“You’ve dug yourself into a deep hole, Dale. Even my love couldn’t have saved you this time.” She’d once thought if she’d only loved him enough, it would make up for the emptiness in their lives. “I can’t rescue you anymore. All I can do is forgive you for hurting me. I knew even then that it was useless to look for my things. I knew you’d sold everything to support your habits.”
“Yeah, Miss Goody-Goody. Ran back to your sisters, I bet, told them your poor pitiful story and let them take care of you. And you can’t even give me one more chance.”
She blinked back tears. “It’s time you pay the consequences of your mistakes. Maybe this time you’ll let someone help you, but that won’t be me.”
He jumped from his chair and kicked it across the room, yelling profanities at her.
She stepped back, numbly watching in shock as he slugged the officer who tried to restrain him. Additional officers and the jailer piled in the doors, removing all the inmates. Dale was thrown to the floor and cuffed.
Visitors were rushed through the exit, and Lisa was detained again by the officer who had interrogated her before allowing her to visit. After spending another hour of trying to convince her to press charges, Lisa stood up. “My testimony wouldn’t do you any good, Officer. I only came today to close this door. Pressing charges would not only be futile, but it would chain me to a past I’d just as soon forget. I don’t want revenge.”
“I hope you succeeded, ma’am. As for Dale, he won’t be free to bother you for a good long time.”
She collected her pack and walked down the marble steps to the curb. Lisa took a deep breath; the bite of the cold air on her lungs reminded her of Colorado. And Adam. She closed her eyes, comforted simply by the memories.
How had her life changed so much in three short weeks? She had no more doubts. She had fallen in love. What worried her more—the possibility of Adam asking her to stay, or Adam letting her go—she couldn’t decide.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LISA PULLED ON her hose and the hoop skirt her sister had ordered, then slipped the Southern-belle-style dress over her head and turned for Emily to tie the bow.
“How are you doing?” Emily tucked a stray hair into the bun and put the tiara on her head.
“Ouch.” Lisa scrunched her nose and removed the crown. “Why do I have to wear this thing?”
Emily took it from her grasp. “Because you’re supposed to be the Queen of Hearts.”
“I thought you said it was a Southern belle costume.”
Emily snatched the crown from Lisa’s hand. “And when you add a crown, you become a queen. Hurry up, we need to get it clipped on. Adam’s probably wondering where you are.”
Lisa ducked so Emily could reach the top of her head easier. “He probably won’t even talk to me. I promised I’d be here early and the party has already started.” Or maybe he wasn’t talking to her because of what she’d written in that article.
“Trust me, he’s missed you,” Emily said.
“Right.” Halfway through the week she realized she’d never erased the article that had been written to please the editors. Had Adam mistaken that one for the newer version she planned to submit? Lisa tugged at the bodice of her dress, wishing it were one of the high-necked Victorian styles instead. “So, is Adam the King of Hearts? Or are he and Tara coming as bride and groom, like she planned.”
“I don’t have a clue what he ended up with. He may not have had a chance to exchange it, he was so busy this week since Tara backed out.”
“She didn’t! Why didn’t he say something?”
Emily had a guilty look on her face. “He’s had a lot on his mind this week, Lisa. I’m sure that’s why he’s been so hard to reach.”
Kevin had assured Lisa on the drive to the ranch that Adam would understand her delay. And while she wanted more than anything to trust her brother-in-law, past history prevented her from blindly accepting any man’s word. It made no sense that Adam hadn’t called or left any messages.
Lisa straightened her costume, applied a pale pink lipstick and dug through her bag for the blush. “I knew something would happen to make me late. I should have never promised,” Lisa grumbled.
That one article wouldn’t leave her thoughts. Why she hadn’t deleted it, she couldn’t say. Even as she wrote the assignment, her conscience had bothered her. She’d known all along that she couldn’t send it.
Snow pelted the window of Millie’s bedroom suite. She had offered the use of her house so Lisa could freshen up without feeling rushed. “You made it in time. Just relax and enjoy,” Emily said.
“The snowplows have been here, but what about the caterers? Did they make it through the storm?” Lisa wiggled her hips, enjoying the rustle of the elegant black skirt against the satin slips.
