Her Surprise Engagement--A Clean Romance by Cari Lynn Webb

Author:Cari Lynn Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-04-15T20:01:49+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

THREE HOURS AND too many licorice ropes later, Chase opened the front door to the main level of the secluded three-story château Travis had secured for Nichole and Chase’s ski-moon. A blast of cold air greeted them like a harsh hug from winter. “It feels colder inside the house than outside.”

“We need to get the heat on quick.” Nichole’s breath stalled in the air beside him, suspended as if encased in ice. She stuffed her hands into her pockets. “I’ll find the thermostat, if you unload the car.”

“Deal.” Chase rubbed his hands together and headed to his truck. It wasn’t long before he had moved the last suitcase and the cooler inside. Every step farther into the house, the air cooled another degree. And Chase second-guessed Travis’s choice of rental homes and his own ski-moon inspiration.

Nichole held her hand over the in-floor heat vent and scowled. “It just keeps blowing cold air.”

“I’ll call Travis.” Chase pulled out his cell phone, left Travis a voice mail and pressed buttons on the thermostat as if searching for proof he’d made the right choice coming to Tahoe.

He was alone with Nichole, cold and entirely too curious to know what else she remembered about him. Even more, he wanted to learn her story, not review game footage, study play charts or discuss offensive strategy. All because he’d been sidetracked by red licorice and Nichole’s consideration. She’d thought about him as she’d packed for their fake honeymoon. He’d forgotten the gnocchi Nonna had put together for their dinner. He’d only ever had one commitment: football. He belonged in one place: the football stadium. But with Nichole, he started to consider...

His cell phone vibrated in his hand, ruptured his thoughts and realigned his priorities. Working heat, first. Contract renewal, second. Chase disconnected his phone call and walked into the kitchen. “Good news. Travis got us a service appointment with a local heating company.”

Nichole closed the refrigerator and rubbed her hands together. “Bad news?”

“The tech won’t be here until tomorrow morning.” Chase motioned toward the door. “We can head into town and find a hotel room for the night.”

“Or make our own heat.” Nichole motioned to the wide stone fireplace. A stack of freshly cut wood waited beside the fireplace.

“Not sure we can warm this room up.” Chase stared at the log ceiling, more than two stories above his head. The right choice: leave and find a hotel. But another choice tempted him. “Let’s check out the rest of the house.”

Nichole headed upstairs. Chase searched the master bedroom suite on the opposite side of the main level. Five minutes later, Nichole called his name.

“Found an electric blanket in the guest room up here.” She leaned over the upstairs railing.

“Nice.” Chase locked his gaze on her, willing her to make the right choice. “Found a fireplace in the master bedroom with wood piled in the grate. I opened the flue and lit the fire.”

Now she’d tell him to extinguish it. Tell him to start the truck and head to a suitable hotel with individual hotel rooms.

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