Rocky Mountain Valentine

by Carol Steward

  Meg pulled through the circular drive to the impressive front entrance and shut off the engine. Lisa slid from the seat of the truck and looked around. In the distance a man carrying a huge ax over his shoulder like Paul Bunyan disappeared behind a miniature barn-shaped building.

  Lisa lifted her eyebrows. Hmm, this may not be so bad after all. When he appeared again, Lisa was waiting with camera focused. Click...click...click... He propped the ax against a tall evergreen and turned toward her. The man was tall, broad-shouldered and much younger than she’d anticipated. He sauntered closer in long, purposeful strides. The lens cap dangled in the icy breeze, tapping against

  her hand.

  Seconds later the man’s hand pulled the camera away from her face.

  “What are you doing?” Lisa yanked it from his hand and snapped the lens cover in place to protect it from any chance of damage. “Excuse me, but this is my camera.”

  “And this is my land.” His voice left no room for discussion.

  Lisa glanced up again. He had a strong jaw, deep-set eyes and sun bleached brown hair that desperately needed a cut. Nevertheless, he was still one drop-dead handsome cowboy. He crossed his arms over his chest and Lisa felt her heart race. Whispering Pines Guest Ranch. It couldn’t be. “Adam?” She stepped back, confused. “I thought...”

  He looked puzzled. He obviously didn’t recognize her from their sisters’ and brothers’ weddings.

  “I beg your pardon, ma’am. I don’t believe we’ve met. May I ask what in tarnation you’re doing with that camera?”

  Pulling herself together, Lisa extended her hand. This was a professional assignment. Not a family gathering. The backpack slid from her shoulder, and with the flick of his wrist, the stunning proprietor caught it. Lisa lifted it back to her shoulder. “I’m taking pictures....”

  “I figured that much out.” His frown deepened. “Question is, why?”

  “I’m...” Momentarily, she wasn’t sure who she was, and less sure of what she was doing here. “I’m Lisa Berthoff, Katarina and Emily’s sister.”

  One eyebrow lifted. “Lisa?” A look of shock plastered onto his face, Adam tried to regain his composure. “I didn’t recognize you.”

  No kidding. “Must be my hair. It was shorter.”

  “And...” Adam raised his hands to his hair and awkwardly let them drop again. “Umm...curlier.”

  Lisa nodded, remembering. “Yes, it was.” The expense of curling her stubbornly straight hair was a luxury she’d had to go without after the surprise that awaited her return from Kat’s wedding. The changes in her appearance were obviously not improvements from the look on Adam’s face. She had stress to thank for the weight loss. Stress and Dale. Or were the two one and the same? At least her perception had improved since he’d walked out on her. When it came to men, she now had twenty-twenty vision. She’d been blinded by love once, but never again.

  Adam stared, speechless.

  Mrs. MacIntyre came down the guest house steps and broke the uncomfortable silence. “Lisa? I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “Hello, Mrs. MacIntyre. The magazine sent me as a last-minute replacement for the Greens. I’m here to do the write-up on Adam...I mean, on Whispering Pines.”

  “Magazine? What magazine?” Adam said.

  Ignoring his questions, his mother continued. “Call me Millie, please.” She wrapped an arm around Lisa and looked at her son. “Isn’t this just perfect, Adam, dear? Lisa’s doing your story.” Millie beamed, and her voice was overly enthusiastic, even by Lisa’s estimation. “I can’t wait to tell Elizabeth that you’re here.”

  Adam plastered a smile across his face. “Is that so?” Without another word to her, Adam reached for Lisa’s bags in the back of the truck. “Thanks for bringing our guest out, Meg. Have a good weekend.”

  “It was my pleasure. Enjoy your stay, Lisa.”

  “Thank you, Meg. I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

  Adam groaned, but whether it was because of the conversation or the seventy-pound suitcase he was lifting, Lisa wasn’t sure. What did he expect? Her entire life was in these bags.

  Adam glanced at his mother, who’d followed Meg to the white sedan in the parking lot across the yard. He turned to Lisa and lowered his voice. “And just to set things straight, Mrs.— Sorry, I didn’t catch your married name.”

