The Tycoon's Perfect Match (5 page)

“Can I help you with those groceries?” he asked, eyeing her mountain of bags.

As he came closer, she could smell his aftershave—the clean scent of pine and spice. “I can manage, Brian, but thanks anyway. Aren't you working today?”

He nodded and held up a paper bag. “I needed a
couple of things for the office.” He snapped his fingers. “Which reminds me. I got a fax for you from Julie about an hour ago.”

“I'll pick it up on my way home. Thanks.” They left the store and he started down the sidewalk. “Do you want a ride?”

He smiled. “On a gorgeous day like this? I'll walk.”

“See you in a bit.”

She opened the back door of the van, but instead of putting her purchases inside, she watched Brian walk away.

He turned back suddenly, and caught her staring. Grinning, he waved.

Busted.

Her cheeks heated as she lifted her hand in a weak acknowledgment, then concentrated on emptying her cart.

Several minutes later, Mari entered Brian's office. Mrs. Newley wasn't there, but Brian was at his desk, on the phone. He motioned for her to come on back.

She lifted the counterpiece that acted as a barrier between the waiting area and the workplace, walked back to his glass-enclosed office and took a seat.

Brian smiled at her, put his hand over the mouthpiece of the phone and whispered, “Hang on a
minute. I have to ask you something.” He handed her a stack of papers.

It was her fax from Julie. Glancing at it, she saw that it was nothing that couldn't have waited until she returned—just some monthly stats and reports from various department heads.

She smiled back at Brian and skimmed the material. He'd no sooner hung up the phone than it rang again.

“Sorry,” he said. “I'm waiting to hear about an offer on a vacant building for an anxious client, or I'd let the machine get it.”

“No problem.”

As she skimmed the fax, her eyes kept returning to Brian. He was much more interesting and definitely in his element. He fielded his calls with confidence, knowledge and an easygoing demeanor that would equal or surpass any executives at Sherwood.

Again he hung up, and again the phone rang. “I'm sorry. It's normally not this busy.”

“Don't be silly,” Mari said. “For a change, I've got all the time in the world.”

Through the open windows, she could see some children playing jump rope on the sidewalk.

She could hear the girls giggle, and she could
smell the sweetness of fresh-cut grass as a lawn mower droned in the distance.

In contrast, her office windows in Boston were sealed shut. All she could see were other office buildings—a soaring mix of glass and brick and gray cement.

Finally, he hung up the phone. “Sorry about the wait. Hopefully, that'll be it for a while.”

“I know how it feels. My phone at work never stops ringing, and it's impossible to get anything done. I just hate it.”

“I love it.” He grinned. “It gets my blood pumping.”

She stood to leave.

“Mari, would you like to go with me to my nephew's seventh birthday tomorrow?”

She was just about to tell him that Melanie had already invited her when he held up his hand.

“I know you want to be alone, but my family wants to see you. I promise you it'll be fun. It's just a barbecue, and probably a campfire at night.” He tapped a pencil on the desk, and Mari wondered if he was anxious that she'd say no.

“Melanie already asked me to come, Brian.”

“Oh, I didn't know that. I haven't talked to her today.” He let out a deep breath. “And what did you say?”

“I said I'd love to.”

Smiling, his turquoise eyes lit up. “I'm glad.”

Suddenly, things seemed awkward between them. It wasn't as if it was a date or anything like that….

“Well, I'd better get my groceries home.” Standing, she was about to pick up her reports that she'd laid on his desk, just as he did the same. Brian's hand brushed against hers and lingered. It was warm and strong—just like him. She pulled away reluctantly.

“Can I give you a ride to Mel's?” Brian said.

“That's not necessary. I can drive myself.”

“Let me pick you up, Mari. Then you won't have to worry about finding her house, and you can enjoy the ride.”

“Okay,” she relented. “I'm looking forward to it. And I can't wait to see her new baby, and everyone else for that matter.”

