It had taken Adam long enough to find where he belonged….

No one—especially not a woman with no ties to family or land—would come between him and the dreams God had called him home to.

Adam didn’t need or want his life turned inside out by a stubborn woman who didn’t believe in promises, or God, or slowing down long enough to see exactly what she was missing. A loner like himself had no business tying anyone else down to his obligations.

Keeping Lisa around in the confines of his lodge was definitely asking for trouble. Regardless of her familial connections or her charming personality, the beautiful drifter couldn’t stay. Wouldn’t, even if he’d be foolish enough to ask her to…

CAROL STEWARD

wrote daily to a pen pal for ten years, yet writing as a career didn’t occur to her for another two decades. “My first key chain said, ‘Bloom where you’re planted.’ I’ve tried to follow that advice ever since.”

Carol, her husband and their three children have planted their roots in Greeley. Together, their family enjoys sports, camping and discovering Colorado’s beauty. Carol has operated her own cake-decorating business and spent fifteen years providing full-time child care to more than one hundred children before moving on to the other end of the education field. She is now an admissions adviser at a state university.

As always, Carol loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at P.O. Box 5021, Greeley, CO 80632. She would also love for you to visit her Web page at http://members.aol.com/csteward37.

This Time Forever
Carol Steward

www.millsandboon.co.uk

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.”

—Mark 6:31

Acknowledgments

I’d like to acknowledge my husband, Dave, and my three 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. Thanks.

And a special thank-you to my editor, Melissa Endlich, for her patience and understanding, and the faith that I would finish this book.

Dedication

To my two Dads: Tom Bohannon and Jack Steward.

Wow, we really miss you!

Contents

Acknowledgments

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

Letter to Reader

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.”

“Pastor Mike had already taken care of it. 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 the pastor waiting.”

Adam chuckled. “Pastor’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 lecture 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.

Pastor 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 the cellular phone 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. “E-mail 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, ticket 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 e-mail, making notes to send a requested article as soon as she reached the bed-and-breakfast. The Internet age had certainly simplified her job.

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

“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 do I get stuck with these assignments? No one will take me 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 expecting 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 whirred.

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.

Meg pulled through the circular drive to the impressive front entrance and shut off the engine. Lisa slid from the seat of the truck and looked around. In the distance a man carrying a huge ax over his shoulder like Paul Bunyan disappeared behind a miniature barn-shaped building.

Lisa lifted her eyebrows. Hmm, this may not be so bad after all. When he appeared again, Lisa was waiting with camera focused. Click…click…click… He propped the ax against a tall evergreen and turned toward her. The man was tall, broad-shouldered and much younger than she’d anticipated. He sauntered closer in long, purposeful strides. The lens cap dangled in the icy breeze, tapping against her hand.

Seconds later the man’s hand pulled the camera away from her face.

“What are you doing?” Lisa yanked it from his hand and snapped the lens cover in place to protect it from any chance of damage. “Excuse me, but this is my camera.”

“And this is my land.” His voice left no room for discussion.

Lisa glanced up again. He had a strong jaw, deep-set eyes and sun bleached brown hair that desperately needed a cut. Nevertheless, he was still one drop-dead handsome cowboy. He crossed his arms over his chest and Lisa felt her heart race. Whispering Pines Guest Ranch. It couldn’t be. “Adam?” She stepped back, confused. “I thought…”

He looked puzzled. He obviously didn’t recognize her from their sisters’ and brothers’ weddings.

“I beg your pardon, ma’am. I don’t believe we’ve met. May I ask what in tarnation you’re doing with that camera?”

Pulling herself together, Lisa extended her hand. This was a professional assignment. Not a family gathering. The backpack slid from her shoulder, and with the flick of his wrist, the stunning proprietor caught it. Lisa lifted it back to her shoulder. “I’m taking pictures….”

“I figured that much out.” His frown deepened. “Question is, why?”

“I’m…” Momentarily, she wasn’t sure who she was, and less sure of what she was doing here. “I’m Lisa Berthoff, Katarina and Emily’s sister.”

One eyebrow lifted. “Lisa?” A look of shock plastered onto his face, Adam tried to regain his composure. “I didn’t recognize you.”

No kidding. “Must be my hair. It was shorter.”

“And…” Adam raised his hands to his hair and awkwardly let them drop again. “Umm…curlier.”

Lisa nodded, remembering. “Yes, it was.” The expense of curling her stubbornly straight hair was a luxury she’d had to go without after the surprise that awaited her return from Kat’s wedding. The changes in her appearance were obviously not improvements from the look on Adam’s face. She had stress to thank for the weight loss. Stress and Dale. Or were the two one and the same? At least her perception had improved since he’d walked out on her. When it came to men, she now had twenty-twenty vision. She’d been blinded by love once, but never again.

Adam stared, speechless.

Mrs. MacIntyre came down the guest house steps and broke the uncomfortable silence. “Lisa? I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Hello, Mrs. MacIntyre. The magazine sent me as a last-minute replacement for the Greens. I’m here to do the write-up on Adam…I mean, on Whispering Pines.”

“Magazine? What magazine?” Adam said.

Ignoring his questions, his mother continued. “Call me Millie, please.” She wrapped an arm around Lisa and looked at her son. “Isn’t this just perfect, Adam, dear? Lisa’s doing your story.” Millie beamed, and her voice was overly enthusiastic, even by Lisa’s estimation. “I can’t wait to tell Elizabeth that you’re here.”

Adam plastered a smile across his face. “Is that so?” Without another word to her, Adam reached for Lisa’s bags in the back of the truck. “Thanks for bringing our guest out, Meg. Have a good weekend.”

“It was my pleasure. Enjoy your stay, Lisa.”

“Thank you, Meg. I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

Adam groaned, but whether it was because of the conversation or the seventy-pound suitcase he was lifting, Lisa wasn’t sure. What did he expect? Her entire life was in these bags.

Adam glanced at his mother, who’d followed Meg to the white sedan in the parking lot across the yard. He turned to Lisa and lowered his voice. “And just to set things straight, Mrs.— Sorry, I didn’t catch your married name.”

Lisa was stunned. Married? What, or who, had given Adam the impression she had married?

“Never mind. Just so you realize, I’m not interested in advertising in any magazine nor am I doing any interview for one.”

