He swallowed another sip of his wine. Id think this would be a busy week for you at the hotel.
It is, but my assistant is excellent and he has my cell number in case anything unexpected crops up. I can get back there fairly fast if necessary.
Mac glanced out the window where snow continued to come down. Or not.
Or not. She smiled. To tell the truth, I wouldnt mind being snowed in. Im a bit of a workaholic, and a heavy snow would force me to stay away from the hotel for the whole weekend. She swirled her wine in the glass. I love my work, but I have a tendency to obsess over it.
At least you have an assistant. He helped himself to another cracker and piece of cheese. Im the whole show, and sometimes that means working 24/7. Well, not quite, but it can feel that way.
So why dont you have an assistant? She had an idea of the answer, but was curious as to whether she was right.
Damned if I know. I should hire one, but
A good maintenance man is hard to find?
I just think I can do the job better than anyone else. I have a bit of an ego, I guess. He grinned at her.
Her heart rate picked up. That smile of his was killer. So Im lucky that youre not rushing off to repair someones broken pipes or faulty light fixture tonight.
It could still happen. Ive notified all my customers that Ill be in Reno tomorrow at my folks house for Thanksgiving dinner, but Ill be here until morning, and my people know that. There was a note of pride in his voice.
She thought of his childhood ambition of becoming a superhero. He hadnt strayed all that far from his dream, after all. Which is why Jillian Vickers called you.
He nodded and swallowed a mouthful of wine. About that. He glanced over at her. You should probably know that Jillian loosened that fitting on purpose.
Beth stared at him. On purpose? But why would she Oh, my God. She started to laugh. Oh, my God. She put her wineglass on the end table so she wouldnt spill on the couch, a real danger because she was shaking with laughter. Thats hysterical!
Care to tell me why? He sounded a little miffed.
Because She gasped for breath and realized her hilarity might have offended him. Im sorry. Its not hysterical that shed try to fix me up with you. Youre gorgeous.
His eyebrows lifted. Well, I wouldnt go so far as to say
Its just that the reason I stayed away from my familys Thanksgiving celebration in Sacramento is because I knew theyd have a blind date for me there. Then Jillian pulls this trick. She threw both hands in the air. I cant get away from people trying to find me a man!
He frowned. And you prefer women?
Heavens, no! She suppressed another fit of giggles. I like men just fine. But Im sick of my family trying to marry me off, which is what these blind dates are all about. My three siblings are married, and I, the eldest, am not. Apparently that bugs them. She wiped her eyes and gazed at him. Sorry. I didnt mean to lose it like that.
No need to apologize. Actually, were in the same boat.
She cleared her throat. Hows that?
My mom is determined to find me a wife. In fact, shes invited someone named Stephanie to dinner tomorrow.
Oh, dear. I know exactly how awkward that can be. You have my sympathies. And on top of that, Jillians trying to play matchmaker. She looked at him. You dont have to stay, you know. I mean, first Im dumped on you, and then tomorrow youll be dealing with Stephanie. Ill bet youd rather spend the night on your own.
Actually, its comforting to be with somebody whos stuck with the same problem. He polished off his wine.
In that case, would you like a refill?
Sounds good.
All right, then. She stood. Be right back.
Do you mind if I stoke up the fire while you do that?
She paused for a moment to absorb the fact that hed asked instead of assuming that, as the guy, he had dominion over the fire. Interesting. That would be very nice. Thank you.
As she walked back into the living room with the wine bottle, she admired how good he looked tending the fire. Shed never dated a handyman before, and the idea of being with someone who was good with tools had an erotic component that she liked. Still, she couldnt lose sight of the fact this was a fix-up, and this weekend was supposed to be about putting an end to those.
It helped that he was tired of being fixed up, too, and after all, hed been inconvenienced by Jillians meddling. She glanced at the nearly empty cheese-and-crackers plate, and her natural tendency to be hospitable kicked in. He was a big guy, and big guys usually had appetites to match.
