Rocky Mountain Valentine

by Carol Steward

  A Forever Valentine?

  As a photojournalist, Lisa Berthoff knew better than to let her personal feelings about a subject interfere with a job. But when the subject was rugged cowboy Adam MacIntyre and his beautiful ranch, Lisa found it impossible to stay objective. Not when, for the first time, Lisa felt like she was home—on the ranch…and in Adam’s arms.

  Adam knew what he wanted out of life: to live on the land of his ancestors and stay close to his family. Then along came footloose Lisa Berthoff, who was distant from her sisters and lived out of a suitcase. His siblings might have all happily marched down the aisle, but Adam wasn’t about to fall for a drifter who didn’t believe in settling down. Or was it already too late?

  Dear Reader,

  Home, family, community and love. These are the values we cherish most in our lives—the ideals that ground us, comfort us, move us. They certainly provide the perfect inspiration around which to build a romance collection that will touch the heart.

  And so we are thrilled to offer you the Harlequin Heartwarming series. Each of these special stories is a wholesome, heartfelt romance imbued with the traditional values so important to you. They are books you can share proudly with friends and family. And the authors featured in this collection are some of the most talented storytellers writing today, including favorites such as Roz Denny Fox, Margaret Daley and Mary Anne Wilson. We’ve selected these stories especially for you based on their overriding qualities of emotion and tenderness, and they center on your favorite themes—children, weddings, second chances, the reunion of families, the quest to find a true home and, of course, sweet romance.

  So curl up in your favorite chair, relax and prepare for a heartwarming reading experience!

  Sincerely,

  The Editors

  CAROL STEWARD

  To Carol Steward, selling a book is much like riding a roller coaster—every step of the process, every sale brings that exhilarating high. During the less exciting times, she’s busy gathering ideas and refilling her cup. Writing brings a much-needed balance to her life, as she has her characters share lessons she herself has learned.

  When she’s not working at the University of Northern Colorado, you can usually find her spending time with her husband of more than thirty years, writing and being thankful she survived raising her own three children to reap the rewards of playing with her adorable grandchildren. Throughout all the different seasons of life, she’s learned to simplify her life and appreciate her many blessings.

  Carol Steward

  Rocky Mountain Valentine

  I’d like to thank my husband, Dave, and my kids, Sarah, Matthew and Scott.

  It’s not always easy having a writer for a wife and mother, yet they keep encouraging me, even when the going gets tough.

  Dedication

  To my two dads: Tom Bohannan and Jack Steward.

  We miss you more each day!

  Contents

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  EPILOGUE

  PROLOGUE

  LISA BERTHOFF WATCHED the quarter-size flakes of snow swirl in the darkness as her sister and brother-in-law drove away for their honeymoon. Guests left and family hurried around, cleaning up after the wedding and reception. No one wanted to be stranded at the church. The blizzard had dumped twelve inches in the three hours since they had arrived.

  On her way up the stairs to the bridal suite, she glanced at the bride’s bouquet, caught in the crystal chandelier. “That could only have happened to Katarina,” she said with a chuckle.

  Adam MacIntyre, the groom’s youngest brother added, “It’s becoming a family trait, getting the bouquet caught on something.”

  Lisa smiled. “Oh, yeah. Emily’s caught in the tree—I forgot about that. Guess I was only concerned with how to avoid catching it.” Lisa had been expecting Katarina to throw the bouquet to her or Adam since they were the only unmarried siblings left.

  “You’re not superstitious, are you? That was only a coincidence.”

  “Superstitious? Not me, but I saw you hiding across the room.” Lisa laughed. “Don’t tell me you weren’t half expecting our families to set us up. First Emily and Kevin caught a bouquet, and six months later they’re married. Five months later Alex and Katarina catch Emily’s bouquet, and eight months later—”

  “Doesn’t matter now, does it?” He motioned toward the chandelier. “We’re free from the wedding curse. What do we need to finish up here? Since Kevin had a car full of people, and the rest of the family went to their hotels, I agreed to make sure you get home okay before I leave.”

  Lisa had convinced her mother and eldest sister, Emily, that she could make it to Katarina’s house without a problem. Leave it to them to arrange for an escort. “I just need to load the cake into Katarina’s van and get my things from upstairs. I won’t be long. You can go on home.”

  “Katarina and Alex’s house is on my way out of town. Besides, I don’t think Kat’s van is going anywhere on these roads. I’ll take care of the cake.”

  Lisa ran upstairs, gathered her things and put them into her bag. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and paused. She swayed back and forth, watching the fabric move in fluid motion, then spun on one foot and watched the dress fan out and swirl around her legs.

  “Katarina’s quite a seamstress. All three of you looked beautiful in your dresses.”

  Lisa turned. She swallowed a lump of embarrassment at being caught doing something so childish. Adam was leaning against the door frame with his arms crossing his chest. The MacIntyre men looked handsome as ever in their tuxes. Adam was no exception. “Thank you. You and your brothers clean up pretty nicely yourselves.” She turned to find her purse. “I thought you were taking the cake to the van.”