Keep your cool, Lisa. You need this job. “Thanks for clarifying that. Good thing I’m not in advertising, then, isn’t it? And just to clear up one more thing…” She hated to add to his problems, whatever they might be, but she believed in honesty. “I’m not married.”

“Great. Just great,” he said, then took off across the flagstone walk, mumbling.

Millie’s voice startled Lisa. “Oh, dear. Look at the time.” Adam’s mom smiled at Lisa then climbed into the truck, calling sweetly to Adam as he closed the distance between himself and the front door of the house. “Don’t count on me for dinner tonight. I’m having dinner with Mr. Miller. Why don’t you catch Lisa up on all the family news?” She turned the key and revved the engine. “Don’t pay any attention to his grumbling, Lisa. He’ll be fine soon. I’m sure of it. I’ll look forward to visiting with you tomorrow.”

“That would be nice. I’ll see you then.” Adam’s mother headed down the hill and across the quaint bridge to the small Victorian-style house tucked behind the winter-bare tree branches. Lisa let out a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. With a sigh of determination, she ran up the log steps, in search of the very handsome, impatient and presumably still-single bed-and-breakfast owner. She was going to set things straight, once and for all.

Chapter Two

Adam heard the door close downstairs, followed by a thump, then a muffled voice and…giggles? He dropped Lisa’s luggage in the middle of the floor and ran out of the room.

He didn’t have any doubt what had caused the calamity. His brother’s idea of a bachelor’s perfect birthday gift—a Newfoundland-mix puppy.

“To-by!” Taking the log stairs two at a time, Adam arrived at the front door to find Lisa flat on the ground with his overgrown puppy giving her kisses. Lisa’s laughter did nothing more than encourage the dog. Adam grabbed Toby’s collar and hauled the one-hundred-pound pup off her.

“Toby, sit!” Adam didn’t take the time to lead the animal to a designated location; he just hoped Toby would sit somewhere and quit causing trouble. He extended his arm to help Lisa up, instantly reminding him of his unwelcome reaction to her delicate hand in his a few minutes earlier. “Are you okay?”

Accepting Adam’s hand, Lisa jumped up off the floor and untwisted her camera strap. “I’m fine.” With a soft chuckle, she wiped Toby’s kisses from her cheek. “Now that’s what I call a warm welcome.”

Adam stepped back and released her hand. “Please accept my apology. I haven’t had much time to train him.”

“Looks like you’re going to have your hands full.” Brushing dirt and dog hair off her black sweater and leggings, Lisa turned toward Toby, positioned her camera, clicked the shutter, then snapped the cover back onto the lens.

She looked different than she had at his oldest brother’s wedding a year ago. And it was more than the chic hairstyle. He didn’t remember Lisa being so thin. She was still as pretty, but something was definitely different. Still…how could he have not recognized her?

“Good thing I like dogs. Never had one of my own, but…” She smiled at Toby. “Who can resist falling in love with an adorable face like his?”

That was enough to set the dog in motion again, still trailing the remnants of his third leash, aka teething rope, behind him. Before Adam could stop Toby, he was on his hind legs and in her face again. This time, Adam sprang forward in time to catch Lisa. With one arm firmly around her small waist, unwelcome feelings returned. Adam struggled to find his voice. “That’s it, Toby. Outside!”

As Adam helped Lisa regain her footing, he felt his anger turn from the energetic dog toward Elizabeth for getting him into this mess.

He’d had no idea his sister was serious about advertising in a national magazine. Where did she think they were going to come up with that kind of money? And even if they had the money, why would he be willing to let anyone do any kind of a story on himself? Especially right now, with this deadline looming ahead of him. With the winter they’d had, he was now weeks behind schedule.

He stepped away to take the dog outside.

“Ouch!” Lisa fell backward against him. “Wait, my hair’s caught on something.”

Adam again offered his support while struggling to see what had happened. Lisa grabbed her hair and tugged, also yanking the button of his shirt.

“Hold on a minute,” Adam said, steadying her. He gently fanned her hair, releasing a faint scent. He inhaled again. Trying to ignore how good she smelled and the feel of her silky hair, he untangled a few strands at a time.

He was used to the well-meaning grandmothers at the church trying to play matchmaker, but his own family? When had everyone decided he needed company out here? And how in the world had Elizabeth pulled off bringing his brothers’ single sister-in-law here under the pretense of business?

He’d been suspicious when the unmarried interior decorator showed up to help with the lodge, but finally convinced himself it was a coincidence. Then when he figured out the Sweetheart Festival coordinator was also available, he began to smell a skunk. Now Lisa. He couldn’t believe his own brothers and sisters would stoop to such levels.

He was obviously wrong.

Didn’t much matter now. Faced with this awkward situation, Adam realized the first step was to get Lisa out of here before this got any more out of hand.

He couldn’t deny that Lisa was a looker, from her bright blue eyes to her classy dismissal of his pet’s poor behavior.

He instinctively smoothed her hair. “There, I think that’s it.”

Lisa turned around within the confines of his embrace, and for an instant, Adam forgot he wanted nothing to do with this woman who wanted to dig into his life.

She tipped her head back, her gaze meeting his, furthering the temptation to ignore exactly why she was here. Her cheeks turned a healthy pink. What am I thinking? She’s family.

Her voice was gentle and soft, yet confident at the same time. “Thanks. If you wouldn’t mind telling me where my room is, then you can get back to what you were doing before I arrived.”

Her comment stopped him in his tracks. As if she knew what he was thinking, one corner of her mouth hinted at a smile. Before she came…what was I doing? Adam released her, content that Lisa and her beautiful smile were now safe from his puppy’s affections.

And his.

This wasn’t the time to tell the eager photojournalist she was wasting her time here. He’d tell her that later, over dinner. Once he’d calmed his nerves and collected his thoughts.

“Up the stairs, third door on the right. If you need anything, I’ll be out back.”

He reached out to help with her coat, an amazingly sensible choice for a sophisticated city girl.

“Thanks.” She backed away, then turned and nearly tripped up the first step.

From the corner of his eye, he watched her climb the stairs, kicking himself for torturing himself so. He shook his head. I’ve got too many things to do as it is without an attractive woman to distract me. “Dinner will be ready at six sharp.”

