Hearts Evergreen: A Cloud Mountain Christmas\A Match Made for Christmas (2 page)

M
addie sat on the bed and flipped open her mobile phone. Good. She had service. She hadn't been sure she would in these mountains. She pressed the number for David on her speed dial and waited for him to pick up.

“Maddie. Are you at the lodge already?”

“Yes. I got in a short while ago. I'm in my room and am about to go down for lunch.”

“Have you met Mr. Anderson? What's your take on him?”

She rose and walked to the window again. The view was breathtaking. “Yes, we met. In fact, it turns out I know him. Sort of.”

“What?”

“We went to college together, but I don't remember much about him. We didn't move in the same circles.”

The Tony Anderson she remembered was more of a math geek, a rather shy kid with shaggy hair, a slender build and glasses, the sort who spent most Friday nights at the library instead of on dates. But that didn't describe the guy who'd escorted her up from the lobby a short while before. This Tony Anderson was confident and rugged with a great smile and the most striking blue eyes she'd ever seen.

David cleared his throat. “Is this going to help us or hurt us?”

She shook her head, more to shake off the image in her mind than in answer to David's question. “I don't think it will make a difference one way or the other. Don't worry. I'll close this deal before the weekend is over.”

“I'm sure you will. You always do.”

She hoped he was right. She owed David Fairchild, big time. He and his wife had been her good friends long before David became her employer. In some ways, he was the father she never knew.

Maddie turned to face her room again, staring at the four-poster bed, complete with blue and white canopy. “David, I saw the magazine cover with Craig and Shari on it.”

There was a lengthy pause on the other end of the line. “I'm sorry you heard about it that way. I didn't know myself until this morning or I'd have warned you.”

“It's okay.” She released a sigh. “I was a little surprised about the baby on the way. How'd they manage to keep that out of the news for so long?”

“I don't know. But I do know this. The guy's an idiot. I've met Miss Ward. She's all flash and no substance. Craig's going to be miserable in no time.”

“Thanks, David.” She smiled sadly. “I'm sure it's wrong of me to like that you said so, but I like it anyway.”

He chuckled.

“I'd better go. I've got work to do.”

“Well, don't forget to have a good time while you're there. You're in danger of becoming a workaholic. You're young. Live a little.”

They said goodbye and Maddie closed the cover of her phone. Her gaze shifted to her briefcase, but the growling of her stomach intruded on thoughts of work. Lunch first. Work later.

She hoped the food was good.

“She's a pretty thing.” Audrey took plates and bowls from the sideboard and carried them to one of the smaller round tables. “How well did you know her?”

That was one of the negatives about living in a small town—everybody thought your business was theirs. But Tony didn't try to avoid the question. No point. She would worm it out of him eventually. “Not as well as I wanted to.”

“Carrying a torch, huh?”

“No.” The word felt like a lie, but it wasn't. Oh, he'd thought about Maddie through the years. How could he help it with her photos, along with Craig's, in magazines and newspapers, especially during football season.

Then came her divorce.

He felt sorry for her. It had to be rough, having your troubles become fodder for a gossip-hungry world. Tony had made more than his share of mistakes, but thankfully, only a handful of people knew about them. When he asked forgiveness or made amends for something, at least the press didn't take pictures and talk-show hosts didn't make jokes.

“Come in, Miss Scott,” Audrey said, intruding on Tony's thoughts. “You're right on time.”

He turned to watch Maddie enter the dining room.

Ker-thump.

The sensation in his chest was oddly familiar. Familiar because it had happened often around Maddie during his college years. Odd because he hadn't felt it in eight or nine years.

Audrey motioned toward the table. “We serve our meals family style, although Tony's planning for the day when we can operate a full-fledged restaurant again.”

He pulled out a chair for Maddie. “Here you go.” He felt like a tongue-tied teenager and that wasn't good. He had business to do with this woman. Important business.

Ker-thump.

Just as Maddie sat at the table, the door to the kitchen swung open and Cookie entered the dining room, carrying a serving bowl filled with chili and a platter of corn bread.

Cookie's real name was Jacob Smitherman, although few people knew it. In his youth, he was a logger, but an accident left him with a bad leg. That's when he turned to cooking, first for loggers in the camps, later—having perfected his craft—in restaurants across the Northwest. A desire to retire in the central Idaho mountains had brought him to the lodge, for which Tony was more than a little grateful.

Audrey introduced Maddie as Cookie set the bowl of chili on the table.