  “It had already been taken care of by the pastor, our family friend Mike. I thought I’d better see if you had anything else to carry down. Mike doesn’t think his car will make it, so I offered to give him a ride home, too.”

  After a quick glance to make sure she had everything, Lisa slipped into the leather coat Katarina had loaned her. “Sorry for the delay.” She felt her cheeks heat up again and grabbed her purse.

  “Not a problem. I rather enjoyed watching your little dance.”

  She faced Adam, waiting for him to move out of the way. “It was terribly rude of you not to let me know you were there.”

  “Did you expect me to join you?”

  She tried to take her eyes off his dark brown gaze and his wide smile. “Dream on. My boyfriend would not appreciate me dancing with someone else, even if you and I are practically related.”

  “Then again, he’s not here, is he?”

  Lisa tried to get past Adam. “We’re keeping Mike waiting.”

  Adam chuckled. “Mike’s going to have a long wait if he’s waiting on me. I dodged that bouquet.”

  “You are a true cad,” she said, pushing her way past him. “If you think I was implying...” She stopped and spun around to face him again. “I didn’t...” Lisa lifted her finger to lect
ure him, then decided it wasn’t worth the effort and continued down the stairs.

  Adam followed. “Everyone knows this MacIntyre will avoid the altar at all costs.”

  “Doesn’t appear to be an immediate problem, does it?” Lisa snapped, picking up her pace.

  “You ought to talk.” Adam smiled.

  Lisa ignored his remark.

  Mike looked up as Lisa and Adam made their way down the stairs. “I need to go get my briefcase from my car. I’ll meet you at your truck.” Mike opened the door and stepped outside. A strong gust of wind blew past them, rattling the chandelier.

  Lisa sucked in a breath of icy air and closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw the bridal bouquet blow loose, right into her hands.

  Lisa ducked as another piece flew past her and hit Adam in the chest.

  Lisa stared at the bouquet in horror.

  “Not superstitious, huh? Tell you what,” Adam suggested. “Let’s keep this our little secret.”

  “Keep what a secret?” Lisa countered. She tossed the bouquet on the stairs. “I didn’t see a thing.”

  CHAPTER ONE

  One Year Later

  LISA BERTHOFF SWITCHED her cell to her other ear and eased the sporty rental car to the shoulder of Highway 1.

  “Lisa, Francie here. I need you in Colorado to do the story on a bed-and-breakfast. We’re backlogged for weeks. Your ticket’s waiting at the airport. Leaves this afternoon.”

  “When?” Lisa’s voice rose an octave. She looked longingly at the Pacific Ocean. Tell me I’m not hearing this. “Come on, Francie. I finally make it to the coast just in time for the migration of the whales, and you send me off to cover a bed-and-breakfast?” She shouldn’t complain. A job was a job, even a temporary assignment.

  “What’s wrong? Did you finally meet someone to take your mind off of Dale?”

  “That’s not it at all. He did me a favor by leaving. I was just hoping to see the sights while I was here this time. I’ve been going full speed for months. Give me a couple of days.” She hoped her hard work would pay off soon. Lisa had bailed the magazine out of more binds this past year than she had had dates.

  “Sorry to tell you this, dear, but we really need you to get moving on this right away.”

  Lisa moved the phone to the other ear as the editor explained the circumstances. One of these days, she would be able to be picky. Until then... “Of course I’ll cover the story. I hope everything goes okay for the Greens and their baby.”

  “This place is north of Denver somewhere. Let me see here...Loveland. Hmm. Loveland—Valentine’s Day. There’s your angle. Get it?”

  “I get it. And I’m familiar with the area. My sisters live—”

  Her no-nonsense editor’s voice broke her off. “Pull this one off, Lisa, and Steve’s agreed to put you on the payroll full-time.”

  Those magical words caught her attention, even though she knew better than to get her hopes up. “Promises, promises,” she said. “You know as well as I do Steve’s been stringing me along for months.”

  “He’s serious this time....”

  She paused, barely allowing Francie enough time to finish her explanation. “I’m already interested,” she said impatiently. “I didn’t say no, did I?”

  Lisa jotted down the airline and flight information. “Email me the specifics. I’ll be in touch.” She pressed End and set the phone in her bag.

  Lisa glanced at her watch. “Francie, how could you do this to me again!” She had less than three hours to get to the airport, return the rental car and pick up her ticket. Lisa quickly reviewed the route on her map and took one last longing look at the waves hitting the jagged shore.

  Footloose and fancy-free. I knew it would catch up with me. Farewell, San Francisco. Another time.

  * * *

  THE CASH MACHINE at the airport was out of money, security lines were frustratingly long and breakfast had worn off hours ago. Lisa slipped her boarding pass into her pack and ran down the concourse, her camera case bouncing along on built-in wheels.

  When she reached the gate, the door was closed. Looking out the window, she saw her suitcase tossed into the luggage compartment beneath the airplane. She ran to the next desk and asked the agent for help. Moments later, a flight attendant met her at the end of the walk. “That was close,” she said cheerfully. “We’re just starting our preflight check.”

  “This flight does go to Denver, right?” Lisa asked breathlessly.