“Fine, I’ll see you then,” she said cheerfully.

When she was well out of earshot he muttered, “Everything was fine, before you showed up.”

“Boy, that was telling him, Lisa. ‘Set him straight once and for all,’” she mimicked her own words as she walked down the hall. “What’s gotten into me?” She framed her warm face with her cool hands. “Adam MacIntyre is no more than an assignment. An assignment I can’t afford to botch.”

Lisa turned into the third room on the right and found her luggage in the middle of the floor. She glanced at the window and forced herself to ignore the sound of Adam chopping wood. Without thinking, Lisa moved her clothes into the beautifully refurbished oak dresser and set a fresh outfit on the dusty blue plaid bedspread. The six-foot-high mission-style headboard matched the frame of the vanity mirror. A pair of armchairs and a table sat in front of the window.

The rhythmic sound outside was like a lariat around her, pulling her toward the bay window. She eased the coordinating tab-top curtains open, feeling like a teenager peeking at the boy next door. I thought it was just the tux. I never dreamed Adam would be this handsome in everyday clothes.

Toby was tied to a fence post, well out of danger from flying wood. And wood was flying. Each swing of Adam’s ax went straight through to the stump below. He neatly stacked the split logs, then repeated the motions.

She recalled Adam’s strong arms guarding her from the playful pup. His fingers gently untangling her stringy hair from the button of his shirt. She felt her cheeks flush again and forced away thoughts of romance. She was here to do a job. Nothing more.

Adam was the subject. She was the journalist. Oil and water. And the two did not mix. Lisa had learned that lesson long ago, along with a few others. There wasn’t time to meet, let alone develop, any sort of meaningful relationship when your life was on the road.

That was what had drawn her to Dale. They were both wanderers—lured by adventure for nothing more than adventure’s sake. They were a team. He was the photographer, she the journalist. Now she was both. Alone and on her own.

Which was just the way Lisa liked it. It was much less painful that way. She’d come too far in the past year to let anything or anyone slow her down. Especially not the last available MacIntyre brother. Nothing against her sisters’ husbands, but she wasn’t interested in making the Guinness Book of World Records for most sisters to marry into the same family.

Now she knew why they’d been so anxious for her to come visit. It had nothing to do with seeing them. They wanted to set her up with Adam. Nice try, gals.

Francie’s words taunted. “Romantic Getaways. Loveland. Valentine’s Day—get it?” Lisa again admired Adam. “Gullible and naive—that’s me.” How had Emily and Katarina managed to convince her editor to arrange this?

To Francie’s credit, she had been there when Lisa was at her lowest. She’d been a friend when Lisa was trying to pick up the pieces of her life and struggling to find work. Francie didn’t give up hope that the managing editor would find a place for Lisa on the staff. The woman was a dreamer. Lisa was a realist. It would never happen. But Lisa didn’t care. She wasn’t quite ready to forego traveling anyway.

Not even her sisters understood Lisa’s career choice. Of all people, she’d thought they would understand.

Emily had broken her engagement to pursue her desire to become a doctor. Yet after eight years apart, Emily had her career, the man she’d left behind and two adorable children.

Katarina had turned down a lucrative business offer in order to keep her own dream alive. An answer to her prayer, according to Katarina. She had spent the past year expanding production of her exclusive doll designs. She was now happily married, CEO of a successful company and soon to be a new mother.

Yes, every dream has its price. Lisa’s happened to mean constant traveling, digging up stories and hoping each assignment would be the one to open her own door to success. Opportunity rarely knocked more than once in this business. She had to be ready when that time came.

Lisa took a deep breath and gazed into the purple and fuchsia sky. In the distance she could see the very top of a sawlike ridge silhouetted against the fading sunset. All around, trees and red rock formations added to the allure of the remote ranch. Lisa didn’t need to wonder what motivated Adam to stay here. Even in the middle of a dry winter, it was beautiful.

Secluded.

Peaceful.

Comforting.

Yes, a place like this could grow on a person—enough to bring one back after years in the city. She smiled at the immediate warmth she’d felt for Adam’s mother. According to Meg, Millie Carter was lured away by love, and drawn home for the same reason. She’d grown up on this ranch, and it was no surprise that Whispering Pines had called her back.

Despite Millie’s kindness, something his mother had done obviously wore Adam’s patience thin. To Adam’s defense, Lisa knew it had to be difficult to have a life of his own with his family living so near. Had he, too, been lured away from Whispering Pines for love? And what had brought him home?

Being the youngest child, she wondered if Adam hadn’t yet cut the apron strings, or if he felt obligated to take care of his mother after his father’s death. From personal experience, she knew how difficult that last child leaving home was on a mother, especially a single mother.

Her stomach growled and Lisa looked at her watch—5:40. She barely had time to freshen up. Adam had stopped chopping wood and was probably preparing supper, just daring her to be late.

Chapter Three

Lisa rushed through the great room in search of the kitchen, hoping Adam wouldn’t notice the time. Following the distinct aroma of sautéed onions, she found him.

She paused silently to admire the damp-haired, barefoot cowboy again. Adam looked as much at ease in the kitchen as he had outside chopping wood. The navy blue T-shirt stretched across his powerful shoulders and the Levi’s hugged his slim hips perfectly. Where’s the camera when I need it?

“Evening. Beautiful sunset, wasn’t it? Of course, probably doesn’t compare to those you’ve seen.” Without looking up, he knew she was there.

There was no hope of denying she’d been watching him, as he’d obviously seen her at the window and already made his own assumptions. “Yes, it was. When my editor called this morning, I wasn’t very pleased that I had to miss a photo shoot of the Pacific, but tonight, I have no regrets. Colorado’s sunsets are truly among the most beautiful in the nation.”

“A mover and a shaker. One day here, there the next,” he snapped. “If God had meant for such a frantic pace, He wouldn’t have created such beautiful sights to be appreciated.”

Lisa didn’t understand what had upset Adam, but she couldn’t afford to let it continue—she needed this story. Lisa glanced again at her watch. She was only five minutes late. Surely that wasn’t what he was mad about. Nevertheless she apologized.

“No problem.”

The lack of conversation echoed through the room as Adam worked, whisking the white sauce to a velvety smooth texture. He combined onions, white sauce, potatoes and chunks of soft cheese in silence.

