"But you want to."
"It's part of the honest and true experience. I narrate how I'm feeling, what the conditions are, who's there with me, what I know about the area."
"Base jumping is when you jump off a cliff and open up a chute before you die?"
"That sums it up," he said with a grin.
She shook her head. "And you're never scared?"
"I wouldn't say that. Fear is part of it, of course. I just don't let it stop me."
"Is the film just about base jumping?"
"No, the broader subject is the way people fly: base jumping, parachuting, helicopter skiing, anything that takes them through the air."
"There are a lot of crazy people in the world."
"I prefer to call them adventurous."
"You would," she said. "I have to admit that I was always in awe of your courage. You inspired me to step out of my comfort zone. I know, in your opinion, I probably didn't go too far, but farther than I would have gone on my own."
He was surprised she'd admit that.
She glanced over at him. "When I didn't show up at the airport, I thought to myself: if you're going to break up with this incredible guy in order to make your career happen, then you better make it happen. I had to prove to myself that I hadn't made the wrong choice. So I fought really hard and went on a lot of painful auditions to get to the places I told you about earlier. Maybe I wouldn't have been so strong in that pursuit if I didn't have you in the back of my head."
"I—I don't know what to say to that," he murmured. "You're welcome?"
"You should have stopped with I don't know what to say to that."
He smiled. "I'm glad I inspired you in some way. I really am happy for your success. I wouldn't have been ten years ago or even five years ago, but now that I've hit thirty—"
"And you're older and wiser," she interrupted.
"Exactly. I see things more clearly." He shook his head. "It's strange how we never talked after the day you finally returned my call."
"I talked to you in my head a hundred times. I thought about picking up the phone, sending a text, but then I just couldn't. I couldn't open that door again. There didn't seem to be a point."
He'd felt much the same way. "Well, my father opened the door and shoved us both through it."
"Yes, he did," she muttered.
For the next few moments, they rode in silence. As the trail widened, Lizzie nudged Vixen into a faster trot and Daisy followed. "Now, this is more like riding," he said, as they picked up speed.
"This is a good spot to run," she said, as her hair flew out behind her, and her smile radiated the same happiness he felt to be flying over the ground.
It wasn't like jumping off a cliff, but it was fun.
Their gallop came to a halt about ten minutes later when they had to move single file along the river. Eventually, Vixen called another halt in the shade of some very tall trees.
"I guess we're stopping," Lizzie said with a shrug.
"That was a nice ride."
"I'm glad you liked it."
"So, what happened with Kaitlyn? I know you said you punished her for lying; did she tell you what happened?"
"Not really. She actually turned the tables on me. I made the mistake of saying that I wanted to protect her the way her mother would have wanted me to do, and suddenly she was all over me about how I didn't know what her mother would want. She came out swinging hard, bringing up stuff I didn't know about and am not even sure is true."
"Like what?" he asked curiously.
"She said Kelly was angry and sad that I didn't go to visit her the last few Christmas holidays, that Kelly would cry when she got off the phone with me. She said Kelly thought I was selfish after all she'd done for me. Kaitlyn made me feel really guilty and really bad. Because I never meant to hurt my sister. I loved her. But Kaitlyn said that Kelly told her I loved music more. Maybe it's no wonder Kaitlyn doesn't want to live with me. It might have nothing to do with the tragic death of her parents and more to do with the fact that she doesn't like me, that she blames me for making her mother sad."
He saw the emotions run through Lizzie's eyes. "I don't know what you did or didn't do, but I know this: you loved your sister, and she loved you, no matter what distance was between you."
"I thought so," she said, looking like she really wanted to believe him. "We did drift apart a little, but we led different lives. Kelly was a wife and a mom, and she was entrenched in her world of suburbia, carpools, and PTA meetings. I didn't think it bothered her that I didn't come home for Christmas. She had her husband's family there, and Mom usually showed up." She sighed. "I'm rationalizing, aren't I?"
"It sounds like normal sibling stuff to me. I don't see my brothers all that much. We're all living our lives. I think Kaitlyn just wanted to make you feel bad, take the focus off herself."
"That's certainly possible."
"So don't let her get to you, don't let her doubt your relationship with your sister."
"I'm going to try not to. I just wish I could put a small dent in the wall Kaitlyn has put up around her."
"That will probably just take time. The more you're together—"
"That's the thing; we don't do much together. I've gotten her to go riding with me twice, but she doesn't talk to me. She'll sit in a lounger at the pool when I'm out there, but again, she doesn't talk to me. She's listening to her music or texting her friends at home. I can't get her to go on a hike or a river trip. She says no to every single invitation that involves leaving the immediate area, so I don't know how I'm ever going to get through to her."
"Well, I'm not a psychologist, but…"
"But you feel qualified to give me some advice? Why am I not surprised? You love to give advice."
"And you usually don't take it."
"Neither do you," she retorted. "Fine. What's your diagnosis, Doc?"
"Kaitlyn lost her whole life, her parents, her home, her school, and her friends. Maybe to survive, she has to find some part of her life she can control, like not listening to you, not doing the things you want her to do."