“Glad to have you with us,” the older man said to Maddie. “I hear you're from Los Angeles.”

“I am now, but I grew up in Idaho.”

Cookie took a seat at the table. And, with everyone settled, Tony looked toward Maddie. “I like to say grace before we eat when it's just the staff. Do you mind?”

She shook her head.

Tony closed his eyes. “Lord, we thank You for this food and for the hands that prepared it. Bless it to the nourishment of our bodies so that we might do the work You've called us to do. Amen.” When he looked up, he found Maddie watching him again, this time with the slightest of smiles bowing her mouth.

Ker-thump.

Maddie couldn't remember the last time she sat down to eat with a group of strangers who said grace over their food. Of course, she usually dined alone or on the go and her own prayers were often forgotten in her haste.

“So tell us, Miss Scott.” The chef held the serving bowl toward her. “Why on earth did you leave Idaho to live in California?”

She scooped chili into a large ceramic bowl. “My husband's job took us there.”

“You're married?” Audrey looked as surprised as she sounded. “And here I was, calling you Miss Scott. I'm sorry.”

Maddie shook her head. “I should have said
ex
-husband. I'm divorced. And Scott was my maiden name.”

“Oh, dear. How very sad about your marriage. Divorce is a hard thing to go through.”

She realized then that Audrey Tremaine didn't know who her ex-husband was. Didn't know who
she
was. It was nice not to be recognized, nice not to have people whispering behind her back.
Isn't that Maddie Scott? Tsk, tsk. Couldn't keep her husband from cheating. What's wrong with her, do you suppose?

She drew a quick breath, trying to ignore the welling hurt and frustration. She hated feeling this way. It wasn't even about Craig anymore. It was the sense of failure and inadequacy that ate at her.

As if sensing Maddie's turmoil, Audrey changed the subject. “Tony, why don't you tell Ms. Scott how you found the manuscript?”

“She probably knows the story from Mr. Fairchild.”

“No, not really. Please tell me.” Maddie would listen to him read the telephone book if it would prevent another bout of self-pity.

Tony smiled as he spread honey-butter on a square of cornbread. “Well, if you're sure it won't bore you.”

“I'm sure.”

“I'd worked fixing up the lodge about a month when I got to the room at the end of the hall on the second floor of the east wing. The former owners said nobody'd stayed in it since Small's death back in the late fifties. He made this lodge his home for more than twenty years.”

Maddie knew a little about the reclusive writer. His most famous works were published in the late 1920s, but there'd been demand for his new efforts—which were few and far between—in the latter years of his life.

“The rumors that he died from foul play kept guests out of that room. Some said he haunts the room where he was murdered.”

“I don't believe in ghosts.” Maddie squared her shoulders. Did Tony think he would get more for the manuscript if there was something spooky about where it was found? If so, she was surprised. It didn't fit with a man who said thanks to God for his food. Still, she was nobody's fool. She would be careful.

Tony grinned, as if reading her thoughts. “Neither do I. Besides, the research I've done proves Small died of natural causes.”

She relaxed a little.

“Anyway, like I said, Small lived in that room until his death. Three of the walls had built-in bookshelves and there was a built-in desk beneath one of the two windows in the room. It was when I started tearing things out that I found the manuscript. The pages were tied with string, like a present. About five hundred pages or so—” he used his hands to indicate the thickness of the manuscript “—all yellowed and scribbled on with notes, changes, doodles. He'd scrawled his name across the first page, too.”

“Tony almost threw out the whole bunch,” the housekeeper interjected. “He thought it was junk.”

He nodded. “Came pretty close to it. I'm thankful Audrey suggested I have somebody look at it before I did.”

“And now he has a number of people interested in buying it.” Audrey reached over and patted the back of Tony's hand.

Was this lady for real? Or were the two of them working her, hoping to up the price?

Maddie dropped her gaze to her bowl, wondering when she'd become a cynic. Whenever it was, she didn't like it much.

T
ony watched as Maddie dabbed the corners of her mouth with the cloth napkin, then placed it on the table beside her empty bowl.

“That was delicious, Cookie.” She slid the chair back from the table and stood.

The chef accepted the compliment with a brief nod.

Maddie looked at Tony. “If you'll excuse me, I need to get unpacked. What time should we meet to go over Mr. Fairchild's offer?”

