Colton's Rescue Mission Read online

  When a serial killer strikes too close to home...

  ...can forbidden love blossom?

  Although the Avalanche Killer has been caught, Remy Colton fears the criminal’s shadow still looms over Roaring Springs. And falling for his brother’s ex, Vanessa Fisher, definitely doesn’t help matters. But when someone begins to target Vanessa, Remy vows to protect her at all costs! Even if that means nailing down a ruthless threat—once and for all.

  Remy grimaced. “I think so. I’m sorry to have disturbed you. I’ll come back and talk to Seth in the morning.”

  She regarded him, her gaze steady. “He and I are supposed to go ski Pine Mountain in the morning before he goes to work. You might want to call him instead.”

  Again, the stab of envy. Though Remy wasn’t a skier of Seth’s caliber, he enjoyed a few runs up on the slopes as often as he could, time permitting. Though knowing his brother, he doubted Seth would feel much like skiing tomorrow. He’d be way too hungover.

  Saying none of this, he nodded. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Again, I apologize for waking you.”

  She waved him away with a sleepy smile. “No worries. I guess I’ll be seeing you around.”

  Damn, he hoped so. And once more, that odd combination of guilt and longing assailed him. Swallowing hard, he gave her a quick nod and left.

  All the way home, he called himself every kind of fool. He’d just met the woman, for Pete’s sake. And while he could definitely understand the lure of physical attraction, he wasn’t the kind of man who’d even consider making a move on his brother’s lady, no matter how alluring he found her.

  * * *

  The Coltons of Roaring Springs:

  Family and true love are under siege

  * * *

  If you’re on Twitter, tell us what you think of Harlequin Romantic Suspense! #harlequinromsuspense

  Dear Reader,

  Whenever I am asked to write a Coltons book, I’m beyond thrilled. I love this family, adore the settings and enjoy the camaraderie with the other authors. It’s so much fun telling these tales.

  I hope you enjoy Colton’s Rescue Mission. Writing it took me back to my visit to a Colorado ski resort and the snowy and festive atmosphere there. Writing about the love blooming between Remy and Vanessa was pure pleasure, and bringing the entire family together brought its own kind of satisfaction.

  Best,

  Karen Whiddon

  COLTON’S RESCUE MISSION

  Karen Whiddon

  Karen Whiddon started weaving fanciful tales for her younger brothers at the age of eleven. Amid the gorgeous Catskill Mountains, then the majestic Rocky Mountains, she fueled her imagination with the natural beauty surrounding her. Karen now lives in north Texas, writes full-time and volunteers for a boxer dog rescue. She shares her life with her hero of a husband and four to five dogs, depending on if she is fostering. You can email Karen at [email protected]. Fans can also check out her website, karenwhiddon.com.

  Books by Karen Whiddon

  Harlequin Romantic Suspense

  The Coltons of Roaring Springs

  Colton’s Rescue Mission

  The CEO’s Secret Baby

  The Cop’s Missing Child

  The Millionaire Cowboy’s Secret

  Texas Secrets, Lovers’ Lies

  The Rancher’s Return

  The Texan’s Return

  Wyoming Undercover

  The Texas Soldier’s Son

  Texas Ranch Justice

  The Coltons of Red Ridge

  Colton’s Christmas Cop

  The Coltons of Texas

  Runaway Colton

  The Coltons of Oklahoma

  The Temptation of Dr. Colton

  The Coltons: Return to Wyoming

  A Secret Colton Baby

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  To my dog rescue family, Legacy Boxer Rescue. Because of you, so many dogs have found new beginnings. You truly are the heart of the organization and I love you all!

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Excerpt from Colton 911: Family Under Fire by Jane Godman

  Chapter 1

  Snowfall—check. Festive music playing on speakers in all the outdoor common areas—check. Ornate and glittery Christmas decorations both inside and out—final check.

  Remy Colton stood on the sidewalk of downtown Roaring Springs, Colorado, and surveyed the merry atmosphere. As director of public relations for The Chateau, the premier luxury destination also known as a little piece of France, Remy couldn’t have asked for more perfect holiday weather. With both his family’s ski resorts—The Lodge up on Pine Peak and The Chateau, here in the Roaring Springs valley—booked to capacity for the two weeks leading up to Christmas, any snow was always welcome. And they were definitely getting a lot of the beautiful white stuff.

  Remy liked to keep busy during the holidays, especially since he’d never really gotten into the holiday spirit. That was never a problem, even though the PR department pretty much shut down until after the New Year. The Chateau attracted a wealthy clientele—sometimes celebrities—and those patrons could be quite demanding. He never minded pitching in, especially on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, so his employees could spend the holiday with their families.

  As for himself, out of necessity, he always made sure to spend a few hours with his own extended family at the elaborate holiday dinner his uncle Russ and aunt Mara hosted at Colton Manor, the 35-million-dollar showpiece of a home they’d constructed up on a hill. While he enjoyed visiting with his cousins and their significant others, he usually hightailed it back to The Chateau as quickly as he could. As far as he could tell, no one ever noticed or minded. If there was one thing his father, Whit, understood, it was the concept that work came before anything else. Clearly, it had never occurred to Whit that Remy might be lonely.

