Millionaire Rents Cabin Next To Hers, Never Expected His Vacation Neighbor Would Become His Wife
A Mountain Retreat and an Unexpected Neighbor
The cold mountain air stung Amber Matthews’ cheeks as she hauled the last of her luggage up the cabin steps. She was grateful that her three-month riding retreat was finally beginning.
She had saved for two years to afford this secluded rental in the Colorado mountains. It was a desperate attempt to finish her novel away from the distractions of her busy life as a freelance journalist in Chicago.
“Three months of peace and quiet,” she whispered to herself.
She unlocked the rustic wooden door and stepped inside the cozy space that would be her home until spring.
The cabin was everything she had hoped for: stone fireplace, exposed wooden beams, and large windows that showcased the breathtaking view of snowcapped mountains and dense pine forests.
Amber was unpacking her laptop when the sound of tires crunching on gravel caught her attention. She peered through the window, surprised to see a sleek black Range Rover pulling up to the neighboring cabin that she thought would be vacant all winter.
The rental agent had mentioned something about the owner rarely visiting during the off-season.
A tall man stepped out. His broad shoulders were wrapped in what appeared to be a cashmere coat that probably cost more than her monthly rent.
He glanced in her direction and, even from a distance, she could feel the intensity of his gaze. Amber quickly stepped away from the window, feeling oddly like she’d been caught spying.
The following morning, Amber was enjoying her coffee on the porch when she heard footsteps approaching. The man from yesterday was walking toward her cabin.
He looked considerably more casual in jeans and a thick sweater, though still impossibly put together.
“Good morning,” he called out, his voice deep and pleasant. “I thought I should introduce myself since we’ll be neighbors. Ethan Grayson.”
Amber stood, extending her hand.
“Amber Matthews.”
His grip was firm and his hand was warm despite the chilly morning air.
“Nice to meet you, Amber. Sorry if my arrival disturbed you yesterday. I tend to make last-minute decisions.”
“No problem at all,” she replied, trying not to stare at his striking features: piercing blue eyes set against tan skin and dark hair that was slightly disheveled from the mountain breeze.
“So what brings you to the mountains in the off-season?” he asked.
“I’m a writer. I needed some peace and quiet to finish my novel.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely interested.
“A novelist? That’s impressive.”
Amber laughed, tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear.
“Well, aspiring novelist. I’m a journalist by trade, but I’ve been working on this book for years.”
She hesitated, then asked, “What about you, just a vacation?”
Something flickered across Ethan’s face, a shadow of emotion she couldn’t quite place.
“Something like that. I needed to get away from the city. Clear my head.”
“Well, you picked the right place for that,” Amber said, gesturing to the breathtaking landscape surrounding them.
“I certainly hope so.”
Ethan smiled, and for a moment, Amber forgot about the cold.
“I won’t keep you from your writing. Maybe we could have dinner sometime? I’m not much of a cook, but I make a decent pasta.”
Surprised by the invitation, Amber found herself nodding before she could overthink it.
“I’d like that.”
As Ethan walked away, Amber couldn’t help but wonder what a man like him, clearly wealthy and refined, was doing alone in a remote cabin in the middle of winter.
Later that evening, Amber was struggling with a particularly difficult chapter when a knock on her door provided a welcome interruption. Ethan stood on her porch with a bottle of wine and a sheepish expression.
“I hate to impose, but my heating system is acting up. The property manager can’t get here until tomorrow. Would it be terribly inconvenient if I used your fireplace for a few hours?”
Amber laughed. “Of course not. Come in.”
She stepped aside to let him enter.
“I was just about to make some dinner. Nothing fancy, just soup and sandwiches.”
“Sounds perfect,” Ethan said, handing her the wine. “I brought a peace offering.”
As they settled into dinner, Amber found herself increasingly intrigued by her mysterious neighbor.
He was articulate and well-traveled, but carefully avoided any mention of what he did for a living. He asked thoughtful questions about her writing and journalism career, seeming genuinely interested in her answers.
“So you grew up in Colorado?” she asked, refilling their wine glasses.
Ethan nodded. “Born and raised in Denver. My father was a contractor who worked his way up from nothing. He taught me the value of hard work.”
“And what kind of work do you do now?” Amber asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
Ethan hesitated, swirling the wine in his glass.
“I’m in real estate development, mostly commercial properties.”
There was something in his tone that suggested there was more to the story, but Amber didn’t press.
Instead, she shared stories about her most interesting assignments as a journalist, including an exposé on corruption in the Chicago public school system that had earned her a regional award.
As the evening progressed, Amber found herself increasingly drawn to Ethan’s quiet confidence and the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed.
