by Joan Kilby
“I won’t. Thanks.” Humming, he went back to the office. That was the nice thing about a small town, people knew and trusted you.
Spreading a fresh sheet of paper on the drafting table, he went back to work.
Chapter Sixteen
Brianna carefully laid the plastic-shrouded dress on her back seat of her car and was about to get back behind the wheel when she saw her father come out of a side street and enter a cafe a few doors down from Kylie’s boutique.
Quickly, she locked her car and hurried after him. Pushing open the door to the cafe, she paused to look around. Her father must have sat in one of the high-backed booths lining the wall.
A waitress came out from behind the counter to seat her but Brianna shook her head. “I’m meeting someone. I’ll find him.”
She walked down the line of booths and stopped when she heard John Coates’s voice, keeping out of sight.
“Angus is smart and hardworking, and he has a broad experience in log construction,” Coates was saying. “You need to hire him.”
Brianna stilled. Why would Coates be saying that when Angus was going to work for him? Unless Angus had turned down the job, after all. She leaned forward, listening harder.
“You don’t have to tell me how good he is,” her father was saying. “I planned on hiring him until you poached him out from under my nose.”
“Maybe if you’d offered him a job as good as the one I offered him in Sacramento,” Coates said.
Brianna saw the waitress watching her from behind the counter so she picked up a menu from a nearby empty table and pretended to study it.
“I would have if I’d had a chance,” her father countered testily. “You jumped on him the second he picked up his diploma.”
“I did, I admit it,” John Coates said. “I apologize.”
“You’re apologizing?” her father said in disbelief.
“Yes. Now are you going to let me finish saying what I came to say, or not?”
Brianna edged closer to the booth. She couldn’t figure out the dynamics of the conversation. They sounded more like brothers who were annoyed with each other than mortal enemies. Mind you, there had been that jovial moment at the awards ceremony, like a spark that had never died.
“Go on, then,” her father said. “Spit it out.”
“Okay, well, I’m sorry,” Coates said. “For Angus, and for everything else.”
“What else?” Gordon said warily.
“For our falling out.”
“You rebuff me for years and then all of a sudden, you apologize. What’s the catch?”
Brianna strained closer.
“Are you going to make me spell it out?” Coates said. “I suppose I don’t blame you. I’ve been a jerk. When we both came that day to help at the community hall, I realized how much I missed working alongside you, and having you as a friend.”
Brianna held her breath, waiting for her father’s response. Noticing the waitress coming over again, she frantically waved her away.
“Well.” Her father paused as if he didn’t know how to respond. Then added gruffly, “I’m sorry Anita and I hurt you.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Coates said. “Thanks to you two, I worked my butt off to make my business bigger than yours. He who laughs last, and all that.”
“Don’t laugh too soon,” her father growled. “I haven’t retired yet.”
To Brianna’s surprise, Coates chuckled, and then her father laughed, too. The scenario took on a different perspective. She had a sudden image of two men engaged in an endless game of friendly competition that both relished. Their friendship had soured, but now it sounded as if things had turned around.
“Are you thinking of retiring?” John said, sounding more relaxed now.
“I’ve been promising Anita for a few years that we would travel while we’re still young enough to get around.”
“In that case, you’ll need to hire a replacement who knows the business, someone like Angus,” John said, returning to his original request.
“Does this mean he’s not going to be working for you?” Gordon asked.
Brianna held her breath.
“Not at this time,” Coates replied.
She breathed out, flooded with relief and a heady sense of disbelief. As she quietly turned to leave, she heard her father add, “Come over for dinner sometime. I know Anita would like to see you.”
Brianna quietly slipped out of the restaurant and hurried home, bubbling with cautious excitement. Stewie greeted her at the door with his ritual spinning around and then trotted importantly ahead of her as she carried the wedding dress through to her bedroom. There she took down a hanging basket of trailing ivy and slipped the hanger over the ceiling hook.
“I know, it’s crazy,” she said to Stewie. “But if you want something, you have to go after it, right? It’s working already.” She kneeled down and scratched him affectionately behind his ears. “You know all about that, don’t you? I went to the shelter looking for a golden retriever but a scruffy little Jack Rascal terrier laid his head on my knee and claimed me. After that I didn’t have a choice, did I?”
Stewie licked her hand as if to say, I love you, too.
“That’s the way it was with Angus,” she went on, cuddling her dog. “As soon as I saw him, I knew he was the one.”
Even as she said that, sudden doubts began to creep in. If Angus wasn’t going to Sacramento, what, then, was he going to do? He hadn’t contacted her father or her. If he was going to stay in Montana wouldn’t he have called? Where was he now, and why wasn’t he answering his phone?
Stop. Taking a deep breath, she quelled her rising anxiety. He must be in town, somewhere, probably plotting their future right here in Sweetheart.
If John Coates could apologize to her father and the two men become friends again, miracles could happen.
*
Angus didn’t finish his set of drawings until after midnight. When he finally turned on his phone, he was horrified to see how many times Brianna had tried to reach him. What must she be thinking?
He sent her a message saying he’d call her tomorrow as soon as he could, and another to Gordon, asking if he could see him first thing in the morning. There was no reply from Brianna, but Gordon sent a text in the night inviting him to come to his house at eight a.m.
