My Fair Fortune

by Nancy Robards Thompson

  Tears welled her mother’s green eyes, and Caitlyn reached out and took her hand. Brodie was uncharacteristically quiet, standing there observing.

  “Are you taking care of yourself, Mom? That’s important.”

  She waved away Caitlyn’s words with the flutter of her manicured hand and swiped at her tears. “Oh, I’m sorry for being so silly. Look at me. Well, actually, no, don’t look at me.” She laughed and Caitlyn did, too. Brodie maintained his stony silence.

  “I’m sure the two of you have better things to do,” she said sweetly. “You two go ahead and get out of here. Go get some lunch or go take care of business. Whatever it is, thank you both for taking the worry off Alden. It’s such a blessing to have the two of you to count on.”

  Caitlyn hugged her mother.

  “I love you, sweetheart,” she said. She pulled away then turned to Brodie and took his hand. “I just met you, but clearly Alden trusts you to run the business—and with Caitlyn, of course. And if Caitlyn thinks enough of you to work with you, you must be a fine young man.”

  “Thank you for saying that, Mrs. Moore. We make a good team.”

  They said their goodbyes. The two of them were quiet as they waited for the elevator.

  It was slowly sinking in that Brodie had not only stood up for her, but he had also admitted that they each brought qualities to the job that complemented each other.

  She had a flashback of the night they met and how they had complemented each other as they lay together under the stars. The memory was visceral, and she felt it all the way down to her toes.

  When the elevator dinged and the doors opened, she realized that night was in the past. If she knew what was good for her, good for Cowboy Country, she would leave it there and leave those feelings alone.

  She stole a glance at Brodie, remembering how good he had been to her father. In fact, the demeanor of the man she glimpsed talking to her father was closer to the Brodie who’d swept her off her feet the night of the wedding.

  Which Brodie was real? The Brodie of that night or the one who had burst onto the scene at Cowboy Country? Or did it really matter?

  Somewhere along the way someone had persuaded him he didn’t have a heart. Despite his bravado, her instincts told her that wasn’t true. Who had hurt him? Who had convinced him he was heartless?

  She intended to find out and help Brodie see that holding a grudge didn’t change the past, it simply clouded the future.

  Chapter Six

  The following Friday, Brodie arrived at Jeanne Marie and Deke’s ranch a few minutes before people were due to start showing up at the barbecue. He had assured Caitlyn it was okay if she wanted to bow out of the dinner. He would’ve bowed out if it wouldn’t have created an international incident.

  With or without Caitlyn in attendance this evening, Brodie planned on telling the family Cowboy Country USA was his newest client and the reason he’d come back to Horseback Hollow.

  In his line of work, he’d learned that it was all in the presentation. He wasn’t there to ask their permission, because it certainly wasn’t up for discussion. So he was simply going to mention it in a matter-of-fact way and remind everyone about the economic benefits that Cowboy Country could offer this tiny Texas town.

  After all, his sister-in-law-to-be, Amber Rogers, was set to star in the park’s Wild West Show, and Horseback Hollow wasn’t the first small town to coexist with an outfit like Cowboy Country. Their presence certainly didn’t spell imminent demise.

  He didn’t want to get that heavy-handed, and he hoped they wouldn’t make it come to that, but he was prepared, just in case. Best-case scenario would be that he mentioned it, and the party went on as usual. He would certainly steer the conversation that way. He would remain in control of the situation, and everything would work out fine.

  He parked his rented BMW next to a line of three pickup trucks and a large SUV. Noting his brother Oliver’s car among the bunch, he grimaced, wishing he’d just confided in Oliver before breaking the news to the family as a whole. For moral support, if nothing else.

  Ah, well. He was used to dealing with greater setbacks—if you could even call that a setback. Poor planning was his own fault.

  Brodie grabbed the bottle of red wine and bouquet of spring flowers he had picked up at the superette on the way through town. His mother had taught him that one should never show up to a dinner party empty-handed. He supposed a backyard barbecue counted as a dinner party. Better to be safe than rude.