“Can I help?”

He sprinkled seasonings into the pan and shook his head. “It’ll be ready in a minute.”

“Listen, Adam, I don’t know what I’ve done to trouble you. I’m here to do a job, which I hope ends up helping you as well as myself. Is there a problem?”

He set two soup mugs by the stove. “Liz suggested advertising in a national magazine. I didn’t approve of the idea then, and to be honest, I still don’t.”

Perplexed, Lisa shook her head and leaned against the counter across from him. “Why don’t we start at the beginning? First of all, this isn’t an advertisement, it’s an article. Secondly, I received an assignment this morning which called me away from the beauty of the Pacific Ocean—migrating whales, white-capped waves, deep blue water.” She paused, realizing her sisters couldn’t have had anything to do with her coming here. “I left a personal trip to do this article, and you’re telling me you don’t know a thing about it? Nor do you want it done at all?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

His remorseful gaze met hers and she was struck with a sudden unexpected longing to make Adam understand how important this was to her. In her life, this was more than just another stop. It was a chance to start over. In Adam’s, it was a major interruption to the peace and quiet he took for granted.

“I’m sorry, Lisa. I’m sure there’s something more important for you to cover than a small-town guest ranch’s grand opening.” He looked away. “Truth is, it’s not a good time. As you can see, this place is nowhere near ready for a celebration, let alone impressive enough for national exposure.”

Lisa looked at the empty diagonal wood-plank walls, the bare windows, the kitchen cabinets waiting for knobs. “We don’t have to focus on the kitchen. My suite looked beautiful. Coordinating towels and bedding, gorgeous antiques—”

“Your room is the only one finished,” he interrupted. “Apparently my mother was expecting you.”

Was she imagining the emphasis he’d put on the word you? Was he upset that she was assigned to the story? “No, Adam, your mother may have been expecting the Greens, but I didn’t even know I was coming until this morning,” Lisa insisted. “And I had no clue it was to your ranch.” She leaned over the counter and sniffed the homemade soup. Her eyes drifted closed with contentment. “The timing couldn’t be more perfect. What could be more romantic than a February grand opening in Loveland, Colorado?”

“Romantic? Who said anything about romance?” Adam ripped open a pouch of saltines and dumped them into a small basket, then chopped through the chunk of cheese as if it, too, had done something wrong. “What magazine are you with, anyway?”

“I’m a freelancer. I don’t work for anyone exclusively.” Why did that sound so much more impressive than it was in reality? “This is for a bed-and-breakfast magazine.”

“Number one…I own a guest ranch, not a B and B.”

“That’s okay. The column is on romantic getaways. There’s no need to refer to bed-and-breakfast.”

“Number two…it’s not a romantic getaway. It’s a guest ranch. You know, horses, cows, rustic.” Adam pulled a stainless-steel ladle from the hook over the stove and filled the two mugs. “I hope you like potato soup. It’s my specialty.”

Not exactly welcoming, but it was most likely as close as she would get right now. “You’re in luck. I love it. How can I help?”

After an obvious pause, Adam said, “Glasses are in that cupboard. I’ll take water, but there’s also milk and iced tea in the refrigerator if you’d prefer.” He picked up the small cutting board with the cheese on it and headed through the alcove. “We’ll eat in the dining room.” Adam disappeared and an instant later, light filtered through the doorway.

Lisa filled the glasses and set the drinks on the table. Adam carried baskets of crackers and rolls in one hand and the plates in the other. In a few minutes, Lisa and Adam were seated at the smallest table in the sparsely furnished room. Adam said a prayer, then jumped up and turned the lights brighter. She smiled inside. It didn’t matter to her, in either dim light or bright, Adam was the epitome of “tall, dark and handsome” and looked nothing like his fair-haired brothers.

Adam became increasingly quiet.

Lisa took a spoonful of the thick soup, trying to erase her rampant thoughts. This was a business trip, not some romantic escape, and the best way to convince him of that would be to stick to the assignment. “So, tell me what you want this article to say about Whispering Pines.”

He stared into his soup as he crumbled the saltines over the top. “Which part of ‘no’ do you not understand?”

She set down her spoon and looked Adam in the eye. “I hear it. I just don’t believe it. We’re talking national exposure, Adam. Do you realize the magnitude of that?”

He leaned back in his chair, a puzzled look on his face. “Maybe I’m hearing and not quite believing it, Lisa. The family was sitting around one night after working on the landscaping, trying to come up with ideas to promote the place.” He paused, as if thinking through the conversation. “I’d been knee-deep in renovations and worrying about the balloon payment on the construction loan. Advertising was out of the question. Especially in a national magazine. Elizabeth mentioned some contest…”

“That was for the most romantic getaway, but the actual contest is over. It was so popular they’ve decided to make America’s Most Romantic Getaways a monthly feature. Actually, I believe this will be in the bridal issue.”

“The what?” His jaw fell open. He dropped his fist on the table, clanging the dishes. Adam rambled on as if this were the end of the world. “Besides, who’d have thought a half-built lodge would get any attention?” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “She didn’t mention it again, and I thought the subject was dead.”

Lisa laughed, ignoring his scowl. “In a town named Loveland? Who’d have ever imagined? You should put her in charge of your PR, if you haven’t already.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I have enough trouble keeping my sisters at bay lately. I don’t want the publicity—especially not as some romantic getaway.”

Panic coursed through her. “What better way to bring in business than with free exposure?” She paused. “The only thing this costs you is putting up with me for a few days. And if that’s a problem, I’m sure my sisters wouldn’t mind company.”

“That’s not a problem, though I’m sure your sisters would love to see you. I’m sorry I’ve made you feel unwelcome, but I don’t think I can be of much help with your story right now.” Adam took another bite. “Maybe you could come back in the summer?”

“I can mention that to my editor, but I don’t think they’ll go for it…to be quite honest.” Lisa watched his strong hand lift the comparably tiny spoon to his mouth, picturing herself behind the camera, capturing every nuance of this man’s character.

Where God closes a door, he opens a window. Her optimistic sister’s words slapped her in the ego—again. In your life, maybe, but not mine.

