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Authors: Bonnie K. Winn

The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie (18 page)

BOOK: The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie
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Her brows lifted in surprise.
“That doesn’t count the cottages, outbuildings, expanded lifts or summer recreations. Each generation has made additions. Additions that didn’t come without sacrifice. But we couldn’t compete today if that planning hadn’t been in place all along.”
“And your decision now?”
“I can take Eagle Point into the twenty-first century, make it a true world-class resort, or I could drag it into bankruptcy if I’m wrong.”
Brynn probed his expression. “Do you believe in your plans?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I’m right.”
“And if you don’t make the improvements?”
“We can glide along as we have.”
She met his eyes. “You told me it was the responsibility of every MacKenzie to ensure the success of the coming generations. Gliding along doesn’t sound like it’s going to cut it.”
“And if I’m wrong?”
Her eyes held his, steady and unblinking. “Taking a risk is your legacy from Gallagher MacKenzie. Suppose he’d let uncertainty sway him?”
“We’d probably be standing in someone else’s barn or factory, or the middle of a housing development.”
“Or someone else’s Telluride?” she suggested gently. “You have the vision, Matt. That’s why you’re the one who inherited the responsibility. And you have to follow the courage of your convictions.”
His face tilted up sharply, his gaze seeking hers. The double meaning of her words struck them both. He wasn’t a man who could live with dishonor. And wanting his brother’s wife was the worst kind of dishonor he could imagine.
He bit out a muffled curse, then shoved his hands through already tousled hair. “You’re right. About everything.”
Her heart clenched as she realized what he meant. She may have convinced him to follow his convictions and those same convictions made her strictly off-limits.
The small distance between them seemed to widen in the silence. When he finally looked away from her, she saw his face change and then suddenly he began to run. “Oh, hell.”
When he accelerated into a sprint and she saw that he was heading directly for the edge of the meadow that spilled over the cliff, her hand flew to her mouth and her heart lodged somewhere not far behind. “Matt!” She’d intended to should the word but it came out as a strangled whisper.
Then it looked as though he’d fly off the edge of the cliff, but he slid to a stop, grabbing at something, then rolling backward. Concentrating only on Matt, Brynn hadn’t seen anything else.
Racing toward him, she finally recognized the gray fluff cradled in his big hands. Snookems!
As she reached him, she dropped to her knees. “Matt?”
“Your blind beast was about to take her last leap in this world.”
“Snookems!” Brynn half scolded, relief filtering the words. Grateful to see that neither of them had come to harm, Brynn started shaking.
“Oh, jeez,” Matt groaned. “She’s okay. But next time you’d better put her on a lead.”
“What if you hadn’t been able to stop when you’d gotten to the edge?” she questioned, feeling tears sting her eyes.
“I did. Look, you were right about one thing. I’m a trained athlete. Used to be on the U.S. ski team—remember, it’s headquartered here in Utah. I love to downhill and I’m in heaven when I hit the moguls. And off-season, I four-wheel, play rugby and work out. I wasn’t in any danger.”
“Still...” Brynn couldn’t contain the concern that overwhelmed her. When she’d thought there was a chance he was in danger, she’d felt her heart almost stop. A feeling so intense it still swamped her. A feeling, she realized suddenly, she’d never experienced in worrying about Gregory—a man who was a fantasy, not a man she loved; as she did Matt.
And he was the one she loved. With all her heart.
And now he was gently helping her up, still cradling the cat. Lancelot was licking both her hand and then Matt’s—an acceptance she’d never expected from the wounded animal. Matt had managed to ensnare them all.
Even Bossy was strutting beside them, his shrill voice cutting through the mountain breeze. “Good job!” the bird kept repeating, interspersed with a colorful injunction on how they’d better get out of Dodge.
Brynn wondered why her newfound realization didn’t shout itself to the literal mountaintops as it crowded her in its rush to be free.
Her hand still held solicitously in Matt’s, she walked with him back to safety, knowing that that in itself was an irony. She’d never be safe again. Not with her soul committed to a man she could never have.
Chapter Thirteen
H
eather and Andy trooped beside Brynn as she walked along the main street of Gallagher. So far they’d gone into every store, examined everything from hair barrettes and earrings to comic books and the newest candy in the drugstore.
Having been promised ice-cream cones, they were now headed for the Hamburger Hut, a place that served old-fashioned custard ice cream. Brynn hadn’t known such places still existed. Nor had she ever heard of Andy and Heather’s own brand of logic. They needed ice-creams cones now before winter set in. Although the nip of autumn and the approaching winter chilled the air, this was a not-to-be-missed treat.
Ruth had explained the custom, then hesitantly asked Brynn if she would take the kids to town. Frank was having a bad day, Ruth had explained. Having heard nothing about Gregory in the last two days, Frank had gone into a slump. And Ruth didn’t want to leave him on his own. Matt had already left earlier and Ruth didn’t know when he planned to return. She’d hated asking Brynn but her worry about Frank had overridden any concern about breaching manners.
But Brynn had enjoyed the excursion, delighting in the spontaneous things both kids said. And she was settling cozily into the perfect fit of the town. Like a well-broken-in pair of shoes, it cradled every ill-fitting experience from the past.
