by Tina Leonard
“No. I think I know what your feelings for me are.”
He couldn’t possibly know. She didn’t even know herself, not anything she could admit out loud, to him or anyone else. “What do you think my feelings are?”
Justin shrugged. “You don’t trust a relationship enough to allow yourself to fall into one right now. So just about anything I do, anything you feel for me, won’t be enough to change your mind.”
Mackenzie caught her breath. She’d expected anything but his stark assessment—which hit so close to the truth she didn’t know what to say. She watched as he put the chestnut in its stall. “So you’re leaving because of me?”
He came out, peering back in at the horse, who was now munching hay, then turned to face Mackenzie. “Not today, not for a while. But it’s for the best.”
She stared up at him. “I don’t know what to say.”
He touched her face, gently stroking a finger down her cheek. “There’s nothing to say.”
That was also uncomfortably true. Mackenzie nodded. She wished it were different, but he was right. She wasn’t in a place right now to fall headlong in love. She couldn’t allow herself to do it. There were the babies to consider—if she was going to get involved in a relationship, it would be with a man who would be a good father to her daughters—and there was the ranch to think about.
“It’s all right,” Justin said. “I understand more than you think I do. And if you want me to leave sooner, I can. No questions asked.”
She shook her head. “Of course not. You’re an important part of the ranch.”
“I’m training my backup as fast as I can,” he said, his tone a little teasing, but Mackenzie didn’t smile.
“Frog, Sam and Squint are nice and they’re hard workers.” She looked into his eyes. “I’d like to keep you on as long as you’re comfortable staying.”
“I’ll help out until October. That’s when Ty’s planning to hit the road looking for recruits.”
Ty had done this—he’d brought a man here he knew she might find irresistible. When she didn’t fall fast enough, he’d sent three more to sweeten the pot, which had only made Justin seem even more appealing by comparison.
She’d fallen for Justin, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“Can I ask you a question?” Justin said.
“Sure.” She gazed up at him, wondering if it would be any easier to say goodbye to him in a few weeks than it would be today.
It wouldn’t.
“Did you believe any of that silly gossip Suz brought home? That bit about me being married or having a broken heart or something?”
She couldn’t look away from the intensity in his eyes. “I didn’t know.”
“You don’t trust me.” He touched her cheek again. “I’m sorry that you don’t.”
It was true—she’d been upset because she’d been afraid something in the rumors meant that he wasn’t the man he appeared to be. They’d never discussed personal issues—for all she knew, he’d had a love life he didn’t want to discuss. The fear had worried her, slicing into her feelings for him.
She couldn’t deny the gossip had hit her hard. Justin was right: she hadn’t trusted him, hadn’t trusted the lovemaking they’d shared.
After a long look into her eyes, Justin nodded, turned and walked out of the barn.
Mackenzie went back to the house, the babies and the baking, her heart splintered and ragged.
Squint, Frog and Sam were gathered around the babies on the floor, playing with them and gazing up at Suz, who was too busy rolling out dough to pay attention to their adoring looks.
Suz was totally oblivious to the heartsick look on Frog’s—Suz called him Rodriguez only—face. She would never believe he cared about her after she’d seen him out with Daisy. Mackenzie grabbed the basket of cookie cutters and began pressing them into the dough.
“You’re stabbing it,” Suz complained, removing the heart-shaped cookie cutter from her sister’s hand. “It requires a delicate touch, and that’s something you don’t have today. You can press cookies tomorrow when you’re not taking your mood out on the poor dough. You do the sprinkles. And make them colorful and happy, not dark and moody.”
“Moody?” Frog said. “You moody, Mackenzie? How can anyone be moody looking at these little princesses?” He cooed at the babies like a pro. Suz stared down at him, astonished.
“Get up, Rodriguez. You’re making me nervous,” Suz said. “You’re sounding uncomfortably fatherly.”