Adam cleared his throat. “Mom mentioned some couple coming for the week, but I never thought…” He’d never in his wildest dreams imagined Lisa would spend a week at his ranch. As strong as the attraction had been a year ago, he’d managed to keep a tight rein on his emotions. She’d been seeing someone at the time, and he’d had a huge project to complete. In the thirteen months since Alex and Katarina’s wedding, not a word had been said about that ridiculous bouquet, or getting the two of them together.

Still, he couldn’t just kick Lisa off the ranch. No matter how badly he wanted to. She was practically a relative.

As if she read his mind, she became silent. The twinkle in her bright blue eyes disappeared. “I’m sure you’ve had a very long day, Adam. Why don’t we put the article aside for tonight?” She took a spoonful of soup and a slice of cheese. “Tell me what you’ve been up to since the wedding.”

Lisa had emptied her bowl by the time he’d quit talking about the vast construction project. Despite the fact that he’d deliberately made the year sound as mundane as possible, a sparkle of admiration returned. Eyes like hers could make a weak man sell his soul to the tabloids without one regret.

“So, you’re a talented craftsman, an industrious businessman and a great cook, too. The soup was delicious.”

“Thanks. Would you like more?” Adam pushed his chair away from the antique oak table, anxious to put some space between them.

“I’d love some, thanks. Where’d you learn to cook?” She stood and walked into the kitchen with him.

Adam watched her refill her soup mug, noting similarities between Lisa and each of her sisters. Like Emily, she hadn’t let her underprivileged childhood keep her from dreaming. And like Katarina, Lisa overflowed with enthusiasm and creativity. He’d seen her work in several magazines.

He tore his gaze from her as she disappeared into the dining room, recalling her question. Realizing that every word he said played right into her hand, he held back. “My dad liked to cook. I guess I got it from him.”

“Oh? Do Kevin and Alex cook, too?” she asked as she peeked around the corner, her eyes wide with curiosity.

And like both sisters, she was what any man would consider attractive. Adam wondered about her life, constantly on the move. “Alex does. Kevin can’t boil water.” Turning the conversation around, he asked, “You still living out of a suitcase, or have you found a place to call home? Between assignments, that is.”

“I’ve been too busy to settle down.”

Did he detect a note of sadness in her remark? “I guess that’s good in your business, right?”

She hesitated. “I can’t complain. It pays the bills.” Lisa took another spoonful of soup.

He nodded. “Don’t you ever miss going home? Sinking into your own bed? Eating a home-cooked meal?”

She looked at him as if he were speaking a foreign language. Or at the very least, as if he’d asked her to spill some deep dark secret.

Lisa held up the soup mug. “I am eating a home-cooked meal. I’m in a beautiful home, and the company isn’t bad, either.” Her pink lips turned up stiffly at the corners. “Don’t you ever long to see all those wonderful sights to be appreciated out in this vast world?” Her voice softened. “Don’t you wonder if you’re in the right place, doing the right thing?” It cracked. “Don’t you ever just want to take off and avoid all this responsibility?”

Now it was his turn to look at her as if she were from another world. He couldn’t believe the regret he felt, exposing the pain he heard in her soft voice. “My roots are in this soil, and I’ll do everything it takes to keep them planted right here. The last thing I want is to disrupt the peace with chaos of the outside world. I thank God every day for taking me out of the corporate world and bringing me home.”

“How nice.” She stood up, cleared her place and took her dishes to the kitchen.

Her icy response instantly made him recall Kat and Emily’s concern about their little sister’s hurried life and Lisa’s distance from God. He winced. This wasn’t going well at all.

“Adam, it’s been a very long day. I think I’ll call it a night.”

“I didn’t mean to say anything to offend you, Lisa.” He wanted to reach out to her, to take his words back, or at the very least, have the chance to ease their discomfort. “I promise it won’t—”

Without turning around, she said, “Don’t bother, Adam. Promises mean nothing to me. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Chapter Four

Adam locked the front door, ready to put the day behind him. He needed sleep. It looked as if tomorrow would be another long day.

He turned around, greeted by the coat rack. Lisa’s coat instantly reminded him of how nice she had felt in his embrace. She was tempting as homemade apple pie—a perfect mixture of sweet and tart.

What was he thinking? He hadn’t as much as been on an official date in three years. And if he planned to see someone, a woman who spent her life on the road would not be the one for him.

Lisa had a portfolio full of dreams, and enough talent to make them come true. Despite the challenges of her early years, she, like her sisters, had stomped on the restrictions their meager background could have inflicted on them. Each one had set goals and never gave up until she reached them.

Adam closed the door between the lodge and his private quarters, the modest ranch house his grandparents had built in the early forties. Climbing the narrow stairs to the attic bedroom, Adam found it odd to think he had his first guest staying in his new lodge. Even more perplexing that it was Lisa.

He spent half the night awake, wondering how to protect his heart from the unwelcome woman at the tip of Cupid’s arrow. Despite recent efforts by many well-meaning friends and relatives, no woman had caught his eye since Alex and Katarina’s wedding. He and Lisa had spent the better part of the blizzard sipping hot chocolate and telling stories about their brothers and sisters. He immediately discovered Lisa wasn’t an easy woman to get to know. She didn’t like talking about herself, her accomplishments or her feelings.

Why the drifter had made such an impression on him, he wasn’t sure. It was more than her looks, as there were plenty of good-looking women in his life. With each tidbit he picked up about the youngest Berthoff sister from his brothers, Adam realized he stood a better chance of surviving a stampede than he did falling in love with Lisa. She wasn’t his type. Wanderlust was in her blood, and he was more than content in his own corner of the world.

Lisa was a journalist. Her job came first. After all, that’s why she was here. She hadn’t come to see him, or even her sisters. It was a story she was after. A story about a romantic getaway. That means big trouble for the ranch, and me.

It had taken him long enough to find where he belonged, and he’d be sure that no one—especially not a woman with no ties to family or land—came between him and the dreams God had called him home to.

Adam didn’t need or want his life turned inside out by a stubborn woman who didn’t believe in promises, or God, or slowing down long enough to see exactly what she was missing. A loner like himself had no business tying anyone else down to his obligations.

Keeping Lisa around in the confines of his lodge was definitely asking for trouble. Regardless of her familial connections or her charming personality, the beautiful drifter couldn’t stay. Wouldn’t, even if he’d be foolish enough to ask her to.

