Adventurous Love Read online

  Adventurous Love

  A Mountain Haven Novel

  Lea Coll

  Contents

  Adventurous Love

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Bonus Epilogue

  Mountain Haven Series

  About the Author

  Books by Lea Coll

  Adventurous Love

  A Mountain Haven Novel

  Lea Coll

  Adventurous Love

  A Mountain Haven Novel

  Lea Coll

  Copyright © 2021 by Lea Coll

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  * * *

  Cover Design: Kari March Designs

  Editing: The Ryter’s Proof

  Published by: Lady Boss Press, Inc.

  Chapter 1

  Kelsey

  * * *

  “I’m so glad you came.” Elle’s familiar voice wrapped around me along with her arms, easing the pressure in my chest. Her citrus scent blocked out the stale smell of the airport.

  I pulled back, soaking her in. I hadn’t seen her since high school except on video calls. “Thanks for coming to get me.”

  Elle clasped her hands together, her smile widening. “I’m just so happy you’re here. Talking on the phone isn’t the same.”

  The tightness in my muscles slowly unraveled, the tension in my neck dissipating. When we were kids, we’d run over to each other’s houses, leaving notes, or talking for hours in the tree house in her backyard. There was just something about hanging out with someone who got you, who knew where you came from, and what you struggled with.

  “It isn’t.” My smile came easier this time as I slung one bag over my shoulder, rolling the larger one next to me. Glancing at her relaxed profile, I realized I hadn’t had a friend like her since we’d lost touch.

  Flashing me a large smile, she said, “I can’t wait to show you around.”

  Her voice vibrated with excitement and happiness.

  We stepped through the automatic doors; the cold wind stung my face, stealing my breath from my lungs.

  I had gotten used to chilly weather in New York, but this was different. There were no skyscrapers to block the gusts of wind. The relatively flat land of the airport gave way to snowcapped mountains. I paused to take it in. The ocean I’d grown up next to wasn’t this awe-inspiring. “Look at that view.”

  Elle’s lips curved into a wistful smile. “When I came here as a child, I thought there was something magical about the mountains, like they’d protect me from anything. When I was looking for a place to open my barber shop, this was the first place I considered.”

  “I think you might be right.” The sheer size of the mountains and the beauty of the snow caps were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Covering my hands and head with a hat and gloves, I followed her to her Range Rover.

  With a sheepish expression, Elle waved a hand at the SUV. “The one thing from LA I haven’t been able to part with.”

  In New York, I had no need for a vehicle, not that I’d waste money on one. The apartment I shared with three roommates was expensive. Takeout and taxi rides all added up.

  Sliding onto her plush leather seats, Elle turned up the heat, pointing the vents at me.

  I laughed. “I’m not a California girl anymore.”

  Her lips curled into a smile. “I guess not.” She sobered, considering me before backing her SUV out of the parking spot. “How are you really doing?”

  Her question, spiked with concern, pierced my aching heart. I longed to confide in her, but years of holding back won over. “I should be asking how you are with the wedding coming up in a week, and a baby on the way.”

  Elle’s smile widened. “You know, I never thought I’d move to Colorado, meet someone, get pregnant and married, and all within a year.”

  “It’s crazy,” I agreed, relaxing into the seat, relieved I’d redirected the conversation to her.

  Living in New York, marriage and kids never entered my mind. The single lifestyle of partying, clubbing, and late nights for twenty-somethings―even thirty-somethings―was strong even though I was too busy to do the same.

  She shook her head. “I can’t get over how lucky I am. I moved here hoping to make my business a success and ended up with so much more.”

  I settled deeper into the plush leather seats, the heater warming me, searching for a word to describe this place. “You found peace.”

  “Yeah. I did.” She hesitated as if she had more to say. “I want you to find that too.”

  I laughed. “I won’t find it here. My life is in New York.”

  “I didn’t mean that. I just thought this would be a nice break for you. You work so hard.”

  “I love my job.” Working at a small two-dollar firm on the New York Stock Exchange was fast-paced and exciting.

  “But are you happy?” Her tone was filled with concern.

  I shifted in my seat, my eyes trained on the mountains. In New York, the only constant was street noise, people, and skyscrapers. My job was high stress, one mistake could mean hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars lost, but I thrived on it. I loved the camaraderie, working with a lot of different personalities in a small space. The job involved a lot of socializing, dinners, and evenings out. “I love work. I love New York. I think that’s all anyone can ask for.”

  There was always something to do and someone to do it with. After being alone so much as a child, I longed to be surrounded by other people even if the interactions fell flat. I’m sure it was my fault due to my inability to let go and have fun.