  Pushing away the unsettling thought, he forced himself to focus once again on the positives. Nothing like a great snowfall to make the guests happy.

  “Excuse me?” A feminine voice, both sultry and with a faintly northeastern accent. Before he could react, she tapped him on the shoulder.

  He turned and eyed a tall, blue-eyed woman wearing top-of-the-line ski gear. Not only was she athletic, but she was also strikingly beautiful. He felt a jolt the instant he met her gaze. Probably one of the guests, though he had no idea how he could have possibly missed noticing her. “Yes, can I help you?”

  “I asked at the front desk and they sent me out to talk to you. I’m looking for Seth Harris. I believe he’s the hotel manager. I’ve already been up to The Lodge, but they said he wasn’t working today.”

  Seth. His gut clenched. What had his brother done now?

  Normally he would have directed her to the gondola that ran between The Lodge and The Chateau. But she was correct. Seth was off today. Remy caught himself staring and rapidly checked himself. Something about her eyes...

  Whoever she might be, she wasn’t his brother’s usual type. Seth’s taste usually ran to leggy, busty blondes.

  Since Remy knew better than to let this woman—whoever she was—drop i
n on Seth unannounced, he simply shrugged. “I believe he’ll be working tomorrow, so I’d suggest you check back at The Lodge then.”

  Instead of nodding and thanking him, she didn’t budge. “I’ve been told you’re his brother. I really need to talk to him.”

  Remy made a mental note to find out which employee had seen fit to give out such personal information. “Are you a friend of his, Ms....?”

  “Fisher,” she stated. “Vanessa Fisher. And I’m not sure if Seth still considers me a friend or not. We were recently engaged, though we’re not any longer.”

  Engaged? This was the woman Seth had wanted to marry? She looked nothing like the shy woman the rest of his family had described. This woman was tall, true. And she did have dark, silky hair. What everyone else must have forgotten to mention was that she was beautiful. Stunning, punch-in-the-gut gorgeous. Her dark blue eyes studied him.

  Years of practice had taught Remy how to hide his shock. Nothing Seth did should have surprised him, but when he’d learned his baby brother had gotten engaged, shock hadn’t even begun to describe how he’d felt. Sure, Seth had mentioned dating someone named Vanessa. He’d made several trips down to Boulder to visit her. But first he’d gotten engaged and then, in typical Seth fashion, the engagement had been broken off.

  Which meant now Remy was actually meeting his brother’s former fiancée for the first time.

  “Remy Colton,” he said automatically, removing his glove and holding out his hand.

  She tilted her head before doing the same and slipped her fingers into his. Touching her sent a pleasurable jolt through him, though she appeared completely unaffected. “Remy,” she mused. “Interesting name.”

  Entranced by her smile, he froze. But then the rest of what Vanessa Fisher had said dawned on him. It sounded like Seth had dumped her. Which meant what?

  He started to ask, but his befuddled thoughts must have shown on his face because she shook her head before he even got the words out.

  “It’s not like that.” She touched him again, this time on his jacket arm. Remy normally wasn’t a touchy-feely kind of person, but for whatever reason he didn’t mind her touch. “I’m the one that broke things off,” she continued. “Seth and I haven’t spoken since.”

  Cocking his head, he considered her. He’d never once in his life envied his younger brother, but for the first time, he did. Something about this woman knocked him off his feet. While he knew none of this was his damn business, he asked, anyway. “And you’re now here because...?”

  She met his gaze directly. “That’s personal. Now can you tell me where to find Seth or not?”

  Since he was meeting Seth a few doors down in the trendy faux-Western bar called The Saloon, he shrugged. Hopefully, his brother wouldn’t kill him when he walked in with this woman. “Come with me.”

  They walked along the snowy sidewalks, mingling in with the happy tourists. This time of year, everyone in Roaring Springs seemed to be in a celebratory mood. They came, they skied, they shopped and ate and drank. Since the townspeople earned seventy-five percent of their income in the winter, the locals were grateful for the crowds.

  When they reached The Saloon, the line that had formed spilled out onto the sidewalk. Despite this, those waiting laughed and chatted without the typical impatience that moneyed people often exhibited.

  “Excuse me,” he said, taking Vanessa’s arm as he soldiered through the crowd. “I’m meeting someone inside.”

  The harried hostess working the front desk recognized him and smiled. “Hey, Remy. Your brother’s got a booth in the bar,” she murmured. “Go ahead back and join him.”

  “Thanks.” Remy glanced at Vanessa, again feeling a strong sense of attraction. She unzipped her parka, then removed her gloves and shoved them into her pocket. As they walked, he leaned in close, taking in her scent, which, unbelievably, seemed to be a holiday mix of peppermint and chocolate—two of his favorite things this time of the year. “Promise me you’re not here to make a scene,” he said, taking hold of her elbow.

  One corner of her lush mouth quirked up in the beginning of a smile as she glanced back at him. “I promise. I’m not the scene-making type.”

