Kimberly Nee - The McKenzie Brothers (17 page)

“Yes, I am.” She was surprised that he knew her name. “But how did you know?”

His dark eyes danced with a sense of mischief similar to what she’d seen so many times in Drew’s eyes. “My brother’s spoken of you. It’s a pleasure to meet you finally.”

Drew told him about her? Just how much had Drew told them? “You must be Garrett then.”

“The very same.” He turned to the man across from him. “Julian, Drew’s told you about Miss Morgan, hasn’t he?”

A glint of recognition shone in Julian’s eyes. “Yes, I do believe he has.” He also got to his feet. “A pleasure, Miss Morgan.”

“Miss Morgan, this is my brother-in-law, Julian McCallister,” Garrett told her. “I’m sure Drew must have mentioned us at some point.”

“Of course he did. He spoke of his family often.”

“Yes, well, I’m sorry to say that he isn’t here at the moment. I haven’t seen him all morning, to be honest.”

Disappointment swelled in her heart. She’d been so certain she’d find him there. She wanted to cry, but swallowed hard, forcing a smile to her lips. “Oh, well. Thank you, then. I’m terribly sorry to bother you.”

“No. It’s no bother at all. Is there a message I can give him for you?”

“No, thank you.”

She turned to leave, only to have Garrett come around the desk and stop her by placing his hand on her arm. “Is everything all right, Miss Morgan?”

“Everything is fine, thank you.” She stared. He and Drew looked so much alike, it was uncanny.

Up close, however, their differences became more pronounced. Garrett’s jaw was more angular, there were fewer laugh lines on either side of his mouth, and although he was older, he had fewer crinkles at the corners of his eyes. However, his smile was the same and she felt a pang, wondering if she would ever see that wonderful smile aimed in her direction again.

“Are you certain? Julian, why don’t you ride out to Stonebridge and see if he’s there?”

“Certainly.” Julian shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’ll go straightaway if you wish.”

“No, please.” She looked from Garrett to Julian and back. “That really isn’t necessary. It isn’t important. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, please. My chaperone is waiting in this heat for me. In a rather stuffy carriage, no less.”

Garrett released her then. “Of course, Miss Morgan. But I’ll be sure to tell him you came by. I should be seeing him later today.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” She moved back to the doorway and cast one last look at him. “I thank you again.”

He gave her a slow grin, reminding her so much of Drew that she felt that pang again. She swallowed the sadness rising in her throat as she gave him a small smile in return and left the office.

Back in the coach, Christina fanned herself with a lacy blue fan, lowering it as Heather climbed in beside her. “Well?”

She sighed, flopping into her seat and shaking her head. “He was not there.”

“Oh, damn.” Christina shook her head. “Well, I’m sorry about that, but, we’ll track him down eventually. In the meantime, would you fancy refreshment?”

“I would love something. It’s so hot, I am most parched.”

Christina tapped on the carriage roof, calling out, “Croft’s, please.”

Heather sank back into her seat, staring out the window. Her heart was heavier than ever, nearly crushed by frustration. She’d been so sure she’d be able to see Drew, that she’d finally be given the chance to explain what had actually happened with Jeremy.

She remained silent as they arrived at Croft’s Café and Christina led her inside. Apparently they weren’t the only ones with the need for refreshment. Sunlight poured into the crowded café, dotted with a dozen white, wrought iron tables with matching iron chairs around them. Over half of the tables were filled, but Christina brought her to one in the far corner.

“Let me fetch us lemonades,” she said, chuckling as Heather opened her mouth to protest. “Simply sit here and think cool thoughts. I will return in a moment.”

Heather sank into the chair, thankful to be able to sit. It helped ease her roiling stomach. But sitting wasn’t the only that offered her comfort. Since she’d arrived in America, Christina was rapidly becoming her best friend, and that did as much for her spirits as sitting did for her belly. She hadn’t had that sense of friendship for a long time, and she was grateful for Christina’s generous spirit.

She faced the window, so she sat back in her chair, just watching the people pass before the glass with the words
Croft’s Café
in thick black script lettered in its center. Her nausea faded from the forefront of her mind as she enjoyed seeing the different shapes and sizes of the population of Brunswick.

Her spine stiffened then, as Drew passed before the window. Her heart lurched when he paused, as if he was debating whether or not he wanted to enter. She couldn’t control the jumping in her stomach, or the fluttering of her heartbeat as she waited for the door to open and him to enter.

