The Accidental Mrs. Mackenzie

by Bonnie K. Winn

  “Uhm, thanks.” She rose, suddenly self-conscious as she made her way to the cart to join the other guests already lined up for the buffet. Steaming servers held all sorts of wonderful-looking things, while a second smaller tray was filled with ice, cooling sliced fresh fruit, yogurt and cream cheese.

  Deciding on a piece of french toast and some berries, Brynn carried her plate back, pausing as she looked between the table she’d chosen and the one Matt dominated. She wasn’t certain she wanted to share that small space with him. Turned halfway toward her table, she stopped as Matt spoke.

  “Would you care to join me?”

  She wavered, wishfully glancing at the safety of her previous table before twisting back to face him. “Sure—uh, I mean, that would be nice. I’ll just get my coffee.”

  But he was already stretching one of his long arms toward the other table, easily reaching her mug. She continued to stare, amazed at the agility of the man. He was so large—not like Gregory, who was a far more pared-down version. Matt’s height included long arms and legs and big strong hands, not to mention an athletic build. She cleared her throat and jerked her eyes away, reminding herself that she really didn’t care for such a physical sort of man.

  “Thank you.” Cautiously, she took the seat across from his, wishing he’d chosen a larger table, one where their legs didn’t have to be practically touching. Tall herself, she knew that two pairs of long legs would have difficulty not brushing against each other.

  “Did you sleep well?” Matt asked, moving his calculator so that her plate and mug fit more easily on the table.

  She remembered the night, her initial restlessness, then her dreams about Gregory, how it would be to share his home, his bed. Embarrassed, she cleared her throat, suspecting that spots of color dotted her cheeks. “Yes. The mountain air is very refreshing.”

  He chuckled. “Most people say it freezes them out the first time they come up here.”

  “I do live in Salt Lake,” she reminded him. “While it’s in the valley, it’s not exactly the flatlands.”

  “True, but it’s not at the top of a mountain, either.”

  She smiled. “And it’s a beautiful mountain.”

  For the first time, she saw a genuinely pleased expression cross his face. “It’s that and more.”

  “So you’ve never had a desire to leave here, explore other ventures?”

  Matt lifted one brow. “I have dragged myself away on occasion. Even us backwoods boys like to have a taste of the big city now and then.”

  Wondering if she’d insulted him, Brynn toyed with her french toast. If he enjoyed being a ski burn, why did her comment upset him? “I’m sure most people envy you your freedom.” She gestured toward the book in front of him, guessing he was doing some accounting for the resort. “Even though I’m sure you get roped in to working, as well.”

  A frown creased his forehead. “On occasion.”

  She smiled. “I’m a bit of a rebel, myself. That’s why I like working out of my apartment. I set my own rules.”

  “I see.”

  “And on occasion, I like to get into the city myself,” she added, hoping to lay oil on any ruffled feathers.

  “I managed to stumble off the mountain myself this week.”

  She cocked her head, then remembered. “Of course. You went to Washington.”

  “And it’s a funny thing.”

  “Oh?”

  He stared at her. “You haven’t asked what I found out about Gregory. Not once.”

  Brynn swallowed uncomfortably, caught in the web of her own making. “I thought if you had news, you would share it.”

  “Pretty big assumption.”

  She clutched her napkin, balling it into a wrinkled wad. “I think I’d better tell you—”

  “Brynn! I thought you might be sleeping in!” Ruth greeted her, swooping down to give her a friendly hug. “You’re still a touch pale. You’re such a fragile thing—we’ll have to feed you well until Gregory comes back. I don’t want him to think we let you fade away.”

  “No, really. I’m fine—”

  Ruth waved away her protests. “I’m going to bring you a plate of blintzes—full of cream, strawberries, and all kinds of wonderful things. Now don’t go away. I’ll be right back.”

  Tom, Brynn stared between Ruth’s retreating back and Matt’s unrelenting gaze. “Really, no one needs to fuss over me.”

  “Mother’s right. You look as though a good wind would blow you over.”

