Page 11 of Maddox: Wild Alaska
“What’s going on in town?”
“Found a dead body behind the Lavender B&B.”
"I know that. Did you recognize her?"
"Maybe."
He grabs my arm and turns me to face him. "Who is it?"
"Wait until we get to Gabe, so I don't have to repeat myself."
His eyes widen. "Oh, shit! It's that Andrea chick, isn't it? Fuck!"
"You know her?" I cross my arms over my chest, wondering where this is going. "Because I thought Gabe dated her."
"He did, so get that idea right out of your head," he snaps. "Gabe complained to me on and off about Andrea leaving when she was talking about moving into his cabin with him. He tried to find her, but he had no luck."
"Shit," I say, starting to move again. "I didn't know they were that serious."
"Honestly, I think she was. You know what he's like. I also don't think he tried all that hard to find her."
"Fuck!"
"Why do you two look like your best friend died?” Gabe jokes as he sees us approaching. He's searching through an assortment of nuts and bolts in front of him.
"Maddox found someone you lost," Garrett says, pissing me off.
I shoot him a glare, and he shrugs. Gabe frowns between us. I just go with it. "Andrea didn't leave town, Gabe. She's the woman Branson and I found."
"What are you talking about?" He drops his tools and stands. "What woman?"
"We found Andrea behind one of the B&Bs in town. She'd been frozen, and then—" I pause, not wanting to conjure that image in his mind. Being in mine was bad enough.
"Go on," he says quietly, dropping his butt onto the bench.
"Remember that she was already dead, okay? We found her hanging from a tree. Branson has no clue how she died because it wasn't obvious with her being frozen and all." I wipe a hand down my face. "I didn't want you to hear it from someone else."
“I thought she left because I wasn't keen on her moving in with me." He winces. "I tried to find her for answers, but I didn't put much effort into it to be honest. Now, I feel like a bastard." He stands and faces the mountains. "I need to be alone." Over his shoulder, he says, "That needs repairing. Two of the nozzles are blocked."
"What a fucking mess." Garrett gets down and searches through the tools. "You go do whatever you need to do. I've got this."
"I need a shower and food."
My nerves are all aflutterafter having Maddox pressed against me. He was hard and delicious, and I wanted nothing more than to take off my clothes and tell him to take me. I swallow hard, pressing a hand to my stomach, and move to stand in front of the mirror in my room. I look pretty in my navy-blue cocktail dress. The chiffon sleeves fasten around my wrists, and the dress fits my curves nicely. The navy pumps on my feet give me height and make my legs look amazing.
My mind wanders back to Maddox, and I wonder if he’ll get to see me all dressed up. My hair, freshly washed, is styled intocurls that fall down my back. A light coating of makeup covers my face. As my diamond engagement ring catches the light, my heart drops. What am I doing? I step close and let my forehead drop. The cool glass against my skin does nothing to settle me.
I haven't even spent a day in Hawke's Ridge, and yet I'm already questioning my future. To be honest, I started feeling unsettled with Richard about a month ago if not longer. It wasn't just one thing. It was as though a light had suddenly switched on in my head, opening my eyes. I saw how Richard manipulates me into thinking his way. I'd just agree with him because I don't like arguing. Looking at my reflection, I wonder if these negative feelings about Richard and his family are a reaction to Maddox. Or maybe meeting Maddox has opened my eyes to the fact that deep down, I don't want to become Mrs. Richard Walker.
Stepping back, I straighten and inhale before slowly exhaling. "I'm Sofie Ryan, and from this point forward, I will not be a doormat to the Walkers!" I huff out a breath and retrieve my purse, making sure my phone is inside. Once I step outside, I put the keycard inside my bag. A smile plays on my lips as I glance around and notice that there is still daylight. From what I've read, the sun usually doesn't set until around eleven in the evening and rises again after two in the morning. That explains the blackout curtains in the room.
I take my time, meandering along the stone pathways that lead to the main building. My stomach grumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten in a while. I hope there's more than cheese at this event Samantha organized.
Inside the building, I see the others standing and talking in the bar area. It would have been good to have Jamaica with me about now.
"Sofie, may I accompany you to the bar?" Colton Hawke offers me his arm.
Flustered, I slip my arm through his and whisper, "Thank you," as he leads me forward. “It’s like being led into a room of snakes.”