  When he got out of the car, the first thing that hit him was the delicious smell of barbecue. His stomach rumbled, and he realized he was starving. He had to admit one of the things he had grown genuinely fond of in the United States was Texas barbecue.

  As if his heart had a mind of its own, it wanted to add Caitlyn Moore to that best-loved list, too. Perhaps he was feeling more protective than fond... But were those feelings mutual?

  Blinking away the thought, he let himself in the front door.

  He still felt funny about not knocking, but the first time he had announced himself rather than just walking in, he’d had to endure a lecture about family never closing their doors to family. He was sternly reminded he was family and he was to simply let himself in, no matter what.

  As if that made him feel more welcome.

  They really didn’t understand, did they? While his mum and stepfather, Simon, had been very good to him and his siblings, they had grown up in boarding schools and had spent many of their holidays away from their relations. This one-big-happy-family, what’s-mine-is-yours, no walls—or doors—mentality was hard for him to digest even if his mum had adopted it wholeheartedly. For that matter, his half sister, Amelia, had come to Horseback Hollow for another Fortune wedding about a year ago, and had fallen in love with and married Quinn Drummond, a real-life cowboy. And of course, his brother Oliver was married to Shannon Singleton, a local woman he’d hired as nanny for his toddler son.

  It was frightening. His family seemed to be taking to Horseback Hollow like rodeo riders to bulls. And then he inhaled more delicious smells coming from the kitchen and forgot everything except that he was famished, and the food for this dinner party—er, barbecue—smelled divine.

  He followed his nose and the voices coming from the kitchen, where the unmistakable lilt of his mother’s British accent contrasted with the gentle, down-home twang of his aunt’s Texas drawl.

  “Hello,” he said as he stepped through the kitchen door.

  “Brodie!” The two women greeted him with such enthusiasm it brought a smile to his lips. His aunt showed no signs of animosity or hints that she had spilled the beans about his association with Cowboy Country. He had to admit that his aunt was a good woman who could be trusted to keep her word. A twinge of remorse bit at him for doubting her.

  “These are for you.” He held out the wine and flowers.

  “How sweet of you, darling,” Jeanne Marie said. “Thank you.”

  As she took a large crystal vase down from one of the cupboards, she said over her shoulder, “Where is your friend Caitlyn?”

  Her emphasis on the word friend didn’t escape him. Neither did the glance that his aunt and his mother shared. Obviously, they had talked. Maybe he’d given Jeanne Marie too much credit too soon.

  “Who is this Caitlyn?” His mother’s blue eyes shone brightly. “I understand she’s very pretty.”

  So they had talked.

  Perhaps rather than waiting to tell the family as a whole, it was better to nip this in the bud. Besides, whether or not Jeanne Marie had realized it, she’d just presented the perfect opportunity for him to casually talk about his association with Cowboy Country.

  “It sounds like you already know quite a bit about her.” Brodie cast a pointed look at his aunt. “Yes, she is exceptionally pretty.”

  “Why didn’t you pick her up, like a gentleman would?” His mom frowned at him down her perfect aquiline nose.

  “As I was trying to say, this is not a date. Cai
tlyn and I are purely platonic, Mum. We’re work associates. Caitlyn Moore’s family owns Cowboy Country USA, that amusement park they’re building over off Buchanan Highway. Moore Entertainment hired Hayes Consulting to help with the opening because it seems that the majority of the people of Horseback Hollow have preconceived notions and have already made up their minds that pumping dollars into the local economy is a bad thing. I don’t understand that kind of thinking, and I am happy to help them get off on a better foot.”

  The two women stared at him as if he had just slapped them. He supposed in a way he had. His words had come out harsher than he had intended, but sometimes it took a verbal slap to dislodge preconceived notions.

