The Tycoon's Perfect Match (6 page)

Angeline was once again snuggled on Mari's shoulder, and Mari was eating a hamburger with one hand. Brian's father had her ear and was regaling her with stories of the “old days” on Hawk's Lake, when Ezra Hawkins established a smithy here and the town was slowly built around it.

When his sister finally scooped up Angie to put her to bed, Brian could see the disappointment on Mari's face.

By the time Melanie returned with a baby monitor in her hand, the sun was setting, and Jack and Sam had a fire blazing in the ring. Kyle and his friends were sitting on big logs and had marshmallows on sticks ready to toast.

Melanie put her hand on his shoulder. “Bri, I meant to tell you, but I've had some trouble with
Buzz's Antique Auto Parts. They keep sending me the wrong fenders for the '32 Ford.”

“Don't worry about it, sis. I'll take care of it in the morning, and you'll have your fenders in two days.”

“Thanks, Brian. I knew I could count on you.”

Jack snapped his fingers. “That reminds me. Brian, I have to ship a stock car to New Hampshire so Bobby Regent can test drive it while he's out there. He's interested in buying it. I'd like to use a different company than the Killborn Brothers. Do you have any ideas?”

“I do. I have the contact information in my office at the garage, and…” Brian sighed. “How about if I just make the arrangements for you?”

Jack grinned. “I was hoping you'd say that. Thanks.”

Brian pulled out a BlackBerry from his back pocket and made a few quick notes, then leaned back in his Adirondack chair and put his hands behind his head. He had a lot of things to take care of tomorrow. He'd better get up early and get to it.

Mari put her hand on the arm of his chair. “Brian, I can't remember when I had such a good time. It must be nice to have such a close family.”

He laughed. “Without them, life in Hawk's Lake would really be dull.”

“You think so?” she asked.

“I know so. Truthfully, I think you're lucky to live in Boston,” he said.

“You've got to be kidding.”

“It's an exciting city—just like New York. I loved it when I lived there. Now, that's an incredible place. There was always something to do. In Hawk's Lake, they roll the sidewalks up at five o'clock.”

Mari shrugged. “That's good. Then everyone can go home to their families.”

He'd never thought of that.

“And don't forget our magnificent stores,” he joked. “Like Clancy's.”

“Brian, Clancy's is the most incredible place. You can find everything you want in one stop. And you can walk or drive anyplace you need to go and park for free, just steps from any business here. No commuting headaches.”

“I can see I'm losing this argument,” Brian said.

“You can't say anything bad about Hawk's Lake to me. I couldn't wait to get back here. I'm just disappointed that I didn't return sooner.”

“I'm disappointed, too,” he said.

“You are?”

“Of course.”

He took her hand and kissed the back of it. His
brother, Jack, gave a long, low whistle. Brian had forgotten that they weren't alone—that everyone was around the campfire and all eyes were on them. Kyle and his friends were laughing. Melanie looked like a deer caught in headlights. Sam and Ed exchanged knowing glances.

What was he doing?

He dropped her hand and looked up at the sky. “It's a little cloudy. On a clear evening, I should take you out on the lake. The view is amazing.”

She leaned over to him and whispered, “So there
is
something you like about Hawk's Lake after all?”

“One thing.” He smiled. “And you make it two.”

 

“You don't have to walk me into the cottage,” Mari said as Brian pulled up to Sherwood Lodge later that night. “I'm fine.”

She didn't want him to kiss her at the door, nor did she want to invite him in.

Okay…maybe she did.

She should have known that she'd be attracted to him again. But it was probably only because she was still vulnerable after the Jason Fox incident.

No. That wasn't it. She and Brian just couldn't pick up where they'd left off—when she was sixteen
and he was eighteen, and they came within a blink of making love.

Too much time had gone by, and she wasn't the same innocent girl anymore.

Besides, if she decided to take the CEO job, she would probably never return to Hawk's Lake. She'd be busier than ever.

And if she didn't take the job, she'd break her parents' and Grandma Rose's hearts.

“Thanks, Brian. I had a really wonderful time.” Since it was a little after midnight, she didn't have to fake a yawn to get away.

The clouds had finally passed. Now the moon was shining on the lake, and the water was sparkling in the glow. She could see her way to the side porch door.

He got out of the car anyway, appeared at her side and opened the door. Brian was always a gentleman.