Lizzie nodded. "I get it. Saying no is her way of being in charge of something. That thought has occurred to me as well."
"Damn, I thought I'd come up with something brilliant," he said lightly.
She laughed. "You've never thought less than highly of yourself. The Brannigan brothers have never been short on confidence. Speaking of which, what are your brothers doing these days?"
"Knox works at a bar called The Wake in Santa Monica."
"Sounds about right. What about everyone else? Is James on his way to making his first million?"
"No, he's well past his first million. He runs a very successful hedge fund."
"I've never understood what those are."
"Let's just say he moves and makes a lot of money for a lot of people. He takes after my dad. So does Gabe. He runs a highly successful real-estate company. His last grateful client gave him an Aston Martin as a thank-you."
"Wow. He must have done some job."
"I guess. Max is out of the service but cagey about what he's doing now. Finn is flying for the Navy. I haven't seen either one of them in a few years. Hunter is a photojournalist. He travels to hot spots in the world. Our paths have crossed a few times, sometimes in the strangest places."
"And all still single? No one has managed to snag one of the handsome Brannigan brothers?"
"Not yet."
"I wonder who will be the first."
"No idea." Although, as he looked at Lizzie, he couldn't help wondering if he might have gotten married first if he'd stayed with her. But that was a crazy thought.
"We should go back," Lizzie said, turning Vixen back around. "I need to get to work. I don't want the boss to think I'm a slacker."
"I could never think that."
She tossed her head, gave him a smile and Vixen a kick, and soon they were headed back to the barn. He was sorry the ride was coming to an end. The conver
sation between him and Lizzie had been a long time coming, and he wasn't quite ready to say it was over yet.
Seven
They arrived back to the stables a little after eight, and Lizzie felt happier and more carefree than she had in months. It had also been awhile since she'd been able to remember the time she'd spent with Luke in a non-regretful way. Because, of course, she'd had regrets. She'd worried for years after the breakup that she'd made the wrong choice. But by then, it was too late to go back.
And it was too late to go back now, she told herself forcefully, as she got off Vixen and handed her horse to one of the stable hands. Whether or not Luke kept the resort as an investment, he wouldn't be staying here, and she would be. Another good-bye was just around the corner.
"I'm ready for breakfast," Luke said, falling into step with her as they walked toward the lodge.
"Me, too. I highly recommend the blueberry pancakes, the French toast, or Shari's omelet of the day. She uses whatever fresh vegetables are in season, and it's always delicious."
"What if I have all three?"
"You could do that."
"Shari looks very pregnant. Who's going to cook when she's having her baby?"
"Still to be determined," she replied, as they entered the lodge. "She's been a little slow on interviewing replacement chefs. She's very territorial when it comes to her kitchen. But I think she has someone coming tomorrow or sometime this weekend. Once we get past Labor Day weekend, things slow down, so it will be an easier time to bring someone in."
"How slow does it get?"
"Not completely dead. The fall is beautiful and often warm, and sometimes we get the more serious rock climbers and hikers in September and October." As they walked into the dining room, she added, "I want to introduce you to Brad Jordan, Shari's husband, and also the head of our adventure programs. He's right over here."
She led the way to a nearby table where Brad was finishing up his breakfast. Brad was thirty-six years old with sandy-brown hair, green eyes, and a boyish smile. He had an outgoing, energetic personality, and she'd never met a guest yet who hadn't enjoyed one of his guided hiking trips.
"Brad, I want you to meet Luke Brannigan."
Brad got to his feet, excitement in his eyes when he shook hands with Luke, and she had a feeling a bromance was quite possibly in the works between these two, and why not—they were cut from the same cloth, although Brad's adventures didn't come close to what Luke had accomplished.
"I can't believe you're the new owner," Brad said. "I didn't even realize you were related to Colin Brannigan. He's never been out here, so he was just a name on the letterhead. But I know you, or at least your work. I have all three of your films on DVD. I've watched them each a half-dozen times."
"Thanks," Luke said. "I'm glad you liked them."
"Like them? They're amazing. You capture moments that are literally magic…and sometimes terrifying. Do you ever think what the hell am I doing?"
"I can answer that," Lizzie cut in. "Luke never asks that question."
Luke gave her a smile. "That was the old me. Believe it or not, I have asked myself that a few times in recent years as the challenges have become more complex."
"Really?" she asked doubtfully. "Then you have changed."
"I got older and smarter."
"But it doesn't stop you from going for broke."
"No, it doesn't," he said. "What's life without some risk?"
"I'd love to take you up to Wolmer Falls," Brad said, drawing the conversation back to him. "I've got a group leaving at eleven. Why don't you join us? It's an easy hike and certainly won't be an extreme adventure like you're used to, but the falls are good this time of year, and I think you'd enjoy it."
"You should go," she encouraged. "I know you like to be active."
"Are you going?" he asked.
"No, I leave the hiking to Brad and his staff. I have work to do here."
"Can someone cover for you?"
"Well, maybe, but you don't need me. Brad can show you everything."
"You should come," Brad said. "You haven't gone on a hike since you've been here. Neither has Kaitlyn. Why don't you both join us? The Harrisons and their three teenagers are coming. I think Kaitlyn would have fun."