But she had to admit to herself that it was Brian that she really couldn't wait to see again.

Outside, she stopped to watch the girls playing jump rope. She remembered being one of the best jumpers in Boston.

“Jump in,” said the girl whose turn it was next.

Mari hesitated. “It's been a long time.”

“You can do it. My mother does it.”

Sheesh. “Okay.” Mari put her purse on the lawn. She couldn't help but glance up and see Brian standing at the window. He gave her a thumbs-up.

She grinned and shrugged. “Ready?” She watched the rope go round and round, and found herself swaying like she used to, waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump in. Then she was off. But the rope hit her foot.

“Try it again, lady,” said the other rope twirler.

She did, and this time she succeeded. She jumped in the middle of the rope and lost count of how many times. She turned around in the middle, and the girls went a little faster…then faster.

She kept up, laughing, until she made the mistake of looking over at Brian. They locked gazes, and she lost her timing. She stumbled as the rope snagged the tip of her shoe, throwing her off balance. Catching herself, she could see that Brian had started toward her, obviously concerned that she might have been hurt.

When he saw that she was okay, he waved and smiled.

Breathing heavily, she thanked the girls, then turned again to Brian. He was clapping. She did a curtsy, picked up her purse and walked to the van, feeling happier than she had in a long time.

B
rian pulled into the driveway behind Sherwood Lodge and saw Mari sitting on the patio, staring at the lake. Beside her was a plastic bin overflowing with brightly wrapped gifts.

She turned and put a finger over her lips. He walked quietly over to her and sat down.

“Aren't they cute?” she whispered, pointing at the beach.

Six ducklings were huddled around their mother, taking a nap in the sun.

He was so used to the cycle of life around the
lake, he usually took it for granted. “Cute,” he agreed, looking at the mother and ducklings and seeing them through Mari's eyes. “I think she could be the duck who dived at you. She must have been in a hurry to get back to the family.”

“I thought she looked familiar.” Mari chuckled. “I could watch them all day, but we should probably get going.”

As if on cue, the ducks woke up and waddled off toward the lake.

Yet Mari didn't make a move to leave.

Brian noticed that, during her brief time here, Mari was looking better already. She seemed to have more energy, more color in her cheeks.

“Mari, why did you really come back to Hawk's Lake?”

She folded her hands in her lap. “I told you. I needed a vacation.”

“But what else? Did something happen in Boston? Are you okay?”

“Well…” She looked down at her ring finger, then up at the sky, as if the answer was written there. “I'm okay.”

He waited, but she didn't elaborate. “Is there anything I can help with?”

She sighed. “If anyone could understand, Brian,
it's you. You work in your family's business, just like I do. You take care of the books at the garage and all, and—”

He nodded. “Sometimes it can be tough, working in a family business.”

Her eyes met his, and he could see the anguish in them.

“Absolutely,” Mari agreed. “Especially if you're an only child like me.”

He nodded. “Or if your siblings have problems of their own to deal with, and you have to pick up the slack.”

“Or if you're the last of the line,” she said.

“Or if you have dreams of your own that have been pushed to the back burner,” Brian replied.

“Yes!” she agreed. “Or if you've just broken up with a man.”

“Or…
What?
” Brian raised an eyebrow. “Sorry. That never happened to me.”

She laughed, then lowered her eyes. “He's not worth talking about.”

“To be honest, I suspected something like that.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You tend to look down at your left hand, or touch a ring that isn't there.” He met her gaze. “Was it serious?”

“I thought so. Matter of fact, I thought so three times.”

He couldn't help himself from reaching for her hand and holding it, and for once, she didn't pull away.

“Forget them. None of them deserved a woman like you.” He thought he saw the hint of tears in the corners of her eyes. He wanted to ask her more, to find out how the bastard had hurt her, but it was too private a pain.

“Thank you for that,” she said.

“Now, cheer up. We're going to have a great time at Mel's.” He'd show her a good time, and she'd forget about
him.

