Chapter 13

 Ethan

I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window, the storm that had brought us here now a fading memory. The first light of dawn was creeping through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I stretched, feeling that familiar, satisfying ache in my muscles from yesterday's activities. As I sat up, I glanced around, taking in the peaceful stillness that contrasted sharply with the chaos of the night before.

This place—Victoria's chateau, as fancy as it was—felt surprisingly comfortable. It wasn't my usual kind of place, but the overall atmosphere was welcoming. Probably had to do with the people. My girls naturally settled in and seemed so at ease. It was not what I would have expected.

Still, I had to question what we were still doing here. I forced that thought out of my mine.

I pushed the covers aside and stood up, heading over to the large windows to pull the curtains open. The view outside was breathtaking—rolling hills, lush trees, and the faint outline of mountain peaks in the distance. The air was crisp, fresh with the scent of pine and damp earth. The perfect morning after a storm.

I had been coming to these mountains since I was ten, and I knew them like the back of my hand. Yet, the beauty and tranquility never ceased to amaze me. It was quite different experiencing the place from a castle that probably cost more than every asset I had ever hoped to have.

Maybe I should look it up on Zillow.

I shook my head. Stop. You're being dumb. Get moving.

I got dressed, pulling on a well-worn flannel shirt and jeans. My mind wandered back to the night before. I was trying to tell Victoria and Samantha that we should probably start packing up, but then the girls had to talk about THE PIE. Apparently, Victoria and Samantha are chocolate lovers because they insisted that I make it.

So much for getting out of here today. Then again, my girls were having a blast. It had been so long since they connected with a female figure that it was painfully obvious they needed one. The thought of my ex-wife made me glower.

I had full custody, but they still had to see their mother. If the court allowed it, I would cut her off completely. I'm told that isn't good for the girls. I'm not so sure.

As I buttoned up my shirt, there was a knock at the door, followed by the sound of it creaking open. I turned to see Lily and Maya peeking in, both of them looking excited.

"Morning, Dad!" Lily said brightly, her voice full of energy.

"Good morning, my angels," I replied, smiling at the sight of my girls. "You two are up early."

"We couldn't sleep in," Maya chimed in, bouncing on her toes. "We were talking with Auntie Victoria and Samantha, and they said they want to take us into town today."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Into Silver Ridge?"

Lily nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! They said they've got some things they need to pick up, and they thought it would be fun to take us along. You know that we've never been there because it's so fancy. Can we go? Please. Please. Please."

I hesitated, the thought of venturing into that ritzy town making me a bit uneasy. Silver Ridge wasn't exactly my scene.

"Listen, girls," I said slowly, "I am not sure that's a good idea. Wouldn't it be better if we just head to the campsite? We shouldn't impose on Victoria and Samantha any longer."

"But Dad, it's Silver Ridge!" Lily grinned and put her arms around me. "Come on. We've got to go!"

Maya followed suit, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Yeah. We actually have an excuse. Besides, Samantha and Victoria will be sad if we don't."

I tried not to roll my eyes. I seriously doubted that.

"Listen, I will discuss it with them. Go get ready, then. We'll head down to breakfast and talk to Victoria and Samantha."

They dashed out of the room, their laughter echoing down the hallway as they disappeared from sight. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. This was a fight I was going to lose. I could already tell. The girls wanted to go, and I had a hard time saying no to them, especially in this circumstance. F. My. Life. Seriously.

As I finished getting ready, my thoughts drifted to Silver Ridge. The place was known for its luxury, the kind of town where people drove cars that cost more than my house and wore clothes that could probably pay off my truck. The idea of walking around there with Maya and Lily made me feel a little uneasy.

Honestly, I am not even sure why. If I had to articulate it; I know how judgmental people could be. The last thing I wanted was for my girls to feel out of place or get any side-eye looks from people that they didn't know.

There are a lot of rich people in Silver Ridge. I mean I doubt people are going to point their finger and laugh. But is it really ok for us to go to a place meant for billionaires. Like I said I have been coming to these mountains for a long time. Theres a reason I haven't been to Silver Ridge.

But then I thought about Victoria and Samantha. They seemed so down-to-earth despite the lives they led. Surely they'd make sure that Maya and Lily didn't feel out of place.

