Chapter 39
“W ho have we here?” Maureen asked, her lips wearing glossy fuchsia lipstick.
“Uh... I’m Gordon MacDonald.” The man stuck out a burley hand to shake hers.
She paused for a moment until he’d dried his hand off on his slacks, and then she shook his. “I’m Maureen Cook, and I’ve decided to write a cookbook, which will feature your hotel, if you don’t mind.”
When he didn’t respond, she added, “Next time you’re on your computer, Google me to see my credentials. Or hop on YouTube. In the meantime, my sister is going to take some photos of me preparing breakfast in your kitchen. If you don’t mind. If you do, I’ll simply go somewhere else where I will be welcomed.” Maureen knew her name would pop up hundreds of times on the internet. Not to mention YouTube. She was world-famous, she told herself. She hadn’t been fired yet.
“Do you advertise with the Gazette ?” she asked Gordon. “A reporter was in here last night taking pictures of me. Would you please contact him and see if he can get down here again with a photographer?”
Gordon stood mesmerized. “That might have to wait for the snow to let up.”
“You know best.” Maureen had barely been able to zip up her dress an hour ago, and her toes pinched in these high heels. Was it possible to gain weight in such a short time? She’d have to keep an eye on her calorie count.
Mrs. Ross hovered in the distance. “Get a reporter down here,” Gordon said to her. “Tell him Mrs. Cook needs a cameraman too.” Gordon’s face transformed into one of elation; he was no longer a brute. “Anything else we can get you?” he asked Maureen. “Anything at all?”
“I just had a stupendous idea,” she said. “You may not be aware of it, but you have honeymooners staying at the hotel. In their honor, I’ll prepare something extra special. And photograph it for the press. Of course, we will mention this hotel and how much we love it.” Maureen batted her eyes. She liked the rough-and-tumble appearance of this bearded man, and she could tell he appreciated her looks. She caught him glancing down at her ankles. She was glad she’d gone the extra mile to look good. Not that she’d come on this trip to flirt with a stranger. But what could it hurt? Her husband never complimented her.
“In the meantime, my sister will do the honors with my phone. Not a perfect camera but pretty darn good.”
“Absolutely.” Denny popped to her feet. “Ready and willing.”
Maureen had always thought that Denny was better looking than she was. Slim and trim and agile, Denny didn’t need makeup to look beautiful. Alec’s eyes followed her younger sister. Maureen could tell he was entranced. And what man wouldn’t be?
“Say, Gordon, hadn’t you better fix the hole in your roof?” Denny asked him as if they were old friends.
He glared at her.
“All in good time,” Maureen said. “I’m sure Gordon knows what needs to be taken care of first.”
Alec stood. “When you’re ready, I’d be happy to run upstairs with you, sir. Being unable to drive these lovely ladies around the island, I find myself idle.”
“Then come outside and play with me,” Amanda said, stomping her feet. “And Lydia too.”
Maureen figured her daughter was holding in a powder-keg of frustration. It must be boring without any other kids her age to hang out with. But Maureen was determined to keep Amanda inside.
“Dearest daughter, that falling snow from the rooftop banged Lydia’s head and knocked her out for a moment or two. Long enough to be of worry. I think Mrs. Ross’s idea about keeping Lydia awake is the best plan.” Maureen waited for a meltdown, but so far Amanda was keeping her cool.
“She hates me,” Amanda said. “All of you do.”
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Denny said.
“Aunt Denny, I know you love me.”
“We all do,” Maureen said. “Maybe Mr. MacDonald will let you go down and see the new puppies.”
“I don’t know, I don’t want anything to upset Princess.” Gordon’s gaze never left Maureen. “I should go down there right now to make sure she and her new wee family are doing well. Would you like to join me, Maureen?”
“Yes, I would.” Maureen turned to Amanda. “You may come with me only if you’re on your best behavior and keep your distance. Understand?”
Amanda’s demeanor changed to one of happiness. “Yes, I’ll be on my absolute best behavior.”
“And that means using your indoor voice.”
“I’ll make sure she does,” Denny said.