Her joy was brief though, for he was not alone. Tears stung her eyes when a beautiful blonde woman sidled up to him and slipped her arm through his.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Drew froze as Bridget Monroe slipped her hand into the crook of his arm and purred, “Good morning, stranger.”

“Bridget? What the — what do you think you are doing?”

“I saw you as I was coming out of MacDowell’s,” she replied, not at all perturbed by his less-than-friendly greeting as she gave him a coquettish smile. “I thought I’d come over and greet an old friend.”

He faced her, pulling free from her grasp. She was the very image of fashion, dressed in a becoming gown of pale yellow muslin perfectly suited to her tall, slender frame. Her golden blonde hair was pulled away from her face in a series of complicated ringlets and covered by a fashionable bonnet of pale yellow, and she was slipping white silk gloves from her slim hands.

He didn’t return her smile. In fact, he felt nothing as he stared at the woman he’d almost married. She was still beautiful. Men still stared at her, just as they always did. However, as all of the passion, all of the desire, he once felt for her was gone. He was empty, impatient to brush by her and continue on his way to the harbor.

“An old friend, you say?” he replied dryly. “I think that might be stretching things, don’t you?”

She lazily twirled her pale yellow parasol. “Oh, I know I did a terrible thing. But we all make mistakes, don’t we? We were just so perfect for one another and now that you’re back, I thought, perhaps, you might — Drew, you aren’t even listening to me!”

He turned away as he caught sight of Heather out of the corner of his eye. His heart quickened as their gazes met, but then her eyes narrowed and he swore under his breath. Of course, she could see Bridget standing there with him. The pit of his stomach dropped painfully.

“Excuse me.” He stepped away from Bridget, reaching for the brass door handle in the same motion.

But she wasn’t one to give up so easily, lunging for his arm. “But, Drew — ”

“No!” He ignored the heads swiveling in their direction at his raised voice. “No, Bridget. Hear this and hear this well, my dear lady. You are poison. Absolute poison. Now, release me or prepare for the utter embarrassment when I shove you into the street.”

“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

He couldn’t believe her gall. He shook his head, a grin playing at his lips as he said, “You’re unbelievable. Do you honestly think I’d
ever
go that route again? I washed my hands of you and they will stay clean.”

She pouted and thrust out her full lower lip. “That is not fair, Drew.”

“Fair?” He cast another glance into the café, only to find Heather glaring at him. His patience eroded until nothing remained but anger. He turned on Bridget. “You expect me to treat you fairly? Why is that? Because you were always so straight and honest with me?”

“I never meant to hurt you.”

“Just because your words weren’t meant for my ears doesn’t mean I can forget they were ever spoken. And it doesn’t change what happened. You’re a bitch, Bridget. A cold-hearted bitch. I pity the man who winds up trapped with you. He won’t know anything but sheer misery.”

“Well, now,” she sniffed, a cold hardness coming to her eyes, “you wouldn’t say that if I gave you the one thing you were always begging me for now, would you?”

He laughed, yanking his arm free to step away from her. “Honey, why do I think you’ve been in more beds than most pillows?”

“Drew!” Her cheeks burned mottled red. “How
dare
you?”

“How dare I? It’s easy, really. Do you think I’m the only one who doesn’t know how generous you are when it comes to men?” He grasped the door handle and tugged the door open. “I’m not interested, honey. Not now and not ever. I finished with you a long time ago and I have no intention of ever traveling that road again.”

He left her there, gaping after him, ignoring both her and the stares of everyone within earshot as he strode toward the table at the back of the café. “May I have a word with you, Miss Morgan?”

Heather stared up at him as if he’d suddenly sprouted a second head. However, her gaze was cold, as was her taut, “I have nothing to say to you, Mr. McKenzie.”

She certainly wasn’t going to make this easy, was she? Not that he deserved her to act any other way, but still…“Please, Heather. I don’t blame you for being angry. But please, please just give me a moment.”

She peered over her shoulder. He followed her gaze, to see Christina Anderson across the room. She smiled and winked, then made her way over to a table of chattering ladies.

Heather turned back to him, her scowl gone and a look of uncertainty in her eyes. Her fingers buried in her skirt, no doubt twisting the fabric. He held his breath until she gave a slow nod. “Very well.”

Trying not to smile, or exhale to loudly, he caught her by the hand to help her to her feet. He wanted to get her out of there, away from everyone before she could change her mind about accompanying him.

He didn’t say a word as he hurried her along the walkway, around to the side of the small blue building. Then, without as much as a ‘how are you?’ he pulled her into his arms and his mouth came down to claim hers.

