Crave (His Second Chance with Heiress Bryn Christmas Duet #1) - Z.L. Arkadie Page 0,8
nerves, I focused on my surroundings. Tall, thin pines rose up out of the snow-layered ground and mountains. A light mist settled in the atmosphere. The place was freezing cold, and I was wondering if it was feasible to start an interior design project in a high-altitude mountain town.
My iPad chimed, and I tensed up. I had a hunch the message was from Jamison, but with the sloshy ice on the roads and the gray weather conditions, there was no way I was going to fiddle with my briefcase so that I could check and see if I was right. My device beeped two more times while I was driving up West Forrest Road. Finally, the voice on the navigator app instructed me to make a right turn. I stopped in front of a wooden gate and rolled down the window. A pillow of cold air ambushed my face, and I retreated a bit more into the heated cab of the SUV after hitting the call button at the gate.
There was loud dialing, and then Eden said, “Hi, Bryn, is it you?”
“It’s me.”
“You’ll see an open garage. Park inside it just in case it snows. Then you’ll see the entrance to the house on the right. A staircase will take you to the first floor. I’ll meet you there.”
“See you there,” I said, making sure I sounded professional and friendly and not distracted by wanting desperately to see what Jamison had to say.
After a buzz, the gate slowly began to roll open. In the brief seconds before driving onto the property, I quickly retrieved my iPad from my briefcase and saw that I had received several messages that were indeed from Jamison: Your brother Asher called. Also, your sister Kat. She’s on her way to Houston for a conference. Wants to know if you’re able to join her for a day or two. Told her you’re working in Colorado.
A laugh escaped me while I read the message again. Is he for real? There was no mention of him putting my cell phone in the mail. Instead, he was taking the role of a glorified message taker, even to the extent of indirectly informing Kat that I wouldn’t be able to join her in Houston because I was starting a new job.
The gate was wide open and ready for my entrance. I huffed, knowing that at some point when I had a moment, I would have to respond to Jamison and insist that he mail my cell phone to me.
As I pressed my foot gently on the gas pedal, my iPad chimed again. Another message from Jamison appeared on the screen: Your mother called. I told her you made it to Colorado safely. I assumed you had.
I couldn’t stop shaking my head as I drove up the driveway. What sort of game is Jamison playing? I wanted to blow my top, but I couldn’t. My work had already started. The outside of the house and the grounds reflected how the inside should look. Built into a hill and bordered by tall fir trees, the structure reminded me of stacked blocks made mostly of glass and stone. Even though its shape was ultracontemporary, it appeared to be at one with nature. With one look, I knew that I would have to leave at least half of my design ideas by the wayside.
Overwhelmed by thoughts of Jamison and all the calls I had to return to the people I loved, I clenched the steering wheel and took a series of deep breaths. “You will get through this day,” I whispered.
My iPad chimed again, and I glanced back and forth between the driveway and the screen to read Jamison’s message: Jasper called. I didn’t answer. Letting you know.
I rolled my eyes as I groaned. At the end of the day, when I was back in my room, Jamison would be the first person I contacted. It was just weird that he had my phone and was taking messages for me. However, I had to admit, it felt exciting to know that he was in possession of something I owned and we were in contact with each other again.
He’s uninvited, remember? I reminded myself.
I drove into the garage. As soon as I turned off the engine, the garage door lowered. I collected all the things I needed for the job. As I slammed the vehicle door shut, I whispered, “I remember.” I didn’t sound at all convincing, though.