So that's how it was? Down to business, just like that. Although he knew he shouldn't expect otherwise—it was why Maddie came to Cloud Mountain Lodge. Still, Tony wanted to delay the start of the negotiations. Maybe because he feared talking business would bring about her departure too soon. Or maybe because he wanted to make her smile again, a smile that reached into her big brown eyes, a smile that he remembered from college.

He placed his napkin on the table. “You're going to be here for four days. There's plenty of time for us to meet. How about we do it in the morning? This afternoon I need to run into town for supplies and then I've got to hang wallpaper. We've got more guests coming in over the weekend.”

“Well…”

“You had a long drive up from Boise. Kick back and relax a bit. That's what a place like Cloud Mountain is all about. Relaxing. Enjoying the beauty around us.”

“I suppose you're right. Morning it is, then.”

Audrey began to gather the dirty dishes to carry into the kitchen. “There's a lovely fire in the fireplace in the reading room. It's right off the lobby. Once you've got things settled, come on down and enjoy the view. I'll fix you a cup of coffee, if you'd like.”

“She prefers hot tea with milk,” Tony said.

Maddie turned her head sharply. “How did you know that?”

“I heard you say so.”

“When?”

He shrugged, making light of the memory. “I was part of a study group that met in the student union building. You know how those groups were crowded on top of each other. I must have overheard you tell the waitress.” He rose from his chair. “I'd better pick up those supplies or I'll never finish that room on time.”

He strode from the dining room, mentally calling himself several kinds of a fool. “Anderson, you've got more important things to think about than her.”

Only, what were they?

Maddie took her time unpacking, hanging clothes in the closet, placing other things in the bureau drawers. Her personal care items—favorite brand of shampoo, face cleanser, lotions, makeup—went in the bathroom. As she turned her attention to the materials in her briefcase, she remembered David's admonition: Well, don't forget to have a good time while you're there. You're in danger of becoming a workaholic. You're young. Live a little.

A sigh escaped her lips. David was right. All she did was work. She had no social life to speak of. Even her involvement at church was minimal. When someone asked her to go to brunch after Sunday service or to come to a women's Bible study or small group meeting, her reply was always the same: “I'm sorry. I have work to do. Maybe next time?”

But next time never came, she was busy then, too.

Maddie sank onto the bed. “Why am I like this?”

Because you're afraid to live.

It was true. She was afraid. Afraid of failing…again. Afraid of never being free of the past. Afraid that she wouldn't climb out of debt. Afraid to trust others. Afraid to trust herself.

Afraid to trust God.

It hurt to confess her lack of trust, even silently. She knew it shouldn't be that way. She knew God loved her and cared about her present and her future. But still she was afraid to let down her guard, to embrace her life as it was, as it was yet to be.

As she'd done several times since her arrival, she walked to the large window and looked at the beautiful winter scenery beyond the glass. So different from Los Angeles. She should listen to David. She should take the time to enjoy herself while she was here. Maybe get into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas.

As a child, she'd loved this season—the lights, the hidden presents, the trees, the parties—but now she dreaded it. The month of December was filled with bad memories. Broken promises. Ugly arguments. Shattered expectations. And like icing on a cruel cake, her divorce had also become final in December.

She hadn't been in the Christmas spirit since. Her world had been reduced to work, work and more work.

I don't want to be like this any longer, God. Help me, please.

Tony was loading the last of the supplies into the back of the Jeep when he saw Maddie coming down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, gazing at the window displays of the small shops that lined Cloud Mountain's main thoroughfare. She stopped outside Candy Corner.

Her white knit cap was pulled low over her ears and her hands were shoved into the pockets of her down coat. Even from across the street he could tell she was shivering, her shoulders hunched forward. Years in California must have thinned her blood.

He closed the back of the Jeep and headed across the street. When he stepped onto the curb, he asked, “Got a sweet tooth?”

She gasped as she whirled around. “Tony. You scared me half to death.”

“Sorry.” He grinned. “Didn't mean to.”

“You don't look sorry.” After a moment, she smiled, too.

“The caramel apples topped with nuts are my favorite. What about you?”

“Almond toffee.”

“Come on.” He jerked his head. “My treat.”

“Oh, I shouldn't.” She touched her hips. “Too many calories.”

“A little won't hurt you. Besides you're so thin right now, a good gust of wind might blow you away.”

“I don't know….”

He chuckled as he took her arm and steered her into the shop. The air inside was thick with wonderful, sweet smells.

“I've gained a pound already,” she said.

Evie Barrett, the owner of Candy Corner, came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron as she approached them from the opposite side of the candy displays. “Hey, Tony. How you doin'?”