  “Certainly does.” The attendant read the row and seat number. “Take your seat quickly, please, Ms. Berthoff. We’ll be taking off momentarily.”

  “Sorry, I’m not usually so late.” Lisa secured the pack on her shoulder. “My editor called just as I was headed to the Monterey Peninsula. So much for shooting the whales this year.”

  The woman’s eyes opened wide. “Shoot?”

  Lisa laughed. “I’m a photojournalist.” She braced her camera case on her hip to squeeze through the aisle. “Only damage this thing can do is if it lands on someone.”

  The woman laughed. “I see. Have a nice flight.” She opened an overhead compartment and helped secure Lisa’s bag.

  “Thank you.” Lisa clicked her seat belt just before the plane backed away from the terminal. She leaned her head back, determined to relax.

  As soon as the captain gave the clearance, Lisa used her laptop computer and checked for messages, hoping to find out transportation arrangements from Denver International Airport to the bed-and-breakfast. She would call Katarina and Emily once she knew more about her schedule. Raking the unruly strands of hair out of her eyes, Lisa took a deep breath. Come on, Francie.

  Despite the frustrations of the sudden change in plans, she couldn’t deny it would be good to see her older sisters again.

  She knew Loveland was close to Springville, but she wasn’t exactly sure where this bed-and-breakfast was in relation. Surely she could squeeze in a few days with Katarina and Emily before she rushed off on her next assignment. A smile teased her lips. Kevin and Emily’s daughter would have her first birthday soon, while Katarina and Alex were due to have their first baby in just a few months. It seemed like just yesterday that she’d flown into a Colorado blizzard for their wedding. Had it really been a year already?

  Memories invaded her thoughts and threatened to send her into a tailspin of emotions. She forced them away and moved to the next email, making notes to send a requested article as soon as she reached the bed-and-breakfast.

  Francie’s message finally arrived, instructing Lisa to take a shuttle to a west Loveland store and wait for the proprietor to pick her up.

  “We received the attached brochure from the owner’s sister. From what she sent us about the place, I think we might want to feature Whispering Pines Guest Ranch in our monthly column, ‘America’s Most Romantic Getaways.’”

  Most romantic getaway? “You’ve got to be kidding,” she muttered. Lisa turned off the laptop and put it away. How did she get stuck with these assignments? No one would take her seriously with stories like this. The passenger beside her left his seat and Lisa stretched her arms. “It’s amazing what a person will do to get a job.”

  Several hours later, after taking a shuttle bus from Denver to Loveland, Lisa dragged her luggage to the curb.

  A spry, silver-haired woman approached. “You must be ours.” A smile crinkled her delicate pink skin and brought a sparkle to her eyes. “I’m Meg, from the ranch. We’re so delighted that you’re here.”

  She eyed Meg again. This frail-looking woman couldn’t possibly run a ranch. “Are you sure? I mean, that you’re expecting me?”

  Meg snatched the huge suitcase from Lisa’s grasp and hoisted it over the side of the truck. “Well, I did think there would be two of you,” she said, glancing at the shuttle as it pulled away. “But if you’re from the magazine, then this is just perfect.”

  Lisa nodded, suddenly a bit flustered. “I’m the Greens’ replacement, Lisa Berthoff. The couple you were expecti
ng went into premature labor.”

  “Oh, my. Well, I’m delighted that you’re here, Lisa. Millie apologizes for not being able to pick you up herself.”

  Meg filled the thirty-minute drive with a history lesson on Whispering Pines Guest Ranch. “Millie has turned the ranch over to her son now.”

  Lisa learned that Meg and her late husband had worked for the Carter family for three decades. From Meg’s descriptions, Lisa had wonderful mental pictures of the ranch, as well as the generous family determined to share their land with others instead of breaking it up into exclusive residential property.

  Meg slowed the truck around a curve. The road opened before them into an enormous valley of gently rolling hills, jagged bluffs and wooded fringes. “Welcome to Whispering Pines Lodge, Adam’s plan to save his grandparents’ property,” she said softly. “Bless his heart. He’s put everything he has into saving this place.”

  “He must love it.” Lisa pulled her camera from the bag and focused on the stately new guest house. “Wow...” She sighed. “Can you stop here, Meg? I want my first impressions on film.”

  Lisa hopped from the truck. The camera clicked.

  On one side of the valley she photographed horses corralled between a weathered barn and split-rail fence. On the other, snow-dusted pine trees climbed the mountain. She snapped a series of shots of the icy creek meandering under a rustic stone bridge that separated a smaller home from the land where the new addition was located.

  Lisa lowered the camera and filled her lungs with the pine scent. She paused. An odd feeling stirred within her. Anticipation was to be expected on any new job, but that wasn’t all.

  Mystified by the intensity she felt about this assignment as they drove closer to the lodge, Lisa felt her usually “on-edge” nerves dissipate. She squirmed in her seat, uneasy with the sense of hope and tranquillity. If she didn’t know better, she’d think there was something to this romantic getaway idea.

  How Meg had managed to convince a skeptic like Lisa was a mystery. She’d given up on romance long ago. Yet, in that brief moment when she first saw Whispering Pines, it was as if she knew everything she needed to know in order to write this story.