Brynn urged the kids along the sidewalk, hoping she could stand to eat frozen custard in the cool temperatures, but not wanting to miss the unexpected treat.
“How come you live in the city if they don’t have good stuff?” Andy asked around a mouthful of bubblegum.
“Well, there are fun things in the city, too.”
Andy’s face screwed into a skeptical mask. “Doesn’t sound like it. Not even any good ice cream.”
“We have Häagen-Dazs in the stores,” Brynn offered.
Andy wasn’t impressed. “Gregory always made living in the city sound good. Guess he didn’t want us to know how bad it really is.”
Brynn’s lips quirked upward, but she valiantly tried to control the grin threatening. “When you’re a grown-up, different things are fun.”
“Well, you’re a grown-up and you like it better here.”
So she did. “You sure you’re not a midget?”
Andy rolled his eyes.
Seeing this, Heather looked big-sister pained. “Boys.”
Which only caused Andy to roll his eyes again. “Like you know anything.”
“More than you do,” Heather countered.
Fortuitously, they’d arrived at the Hamburger Hut. Not certain how far the squabble could escalate, Brynn issued a silent sigh of relief. “Here we are. Would you guys like some food first?”
“Heck, no,” Andy replied without consulting his sister. “I might get too full for ice cream.”
“And that would be a crime,” Brynn agreed, her own mouth watering at the promise of a creamy cone. They approached the order window and Brynn peeked inside the tiny place, watching the well-orchestrated bustle. A wonderful aroma of freshly cooked burgers and the tang of recently sliced onions and pickles filled the air. The shakes she saw being made looked tempting, too. Another feast for the senses.
A few minutes later, loaded with cones that were two and three dips high, they sat at one of the small tables scattered outside the Hamburger Hut. Not large enough to have indoor seating, it was a place where teens congregated, children raced to, and adults indulged in.
Briefly, Brynn could remember going to a similar place with her grandmother when she’d been very young. But her mother hadn’t the patience or tolerance for such places. Instead, she purchased pints of gourmet ice cream in exotic flavors. Licking her cone, Brynn knew none of those luxuries had tasted nearly as good as Hamburger Hut’s custard.
An older couple approached the order window and both Heather and Andy waved to them. Brynn smiled as well and when they’d placed their order, the man and woman walked over.
“Hey, Uncle Mick!” Andy called out.
“Hi, Aunt Lucille,” Heather added when they were closer.
“Those look good,” Lucille commented as she watched them tackle the cones.
“Aren’t you having any?” Andy asked.
“I wish,” Lucille answered. “But we have to watch our cholesterol. It was either hamburgers or ice cream. Not both.”
Mick made a disgusted face, indicating his feelings about their healthy diet.
“I’d have picked ice cream,” Andy replied.
Heather poked him none too subtly.
“He’s right,” Mick defended, a twinkle in his eyes. “Actually I want both.”
“Good thing I’m along to make sure you don’t!” Lucille reproved.
“Yeah. Good thing,” Mick muttered.
Lucille ignored him, watching Brynn instead. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
Before Brynn could speak, Heather jumped in. “This is Brynn. She’s our sister now.”
The guileless, trusting words cut a new path to Brynn’s guilt. She was beginning to wonder how long she could keep up this charade. The lies and pretense were eating her alive.
“You must be Gregory’s wife!” Lucille exclaimed, thawing at the realization. “I thought you were a tourist at first. We just got back to town late last night. We spend the early fall in Denver close to our children—before we have to battle ice and snow. But Ruth told me all about your elopement before the family went to meet you.” She pointed to her husband. “I’m Lucille Stratton and this is my husband, Mick.” She didn’t give Brynn a chance to respond as she continued her monologue. “I’m dying to learn all about you, Brynn. But, first. Is there any news about Gregory?”
Brynn saw the shadows instantly touch both Heather and Andy, the concentration on their ice-cream cones diminishing, the easy laughter in their eyes dimming. “Actually, we’re very encouraged. While a definite agreement hasn’t been reached, the negotiations are at a very positive stage. Both his firm and the government feel hopeful that they can reach an agreement soon.”
Brynn was relieved to see some of the shadows on the children’s faces disappear.
“I never doubted it for a minute,” Mick replied. “That boy’s a fighter.” His cheery gaze rested on the children. “Do we know anyone smarter?”
Both children shook their heads.
“Or more ingenious?” he continued.
They shook their heads again.
“Well, then. Is he going to let a few backward rebels stop him?”
“Course not,” Andy declared, caught in Mick’s enthusiasm. “Gregory always wins.”
“He’s very clever,” Heather added.
“Yes, he is,” Lucille agreed, seeming to finally realize that her question had disturbed the children. Bright eyes lit on Brynn as she tried to shift the topic. “Since we know he’s going to be all right, let’s hear about you.”
“She draws
Stephanie
,” Andy added between bites of ice cream.
“Stephanie?”
Lucille questioned.
“The comic strip,” Brynn explained.
“In the newspaper?” Lucille questioned with new interest.
“Sure,” Heather replied with pride. “She’s famous.”
