Read The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie Online
Authors: Bonnie K. Winn
The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie (13 page)
He grinned, realizing he’d told her more about his plans than anyone except his father, who was still officially the head of Eagle Point, despite Matt’s title of director. It was a relief to see his plans reflected in eyes that saw them in a completely new light, without preconceived opinions.
“I want to court investors. Ones who’ll build condos in Gallagher. And I’d like to see heli-skiing.”
“‘Heli-skiing’?” she echoed.
“By helicopter—for strong intermediate or advanced skiers,” he replied, envisioning this new resource, one he wanted to develop along with an outside investor. “They ski untouched powder. Guides would show our guests where to find the best bowls and tree skiing they’ll ever find at ten thousand vertical feet.”
She gasped. “It sounds dangerous—” her lips lifted into an unexpected grin “—but exciting.”
“That’s why I want it to be developed as part of Eagle Point on a contract basis.”
“You might as well spill the rest of it,” she suggested.
Once again he admired her quick grasp. “For a world-class ski resort to work, the town needs multimedia entertainment, après-ski—after-ski—clubs, restaurants. I’d like to see more stores and theaters go in—enough diversity so that vacationers who don’t want to ski have plenty to do in the winter.”
Brynn nibbled at her lower lip. “But wouldn’t that change everything? I mean... Right now Gallagher is charming and cozy. What you’re describing sounds so cosmopolitan. It would be like, like...”
“Park City? Telluride? Sun Valley?”
“Well, yes, I guess so.”
“And all three revitalized the surrounding areas, brought in jobs that were needed, commerce for the existing shops and other businesses.”
“I guess so.”
Matt knew what she was thinking, had struggled over the same issues. But he also knew that without growth, they risked decline. “We have craftsmen in Gallagher who have clung to the old ways that are literally a dying art. Old-world glassblowing. Sand-pouring artistry—one of only three artists left in the country is right here in Gallagher. A wood artisan who makes burl bowls from a solid chunk of wood. And we have people who throw pottery on wheels they inherited from their grandparents. Dollmakers, painters, leather crafters. Silver and goldsmiths who make jewelry more unique than you’ll find anywhere else. Eagle Point brings a lot of trade to town, but with the kind of expansion I’m talking about, all these craftsmen would have avenues to sell their products and a steady flow of customers to buy them.”
Brynn hesitated over the words. “But how would the townspeople feel? Everything would be so different for them.”
“Progress and time bring change. The town isn’t just like it was when the founders built it. But the changes have made it better—electricity, paved roads, indoor plumbing. Don’t you think everyone in Gallagher likes having those things?”
“Well, of course, but—”
Matt voiced the reasoning that had brought him to this decision. “I imagine there was a quite a stir when all of those things were introduced, but the townspeople adjusted. And with the expansion there’d be enough opportunities that their children wouldn’t have to leave for the cities. They could find their opportunities right here in Gallagher.”
“Are you going to divide up Eagle Point’s land? Sell it to developers?”
Territorial instinct sprang into force. “No. That will never be an option. This land will always stay in the family—that’s a promise every MacKenzie makes to the following generation. The improvements I want affect the lodge and our business. Selling the land isn’t an improvement, it’s blasphemy.”
Brynn hesitated. “Does everyone in the family feel so strongly about keeping the land?”
Matt’s lips firmed, thinking of Gregory’s careless lack of concern. His brother wanted to subdivide the land and sell it to the highest bidder. Although Matt felt his soul curdle at the idea of strangers owning their property, Gregory was indifferent to the prospect, seeing only the profit that could be plowed into other businesses. He had used their father’s illness as an excuse, saying that it was time to act while the leadership of Eagle Point was uncertain. Luckily Frank MacKenzie had seen through the visionless plans.
And now the responsibility had landed directly on Matt’s shoulders. But that was how he wanted it. “No, not everyone cares about the heritage. I guess Gregory didn’t tell you, but he’s in favor of splitting up the land and selling it off.”
Shock filled her huge blue eyes. “That’s hard to believe. I can’t understand how anyone could give up something so rooted in family. I can scarcely imagine anything passing so solidly from generation to generation.” She glanced down for a moment. “All I have from my heritage are my grandmother’s stories. Not that they aren’t wonderful,” she rushed to add. “But, this... This is so tangible...so real.”