I headed downstairs, intending to talk to Victoria and Samantha about heading back to the campsite and praying they might back me on not going to Silver Ridge. Again, I knew that I was going to lose the argument. We had talked about going into town the day before. I promised I would help. My failed realization that the town we were going to was Silver Ridge on me.

Damn. The devil is in the details.

Victoria and Samantha looked as impeccable as ever, despite the early hour. Victoria was dressed in a stylish yet practical ensemble—jeans that fit her perfectly and a soft cashmere sweater that made her look effortlessly elegant. Samantha, on the other hand, had chosen a winter dress that showcased her figure without being too revealing, paired with leggings and boots that made her look both fashionable and ready for the cold. With the early spring weather, they were both dressed perfectly. Was that a woman thing? To know exactly what you need for a given situation? Geez.

I cleared my throat, feeling awkward. "Morning, ladies, you both look amazing. I feel underdressed." I looked down at my flannel shirt and jeans.

The women laughed softly.

"Listen," I said, "I was thinking we've probably overstayed our welcome here. The storm's over, and the girls and I should probably head back to the campsite. I can bake that pie before we go, so you'll have something for later."

Victoria turned to me with a raised eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Overstayed your welcome? Nonsense, Ethan. We're having a wonderful time with you and the girls. There's no need for you to rush off."

"Yeah," Samantha chimed in, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. "Besides, who's going to protect us if another storm rolls in? Or if a bear decides to wander down from the mountains? We need a big, strong man around, don't we, Victoria?"

Victoria nodded, her expression amused. "Absolutely. It wouldn't be safe for us to be here alone. And the girls are having so much fun; it would be a shame to cut the trip short."

I felt a wave of uncertainty wash over me. They were being kind, but I didn't want to be a burden. "I don't want to cause any discomfort," I said, scratching the back of my head. "I'm not exactly cut out for this kind of living."

Samantha tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were trying to figure me out. "Ethan, you're not causing any discomfort. We're actually enjoying your company. And the girls are a delight. So, please, don't feel like you have to leave."

I hesitated, but their words were genuine, and the thought of taking the girls away from this unexpected adventure didn't sit right with me.

Then I heard Lily from down the hall. "Daddy, I hear you. If you make us leave, we will go, but you'll get no kisses for a month. I mean it."

Maya chimed in. "It will be two months for me. And you know how much that hurts me to say."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, you two troublemakers, we can stay."

I smiled at both women standing in front of me. "Thank you, Samantha and Victoria. Those girls have been through a lot, and you make them feel special. It's obvious how special you are."

I looked at Samantha and then Victoria. They had a hard time looking me in the eyes for some reason.

Okay, we are staying. That's okay, I guess. Now... I had a bigger problem: Silver Ridge. Just thinking about it made me uneasy

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my voice steady as I addressed Victoria and Samantha. "Look, Silver Ridge... it's a place for really rich people. I'm not sure it's the best idea for us to go there. I don't want the girls to feel out of place."

Victoria looked at me, a mixture of amusement and disbelief on her face. "Ethan, do you really think we'd let anyone treat those girls poorly? They're with us, and I assure you, no one would dare say anything."

Samantha scoffed, crossing her arms as she leaned against the counter. "Ethan, if anyone even thinks about hurting those girls, there's going to be hell to pay. But I think you're overthinking it. Silver Ridge's old town is full locals that go back generations, and while there are places for high money, there are lots of regular people too. Don't you worry about it. Besides, it will be fun to take the girls shopping! There are lots of stores that aren't anywhere else in the world. The girls will love it."

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words wouldn't come out. They were both so confident, so sure that it wouldn't be a problem. But I knew how people could be—judgmental, snobbish. Hell, look at my ex-wife. I didn't want to put Maya and Lily in a situation like that.

"Well, okay, but shopping is—"

Maya and Lily entered the room. They looked WICKED excited, though to be honest, I couldn't understand why. It was just Silver Ridge; why would they care—

Then it hit me. The girls were excited because they were going with Victoria and Samantha somewhere. They were going "shopping." But it wasn't about the "shopping"; it was about Victoria and Samantha. They were missing their mother. The old one that used to give a shit about them.

No. that isn't fair it isn't that Sarah doesn't care for them. It's just she cares about her own happiness more.