Angus was on his doorstep the next morning on the dot of eight o’clock, with his portfolio. “Thanks for seeing me.”
“I’m glad you called. I wanted to talk to you, too,” Gordon said, letting him in. “We’ve finished breakfast but there are extra pancakes if you’re hungry. Anita,” he called. “Angus is here.”
“Thanks, but I’ve eaten.” Angus turned as Anita came out of the kitchen. “Hey, Mrs. Renton. Sorry to disturb you at this time.”
“We’re always up early,” she replied. “Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be good.”
As Anita left the room, Angus turned to Gordon. “What did you want to see me about?”
Gordon eyed his portfolio. “You go first.”
“Is there someplace I can spread out drawings?”
“In the dining room.” Gordon led the way through the living room to an alcove with a round oak dining table. “Go ahead.”
Angus’s hands trembled as he undid the catch on his portfolio. Gordon knew him as one of his factory hands and as a carpenter on construction jobs, more recently in a supervisory role. Never as an architect. Would he take his proposal seriously? Would he even be interested? It was presumptuous of Angus to suggest developing Gordon’s own property which he’d been hanging onto for decades.
Angus stilled his hands and took a deep breath. The worst Gordon could do was say no. Carefully, he drew several large sheets of drafting paper out and laid them out on the dining table.
“What’s this?” Gordon said, bending over them.
“A boutique eco-resort, a combination of full scribe and post and beam construction,” Angus said. “Twent
y rooms in the main lodge, each one uniquely designed and decorated. Outside, up to five detached cabins. The aim is for the resort to be a showpiece of green technology and sustainability in a luxury setting, the most eco-friendly resort this side of the Rockies. Not only will that fit in with the values of Sweetheart Log Homes but those of the clientele that would patronize a boutique resort in this area.”
“Looks like waterfront,” Gordon said. “Where is this located?”
Anita entered and handed Angus a cup of coffee.
“It’s your land, actually, the thirty acres you own north of town,” Angus said. “You showed it to me years ago one time we went fishing.”
“I thought I recognized that point,” Gordon said.
“I checked with the county and saw that there are no applications for permits so I took the liberty of going ahead and drawing up plans.”
“Very enterprising of you,” Gordon murmured dryly. “I hope you aren’t proposing that Coates Construction build it.”
“No, definitely not,” Angus said. “Sweetheart Log Homes would build it.”
“Does your boss know you’re trying to drum up business for another company?”
“He’s not my boss,” Angus said. “I told him I wasn’t going to go to Sacramento.”
“So it’s true,” Gordon said. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Have you been talking to him?” Angus asked. He hoped John had taken his advice and reached out to Gordon.
“We had coffee together yesterday afternoon.” Gordon tapped a finger on the drawings. “Aside from the community hall—which is smaller than most of the homes we build—we don’t have experience with commercial properties.”
“I do,” Angus said. “Part of my proposal is that I come to work for you to complete a detailed set of drawings and oversee construction. I would also like Brianna to be involved with the IT. I’m sure you’re aware that she has a keen interest in green technology.”
“Brianna already has a job,” Gordon said. “Have you sounded her out about this?”
“Not this project specifically,” Angus admitted. “I wanted your reaction first. She’s considering running for town council with a green technology slate. If she had a project like this she could set up her own consultancy, something I know she wants to do someday. Her various activities and goals would mesh well.”
“You’ve got it all figured out,” Gordon said, sounding amused.
“Yes, sir, I believe I do.”
“Let me have a closer look.” Gordon adjusted his glasses more firmly up his nose and leaned over the front elevation of a sprawling two-story log lodge with a wide A-line roof.
“These are only preliminary sketches,” Angus said. “But as you can see, there’s outdoor dining on a deck overlooking the lake, adjoining an indoor restaurant, as well as a cafe for more casual fare. In addition to the main lodge and cabins, I picture a recreation room, possibly a tennis court, and of course there would be utility buildings set back among the trees.”
“Is this meant to be a ski lodge?” Gordon asked.
“Skiing and snowshoeing in winter, hiking, fishing, and swimming in summer.” Angus could picture himself and Brianna coming in from cross-country skiing and snuggling in front of a roaring fire to sip mulled wine.
“This sounds like a wonderful idea,” Anita said, also poring over the drawings.
“What happens once it’s built?” Gordon said. “Who would buy it? Who would run a place like this?”
“An investor, or a property management firm,” Angus said. “I don’t think finding a buyer will be a problem.”
“Doesn’t Coates have a property management company as one of his subsidiaries?”
“I wasn’t thinking of him when I drew up these plans,” Angus said, wanting Gordon to know where his loyalties lay. “There are plenty of others out there.”
“It might not be a bad idea to bring John in on the management side, or at least get his advice,” Gordon said.
“So, have you two stopped feuding?” Angus ventured.
“He reached out to me,” Gordon said. “I’ve always been ready to let bygones be bygones. Seems like he is, too, finally.”
“Getting him involved would be a nice goodwill gesture,” Angus suggested. “I like the idea of hiring and sourcing everything locally wherever possible.”