  Lisa was stunned. Married? What, or who, had given Adam the impression she had married?

  “Never mind. Just so you realize, I’m not interested in advertising in any magazine nor am I doing any interview for one.”

  Keep your cool, Lisa. You need this job. “Thanks for clarifying that. Good thing I’m not in advertising, then, isn’t it? And just to clear up one more thing...” She hated to add to his problems, whatever they might be, but she believed in honesty. “I’m not married.”

  “Great. Just great,” he said, then took off across the flagstone walk, mumbling.

  Millie’s voice startled Lisa. “Oh, dear. Look at the time.” Adam’s mom smiled at Lisa then climbed into the truck, calling sweetly to Adam as he closed the distance between himself and the front door of the house. “Don’t count on me for dinner tonight. I’m having dinner with Mr. Miller. Why don’t you catch Lisa up on all the family news?” She turned the key and revved the engine. “Don’t pay any attention to his grumbling, Lisa. He’ll be fine soon. I’m sure of it. I’ll look forward to visiting with you tomorrow.”

  “That would be nice. I’ll see you then.” Adam’s mother headed down the hill and across the quaint bridge to the small Victorian-style house tucked behind the winter-bare tree branches. Lisa let out a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. With a sigh of determination, she ran up the log steps, in search of the very handsome, impatient and presumably still-single bed-and-breakfast owner. She was going to set things straight, once and for all.

  CHAPTER TWO

  ADAM HEARD THE door close downstairs, followed by a thump, then a muffled voice and...giggles? He dropped Lisa’s luggage in the middle of the floor and ran out of the room.

  He didn’t have any doubt what had caused the calamity. His brother’s idea of a bachelor’s perfect birthday gift—a Newfoundland-mix puppy.

  “To-by!” Taking the log stairs two at a time, Adam arrived at the front door to find Lisa flat on the ground with his overgrown puppy giving her kisses.

  Lisa’s laughter did nothing more than encourage the dog. Adam grabbed Toby’s collar and hauled the one-hundred-pound pup off her.

  “Toby, sit!” Adam didn’t take the time to lead the animal to a designated location; he just hoped Toby would sit somewhere and quit causing trouble. He extended his arm to help Lisa up, instantly reminding him of his unwelcome reaction to her delicate hand in his a few minutes earlier. “Are you okay?”

  Accepting Adam’s hand, Lisa jumped up off the floor and untwisted her camera strap. “I’m fine.” With a soft chuckle, she wiped Toby’s kisses from her cheek. “Now that’s what I call a warm welcome.”

  Adam stepped back and released her hand. “Please accept my apology. I haven’t had much time to train him.”

  “Looks like you’re going to have your hands full.” Brushing dirt and dog hair off her black sweater, Lisa turned toward Toby, positioned her camera, clicked the shutter, then snapped the cover back onto the lens.

  She looked different than she had at his oldest brother’s wedding a year ago. And it was more than the chic hairstyle. He didn’t remember Lisa being so thin. She was still as pretty, but something was definitely different. Still...how could he have not recognized her?

  “Good thing I like dogs. Never had one of my own, but...” She smiled at Toby. “Who can resist falling in love with an adorable face like his?”

  That was enough to set the dog in motion again, still trailing the remnants of his third leash, aka teething rope, behind him. Before Adam could stop Toby, he was on his hind legs and in her face again. This time, Adam sprang forward in time to catch Lisa. With one arm firml
y around her small waist, unwelcome feelings returned. Adam struggled to find his voice. “That’s it, Toby. Outside!”

  As Adam helped Lisa regain her footing, he felt his anger turn from the energetic dog toward Elizabeth for getting him into this mess.

  He’d had no idea his sister was serious about advertising in a national magazine. Where did she think they were going to come up with that kind of money? And even if they had the money, why would he be willing to let anyone do any kind of a story on himself? Especially right now, with this deadline looming ahead of him. With the winter they’d had, he was now weeks behind schedule.

  He stepped away to take the dog outside.

  “Ouch!” Lisa fell backward against him. “Wait, my hair’s caught on something.”

  Adam again offered his support while struggling to see what had happened. Lisa grabbed her hair and tugged, also yanking the button of his shirt.

