Alaskan Hideaway. Beth Carpenter
Читать онлайн книгу.washed over him, but in a way it was a relief, to acknowledge what heâd lost. For some reason it was easier with Ursula, maybe because she didnât know him, didnât know the story, had no preconceived ideas. She didnât rush in with some platitude or awkwardly edge away as though grief was contagious. She simply accepted what he told her.
Ursula looked over at Blossom, snoozing on the rug with a cat under her chin. âYour daughter must have been a gentle person, to raise such a gentle pit bull.â
âShe was.â Mac swallowed the lump in his throat, remembering. âShe was too gentle for her own good sometimes. Always saw the best in people, even when they didnât deserve it.â
âIf everyone could be like your daughter, the world would be a better place.â
âYes it would.â If only there were no predators, no evil. But they were there, preying on the innocent, and it was her very goodness that had cost Andi her life. Her murderer had disappeared, but eventually they would find him and heâd go to prison for the rest of his sorry life. Mac would make sure of it.
But todayâtoday he could talk about the daughter he loved. He told Ursula stories, about Andi as a girl, giving away her school supplies to other kids. About how she would make him chicken soup when he had a cold. About how sheâd volunteered at the animal shelter, and done every walkathon and fund-raiser that came along. âWhen she was seventeen, she spent two weeks with a team in Peru, building a new dormitory for an orphanage.â
âWow. How did she learn about building?â
âWeâd both done some weekend work building houses locally. Andi was pretty handy with a nail gun. I was all set to go, too, but she wanted to do it without me.â
âBrave girl. At seventeen, Iâd never been more than a state away from Wyoming. Didnât her mother worry?â
Mac shook his head. âHer mother died when she was a baby. I worried. But Andi was fine.â
âShe sounds like a special person.â
Mac sighed. âShe was.â
Ursula refilled his cup. Mac realized heâd monopolized the conversation but she didnât seem to mind. On the wall behind her, a calendar featured a picture of the inn. An emerald green mountain rose behind it. The setting was spectacular, summer or winter. He could see why people wanted to stay here. âHow many rooms do you have in your inn?â
âSix. Besides my private quarters.â She nodded toward the back door leading from the kitchen.
âYou run it by yourself?â
âI have a housekeeper three times a week. I do the rest.â
âSounds like a big job.â
âIt is, but I love it. Iâve been running the inn for about six years now.â
The back door opened and a blond girl about seven or eight peeked through the crack. Ursula smiled at her and held out her arms. The girl ran over and climbed into her lap.
Ursula stroked her hair from her forehead. âYouâre up early. Did we wake you?â
The girl gave a sleepy nod. An ache formed in Macâs chest. She didnât look much like his daughter. Andi had brown hair and eyes, while this girl was fair, but the way she cuddled against Ursula while watching him through her lashes brought back memories.
âSorry, sweetie. Mac, Iâd like you to meet my goddaughter, Aurora Houston. Rory, this is our new neighbor, Mr. Macleod.â
âYou can call me Mac.â
The little girl watched him for a moment before her eyes opened wide. âYouâre the old grouch who blocked the ski trails.â
âRory, you shouldnât sayââ
âBut thatâs what you said. That the old grouch wouldnât open the gate and we have to go all the way over to Margeâs to ski.â
âNo. I, uh...â Ursulaâs cheeks flushed a charming shade of pink. Who knew women still blushed? It was all Mac could do to keep a straight face. âThat is, yes, I did say that but it was wrong. I was frustrated, but Mac has every right to decide how to manage his property, and I apologize to you both for what I said. Besides, he needs to keep the gates closed to keep the dog in.â She pointed toward Blossom.
âA dog!â Rory scrambled off her lap and dropped onto the rug beside the dog and cat.
Mac had to smile. Andi would have had exactly the same reaction. âHer name is Blossom.â
She stroked the dogâs head, and Blossom thumped her tail. Rory looked up. âLook Ursula, sheâs really nice. She must have just been having a bad day when she saw us before.â
âI think it was the ski poles. Sheâs afraid of them.â
âOh, thatâs right.â Mac had forgotten. âMy housekeeper mentioned she always has to put the dog out before she sweeps because Blossom doesnât like the broom.â
âWhy doesnât she like poles?â Rory asked.
âIâm not sure,â Mac responded, âbut I suspect someone was mean to her when she was a puppy and might have hurt her with a stick. Itâs funny, because she doesnât seem to mind if I carry sticks and poles.â
âThatâs because she knows she can trust you.â Ursula smiled at him. âAnd I do apologize for calling you an old grouch.â
Sheâd only spoken the truth, but she was obviously trying to set an example for her goddaughter. âApology accepted.â
Ursula glanced at the clock. âOops, time flies. Rory, you need to get dressed for school while I get your breakfast ready.â
âBut I want to pet Blossom.â
Mac stood. âIt was nice to meet you, Rory. Blossom and I need to go, but maybe you can see her another time.â
âGo on, sweetie.â Ursula allowed her to give the dog one last hug before she shooed her through the door. Ursula turned back to Mac. âThank you for returning the plate.â
âNo problem. Thanks for the muffins. And...everything.â
âYouâre welcome. Stop by anytime, if the solitude gets to be too much for you.â
âThanks, but Iâll be fine.â
âYes, you will be.â Odd phrasing, but then he realized she wasnât just being polite. She acknowledged his loss and believed he would get through it. He wasnât nearly so sure, himself. He looked back just before he stepped out the door. She gave him one last smile. âGoodbye, Mac. Take care of yourself.â
* * *
THE CELL PHONE RANG, again. Mac considered ignoring it, but Ronald would just keep calling. Persistence was a good trait in an agent, most of the time. âItâs Mac.â
âSo youâre still on the planet. I assume you made it to Alaska okay?â
âI did.â
âEverything all right with the cabin?â
âItâs fine.â
âGood. Danielle gave me the address, and I arranged for them to install Wi-Fi.â
âYou what?â
âItâs DSL. Theyâre supposed to be there