Emily patted Lisa’s shoulders, tugging the shoulders into place. “It’s all under control. Are you warm enough?”
Lisa looked at the velvet-and-cameo pendant dangling around her very bare neck. “I’m sure I’ll be plenty warm once we’re inside with all those people. Oh, Emmy, why did I ever agree to this? And why didn’t Adam tell me Tara backed out?” Adam needed her, and she’d let him down already.
“He knew you were busy and didn’t want to worry you. It looks like love to me.”
Love.
The mere word had terrified her three weeks ago. And experiencing the emotion was the furthest thing from her mind when she’d arrived. Yet since stepping onto Whispering Pines, she’d come to understand the meaning of unconditional love.
Love. Between Toby and Adam. Adam and his family. Was it also possible for Adam to love her, too? Or was she in for another disappointment?
If Adam was even speaking to her, she wanted to tell him exactly how she felt. A week back in the fast-paced lifestyle she was accustomed to had changed her perspective on everything. Money couldn’t provide happiness or security. She knew that now.
Lisa slipped her feet into her sister’s high heels and groaned. “I can’t do this, Emily. I’ll break an ankle.”
Emily laughed. “You don’t have a choice. The dress is too long to wear flats. Now for the gloves.”
She reached out a hand to her sister, feeling the awkward binding of the long evening gloves. “Now I know why I never went to prom.”
“One night of frills hasn’t hurt a tomboy yet. You’ll survive.”
“A tomboy?” She hadn’t heard anyone call her that in years. A smile soothed
Lisa’s rattled nerves as she recalled the look on Adam’s face when he’d seen her in her leather skirt. “I think not.” She held on to the hope that whether or not she truly fit the tomboy mold, Adam would accept her apology and love her anyway. She had to show Adam that she had changed, and she could change even more. She could give up her career and make family her priority.
Her week spent photographing the children had been a blessing. She’d never realized how much fun kids could be, let alone wished for a family of her own. Lisa thought of her father. She had a long way to go to understand how he could have walked out on his daughters and wife, but she hoped she could reach the point where she could forgive him, as well.
Kevin hollered up the stairs, “It’s time to go, ladies.”
Kevin greeted his wife with a kiss and gave Lisa a smile. “Adam had better hold on to his hat.”
Lisa’s nerves were so tangled and her mouth so parched, she couldn’t even come up with a snappy reply.
A few minutes later, Kevin pulled into the circular driveway and stopped. Red carpet had been rolled out over the layers of snow.
Twinkle lights outlined the lodge and the rustic chandeliers inside glowed through the large picture windows. From outside she could see red heart-shaped lights and more sparkles than on New Year’s Eve.
“It looks like a winter wonderland. And look...oh, my.” A huge draft horse stood in front of a sleigh adorned with twinkle lights and giant jingle bells.
Emily pulled out her ornately adorned Victor
ian mask and held it to her face. Kevin put his top hat and a mask on and handed the keys to the valet. “Well, here goes. Put your mask on, Lisa. Now you see why my little brother has been difficult to reach.”
Lisa pulled the satin mask over her eyes as they stepped into the lodge. Her heart beat in her throat just thinking of Adam. She looked around, disappointed that he wasn’t there to greet her. “He’s done a tremendous job.”
“Adam doesn’t do things halfway.”
Lisa stood in the foyer, and not seeing Adam anywhere among the crowd, she turned to Emily. “I need to get something. I’ll be right back.” Before Emily could argue, Lisa hiked her dress out of the way, took off the heels and ran up the stairs to her suite.
Lisa was shocked to find the door was open and her things were gone. Panic filled her. He promised my things would be waiting. That they would be safe.
She dropped the shoes and collapsed against the wall. How could Adam have invaded her privacy and removed all of her things? The satin skirt rustled as Lisa went into the bathroom and opened the mirror. Nothing. She rushed back to the wardrobe and opened every nook and cranny, hoping to find her laptop. Her clothes, her computer, her life—gone.