  “Hold on a minute,” Adam said, steadying her. He gently fanned her hair, releasing a faint scent. He inhaled again. Trying to ignore how good she smelled and the feel of her silky hair, he untangled a few strands at a time.

  He was used to the well-meaning grandmothers at the church trying to play matchmaker, but his own family? When had everyone decided he needed company out here? And how in the world had Elizabeth pulled off bringing his brothers’ single sister-in-law here under the pretense of business?

  He’d been suspicious when the unmarried interior decorator showed up to help with the lodge, but finally convinced himself it was a coincidence. Then when he figured out the Sweetheart Festival coordinator was also available, he began to smell a skunk. Now Lisa. He couldn’t believe his own brothers and sisters would stoop to such levels.

  He was obviously wrong.

  Didn’t much matter now. Faced with this awkward situation, Adam realized the first step was to get Lisa out of here before this got any more out of hand.

  He couldn’t deny that Lisa was a looker, from her bright blue eyes to her classy dismissal of his pet’s poor behavior.

  He instinctively smoothed her hair. “There, I think that’s it.”

  Lisa turned around within the confines of his embrace, and for an instant, Adam forgot he wanted nothing to do with this woman who wanted to dig into his life.

  She tipped her head back, her gaze meeting his, furthering the temptation to ignore exactly why she was here. Her cheeks turned a healthy pink. What am I thinking? She’s family.

  Her voice was gentle and soft, yet confident at the same time. “Thanks. If you wouldn’t mind telling me where my room is, then you can get back to what you were doing before I arrived.”

  Her comment stopped him in his tracks. As if she knew what he was thinking, one corner of her mouth hinted at a smile. Before she came...what was I doing? Adam released her, content that Lisa and her beautiful smile were now safe from his puppy’s affections.

  And his.

  This wasn’t the time to tell the eager photojournalist she was wasting her time here. He’d tell her that later, over dinner. Once he’d calmed his nerves and collected his thoughts.

  “Up the stairs, third door on the right. If you need anything, I’ll be out back.”

  He reached out to help with her coat, an amazingly sensible choice for a sophisticated city girl.

  “Thanks.” She backed away, then turned and nearly tripped up the first step.

  From the corner of his eye, he watched her climb the stairs, kicking himself for torturing himself so. He shook his head. I’ve got too many things to do as it is without an attractive woman to distract me. “Dinner will be ready at six sharp.”

  “Fine, I’ll see you then,” she said cheerfully.

  When she was well out of earshot he muttered, “Everything was fine, before you showed up.”

  * * *

  “BOY, THAT WAS telling him, Lisa. ‘Set him straight once and for all,’” she mimicked her own words as she walked down the hall. “What’s gotten into me?” She framed her warm face with her cool hands. “Adam MacIntyre is no more than an assignment. An assignment I can’t afford to botch.”

  Lisa turned into the third room on the right and found her luggage in the middle of the floor. She glanced at the window and forced herself to ignore the sound of Adam chopping wood. Without thinking, Lisa moved her clothes into the beautifully refurbished oak dresser and set a fresh outfit on the dusty blue plaid bedspread. The six-foot-high mission-style headboard matched the frame of the vanity mirror. A pair of armchairs and a table sat in front of the window.

  The rhythmic sound outside was like a lariat around her, pulling her toward the bay window. She eased the coordinating tab-top curtains open, feeling like a teenager peeking at the boy next door. I thought it was just the tux. I never dreamed Adam would be this handsome in everyday clothes.

  Toby was tied to a fence post, well out of danger from flying wood. And wood was flying. Each swing of Adam’s ax went straight through to the stump below. He neatly stacked the split logs, then repeated the motions.

  She recalled Adam’s strong arms guarding her from the playful pup. His fingers gently untangling her stringy hair from the button of his shirt. She felt her cheeks flush again and forced away thoughts of romance. She was here to do a job. Nothing more.

  Adam was the subject. She was the journalist. Oil and water. And the two did not mix. Lisa had learned that lesson long ago, along with a few others. There wasn’t time to meet, let alone develop, any sort of meaningful relationship when your life was on the road.