Mackenzie smiled until she saw Daisy roaring up the drive on her motorcycle. The men jumped to their feet like a food truck had arrived and hustled outside—except for Frog. He stared at Suz, one brow cocked. Mackenzie held her breath.
“Go on,” Suz said. “I know it’s killing you, Rodriguez.”
“What’s killing me?”
Suz put the cookie dough down. “Look. I know they say a girl has to kiss a lot of frogs to find her prince, but I’m not looking for a prince, so you might as well exercise those hunk skills elsewhere.”
Frog looked to Mackenzie, who couldn’t move, didn’t know what to say. After a minute, he shrugged and went out the door.
“What did you do that for?” Mackenzie demanded.
“He was dying to go see Easy Rider,” Suz said flippantly.
“I don’t think so,” Mackenzie said. “Pretty sure you sent him away. Why?”
“Why do you keep pushing Justin away?” Suz slung some cookies into the oven.
“I don’t.” Mackenzie flicked a few sprinkles onto the cookies and wished Suz hadn’t brought that up. “It’s none of my business what Justin does with his time off. You, on the other hand, are definitely being courted. I’m sure of it.”
“Oh, Rodriguez is just a ladies’ man,” Suz began, but the back door flew open and Daisy marched in, waving a fistful of papers.
“These are the signatures of all the people here who don’t want the haunted house reopening,” Daisy announced. “There’s over five hundred, and for a town of two thousand, that’s a quarter of our population.”
“How many fake signatures on that petition?” Suz asked sweetly, snatching the papers from Daisy’s hand.
“All real and verifiable. Not everybody thinks that haunted house did great things for this town. Folks are concerned about the traffic, the parking problems, the trash violations, the pollution, the increase in theft as strangers are drawn here.” She smiled triumphantly. “Some of us want our quiet little town to stay quiet.”
Suz studied the papers. “The first five names on here are just your usual band of rowdies, Daisy. Carson Dare, Dig Bailey, Clint Shanahan, Red Holmes and Gabriel Conyers. Nothing new to see. We’d expect them to back you.”
“Keep reading,” Daisy said, her tone challenging.
Mackenzie took half the papers from her sister to cast an eye over the names. “Monsieur Unmatchmaker?”
Daisy nodded, delighted to let a little air out of Mackenzie’s happy balloon.
“But Cosette is with us,” Mackenzie said. “She was at the meeting yesterday and voted for it.”
“As you know, those two commonly play on opposite sides. It’s what makes their marriage tick.” Daisy admired her nails and sat down on a barstool without asking if she was welcome, which she wasn’t. That wouldn’t matter to Daisy.
Mackenzie’s heart sank as she read over the names, realizing the signatures were legit and recognizing some of the people she’d never imagined might not be supportive of the Haunted H reopening.
Justin walked into the kitchen, and it was as if someone threw a switch in the room and shined a light on Daisy. “Hello, Justin,” she said, crossing her legs to show off smooth skin ending in a sexy pair of white cowboy boots that went perfectly with her carnation-pink sundress.
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p; Justin nodded. “Daisy. Suz. Mackenzie, have you got a second?”
Mackenzie handed the papers back to Suz. “Sure.” She followed him out. “What’s going on?”
“I just got a call from my brother, Jack. He says my father’s in the hospital with a little summer cold that seems to be settling in his lungs. They’re worried enough to call me. Dad’s always been strong as an ox, but apparently he’s asking for me. This time I feel I need to go.”
“I’m so sorry! We’ll be fine here. Don’t worry about a thing.”
He gazed down at her, so strong and handsome her heart beat harder. The first thought that came to her mind was, What if he never comes back?
That was silly. Of course he would.
“Are you leaving today?”
He nodded. “I think it’s best. The guys are going to take me to the airport.”
He was leaving his truck here—a thought Mackenzie found a little comforting. “Can I do anything besides be selfishly hopeful that everything will be fine with your father and that you’ll come back?”
He smiled. Touched her cheek. “I can’t make any promises.”