“To hear you talk it’s as though Gregory never even mentioned Eagle Point.”
“Of course he
mentioned
it, but nothing was said about selling it off in parcels.”
mentioned
it, but nothing was said about selling it off in parcels.”
Matt studied her face, seeing what appeared to be genuine concern. More concern than Gregory had ever shown. But, somehow, on this crisp fall day, with its endless sky of unobstructed blue, he didn’t want to think or talk about his brother anymore. Because his attraction to Brynn was adding another dimension, a level he knew was even more dangerous.
“Ready to take the measurements?”
She spun around. “I forgot we were here for a reason. I guess I got a little too caught up in the experience. Just tell me what to do.”
It was a tempting, if unintentional offer. Instead of immediately starting their task he pointed out a herd of elk in the distance moving from the high country to the low country.
“That’s incredible,” she murmured, watching the magnificent animals as they swept down from the mountaintop.
Matt walked toward a stand of aspen and rubbed the dark splotches of missing bark. “See these?”
She nodded.
“From the elk. They leave their hoofmarks to show their passing.”
“How do you
know
so much?”
know
so much?”
He laughed. “You know how to navigate the city, don’t you? Where to buy the best groceries, the neighborhoods that are desirable, how the freeways connect? That’s the lay of your land. Here we share it with wild game. Elk, coyotes, porcupines—they’ re our neighbors.”
She shook her head. “You make it sound easy.”
“It is when it’s in your blood.”
She studied him for a moment, admiring more and more about him. When his gaze caught hers, she sent him a distracting smile. “It’s not in my blood, but I think I can manage to help take measurements.”
Brynn proved to be an able assistant, catching on quickly to the nuances of measuring for an abstract project still in the drawing stages.
When she struggled on the last measurement, unable to read the tape, Matt couldn’t resist teasing her. “Those glasses look powerful enough to see across the canyon.”
She flushed, pushing at those same glasses. “They’re not for distance.”
“They can’t be just for reading,” he dismissed. But then her face flushed suddenly. “Or are they?”
“I’ll just get a little closer,” she hedged.
She started toward the end of the tape but Matt was faster, cutting her off en route. She looked around, but behind her was only the canyon drop-off. Matt could tell she was scrambling for an escape, but he wasn’t giving any quarter.
“Don’t you want to get the right measurement?” she asked, her voice squeaking despite her obvious effort to control it.
“I want to know all kinds of things,” he replied, enjoying the latest change in her expression, the sudden wariness.
“If I were Stephanie, I could tell you something outrageous,” she tried to joke, having backed up as far as she could safely go.
“And as Brynn, don’t you know something equally outrageous?”
Her mouth opened, then shut again without making a sound.
Giving in to the urge that had been plaguing him nearly since the first moment they’d met, Matt reached toward her glasses, sliding them forward and then pulling them away.
She blinked for a moment, obviously rattled without the security of the heavy-rimmed protectors-ones she’d worn even into the hot tub.
Huge blue eyes, fringed in remarkably thick, dark lashes were a shock. Although he’d guessed she must be a looker to attract Gregory, and now knew she had a world-class figure, Matt wasn’t prepared for the full impact.
Glasses removed, and with the breeze blowing the black curls away from her face, her delicate almost-ethereal features stood in stark relief. Brynn’s Irish heritage was painted across her ivory skin as clearly as a well-drawn map of County Cork.
Matt simply couldn’t understand why she hid such beauty in every conceivable way. The hairstyle, oversize glasses and baggy clothes all combined into an effective disguise.
He reached out to catch one flyaway curl, feeling its silky texture. While he’d already noticed the luster and wild appeal of her untamed hair, he suspected she purposely kept it that way as yet another layer of camouflage. But why?
And how had the shortsighted Gregory uncovered this treasure?
Without thinking, Matt eased one thumb over the smooth skin of her cheek, discovering another texture of silk.
When Brynn trembled beneath his touch, he spotted the wild, betraying jump at the base of her throat. His gaze zoned in on full, tender lips, bare of lipstick, yet lush with color. Without thinking, he bent his head toward hers, wondering if her mouth would taste as delicious as it looked.
Just a fraction away from her lips, Brynn’s watch alarm buzzed, loud and insistent.
Jerking backward, Matt spun away from her, knowing a lit torch wouldn’t have singed deeper. What was he thinking? She was his brother’s wife!