She refilled his wineglass. I have a large frozen pizza I was going to cook for dinner. Want to share it with me?
He looked up, fire tongs in one hand. I hate to eat your stash of food.
Dont worry. I brought plenty. Im planning a single girls version of Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow Cornish game hen, sweet potatoes and some other veggies. Ill have leftovers to take me through the rest of the weekend.
After positioning another log on the fire, he replaced the screen and stood. Pizza sounds great.
She set the wine bottle on the end table next to his glass. Then Ill go pop it in the oven.
Mac followed her into the small kitchen area. Matter of fact, your whole plan sounds great. I envy you having the guts to tell your family you werent going to play their silly game.
If I cant do it now that Im thirty, when can I? She opened the freezer, took out the boxed pizza and opened it.
Youre a very young-looking thirty, Beth.
You didnt have to say that, but thanks. She appreciated a man who knew how to give a well-placed compliment. Shed decided not to be paranoid about being thirty, but it didnt hurt to have someone claim she didnt look it.
Im thirty-one, and I havent been that bold. Then again, my mom keeps reminding me Im the hope of the McFarlands.
She turned to him. Youre what?
He leaned against the countersix feet and a couple of inches of heart-stopping masculinity. He stuck his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, which stretched the material over his package. If my fathers line is to be continued, Im the only one to do it.
A sudden image of how he would do it crossed her mind, and she resisted the urge to fan herself. Youre an only child?
I have a younger sister, but in my fathers world-view, the son is the only one who can carry on the family name. According to my mother, my dad lives for the thought of me fathering a son.
I see. She wondered if he had any idea how sexy he looked standing there talking about doing his familial duty. Sounds sort of medieval.
I absolutely agree. And Ive said that, but it doesnt seem to make any impression.
At least I dont have that kind of pressure. My two brothers and my sister are providing the next generation of Tierneys. She ripped the plastic off the pizza. Do you happen to know if theres a pizza pan anywhere?
There should be. He started opening doors. I seem to remember seeing one when Jillian unloaded cabinets so I could refinish them. Yeah, here it is. He pulled a large flat pan from a bottom cupboard.
She took the pan from him and deposited the frozen pizza on it. You refinished the cabinets?
Last year. They needed it.
Gazing around, she had new appreciation for the honey glow of the oak. Nice job.
Thats the kind of work I like the most, the kind where you can see a difference after youre finished. Wiring and plumbing are sort of fun, but theyre not as creative.
In her preoccupation with Mac, shed forgotten to turn on the oven, so she did that. The pizza had to thaw a little bit, anyway. So you enjoy your work.
I love it. Maintaining vacation homes around the lake is my idea of paradise. I set my own schedule and the views are amazing. Sometimes Im crazy busy, but when theres a lull, I go camping and chill out.
And youre happy.
Hell, yeah, Im happy.
You dont feel that you need a woman to complete the picture?
He scrutinized her. Is that a trick question?
No, its a serious question.
You mean, do I think I have to get married to be happy?
Right.
The answer is no, I dont.
Hallelujah! She punched her fist in the air. I knew I wasnt the only oddball out there!
I take it you dont have the need to rush to the altar, either?
Definitely not. Hotel management is demanding, which is fine, because as a single person I can devote myself to it. But if I had to work around a husbands expectations, Id feel torn.
Depends upon the expectations.
She gazed at him and realized shed never felt free to discuss this with a man before. I work very weird hours sometimes, and I couldnt be counted on to cook and clean, let alone take care of a baby.
I hate to think thats the current definition of what a wife does. Id like to believe weve made some progress.
There are guys who would do those jobs, or would be happy to hire a cleaning lady and a nanny, and eat out a lot. But theyd still expect my attention some of the time.
He smiled. Yeah, thats fair to say.
I just dont know if I have that timenot to mention the energyto give the proper amount of attention to a partner.
He studied her. You would if it mattered enough.
Then maybe it doesnt.
Does your family get that?