“I wouldn't want you to run into any skunks or bears.”

She laughed. “I'd forgotten about those critters.”

“Another negative to add to the tally of Hawk's Lake.”

“But they're cute. And we're the intruders. Not them,” Mari pointed out.

His eyes twinkled in amusement. She just loved his eyes.

“If you don't mind, I'd like to fix the shutter tomorrow. It won't take long. Then I'll be out of your hair.”

“Tomorrow is good. I'm going to go for a walk and work on my pottery. Maybe write a little in my journal.”

He slid his hands into his pockets. “Sounds like a busy day.”

“Sounds like a
relaxing
day. You should try it sometime. Melanie told me that you're always busy working. Jack and Ed, and even Sam, agreed with her.”

He grimaced. “They should know. They're the ones who always have something for me to do.”

“I did notice tonight that Melanie and Jack seemed very dependent on you. But you were the one who jumped to volunteer to help them out—which they obviously expected you to do.”

“I jumped to volunteer?”

“Yes, you did. So you can't blame them entirely.” As she slid out of the seat, she thought that tonight probably wasn't an isolated incident, and that Brian's family was used to him taking charge when they didn't want to deal with something. But that was the kind of guy he'd always been. He'd help anyone who asked—or didn't quite come out and
ask—for his help. “Thanks again, Brian. It was so wonderful to see everyone again and get caught up. And it was a real treat holding Angie.”

“I thought you were going to kidnap her.”

She laughed. “I wanted to.”

“You looked really…beautiful…holding her.”

How would she ever respond to a touching statement like that?

Brian would make a remarkable father. She'd watched him on the treasure hunt, pretending to give them wrong clues, like he didn't want the kids finding the treasure. He'd had just as good a time as they had.

And whenever he talked to Angie, her bright blue eyes would grow wide, and happy gurgles would erupt from her tiny mouth.

“So, how come a handsome, eligible bachelor like you never married?”

He shrugged. “Hawk's Lake doesn't exactly have a wild singles' scene.”

He walked her to the door, and she stood on the bottom step. She hated moments like these. To kiss or not to kiss?

She was just about to lean over when he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, turned around and jogged to his car, waving as he drove off.

That's
it?

She rolled her eyes, disappointed in herself for wanting more. Yet she was relieved that nothing more had happened.

Wasn't she?

Mari woke up at ten o'clock, unable to remember the last time she'd slept so late.

She hopped in the shower, dressed in sweats and walked over to the patio with her coffee. Sipping the warm brew, she spotted a heron standing on its long, thin legs at the edge of the lake, surrounded by mist. Its pointed beak stabbed at something in the water.

She watched in fascination, wondering if she had the skill to paint it onto one of her pieces.

Quietly, she walked onto the porch, found some
paper and sketched the bird, getting the result she wanted with her fifth attempt.

Excited, she decided to make a couple of dishes on the wheel. She'd paint the heron on a flat surface first.

Just as she picked up a bag of clay, she heard a car coming down the road.

It had to be Brian coming to fix the window.

Her heart raced. Then she felt torn. She had to admit that she liked his company, yet it was a perfect day to be alone, to lose herself in her art.

But he'd said that he wouldn't be long. She went to the porch door and waited for him.

Wearing a perfectly tailored suit, he went into the boathouse and came out carrying a ladder. Wasn't he going to change?

“Good morning,” she said, opening the porch door.

He grinned. “Foggy morning, you mean. Too bad you're not getting some sun today.”

“I love it.” She took a deep breath. “Doesn't it smell good?”

He imitated her intake of breath. “It smells like fish.”

“There you go again.” She shook her head. “It does
not
smell like fish. It smells like…the lake.”

“And where do fish live?” He raised an eyebrow. “I rest my case.”

“You are impossible.” In spite of his comments, she had to grin. “Are you going to fix the shutter looking like you're going to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange?”

“I didn't bring extra clothes, and I have some calls to make at the garage today. Later, I'm closing a deal for Jack in Lake George, where I'm going to wrap up another deal on a rare 1908 Tulip Cadillac for Melanie this afternoon in Glens Falls.”

“What are Melanie and Jack doing this fabulous misty morning, that you have to pinch hit?”