There’s an explanation for this, Lisa. Don’t get upset. She dabbed the tears from under the mask and inhaled slowly. “He wouldn’t do this to me. Not Adam.”
Lisa opened the window, poked her nose against the screen and inhaled again, hoping the icy pine scent would calm her nerves. There had been so many people downstairs. Adam hadn’t been there to greet her. He hadn’t called, hadn’t left a message.
“Lisa?”
Lisa hit her head on the window as she turned toward Katarina’s voice.
“What in the world are you doing?”
She straightened the tiara and closed the window. “Getting some fresh air.”
“You just came inside. What’s wrong?”
Fear tightened around her like a noose. “My things are gone.”
“Adam asked me to move them into his guest room so they’d be safe. He didn’t want them in here with the open house. You knew he’d need to show all of the rooms off.” Katarina’s usual cheery smile was filled with concern. “You didn’t think he’d gotten rid of your things, did you? Why would he do that?”
Lisa shrugged. “It’s a long story.” And it wasn’t the time to confess to her sisters what she’d been through in the past year. Maybe tomorrow, but not now. “I didn’t really think Adam had taken them, but...” Suddenly it dawned on her where Lisa had said her things were—in Adam’s guest room. Not at her sisters, or at his mother’s—in his guest room. Maybe it would be okay. “I guess we’d better get down there, since I’m supposed to be hostess.”
Katarina nodded, then tried unsuccessfully to bend over and pick up Lisa’s shoes.
“An eight-month-pregnant body should not bend that far, Kat.” Lisa slipped them on, stifling the groan. “Promise me one thing. After tonight, I never have to wear heels again.”
“Not even on your wedding day?” Katarina smiled. “You’ve fallen in love, haven’t you?”
Lisa ignored her sister’s “I told you so” look.
As usual, Katarina’s cheerful optimism overshadowed her goading. “You may have avoided that bouquet, but it’s my guess that its magic sprinkled across the room onto both of you anyway.”
Lisa spun around and disputed her claim, accidentally spilling the entire story.
“I knew it.” Katarina said, bubbling with excitement. “Wait till I tell the others.”
Lisa followed her waddling sister down the stairs, trying quietly to tell her how premature Katarina’s exuberance was. She came to a sudden halt when she spotted Adam across the room with Tara.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ADAM SHOOK TARA’S hand from his arm. “Excuse me, I have guests to tend to.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t more help, Adam.” She clutched the sleeve of his tuxedo again.
He leaned close, so as not to be overheard. “More help? Canceling all of the arrangements a week before the festival isn’t exactly what I’d call helpful, Tara.” He took hold of her hand and pushed it toward her. “In fact, I’m not sure why you showed up at all, but to be very honest with you—I wish you hadn’t. Since you did, I’d appreciate it if you would quit pretending we’re together. Lisa is my date.”
Tara’s perfectly plucked eyebrows arched over her green eyes. “Then where is she?” she asked with cold satisfaction.
A movement on the stairs caught
Adam’s eye and his heart beat double time. Slowly Lisa descended the stairs, a look of uncertainty casting a shadow on her beautiful face. He had to talk to her. Now.
So many things had been left unsettled. She must have misunderstood his message.
Adam stepped past his mother and her gentleman friend, dressed as Anthony and Cleopatra. “Adam, where is Lisa?”
He looked up, but she’d moved. “She’s here, somewhere.” Adam stood on his toes and looked for a beautiful blonde in a tiara. “I’m trying to make my way over there.”
“Good luck,” Alex said. “I’ve been trying to find Katarina for half an hour.”
Adam glanced at his brother. “If you find them first, tell them to stay put.” He couldn’t believe they had this kind of turnout on a snowy night. The weather wasn’t even bad enough to keep the greedy and curious Chance Carter away.
Leave it to his cousin to dive right in and try to get his hands on whatever belonged to Adam. He supposed it was good that Chance was here to see the enthusiastic response to the guest ranch’s grand opening. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so eager to buy Adam’s family out and subdivide the ranch.