“I wouldn’t say that—” Brynn began.
“Brynn’s just modest,” Heather explained. “She practically saved Gregory’s life!”
“What’s this?” Mick asked.
“Gregory was in a burning building,” Heather began.
Lucille and Mick drew in matching gulps of air. “What?”
“Actually, there was a dog—” Brynn tried again.
“And you saved them both?” Lucille exclaimed.
“That’s not—” Brynn started.
“That’s why Gregory likes animals now,” Andy said as he struggled with his cone, catching a sliding mound of ice cream before it toppled.
“He does?” Lucille queried. “Well, that’s unusual for him, but I guess sharing a traumatic experience will do that for you.”
“But—”
“And Gregory has quite a way of expressing his gratitude,” Mick said with a twinkle. “He marries his lady to the rescue.”
“That’s not exactly how—”
“And she taught him how to not be afraid of heights,” Heather added.
“He can even ride in hot-air balloons now,” Andy said.
Brynn fervently hoped that no one put Gregory to this test when he returned.
“You
have
transformed Gregory!” Lucille exclaimed. “His fear of heights is one reason he never wanted to stay here. It’s hard to live on top of a mountain when you become sick just coming and going.”
“And sometimes people in the
Stephanie
cartoon are real,” Heather added in a rush. “So Gregory has been in them lots.”
With a gulp, Brynn realized that small-town gossip traveled swiftly, if not accurately. “Just because—”
“Then you and Gregory have done some of the crazy things in that comic?” Mick nearly roared, clapping his hand down on the weathered wooden table.
Visions of this new and no-doubt-embellished tale rose in Brynn’s mind. “There’s a lot of fiction to—”
“Sure, you have to spice it up,” Mick agreed, still laughing. “But now that I think about it, I can see our Gregory in just those scrapes.”
“Your
Gregory?” Brynn questioned with a sense of foreboding.
“He’s our godson,” Mick explained.
Lately, Brynn wondered if her foot had been permanently planted in her mouth.
“And we’d hoped he and our daughter Alyson might marry someday,” Lucille added.
“Lucille!” Mick shot her a reproving look, but Lucille waved him away.
“Brynn should know our history. Besides, obviously they’re not going to get married since Gregory has chosen Brynn.” Lucille turned her full attention on Brynn. “Do you know if Gregory told Alyson about your marriage?”
“I...I’m not sure...but perhaps it would be better coming from him,” Brynn managed.
Lucille drew her brows together. “I suppose you’re right. And it’s not like they had an exclusive relationship. Frankly, I don’t understand young people today. Alyson told us she needed to explore her options, whatever that means. Personally, I think if she cared about Gregory, she should have concentrated on him.” Lucille had the grace to look embarrassed. “That didn’t come out just the way I meant.”
“Never does,” Mick muttered.
“You’re a lovely girl,” Lucille continued, reaching her hand out to pat Brynn’s. At that moment a fat drop of sticky ice cream dropped, hitting Lucille’s hand and splattering.
Brynn’s unattended cone drooped as she tried to hand Lucille a crumpled paper napkin.
“You keep it,” Lucille insisted, pushing the napkin back to Brynn. “Looks like you’ll need it more than I will.”
At that moment the woman inside the Hamburger Hut called out an order number.
“That’ll be us,” Mick announced. “We’re taking our burgers home—Lucille can’t miss
Oprah
.”
“But we’ll see you again soon,” Lucille inserted, holding her sticky hand awkwardly as though not sure what to do with it. “Now that we’re family.”
As they walked away, Brynn realized that the “family” was growing at an alarming rate. And turning to her two companions in crime, she realized she’d just added more fodder to the gossip hotline.
A familiar truck pulled up to the curb, parking in front of the Hamburger Hut.
“Matt!” Andy and Heather called out, spotting their older brother.
“Hey, brats,” he answered fondly.
They didn’t take offense, instead crowding around him. The difference in their ages, Brynn suspected, elevated him beyond mere brother.
“What are we having?” he questioned, crowding Andy as he pretended to take a predatory interest in his ice-cream cone.
“We could be having more ice cream if you’ll pay,” Andy responded guilelessly as he bit into the cone, quickly finishing the one he was eating.
Matt pulled out a few bills and peeled them off, handing both to Heather. “Andy, you can order whatever you want, but Heather’s in charge of the money. With what’s left you can buy something at Brewer’s.”
Andy let out a whoop. Brewer’s was the store they’d lingered in the longest. Carrying everything from bubblegum to hammers, soccer balls to laundry baskets, T-shirts to Nintendo games, it was a kids’ paradise.
“And if we don’t spend too much here, we’ll have more there,” Andy translated quickly. “Come on, Heather. Let’s forget about the ice cream.”
Heather delicately licked at her ice-cream cone, plenty of it remaining since she hadn’t demolished hers as Andy had. “When I’m through.”
Andy groaned. “How come she’s got to carry the money, Matt? She’s so
slow!
”
“You’ll live,” Matt replied without sympathy. “The last time I gave you the money, you brought home ten dollars’ worth of live bait and baby mice. Mother nearly skinned us both.”
BOOK: The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie
12.71Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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