Chapter 12 Part 2

Samantha

I woke up slowly, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My first thought was how incredibly cozy and warm I felt, but that comfort was quickly overshadowed by the memory of last night—the incredible dinner, the laughter, and, of course, waking up in Ethan's bed the previous morning. I groaned inwardly, feeling a rush of embarrassment all over again.

Ethan. Just the thought of him made me feel warm. He was unlike anyone I'd ever met—strapping, masculine, genuine, and with this quiet strength that made me feel safe, which was a feeling I wasn't used to. But that wasn't something I was ready to admit—not to myself and definitely not to my friends.

I reached for my phone, which I'd left on the nightstand. As soon as I unlocked it, the group chat with my friends lit up with notifications. The dumb thing glitched like crazy. I would get a new one in Silver Ridge today. I looked at the messages and, of course, they were still buzzing about the video I'd sent them last night—Ethan being the perfect gentleman while looking like a sexy cowboy terminator.

Olivia: "So, what happened after that video?! We're dying here!"

Grace: "Yeah, Sam, don't leave us hanging! Did he whip up breakfast too?"

Natalie: "And what's the plan for today? Is he sticking around now that the storm has tapered off?"

I frowned. The storm. Damn. Ethan and the girls could leave today now that the storm had passed. I didn't like that. I completely forgot that we don't actually know each other.

I started typing, trying to keep it casual.

Samantha: "Okay, okay, don't freak out. As you saw in that video, we all ended up watching a movie in the theater room. Ethan, Aunt Victoria, his daughters, and I all snuggled on the couch. It was freaking adorable. I will send you pictures later. Ethan was really sweet—he stayed for a bit, then left us to finish. It is INSANE how good dinner was last night; the guy can cook. You guys saw it. He is supposed to make us a dessert today the girls call THE PIE. So that should be fun."

The responses came in fast, each more excited than the last.

Liv: "Stop it! Now I'm hungry! Did you guys talk more? What's his story? Why is he single? Oh damn, is he single?"

Grace: "Tell me you've got his lasagna recipe and his 411. Does he have socials?"

Natalie: "Sam, you're practically living in a rom-com right now. Tell us more about his girls! How do they act around you? Around him? Your lack of actual facts is irritating."

I paused, fingers hovering over the screen. I hadn't really thought about it until now, but Maya and Lily were starting to mean something.

Was that a motherly instinct thing? I barely knew them.

But I couldn't deny it; they were sweet, funny, and full of life, and it wasn't hard to understand why Ethan adored them. But getting close to them meant getting close to him, and that was dangerous territory.

Samantha: "Yeah, his two girls. Wow, they are amazing...little bottles of freaking sunshine. Stunning too. I'm not going to lie; I'm getting attached. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're just hanging out, you know?"

I hesitated before sending the next part, feeling a twinge of uncertainty.

Samantha: "But yeah, he's...he's something special."

I hit send, feeling a little more vulnerable than I intended. The truth was, I wasn't totally convinced I liked Ethan; I liked the idea of what he represented—stability, warmth, and that sense of family I hadn't felt in a long time.

Liv: "I think a deeper investigation is warranted."

Grace: "And if you need any tips on bonding with the girls, we can talk my nieces and nephews; you know I'm here for you."

Natalie: "I cannot wait to meet the guy. Watch out for Roger; he is in Silver Ridge."

Ugh, Roger. Just the thought of him made my stomach turn. My last relationship had been a disaster, and the last thing I needed was him trying to worm his way back into my life. But that was a problem for another day.

Samantha: "I will avoid him. The asshat. I doubt he will bother me if Aunt Victoria is with me. And then there is Ethan."

I paused. And then there was Ethan...it was funny last night she and the girls had watched the first Terminator. Not exactly a movie for kids but apparently it was one of Lily and Maya's favorite. Something about Ethan reminded her of the Terminator. Not that he looked like Arnold, yet there were some similarities, they were about the same height and build, though if Ethan truly muscular had remained to be seen. Still, Ethan was alike a sexy cowboy terminator.