Well, that wasn't much better. Damn.

I sighed, feeling the last of my resistance crumble. It was hard enough to say no to the girls on a regular day. But there was no way I could deny them this experience, even if their mother's substitutes for the day were two of the alluring women I've ever interacted with.

"Alright," I relented, though the decision didn't sit well. "We'll go, but just window shopping. Don't you two go bugging Samantha and Victoria about clothes or any other such silliness."

Samantha flashed me a victorious smile. "Don't worry, Ethan. We'll take care of everything. It'll be fun, and the girls will love it."

Victoria nodded in agreement, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "And don't worry about Silver Ridge. You'll fit in just fine. Besides, I think you might enjoy it more than you think."

We piled into Victoria's brand-new Escalade, the kind of vehicle that seemed more suited for royalty than a simple trip into town. I slid into the driver's seat, feeling a bit out of place behind the wheel of such a luxurious machine. Samantha climbed in beside me, her presence filling the cabin with a subtle scent of something expensive and sophisticated. She adjusted her seat, and I couldn't help but notice how natural she seemed in this world of polished leather and gleaming metal.

"Victoria," I said, adjusting the seat, "are you sure you want me to drive this car? It looks really expensive."

Victoria nodded. "Ethan, it looks really expensive because it is really expensive. It's a specialty vehicle from Cadillac. You have to custom order them."

"Then perhaps you should drive–"

"Ethan," Victoria put her hand on my mind and squeezed. "I don't have a driver's license. Neither does Samantha."

I burst out laughing. Fair enough.

Maya and Lily scrambled into the back, practically bouncing with excitement. Samantha slid in next to them and pulled out a dice game. "Alright, ladies, let's see how lucky you are!"

As I started the engine, the smooth purr of the Escalade surprised me. The power I felt from the turnover was amazing—raw and strong. I loved it. Victoria smiled at me, her usual poise softened by genuine warmth.

"So, Princess Victoria," Maya began, her eyes wide with curiosity, "I have a few more questions about being a Lady?"

Victoria chuckled, clearly amused by the title they'd given her. "Go right ahead, Maya."

Maya leaned forward. "Do you guys get to play sports in school, or are you like too pretty and delicate to get messy?"

Victoria and Samantha broke out into laughter. Victoria responded, "I will have you know, young lady, that I played first-team Polo, Cricket, and was one of the best skeet shooters at my prep school."

I looked up in the rearview mirror to see how Maya would react. She looked confused. "I don't know what any of those things are. You don't have to make up words like that, Princess Victoria. If you are boring, you can just say so."

Samantha lost it. She was laughing so hard I thought she might pee herself. Victoria turned in her seat and grabbed Maya's legs, tickling her. "You little bugger. I will show you boring."

It took a moment of mayhem to calm everyone back down.

I glanced at Victoria, catching her eye. She gave me a wink before turning back to the girls, who changed topics and were now asking about royal dinners and castles.

We left the estate. The road wound its way through the dense forest, the trees tall and majestic, their leaves shimmering in the morning light. Rain had a transformative quality to it making the forest especially magically after an intense storm—the calm, the dewy atmosphere, the sense of renewal. It was majestic.

The drive to Silver Ridge was nothing short of breathtaking.

The mountains loomed large overhead, their peaks dusted with snow. The road followed the contours of the land, curving around hills and dipping into valleys, offering glimpses of distant ridgelines and slumbering meadows.

I caught her in the rearview, Samantha rolled down her window slightly, letting in a breeze that tousled her hair. She looked out at the passing scenery, a contented smile playing on her lips. "It's beautiful here," she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed, adjusting my eyes back to the road. "This place has a way of making you forget about everything else. It's peaceful."

I glance back to my rearview I to see Samantha staring at me. We exchanged some witty banter but I lost track of it as I caught glances of Samantha's eyes.

Geez the woman was just striking.

I turned back to the road determined not to look at Samantha's eyes and eventually we settled back into silence.

We drove in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional laughter from the backseat. As we climbed higher into the mountains, the views became even more spectacular, with deep valleys and twisting rivers roaring with both winter runoff and rain.

Silver Ridge was getting closer, and with it came the sense that we were leaving behind the simplicity of the campsite for something more complex. The town might be high-end, but it was more than just luxury; it was a place where people like Victoria and Samantha felt at home. And for today, at least, they were inviting us into their world.

