Rescued by the Guarded Tycoon Read online

  “Okay, you can shift your body into my arms and put your arms around my neck. Let me know if anything hurts, all right?”

  Ronnie shifted slightly and felt his arms immediately slide under her legs to support her weight. She managed to click the door lock on the key before she felt him straighten. Her arms instinctively flew out and up to entwine themselves around his neck. As he began taking big strides back toward his truck, she automatically pressed her head against his chest to shield her face from the elements. She closed her eyes and a shiver of relief ran through her. His broad chest was like a protective wall shielding her from the forces of nature. A wall softened by a big warm comforter.

  It was an odd feeling, that of being protected. Taken care of...and by a complete stranger. From the crunch of his every step, Ronnie realized that the drop in temperature had caused the top layer of snow to become hardened with the freezing rain. The roads would be like a skating rink. And the country roads would surely be worse.

  How would he be able to get her back to Winter’s Haven?

  Her eyes flew open when he stopped. She felt an unexpected sense of disappointment when he set her down on the shoulder of the road, a couple of feet away from the passenger door of his truck. She shot a glance at the road. Very little traffic, and the cars that were there had all reduced their speed. She eyed his truck. He had left it turned on, so the windows would stay defrosted, and it thrummed like a sleeping monster. Its wheels came up to her waist, but Ronnie still had doubts that it could maneuver its way safely on the winding road toward her cottage.

  “I’d ask you to jump in, but after spinning out, you’d better not,” he said, his husky voice pulling her back to reality. He opened the door and held his hand out as she stepped up into the truck.

  The warmth of the interior blanketed her immediately, and releasing a pent-up sigh, she sank into the passenger seat. Her nose immediately reacted to a familiar scent. Pizza? She turned and saw the large box on the back seat with the words Maurizio’s Pizzeria on it.

  The door on the driver side opened and Red quickly settled in behind the wheel. His face broke into a grin. “Hungry?”

  * * *

  Red almost laughed out loud at her expression. It was one of mingled disbelief and something else—like maybe envy...

  “I was going to pick up a pizza there,” she murmured wistfully. “But I changed my mind when I heard about the freezing rain.”

  “Well, I don’t mind sharing,” he said, feigning solemnity. “But first things first. Don’t you have to call your husband? And then you can let me know your address. I can either use my GPS or you can tell me where to go.” He smiled, turning on the windshield wipers.

  “If I wasn’t at your mercy right now, I’d probably tell you where to go,” she blurted. “Pardon my bluntness, but your monster truck was getting too close for comfort. It made me nervous and I wanted to move onto the shoulder before you zoomed by me and caused an accident.” She crossed her arms and tilted her chin defiantly at him.

  “Ouch. I left myself wide open for that, didn’t I?” He rubbed his jaw. “But let me set the record straight, Veronica or Ronnie. I was approaching because I wanted to let you know that one of your taillights wasn’t working.” He leaned toward her. “And believe it or not, I was going under the speed limit.” He surveyed her flushed cheeks, and eyes which reminded him of chestnuts glistening in the sun. They matched her hair, or what he could see of it under that toque. It looked like she had it up in a ponytail. And her mouth...right now her lips were pursed, but rosebud pink and lovely...

  “I forgot my phone. May I use yours, please?”

  “Of course,” he said, stifling his desire to chuckle. He found her honesty refreshing. He stretched out to reach into his pocket. “Your hubby must be worried about you.”

  A frown immediately creased her forehead. She took off her gloves and reached for his cell phone, giving him a clear view of her left hand. No ring.

  The sound of a male voice was loud and clear. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”

  Ronnie looked at the phone as if it were something from outer space and then put it back to her ear. “Hey, when did I become a ‘buddy’?”

  “Ronnie, is that you? And why are you using my friend’s phone? Where are you? I didn’t know you were out in this weather!”

  Red exchanged a confused look with Ronnie. They had a mutual friend?

  “Friend?” Ronnie’s jaw dropped. “My car spun out and got stuck in a stretch of deep snow off the shoulder. He was behind me on the road and he stopped to help me. I forgot my phone at the cottage.”