“I don’t know,” Gordon said.
Maureen reminded herself that she was used to handling belligerent men. She hated to admit she was conniving, one reason she’d climbed so high.
She slipped her arm through the bend of Gordon’s elbow. “We will all be very quiet,” she told him.
Denny sprang to her feet. “I’ll go with you. Princess knows me well.”
“How is that?” Gordon asked.
“I’ve been feeding her and bringing her fresh water. I watched her whelp per puppies and have chosen the one I want.”
“I will not be selling any of them.” Gordon’s voice turned belligerent. “And certainly not give one away.”
Maureen watched Denny’s smile droop. But fortunately, she pursed her lips and said nothing. Maureen remembered Denny’s many go-rounds with their father, who had wanted her to become a lawyer. Maureen had often thought Denny could be an attorney, the way she carried on is if she were in a court room.
Maureen looked up to Gordon’s ruggedly handsome face and said, “Did I mention we might be staying here for another month? If you have the room, that is.”
“We’ll make the room.” He stopped walking and gazed down at her. “I am the boss around here.”
“I know. You make all the final decisions.” After being married to James for almost fifteen years, Maureen knew how to act her submissive self when in fact she didn’t feel it. She was superior to James in many ways. Her mother had pointed this out to Maureen often.
Maureen was pleased when she entered the kitchen and found it neat and tidy. Molly must have come in here while Maureen was showering. Maureen was used to working on the set, where people came behind her and cleared all her messes away. Those days were over because Maureen must start acting like a nobody until she planted her feet well under her. Until she had snagged Gordon’s admiration. Piece of cake, she told herself.
Gordon led the way to the basement. Fair enough, Maureen thought. Placing a finger on her lips to shush everyone, she turned behind her and saw Denny, Lydia, and Amanda. Alec followed behind them. As Gordon put out his hand to Princess, she growled and bared her front teeth at him.
He withdrew his hand. “What’s this?” he asked the room at large. “Who has turned my Princess against me?”
No one dared to say a word. At least that’s what Maureen surmised. But then Denny moved closer and stroked the puppies, her fingertips lingering on Rosie.
“How dare you?” Gordan asked her.
“Denny has always loved dogs,” Maureen said, “and they’ve loved her. But our father would never let her have one.”
“But all that’s about to change,” Denny said. “If you’ll sell me Rosie.”
“My answer is an emphatic no.” Gordan seemed to grow in stature. “Are you deaf?”
Maureen saw the hurt in Denny’s eyes. She seemed to be holding in tears. But couldn’t her sister find a cairn terrier puppy when she got home? Shouldn’t she be worried about her bookstore? Maureen reminded herself that she herself had been out of sorts ever since their parents had died. Her priorities had been out of whack, living in a world where nothing made sense.
For one thing Maureen wondered if she loved James anymore. He was the last person she turned to for advice or encouragement. Why hadn’t he called her to at least ask how Amanda was doing? Not that Amanda had asked to speak to her dad. Their family was two-dimensional instead of three. Flat. Almost nonexistent.
Alec’s voice shattered the silence. “Gordon, you want my assistance in the attic?”
“‘Tis a miserable day.” Gordon stood to face Alec but found Maureen instead. He couldn’t help but grin at her. Or so it seemed to Maureen. “Yes, I’d gladly take your help,” Gordon said. “It’s been years since I’ve been up there. I shudder to think of what has been ruined.”
“It’s a mess all right, but Denny saved Bonnie Prince Charlie’s cap.”
“Where is it now?” Gordon glowered at Denny, but she smiled back at him.
“I gave it to Mrs. Ross to put somewhere safe,” she said. “I assume she’s trustworthy.”
“Yes, she is,” Gordon said. “I suppose I must thank you for that. But no time for pleasantries. Alec, I’m ready when you are.”
“Which I am right now.” Alec turned and placed his foot on the first step. A moment later the two men lumbered up the stairs with Lydia on their heels. Maureen was glad to have that altercation deflated but sad to see Gordon leave. Was it just her imagination or had he really found her attractive? She supposed she shouldn’t care, but she did.