Clearing his throat, Matt spoke toward the mountain in the opposite direction, rather than toward her. “You’re right, we’d better finish the measuring. The light’s tricky. We don’t want to lose it.”
Her voice was thready, barely more than a whisper. “Of course.” She held her hand against the warm spot on her cheek where his fingers had lingered.
But Matt didn’t notice. He was too busy putting distance between them as he stalked to the other side of the grassy slope. “You’d better find a way home soon, brother,” he muttered.
Chapter Nine
B
rynn slowly turned the pages of the wedding album, realizing that nearly a week had passed since she’d opened it. But after her experience a few days earlier with Matt at Plum Ridge, she needed the reinforcement, the connection to Gregory—especially since Frank’s call to the State Department that morning had again proved fruitless. Matt intended to fly to D.C. the next day, unwilling to wait for another phone call or fax. And action of any kind helped chase the sickly gray pallor from Frank’s face. He was visibly weakening more each day. When Brynn thought about telling the truth and leaving, she only had to look at him to know his health couldn’t take the blow.
rynn slowly turned the pages of the wedding album, realizing that nearly a week had passed since she’d opened it. But after her experience a few days earlier with Matt at Plum Ridge, she needed the reinforcement, the connection to Gregory—especially since Frank’s call to the State Department that morning had again proved fruitless. Matt intended to fly to D.C. the next day, unwilling to wait for another phone call or fax. And action of any kind helped chase the sickly gray pallor from Frank’s face. He was visibly weakening more each day. When Brynn thought about telling the truth and leaving, she only had to look at him to know his health couldn’t take the blow.
Why was it that now when she looked at Gregory’s picture it was as though she stared at a stranger, someone she didn’t know beneath the glib smile and good looks? His eyes didn’t tell her anything.
Leafing through the album, Brynn felt as though she was looking at someone else’s photos. She could appreciate them, but they didn’t speak to her. And once they’d been the only voice in her silent life.
Closing her eyes, Brynn tried to remember the rush of exhilaration that always filled her when she studied the pictures. Not getting anything, instead she focused on remembering Gregory when she’d first met him on the jogging paths. That memory was slightly better, but still faint.
When had this happened? This feeling of distance? Could it just be because Gregory had now been gone for some time? That everything had changed, turned topsy-turvy? Was this a normal reaction that would have happened to anyone?
Or just anyone who’d been spending too much time with Matt MacKenzie?
Matt’s face was so much clearer in her mind. But then of course he was closer, too. It was probably some sort of transference, she told herself.
Remembering the look in his eyes when they’d been at Plum Ridge, she knew it wasn’t that simple. Her hand strayed toward her cheek, instantly remembering his touch, the warmth of it, and the explosion of feelings he’d ignited.
And she remembered the trail of awareness that had led to that moment on the ridge. It hadn’t been just one moment, one look. It had begun when she’d first met him. And it had been escalating ever since.
Brynn wished she had a fraction of Stephanie’s impetuous zest for life. To be capricious, daring, and unconcerned about the consequences. But Brynn had always been too practical for such impulsiveness. With a mother who often forgot who was the parent, Brynn had been forced to be responsible, older than her years.
A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and Brynn was glad for the distraction as she called out, “Come in.”
Heather poked a hesitant-looking face around the door. “Mom said I wasn’t to disturb you. Am I?”
“Of course not.” Brynn smiled. “Come on in.”
The girl slipped inside, leaving the door ajar.
Brynn started to close the album but Heather had spotted it. “Please don’t put it away. I’d like to see the pictures.”
“Certainly.” Brynn knew Heather was a sensitive girl and the entire family was worried about her withdrawal. With news of Gregory sporadic and infrequent, Heather had lost weight, paled, and grown far too quiet for a teenager. “I enjoy looking at them over and over, myself.”
Heather settled companionably at Brynn’s side. “They’re such beautiful pictures.” She sighed. “So romantic.” Her face and voice crumpled. “So tragic.”
“I don’t think so,” Brynn answered firmly, appalled at the girl’s dismay. “In fact I look at them in just the opposite way. They’re pictures of hope.”
Heather glanced up at her, her eyes welling with tears. “You really think so?”
“Absolutely.”
“Brynn...do you
really
think Gregory will come home?”
really
think Gregory will come home?”