  “Are you all right? Are you hurt?”

  “I—I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure? Let me talk to Red.”

  Red took the phone. He was curious to find out which one of his friends Ronnie had contacted. And why they had never mentioned this lovely lady sitting next to him now, her chestnut eyes fixed on him with just as much curiosity in their glistening depths.

  “Hello? Hold on a sec, I’ll put you on speaker. Okay, which one of my ‘buddies’ are you?”

  “Red, it’s me, Casson.”

  “What the—” Red frowned.

  “And you’ve rescued my cousin. Thank God she’s safe.”

  “Cousin?” His gaze flew to Ronnie. Casson had mentioned a cousin by the name of Ronnie.

  “Are you sure she’s okay? She didn’t hit her head?”

  Red’s gaze flew to Ronnie, who was rolling her eyes. “She insists she’s fine. There’s no sign of bruising. And no bruises on her car, either. Just wheel-deep in snow.”

  “I’ll arrange for a tow tomorrow,” Casson said. “As for driving her back to Winter’s Haven, I wouldn’t advise it. The country roads are iced over. How are they in town?”

  “Getting bad. I’ll be taking my time getting home.”

  “Can you put Ronnie up for the night? I’m sure you can find a corner for her in that shack of yours, Red.” Casson laughed.

  Red chuckled, aware of Ronnie’s sudden scowl. “I suppose I can put up with Ronnie for the night,” he said, deliberately switching the words.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen,” Ronnie cut in sharply. “Red can just drop me off at the nearest hotel, if you don’t mind.”

  “Okay, call me when you get there, Ronnie,” Casson said. “Thanks, Red. Drive safe.”

  “Will do. Catch you later.”

  Red put his cell phone down and turned on the radio, catching the last segment of the sports news. “Weather’s next,” he said, buckling up. Moments later, they heard the warning to stay off the roads, as the quickly dropping temperature was causing flash freezing and dangerous driving conditions.

  Red turned off the radio. “Well, that clinches it,” he said, shrugging. “I have no choice but to drive you to my place. The nearest hotel is much farther away.” He saw her look of dismay. “Don’t worry. It’s not that run-down of a shack. Sure, it needs a little TLC, but I’m sure there are worse places to be stuck in...”

  “I can’t believe this,” Ronnie muttered, shaking her head. “What rotten luck.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Red said consolingly, flashing her a grin. “You get to have some of that awesome pizza. Man, it smells so good. Let’s get outta here...” He rolled down his window to make sure the way was clear. The air was remarkably colder, and the freezing rain lashed at his face. He quickly shut the window. “You buckled up?” Nodding his approval, he slowly veered back onto the road and concentrated fully on driving. Recalling everything Casson might have told him about Ronnie would have to wait until much later...

  CHAPTER TWO

  RONNIE STARED NUMBLY AHEAD, the wipers swooshing hypnotically left and right. So much for a relaxing evening at the cottage... She was heading to the “shack” of a virtual stranger. The fact that he and Casson were friends was somewhat reassuring, but she didn’t r
elish the thought of spending the night in what sounded like a ramshackle bachelor pad.

  At least, she figured, he must be a bachelor. There had been no mention of a wife or girlfriend...

  Ronnie stole a glance at Red. He had flipped back the hood of his parka, revealing a shock of hair the color of burnished copper, with curling ends. His jaw and chin had scruff that hadn’t seen a trimmer in at least a week. Yet she couldn’t deny that he was...kind of cute. Okay, maybe cute wasn’t the right word for this...this Viking.

  He turned and caught her staring. She felt heat swooshing up into her cheeks and she blinked, trying to come up with something to say. He smiled, and the heat spiraled back down her body to her limbs. She resisted the temptation to roll the window down to cool her flaming face. “Um, how far is it to your place?” she blurted.