"You've never been on a hike?" Luke challenged.
"I've been busy, and I'm not on vacation."
"Still, you'd be able to give a better testimonial if you experienced the actual hike. Brad says it's easy."
"It is," Brad reassured her.
She looked into both men's faces and saw matching smiles of determination. Brad probably sensed he wasn't getting Luke without her. And Luke was making it clear that if she wanted him to stick around, she was going to have to spend more time with him.
"I guess I could go," she said slowly. "Tina is working today, and most of our arrivals won't be coming in until four."
"Perfect," Luke said.
She thought it was anything but perfect. The horseback ride had been fun. She'd enjoyed it more than she wanted to admit. But that was part of the problem. Spending more time with Luke was not going to make their inevitable good-bye easier to stomach.
Her gaze moved to the door as Kaitlyn entered the dining room with her headphones on. Even though she didn't trust the Harrison boys, their parents were going on the hike, and it would be nice to get Kaitlyn away from the property. She waved her niece over. Kaitlyn gave her the usual irritated look, but walked over to them.
"We're going on a hike to Wolmer Falls," she told her. "Brad, Luke, and the Harrisons and their kids. I'm going to go as well. Why don't you come along?"
Kaitlyn immediately shook her head. "No way."
"It will be fun. It's an easy hike."
"I don't want to go, and you can't make me," Kaitlyn proclaimed. With that, she turned away and ran out of the room.
"I guess Kaitlyn's not going," she muttered. "I thought the other kids might have been an enticement for her, but I guess not."
"She'll do it when she's ready," Luke said, sympathy in his eyes.
She shrugged. "We'll see."
"I'll meet you both out front at eleven," Brad told them. "Have a good breakfast. Fuel up for the hike."
"We will." As she sat down across from the most attractive man she'd ever been with, she had a feeling she was going to need more than fuel to get her through the rest of the day. And what about tomorrow and the next day? She wanted Luke to keep the resort so she could hold on to her job, but how was she going to handle him being her boss and nothing more?
Not that she wanted something more…oh, who was she kidding…of course, she wanted more. She hadn't stopped thinking about his kiss all night. But that was the problem. He'd always been dangerous to her life plans, her goals. He could derail her life with so little effort.
Luke gave her an odd look as their eyes met. "What?" he asked.
She shook her head. "I have no words."
For some reason, he seemed to understand her cryptic statement.
"Some days you don’t need words, at least not important words," he said. "Let's make that day today."
"Deal."
True to their bargain, they discussed nothing of importance over omelets, hash browns, and turkey bacon. She introduced Luke to some of the staff members who wandered into the dining room, noting how friendly and welcoming he was with each and every one of them. Luke had always had the ability to fit in anywhere. He was genuinely interested in getting to know people, and they responded to him in kind.
When he got into a lengthy conversation with John, one of Brad's rock-climbing guides, she excused herself and went into the kitchen to speak to Shari.
"I hear you're finally going hiking," Shari said as she took a sheet of cookies out of the oven. "And that Luke was the deciding vote."
"Trying to keep the boss happy," she replied. "I was hoping Kaitlyn would go, but she said no."
"Yes. Brad said she shot down the idea very quickly."
"I hate to lea
ve her here on her own."
"She'll be fine. It's a warm day. I'm sure she'll be out at the pool."
The pool was one of Kaitlyn's favorite spots. "True, and I'll have the wild boys on the hike with me, so I don't have to worry about them." She paused, seeing Shari rub her abdomen. "Everything okay?"
"Just a little twinge. I'm getting so big, and I still have another month to go."
"Which reminds me—we really need to hire another chef soon." She looked around the kitchen to make sure their part-time sous chef was not in the room. "I don't think Michelle is skilled enough to take over for you. She's a sweet girl, and she's learning quickly, but she can't run the kitchen."
"I know," Shari said wearily, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. "I thought I could train Michelle to be better faster, but while she's great at soups and stews and casseroles, she's a disaster with anything baked and she seems unable to grill meat with any kind of finesse. Plus, her time management skills are not the best."
"Let's get the ad up tomorrow wherever it needs to go."
Shari nodded. "I've got it written on my computer; I'll email it to you this afternoon. I want to take another look at it."
"Great."
"By the way, Brad is so excited about hanging out with Luke."
She smiled. "I saw the love in his eyes."
"Is that because you know what love for Luke looks like?" Shari teased.
"We were over a long time ago. I told you that."
"Sometimes love is better the second time around."
"Or sometimes it ends the exact same way—with a broken heart. No thanks. I have enough problems." She headed toward the door. "I'll check in with you when I get back."
"Have fun. I'm going to pack up some cookies for the hike."
"Now that makes me more excited about walking two miles up a hill."
After leaving the kitchen, she caught up with some paperwork, checked in with her staff on arriving and departing guests and then made her way upstairs a little before eleven to change her clothes.
On her way back downstairs, she checked on Kaitlyn, who was on her bed watching something on her computer.
"Hey," she said. "It's a nice day. Don't you want to be outside?"
Kaitlyn shrugged.
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