Hearts Evergreen: A Cloud Mountain Christmas\A Match Made for Christmas (5 page)

BOOK: Hearts Evergreen: A Cloud Mountain Christmas\A Match Made for Christmas
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Chapter Eight

T
ony had most of the clutter cleared off his desk by the time Maddie rapped on the jamb of his office doorway.

“Are you ready for me?”

He stood. “Yes. Please come in.” He motioned to a chair in front of his desk. “I've got a stool for you to rest your foot on.”

“That was thoughtful. Thank you.”

As Maddie maneuvered herself into position with her crutches, Tony rounded the desk and took her briefcase from her, setting it on the floor beside her chair. Then he stepped over to the door and closed it.

“I told Audrey to hold any calls so we won't be interrupted.” He returned to his chair and sat down.

“I don't expect this meeting will take long.” Maddie opened the file folder she'd taken from her briefcase. “As you know, Mr. Fairchild has verified the authentication of the Uriah Small manuscript. Based upon his research into fair market value, he is prepared to make the following offer.” She handed him a piece of paper.

Tony's heart started to race as he looked at the figure. Two hundred thousand dollars. And that was the starting point. He knew enough about negotiating to know that you never open with your top offer.

But even if the offer went no higher, this would allow him to put a new roof on the lodge before next winter. He could update the plumbing in the west wing. And the kitchen. There ought to be enough for them to start remodeling the kitchen, too. Wait until Cookie heard the news!

Tony leaned back in his chair, hoping his excitement didn't show on his face. “I was wondering. What does Mr. Fairchild intend to do with the manuscript, if it's his?”

“He'll see that it's published. He knows he isn't the only fan of Small's writing and doesn't want to keep it to himself. It should be released so others can enjoy. But the original manuscript will be preserved in his private collection.”

“Does he have a large number of collectible manuscripts?”

Maddie's demeanor was all business, her reply measured. “David collects many things. His interests are eclectic. This will be the first manuscript he's acquired.”

Tony liked it better when she wasn't so businesslike. “Tell me something. How did you happen to go to work for him?”

“I'm not sure what that has to do with—”

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “Humor me.”

She watched him in silence, trying to figure out what would bring about the best results for her employer.

Tony offered a slow smile. “I'm curious, Maddie.” He could have added
to know more about you.
That's what he wanted—to know more about Maddie Scott. To know everything about her.

A touch of color painted the apples of her cheeks before she lowered her gaze to the folder on her lap. Perhaps he wasn't as good as he thought at disguising his feelings. Maybe he didn't even want to be good at it.

Talk to me. Tell me about yourself, Maddie.

She looked up, her gaze softened. “David and Lois befriended me not long after we moved to LosAngeles. They could tell I was a fish out of water and took pity on me.”

“You? A fish out of water?” That was hard to envision. She'd seemed confident in every gathering during college.

“Very much so.”

“How did you meet the Fairchilds?”

“David is a good friend of the team's defensive coach, and our paths crossed at different functions.”

“And that's when you went to work for him?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I wasn't employed while…while Craig and I were married. But after the divorce, I—” She broke off suddenly and again lowered her eyes, but not before he caught the glint of pain.

Was she still in love with her ex-husband?

Maddie drew a deep breath and stiffened her shoulders. “The truth is, David's offer of employment was a godsend. Without a degree or an employment history to fall back on, I had little hope of making much of a living. Certainly not enough to help me pay off my debts.”

“Debts?”

“I know what you're thinking.” She gave him a self-deprecating smile. “Everyone assumes I received a large settlement in the divorce. However, I wasn't very smart about it. I didn't hire an attorney right away. I was so sure God wouldn't let the divorce go through that I kept procrastinating. I kept thinking Craig would change his mind and all would be well. Denial with a capital
D
. In the end, I agreed to things I shouldn't have. I let myself be tricked by Craig and that shark of a lawyer he hired.”

“I'm sorry, Maddie. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories.”

