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Revenge? Maybe, and if it were, what did it e, the outcome was the same The responsible party would pay a bill that had been overdue for years

The car’s tires crunched on unpacked snow as they pulled into the long driveway It had snowed overnight and there’d been no tiroundskeeper, and thein order

“We’ve arrived, sir,” Bruno announced as the car came to a stop “Is there any other way I can be of assistance?”

“No, thank you”

Colin stepped out into the brisk Swiss air and took a deep breath At last he was back at his home away from home He’d returned to his castle

Before him were the hefty oak doors that led into the chalet The handcrafted, elaborately carved wood had been one of the many unique characteristics that had attracted Colin to the property when he’d been looking three years ago, and he appreciated it even after all this time

Colin couldn’t help but notice that one of the doors hung open a crack, just enough to allow a face to watch him from inside the warmth of the main hall

The woe of the household staff, Marie, peeped out at hih the crack

The two of the at each other, despite the fact that it was below freezing and Colin ithout a coat Then, Marie drew back fro it open

“Mr Morgan!” she called, s ear to ear “Welcome home!”

Marie was a short, plurandmother Silver hair twisted fashionably atop her head, her cheeks were ever red and her eyes were always full of life Colin had taken to her from the moment he’d met her at the chalet’s open house

Expensive European property, he’d learned, came with its own servants Often, those servants had served the household their whole lives, and so lines of caretakers who’d alorked on the same property

Only fifty years old, the Haberlin Chalet didn’t host generations of servants just yet, but Marie had already been there for thirty years Colin was glad to have her run the house in his absence Managing the cooking, cleaning, and other domestic affairs and staff were her specialty, and she executed each of therace and poise

“Thank you, Marie It’s good to be here,” he said

Colin stepped forward and past the threshold of the chalet and returned Marie’s grin with a smile of his own

“With all the storht be delayed or canceled I’e door behind him

He regarded the entryway Bright wood floors polished, heavy furniture arranged perfectly and dust free, the glasspanes so clean it looked like they weren’t there The expensive carpets had been vacuumed and perfumed, and Marie had redecorated the area as per his instructions

It was perfect “The place looks neat and proper, Marie Excellent job, as always,” he said

Marie nodded, her expression pleased “I’hted to have you back that I had to an Tellyour company?”

It was her way of asking if he had extended his stay or changed his initial itinerary without telling her If he had, that would change her preparations for his visit Marie ran the Haberlin Chalet like a business, and Colin appreciated that about her

“A week, maybeIs everything that I requested ready?”

Marie nodded briskly “I prepared the guest room next to yours, as you asked”

She gave no inti uncoht the place, Haberlin Chalet had never had a feuest that Colin had a roht to be excited and curious, but she was a pro and kept her feelings to herself

“Thank you, Marie,” he said, and he meant it in more ways than one

Colin’s attention turned to the front door as it swung open Bruno had returned froe He told Colin the car was parked and safe from any inclement weather

“Is everything ready for skiing tomorrow?” Colin asked

“I think the storht close the passes, but the weather to to worry about up here Everything will be ready”

As long as Sabela arrived before tooto plan That was really all he wanted to know He resisted the urge to pull out his phone and check the weather report again

“Thank you,” he told Bruno “You can go about your duties now”

Marie and Bruno would see to his luggage Unconcerned, Colin strolled froe s frole’s eye view of theoff into the horizon

These slopes, these crests, and these valleys were all his to enjoy

Since he’d bought the property, its value had skyrocketed Everything Colin touched turned to gold Everything but his personal life, that was