While he wouldn’t exactly call his ranch secluded, it was a far cry from the hub of activity Lisa was accustomed to. Just yesterday, she had started her day with plans of whale-watching, and by the end of the day she was in Colorado to write a totally different story on a bed-and-breakfast. The world was her playground, and this ranch was his world.

While his brothers had followed in their father’s footsteps of the construction business, Adam had counted the years, just waiting for the day his parents would let him spend summers helping his grandparents run the ranch. Now he had that chance. Whispering Pines was all he had to remember his grandparents by and he would do everything within his power to maintain the legacy they had left behind.

This was his dream. His destiny. His calling. And if he couldn’t make a go of the guest ranch, his cousin would be more than happy to put his own name on the deed. Chance had offered to buy the MacIntyre cousins out in the very beginning, and still did on a regular basis. At the going price of land in the area, and the rate of population growth, they all knew their opportunistic cousin probably had investors lined up to divide and develop the entire ranch.

Lisa’s mission stirred up fears and shadows, from the list of unfinished detail work, to decorating the place, to the warning that mixing business and romance was a lethal combination. While it helped that he knew Lisa’s family, trusting any woman with his business image would always bring back caustic memories of all that Amelia’s betrayal had cost him.

As usual, all it took was one inkling of a reminder of that dark time in his life to ruin the entire night’s rest. He tossed and turned, barely catching a wink of sleep before he heard the alarm clock’s dutiful “cock-a-doodle-doo.” Back to work.

Adam stepped into the house a few hours later, followed by a chilling gust of wind. To his surprise, Lisa was sitting by the window enjoying a cup of coffee, reading the morning newspaper, seemingly oblivious to the vehicles driving up the lane. “You think the entire family can convince me to go along with this?”

Minutes earlier Adam had seen Kevin’s SUV pull through the Whispering Pines gate, followed by Alex’s truck. If his brothers were coming to work, they’d have driven out in one vehicle, which meant this was a family visit, not business.

She looked up from the paper. “Good morning to you, too. Now what have I done?”

Without a word, Adam pointed out the window. “Face it. This idea of my sister’s backfired. End of subject. You may as well take your matching set of luggage and head on down the road to the next golden opportunity.” He pulled a mug from the cupboard and poured a cup of coffee.

“You’re even crankier than usual this morning. Didn’t you sleep well? I suppose that’s my fault, too.” Lisa took a sip of coffee and turned back to her newspaper.

As a matter of fact, it is.

She glanced out the window, then stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “Adam, I didn’t call anyone. I wasn’t sure I’d even be here long enough.”

“You’re right about that.” He lifted the mug to his mouth. “You’d like me to believe the whole family just happened to show up out of the blue on a Saturday morning?” Without thinking, he took a drink.

“That’s hot. Be—” she winced “—careful.”

He spit the coffee back into the mug before he realized what he was doing. “Phew.”

He set the mug on the counter and opened the freezer. He dropped two ice cubes into the steaming brew. “I should have known. I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing, I guess.” From the feel of his burned tongue, it would be a long while before he’d make the same mistake.

“Believe what you want about my sisters, Adam. I had nothing to do with it.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why they’re here, but I can’t think of a better way to prove my innocence to someone as…as…bullheaded as you.”

He walked closer with quick, long, purposeful strides. Adam cocked his head questioningly. “Bullheaded? You sure you don’t want to add cad to that? If my memory serves me correctly, that was the word of choice at the church after Kat and Alex’s wedding. You sure you don’t want to come up with a few more names for me?” The words slipped from his mouth before he thought about the implication, that he’d been thinking of that darned bouquet.

Lisa folded the newspaper and neatly put it back into the copper boiler next to the small Franklin stove heating the kitchen. “I think that will do fine for now. Given time, I’m sure I could come up with a few more that fit your sour disposition.”

Thankful that she hadn’t seemed to catch his slip, Adam returned to the entry. He slid the heel of his cowboy boot into the wooden boot jack and tugged first one foot, then the other from the fitted leather.

“It’s no wonder you’re still an eligible bachelor if you’re always this charming,” she muttered.

“I heard that, and I couldn’t be happier.” Adam stood at the doorway to the great room and waited. “Must be all that running that makes you so miserable.”

Car doors slammed on the opposite side of the lodge, and Adam returned to the coffeemaker, pausing long enough to add a spot of hot coffee to the overly cooled liquid. “Come on.” He nodded his head toward the front door.

“Whatever makes you think I’m miserable?” Lisa’s feet were planted to the oak floor, her arms crossed.

“Later. Right now, we have bigger fish to fry. And you’re not getting out of this one.” Adam caught her by the elbow and firmly escorted her to the front oom to wait for their guests.

Lisa pulled her arm from his grip. “What has you so worried, Adam? This story…?” Lisa sank into the leather sofa with her back to the door and stared defiantly at him. “Or did you tell someone that we caught that bouquet? I thought that was our secret.”

He set his cup of coffee down on the marble coffee table with a crash, spilling hot liquid on his hand. He muttered under his breath. “I didn’t tell a soul. As for the story, Liz sent the paperwork, I didn’t. This is a bad time, is all.”

Lisa crossed her arms over her chest.

His voice faltered and he narrowed his eyes in warning. “Don’t look at me that way.” He pulled a couple of tissues from the box on the mantel and wiped up the spilled coffee, then tossed them into a wicker trash can as the doorbell rang.

“Yoo-hoo! Adam? Anyone home?”

Despite his chilling glare, Lisa kept her back to the door and remained silent.

He was minimally surprised that she didn’t back down. Not that he should be. After all, he’d heard stories from his brothers of how stubborn her sisters were. Why should this Berthoff woman be any different?

Adam glanced at the houseguest, then to her sisters, who didn’t seem to notice Lisa sitting on his sofa. He was surprised to see Susan and Elizabeth had also arrived while he and Lisa were arguing.

“What’s the big emergency?” Alex asked as he helped the very pregnant Katarina take her coat off.

“Emergency?” Adam echoed.

Kevin took Alissa from her car seat while Emily showed Ricky where to put his wet snow boots.

After a quick “Hi, Uncle Adam,” Susan’s boys grabbed hold of Ricky and ran directly to the private family room to play with Adam’s stash of old toys. “Mom called and said we all needed to be here in an hour. What’s so important that you had to wake us all at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning?”