“I know.” What was she, three years old? She felt needy for even having said it. Justin had mentioned that his father wanted him to take over the family business. If something happened to his father, Justin would have to do what he had to do. “Of course you can’t. What time is your flight?”
“I need to leave now.” He waved toward the window; she saw Rodriguez loading a duffel bag into his truck. “I was able to catch a flight this afternoon.”
It was happening too fast. She tried to think past the sudden realization that the weeks Justin had been at the ranch might be over, felt selfish for even thinking it when he was worried about his father. “Safe travels. I’ll be thinking about your father. And you.”
Justin nodded. “Thanks.”
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but he turned and walked out instead. Mackenzie stood still, waving as they pulled away, Rodriguez driving, Squint and Sam in the back of the cab.
Just like that, Justin was gone.
Mackenzie went back inside. All four babies were wailing up a storm, and the look on Daisy’s face was priceless. Suz ignored the whole scene, blithely rolling dough.
“I guess I’ll go,” Daisy said.
“Now that the guys are gone,” Suz observed icily.
“Now that I’ve explained the situation about how BC really feels about your haunted house,” Daisy said. “Not that I enjoy being the bearer of bad news. Goodness, those babies are loud!”
She shot out the door. Suz dropped her rolling pin and rushed to the babies. “What good girls you are to chase off the wicked witch! Let Aunt Suz kiss you and hug you darling little things!” She scooped up Heather and Hope, and Mackenzie grabbed Haven and Holly.
“Suz,” Mackenzie said, trying not to smile, “did you use my daughters as weapons against Daisy?”
“Darn right!” She kissed the babies’ heads as she grabbed bottles of formula she’d been warming in a bowl of hot water. “Are you nursing?”
“Slowly weaning. Four is just about too much for me, and they seem to appreciate the speed of the bottle.”
“That’s a Hawthorne for you, expediency over everything.” Mackenzie and Suz each grabbed bottles, testing them to see if the chill was off. The babies writhed, wailing unhappily.
“I didn’t let them howl long,” Suz said. “Just long enough to knock the self-righteous smirk off ol’ Daiz’s face and send her skittering out of here like a roach.”
Mackenzie giggled in spite of herself. “A little mean.”
“And effective. So,” Suz said. “Rodriguez texted me that he was taking Justin to the airport. What gives?”
“Family emergency.” It would do no good to worry about Justin; he was a big boy. Still, that was small comfort. “His dad’s fallen ill.”
“He’ll be back,” Suz said confidently. They settled the babies into the carriers on top of the kitchen table, sitting them up, each feeding two babies at a time. “Do you realize you’re going to have to buy four prom gowns at a time? Save for four college educations?”
“They’ll have to work to go to college, of course. But I’ll help them all I can.” Mackenzie smiled at her daughters. “It’s kind of fun to imagine the future.”
“Do you see Justin in that future?”
Mackenzie glanced at her sister. “I’m sort of on a day-to-day schedule in my life right now.”
“Daisy noticed Justin didn’t kiss you goodbye. She was watching, spying like she was in the CIA or something. It was awesome when the babies let it rip because I knew Daisy couldn’t stand not being the center of attention.” Suz giggled. “I was hoping one of them would have a nice pooey diaper to add to the general ruckus, because I just know Daisy’s perfect little nose would have wrinkled up like an accordion.” She looked pleased with the image.
“What difference does it make to Daisy if Justin kissed me or not? Why would he have, anyway?” Mackenzie wasn’t going to admit that she’d been disappointed he hadn’t kissed her, too.
Suz shrugged. “Easy, young ladies. You don’t have to suck down the whole bottle at once.” She took a napkin and dabbed at their chins. “Kind of figures he might want a little sugar for the road.”
Mackenzie had certainly hoped so, and the fact that Daisy had noticed Justin hadn’t kissed her was annoying. “You have my permission to tell Daisy and everyone else in BC that the sugar will be waiting right here for Justin whenever he gets back.”
