by Glynna Kaye
“Now don’t you look prettier than a rose in spring.” Brett’s appreciative once-over left her hoping Rob would echo his assistant’s approbation.
“Thanks. Rob around?”
“He walked down to River Rock. Something about a blown fuse. Shouldn’t take too long.”
She nodded and moved to peek out a window. Should she hang out? Wait for him? Or come back later? “Things quiet here this morning?”
“Got a couple of calls asking when aspen colors are expected to peak. What the highs and lows are this time of year. Booked a cabin.”
“That’s good.” She turned toward him, only to find him pushed back in his chair, hands clasped on his flat stomach—grinning at her.
“What?”
“You tell me.”
Her face warmed. “Nothing to tell.”
“Is McGuire treating you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t he?”
Brett shrugged, his smile lingering. “Just checking. Sometimes I get the impression he’s oblivious to what’s going on around him. You know, right under his nose. Like a pretty lady trying to get his attention.”
She laughed. Was she that obvious? “You can stop your worrying, Brett. His attention’s been caught.”
“About time. But if things don’t work out, you know where to come.”
She shot him a guarded look, remembering what Rob had told her about Brett’s misfortune in the romance department. How he might be looking for a replacement—and that Olivia might fit the ticket. She laughed again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Excuse me,” a cheery voice called out from the open doorway, followed by a gray-haired head topping a rotund body. “I need to run into town, but my car won’t start. It may need to be jumped. Anyone in here know the tricks?”
“That would be me, ma’am.” Brett rose, settling his Western hat on his head.
“I’ll cover the phones for you.” That gave her a good excuse to wait for Rob.
From the look on Brett’s face, he saw right through her ploy. He tipped his hat, winked and disappeared out the door, pulling it shut behind him.
She peered out the window again, but no sign of Rob. She moseyed restlessly around the room. Organized the pen and pencil cup. Checked the desktop computer for email queries. Straightened Rob’s laptop case. His cell phone.
She’d barely touched it when it rang. Rang again.
Oh, well. “Rob McGuire, Singing Rock. Olivia speaking.”
“May I speak to Rob, please?” The tense voice of a woman. “This is an emergency.”
Olivia’s stomach jolted. “He stepped out of the office for a short while. May I get a message to him?”
“This is his mother. Angie’s been hospitalized.”
Angie?
“An allergic reaction to a bee sting. The doctors think she’ll be okay. But they’re talking about keeping her overnight for observation. There’s a danger of bacterial infection.”
“That sounds serious.”
“Have Rob call me, please. He has my number.”
“I’ll find him immediately.”
“Thank you. She’s the love of my son’s life.”
The line went dead.
The love of Rob’s life. With trembling fingers, she shut off the cell phone, crossed the room, then jerked open the door. Plowed straight into Rob.
Laughing, he caught her in his arms. “Hey, what’s the hurry? Train to catch?”
“Your mom called.” Her words came in a breathless rush. “She said to tell you Angie’s been hospitalized.”
His smile froze. Still gripping her arms, his eyes searched hers.
“A bee sting. They’re keeping her for observation.” She forced the cell phone into his hands. “You’re supposed to call your mom.”
He clutched the phone and brushed by her, speed dialing as she followed him into the main room of the lodge. Without a word, he took off up the stairs to his apartment, two at a time.
Heart racing, Olivia stared after him. Who was this mystery woman? The girlfriend she’d feared for weeks? Until last night. Until he’d kissed her and put her fears to rest.
From above, drawers and doors opened. Slammed. She could hear his muffled voice as he talked to his mother. Terse. Concerned. Then he appeared again, dashing down the stairs, duffle bag in hand.
“Is there anything I can do to help, Rob?”
He jerked to a halt, as if stunned to still find her standing at the bottom of the staircase. “If you could watch over things until I get back. I—”
He seemed at a loss for further words.
“I can do that. Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
“Thanks.”
She followed him into the office where he snagged his computer case and hoisted the strap over his shoulder.
“Is everything going to be okay? It sounded serious.”
He avoided her gaze. “Mom says she’s resting comfortably. Asking for me. So I need to get down there.”
“I don’t remember you mentioning a family member named Angie.” She may as well hear it now. Stop living in a dream world if Rob’s heart was already spoken for. “Your mom called her the love of your life.”
His eyes clouded. “She is.”
“And she’s your—?” Friend? Girlfriend? “I don’t recall—”
He held up a restraining hand. “Olivia. Stop.”
Staring into his eyes, she saw the torment. Indecision.
“Mom didn’t tell you? Angie—” He drew a ragged breath, eyes boring into hers. “Angie is my daughter. My two-year-old daughter.”
She stared at him, not comprehending. Then, as if picked up and slammed to the ground, realization dawned. Another married man? Hot humiliation boiled over, igniting nerves throughout her body. “I—I didn’t know. You don’t have a ring. Why didn’t you tell me? I mean you even—”
Kissed me.
“I’m not married, Olivia.”
Her eyes questioned as she struggled to understand.
“I’m not divorced.” He dragged his gaze from hers to stare at the floor. “I’ve never been married.”