He pointed to the plastic bin of gifts. “You shouldn't have done that.”

“It was fun,” she said. “They're all little things. I have an idea for a little surprise—a game.”

“That's very thoughtful of you. Kyle and his friends will love it.” He picked up the bin, and they walked to his car.

On the way to Melanie's house, they kept up a steady chatter. “Do you remember Sunshine Cottage?” he asked.

“It was your house. Right?”

“Yes, and my grandparents' house before us. Melanie always loved that house, and she lives there
now. Her husband, Sam, loves it, too. He said it reminds him of his childhood home in Canada.”

When they pulled in, Melanie ran out with an excited scream and scooped Mari into a big hug.

“Mel, you're taller, of course, but I would know you anywhere.” Mari grinned. “It's good to see you.”

“This is my husband, Sam,” Melanie said proudly. She smoothed the baby's blanket. “And this little doll is Angeline. Angie for short. And this adorable guy is Kyle, who is seven today.”

“Oh, Mom!” said Kyle, blushing to the roots of his sandy-brown hair.

Mari cooed over Angeline, and took the time to ask Kyle a few questions and wish him a happy birthday.

Brian caught the expression of longing on Mari's face when she looked at the kids.

“Are you Uncle Brian's girlfriend?” Kyle asked.

Brian held his breath. It figured that Kyle would ask such a thing.

Mari smiled. “I'm an old friend. I used to play with your mother and uncles when we were kids. My parents used to own Sherwood Lodge, and I came here every summer.”

“You don't look that old,” Kyle said, then ran off to greet his grandfather and Uncle Jack, who'd just pulled in.

“Do you want to hold Angeline?” Sam asked Mari. “I have a couple of things I have to do before Melanie yells at me.”

“That's right.” Melanie laughed. “Get to work.”

“I'd love to, Sam,” Mari said. “But I really don't know how. I mean, I haven't been around many babies.”

“I didn't have any experience until now, either,” Sam said, handing Angeline over to Mari. “Just support her head.”

Sam showed her, and within seconds Mari looked as though she was born to the job. Her eyes got all dreamy, and she had a contemplative expression on her face when she looked at Angeline.

“I am so glad you're here, Mari,” Melanie said, putting her arm around Mari's shoulder. “I can't wait to catch up with you. It's been so long.”

As they walked toward the party, talking excitedly, Brian got the packages out of the car and carried them to the side yard of the big yellow house, up the stairs to a big deck that was decorated with balloons and streamers.

Kyle and his friends were playing kick ball on the expansive lawn.

Brian pulled out a chair for Mari and the baby and sat down next to her. There was a lot of chatter
as everyone exchanged greetings with his father, Ed Hawkins, and Jack. He offered to take Angie, but Mari wouldn't hear of it. She seemed content just to sit and rub the baby's back.

Every so often, she'd whisper to Angie, who was curled up against Mari's shoulder, cooing and dozing.

Brian could have watched Mari forever—the wonder on her face when she looked at the baby, the happy sparkle in her eyes, the little motherly gestures and the sounds she made. He wondered why he was noticing every little thing about her—he'd certainly never paid this much attention to any other woman holding a baby.

“You're a natural, Mari. You'd make a great mother.”

“Maybe,” she said quietly. “But finding a father might be difficult. My choice of men hasn't been all that great.”

Her words struck a chord of regret in Brian. Any man who would hurt Mari was a fool.

Yet he was the biggest fool of them all. He was the one who'd hurt her first.

 

Mari hated to give up Angeline, even though her arms ached, but it was time for Melanie to feed her.

It was good to be around such a close family,
observing how they related to one another, enjoyed each other's company.

If this were
her
family, her mother would be on her cell phone, and her father would be sending e-mails on his BlackBerry. There would certainly never be a treasure hunt.

She turned to Brian. “Come with me. I have a present to hide in the woods for Kyle to find. I cleared it with Melanie and Sam. I wanted to make sure it was okay with them.”