Susan, Elizabeth and their husbands shared their annoyance at the early beckon to rush right over.

The door opened once more, and Millie strolled inside with a smile on her face. “Morning, everyone. How about some warm muffins fresh out of the oven?”

The room hushed to an eerie silence.

All eyes were on Adam. He raised his hands in front of him. “Don’t look at me. This isn’t my doing.”

Lisa stood and turned around, diverting the attention away from him. “Hi, everyone.” Her bright clear blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Lisa’s sisters screamed as they made their way over to greet their youngest sister. Emily hugged Lisa and held her at arm’s length. “I didn’t even recognize you. You’re so thin….”

Katarina nudged Emily aside and took her turn for a hug. “You look wonderful, Lisa. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you call?”

Alex glanced at Adam with a puzzled look, and Kevin, still holding his curly-haired toddler, gave Adam the thumbs-up, then took his daughter over to meet her long-lost aunt. The toddler immediately grabbed a handful of Lisa’s silky blond hair.

Adam caught Susan shrugging her shoulders as Elizabeth asked why they’d been called over for a Berthoff family reunion.

“Lisa, why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Emily’s smile and question were genuine.

“I didn’t know. It was a last-minute assignment. I just arrived last night.” Lisa smiled at the child, seemingly wary of frightening the child. “I meant to call. I just ran out of time.” Her voice was soft, and she covered her eyes, playing peekaboo with Alissa. The toddler giggled, then hid her face in the crook of Emily’s neck.

He had no more doubts that Lisa was right. This time his paranoia was getting the best of him. Too much time spent trying to avoid Cupid’s arrow, he guessed. The fact that the festival coordinator had managed to dub Adam and herself as host and hostess for the masquerade probably didn’t help right now.

With their niece in her arms, Lisa made her way through the crowd to him. “Now are you convinced?”

“Point made,” he grumbled, giving Alissa a raspberry on her baby-soft neck. The toddler instantly dove into his waiting hands. “It still doesn’t mean I want to be a part of your magazine.”

Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “The magazine? You mean, we—we’re going to be featured? Really?”

Lisa’s eyes brimmed with mischief. “Not if your brother doesn’t stop being so obstinate.”

Adam felt his face turning red. “I never dreamed you were serious, Liz. You might have warned me. Who would have thought an unfinished lodge would stand a chance? Especially as a romantic bed-and-breakfast.”

Elizabeth winced at her brother’s raised voice. “You’ve opened Grandma and Grandpa’s house to others as if it were a bed-and-breakfast since the day you moved in, Adam. If adding a touch of romance can help us keep the ranch in the family, isn’t it worth considering?”

“Not only does my brochure not mention bed-and-breakfast or romance, but we’re not even open yet. Didn’t you have to send testimonials or something?”

While the others laughed, Elizabeth immediately defended herself. “I sent your brochure as is without one change. Remember, romance is a matter of personal opinion. As for customer recommendation, you shouldn’t be surprised that your friends gave you wonderful reviews. Admit it, Adam, this was a great idea.”

He had to remember, though he held the majority of the interest in Whispering Pines, he couldn’t forget that he wouldn’t be standing in this spacious guest house without the help of his family. Kevin and Alex had donated their time and talent on the lodge construction, Elizabeth and her husband, Kirk, had offered not only financial backing, but business insight, as well. Susan and Mike had donated manual labor to the project each weekend. And without his mother’s encouragement, Adam never would have had the courage to tackle the project at all.

“Why don’t we have some muffins and juice?” Millie suggested. “I see Adam has coffee made.”

The conversation eventually drifted away from the article, but not before Liz made arrangements to come back later in the day to visit with Lisa and show her around the ranch. After serving refreshments, Adam’s mom and sisters left, leaving only Lisa’s family.

While the women visited, Adam, Alex and Kevin discussed unfinished details on the lodge. When they returned, Emily and Katarina had already bundled the little ones in their coats and were ready to leave. “We’ll see you both at church in the morning, right?”

Adam looked directly at Lisa, waiting for her response. “Your sister’s welcome to join us.”

Before Lisa could reply, Katarina waddled over to give Adam a hug. “It’s settled, then. Sunday dinner will be at our house this week. Emily’s on call.”

Lisa took her coat from the hook and followed them out the door. He watched her hug everyone goodbye, then walk around the side of the lodge with Toby.

Standing alone in the foyer, Adam said, “I’d sure like to know how you worked this one out, Lord.”

Chapter Five

When Lisa returned to the lodge after saying goodbye to her sisters and playing with Toby, the huge log house was empty. Adam had cleaned up and disappeared.

Without Adam to distract her, she had the chance to study the lodge and understand Adam’s claim that there was a lot to be done before the grand opening. There was a lot of potential. Had Adam hired a decorator to add those final touches, or did he have a girlfriend who was going to help?

The mantel clock chimed. Elizabeth wouldn’t be back for another hour.

She wondered if Adam had taken pictures of the entire process from beginning to finish, and retrieved her camera. She started upstairs in the guest suites. As Adam had claimed, none of the other rooms were ready for guests.

Antique furniture stood against bare walls, gathered by color and style. Furnishings for the two-bedroom suites were all rustic mission-style, like in her own suite. One furniture set included a matching marble-top dresser and washstand, yet another was a massive darker collection with a bed so high off the ground, she would need a step stool to climb in. On the far side such a stool stood next to the bed frame. All looked as if they had been refinished recently and were beautifully matched.

Pillow-top mattresses and goose-down pillows still wore their plastic coverings and Do Not Remove Under Penalty Of The Law tags. On each antique table or desk was a compact disc player/radio/clock still in the box. On one library table stood a dozen lamps, some old, some new, some matching and many unique designs.

Windows were stark frames to the beautiful backdrop of Colorado scenery. Ceiling fans waited anxiously for the summer heat.

Each bathroom was different. Some had oversize walk-in showers, while others replica clawfoot tubs, and pedestal sinks. The largest suite had a double-size jetted tub.

She snapped photos, hoping Adam wouldn’t mind. They weren’t for professional purposes, but for him, just for fun. This had to have been a huge undertaking to oversee the design, plans, purchases and building. She could see now why the cowboy was stressed.