She shook her head. My family is into marriage. That comes before everything else, as if a person must be coupled up to have a fulfilling life. I just dont believe that.
For that matter, neither do I.
Then lets get this pizza in the oven so we can sit by the fire and drink to that. Beth slipped the pizza pan into the hot oven, set the timer and walked back into the living room where Mac was filling both their wineglasses. She felt euphoric. Shed found a man who agreed that marriage wasnt the be-all and end-all of existence.
She picked up her glass from the end table and touched it to his. To being single and loving it.
He looked into her eyes. To making our own choices.
Exactly. Down with blind dates. Then she remembered he still had one to deal with and made a face. Sorry.
Dont be. He glanced out the window. Something tells me the weather is going to keep me from making it to Reno tomorrow to meet Stephanie, anyway.
Really?
Well, not really. I have new snow tires and Ill bet I could make it if I wanted to, but I dont. My mom said she couldnt uninvite Stephanie, so Ive decided I just wont be there. The roads are going to be too dangerous. Im sure of it.
Beth had a moment of misgiving. Im probably a bad influence.
No, youre a good influence. He lifted his glass in her direction. Thanks, Beth.
Youre welcome. She sipped her wine and tried to ignore the guilt whispering through her mind. What if Stephanie was perfect for him? His mother knew him well and she might have found his ideal mate.
Once they were settled on the couch, she turned to him. Have you liked any of the women your parents have fixed you up with?
Ive liked most of them. But that doesnt mean any of them was someone I envisioned spending my life with.
Yeah, same here with the men my folks have brought around.
To start with, there has to be plenty of chemistry. You know, a certain zing.
Right. She wondered if anything was zinging for him when he looked at her. She was experiencing some serious zing regarding him. But if he didnt go to Reno, he might miss out on a fabulous meal. Is your mom a good cook?
Do bears live in the woods? He grinned as he relaxed against the cushions with his wineglass cupped in one large hand. Yeah, shes great.
So shes a wonderful cook, which means you would be able to enjoy a feast tomorrow.
Granted, Id be well fed, but Id pay for it. Believe me, turkey with all the trimmings doesnt taste nearly as good when youre expected to entertain someone youve never met who has been carefully selected as a potential fiancée.
Beth sighed. I know. Believe me, I know. She hesitated. She was only a mediocre cook at best, but what the hell. You could come over and share my Cornish game hen, although I warn you, it wont be anything like a full Thanksgiving dinner, and Im no gourmet chef.
His eyes lit up, but then he shook his head. I dont want to interrupt your plans. You probably had it figured out so you wouldnt have to go shopping while you were here. I cant believe you have enough to feed me, too. I eat a lot.
So what if we do use up what I have? Its not as if were that far from civilization. She gestured out the window. Down the road a bit are a whole bunch of hotels and casinos. If those snow tires work as well as you say, you can always buy me dinner if the provisions give out here.
I could do that.
She realized then what shed said and her cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Wait. Im sounding pushy. I wasnt implying that you would stick around that long, and I certainly didnt mean to suggest you had to invite me out. Way to go, Tierney.
Easy, Beth. He smiled. Youre not being the least bit pushy, if thats what youre worried about.
I am worried about that. First I talk you into abandoning your mothers turkey-day feast, and then I invite myself on a dinner date. I may be in management, but I swear Im not a bossy person.
You didnt talk me into anything. You inspired me to take my destiny into my own hands for a change. If I accept your invitation for Cornish game hen, then Ill damn well be sure to return the favor with a dinner at a restaurant later on. For that matter, we could eat out tomorrow, if you want. The casino restaurants will be open.
She gazed at him. No, I think we should cook our own version of Thanksgiving dinner right here, as part of our new declaration of independence from family meddling. Well count all our blessings for the life we have, not the one everyone else thinks we should have. She took a deep breath. That is, if you want to.
I do. Its a great idea.
I like it, too.
And she liked him. So far, she liked him better than any man shed met in a long time. If she were in the market for a serious relationship But she wasnt. That was the whole point.