  “Are your parents still living in California?” Elle’s simple question was loaded with empathy.

  She knew how much my parents’ disinterest in my life grated on my feelings over the years. I thought moving across the country would erase the desire to please them, and the longing for them to notice me. It hadn’t.

  “They still live in the same house. They’re working and traveling.” I kept my tone light. I didn’t like to visit often. Going home summoned these overwhelming feelings of disappointment and hurt. They lived their life—one I never fit into. I was a missing puzzle piece to a puzzle they didn’t have. I moved around, tried to find a good fit, but in the end, I didn’t belong. I just wish it didn’t bother me so much.

  I shifted in my seat to face her. “Did you tell your parents about the baby or the wedding?”

  She turned right at the Mountain Haven Lodge sign. “I took Gray to meet them a few weeks ago.” Elle’s face screwed up as if whatever happened was unpleasant. “Mom said I ruined any chance of a spin-off because I’m pregnant.”

  I shook my head
in disbelief. “You never wanted to do the show anyway.”

  “They never cared about what I wanted.” Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

  What our parents thought shouldn’t matter but it was hard to escape old hurts, to set them aside. It was almost as if letting it go was excusing what happened, pretending it didn’t exist. Not wanting her to dwell on our past, I changed the subject, “How is the barber shop?”

  “Owning something that’s all mine is—it’s indescribable. I feel like I have a purpose, that I’m doing something good for the community, providing a service. I get to interact with the townspeople and the tourists. It’s a great way to get to know everyone. I love hearing their stories, what brought them to Telluride, why they couldn’t leave, or how they’d lived here all their lives.” Her voice was filled with emotion.

  Her experience was a direct contrast to mine. In New York, no one delved beneath the surface to ask why you were here or where you were going.

  Elle gestured down the lane at the cabin coming into view. “Gray’s friend, Henry, just opened the lodge where we’re getting married.”

  The trees cleared as the lodge came into view, the ever-present mountains the perfect backdrop. With a wraparound wood porch, an A-framed roof, stone chimneys, and large windows to showcase the view, I wasn’t sure what the right word for it was—impressive.

  Everything faded—the dream job I’d applied for and the decision to take the Series 7 test—gave way to serenity. The feeling that there was something bigger and more important than what was going on in my life settled in my chest, spreading outward to my limbs, relaxing me.

  Elle parked. “This will be the perfect escape for you.”

  Sharp twinges pierced my heart like pins on a pincushion. At first, I thought I’d be bored taking off for a week and a half. Now, it didn’t seem long enough.

  I opened the passenger side door, my boots crunching on the snow, the crisp air held the promise of more. Working as a clerk on the New York Stock Exchange, I was overdue for a reset. I was afraid to take time off, worried someone else would take over my position. Standing in front of the lodge, it was hard to care about what I’d left behind in New York. It was impossible to consider anything but what was in front of me.

  “Henry,” Elle said as a man stepped down the porch steps, his arms outspread to welcome her.

  After a brief hug, Elle pulled back, gesturing to me. “This is my friend, Kelsey Turner.”

  “New York Kelsey.” His gravelly voice reverberated in my chest.

  I stepped forward, my hand extended, trying to remember what Elle said about him. All I could remember was that he was Gray’s college friend who convinced him to move here and work at the vet clinic. “That’s right. It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “Henry Rigby.” His gloved hand encased mine, his grip strong. Sandy blond hair, blue eyes, tan weather-roughened skin, and a scruff-lined chin as if he didn’t have the time or inclination to shave. He was rugged, the opposite of the men I’d met in New York. Where I’d been relaxed a second ago, everything suddenly sparked to life. My skin tingled with awareness, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. What was it about him?

  “Henry is Gray’s friend from college, and the reason Gray moved here.” Elle curled a hand around his arm, her expression affectionate.

  “Well then, we’re destined to be friends.” I was thrilled Elle met Gray. They were so good for each other.

  Henry’s lips tipped into a smile, his eyes intent on me.

  Looking away from the heat of his gaze, I said, “This place is beautiful. It’s a great location.”

  “Thanks. We already had the cabins on my parents’ property. I wanted to renovate them, put them up for rent. Gray had other ideas.” Henry exchanged a smile with Elle.

  “Gray convinced Henry to build the lodge, thinking some guests would prefer more luxurious accommodations.”

  Henry turned to me, his expression earnest. “I want people to see what makes Telluride special. It’s not the town itself, the shops, or restaurants; it’s the mountains.”