  Brynn pushed at her glasses, mortified as always by her image as the tall, skinny kid.

  Matt closed the ledger, seeming to sense her unease. “If she gets to be too much for you, just tell her to back off. Mother will smother you to death if you let her—all with good intentions. She and Dad are really glad you’re here. They needed some part of Gregory to hang on to. Especially Dad.”

  “He’s the one who looks fragile,” she ventured.

  “I’m afraid he is,” Matt answered shortly. “But don’t let him hear you say that.”

  Ruth was returning with the plate of blintzes. Brynn stared at them in dismay. She’d brought enough food for Brynn and half-a-dozen football players. “This really is too much.”

  “Just eat what you want,” Ruth answered cheerfully, her attention caught by one of the guests who called out to her.

  “You want a reprieve? Go to town with her,” Matt advised. “She likes to leave early so she has time to cross the border into Idaho and buy a lottery ticket”

  “There’s a town?” Brynn questioned, always curious.

  “Of sorts.”

  Brynn looked down at the mammoth serving of food. “You’re sure she won’t insist I eat all this first?” The thought of riding up and down the switchbacks of the winding canyon after eating nearly a mountain of food was unsettling.

  “Nope.” He tapped the side of his head. “Lottery ticket. Remember?”

  “Suddenly I feel a winning streak coming on,” Brynn decided.

  “If you’re really lucky, you won’t win seconds,” he warned, one lip curling upward in amusement as he glanced at her loaded plate.

  Meeting his gaze, she was struck again by his terribly physical good looks. Hair the color of highly polished mahogany was laced with streaks of gold, no doubt from time spent on the slopes. His face—all slashes and angles of features that without their ruggedness would seem nearly too perfect—no doubt drew women in numbers, especially when they focused in on that dent in his chin, the sensuous lips, the dusky eyes.

  Reining her thoughts in with an internal snap, she also straightened in her chair. It didn’t matter what Matt looked like. At most all he could ever be was a brother-in-law. But he wasn’t looking very brotherly at the moment.

  Brothers. She had to remember. He was the brother of Gregory—the man who had captured her heart. The man who had been captured

  That thought shocked all others away.

  She pushed away the plate, leaving it untouched. “Thanks for the advice. I’d better find a jacket. If your mother comes back, would you tell her I’d like to go to town? And that I won’t make her late?”

  Not giving him time to more than nod, Brynn rushed away. She was obviously certifiable. Not only was she playing a terrible trick on these people, she was now having unwanted thoughts about Gregory’s brother. And Gregory was the one she needed to concentrate on.

  Her Mr. Right—the man who would probably be shocked to find her installed in his family home. She needed to retrieve more than her jacket; she needed to recover what was left of her marbles.

  BRYNN TOOK IN THE SIGHTS, the people, the small-town atmosphere—and found herself being charmed again. Although she’d lived in many places, her mother’s tastes hadn’t run to small-town Americana. In fact, Charlene Magee had been rather vocal about what she’d termed “the bumpkin factor.” But Brynn really didn’t share many of her mother’s sensibilities. In fact, there was little they did share.

  Ruth MacKenzie, on the
other hand, wanted to share everything—including her friends and neighbors. So far, Brynn had been introduced to everyone they’d encountered. Which made traveling more than a dozen yards a time-consuming feat.

  But it was a novel experience for her. Never having lived anyplace long enough to form any real friendships, she’d remained terminally shy. Even as an adult, she hadn’t been able to conquer that fear, the timidity that prevented the closeness with other people, which she craved. Neighbors had remained strangers and even the number of her acquaintances had been limited. She’d certainly never talked to everyone she met on the street.

  But now, Ruth easily paved the way, making it impossible for Brynn not to talk to those they met. Even the assortment of small-town shops seemed welcoming.

  Leaving the hardware store, Ruth led them toward a small gift shop. The bell over the glass door tinkled out a welcome, blending with the aroma of freshly brewed cider.

  “Ruth!” A woman greeted them. “Did you find out good news?”