“Yes, Heather, I do.”
The girl sniffled as she let out a sigh of relief. “Mom said people who love somebody know—it’s in their hearts. I figured since you and Gregory are in love, you’re as close as two people can be. And that you must know his heart better than anybody, so if you think he’s safe, he must be.”
A pang of guilt struck Brynn—fierce, sharp and swift. She
didn’t
know Gregory’s heart, and to pretend to was a terrible sham. But she couldn’t crush this youngster’s hope by saying so. Instead, she repeated the belief she’d told herself: “He’ll come back. Gregory is always in charge wherever he goes. He’s not going to let a few kidnappers get the best of him.”
didn’t
know Gregory’s heart, and to pretend to was a terrible sham. But she couldn’t crush this youngster’s hope by saying so. Instead, she repeated the belief she’d told herself: “He’ll come back. Gregory is always in charge wherever he goes. He’s not going to let a few kidnappers get the best of him.”
Heather digested this. “I hadn’t thought of that. You’re right. He never let anybody tell him what to do—not even Mom or Dad. I guess he did when he was little, but I wasn’t around then.”
Brynn hid her smile. “He’s a survivor—just hold on to that thought.”
“I will. I don’t think I’d be so worried, but Dad’s been so sick....” Her throat worked and tears threatened again. “I heard people talking and saying that Dad wouldn’t make it. Then when Gregory was kidnapped they said if he didn’t come back it would kill Dad. Then I’d lose them both.”
Brynn leaned over and wrapped her arms around the girl in a comforting manner. Brynn knew she’d wedged herself into an impossible situation. She shouldn’t be continuing this pretense, but unraveling the truth was just as impossible.
“You aren’t going to lose either of them, Heather. But you have to have faith in your father and Gregory. If you go around with a long, sad face you’ll worry your dad and you know that’s not good for him. And I’ve always heard that prisoners of war sense when people believe they’ll come home. They also sense when their families don’t have faith, which wears them down, keeps them from being as strong as they need to be. So, you
can
help them both—in very important ways.”
can
help them both—in very important ways.”
“I’ve felt like there’s nothing I could do, Brynn. Nothing that counted.”
“Everything you do counts,” Brynn answered softly. “You’re lucky to have such a close, loving family. Don’t ever feel you’re being disloyal to Gregory when you’re having fun. He’d want you to. He certainly wouldn’t want you going around with a long face. He’s going to pop in here one day soon and you don’t want him to see a bunch of gloomy gusses dragging around, do you?”
Heather smiled. “Gregory would say we were a frightful bore if we acted that way.” Her smile faded a bit. “How did you know I felt guilty about having fun?”
“I suspect someone said something to that effect, because you’ve changed since I first met you. It was after we got back here to the lodge.”
Heather nibbled on her lower lip. “Jenny was over when some of the kids came by to see if we wanted to go skating. Jenny said that we couldn’t go because of me—that if her brother was being held hostage she couldn’t enjoy herself, that she’d spend every single minute thinking about him.” Heather shrugged thin shoulders. “So I didn’t go, and the kids aren’t coming over much ’cause they don’t like being around me anymore.”
“I’m sure they still like you.” Gently Brynn tipped the girl’s chin upward. “Just let them know that you’d like to go skating or to a movie, drop some subtle hints about fun things going on here in the lodge, maybe even have some of the kids over for videos and pizza.”
“And you’re sure it’s okay for me to do that?”
“Positive. And when your dad and mom see you having fun, they’ll feel better. And you’ll be awfully glad you could make that happen.”
Heather threw her arms around Brynn. “I’m so glad you’re my sister! I always wished for a sister, and you’re better than anyone I could have dreamed up.”
Tears stung Brynn’s eyes. Touched, moved and nearly unnerved, she blinked away the telltale moisture. Too choked up to reply, she settled for smoothing Heather’s hair and wishing she truly was part of this special family.
Outside in the hall, Matt walked quietly away, leaving a copy of the latest fax about Gregory at Brynn’s door. As moved as the two inside by what he’d heard, he kept on walking, unwilling to let his brother’s wife know just how much.
MATT WATCHED ANDY, his youngest sibling, as Andy attacked a man-size stack of pancakes while reading the comics. It was funny, he thought, how different he and his brothers and sister were from each other. Gregory had always wanted something bigger and better; Heather was their sunshine girl; and Andy always took on every event, from eating breakfast to skiing, with the same single-minded diligence.