“Jack is flying to Talladega to hang out with some racing friends. Melanie is speaking to Kyle's class this afternoon about what she does as an antique car restorer. Apparently, it's Career Day for second-graders. That leaves me to pick up the slack.” He shrugged.

“Do you always pick up the slack?”

“Of course. They're my family.”

It seemed like they stared at each other for minutes, hours. Then Brian turned away.

“Well,” he said. “I'd better fix the shutter and get out of your hair.”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“I'd love some if it wouldn't be any trouble.”

“No trouble. It's all ready.” She looked down at his perfectly polished dress shoes. “I hate to be a mother hen, but those don't look like the best shoes for walking on a roof. Won't you slip? It's pretty damp up there.”

“I'll be careful.” He took off his suit coat and handed it to her.

Men. Could they be any more hardheaded?

He began to climb the ladder in business attire—burgundy tie, pressed white shirt with a “BH” monogram on the pocket. Only Brian would have a monogrammed shirt.

Mari went inside and poured him a cup of coffee and refilled her own. She put milk in a creamer, refilled the sugar bowl and put it all on a tray she'd found in a cupboard. Then she put some cookies she'd bought at Clancy's on another plate.

She heard footsteps on the roof. Brian must be okay still.

Grabbing a roll of paper towels, she carried the tray to the patio and wiped down the furniture so his expensive suit wouldn't get wet.

Brian walked toward her, ladder in hand.

“All set.” He set the ladder down and took a seat next to her.

She set down a mug of steaming coffee in front
of him and pushed the tray toward him so he could fix it the way he wanted.

They sat in uneasy silence for a while, then Mari turned toward him. “Can I ask you something?”

“Fire away.”

“Why did you choose to go into your family's business?”

“The garage?” He shrugged. “I just grew up there. Whenever I was around, I gravitated to keeping the books, ordering supplies, running the business end. Melanie's creative, so she found her niche with the antique cars. And Jack has the need for speed and glamour, so it was natural that he fell into all things racing.”

“But you weren't
expected
to go into the business?”

He shook his head. “Dad never pushed the garage on any of us. He was happy that I went for my MBA. And when I was doing really well at my brokerage firm, he knew I didn't plan on returning to Hawk's Lake.” He took a sip of coffee. “What about you? Did you feel like you had a duty to go into Sherwood Enterprises?”

She thought for a while. “Not exactly. Ever since I was a kid, I couldn't wait to work there. It was a way to be near my parents. They were always so
focused on the business, I felt like if I was part of that they'd have to focus on me, too.”

What on earth was she doing? She'd never admitted that to anyone, and here she was baring her soul.

“And now?”

His beautiful eyes were completely focused on her. He seemed truly interested and tuned in, so she continued.

“And now…I don't know what to do. I just know I need a break from the place.”

Brian whistled. “I don't think I wanted or needed a vacation in the five years I worked on Wall Street. I loved the hustle. It was a rush.”

“So why didn't you go back? I mean, you said that your family needed you, but why are you still here?”

“First, there was an IRS audit. Then there were two additions to the garage that I wanted to supervise—Dad's not good at that kind of thing. In between everything, Melanie became pregnant, and, as you know, her husband died and I helped out with her son, Kyle. And on it went.”

“Whoa…did you say that you
wanted
to supervise the two additions to the garage?”

“Did I say that?” he asked, eyes wide. “I should have said that I
had to
supervise.”

“Maybe you like being the go-to guy.”

Brian looked at her with eyebrows raised.

“Or maybe it's just family responsibility,” Mari said, giving him a way out, but remembering to table this topic for later. “I told my parents that I needed a two-month vacation, but there's more to it than that.”

“I'm listening.”

“We're going to divide the company. My parents are going to be joint CEOs of new acquisitions and licensing. I'd get all the rest and become CEO. But I need to figure out if I want the job or not.”

“It's a wonderful opportunity for you.”

“I'm not sure that I want to do it. It's a ton of work. I take work home. I work on the weekends. I never have time for a personal life. Even the men that I've dated were those that worked at Sherwood. Our dates were more like meetings than dates.”

She tried to laugh at her joke, but it came out more like a grunt.

“Do you like the work?”

“I used to. I still should. I guess it's just too much now, too big.” She sighed. “But I have to work there. It's my family's company.”

“That doesn't really answer my question.”

