Excerpt taken from A Suite Christmas

Ⓒ Celia K Nott, 2020

Gesturing towards a sign to Jada’s right, Bear took the turn that followed and the Bronco’s engine groaned as it worked to climb the steep hill. Rusted Beauty never would have made it up this hill even without the snow.

As soon as they crested the top, Jada gasped and reflexively reached to grab Bear’s forearm.

“It’s beautiful!”

And it was. Heck, it was more than beautiful; it was beyond words. The long drive wound down the backside of the hill and around an outcrop of aspens. Just beyond sat the inn, a stunning two-story log cabin that backed up to a pine forest and looked out on a great, white meadow criss-crossed with snowmobile tracks. The windows of the inn shined with golden light and a huddle of shadowy outbuildings and garages helped it look grander than it really was.

“Pretty nice,” Bear commented as he threw the Bronco into third gear. “Looks like they’ve got some good trails, too.”

“So you do snowmobile?”

“This time of year? It’s almost all I do. I run Matterson Hunts and Excursions.”

Jada squeaked. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“But, you’re a legend!” she gasped.

She was sitting in the car of the Bear Matterson! His one-man company had brought tourism income to dozens of small communities across Colorado by organizing guided hunts and tours throughout the year in those less-visited locals. He always worked with local business owners for accomodations, food and gear so any income generated from his tours stayed in those smaller communities.

“I’m just a man,” Bear said, glancing at her. “How’d you hear about me? Look me up online or something?”

She had, but she didn’t think he’d appreciate that. “You were the 2018 Entrepreneur of the year,” Jada said. “It was in the news.”

“A year ago,” he said, looking at her with suspicion.

Shrugging, Jada looked out the window to avoid Bear’s gaze. “I’ve got a good memory. Plus, the photo in the newspaper was hot.”

Oh shit! Jada clapped a hand over her mouth and stared, wide-eyed, at Bear as they pulled up to the side of the inn where a huddle of vehicles sat. A flood light bathed the Bronco in its silver glow, highlighting Bear’s self-confident smirk in all its glory. He winked at her.

“It was pretty hot,” he agreed.

Jada huffed. A man that smug with himself shouldn’t be so sexy.

Bear took one look at her and laughed. “Let’s get inside before you drool on the upholstery. This is a 1987 Bronco; It’s practically a classic.”

“Jerk.”

He grinned and opened his door, letting in a blast of freezing air. “And a hero. Don’t forget that part.”