He broke the kiss abruptly, then swept his lips over her temple as he whispered, “I am so sorry, love. I’m an ass. A complete and utter ass.”

She pulled away to gaze up into his tender eyes. “You were so angry…you wouldn’t even allow me to explain.”

He cupped her face in his hands. “I was a jackass, Heather, and for that I’m sorry.”

“Who was that woman?”

“That, my love, was Bridget.”

“Oh?” She stiffened, and he swallowed the cursing rising in his throat. Damn it. How was it possible Bridget
still
had the power to disrupt his life?

“Now, Heather, before you become upset — ”

“Before I become upset? Now why would I become upset?”

Anger flashed in her eyes and somehow, he knew he was about to get what he deserved. “Heather — ”

“You turned on me, would not so much as listen to me! And then, the next time I see you, it’s with a woman you supposedly despise!” “Now, wait a moment. How do you know about Bridget?”

“Christina told me. She’s become quite a good friend since you brought me here and then abandoned me.” She glared, her eyes hard as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I suppose I should have expected
that
, shouldn’t I? After all, your invitation
was
worst mistake of your life, now, wasn’t it? I believe those were your words, Drew. Were they not?”

Yes. Definitely what he deserved.

“I was angry, Heather. I spoke without thinking.”

“That doesn’t make your words hurt any less. You simply cut me out of your life.”

“I did no such thing.”

“What would you call it, then?” she asked. “You didn’t even give me the chance to explain. Didn’t want to believe that I might be telling you the truth, then. You were so determined to believe I would do to you what Bridget did. That I could do something so vile, so — so absolutely foolish.”

“You know nothing about what happened with her.” The breeze blew an annoying lock of hair into his eye and he shoved it back with impatient fingers.

“Of course not. Not from you, anyhow.” The glare returned, hot and angry. “You refused to ever discuss her with me. You were so afraid that I might do the same thing. You had so little faith in me…Why, I might never have even known she existed, had you not run that fever after Henry shot you!”

“What?”

“You spoke of her. Several times, in fact.”

The horrible sense of having no control over the situation washed over him. Everything was all going so horribly awry, and he didn’t know which end was up. Instead of putting things right with Heather, he was making them worse. Trouble was, he wasn’t even certain
how
to right them now. Or if they could be righted.

“What did I say?”

“You were never clear as to whom you were talking about. You called her by name, then. But that doesn’t matter now. What matters is that you were so determined to keep me away you wouldn’t even trust me enough to tell me what she did that was so horrible.” Her eyes glimmered beneath a shiny veil of tears. “And now I’m stuck here in America — with nothing, I might add — and you walked out the door without a second thought!”

“I was angry.”

“You were afraid!” She threw up a frustrated hand. “And instead of trusting me, you lashed out at me! And now you kiss me and tell me you’re sorry and that’s supposed to set everything right again?”

He couldn’t resist a grin. “I was hoping so.”

“Well, it doesn’t.” Those tears spilled over, her eyes redder still. “And here I am! Alone in America and going to have a baby besides!”

His blood froze in his veins as those words reached his ears. Those were the last words he expected to hear from her. The last thing he’d ever expected to hear from any woman, though he didn’t know why he should be surprised. He was no boy. He knew full well the consequences of bringing a woman to his bed. Until now, he’d never been confronted with those consequences.

A slow smile lifted his lips. A child. He never thought he would see the day when hearing he was going to be a father brought a smile to his face.

Heather spun away from him, burying her face in her hands as she dissolved into shoulder-wracking sobs. He stepped up to her, slipping his arms about her to pull her to his chest.

He kissed the top of her head. “A child, Heather?”

She continued sobbing, but nodded as she choked, “Y-yes.”

Slowly, he turned her about to engulf her in his arms. He tilted her face upwards, smoothing his thumbs over her cheeks, kissing her forehead again then whispered, “This makes you sad? You and I created this — a new life — and yet you shed tears over it?”

She lifted red, puffy eyes to his. “Yes and no.”

He smiled again, his thumbs moving lightly over the tears sliding down her cheeks. “I think this is wonderful, love. We are going to bring a child into the world. That is cause for celebration, don’t you think?”

He didn’t wait for her to reply, but kissed her tenderly. “Will you marry me, Heather?”

“What?”

It wasn’t at all what he planned to say, but now that the words were out, he realized just how much he wanted her to be his. “You heard me, love. Will you marry me?”

His heart sped up, beating with a ferocity, a wildness, he’d never felt before as she sniffed again, but then nodded. A wide, luminous smile lit her entire face and her voice cracked as she replied, “Yes.”