They came on horseback, snowshoes, and cross-country skis. Those who lived closer, like Buddy and his wife, risked hiking on foot, beating a path through the snow.

Haley had never seen anything like it. She’d hosted plenty of parties in her big apartment or at her father’s house, but most of those were business-oriented, time to get clients and partners relaxed so they’d view Haley and her father as people and not simply names on a contract. Guests at Haley’s parties dressed up and were on their best behavior. Even her occasional gatherings for close friends involved martinis and catered finger food.

At least thirty people poured into Maddox’s house, from all walks of life. Cowboys and their ladies in sheepskin coats, men in plaid flannel with caps, everyone in boots and scarves, gloves or mittens. They unwrapped themselves in the large space inside the back door, the racks filling with outerwear of all colors and shapes.

Some had brought beer; one couple, champagne; others carried in covered plates of cookies and pie, cake and pastries. Aunt Jane welcomed them all, while Haley stood by in astonishment.

Maddox stepped next to her, a warm bulwark between her and all the strangers. “This is Haley,” he told those staring in frank curiosity. “She got stuck in the snow. Least we could do was have a party.”

His friends and neighbors cheered. “Hi, Haley!” they yelled. Their wives and girlfriends eyed her pink cashmere sweater and black pants the way women often checked out another woman’s clothes—part assessment of how it looked on her, part envy, part wondering where they could find something similar.

The crowd was welcoming, friendly, interested. But even as she joined conversations and asked questions, Haley knew that if she hadn’t been championed by Maddox and Aunt Jane, she might not have been as readily accepted. These two seemed to be trusted and respected. Pillars of the community, her dad would call them.

Lance circled the crowd, well known to everyone. He got plenty of attention, plus all the tidbits he could finagle. Haley was a little alarmed about what went into the dog’s mouth, but he seemed a healthy, happy animal.

Everyone, of course, wanted to know how Haley had become stuck in the snow bank, and she had to explain how her great idea about driving home from Chicago had turned not so great. They were sympathetic, glad she hadn’t been hurt.

Haley didn’t mention that she’d purchased her car outright for the trip, wiring the money to the dealership from her bank account in Seattle. The salesman, who’d thought he’d have a dismal day because of coming storms, had practically done cartwheels.

She closed her mouth over telling Maddox’s friends the name of her family business. They might not have heard of it this far off the beaten track, but under her direction, the McKee brand, which had its roots in the lumber boom of the nineteenth century, had expanded a long way. Not that she wasn’t proud of her accomplishments, but she didn’t want to be that accomplishment tonight.

At the moment, she hungered to just be Haley, the woman who liked dogs and long walks in the Seattle mists, drinking tea with her dad, jogging along the waterfront, and unwinding with her friend Linda in their favorite wine bar.

Soon she’d go back to her office where things hummed along at a rapid place and she’d forget all about these friendly people, Aunt Jane and her simple but good cooking, Lance the goofy dog, and a handsome cowboy named Maddox.

* * *

The party didn’t break up until after two. Haley, exhausted from her long drive, her accident, the ride on Sammy, plus all the food she’d eaten, drifted off to sleep on the sofa while everyone talked and laughed around her. Lance parked himself in front of the couch as though guarding her.

Haley was drowsing in a place of warm darkness when she felt herself being lifted. Strong arms closed around her and a hard chest cradled her safely.

In silence Maddox carried her up the stairs. It was quiet now—the guests had gone. Only Maddox’s tread and Lance’s paws scrabbling on the wooden steps broke the silence.

Maddox carried Haley into a room that smelled of clean linens, and laid her on a bed. When Haley stretched out her arms, her fingers touched the edges of the mattress. She couldn’t find the energy to move more than that.

Her high-heeled boots loosened then disappeared from her feet. Stockings followed, ankles held by strong hands that caressed warmth into her body.

Maddox rubbed his thumbs over her feet, then released her. Haley watched him through eyes she couldn’t open more than a slit.

He dragged in a breath and let it out in the quiet then draped sheets and quilts over her, smoothing them down.

Haley found herself in a warm cocoon, more comfortable than she’d been in a long, long time. Maddox’s hand drifted to her forehead. As she closed her eyes, she felt heat brush her and the soft press of lips on her hair.

“Sleep tight, Haley McKee,” he said, his voice a whisper.

Haley couldn’t summon the strength to answer him. She lay still, her body tingling as he kissed her hair one more time. When he pulled away, the sudden cold was difficult to take.

“Come on, Lance,” he rumbled.

Lance made a quiet whine, then Haley heard a thump and grunt as the dog lay down, the tags on his collar clinking.

“All right then,” Maddox said in exasperation. “Stay there.”

He walked out, closing the door all but a crack. Haley smiled. He’d made sure that Lance could get out when he wanted to leave. Only someone who understood dogs would do that.

It was her last thought before sleep consumed her, filling her mind with dreams of a tall cowboy rescuing her from the snow, carrying her away in his arms, and laying her down with kisses of fire.