  “Can’t wait to dig in to the pizza, eh?” he teased, his smile widening into a grin that showed his perfect teeth. He turned his gaze back to the road. “Just a few more minutes before we get to my humble abode—”

  The truck suddenly veered to the left and Ronnie cried out, her head swerving against Red as he maneuvered the truck out of the skid. For a few seconds her cheek was pressed tightly against his upper arm, and she closed her eyes, afraid to look. When she felt Red’s arm ease up again, she ventured a peek. He was turning off onto a road with no houses in sight, just streetlamps. She righted herself and squinted through the constant swiping of the windshield wipers. Where on earth was he taking her?

  Ronnie’s heartbeat matched the staccato rhythm of the ice pellets pinging against the truck. And then she caught sight of an ornate Victorian-style gate directly in their path, flanked by sturdy lampposts. Her gaze flew to Red, who had slowed down and was aiming a device toward the gate.

  “Open sesame,” he ordered dramatically, and Ronnie’s eyes widened as the double gate swung open and then closed once they were inside. Moments later an immense three-story Victorian mansion with gables and arches came into view, its bay windows lit up like bright eyes in the dark. A string of lights hanging above a wraparound porch twinkled as they moved with the wind and freezing rain. Red came to a stop in the circular driveway adjacent to the front steps. “Welcome to my ‘shack,’” he said, grinning. “I’ll get your door.”

  He put his hood back on and leaped out. He opened the door and put out his hand to help Ronnie down the step, which was already glazed over with ice. “Let’s get you in the house, Miss Veronica or Ronnie, and I’ll come back for the pizza.” He held out his left arm protectively as they went up the half-dozen stairs to the doorway. “I don’t want you to slip and get hurt. Your cousin would have my head!” He opened the stained-glass door and motioned for Ronnie to enter.

  The foyer was breathtaking, with its carnelian-and-black-tiled floor, creamy white leather high-back chairs and gleaming antique armoires opposite each other that reminded Ronnie of one of her favorite books: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis...

  “I’ll take your coat, Ronnie,” Red drawled.

  She snapped out of her thoughts and took off her parka, and realized that while she was in Narnia, Red had already hung up his parka in the armoire behind her. She couldn’t help noticing the perfect fit of his cable-knit sweater and straight jeans. The forest-green of the former suited him and enhanced the color of his eyes. Now that her boots were off, he was even taller, with a broad chest and defined shoulders that made her wonder if he was a football player... And his hair, ruffled and the color of burnished oak leaves in the fall, had her guessing that his heritage was Irish.

  “I’ll go and grab the pizza and you can make yourself comfortable in the salon in the meantime.” He chuckled. “I guess I shouldn’t have hung up my parka...”

  She followed Red into a spacious salon with an ornate fireplace flanked by built-in bookshelves that were stocked with some classics as well as some recent titles. Two dark brown leather recliners were positioned side by side opposite the fireplace. An elegant mahogany desk and padded leather chair sat in an illuminated alcove with a large sash window. The curved wall boasted more bookshelves and hundreds of gilded volumes. A couch with a William Morris design and mahogany accents lounged nearby. Ronnie blinked, feeling as if she had entered another century.

  Her gaze shifted to the sweeping staircase and upward to the immense vaulted ceiling embossed with roses. She could only imagine what the second floor was like... And that’s where you’re probably going to be sleeping tonight, her inner voice whispered.

  “How do you like my new digs?”

  Ronnie started. She hadn’t even heard him come back in. “Um... It looks like a ‘shack’ out of a fairy tale,” she said dryly. “I was almost expecting Beauty to float down the staircase in her lovely gown, with the Beast right behind her.”

  Red chuckled. “Well, I can assure you there are no beasts in this place. Unless it’s a full moon, and then—” he rubbed his chin and looked at her with narrowed eyes “—my fur grows exponentially.”

  Ronnie’s brows arched and she cleared her throat. How was she supposed to respond to that?

  “And I might turn into a beast if I don’t satisfy my craving for pizza soon,” he said, feigning a growl. “Come on, let’s have a bite, then I’ll show you to Beauty’s quarters.” She followed him into a spacious kitchen with a charming hearth and live-edge harvest table, and what looked like brand-new appliances. Red followed her gaze. “I know. You’re probably wondering why I ordered pizza when I have a setup like this... Well, I need a break once in a while. I can’t cook gourmet meals every day of the week.”

