud popping noise.
"Shit. Shit. Shit."
I try to keep driving, but thewub-wub-wubnoise indicates I’ve popped a tire.
This is the universe reminding me that it can always get worse.
I back up so I can change the spare with more room. The car suddenly jerks to a stop, throwing me roughly in my seat. Rolling down my window, I crane my neck toward the back of the vehicle, but I don't see anything. I try to move forward again, and my wheels spin, kicking up dust and dirt.
When I get out to inspect the situation, I see two large rocks hugging my back wheel and jamming the car in place. The front tire is flat, and the metal rim is bent.
I've thoroughly fucked this up.
Checking my watch, I realize my team isn't expecting me back for another forty-five minutes, which means they might not notice I'm gone for a while. I breathe through the bile rising in my throat and focus on grounding myself in the present instead of giving in to the anxiety. Too bad the anxiety seems to be winning.
Nope. Keep the panic at bay, Hartley.
I inhale a deep breath and exhale slowly. Everything will be fine. I'll hunker down here and wait for a car to pass.
As I get back into the driver's seat, I try to roll up my window. It makes a terrible whirring sound and refuses to budge. It's like the car is throwing a fucking two-ton tantrum.
"Fine, Louise, be that way!" I yell, knowing full well I might be headed for full psychosis. Serves me right for trying to get the attention of a man who barely acknowledges I exist.
"Expensive lesson to learn, Hartley," I mutter to myself, pulling the collar of my coat up around my ears.
You're fine.It will be fine. Everything'sfine.
Chapter 3
Bradford
"Mr. Maloney?" Susan raps lightly on the doorjamb.
I glance up at her unusual tone. It’s not quite anxiety or nerves. No, trepidation is the best word for it, which is very un-Susan-like. Underneath her wholesome, grandmotherly persona beats the heart of a no-nonsense, type-A, control freak. I may be the CEO, but she’s the glue to this company's tight-ship status. Whatever has Susan on edge is not to be dismissed.
"Everything okay?" I ask as she steps into my office.
"I don't know," she answers, holding out her hands with a sigh. "Ms. Byrnes was scheduled to be back a few hours ago, but nobody can get hold of her."
Hartley?My stomach drops. "I don't understand. Where did she go?"
Susan eyes me cautiously. "Apparently, she went up the mountain to check out the location you recommended for the spring event but hasn't come back. She's still new to the area, and I'm concerned that she might have gotten turned around.With the storm coming tonight, I would certainly feel better if we could find her."
"Hartley went up the mountain alone?" I jump up and grab my coat as I run toward the door.