“You didn't know.”

“It was insensitive to ask.”

She was silent for a long moment, then said, “You weren't insensitive, Tony. You've been nothing but kind to me since I arrived.”

He'd like to be even more kind, if she'd let him. He'd like to prove that he was the sort of guy who wouldn't hurt her or trick her or coerce her. If she would just give him enough time to prove it.

Tony's gaze made Maddie go all quivery on the inside. There was something sweet and gentle about it. Something that made her want to stay right here in this chair and bask in it.

Which was the very reason she decided it was time to leave.

She reached for her briefcase. “You think about that offer, Tony, and we'll talk again tomorrow, if that's all right with you.” She stood.

“Yes. That's a good idea. We'll talk tomorrow afternoon.” He rose from his chair, went to the door and opened it for her. “Would you like help with your briefcase?”

“No, thanks. I'm getting the hang of these crutches and the briefcase is light.” With scarcely a glance in his direction, she left the office and returned to her guestroom.

What happened back there?

She sank onto the side of the bed and replayed the brief meeting in her mind. It hadn't gone at all as she'd expected it to. Usually she got some sense of a person's reaction to the initial offer. Not so with Tony. She hadn't a clue whether he thought it too low or much higher than expected. What was she going to tell David when he asked how the meeting went? She and Tony hadn't said more than a few words about the offer. Certainly nothing that could be called a negotiation. And how in the world had they arrived at the topic of her divorce and her resulting debt?

She groaned.

“Maybe I can blame it on those stupid pain pills.”

Except she hadn't taken one today.

Humor me
. She remembered the deep timbre of Tony's voice, the smile that slowly curved the corners of his mouth.
I'm curious, Maddie.
Her stomach fluttered again, as it had when he'd spoken those words in his office. Not good. Definitely not good. She had a job to do, and it didn't include an attraction to the proprietor of the Cloud Mountain Lodge.

She released a sigh. Nothing about this trip was going as expected. From that lousy tabloid headline to her broken ankle to this less-than-professional start to her negotiations on David's behalf.

Pull yourself together. Now.

Another deep breath. There. She felt better. The next time she met with Tony, she would stay focused on the business at hand.

It didn't take Tony long to find David Fairchild. The man was sitting in the Grounds for Happiness Coffee Shop at the corner of Main and Third, enjoying a tall drink.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” David waved to the other chair at the table. “Please do.”

Tony caught the eye of Nancy, the barista, and nodded. He'd been in here often enough since buying the lodge for her to know what to bring him. He liked his coffee black and strong.

“So what do you think of our little town?” he asked as he sat opposite David.

“Nice. Some interesting shops and the people are friendly. I met one elderly gentleman who knew Uriah Small rather well.”

“Walter Hopkins?”

“Yes. He was a font of information about Cloud Mountain in the mid-twentieth century. And about Uriah Small. We had quite a fascinating discussion.”

Tony chuckled. “Walt knows a lot about many things. I hope my mind is as sharp when I'm half his age.”

“Amen to that.” David took a drink from his coffee cup. “Walter also said he hopes the publicity about the manuscript will bring more tourists here to ski.”

“The whole town hopes that.” Tony removed the lid from the coffee Nancy brought to the table. Steam rose in a translucent ribbon above the cup. “May I ask you something? About Maddie.”

David cocked an eyebrow but said nothing.

“She says you and your wife have been good friends of hers for quite a while.”

“Yes.”

“So you must know her pretty well. Especially since you two work together now.”

“Maddie's like a daughter to us.”

Tony could see how that would happen. The Maddie he remembered from their college days had drawn people to her with an easy smile and enchanting laugh. More than once he'd observed her helping someone that other students on campus never noticed needed help. Perhaps it was her genuine kindness that first made him want to know her better. Just because she was part of the “cool crowd” in college, it didn't go to her head.

If not for Craig Houston…

He blew across the coffee in his cup before taking a sip. “I know she got burned in her marriage. Is she over it?”
Is she over him?

