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“It’s not like you’re not going to see each other again.” Cole smiled. He hated good-byes. Especially when they involved tears.
“I’m ready.” Amber wiped her cheeks and forced a smile. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she said. “I’m usually not so emotional.”
“It’s because you usually know exactly what’s happening next.” Josie pulled her back in for one more hug and Cole did his best not to roll his eyes.
“She does know what’s happening next,” he said. “We’re going to Cedar Springs for the holiday.”
Amber pulled away from Josie and stared at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? I don’t want you to be alone for the holidays.”
This time, Cole didn’t try to stop the eye roll. They’d already been over this. At least a dozen times. Josie was going to stay in Crystal Creek for Christmas before joining their parents for the New Year. Because after all, someone had to represent the Price children. And Cole had no intention of making another stop in his hometown. Although, the idea of introducing his parents to Amber as his girlfriend and not just his sister’s best friend was appealing. Despite his frustration with them, he couldn’t seem to completely shut off the little part of him that still wanted to make them happy in some way. And he knew without a doubt that seeing him with a woman as amazing as Amber would make them very happy indeed.
But it wasn’t the right time.
One family at a time.
“I’m fine,” Josie was telling Amber for the hundredth time.
“Okay.” Amber gave her one last look. “I’ll let you two say good-bye.” She turned quickly and disappeared into the cab of the truck. Likely before she could start crying again.
As soon as she was gone, Josie turned to Cole. She gave him such a strange look that after a moment, Cole shook his head and forced a laugh. “What?”
“I just needed a minute to really look at you so I could be sure.”
“Sure of what?”
“That you’re in love.”
“Whoa!” Cole held up his hands and took a step back. “No one is saying anything about—”
“Stop it. You’re talking to me, remember?” Josie took a step forward and grabbed his hands. “Besides, it’s not like I didn’t know it already. I mean, it would have to take some pretty strong feelings to get you to give it all up.”
“Australia?”
“The bachelor life you were so certain would bring you happiness.”
Cole shrugged in an effort to appear a whole lot more casual than he actually was. “I think I might have been wrong about what would make me happy.” He turned and glanced toward the truck, where Amber dabbed at her eyes and looked out the window away from them. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I was.”
“I can’t tell you how great it feels to see you so smitten, big brother.” Josie threw her arms around him and squeezed. “Now, go. I don’t want to be the reason you guys miss your flight.” She released him and took a quick step back. “And one more thing, Cole.” Josie gestured to the truck with her head. “Be careful with her. She’s way more nervous about meeting her brothers than she’s letting on.”
“How do you—”
“I know.”
It wasan uneventful flight to Calgary, but a slightly more eventful drive through the icy mountain roads to Cedar Springs a few hours away deep in the Rockies. Despite the fact that he’d been in sunny Australia for a few years, Cole handled the icy, snow-covered roads like a pro and soon they were in the valley that would lead them into town.
“What do you remember about Cedar Springs?”
She laughed. “Nothing. I only came here once when I was a kid. I was too young to really remember anything but the beach. It wasn’t until years later, when everything came out about my dad and hisotherfamily that I realized how messed up it was that we would have been here at all. Because while my mom knew about them, they didn’t know about us. And certainly, Chelsea and I didn’t know anything.”
“So why were you here?”
She shook her head and shrugged. “I don’t really know. Now, looking back, I think Dad wanted to be discovered, even back then. I mean, how insane would it be, having two families?”
Cole shook his head. “I can’t wrap my head around it,” he said. “I still think that story is absolutely unbelievable.”
“You and me both.” Amber looked out the window and took in the snowy mountain peaks and the thick forest that surrounded them. It had been way too long since she’d been in the mountains.
Despite the cold winter air outside, she unrolled the window and let the fresh air blast inside. It did little to soothe her nerves that had become progressively more frayed since they’d landed. Chelsea had done her best to reassure her that Mitch and Ian were great guys and were excited to meet her properly. But no matter what her little sister said, Amber couldn’t shake the feeling that she was about to walk into the viper’s den.
