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Pressing her lips together in frustration, the woman jumped up from the garden bench where she had been sitting for a few minutes andjumped into her car again, peeling around the property heading back up the long drive to the front gates on the paved mountain road.
Marcus could see her on the cameras.
Once she got to the top of the road, the woman pressed the buttons on the keypad, and the gates opened.
After driving through, her SUV disappeared backdownthe mountainside. Toward the village. Because that was the only thing at the edge of this forest.
CHAPTER 4
CAITEY
Caitey’s tires spit gravel as she peeled out of the Hearst Estate. She flew down the winding mountain road, then slowed in case another vehicle came around one of the sharp curves.
She wasn’t upset at Jenna. Or anyone, really. She was just tired after driving so many hours up from San Diego, especially during rush hour and bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Her right calf was aching from all the starts and stops—at least a hundred times. Then, there was the accident on Highway 5 and horrendous traffic through the Los Angeles area.
She was hungry because she hadn’t eaten any lunch, her water was long gone, and she’d hoped to be safely ensconced in her guest suite with all the wedding paraphernalia unpacked by now.
But Caiteyhadspotted the Coffee Loft shop Jenna mentioned on the phone when she drove through town. Thankfully her drive back to the village was passing quickly and she was almost there.
Coffee or tea wasn’t her thing, but she assumed they had cold drinks—and hopefully snacks—or she’d fall over and faint from hunger! A giant donut sounded perfect right about now.
Jenna hadn’t told her exactly where the Coffee Loft was located, but the village at the bottom of the mountain only had one Main Street, so it wasn’t like Caitey would get lost trying to find it. Only if she had a bad sense of direction would she possibly miss finding something she’d already gone past not too long ago, in a small town.
A few minutes later, she spotted the cute shop and pulled into a parking space, letting out a sigh of relief.
She took a moment to catch her breath and sent a text to Jenna to let her know she was at the Coffee Loft in case her friend arrived at the Hearst home, and she wasn’t there.
Then she sent a text to her parents.I made it to Hearst Estate. It’s spectacular and intimidating, but a gorgeous spot for the wedding. I can’t wait to see you both tomorrow night!
Caitey finally climbed out of her car, careful to lock her doors, and hoped nobody would break in and steal any wedding decorations.
While walking through the door of the coffee shop, she winced at the ache in her toes. She’d never been able to walkall day in heels, so it was a good thing she was basically self-employed so she could determine her work attire.
The warm, rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mixed with the sweet smell of yeasty pastries and a hint of cinnamon, chocolate, and cream from the kitchen.
“May I help you, ma’am?” a young woman said at the counter.
Caitey winced. Did she look like a ma’am? She had just turned twenty-nine, but still. Of course, the counter girl looked no more than twenty.
She studied the menu and then ordered a large Dr Pepper with extra ice and a cinnamon bagel with walnut honey cream cheese. She loved the Coffee Loft’s hot cocoa, but she was hot and tired and needed some caffeine!
Behind her, the line grew. The shop bell over the door chimed repeatedly behind her, but in less than a minute after ringing up Caitey’s credit card, the girl handed over her order.
She shoved the card into the side pocket of her handbag and pivoted on her heel to scan the shop for a booth.
A tall, husky man was right behind her in line. She hadn’t noticed that he was so close. When she turned, Caitey practically launched her order right into his chest. Her drink sloshed and a moment of panic rose up her throat when she almost tossed the entire soda on his suit coat.
Suit coat.
Caitey’s eyes darted from his chestall the way up to his face, gripping her food while her handbag slid off her shoulder.
The man behind her had shoulders like an offensive tackle in the Superbowl. His jaw was chiseled, those lips were full and dreamy, topped by deep chocolate eyes and thick dark brown hair in the perfect short and sleek masculine haircut.
His expression was one of interest, but a touch of amusement sparkled in his eyes as if enjoying her shock while she tried to hang on to her drink.
A shiver ran down Caitey’s body at their close proximity. Then she narrowed her eyes. “You,”she said in a hoarse whisper. “You’rethatguy! That guy in the woods . . . right? Am I right?”