“I bet Hayley would love to sink her teeth into decorating a project like this,” Anita put in.
“Does this mean you plan to stay in Sweetheart?” Gordon asked Angus, his tone hinting at considerations other than business. “What if I don’t agree to this proposal?”
“I would ask you to hire me in some other capacity,” Angus said. “Failing that, John said he’d give me a job in Polson. No matter what, I intend to stick around.”
“What does Brianna have to say about that?”
“I’m going to ask her to marry me.” Angus hesitated. “I was hoping to have your blessing on the project so I could go to her with something solid to build a future on.”
“You are the something solid she wants to build her future on,” Gordon said. “You have my blessing.”
“Mine, too,” Anita said, beaming.
“That means a lot to me,” Angus said. “And the eco-resort?”
“Brilliant,” Gordon said. “You’re hired.”
“Wow, that’s just… awesome.” Angus laughed out of sheer relief. “Thank you! Now, if you’ll both excuse me, I need to go talk to Brianna.”
“Before you go,” Gordon said. “I have another piece of waterfront between the town and this section. I bought it for Brianna when she was born and have been waiting to give it to her as a wedding gift.”
He pointed out the exact spot on the map. “A dirt track runs off Route 35 about ten miles north of the junction with Finley Road. Keep your eyes peeled or you’ll miss it.”
Angus clasped both Gordon’s hands, and pumped them heartily. “I will make you proud.”
Gordon shook his head. “Son, you did that a long time ago.”
*
“Where are you taking me?” Brianna clung to the hand hold on Angus’s SUV as they bumped down a dirt track through the pine forest.
She’d found his text when she woke up, saying he would call her. But though she’d kept her phone at her side as she got ready for work, nothing. His phone was still turned off. Then, just as she was ready to leave her cottage, Angus had stopped by without warning or explanation and said she had to come with him. Now. It was important.
She wanted to give him heck for having his phone off for so long but she was so glad to see him, that she sent Sarah a text to say she would be late, and jumped into his truck. Now they were in the middle of nowhere, with still no explanation for their journey.
When was he going to tell her he wasn’t going to Sacramento?
“What is so important that you’re making me late for work?” she demanded.
“I have something to show you.” He gave her a smile that did funny things to her stomach.
“And I have something to tell you.” The truck swerved suddenly to avoid a tree root and she thought twice. “It can wait till we stop. We will stop, won’t we?”
“When we get there.”
Wherever there was. Brianna squinted through the windshield at the sky. Although they’d twisted and turned some, judging by position of the sun, they were heading west, toward the lake.
“Where have you been anyway?” she said. “I’ve been trying to call you since yesterday, but you didn’t pick up. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Sorry, I’ve been busy.” He came around a slight bend and stopped in a tiny clearing next to the lake. Green light filtered through the tree tops and birds twittered in the still air.
Brianna climbed down from the truck and walked across a thick layer of pine needles to the edge of a rocky shore. “This is pretty. What is this place?”
“Don’t you recognize it? It’s a piece of property that belongs to your father.�
�� Angus came to stand beside her, his arm brushing hers. “What did you want to tell me?”
She turned to him. “That I would come to Sacramento with you.”
“You would?” His eyes lit as he searched her face. “Thank you but I turned the job down. I’m staying in Sweetheart.”
Her eyes closed as tears welled. So it was true, he was really staying. “Oh, Angus, I’m so glad.”
“So am I.” He brushed a long curl back from her forehead and started to lower his mouth to hers.
“Wait, what are you going to do for work?” she asked. “If I know you, you’ve got a plan. It’s time you started talking.”
“Gladly.” Angus went to the truck and came back with his portfolio. From it, he pulled out a sheet of drafting paper. “Here is my plan. Sweetheart Log Homes builds a luxury boutique eco-resort on that thirty acres of waterfront your dad owns. I design it and manage the build. You design and implement the green technology that powers it. We can both live in Sweetheart and work on it together. How does that sound?”
“It sounds like you just offered me a job,” she said stiffly. “I like the green technology part. I’m not sure about the conflict of interest rules, but maybe I could do that and still be a council member.”
“You could set up your own consultancy and use this to kick-start your business.”
“So glad you’re looking out for my interests.” Blinking rapidly, Brianna turned away. “Are we just business partners? Because if that’s all you’re looking for, then I’m afraid I can’t help you.”
“What?” Angus sounded stricken.
“I don’t want the job.” She turned on him, fists clenched. “Are you really so dense?”
“What do you want?” he asked.
“I want to marry you!”
“Well, of course. Didn’t I mention that?”
“Aside from that time on the lake, no,” she said. “Even then you were talking about five years ago.”
Angus face-palmed his forehead. “I was so excited to show you how we can have the best of all possible worlds, that I forgot the most important part.”
He unhooked the chain around his neck and slid off the engagement ring. Then he dropped to one knee in the dry pine needles. His eyes looked greener than ever in the reflected light from the trees. Taking her hand, he kissed it, and then gazed up at her. “Brianna Claire Renton. I love you with all of my heart, and I’ve taken far too long to do this properly, but will you please, please, marry me?”