  Still, he hated the thought of hurting either of them. Perhaps he had come on a little too strong. He knew Caitlyn would have certainly thought so.

  Since she would be arriving shortly, he didn’t want to have poisoned the two matriarchs of the Fortune family against her.

  “That sounded a little strong, and I apologize. If anyone was able to keep an open mind and consider the good that Moore Entertainment is bringing to Horseback Hollow, I know it would be the two of you. Auntie, you met Caitlyn. You spoke with her. You liked her well enough to invite her into your home even after you knew she was with Cowboy Country.”

  He paused to let his words sink in, and was relieved when he saw his aunt’s demeanor soften.

  “That’s true,” said Jeanne Marie. “I was impressed with Caitlyn’s warmth and openness. She seems genuine. I think she will be willing to consider our opinions and suggestions.”

  “Exactly,” Brodie said. “The harsh reality is Cowboy Country is a done deal. The county zoning board approved it, and the park is going to open whether you like it or not. Isn’t it nice to know someone like Caitlyn Moore could be an ally?”

  His mother stiffened.

  As if her triplet sensed her discomfort, Jeanne Marie put a gentle hand on her sister’s arm.

  “He’s right,” Jeanne Marie said. “There’s a lot of things I don’t like about big business moving into Horseback Hollow. Those of us who oppose it are afraid it will change life as we know it. I’ve lived here all my life, and my hometown has always been my safe haven. It scares the ever-living daylights out of me to think that I might lose my sanctuary. And I know I speak for the majority of those who have opposed this park. However, I suppose it’s very old-fashioned and maybe even a little backward to think you can freeze a place in time. We fought the good fight to keep Moore Entertainment from moving in, but we lost. Amber is looking forward to being in the Wild West Show. We need to support her. Don’t you think it’s time that we look for proactive ways to coexist with them?”

  “You’re family, Brodie. I trust that you would not advocate for a business that didn’t have our best interest at heart. I believe in you, and I believe you would never do anything to harm your family.”

  Now it was his turn to feel as if he’d been slapped, but it wasn’t an angry, nasty blow. It was the strangest feeling. She believed in him. She trusted him. The weight and responsibility of the emotions that she had invested in him were heavy.

  In his mind, as he backed away from the public spin he had just exercised on his aunt, he was left with a sinking feeling. For the first time in all the years that he had been in business, he really had to examine what he was promising. Because this time when he finished the job and moved on to the next assignment, his work would have lasting effects on the people he...cared about.

  He felt like a fraud sitting there—and he wondered if his aunt might be subtly calling his bluff—because he knew he could go into Cowboy Country and make their persona look pretty, but Alden Moore was a businessman. All that good-neighbor hoo-ha amounted to a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Moore hadn’t succeeded with his theme park empire by playing nice. Like any businessman worth his salt, he was all about the bottom line and what best benefited Moore Entertainment.

  When he’d taken this job, he hadn’t realized exactly how close to home the cyclone created by his spin would hit.

  He had to do what he had to do. It was his motto. But this time it chafed.

  “Besides,” Jeanne Marie continued. She was smiling at her sister now. It was that look that Brodie had come to realize meant she was up to something. “There seems to be a charge in the atmosphere when Brodie and Caitlyn are together. I was watching you two at the art festival last weekend. He may claim they’re simply platonic, but watch them together once she gets here. You’ll see what I mean.”

  * * *

  The barbecue took place in the spacious backyard of Jeanne Marie and Deke’s home. It was a lovely space, behind the house, separate from the large area where the stage and barn were located for the wedding and reception.

  While the barn had been newly renovated for the wedding, this part of the property radiated a lived-in family love. Strands of globe lights illuminated the generous patio area, casting a warm glow over twin trestle tables that seated twenty-six people each. Both tables were full, loaded with food, friends and family—brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews.