Lisa finished the roll of film in the great room and kitchen, again, enthralled with the impressive collection of antiques—Hoosier cupboards, iceboxes of varied sizes and one intriguing massive oak chest with a dozen shallow drawers and at least another half-dozen cupboards, not counting the hidden compartments on each side of the unit.

By the time Liz returned from her mother’s house, Lisa was armed with questions. She heard the back door open and close.

“Lisa?”

“In here.” Lisa paused, studying the collection of compact discs and books in the Ballister bookshelf and the computer-generated note inviting guests to enjoy the discs in their rooms. “Quite a collection.”

Adam’s sister smiled. “We all made contributions, along with donations from friends who’d received a few rather interesting titles from club memberships.”

“Ah, that explains it.” She laughed. “It looks like you should have something to please everyone.”

“That’s Adam’s goal.” Elizabeth curled up on the leather sofa and invited Lisa to do the same. “You may have noticed, he’s a little tense right now. He’s not normally so crabby.”

“I’m sorry to have come at a bad time. Who did my editor call to make the arrangements? It really isn’t like Francie to push for an interview. It’s not like this is breaking news. Whispering Pines will still be here in a month or two.”

Elizabeth’s smile softened. “Mom took the call. She hoped it would give Adam a push to accept some help with the final details, like purchasing the linens, the bedding, the window coverings. He fired the decorator and doesn’t want to accept help from Mom, Susan or I.”

Lisa couldn’t hide her surprise. “And when is the opening?”

“In three weeks.” His sister jumped from the sofa, made a selection from the CDs and put one into the sound system.

Doing a quick calculation in her mind, Lisa made a guess. “Valentine’s Day?”

Nodding her head, “Yep” popped out of Liz’s mouth. “Baby brothers can be so stubborn.”

“You mean this isn’t a temporary trait?”

“Afraid not. Don’t get me wrong. He’s poured his heart and soul into the tiniest of details. Yet ask him about practical things like bedding and towels, and he’s clueless, and we won’t even mention decorations. He’s going to drive the rest of us crazy before this is over.”

Lisa couldn’t hold back the laughter, and before they knew it, both were commiserating over siblings. Their enjoyable conversation was interrupted by the master of the mansion.

Adam looked at the two of them disapprovingly, and the laughter stopped. “Liz, you and Kirk going to stay for lunch? I’m putting potatoes in the oven.”

“You mean you haven’t even fed Lisa lunch?” Liz pushed herself up from the sofa and began to rail at her brother. “It’s nearly two o’clock!”

Adam looked at Lisa and their eyes met. “She knows where the food is if she gets hungry.”

“Adam MacIntyre!”

Lisa came to his defense. “He did tell me to help myself. I just lost track of time as I was exploring.”

“See. She’s not helpless,” Adam added with a reluctant smile. “Either of you need anything before I get back to work? Food, drink, questions answered?”

“Oh, man. First you don’t want a thing to do with this. Now—” she looked at Lisa “—you’re dying to know just what secrets I’m telling. Tough, little brother. I’m handling this interview.” She shooed him away as if he were a pesky ten-year-old. “You and Kirk go ahead with your chores. Remind my husband that we have dinner plans, but thanks for asking, Adam.”

Lisa bit back a smile. Adam looked as if he’d just been sent to bed without supper. She listened to Liz talk, envisioning Adam happy and full of mischief, before she’d arrived.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with Adam, Lisa, but trust me, he isn’t normally like this at all. I think the pressure is just starting to get to him. Why don’t I give you the grand tour?”

“It’s hard to imagine the magnitude of what he’s taking on here.” Lisa looked around, trying to imagine the room bustling with unfamiliar people.

“Adam is trying so hard to do this all on his own, but he just doesn’t realize how much more there is to be done.” After seeing the entire lodge, they returned to the great room and Lisa closed her notebook.

“I hope that helps.” Liz handed her a business card. “If you need any help—with the interview, or my brother—just call.”

Lisa nodded. “It’s a beautiful building. Thank you for taking the time to show me around, Liz.”

“I enjoyed it…and I’m thrilled that you’re here to do this story for us. And despite Adam’s sour mood, I think he’s excited about this story, too.” With that, Adam’s sister left.

Despite Liz’s claim, it was still difficult to picture Adam enjoying playing host. Or maybe he only found it impossible to be hospitable to her.

Whatever the reason, she was determined to change his mind.

Chapter Six

Adam went out of his way to avoid Lisa for the better part of the day. Allowing his sister to show Lisa around the guest house was probably the biggest mistake he could have made, and worse, they all knew it. Despite his efforts to ban Lisa from his mind, he’d been unable to keep his thoughts from drifting back to the blonde.

Glancing out the window, he spotted Lisa playing with Toby. She took him off the leash and threw a stick. Adam chuckled. Throws like a girl, all right. Poor Toby won’t get much of a workout while she’s around. Just then she took off running with the awkward puppy lumbering after her.

The steaks sizzled on the stovetop grill and bread warmed in the oven. He chopped a tomato and green pepper, tossed them into the lettuce, then topped it off with a handful of croutons.

The wind whistled as Lisa and Toby tromped inside. “Brrr. Looks like we’re in for a storm.” Her cheeks were pink. She tugged the fleece headband off and tucked it into her coat pocket. Spellbound, Adam watched her remove the scrunchie, comb her hair with her fingers, then magically twist the silken strands into one of those sloppy buns that were so popular.

Adam forced his attention back to dinner. “They’re only predicting a couple of inches.”

She smiled. “Just enough.”

He waited for her to finish the sentence. “Just enough for what?”

She looked at him and shrugged. “To look pretty. Not enough to cause problems for the livestock or driving…. You know, just right.”

He nodded, trying not to show his surprise at her thinking of the livestock. “Okay. Just enough.” Don’t get tangled up, ole boy. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. How do you like your steak?”

“Medium, please. What can I do?”

“I have it under control, but thanks.”

When they were both seated, he bowed his head to pray, noticing her reaction. Despite Lisa’s hesitancy, Adam continued with his usual praise for the day and a blessing on the nourishment He’d provided.

“How’d the tour go?”

“This place is wonderful, Alex.” She cut open her potato and added a tiny slice of butter, then sprinkled it with salt and pepper. He looked back at his own, drenched in both butter and sour cream.

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