David frowned. “I'm not sure that's any of—”

“I only ask because I care about her…a lot.”

Silence stretched between them. Tony knew he was being sized up and hoped he passed muster.

At long last, David said, “I see.”

“Just in case you're wondering, this doesn't have anything to do with the manuscript.”

“Strangely enough, I believe you.” The older man nodded. “And because I believe you, I'll answer your question. Yes, she's over Craig. But the hurt is still there. He left some deep scars.”

Tony hadn't liked Craig Houston back in college, but he didn't know if that was because the guy was a jock or a jerk. Maybe both. Either way, Craig had taken Maddie's love and thrown it away. That made him the lowest of life forms in Tony's book.

He rose from the chair. “Maybe I can do something about those scars.” He snapped the lid onto the coffee cup. “At least I'd like to try.”

Chapter Nine

“O
h good. You're here.”

Maddie looked up from the paperback novel to see Hannah Sullivan standing in the entry to the reading room, her granddaughter Iris braced on her hip.

“We've signed up our family to go on a sleigh ride tonight. We'd like you to join us.”

Maddie laid the book face down on the coffee table next to her foot. The invitation was tempting. She was growing bored with sitting around. She was used to being more active.

Ann Gruber stepped into view to stand next to her mother. “Please come. The guys will make sure you don't hurt your ankle while we're out.”

By
the guys
, Maddie assumed Ann meant her husband and two brothers.

“It's a horse-drawn wagon bed on skids with bells, lights and hay bales,” Hannah said. “The driver says the route takes about an hour. He'll pick us up here at the lodge at seven and bring us back by eight or so. Ought to be pretty out with the full moon.”

“It does sound like fun, but I may need to meet with David when he returns and—”

“Oh, I'm sorry.” Hannah laughed. “I should have told you. We saw Mr. Fairchild in town on our way back to the lodge and he's planning to go on the sleigh ride, too.”

Maddie felt her eyes go wide. “He is?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, I'd love to join you.” How could she turn down an opportunity to see the distinguished president and CEO of Fairchild Enterprises sitting on a bale of hay? In fact, she'd better take her camera. Lois would want to see some photos of that.

“Here, Mom.” Ann held out her arms. “Give me Iris. I need to change her diaper.”

Hannah kissed the toddler on the top of her head before passing the child to Ann. “I'll be up shortly.” After her daughter and granddaughter left, Hannah entered the room and sat on the loveseat across from Maddie. “It was lovely on the mountain today. The snow is perfect. Most of the family is still at it. I hope the skiing stays like this the whole time we're here.”

“How long will that be?”

“Through next Sunday. It's a Sullivan family tradition. Every third year, we meet somewhere to celebrate an early Christmas together, nine days and eight nights, the whole lot of us. Three years ago, we went to Hawaii, but this year we decided we wanted to enjoy a white Christmas. My father-in-law came to Cloud Mountain to ski years and years ago and stayed in this lodge. He didn't even know if it was still open, so he was excited when he found the web site and was able to book us in.” Hannah looked around the room. “It's a lovely old place, isn't it?”

“Yes. It has—” Maddie sought for the right word “—character.”

“I agree. Mr. Anderson's done an admirable job of modernizing it without sacrificing any of its charm.”

Maddie nodded.

“I can see why he wanted to restore it and I admire his courage. It isn't easy to leave what seems safe and secure to pursue your dreams.”

“No,” Maddie answered softly. “It isn't.” I admire him, too. I wish I had some of that same courage.

From outside came the sound of stomping boots mixed with laughter.

“The crew has returned.” Hannah rose from the loveseat. “I'd best go hurry my men along or they'll never be ready for supper. See you there.”

Maddie listened as the Sullivans left their skis and boots on the porch, then spilled into the lodge and made their way up the stairs to their rooms. A twinge of envy tightened her chest. She'd often wished to be part of a family—large, extended, demonstrative. She used to imagine herself with three or four children, going for a visit to her sister in Florida. All the little cousins running and playing. Laughter and love blended together in perfect harmony.