* * *

Haley jumped awake when her phone gave a three-toned ping.

She shoved her hair out of her face, blinking in the faint daylight. White-painted furniture covered with chintz fabric and cushions met her gaze, along with a bookcase stuffed with books and knickknacks, a dresser filled with old-fashioned toiletries, and a white-painted table in a niche, perfect for a laptop. Paintings of landscapes and children holding flowers decorated the walls.

Her three suitcases rested next to a narrow door that probably led to a closet. Haley was still dressed, her sweater and slacks feeling limp and fusty, and she longed to leap up, shower, and pull on fresh clothes.

Her phone pinged again. Haley scrabbled for her briefcase that had been placed on the rocking chair and dragged out her phone, which was fully charged now.

The text was from Linda, who’d been her friend since they’d discovered they had a crush on the same guy in high school. They’d bonded when he’d decided to go out with a girl who was already a model and made it clear he didn’t like eggheads. They’d commiserated and become fast friends.

You okay? Linda wrote. Where are you? We’re getting worried.

Haley’s thumbs busily moved in response. I’m fine. In Montana. Tell my dad I’m all right.

The screen indicated Linda was typing back, then, Montana? Where? In a cabin? A snowdrift? Your car?

Haley grinned as she sent back: At a ranch house near a place called Starlight Bend. Nice people helping me. A cowboy and his aunt.

The phone was quiet for a long time. Haley imagined Linda, her black hair perfectly coiffed, plucked brows over deep brown eyes arching as she studied the phone. Then her coffee-colored fingers dancing over the keyboard.

Cowboy? Is he hot? Or chew tobacco and spit?

Hot, Haley texted. Definitely hot.

The reply came right away. You need to call me. I can’t get through except texting.

I will when I can. Tell Dad I’m okay.

More waiting, then, OK. Then we are so going to TALK.

Haley sent back a smiley face.

She closed the app, relieved. A quick test showed Haley she still couldn’t call out or text her dad, but Linda would contact him, Haley knew. Haley liked to always make sure Dad knew where she was whenever she could—she did not want him to go through what he had when her mother had disappeared.

Weird how the cell service was so arbitrary, as though something in the air influenced it. Maybe that was just the price of living in such an isolated place.

For now … A glance out the window showed her it was still snowing. Haley doubted her car would be dug out today. She would have to stay longer, a thought that made her heart warm.

She stopped, stunned. She was happy she couldn’t get out of this place and back home to bustling Seattle? Haley loved Seattle, every rainy minute of it.

She heard Lance barking below and saw Maddox stride outside into the snow, Lance leaping after him. Maddox headed around the house toward the big red barn, walking like he had all day and nothing to worry about. He whistled to Lance and patted the dog when he ran close.

Maddox didn’t look up at the house, only strolled on, white snow settling on his black cowboy hat. Haley’s heart burned. She craned to watch him until he disappeared under the shelter of the barn, then she was sorry she couldn’t see him anymore.

She sat back down on her bed with a thump, disquiet, excitement, and feelings she thought she’d never experience again welling up in her.

She had a crush on the arrogant cowboy, Maddox Campbell.

Well, hell.

* * *

Maddox knew when Haley descended the stairs and made for the kitchen. There was a change in the air, a change in his awareness. That, and Lance barreled out the kitchen door right into her.

“Hey, there.” Her voice softened a long way as she greeted the dog. “Good morning to you.”

Haley liked dogs. Big point in her favor. Once she lost her fear of horses, she’d like them too.

Wait, what was he talking about? She wouldn’t stay around long enough for him to teach her to enjoy riding horses. Haley McKee would be back to her billion dollar business real soon. He wondered if she’d mention who she actually was before she went. Kind of rude of her to leave that part out last night.

Haley walked into the kitchen with Lance pinned to her side. She sniffed and said, “Mmm. Smells good, Aunt Jane.”

“Just some pancakes and bacon and eggs,” Aunt Jane said modestly. “Nothing special.”

“I’ll take it.” Haley was all smiles as she seated herself at the kitchen table. Lance sat next to her, ready in case a piece of bacon escaped and sailed his way.

Haley had put on jeans this morning—slim, tight designer jeans, made for looking good on a casual lunch date, not riding across snowy country.

Aunt Jane dished out food then joined them. “Sleep well?” she asked Haley.

“I did, yes.” Haley sounded surprised. “Better than I have in a long time.”

Haley caught Maddox’s eye and looked quickly away, but she didn’t flush, barely acknowledged him. Did she remember him bending down and kissing her good night? At least on the top of the head. Was she mad at him for that? Or did she care?

Likely she hadn’t noticed. She’d been far gone toward sleep.

“Feel up to going into town?” Maddox asked her. “To get your phone looked at?”

Haley stopped with an egg-laden fork halfway to her mouth. “The roads are cleared already?” she asked in hope.

“Aren’t you cute?” Maddox chuckled. “Nope. Still blocked. I mean, feel up to going into town on Sammy?”

Her expression turned to one of trepidation. “I don’t know. Is he up to it?”