  That was what had drawn her to Dale. They were both wanderers—lured by adventure for nothing more than adventure’s sake. They were a team. He was the photographer, she the journalist. Now she was both. Alone and on her own.

  Which was just the way Lisa liked it. It was much less painful that way. She’d come too far in the past year to let anything or anyone slow her down. Especially not the last available MacIntyre brother. Nothing against her sisters’ husbands, but she wasn’t interested in making the Guinness Book of World Records for most sisters to marry into the same family.

  Now she knew why they’d been so anxious for her to come visit. It had nothing to do with seeing them. They wanted to set her up with Adam. Nice try, gals.

  Francie’s words taunted. “Romantic Getaways. Loveland. Valentine’s Day—get it?” Lisa again admired Adam. “Gullible and naive—that’s me.” How had Emily and Katarina managed to convince her editor to arrange this?

  To Francie’s credit, she had been there when Lisa was at her lowest. She’d been a friend when Lisa was trying to pick up the pieces of her life and struggling to find work. Francie didn’t give up hope that the managing editor would find a place for Lisa on the staff. The woman was a dreamer. Lisa was a realist. It would never happen. But Lisa didn’t care. She wasn’t quite ready to forego traveling anyway.

  Not even her sisters understood Lisa’s career choice. Of all people, she’d thought they would understand.

  Emily had broken her engagement to pursue her desire to become a doctor. Yet after eight years apart, Emily had her career, the man she’d left behind and two adorable children.

  Katarina had turned down a lucrative business offer in order to keep her own dream alive. The best business decision she ahd ever made, according to Katarina. She had spent the past year expanding production of her exclusive doll designs. She was now happily married, CEO of a successful company and soon to be a new mother.

  Yes, every dream has its price. Lisa’s happened to mean constant traveling, digging up stories and hoping each assignment would be the one to open her own door to success. Opportunity rarely knocked more than once in this business. She had to be ready when that time came.

  Lisa took a deep breath and gazed into the purple and fuchsia sky. In the distance she could see the very top of a sawlike ridge silhouetted against the fading sunset. All around, trees and red rock formations added to the allure of the remote ranch. Lisa didn’t need to wonder what motivated Adam to stay h
ere. Even in the middle of a dry winter, it was beautiful.

  Secluded.

  Peaceful.

  Comforting.

  Yes, a place like this could grow on a person—enough to bring one back after years in the city. She smiled at the immediate warmth she’d felt for Adam’s mother. According to Meg, Millie Carter was lured away by love, and drawn home for the same reason. She’d grown up on this ranch, and it was no surprise that Whispering Pines had called her back.

  Despite Millie’s kindness, something his mother had done obviously wore

  Adam’s patience thin. To Adam’s defense, Lisa knew it had to be difficult to have a life of his own with his family living so near. Had he, too, been lured away from Whispering Pines for love? And what had brought him home?

  Being the youngest child, she wondered if Adam hadn’t yet cut the apron strings, or if he felt obligated to take care of his mother after his father’s death. From personal experience, she knew how difficult that last child leaving home was on a mother, especially a single mother.

  Her stomach growled and Lisa looked at her watch—5:40. She barely had time to freshen up. Adam had stopped chopping wood and was probably preparing supper, just daring her to be late.

  CHAPTER THREE

  LISA RUSHED THROUGH the great room in search of the kitchen, hoping Adam wouldn’t notice the time. Following the distinct aroma of sautéed onions, she found him.

  She paused silently to admire the damp-haired, barefoot cowboy again. Adam looked as much at ease in the kitchen as he had outside chopping wood. The navy blue T-shirt stretched across his powerful shoulders and the Levi’s hugged his slim hips perfectly. Where’s the camera when I need it?

  “Evening. Beautiful sunset, wasn’t it? Of course, probably doesn’t compare to those you’ve seen.” Without looking up, he knew she was there.

  There was no hope of denying she’d been watching him, as he’d obviously seen her at the window and already made his own assumptions. “Yes, it was. When my editor called this morning, I wasn’t very pleased that I had to miss a photo shoot of the Pacific, but tonight, I have no regrets. Colorado’s sunsets are truly among the most beautiful in the nation.”