What a beautiful dream that had been.

More voices intruded on her thoughts—David's and Audrey's, coming from the lobby. She reached for her crutches and got up from the chair, but before she had time to move around the coffee table, David appeared in the doorway.

“Did you hear about the sleigh ride?”

“Yes, I heard. I'm just on my way to my room. I need to decide what to wear.” She looked down at her right leg. “This could be a problem.”

“It won't be. We'll take along lots of blankets. That'll keep you snug.” He crossed the room and draped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a fatherly squeeze. “I'm glad you agreed to go, Maddie. It'll be good for you to do something fun.”

“It was doing something fun that got my ankle broken.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Besides, I couldn't very well refuse the invitation, since you're going, Lois will want me to tell her all about it. You'll leave out too many details for her satisfaction.”

“Ah, you know me well.”

“Yes, I do.”

David took a step back. “So how did your meeting go with Tony?”

“I'm not sure.” She hated admitting what a poor job she'd done at the outset of the negotiations, but there was no way around it. “We…we got sidetracked. Completely my fault.” She lifted her chin in a show of confidence. “We're going to talk again tomorrow afternoon and I'll make sure we stay on topic.”

Her boss smiled. “I'm not worried. In fact, I don't mind if you give him more time to weigh his options. After all, you won't be leaving on Monday since you can't drive. You can afford to take your talks with Tony a bit slow.” He paused a moment and his voice deepened. “I like that young man, Maddie. He has vision and drive. He'll put the money he gets from selling the manuscript to good use.”

She couldn't have explained why, not even to herself, but she was pleased by David's approval of Tony. “I'll do my best to make sure he accepts your offer.”

“I know you will. Never doubted it for a moment.” He took another step back. “I'd better let you check on your wardrobe for the sleigh ride. We can talk about the negotiations before I leave tomorrow. But no thoughts about business tonight.”

Tony wouldn't normally join his guests on a sleigh ride, but nothing about life at the lodge was normal at present. Not as long as Maddie was among his guests. So when Hannah Sullivan suggested he come along—and he learned that both Maddie and her boss were going—he was quick to agree.

His first priority was to make sure he got to sit beside Maddie before one of Sam Sullivan's single grandsons got there first. Those boys might be eight to ten years younger than Maddie, but he doubted that would stop them from flirting. He'd already observed some of that over dinner—and hadn't been any too pleased about it, either.

Nick Robertson and his son Randy drove two sleighs into the lodge's parking lot a little before seven o'clock. The sleighs weren't fancy, but the Christmas lights strung from front to back made them look like carriages fit for a princess and the bells on the harnesses chimed a merry tune.

“Do you need help out to the sleigh, Maddie?” Doug Sullivan asked.

Before Maddie could answer, Tony said, “He's right. It isn't a good idea for you to try to walk out there in the snow with those crutches.” He took the closest crutch from her and gave it to Doug. “You hold this, and I'll carry Maddie.” Then he swept her into his arms. She looked at him with wide eyes and he prayed he hadn't moved too fast for his own good. “Better give Doug that other crutch. It'll make it easier to carry you down the steps.”

She complied without looking away.

Man, she had beautiful eyes. Chocolate-brown pools that revealed a hint of vulnerability, a touch of wistfulness. And her mouth…A generous mouth, ripe for kissing.

Ker-thump.

He swallowed hard as he carried her down the porch steps and out to the nearest sleigh. Nick had a step stool waiting at the back of the wagon bed and Tony climbed it, keeping a protective grip on the woman in his arms. With care, he set her on one of the side benches, her back against the outer rail. Then he pulled one of the hay bales close for her to use as a prop for her right leg. All this he accomplished while blocking the way for anyone who might try to sit beside her.

By the time Tony tucked a blanket around Maddie's right leg and took his seat on the bench on her left side, the rest of the group had found their own places in the two sleighs. But he gave little notice to who was where. He only cared that Maddie was by his side.