  Him. The word popped into my head without further thought. There were the mountains, the snow that seemed to hush the world around it, the crunch of the snow signaling life, and the tall pines. It all paled in comparison to this one man, his eyes swimming with the intensity of his dreams, his visions for the lodge, and his hopes for the guests.

  “Telluride has its share of bed and breakfasts and inns. We’re hoping visitors will prefer the ranch feel. You can ride horses, hike, snowmobile, and ski or snowboard on the mountain.”

  Elle’s voice brought me back to the conversation. My skin heated despite the cool air.

  Henry’s cheeks were pink. “Elle’s wedding will be our first big event.”

  “I can’t wait to see everything.” I meant the town, the countryside, and Elle’s wedding, but I also wanted to get to know Henry. Was he content here in Telluride? Did he have another career before opening the lodge?

  “Let’s get you checked in.” Henry led the way inside, stopping at the reception counter.

  The interior was wood—the floors, walls, and beams—a large stone fireplace the centerpiece of one wall. Drawn to the large windows and the view at the back of the house, I wandered further into the room.

  “I knew you’d love it here.” Elle’s voice came from behind me.

  “Thanks for pushing me to come,” I said over my shoulder. Ever since Elle reached out to me a few months ago, we’d kept in touch. When she told me she was engaged and getting married, I was happy for her even though her goals seemed so out of reach―something happening to someone else, far from my reality. Now that I was here, Elle’s hand covering her still-flat belly, the gorgeous Colorado landscape filling my vision, I was curious. Was I happy with my life? Did I want more than a challenging career?

  “We’ll clear out the furniture and have the wedding here.” Henry gestured around the room.

  Without the furniture, the room was large enough for a small wedding party. Both Gray and Elle had small families, so there was no need for a big wedding.

  “It’s perfect.” The only thing better would be to get married outside.

  As if she’d read my mind, she added, “The weather’s too unpredictable this time of year to plan something outside. I’m happy with the snow in the background.”

  “Your photographer could take some photographs outside. Is there a deck or a porch?”

  Henry stood slightly behind Elle, observing us, his hands stuffed into his worn jeans. “There is.”

  Elle looked from Henry to me. “I’m hoping you could work with Henry on some of the details for the wedding.”

  Her tone was hesitant even though we’d discussed me coming early to assist.

  My heart rate picked up. She hadn’t mentioned working with Henry. Smiling to cover my nerves, I said, “I’m happy to help.”

  Being in her first trimester, Elle was exhausted.

  Henry’s smile stiffened.

  Was he worried about working with me? Or did he not want to plan a wedding?

  “Great. I’ll let you get settled in. We can talk about the wedding later. I’m ready for a nap myself.” Elle hugged me, whispering in my ear. “I’m so relieved you’re here.”

  “Me too.”

  With one last squeeze, Elle walked away, leaving me alone with Henry.

  “I’ll take you on the tour.” Henry led the way through the dining room to a wood-paneled kitchen with stainless steel appliances and wood countertops. “These are all custom-made to give the place a lodge-feel.”

  “You accomplished that.” The wood gave it a cozy feel despite the stainless steel.

  Next, he showed me a smaller room with book-filled shelves on every wall, oversized leather couches, and a cozy rug that covered the wood floors.

  I sighed, the remaining tension leaving my body, making me feel light-headed. “A study. I can see myself reading while watching the snow fall outside the window.”
r />   And drinking hot chocolate with a blanket thrown over my lap… When was the last time I had a chance to sit and enjoy a book? I’d barely been able to concentrate on anything on the plane, I was so used to jumping from one thing to the next. Maybe this vacation would force me to slow down.

  Henry stood in the doorway to the room. “That’s the idea.”

  I turned to consider him. “Do you read?”

  He nodded. “I do.”

  Something about that admission warmed my heart more than the fire burning in every room of his lodge.

  A picture frame on the wall caught my eye. Moving closer to get a better look, there was a tire swing hanging from the large tree, a barn off to the side, and horses grazing by the fence.

  Henry moved closer, standing by my shoulder. “That’s the farmhouse I grew up in. It’s on the other end of the property.”

  I looked at him, his face full of fondness for his family home.

  “I can’t even imagine growing up in a place like this.” Idyllic was the word that came to mind. I wondered if his family gathered for meals each morning and night. Did he have siblings he played with?

  I swallowed those questions down. Getting to know him better would only make leaving this amazing place harder than it had to be. “I’ve never ridden a horse.”

  I turned, inches separating us, his presence taking up all the air in the room.

  “It’s not the right season, but I can take you snowmobiling or skiing.” His hazel eyes sparked with something. Was he interested in me? Or was he merely being nice since I was Elle’s friend?