  “Yes and no,” Ruth replied. “On the down side, we don’t have any new updates on Gregory. But on the positive side, we brought his bride home. Wilma, meet Brynn.”

  Smiling self-consciously, Brynn held out a hand and found it swallowed in a surprisingly firm grip.

  Wise, steel-blue eyes surrounded by a waterfall of wrinkles, zoned in on Brynn. “Well. well. I never thought that boy would ever settle down. And you’re the girl who hooked him.”

  Ruth laughed. “What makes you think Gregory didn’t do the hooking?”

  “Because that boy was a chaser. Couldn’t sit still for more than two seconds. He wouldn’t settle down without a fight. Hell, he’d more likely ask for a recount.”

  Ruth patted Brynn’s arm. “But Brynn’s a very special girl.”

  “So I see,” Wilma commented, her gaze skipping over Brynn’s baggy clothing and oversize glasses. “Tell me, how did you and Gregory meet?”

  Brynn felt a trace of panic. Surprisingly, no one had asked her any more details, accepting that it troubled her to talk about it. And what would this apparently astute woman believe? Not that it had been love at first sight. What would Stephanie, the heroine of her comic strip, do?

  Tell an outrageous tale.

  That was easy. It was something Stephanie often did.

  But something Brynn had never tried.

  She took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t be hitchhiking back to Salt Lake City if the story fell flat “Gregory and I were working on a project together.” That much was partially true, but she slid her fingers together behind her back as she continued. “And it seems he’s not used to women who say nor.”

  Wilma’s brows rose.

  Brynn smiled as she thought Stephanie might. “At heart, I guess Gregory really is old-fashioned.” She barely kept from wincing at the incredulous expressions that flashed across both Wilma’s and Ruth’s faces. “I mean that he wanted to be the one to do the chasing. The women he’d been involved with were all bright and beautiful—but they didn’t play hard to get. In fact, they chased him until they caught him. So Gregory wasn’t used to someone who not only wouldn’t chase him—but kept him at arm’s length.” Brynn thought briefly of the wedding album she’d had made and squirmed.

  “What sort of project were you working on?” Wilma asked.

  Brynn thought rapidly. She couldn’t say the auction. There was a good chance Ruth knew about that—it had been publicized enough—and she’d know there hadn’t been enough time for a courtship, engagement and wedding since the event. “I’m involved in a program to stop the overpopulation of homeless animals and...I headed a drive to get dogs and cats spayed and neutered. We found veterinarians willing to donate their time and facilities and the volunteers coordinated everything. Some on the medical end, some—”

  “You met Gregory while you were castrating animals?” Wilma asked, horrified amusement flashing across her face.

  “Well, not exactly. Gregory has such a way with animals—”

  “He does?” Ruth interrupted, surprised.

  “Well, yes... I mean, he’s gotten very good with animals. Very good.”

  “But why was he volunteering before he found this affinity?” Wilma asked, skepticism showing in both her voice and expression.

  What would Stephanie say? “I hate to reveal something that Gregory didn’t already confide.... But, I guess if you’ll keep it to yourselves...”

  Ruth and Wilma both nodded eagerly, as did a younger woman who’d edged over from the middle of the shop and now stood, unabashedly listening.

  “Gregory was working late... and there was an electrical fire. It started small but the smoke filled the building before anyone was aware of the fire.”

  “What about the smoke alarms?” Ruth questioned, her maternal protectiveness kicking in.

  “There was some problem...but building maintenance got right on that after the fire so it won’t happen again,” Brynn assured her, reaching for plausible threads in her story. “Anyway, Gregory was so involved in his work that he didn’t notice the smoke. The watchman let his dog loose so it wouldn’t get burned, but instead the dog found Gregory. He’d passed out from smoke inhalation and if the dog hadn’t found him...”

  Ruth clutched her throat. “The dog saved his life? No wonder he changed his mind about animals.”

  “Yes,” Brynn confirmed, realizing belatedly that this might not have been the best story to have invented since Ruth was already worried about her son’s physical well-being.

  “I didn’t read about the fire,” wilma mused.