“Do you go on these sleigh rides often?” she asked, a slight smile bowing the corners of her mouth.

“No, this is a first for me. The last time I took a sleigh ride it was a junior high church event.”

“How about you, David?” Maddie turned her gaze to the other side of the wagon. “How many sleigh rides have you been on?”

Her boss chuckled. “Not many opportunities in Los Angeles.”

“What about when you and Lois vacation in Aspen?”

“Not yet. Maybe next time we're there.” He was quiet a moment, then said, “On second thought, maybe we'll skip Aspen and come to Cloud Mountain. Lois would like it here.”

Nick climbed onto the driver's seat and took the reins in hand before tossing over his shoulder, “Here we go, folks. Hold on.” He slapped the leather reins against the horses' rumps and the sleigh slid into action.

As if on cue, the moon—full and so large it seemed within reach—rose above the western ridge.

“Oh my.” Karen Sullivan pointed. “Isn't it beautiful?”

Everyone in their sleigh looked at the moon. Everyone except Tony. He continued to feast his eyes on Maddie, her face brushed with moonlight.

Beautiful.

Silence fell over them as the sleighs left the town behind. The only sounds were the soft
shooshing
of the skids sliding over the snow-covered trail and the jingle of bells on the harnesses.

Maddie turned her head toward Tony. When their gazes met, the smile she wore slowly faded until all that was left was the look of vulnerability he'd glimpsed earlier. The breath caught in his chest. It would be easy to lean forward and capture her lips with his own. Would she welcome his kiss or despise him for it?

From the other sleigh came the sound of voices raised in song.

“Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright…”

Soon, those in the sleigh with Tony chimed in.

“Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild.”

Maddie's voice was soft but crystal clear. It seemed to wrap around Tony's heart and squeeze it.

Is it crazy to feel the way I do? She's only been here a few days and yet…

“Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace…”

And yet I can't stand the thought of her not being here. Lord, is it possible she might want to stay?

One Christmas carol led to another and another and another. The music seemed to belong in the forest, rising above the sleighs, swallowed by the stately pine trees and snowy mountainsides. And with each note Maddie sang, her heart grew lighter.

Hope. That's what she felt. Hope.

She cast a surreptitious glance in Tony's direction, not surprised when she found him still watching her. She wished the trees weren't obscuring the moonlight just now. She would like to see what was behind his unswerving gaze.

But perhaps she knew already. She'd seen several emotions in the depths of his eyes earlier—attraction, tenderness, kindness. He seemed a solid sort of man, one whose feelings were steady and sure.

Why do I think that's true about you? I've known you such a short while.

“Don't stop singing,” he said softly. “You've got a nice voice.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

Despite the chill in the night air, her cheeks grew warm, making her thankful for the darkness.

“I was wondering.” He leaned closer. “Would you like to go to church with me in the morning?”

He was so close, she felt the warmth of his breath on her cheek, making it hard to focus on his words. What was it he'd asked her? Something about church. Oh, yes. Did she want to go to church with him?

“I think you'd like it there,” he added. “It's a small congregation, but the preacher knows how to teach the word and the choir is pretty good, too.”

She couldn't recall receiving a nicer invitation in years. Maybe not ever. She'd been asked to attend movie premieres and art exhibits, the opera and the ballet. While still married to Craig, she'd been a guest at countless parties in houses the size of some palaces, surrounded by women dripping with diamonds. But nothing sounded as pleasant as going to church with Tony Anderson.

“What do you say?”

She drew a quick breath and answered, “Yes.”

His smile widened as he drew back a few inches. “Great.” Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, he rested his right arm on the rail behind her back.

Maddie's heart thrummed as a pleasant warmth spread through her veins. How easy it would be to lean against him. How nice it would be to trust again.

BOOK: Hearts Evergreen: A Cloud Mountain Christmas\A Match Made for Christmas
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