As we continued our drive, the landscape began to shift subtly. The trees grew denser, their trunks thicker and more ancient, as if they had been standing guard over these mountains for centuries. The road widened slightly as we neared Silver Ridge, and the first signs of the town started to appear. We noticed small cabins tucked away in the forest, their chimneys puffing out thin trails of smoke, and the occasional rustic sign pointing to trailheads or scenic overlooks. Bigger homes and bigger estates appeared and passed many a fancy car. I continued to drive.

It was then that Samantha began to talk. It was like we were on a guided tour.

I've been coming to the area for years, and I know about Silver Ridge—kind of. I know it's rich. I know it's exclusive. What I didn't know was that Silver Ridge was divided into two distinct parts: the Old Town and the Mountain Village. According to Samantha, the Old Town was the heart of the community that had been around since the early 1700s, a place where history met charm. It was nestled in a valley at the base of the mountains, its streets lined with historic buildings that had been carefully preserved over the years. The architecture was a mix of old Victorian houses, quaint shops, and small cafés with outdoor seating. Cobblestone streets wound through the town, leading to a central square where a grand old clock tower stood as a reminder of a bygone era.

The Old Town had a timeless quality to it, as if it had been plucked straight from the past and set down in the middle of these rugged mountains. It was the kind of place where you could lose yourself for hours, wandering through bookstores filled with rare editions or sipping coffee at a corner café while watching the world go by.

But beyond the Old Town, up the mountain, was the Mountain Village—a world entirely different yet seamlessly connected to the town below. The Mountain Village was the modern face of Silver Ridge, a luxurious retreat of interconnected construction built to cater to those seeking both adventure and comfort. The building up here were sleek and contemporary, made of glass and stone, with balconies that offered breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. High-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and luxury hotels built with interconnecting bridges and elevated walkways catered to the well-heeled visitors who flocked to the area year-round.

Mountain Village was unlike anything in the world. It was as if a medieval castle had a baby with a mall developer and clung to the mountains like fungus. Despite that rather gross description, it was pretty amazing to see.

The two parts of the town were connected by a gondola that ran from the Old Town to the Mountain Village. The gondola looked like an experience in itself. As it glided silently over the treetops, it offered passengers a panoramic view of the entire valley, the mountains rising up on all sides like sentinels. In the winter, the gondola was packed with skiers and snowboarders eager to hit the slopes, while in the summer, it carried hikers, mountain bikers, and sightseers up to the trails that crisscrossed the higher elevations.

As we neared the town, the girls in the backseat grew even more excited, their voices overlapping as they talked about everything they wanted to see and do. Maya and Lily had never been to Silver Ridge despite visiting the area often, and the idea of exploring a place so different from their usual surroundings had them practically vibrating with anticipation.

"We should definitely take the gondola up to the Mountain Village," Samantha suggested, turning to look at me with a grin. "The view is incredible, and the girls will love it."

I nodded, still feeling a bit uneasy but trying to push it aside. "Sounds like a plan," I agreed, though the thought of spending the day in such a high-end place still made me a little uncomfortable. But seeing how happy it made Maya and Lily, I knew I'd go along with it, no matter how out of place I felt.

We drove into Silver Ridge, passing quaint shops and historic buildings of the Old Town, the cobblestone streets bustling with activity. Tourists wandered in and out of stores, their arms laden with bags from local artisans and high-end retailers alike. The central square was busy, with children playing on the playground equipment around the clock tower and couples strolling hand in hand.

The town felt alive, vibrant in a way that made it clear this was more than just a tourist destination—it was a community. Even amidst the luxury, there was a sense of warmth and welcome, a feeling that everyone was here to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the charm of the town, no matter where they came from.

The whole thing totally subverted my expectations.

"Old Town first," Victoria suggested from the backseat, her voice filled with excitement. "Do you see that parking structure over there, Ethan? I have a spot on the ground floor."

I pulled into the structure, and Victoria pointed out the parking spot.

We got out of the car. "Now," Victoria said, clapping her hands together, "There's a little café I want to show you all. Best hot chocolate in the state, and I won't hear any arguments."

Hot chocolate? Yum. No argument here.