Read Hunter's Fortune (River Jewel Resort Series Book 2) for Free Online Page A

errands to run and I could use the company.”
    “Sure. I’d love to spend some time with you.”
    “Fabulous. Let’s go.”
    The doors opened and they stepped out into a quaint little town.
    “Where are we?”
    “That’s not important. What matters i s wh y we are here.”
    Hunter was incredibly confused, but she couldn’t make herself form more than a smidgen of coherent thought.
    “Am I dreaming?”
    “Not exactly. But you are experiencing something you’ve never felt before.”
    “Who are you?”
    “My name is Scarlet and I own the River Jewel Resort. For now, that’s all you need to know about me. This trip is about you, my dear.”
    Scarlet grabbed Hunter’s hand and they walked further into town. They passed little storefronts still decorated for Christmas and families milled about shopping, laughing and carrying packages. Hunter knew Christmas was over but she could feel the excitement in the air as they made their way to the town square.
    There, was the largest Christmas tree, covered in decorations. Not a bare branch could be found!
    “It’s incredible! With all of the money I have, I’ve never even thought to make ours that fancy.”
    “Ah, yes, your money. Do you like having money, Hunter?”
    “Well, I did. It’s gone. But hopefully, I’ll be able to recover most of it.”
    “And will that make you happy again?”
    “Of course. Who wants to be poor?”
    “True. Follow me, will you? I need to stop at the bakery.”
    “Sure, let’s go.”
    When they arrived, Scarlet turned to Hunter. “Please stay right here. I have some business to discuss and it’s rather personal.”
    “Alright.”
    Luckily, there wasn’t even a bit of a nip in the air and Hunter still held her suede coat. She located a bench and sat, watching the passersby as they laughed and strolled about. She was so absorbed in the scene, she almost missed an interaction across the street in front of her.
    “But, Daddy, please?”
    “I’m sorry, we just can’t this year.” The man was crouched down at eye level with a little girl who appeared to be around the age of five or six. Hunter couldn’t see his face, but his daughter was angelic.
    “Please, Daddy?” A tear slid down her face as she pleaded with her father. Her dark curls bounced as she held her father’s hands, pulling and begging.
    The man was clearly upset and trying his best to soothe his daughter. Hunter was sure the little girl must be asking for something silly like an extra ice cream cone or another sugary snack.
    “Morgan, we just can’t.” The dark haired man embraced the little girl and she rested her chin upon her father’s shoulder. The child had the bluest eyes Hunter had ever seen. Though they were a few feet away, she could literally feel the girl’s sadness and despair. Hunter realized this was about more than a treat and she found herself walking over to them.
    As she approached, she overheard the man tell Morgan that they couldn’t afford the tree, his boss had shorted them and refused Christmas bonuses this year. With all of their bills, he just couldn’t get the pre-lit tree his daughter was begging for.
    “If that woman could see how she’s hurting everyone, maybe she’d be less like her father.”
    Hunter stopped dead in her tracks. What kind of woman would cause a family to miss out on having a Christmas tree? What a bitch!
    “Morgan, please try to understand. Next year, I promise we’ll get whatever tree you want, okay?”
    “Okay, Daddy.”
    He wiped her tears and scooped her up. When he turned around, Hunter was face-to-face with the mountain man who had fixed her tire!
    “You!”
    “You. What are you doing here? I thought you were off to your fancy cabin? And why are you crying again?”
    Hunter hadn’t even realized tears had fallen down her cheeks and she wiped them away.
    “I found I was too tired to continue driving last night and checked into a hotel.”
    She could see the man more clearly than she had yesterday.