  He spotted Seth in the corner booth, intent on scrolling through his phone. He barely looked up when Remy slid into the seat across from him. “Um, Seth?”

  His brother raised his head, his gaze skittering right past Remy to Vanessa. His mouth fell open. Seth had never been good at hiding his emotions, Remy thought. Surprise first, and then anger crossed his face, which finally changed to a sort of sullen resignation. “Vanessa. What are you doing in town? I thought you always skied Winter Park.”

  “Do you mind if I sit?” she asked instead of answering the question.

  “Go ahead.” Seth waved his hand, finally eying his brother. “I’m guessing you and Remy have already met.”

  “We did.” Sliding in next to Remy, Vanessa placed her elegant, long-fingered hand on his arm. “Thank you so much for escorting me here.”

  When she pulled her fingers away from him, he exhaled, wondering why he felt like leaning into her touch. Predictably, the skin-to-shirt contact, however brief, made him ache for more. Damn. His brother’s former fiancée.

  Remy let out a breath, suddenly feeling like a third wheel. “I’m guessing I should go,” he offered, half-hoping Seth would refuse. “It seems you two have a lot to talk about.”

  “We do,” Vanessa replied softly, barely glancing at him. “Thanks for understanding.”

  Avoiding looking at anyone, Seth simply nodded, then took a long drink from his beer.

  Though Remy hadn’t eaten dinner yet—that being the reason he’d been meeting Seth here—he started to slide back out of the booth. Vanessa stood and stepped aside to let him pass, her cool, direct gaze revealing nothing.

  Again, envy shot through him, along with shame at feeling this way. Remy loved his troubled half brother and would never do anything to hurt him. He’d spent the last several years trying to forge a family relationship with a sibling he hadn’t even known he had and wouldn’t jeopardize it for anything, especially not for a woman. He might not be able to explain the strength of his attraction to Vanessa Fisher, but he definitely could refuse to act on it. Staying as far away as possible from her would be a great way to start. Assuming she was even here for long. Knowing Seth, he’d send her packing as quickly as possible.

  As he made his way through the crowded pub away from the booth, a stool opened up at the bar just as he reached it. Moving instinctively, Remy took it. After all, he needed to eat. He ordered a draft beer, glad he had his back to his brother’s booth. Watching Seth and Vanessa would be a form of slow torture. Which made zero sense. He barely knew her, after all.

  When Gary, the bartender on duty, tried to hand him a menu, Remy waved it away. He knew what he wanted. “I’ll just have the buffalo burger and sweet-potato fries,” he said. “Medium well on the cook.”

  Gary grinned. “I almost went ahead and put in the order the second I saw you sit down, but there’s always a chance you might want something different.”

  “Not today.” Remy smiled back, then took a long swig of his beer.

  “Who’s the babe with Seth?” Gary asked. “I’ve seen her up on the slopes over at Sunlight Mountain a few times, though I haven’t seen her ski here. She’s a real pro.”

  “She is?” Unable to keep from glancing back over his shoulder, he observed his brother and Vanessa engaged in what appeared to be an intense conversation. “Maybe that’s how the two of them met. Skiing.”

  “You don’t know her?” Gary raised his brow, eying the two in the booth. “She’s not Seth’s usual type.”

  Since he’d had the exact same thought himself, Remy simply nodded.

  “Be right back,” the bartender said. “Looks like Seth wants another beer. And I need to see if his lady friend
needs anything to drink.”

  Remy couldn’t help but turn and watch as Gary headed over to his brother’s booth. Seth had his back to him but Vanessa looked up and met his gaze. Again, he felt that undeniable sizzle of awareness and wondered if she did, too. If so, she did nothing to reveal it. Instead, she dipped her chin in a quick nod, before returning her attention to Gary and Seth.

  And just like before, he felt that unfamiliar twinge of jealousy, combined with a longing so fierce it stunned him. What the hell? He forced himself to turn around and focus on his beer.

  * * *

  Vanessa hadn’t expected the butterflies in her stomach upon meeting Seth’s charismatic and sexy-as-hell brother. Which made absolutely no sense. She hadn’t come to Roaring Springs looking for a new relationship. Especially not with the half sibling of the man with whom she’d broken things off.

  Pushing the thought of Remy from her mind, she focused on Seth. While initially he’d appeared shocked to see her, he’d visibly relaxed the instant his brother had walked away. Still, something seemed off about him, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Of course, part of her would now always feel uneasy around him, due to the way he’d handled their breakup.

  “So, tell me, Vanessa, how long have you been in town? And more importantly, why are you here?” With his sandy blond hair and hazel-green eyes, when he turned on the charm, Seth could make women melt. Once, when she’d been particularly vulnerable after losing her parents, he’d affected her this way, though they’d been friends first.

  “I just got in this morning,” she replied, resisting the urge to tell him her trip had been made impulsively. “I’d hoped to stay a night or two and do some skiing while I was here, but it seems every place is completely booked.”

  “They are.” He sat back, the slightly smug tone in his voice at odds with his sympathetic smile. “This time of the year is our busiest. A lot of wealthy, important people spend their holidays with us. They book their rooms months in advance.”