quite literally half a lifetime ago. Now, at twenty-eight, she looked completely different. Her mousy brown hair was honey blond now, she’d lost the extra ten pounds of baby fat ages ago and she didn’t answer to Elizabeth any longer. But best of all, she was successful and enjoying a career she loved.
Just as long as her boss never found out she’d lied. Not outright, but by omission. Porter Burke International had a sterling reputation. No other company was better at community branding and development. That’s why Sadie Thompson, the mayor of Blackfoot Falls, had hired them to find a way to attract more tourists.
But first Savannah and her small team of secret shoppers needed to get a fresh take on the place. Playing tourists, they would check into the motel and inn, eat in the restaurants, drink in the bars, shop in the stores and generally partake of everything the town had to offer. Their undercover operation would last five days, and then they’d give a presentation to go over their assessment and suggestions.
A knock on the car window made her jump.
Dammit.
Ron opened her door. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“What do you mean?”
“Did you just get here? Have you driven down Main Street yet?”
Savannah sighed. “Where’s Nina? Didn’t you two come together?”
“She’s checking in at the Boarding House on the other end of town.”
“Wait a minute—”
“Move your head an inch to the left. You can probably see it from here,” he said, his sarcasm grating on her nerves. “Talk about a one-horse town...it’s maybe seven blocks long. They don’t even have a traffic light.”
“Why aren’t you with her? You should be checking in together.” They were supposed to be posing as an engaged couple.
“This is ridiculous. Three of us stuck out here for a week? Hell, we could’ve wrapped this up in a day.”
“If you’d read your prep sheet, you’d know that Hollywood has taken an interest in the area. They’ve been shooting films and TV miniseries all around here.” She glanced toward the breathtaking snowcapped Rockies in the distance. They looked as if they’d sprung up in the town’s backyard. “Plus, the crews left behind a number of movie sets, and the town council is trying to decide how best to use them.”
Ron gave her an annoying smirk.
With his dark hair and hazel eyes, Savannah had once considered him a good-looking man. He could also be charming when he wanted. Or he could be a first-class jerk.
“Are you going to just stand there?” The door remained slightly ajar, and when he didn’t respond she considered giving it a push. He was a notorious hound dog. Putting him out of commission for a while would make many women in the office happy. How he’d managed to hold on to his job, she’d never know. “Move,” she said, oh so tempted. “Please.”
“What’s it been, two years since you’ve been out in the field?” he said, finally stepping back. “Bet you’re sorry you chose this assignment.”
Ignoring him, she grabbed her purse and key fob and checked to make sure the car’s license plate number was included in case the desk clerk asked for it.
“Ah, I get it,” he said. “You wanted to get me alone.”
“Yeah, that’s right.” She swung her legs out of the car and stood. In her heeled boots, she had an inch on him...which she liked. “How did you end up here?” At the last minute he’d replaced Duncan, who Savannah had requested to be part of the team. She never would’ve asked for Ron. “I thought you were headed to New Orleans.”
“I pulled a few strings.”
Frowning, she popped the trunk and went around to get her bags. “That doesn’t make sense...”
Ron quickly lost the cocky grin and shrugged. “I wanted a shorter gig.”
He looked as though he was holding something back, which made Savannah nervous. Of all the assignments, she couldn’t have this one go sideways. He’d asked her out a couple times, and she’d politely declined. It had been a while, and everything had been fine between them, especially since she worked in the Denver office and he was usually on the road.
But God help him if he stuck one toe over the line. A nasty thought had her biting down on her lip. Wouldn’t Ron just die if he knew she’d started seeing Porter Burke two months ago? She wouldn’t say, of course, but just imagining the shock on his face brought her a moment’s satisfaction.
He beat her to the bags, grabbing both of them.
“Thank you, Ron,” she said, trying to keep her tone pleasant. “But I’ve got it. You really should go catch up with Nina.”
“Change of plans,” he said, heading toward the motel entrance.
“What do you mean?” she asked, hurrying to keep up with him.
“I’m staying here, too.”
“What? Wait. Duncan booked two rooms over at—”
“I changed the reservations.”
“What do you mean you changed them? Without consulting me?”
They reached the door and he stepped back, exchanging a smile with an older woman exiting the building. It gave Savannah a minute to settle down and get her temper under control. She wanted to kill him, but instead she’d just maim him for life.
A couple was sorting through brochures in the lobby, which was small enough that it would be difficult for Savannah not to be overheard. A woman standing behind the front desk greeted them. Ron gave her a big smile, stepped up and set down the bags.
This was starting out just great. Ten crummy seconds. That was all Savannah would’ve needed to drag Ron back out to the parking lot without causing a scene.
“We’re checking in,” Ron said. “I believe you have our reservation. Mr. and Mrs. Ron Carver.”
Savannah gaped at him, too stunned to say anything.
“Yes, we’ve been expecting you.” The woman—Patty, according to her name tag—transferred her attention to a monitor screen. “Oh, and congratulations. I see you called this morning and requested a honeymoon suite—”
“What? No. That’s a mistake.” Savannah quietly cleared her throat as she tried to regain her wits. The woman looked confused. “We aren’t really married. Not yet.” Forcing a smile, Savannah elbowed Ron. “Quit being so impatient.”
“Come on, honey. Don’t be—”
“We need two rooms.”
“Well, to be honest, we don’t have anything like a honeymoon suite. But let’s see what we do have...” Patty returned her gaze to the monitor. “How about a connecting—”
“No. Nothing connecting either.” Savannah didn’t trust