“Sure,” he said. “Sounds interesting.”

When they tried to disappear quietly, so as not to pique Kyle's curiosity, Jack and the other men made some teasing comments as to what they were going to do.

“What
are
we doing?” Brian asked.

“Well, I put a treasure map in Kyle's birthday card, and—” Melanie pulled out a metal box from her purse. “We are hiding pirate's treasure for Kyle to find. Inside are gold-wrapped chocolate coins, gum and some other little things I've picked up.”

“He'll love it,” Brian said.

“I know I did when I was his age. Remember how we used to make a treasure map, and the other person had to follow it?”

“That's what I was just thinking.” He chuckled.
“Remember how you made a treasure chest out of a cigar box and—”

“And I covered it with silver and gold glitter glue. And I glued on some pennies and nickels.”

“You gave it to me, and I'd make the treasure map, and we'd put our treasures into your box,” he finished.

Brian took her elbow and helped her through an uneven patch of land. She could feel his strength as he guided her, and she thought that she should have worn sneakers instead of fancy Italian wedge heels so his help wouldn't have been necessary.

“The treasure map that I'm giving to Kyle was one that you'd made,” she said.

He looked at her in amazement. “You've kept one of my maps all this time?”

She chuckled. “I've kept every pirate map that you've ever made—in my old diaries.”

He stopped and turned toward her. “And you brought them with you?”

“Yes.” She looked up at him. “And before you ask me why, the answer is for old-time's sake. I just wish I hadn't lost that treasure chest. I don't know what happened to it.”

“I wonder what else is in your old diaries. Anything about me?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, yes. You were the star.”

“Was I the star of a comedy or a tragedy?” he asked, taking both her hands.

“Both.” She looked deep into his eyes, her smile fading. “You broke my heart, you know.”

“I know,” he said softly. “I didn't mean to, but you were too young, and I was too—”

“Immature?”

“Probably. But I was really falling for you, Mari.” He swallowed hard. “I hurt you, and that was the last thing I wanted to do.”

She wanted to ask him why he hadn't called, hadn't written. But she found herself standing too close to him, and they were gazing into each other's eyes.

They were going to kiss, and finally something in the back of her mind sounded an alarm. She couldn't let him—
shouldn't
let him. She'd come here to get away from her life, and here she was, falling into old habits again, drawn to a man too easily.

As she gazed into his eyes, she could hear children's laughter in the distance. Kyle's party was in progress, and it reminded her that they were supposed to be hiding his gifts. The metal box from Clancy's dug into the palm of her hand, bringing her back to the present.

They pulled away at the same time.

“Um…” Brian's hands were back at his sides.

Mari bent down and hid the box under a pile of leaves at the base of an old cement property stake, hoping Brian couldn't see her blushing.

“This is just where you hid my butterfly pin,” she said, trying to make things lighter.

“And you found it in less than a half hour.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Well, I never said that your maps were difficult.”

They laughed, and they were back to their old selves again—almost. She'd softened toward him.

But while Mari reminded herself yet again not to get involved with Brian, she wasn't sure she could control the heat that he awakened inside her.

 

Brian couldn't believe that he'd almost kissed Mari.

She was on the rebound and had made it perfectly clear that she wanted to be left alone—that she wasn't interested in anything more than friendship.

Brian knew she'd come to the party to see everyone and catch up—certainly not for him. In a way, that was disappointing.

He had no good excuse for not calling her or writing her, other than that he'd had plans for him
self—big plans. And he just hadn't been ready—or willing—to give up his dreams.

But he could never explain this to her now. He'd seem so shallow, so arrogant. Basically, he'd picked his ambition over a friend. No, not a friend. The girl he could have—might have—loved.

They rejoined the group, and Kyle opened his presents. The pirate costume that Mari had given him was the envy of his pals, and the subsequent treasure hunt was a huge success with the kids.