  Ronnie smiled cynically. This Viking friend of Casson’s had a joking way about him that she suspected he used to charm the ladies and maybe even distract them from his defects of character. Which are...? Her inner voice pressed her for an answer, but she brushed it away.

  Ronnie watched as Red pulled off his sweater, revealing a plaid shirt that was now partially untucked. He casually pulled out the rest of the shirt and then went to the sink to wash his hands before getting out some plates and cutlery. He had already set down a bottle of wine and two glasses next to the pizza. “May I?” he said, lifting her glass.

  She shook her head. “Just water, please.” She sat down at the table.

  He complied and then poured himself a glass of wine. “Cheers. We made it home safe and sound.”

  “To your home,” Ronnie said. “I’ll celebrate when I get to my place.”

  “Speaking of which—” he stroked his chin thoughtfully “—you’re staying at Winter’s Haven?”

  Ronnie had a drink of her water. “For a while,” she said casually. She averted her gaze and helped herself to a slice of pizza. She hoped he’d get the hint that she didn’t want to talk about her personal life. Instead, she wished she could just blurt out the questions that were piquing her curiosity about him. Like what did this guy do for a living? How did he know Casson? Was he from the area? Was he in a relationship? What was he doing in this Victorian mansion?

  “I called Casson,” he told her before biting into his slice. “He was happy to know that you’re safe.”

  Ronnie nodded and glanced at the leaded casement windows. They could hear the wind driving the freezing rain against the panes. It was a relief to be off the roads.

  “And I’ll be happy when you forgive me.” He cocked his head at her.

  Ronnie stopped midbite and shot him a bewildered look. “Forgive you?” She finished chewing. “Oh, for your part in my spinout? I suppose I have. More or less.”

  “Aha! I knew it! Some lingering resentment.” His green eyes narrowed. “Have you no mercy, woman? I did rescue you from the snowy depths of despair and bring you to a safe haven.”

  Ronnie shook her head in disbelief. Was this guy for real? Perhaps he was an actor for the local theater. He certainly had a flair for the dramatic... She blinked at him, not sure how to respond
, and saw his lips twitching.

  “Uh...well, I guess I could find it in my heart to forgive and move on,” she murmured, shifting her gaze to her plate.

  “Great—I’ll be able to sleep now,” he said dryly, reaching for another slice of pizza. “Come on, eat up, Veronica or Ronnie.”

  She pursed her lips. “Okay, you can choose one or the other. My name, that is,” she said pointedly. “Although I generally prefer Ronnie.”

  “Ronnie it is, then.” He nodded, suppressing a smile. She seemed a little tense, but he couldn’t blame her, having been spun around in that little car. Thank goodness there hadn’t been any oncoming vehicles or sharp rock cuts, like on the highway. Maybe she needed something to relax her. “Since you’re not having wine, how about a cup of herbal tea?”

  “Thanks, but I think I’ll just finish my water, and then, if you would be so kind as to show me to a room...” She pulled back her chair. “And hopefully not a haunted one...”

  He chuckled. “The only spirits in this house are in my cabinet over there.” He watched her cradle her arms apprehensively. He couldn’t help thinking how young she looked, with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a plaid flannel shirt and jeans. He guessed her to be no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

  She looked at him intently. “Are you sure? A mansion like this must have quite a history. It must be close to a hundred years old.” She glanced upward to the decorative tin tile ceiling.

  “A hundred and five to be exact. And very well maintained over the years. It’s an art designated home.”

  Red sensed that Ronnie wanted to know more about the place, and maybe even about him. “I’ll take you for a tour tomorrow, if you’d like,” he told her. “I think I’d better get you to bed now.”

  Her eyebrows lifted and he berated himself silently for his choice of words. The last thing he wanted was to make Ronnie uncomfortable. Or more uncomfortable than she already was. “Okay, Ronnie, let me just pull my big foot out of my mouth, and then I’ll take you up to Beauty’s suite. Unless—” he cocked his head “—you’d rather stick around and we can twiddle our thumbs by the fireplace.”