  This shindig was a fraction of the size of the wedding she’d attended in February—and much more personal. She met Brodie’s cousins, Jeanne Marie and Deke’s children Stacey and her husband, rancher Colton Foster; Jude and his wife, Gabriella Mendoza; Liam and Julia, who worked at the Hollows Cantina; and Christopher and Kinsley, who worked for the Fortune Foundation. They were the couples who had gotten married at the wedding in February. It was also good to see Amber Rogers, who worked for Cowboy Country and was engaged to Brodie’s half brother Jensen.

  There were so many Fortunes, it was difficult to keep track of everyone.

  She was both relieved and a little terrified when Jeanne Marie directed her and Brodie to sit across from each other at the table, at the same end as Josephine, Deke and herself.

  This feast looked like something out of a magazine —one that exemplified family living at its best. There were barbecued ribs and sliced brisket, fresh corn on the cob, green beans, sliced tomatoes, fresh potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans and cornbread. And that was all Caitlyn could fit on her plate. There were other dishes, too, but she didn’t want to look like a glutton. She was nervous enough as it was.

  When she’d arrived and parked her car in front of the house amidst at least twenty other vehicles, it occurred to her that she wasn’t completely sure she was walking into friendly territory. It was common knowledge that the Fortunes were opposed to Cowboy Country. Yet, here she was, accepting the invitation to their family dinner. For all she knew, she might be walking into the angry mob with its torches and pitchforks. But her gut told her that probably wasn’t the case. Jeanne Marie seemed levelheaded. Actually, she seemed lovely. And Brodie was family.

  She and Brodie worked together. Business was business, but family was sacred.

  So this seemed more personal.

  Still, she knew she’d be kidding herself to believe that her invitation didn’t stem from a little bit of curiosity on their part. The Fortunes had proven that they could be civil when they had invited her parents to the wedding. A family wedding seemed like a much bigger deal than a dinner.

  The wedding.

  Her stomach flip-flopped at the memory of it. This was the place where it all began.

  And, if she was perfectly honest with herself, the place where both she and Brodie had intended for it to end. What happened under the stars stayed under the stars.

  She would be doing herself a big favor to remember that once he was done with this project and they had successfully opened the park, he would be on his way back to London or wherever his next conquest led him. Caitlyn’s heart tightened at the thought, but she dismissed it.

  Tonight’s visit was a means to an end—to help Cowboy Country get off on a more secure footing; to get the job done. She was ready and willing to be questioned. Checking her posture, she walked up to the door and took the plunge.

  After the whi
rlwind of introductions, here she sat enjoying the most delicious barbecued brisket she’d ever tasted in her life. She waited for one of the Fortunes to turn the talk to Cowboy Country.

  It happened as soon as there was a lull in conversation.

  “I was sorry to hear that your daddy had a heart attack,” said Jeanne Marie. “How is he doing?”

  Caitlyn set down her fork and wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “Thank you for asking. The surgery went well, and he is on the road to recovery. It takes a long time to heal after open-heart surgery.”

  Everyone at her end of the table nodded solemnly.

  “What does that mean for the opening of Cowboy Country?” Deke asked. “Will you push it back?”

  Okay. There it is. Here we go.

  She glanced at Brodie, who must’ve taken it as his assignment to answer the question.

  “We will absolutely open the park on time,” he said unapologetically. There was a little bit of an edge to his voice.

  Caitlyn was afraid they might mistake his stance for hostility—or a challenge.

  “I’m not sure how well you know my father, but he has several roller-coaster-based theme parks throughout the United States. While he loves his roller coasters, this park is special to him. It’s personal. He’s always been a big John Wayne fan and a cowboy at heart. Cowboy Country is a bucket list item for him. He almost died when he had that heart attack, and I want to make sure that he sees his dream come true.”

  The elder Fortunes exchanged glances.

  “If you’d rather not talk about this at the dinner table,” Caitlyn said, “I completely understand. However, if you don’t mind, I would love to know if you have any questions about the park or if you wouldn’t mind sharing what it is that you’re opposed to.”