“Hey, Matt, you coming to my soccer game?”
“Sure, squirt. I’ve got to find out if my coaching works.”
Andy made a face. “You were all-state. Our coach doesn’t know half what you do.”
“Better not tell him that.”
Andy dug into the pancakes, unconcerned. “I already did.”
Matt couldn’t contain a chuckle. “Guess I’ll be real popular at the game.”
Andy shrugged. “Wish you were our coach anyway. Then we’d rule.”
Matt grinned. “Scary thought.”
Andy rolled his eyes and then looked back at the comics.
Ruth smiled between them, then clucked in a mock reproving tone. “Now, now, boys.”
But Andy was lifting the newspaper, his face filled with nine-year-old disgust. “Uck, I wonder how come Brynn’s making Stephanie act so weird.”
“Weird, how?” Ruth asked.
“She doesn’t do so much cool stuff.”
“She doesn’t?” Matt questioned, intrigued.
“Naw. She was always doing really awesome stuff, but now she’s...almost
normal.”
normal.”
Ruth laughed as Matt studied his brother. “She is?”
“Yeah. I liked it better when she was crazier.”
Patting her youngest son’s hand, Ruth smiled. “Brynn probably has a plan for Stephanie. No telling what she’ll be up to next.”
Andy brightened. “You think so?”
“I’m sure of it. Now, put it in gear or you’re going to be late for school.”
“Okay, Mom.” His chair scraped across the stone floor as he pushed it back, grabbing his baseball hat from the nearby coat-tree. “See ya.”
“Hold it!” Ruth called out. “Didn’t you forget something?”
Andy scooted around the table, planting a noisy kiss on Ruth’s cheek. “Can we have chocolate-chip cookies after school?”
“Con artist,” she replied, playfully tugging the brim of his cap down. “We’ll see.”
“Don’t forget the game, Matt,” Andy warned, scooping up his backpack.
“Scout’s honor,” Matt replied solemnly, holding up one hand.
A whirlwind of energy and movement, Andy was out of the dining room, then bounding down the path that led from the back door toward the shortcut he always took to school.
“Sometimes just watching him wears me out,” Ruth commented, pouring them both more coffee.
“Naw, he keeps you young.”
She peered at him over the rim of her cup. “You all do.”
Matt grinned back at her, glad to see this light side of her again. It had been too long. “We try.”
“When you were nine, you not only talked me into baking chocolate-chip cookies for yourself, but enough to sell since you had your own consignment in the gift shop.”
“I think you called me ‘enterprising,’ then.”
Ruth lifted her cup. “And I was right. You have wonderful plans for this place.”
“I just hope they don’t worry Dad too much.”
“He has confidence in you, but they are big changes.”
“And a big risk,” Matt admitted.
“We seldom gain anything without risk.”
Matt thought briefly of Brynn, then shoved the thought aside. Instead, he sought to keep his mother’s mood light. “Like your lottery tickets?”
She swatted at his hand. “Make fun. But one winning ticket would buy a lot of new ski-lift equipment.”
“Not to mention that cruise you’ve been waiting to take, a few diamonds, maybe a fur...”
“I can see you’re going to be impossible, so I’ll leave you to your own coffee.”
Matt wrapped his fingers around the mug, one side of his mouth tipping upward. “Better hurry if you’re going to get your tickets before the deadline.”
“A lot you know,” Ruth huffed. “They aren’t having the draw until Saturday.”
Matt’s grin was full-blown. “Wouldn’t want to wait till it’s too late.”
“For what?” Brynn asked, coming into the dining room and picking up a mug.
“To become instant millionaires,” Matt replied, noticing that her hair looked especially soft, and that the jeans she’d opted to wear still jarred his “alert” mechanism, reminding him of how she filled out a bathing suit. And now that he knew just what she looked like without her glasses, they were no longer a barrier to her beauty.
“Don’t pay him any mind, Brynn. When we’re rolling in our loot, he’ll change his tune.”
“You going to town, too?” Matt asked, looking at Brynn.
“Well, I—” Brynn began.
“Excellent idea!” Ruth exclaimed. “Why don’t you ride in with me, Brynn? Some of the girls are putting a quilt on today.”
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