“I don’t understand.”
She lightly touched his arm and he looked at her again, resolve in his tone. “Angie is my daughter from a previous relationship. No marriage. No divorce. No wife. No ex-wife. Only a child I love more than life itself.”
She swallowed, hearing but still not comprehending.
“Look, I’m sorry, Olivia. This is not how I intended to tell you. But I have to go. I’ve got to get down there. Now.”
He held her gaze for a moment longer, then turned and headed out the door.
Trembling, she followed him onto the side porch, where she gripped a support post and watched him jog to his SUV. Throw his duffel into the passenger seat. Jerk the door closed. The engine roared to life, then he took off, dust and gravel kicking up behind.
Legs barely holding her up, she leaned into the post, her hands wrapping more tightly around it.
Rob had a child.
Why hadn’t he told her?
Rob stared down at his sleeping daughter. So tiny in the metal-sided bed, tubes and monitors hooked up to her dainty frame. Her leg remained red and swollen where the bee had stung her ankle, but the doctor said she was doing well. That there were no signs of infection thus far. They’d keep her overnight as a precaution because she was so small.
He’d sent his mom home late afternoon, but he didn’t anticipate he’d sleep much tonight in the chair provided for him. He’d already prayed himself out, the rush of adrenaline that accompanied every mile of his trip having gradually subsided once assured of Angie’s safety.
But h
e couldn’t shake the look of shocked confusion in Olivia’s eyes when he’d told her. Not at all the way he’d planned to share such news. He’d intended to take her on a picnic lunch, down by the creek. Show her pictures of Angie. Gauge her reaction. Answer as honestly as he could any questions—or accusations—she might have.
Even under the best of circumstances, telling her risked rejection. All but guaranteed it, in fact. He could now admit to himself that in his prayers, in his daydreams of recent weeks, he’d tried to believe God would work a miracle. That she’d accept him for who he was, failures and all. And accept Angie, too.
But by the look on her face as it drained of color, that wasn’t to be the case. He’d heard it in her trembling voice. Seen it in her wide, troubled eyes. She wouldn’t welcome a call from him tonight. He’d tumbled from the pedestal she’d placed him on so many years ago. Shattered into a thousand irreparable fragments.
From where she sat on the footbridge overlooking the creek, jeans-clad legs dangling over the edge, Olivia gazed at the twilight-lit landscape. One hand on Elmo snuggled up beside her, warming her leg on this coolish evening, she could see through a break in the trees the once-sharp edges of clouds now blended into a soft, inky haze. The whir of a hummingbird passed by in the fading light, catching the pup’s attention. Then silence. A handful of stars glittered in the eastern sector of the sky. And still she waited…
“Don’t You have anything You want to say to me, Lord?” A faint breeze stirred, drying the last of her tears.
Rob has a daughter.
Why hadn’t he told her? And why hadn’t he married the mother of his child? What kind of choice was that? Her mind flashed to the day at Kit’s when she’d commended the young couple for “doing the right thing.” What was it he’d said? Something about it only being the right thing if Aiden and Sally weren’t lousy parents? What did that mean?
She stroked Elmo’s soft coat as her mind flew to the faceless, nameless woman with whom Rob shared a child. What was it about her that enticed him to compromise his once rock-solid beliefs? Lure him over the brink? No. She shook her head, as if to fling that unfair judgment aside. No, it wasn’t right to paint this unknown woman as someone skilled at ensnaring men against their will. Rob was a grown man. He’d made a choice.
But why? And why hadn’t he chosen to marry her?
Listening to the music of the creek as rivulets danced around the worn-smooth stones—the sound that inspired Singing Rock’s name—she replayed in her mind every word he’d said after his mother’s call.
It had been all she could do to keep her mind on her responsibilities throughout the day. Dealing with guests. Going through the motions on autopilot as she’d prayed for the child. For Rob. Would he call? Let her know his daughter was okay?
“Hey, pooch.” Elmo’s ears perked up. “Does a kiss earn the right to barge into his life? Ask questions? Demand answers?”
The pup thrust a wet nose into her hand. Wagged his tail. Pressed more closely against her. She continued to stroke him as she drank in the scent of the creek. Moist foliage. Decaying vegetation. Then she stared again into the infinite heavens, at the stars flung out across the darkening canopy.
“What happened, God? And please don’t tell me he’s another guy who needs prayer and You knew You could count on me to provide it. Couldn’t You have found someone else to do it this time? Why’s it always have to be me?”
Her cell phone rang and she made a grab for it without looking at caller I.D. Almost as if expecting God to speed dial her with His answers.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Olivia.”
Her heart sank. Paulette. Please, God, don’t let us fight about anything. I can’t handle it tonight.
“Have you seen Rob? He’s not answering my calls.”
“He’s out of town.” She didn’t intend to tell her sister more than that. She had to assume she wasn’t the only one in Canyon Springs Rob hadn’t told about his daughter. “Is there something I can help you with? I’m filling in for him.”
