Chapter 34

Within fifteen minutes, Elliott parked in his driveway. He didn't bother to pull into his attached garage. He'd be leaving in a few hours anyway. He inhaled the clean mountain air, glad to be home after a long day, but wished he would have kissed Sam's rosebud mouth before he let her go.

Darkness shrouded the building. He flipped the indoor switch. Hanging his red plaid coat and Stetson hat on a hook on the wall, he walked into the kitchen, pausing to drop his keys on a nearby table. The blinds over the big glass sliding door were open, looking onto a small deck with wonderful views of the snow-covered mountains and a lighted ski run off in the distance.

He opened the stainless-steel fridge and took out a beer. He shifted and leaned his back on the granite countertop, twisted the lid off the bottle and took a deep swallow.

Not only had he had a productive workday, but he'd also met Samantha, Sam. He turned toward the short hall leading to three bedrooms: one for sleeping, one for an