“He likes you,” Maddox said. “He told me,” he added with a straight face. “I’ll take another horse, and we’ll go together.”

The eggs started to fall off the fork. Lance edged forward. “Me ride alone?” Haley asked worriedly.

“Easier for Sammy if we don’t ride double. You’ll be fine.”

The glob of eggs fell to the edge of the table. One second they were there, the next, gone. Lance blinked in all innocence, though he had tiny dabs of yellow on his whiskers.

Haley studied her empty fork, frowned, and scooped up more eggs. “I guess I can try,” she said.

Now why was Maddox disappointed she didn’t argue with him? He realized he kind of liked arguing with her. Her eyes sparkled and her face flushed when they did, and she liked to push herself up to him, her curve of breasts an inch from his chest.

Haley went back to eating. Lance licked the evidence off his whiskers and settled back down to wait and watch.

Maddox would have to come up with more things for them to fight about, he decided, before she disappeared and never came back. He could think of one or two really good things already.

* * *

“I’m going to fall off.” Haley clutched the horn and back curve of the saddle as Maddox instructed while she waited for him to give her a leg up.

Cantle. The back part was called a cantle, he’d said. As though remembering that would keep her aboard.

“No, you won’t,” Maddox said. “You did fine yesterday.”

“Because you were holding on to me.”

That had been nice. His bulk had surrounded her, his warmth cutting the sharp cold.

Maddox didn’t look as though the memory was a happy one. “This time your training wheels are off. You’ll be all right.”

Lance sat and watched all this with interest, his tail furrowing patterns in the snow.

Maddox grabbed Haley’s ankle and shin and boosted her up. Today Haley’s jeans made mounting a little easier, as did the cowboy boots Aunt Jane had lent her. Aunt Jane’s feet were a little bigger than Haley’s, but Aunt Jane had stuffed newspaper into the toes and declared they’d be fine.

Haley had donned a thicker sweater and a padded jacket Aunt Jane had found for her. Much better protection from the cold than her light coat. A knit hat jammed over Haley’s head kept the wind’s nip from her ears.

Maddox pushed Haley upward, then grabbed her around the hips and hauled her back when she started to go over Sammy’s other side.

“You’re supposed to sit down,” he growled. “What kind of weird-ass saddles do they have in Seattle?”

“I don’t ride in Seattle, so I don’t know,” Haley said loftily. “And you push too hard.”

“Yeah, yeah, blame it on the hard-ass cowboy.”

Haley frowned at him. “You have the biggest chip on your shoulder. I’m not some rich city bitch condescending to speak to the country folk.” She calmed a little. “Your aunt would never let me even if I wanted to.”

“Aren’t you?” Maddox’s smiles were gone. “When were you going to tell me you’re Haley McKee of McKee’s Lumber and Hardware, with giant stores all over the west? Did you come here to scope out a new place? To drive all our mom-and-pop stores out of business?”

Haley’s mouth hung open, her face frozen, which had nothing to do with the continuously falling snow. Her heart froze too.

Maddox looked furious. Haley felt a stab of dismay. She hadn’t wanted to talk about her family’s business. People treated her differently when they knew her background, and she was enjoying being plain Haley.

“Of course not,” she managed. “I was taking a shortcut, like I said. Heading for Sandpoint.”

“Starlight Bend isn’t a shortcut to anywhere. Have you told my aunt about this? Or are you too chicken-shit?”

“I did tell your aunt,” Haley said quickly. “About being that McKee, I mean. Yesterday, when I was helping her make dinner.”

Maddox scowled. “She didn’t bother to tell me. I looked you up. You have your own Wikipedia entry.”

She did. Her PA had made sure of it.

“I promise I didn’t come here to do anything but drive through,” Haley said, not liking how he was looking at her. “We’re not planning to expand into small towns. The market studies say it’s not feasible.”

His anger made his eyes dark. “So you’re staying out not because you care about ruining local economies but because you can’t make any money?”

Haley firmed her lips. “That is not what I meant. I take a lot of factors into account, like whether local people would lose everything they’d worked for. I don’t slam stores down without careful thought. Besides, I’d never heard of Starlight Bend until I got stuck here.”

“Well, make sure you forget all about it when you’re gone.”

“Oh, I will. I will. Now, let’s get to town so I can fix my phone and find a way out of here.”

“Fine,” Maddox said curtly.

He slapped Sammy on the rump and the horse jogged forward a few steps. Haley found her world bumping, her feet coming out of the stirrups, and then she was sliding off, arms flailing.

She landed flat on her ass in the snow. Sammy stopped and turned around, lowering his head to make sure she was all right.

Maddox’s booted feet stopped right beside Haley. He hauled her up, eyes worried, his arms going around her in the process.

Haley looked up at him. Maddox stilled and looked down at her. They were so close the snowflakes couldn’t squeeze between them.

They stared at each other while snow fell, both horses waited, and Lance’s tail thumped.

Then Maddox closed his arms firmly around Haley and kissed her hard on the mouth.