He caught the glimmer of Lisa’s tiara and pressed his way through the crowd, but was stopped twice to receive congratulations from neighbors. By then, she’d disappeared again. He could hardly think with all the noise. Judging from the laughter, he’d say the party was a success. Though they’d set up a sound system for dancing, there wasn’t nearly enough room. All of the antique tables in the dining room were occupied; the great room looked like nothing more than a corral on sale day.
“Adam, we have a problem. Toby’s loose, and has a terrified couple cornered on the veranda. He won’t come to me,” his sister Susan whispered in his ear. So much for finding Lisa.
* * *
TWO HOURS AFTER the party started, Adam escaped into the kitchen, and there in the corner, were Lisa and Chance.
“Adam.” Lisa’s eyes lit up. “Finding you is about as easy as locating a needle in a haystack.” She immediately left his cousin’s side and ran to him.
“I see my cousin did his best to fill in for me.” He nodded to Chance. “I’ll be happy to find a date for you, if you need help. Unfortunately for you, Lisa is already spoken for.”
Chance tipped his head to Lisa. “So she says. I didn’t realize you two were together.”
“Now you do,” Adam said, his gaze locked on Lisa. “I’d appreciate a few minutes alone with my date.”
Chance laughed. “Sure thing. We’ll have plenty of time to work out details of this deal tomorrow.”
“Time to exit, Chance. You’ve worn out your welcome.”
An extremely pregnant Cupid walked by and tossed red rose petals at Adam and Lisa. Katarina peeked out from under the pink mask. “I knew it.”
Adam held Lisa even tighter and a rumble of laughter escaped. “I never would have believed it.”
Lisa giggled. “What, the bouquet or my sister?”
“Neither.” He shook his head, still laughing. “I have a surprise.” Adam motioned toward the door.
She wrapped her gloved hands around her body. “It’s freezing out there, not to mention it’s snowing.”
“Come on. It’ll only take a few minutes.”
She hedged. “We have guests. You haven’t started the tour....”
Adam looked to her sisters with a pleading glance. “I had this planned for earlier, but...”
>
“Go ahead. We’ll take care of the guests,” Emily and Kevin said in unison. Silence surrounded them, and Adam led Lisa to the back door, setting his tuxedo coat on her shoulders. “I have a warmer wrap for you at the front door,” he said, hoping it would be quicker to get there via the veranda. “I’ve been waiting all week to have a minute alone with you.” Despite her protests, Adam coaxed her out the door.
“But you have a house full of guests. And what did Chance mean about working out the details?” Her eyes filled with concern. “What’s he talking about?”
In silence, Adam went into the lodge and returned with a velvet cape for Lisa. He put his coat back on and helped Lisa into the sleigh. After seating himself beside her, Adam took hold of the reins and they began to move. Bells jingled in rhythm with the horse’s gallop.
“We’ll talk, Lisa, but I want to be alone first.” He felt the curious looks follow them, even as the sleigh turned out of sight. He covered their legs with the heavy quilt and slowed the horse to a canter.
“I’ve come to realize there’s more to life than this ranch.” He looked into her eyes, pleading for understanding.
She stared at him, a look of amazement on her porcelain face. “And I’ve come to love the idea of settling down in a place just like this.”
She’d have recognized Adam’s miserable smile anywhere, even hidden behind a Clark Gable mustache. He shook his head and looked down. “You haven’t a clue what it takes to run a ranch, let alone a guest ranch filled with strangers, Lisa.”
“I do have a clue, and I’m not running anywhere. So why are you? What deal is your cousin talking about?”
“He’s agreed to keep the guest ranch intact. I want to be with you. I don’t want to tie you down to my responsibilities.”
Lisa felt the tears trickle down her cheeks. “Oh, Adam...” She leaned into his embrace and lifted her gaze to his. “Whatever made you think...” Her voice faltered. “You didn’t call, and when I called here, you didn’t answer.”
“I worked until the wee hours of the night, cleaning, decorating...trying to keep my mind off how much I missed you. And then I lost your number.” The sleigh had all but stopped. “Besides, from that article you wrote, I wasn’t sure you really wanted to return to Whispering Pines. I figured I’d better do what I had to in order to keep you.”
Rocky Mountain Valentine Page 16