“I’ll do it,” Suz said, with a mysterious little smile. “You can bet I will.”
Chapter Fifteen
When Justin returned to Bridesmaids Creek two weeks later, he was greeted like a long-lost hero, a virtual rock star in a small town of folks who suddenly knew all about him and his business. And seemed to think he was getting married.
Cosette—Madame Matchmaker—beamed at him, waving him over from her booth in The Wedding Diner. “Justin! You’re back!”
He went to join her, and she practically pulled him into her booth. “My flight got in about two hours ago. I took a taxi out here, thought I might pick up some goodies from Jane.” It had been his intention to eat a hot meal, then head to the Hawthorne spread. If he ate now, he wouldn’t be tempted to grab something from Mackenzie’s kitchen. All of this had seemed like a good idea until he’d been stopped on the sidewalk by so many people inquiring after his father and his family and wondering if he was back for good. And letting him know how very glad they were that he was back.
It was quite suspicious, but it wasn’t until Daisy had sidled up to him and said, “So I hear you’re practically ready to propose to Mackenzie,” that he realized something had gone terribly wrong while he was gone.
“So,” Cosette said, her eyes twinkling. Justin steeled himself, and, sure enough, she didn’t sugarcoat it. “Word is you’ll not be needing my services.”
He sighed. Accepted the cup of coffee Jane Chatham brought him with a nod, wasn’t shocked at all when she pushed Cosette over in the booth and plopped down beside her, her eyes eager.
“Did something happen while I was gone?” Justin asked. If anybody knew what was going on, it was probably these two. “There seems to be a consensus of opinion that I’m looking for a bride.”
Cosette grinned. “We did hear something of the sort.”
Jane nodded. “Yes, we did. What can I get you to eat, Justin? You’ve been gone so long that I’ll be happy to whip you up anything you want. I just know you’re ready for some pot roast and mashed potatoes!”
He was getting the full treatment if Jane wasn’t just going to put whatever she had in the kitchen in front of him. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
She made no move to lea
ve the booth. He sighed.
“I don’t know what happened, but I’m not getting married. Nor do I think the lady in question has any interest, anyway.” He looked at them curiously. “Mind if I ask what got everyone all stirred up? I’ve been asked by about ten people when the wedding is just in the five minutes I was on the pavement outside.”
Cosette grinned. “Suz told us all about it. She said Mackenzie can’t wait for you to get home so she can give you lots of love and affection. That she misses you like a baby misses a tooth!”
Suz. It sort of made sense. “Suz is wrong. And I’m sure Mackenzie’s going to give her what for when she hears what her sister’s been sharing.”
Jane and Cosette looked crushed. “You have no intentions at all?” Jane asked.
He wondered if he was still going to get the pot roast. Or anything at all to eat. “No intentions. I’m betting Mackenzie doesn’t want me to have any intentions. Ladies, she’s been pretty clear that ours is a professional relationship. I’m sure she’s still not thrilled about her ex-husband and not ready to jump into another relationship.” He wasn’t any happier about it than they were, but he understood why Mackenzie wasn’t looking for a new guy in her life.
Cosette and Jane looked so disturbed he knew he’d hit some kind of nerve.
“They weren’t married very long,” Jane said. “Tommy just did not turn out as expected.”
“Yeah, we kind of misfired on that one.” Cosette looked really down about it. “I look forward to the day we can erase that mistake from BC’s books.”
“Tommy was one of your deals? A Madame Matchmaker fix-up? Ty claimed he misfired.”
Cosette and Jane’s faces remained glum.
“Bridesmaids Creek is a family. One for all and all for one, or at least that’s how most of us feel. Anyway,” Cosette said, “never mind. Sorry for poking our noses where they weren’t wanted, especially since we were really off-base. We don’t usually embarrass ourselves this way.”
Jane nodded. “We are the souls of discretion and genteel manners, usually. Sorry about that, Justin.”