“I guess not.” She met his gaze and saw concern
in his eyes and in the lines creasing his forehead. “To be honest, at this point, Brian, I don't really know if I like it anymore.”

 

What he wouldn't give for a job like the one being offered to her, thought Brian. CEO of Sherwood Enterprises.

Right now things were calm, and he could go for it if he really wanted. Melanie was deliriously happy with her new husband, busy with her children and the restoration business. Jack had cut back on his races and was spending more time at the garage developing faster race cars. Ed was retired, but at the garage more than ever. And Brian had no problem leaving his real-estate office in the hands of his agents and Mrs. Newley.

Maybe he could keep the books long-distance. Or hire a full-time office manager who would at least enter things on the computer. He could keep up with the other stuff he did for the garage in his spare time.

Deep down, Brian was afraid that if he didn't leave Hawk's Lake now he never would. So, what was he waiting for?

As one professional to another, maybe he should ask Mari to help him.

Though his credentials weren't quite as broad as they probably ought to be, he still figured he had a really good shot at getting the CEO job when—if—Mari decided for sure that she didn't want to take it. Plus, her parents already knew him and had always liked him, and so did Mari for that matter. With a recommendation from her, he'd be a strong candidate.

He was just about to ask Mari, but she was looking off in the distance, as if she were a million miles away.

He took a sip of coffee. “Would you like to row out on the lake with me and look at the stars?” He laughed. “Sorry, that sounds like a bad pick-up line.”

She looked at him in surprise. “I—I don't think—”

“Come on, Mari. Get the most out of your Hawk's Lake experience.”

“Okay. I'd like that.”

“Great.” He downed most of his coffee, helped himself to a cookie and waved goodbye. “I've got to hit the road. Busy day today.”

“Oh. Your jacket.” Hurrying into the cottage, she retrieved it and handed it to him. She gave him a slight smile, but her shoulders slumped as if she'd gone back to carrying a heavy weight on them.

Damn. He thought he might have helped her by letting her talk things out and by answering her questions. Instead, he'd made things worse.

“I'll see you in a couple of days,” he said. Then he added, “And if you need to talk some more, I'll listen.”

She looked at him. “Really?”

“Of course,” Brian answered, holding her gaze. “That's what friends are for.”

 

Brian had spent the last forty-eight hours looking forward to seeing Mari again. And every second of the wait had been worth it. Hawk's Lake glimmered in the moonlight as the crickets chirped around them. The stars shone brilliantly in the dark sky, and Mari seemed relaxed and happy.

“Bri, I want to row. Change places with me,” she said.

They stood and the rowboat rocked precariously. He reached out to steady her, his hands on her waist. She slammed into him and clamped on to his T-shirt with her hands.

Their gazes held for a while, and Brian was just about to bend his head and taste her lips when Mari cleared her throat.

“I shouldn't have stood up that fast,” she said, her voice a little husky.

He couldn't think of a clever reply—he was still concentrating on her lips.

She slid onto the wooden seat and he took the one opposite, sitting so he faced her. Mari began to row, heading for the middle of the lake. After a few misses with the oars, she made some adjustments and soon they were gliding across the water with barely a ripple.

“Now this is heaven,” he joked, stretching his legs out and crossing them at the ankles. “A beautiful woman rowing me around.”

She skimmed an oar on the water and tried to splash him. On the third try, she got it right.

“Yeow! That water is cold.”

She laughed. “You know you had that coming.”

“I suppose so.” Her laughter—and her glowing smile—suddenly reminded him of the summer he'd fondly referred to as the year of her pink bikini, when he'd realized that Mari was turning into a woman.

Then there was the year of the kiss, when she was sixteen and he was heading to NYU. The year he didn't—couldn't—say goodbye to her.

“Mari, there's something I want to clear up between us.” He took a deep breath. “I've thought about you a lot since that last summer at Hawk's Lake.”

The way she bit down on her bottom lip told
him that she didn't believe him. “Then why didn't you ever call?”

“I don't know.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I guess the more time that went by, the harder it became.”

“I was so mad at you.” She met his gaze. “Actually, I was mad at everyone and everything. Sixteen wasn't a fun age for me. My whole world was changing, and way too fast. And my best friend never said goodbye.”

“Dammit, Mari. You were only sixteen. I was eighteen. If you want the truth, I was…scared.”

“Scared? Why?”