“I need to check on cabin availability the second weekend of October. Vern’s parents are coming from Yuma and, to be quite honest, I can’t deal with guests right now.”
“I’m sure there’s a cabin free. You know how demand drops off after Labor Day.” Surely Rob wouldn’t deny her sister a complimentary few nights’ stay for her in-laws if the place wasn’t booked. “I’ll check tomorrow and let you know.”
“Great. They’ll be coming on Friday and leaving Monday.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Get off the line, Paulette. Rob may be trying to call.
“Brandi was whining tonight because she hasn’t heard from you. But thanks for backing off.”
Guilt pierced. Not seeing Brandi hadn’t been intentional. Caught up in Singing Rock responsibilities and her own life’s drama, she had forgotten to call her. Some aunt she was.
“I’d like to spend time with her. Take her shopping or something, if that’s okay.”
“We’ll see.” Paulette’s tone brooked no argument. “Don’t forget the reservation.”
Please, Lord, don’t let my sister smother the life out of Brandi as she’s tried to do to me.
Olivia stuffed the phone into her jacket pocket, remembering how that morning she’d dressed to impress Rob. How her eyes had sparkled back at her in the mirror in anticipation of seeing him again. How she believed, if only for a few hours, that God had opened the door to a long-awaited dream.
Rob had kissed her.
But knowing what she knew now, what did that mean to him? What had he intended it to mean to her?
He had a daughter he’d told her nothing about. Had kept her a secret for weeks. And what was his relationship with the child’s mother? Could marriage still be on the horizon?
If he brought mother and child to Canyon Springs, no way would she stay here, not even as much as she wanted to prove to her parents she wasn’t the irresponsible creature Paulette believed her to be. She wouldn’t hang around to watch Rob and his little family build a happy home at Singing Rock.
But why hadn’t he told her?
Over and over she’d asked herself that question and could come to only two conclusions. She didn’t know Rob McGuire like she thought she had. And he didn’t trust her.
Chapter Fourteen
When he pulled up outside the lodge, he hadn’t expected a welcoming committee. But four days after his emergency run to the Valley, when he drove into the clearing mid- afternoon, the door opened and a handful of chatting women filed out onto the porch. As he parked off to the office side of the building, under the shade of a ponderosa, he spied Olivia among them, looking even more vibrant and beautiful than he’d remembered. Certainly more so than when he’d left her standing there only days ago in bewildered confusion.
A glance into the backseat of his vehicle confirmed Angie was still asleep in her car seat. He rolled down the windows to admit the fresh mountain air, then got out, his ears picking up the female voices ringing clearly from the porch.
“Thanks for lunch and the tour.” A slim blonde with blunt-cut hair motioned to her surroundings. “I’ve lived in Canyon Springs for years and have never been here. The lodge is perfect for our meetings while we await the remodel.”
“You can see, can’t you,” a redhead with lacquered fingernails pointed out, “why I’m intending to talk my husband into renting a cabin when his side of the family descends for the holidays.”
“Don’t forget, the lodge is suitable for a variety of special events.” Olivia cut a mischievous look at the first speaker. “Like a wedding reception, Sandi?”
The blonde blushed and momentarily covered her face with her hands.
“And I see an added attraction.” With a laugh, the red-head nodded toward him as he appr
oached. “Holding out on us, are you, Olivia?”
Not surprisingly, her smiled faltered.
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
Olivia self-consciously motioned toward the blonde. “Rob, I’d like you to meet Sandi Bradshaw soon-to-be-Harding. President of the historical society.”
She must be the fiancée of the firefighter guy his brother-in-law wanted him to join for a men’s Bible study.
“And Cate Landreth. Becky, Fay and Wanda. All members of the Canyon Springs Historical Society. And everyone, this is Rob McGuire, Singing Rock’s—new manager.”
Would she ever be able to say it without stumbling?
The redhead—Cate? He’d heard of her—flashed a troubled look at Olivia. “I thought you’d finally come home to manage the place. Your folks hired someone outside the family?”
He shot a look in Olivia’s direction, but she avoided his gaze. She’d come back to manage Singing Rock?
Cate turned to give him a curious but appreciative once-over, then her eyes glinted with awareness. “Oh, oh, I get it now. This good-lookin’ guy is soon to be a part of the family?”
Her laugh rang out and Olivia’s less-than-happy gaze met his. What could he expect? He wasn’t exactly a prize these days and she knew it. From what he’d heard from his sister, though, the Landreth woman was the bane of Canyon Springs single adults. Poking. Prying. She rivaled the online sites for attempted set-ups. He’d steer clear—but after he rescued Olivia.
He placed a foot on the bottom step of the porch. “Now, Cate, don’t you go scaring Olivia off like that. When a man has a plan, he doesn’t need the local matchmaker jumping the gun and spilling his strategies.”
“Sorry, Mr. McGuire.” Smirking, she turned to Olivia. “Pretend you didn’t hear a word of this, honey.”
The ladies laughed, said goodbyes and headed to their cars. As they drove off, he turned to Olivia, not certain what his reception would be. “Cate’s quite the character, isn’t she?”