Yumm.

I shook my head. Get a grip, Sam. What are you, twelve?

After sending the messages to my friends, I stared at my phone for a moment longer, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. I wasn't sure what today would bring, but I knew I needed to be prepared for anything. With that thought in mind, I decided it was time to get ready.

I glanced around the room, taking in the cozy elegance of Victoria's chateau. The mountain air was crisp and cool, and I could hear the faint rustling of leaves outside the window. It was peaceful, serene even, yet it didn't help with the butterflies in my stomach.

I padded over to the closet and started rifling through clothes. I had a full wardrobe here. I was at Victoria's place often enough that I practically lived here, so I had everything I needed. Actually, it was a closely guarded secret that I owned half of the property. Aunt Victoria and I went in on it four or five years ago as a way to manage the money I was receiving. I was one of the top models in the world for several years and had to do something with the cash. It was safe to say that because of my aunt's foresight, I am very wealthy in my own right even without my family money.

Anyway, I needed something that struck the right balance—something that said I was casual and comfortable but also put together. I wanted to make an impression, but I didn't want to overdo it.

I pulled out a soft, cream-colored sweater. It was cozy enough for the cool mountain air but still chic. I paired it with a pair of well-fitted dark jeans and a pair of ankle boots that gave me just the right amount of height. I quickly discarded the idea of wearing heels—this wasn't the time or place for them. Besides, the thought of tripping over myself in front of Ethan was mortifying.

I glanced at myself in the mirror, adjusting my hair, which I had decided to leave in loose waves cascading down my shoulders. I applied a light layer of makeup, keeping the look more on the natural side. I added a small amount of brown shadow to the crease of my lid to make the green in my eyes stand out more. I followed that up with a light layer of mascara and added blush to my cheeks and lips.

As I finished, I took a step back, meticulously going over every detail of my appearance—my hair, how it had fallen, my outfit, and my makeup. Was my makeup too much? I found myself lost in thought. Would Ethan like this? Even take a second glance?

With a final look in the mirror, I took a deep breath. "Okay, Sam, you've got this," I whispered to myself.

I grabbed my phone and slipped it into my back pocket, feeling the weight of the messages from my friends still lingering in my mind. They were rooting for me, and that gave me a bit more confidence as I headed for the door. It was time to face the day—and whatever it might bring—with my best foot forward.

After a moment of reconsideration, I decided to swap the jeans and sweater for something that felt a bit more...sophisticated. I wanted to strike the perfect balance between casual and put-together, something that would feel appropriate for the mountain setting but still show off my sense of style—and maybe turn a few heads, maybe even turn Ethan's.

I went back to the wardrobe and pulled out a winter dress. It was one of my favorites—a deep burgundy, knitted dress that hugged my curves. The dress was fitted at the waist, flaring out slightly at the hips, and ended just above my knees, offering a tasteful glimpse of my legs. I paired it with a pair of black leggings, providing warmth and comfort without sacrificing style. The dress had a modest neckline, but the way it clung to my figure subtly highlighted my chest.

To finish the look, I added a pair of knee-high black boots with a slight heel, which added a good amount of height to further elongate my legs. The boots were practical for the weather but still chic enough to complete the outfit. I added a simple silver necklace to the ensemble—nothing too flashy, just a little something to draw attention to the neckline.

I checked myself in the mirror again, pleased with how the outfit came together. The rich burgundy of the dress contrasted beautifully with my dirty blonde hair, and the fitted silhouette made me feel confident and put together. It was the perfect choice—warm enough for the crisp mountain air but still stylish and flattering. It showcased my legs and hinted at my figure without being over the top.

With a final spritz of perfume, I grabbed my phone and headed out the door, ready to face whatever the day had in store. I wasn't sure what to expect, but at least I knew I was dressed for it.