  Brynn jerked her attention back to wilma. “No! Like I said, it was just a small electrical fire with very little damage. Everything was up and running the next day. But it could have been so much worse.”

  “You know, life’s funny,” Wilma mused again. “A boy like Gregory never taking to animals much, but then one saves his life. It’s as though life was giving him a new lesson. Maybe that’s why his eyes were opened enough to see you.”

  Brynn guessed that was a backhanded compliment at best. Still, the story seemed to have convinced even the doubting Wilma.

  “I wonder why Gregory never told us,” Ruth pondered aloud.

  Yipes. “He probably didn’t want to worry you and now I’ve done that by telling the story. I shouldn’t have—”

  “No, I’m glad you did. Gregory never was one to confide much—and he doesn’t call or get home as often as he used to. So busy now with his important job. But I like knowing that he could change his attitude like that.” She squeezed Brynn’s s hand. “Maybe it means that family and home are becoming more important to him again.”

  By now three more women had joined their ranks and Brynn could see they were moved by the sentiment about family and home, even though they hadn’t heard the complete tale.

  At a loss for words, and realizing that this story was already making a lasting false impression, Brynn could only smile as the women surrounded her, offering congratulations and assaulting her with more questions.

  “That’s when he met you?” a pretty, thirtyish woman introduced as Karen asked. “After he’d changed his attitude?”

  Brynn hedged. “I wouldn’t say his attitude had completely changed.”

  “Not until he met you,” another woman named Becky guessed. “He might have had his eyes opened a bit when the dog saved him, but it takes a person—a woman—to make a man really see the light.”

  “That’s so sweet,” one of the other women introduced as Cynthia said, dabbing at her eyes. “A man changing because of the love of a good woman.”

  Glancing around, Brynn saw that the other women’s eyes were starting to fill as well at that splash of sentiment. For a moment she was Stephanie. A girl with enough guts to go for her man and to change that man. Her thoughts drifted. And when Gregory came back, things would change. He would come to the same realizations that he had in her story.

  Blinking, she remembered her audience. “I don’t want t
o give you the wrong impression....” Right. And who would believe that?

  Wilma waved away her concerns. “Pish. Just because men won’t ever give the whole scoop doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.” She reached between the women clustered around the counter and picked up a beautiful white basket filled with bath salts, soaps, candles and lotion. “Here’s a little something to say welcome.”

  Touched, Brynn’s hand flew toward her throat. “Oh, I couldn’t. It’s too much....” It’s so incredibly sweet.

  “When you two get settled...after Gregory comes home—” Wilma cleared her throat “—I’ll send you a real wedding gift, but this is for you. You’re part of the MacKenzie family now, so you’re part of the community, too. And a new friend.”

  Brynn felt tears threatening, and she couldn’t control a slight quivering of her lips. “This is so very...kind of you.”

  “Now don’t you go all maudlin on me,” Wilma warned, but without much conviction. “We’ll have a regular waterworks going.” She turned to Ruth. “Sure can see why Gregory woke up and got some sense when he met this girl.”

  Seeing how shaken Brynn was, Ruth took her arm. “I hate to break this up, but we have lottery tickets to buy.”

  “I already told you, I’m going to win Power Ball,” Wilma retorted, seeing through Ruth’s words. “You bring your new daughter-in-law around often, you hear?”

  Ruth nodded, steering Brynn outside. “Let’s go get some coffee.”

  Brynn sniffed. “I thought we were going to get lottery tickets.”

  Ruth smiled. “They have coffee in Idaho.”

  Brynn laughed in spite of herself. “You do know how to chase away the maudlin moments.”

  “Every woman’s entitled to them.” They walked a few feet closer to the Bronco, then Ruth stopped suddenly. there’s not a special reason you’re feeling particularly sentimental?”

  It took Brynn a moment to catch her meaning. No, that would be too much. “There’s not any special news, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “I didn’t mean to pry. And, heavens, I’m sure you two want to be married awhile before you start your family. I just couldn’t help asking...in case Gregory...”