“Good, Evie.” He motioned toward Maddie. “This is Maddie Scott. She's a guest at the lodge for the weekend.”

“Nice to meet you, Maddie. This your first time to Cloud Mountain?”

“Yes.”

“Have you been skiing yet?”

“No. I only arrived at the lodge a short while ago.”

“I was up there with my sons yesterday after they got out of school. Great powder this week. You'll see what I mean when you get out there.” She patted her fingertips on the display case. “What can I do you for?”

Tony answered, “We'll take a pound of the almond toffee and a half dozen of the caramel apples with nuts.”

“Comin' right up.”

Maddie looked at Tony as if he'd lost his mind. “A pound?”

He shrugged.

“I'm in so much trouble,” she said beneath her breath.

He laughed.

She smiled in return.

If he could have captured that moment and kept it in a jar, he would have. It was perfect. The two of them, like old friends, smiling and laughing in a candy shop. It was his best dream come true.

Except in his best dream, they would be more than friends.

Slow down, Anderson.

He turned to watch Evie weigh the almond toffee on the scales.

He hadn't really
known
Maddie in college. He'd
wanted
to know her. So had plenty of other guys. But she never had eyes for anyone but Craig Houston. All Tony could do back then was stand on the sidelines and wish he were more like the football star.

But he was nothing like Craig, and he was glad of it. Maybe things could be different now. After all, God wasn't surprised when Maddie showed up at the lodge. Maybe this was part of His plan.

Or it could be wishful thinking.

Either way, it wouldn't hurt to find out which it was.

Tony paid for the candy, then motioned toward one of the small white tables that stood along the opposite wall. “Let's indulge.”

“Okay. I shouldn't, but okay.”

After they were seated, Tony handed her the bag of toffee. She reached inside and withdrew a piece. As she bit into it, her eyes twinkled in appreciation.

“That good, huh?”

She nodded. “That good.” She popped the rest of the piece into her mouth.

“I suppose I shouldn't ask questions while you're eating.”

“No. Go ahead. Save me from myself.”

He leaned back in the chair. “I was wondering if you've still got family in Idaho.”

“No.” She shook her head. “My dad died when I was a toddler and Mom never remarried. When my sister, Kate, moved to Florida with her husband, Mom moved there, too. I was still with Craig at the time—” a shadow passed over her face “—and we were never home much. So it made sense for Mom to live near Kate.” She took another piece of toffee from the bag. “What about you? What have you been doing since college?”

“I got my degree in business management and put it to use with a conglomerate down in Texas. I did well, but I missed Idaho. So when I heard the owner of the lodge wanted to sell, I started planning and saving. A few years later, I made him an offer.”

“Is your family still in Twin Falls?”

“No. Mom and Dad both passed away while I was in Texas.”

“I'm sorry. Was it an accident? They must have been rather young.”

Tony twirled the stick on a caramel apple between his thumb and index finger. “Cancer took Mom six years ago. Dad had a heart attack a few months later.”

“I'm sorry,” she said again.

“Even after six years, there are still times when something happens and I think, wait until Mom and Dad hear about this.” He shook his head slowly. “I guess you never completely get over losing your parents.”

Silence stretched between them, each lost in thought.

Finally, Maddie said, “I'm assuming there's no Mrs. Tony Anderson.”

“Not yet. But hopefully some day.”

“Do you have some special girl in mind?”

How about you, Maddie?

It was crazy, how close he came to saying those words aloud. It was insane that he thought them at all. Maybe he'd better end this conversation before he made a complete fool of himself. He needed to get away from Maddie and breathe in some crisp winter air to clear his head so he could think straight again.

But when he opened his mouth, he said something unexpected. “Listen, why don't I skip hanging wallpaper and you skip the rest of your window shopping in beautiful downtown Cloud Mountain? Let's go skiing instead.” He leaned toward her. “Let me show you why I wanted to move here and buy that old lodge.”

She shook her head. “Tony, I haven't skied in years. I'm not sure I remember how. Besides, I don't have any gear.”

“We can take care of all that. Skiing is like riding a bike. You don't forget. We'll take a nice easy run. No steep trails. No moguls.”

“I don't know—”

“Come on. The sun is shining. The sky is clear. The snow is good. You'll have fun.”

“Fun,” she echoed softly, lowering her gaze to the bag of candy on the table. “Have some fun.” When she looked up again, resolve filled her gaze. “Okay. Let's do it.”