Although she wanted nothing more than to keep Mac's ring close to her heart, she wouldn't humiliate her fiance, despite his threats to do the same to her father. She might not love him, he might not love her, but they had an agreement. Once she'd said yes, he'd never been anything but accommodating and reasonable in their dealings. He deserved the same respect from her.
Her hands shook, and as she slipped the turquoise-and-silver ring off her finger, a premonition shook her, one similar to the eerie feeling she'd experienced in the tourist shop.
'What spell?' Sam shook her head at her foolish musings. She'd never believed in such nonsense before and she refused to start now.
After carefully placing the special ring in her purse, she eased Tom's three-carat diamond attention-getter onto her finger. The gold band felt cold against her skin. Suppressing a shiver, she darted into the hall and shut her door behind her.
Back in the lobby, she waited until Joe finished with another couple before waving to capture his attention.
'Good afternoon, Miss Reed.'
She smiled at the courteous young man. 'Hello, Joe.'
'What can I do for you?'
'Well, like I said on the phone, there's a problem with the room, I mean the suite.'
'It's not to your liking?'
'I like it just fine, who wouldn't? It's just that I don't belong there. I don't know who authorized the upgrade, but it's a mistake. One I can't afford. So please check your computer and find me an ordinary, standard room.'
He shook his head. 'I already told you there aren't any other rooms available.'
She wanted to scream in frustration. 'You said this morning you had quite a few early checkouts.'
'And just as many check-ins. If it makes you feel better, this one won't cost you…'
He must have caught her warning look because he stuttered before continuing. 'This won't cost you more than the standard room you think you should have.' He practically beamed again. 'Satisfied?'
She slapped her hand on the desk. 'Not by a long shot.' But it wasn't Joe's fault. 'I'm sorry. But please just put my name on a waiting list or something and let me know if an opening becomes available. Is that all right?'
'Yes, Miss Reed.'
'Good.'
His gaze had settled on her hand. Her left hand. 'That's a lovely ring.'
'Thank you,' she murmured.
'I always knew Mr. Mackenzie had good taste. He's my idol, you know. I'd like to learn as much as I can about hotel management from him and then…'
Sam's brain screeched to a halt after his first few words. And she wasn't so certain she wanted it to click back into gear.
'Joe,' she said, interrupting his running monologue.
'Yes?'
'You said Mr. Mackenzie.' So what? Surely there were dozens of Mackenzies in Arizona. It was a big state. It didn't mean anything. 'That wouldn't be Mr. Ryan Mackenzie, would it?'
He grinned. 'Oh, he said you were sharp and had a great sense of humor. That's funny, Miss Reed. Of course it's Ryan Mackenzie. The boss said to take care of you until he got back, but he didn't say he'd be popping the question in the meantime. But look.' He lifted her hand up to the light. 'He most certainly has.'
'The boss… as in manager?'
Joe blinked and didn't answer. Obviously he was unsure whether she was joking or whether he'd blundered. She had no desire to cause him problems, but she needed to know the truth.
She forced a grin. 'Relax, Joe. I'm kidding. I know Mr. Mackenzie's status here as well as you.'
His shoulders slumped in relief. 'I knew that. I mean, I'm astute. I may never be an owner like him, I couldn't afford to purchase anything this grand, but I'll work my way up…'
Sam patted Joe's hand. 'I'm sure you will.' As soon as he learned the meaning of discretion and the value of silence.
A hollow, numbing feeling settled in her stomach. 'About the room, I'll take it up with Mr. Mackenzie,' she said woodenly before turning and walking away.
She made her way through the lobby in a haze of shock and disappointment. When she found an empty, oversize club chair, she settled in, curling her legs beneath her.
He'd lied. Her sexy bartender wasn't one. Oh, he was sexy all right, but he was no bartender. She wanted to be angry, furious and betrayed. And she was.
Even though that made her a hypocrite, because she'd done some omitting of her own during this week's retreat. She couldn't hold his lies against him, considering she'd wanted him to forgive hers. But she'd wanted him forever, while he'd wanted nothing of the sort.
His mistruths had a purpose, one that was now glaring and clear. This week had been a fantasy, nothing more. While she was giving herself to him, revealing a part of her nature she'd never shown another soul, a part she'd never known existed, he was withholding his true self.
While she was hoping and praying for a future, he was enjoying her newfound sexual freedom. The irony wasn't lost on her. Mac had gotten from this week everything she thought she'd wanted when she'd arrived.
And now? To Mac, the conference and her convenient stay at his hotel was probably a way to keep her around until she left for home. So he could continue enjoying their sexual exploits. She didn't want to believe it, but what else had this week been, but a festival of sex and sin?
Her heart begged her to be fair as a barrage of questions assaulted her. The emotions and feelings, could they really be all one sided? And what about the ring, Sammy Jo? It figures that little voice would return now. Oh, Mac must have had a good laugh over the silver trinket she was afraid would bankrupt him. She'd been a cheap date, Sam thought wryly.
And what about his dreams and his revelations? The desire to build a house, the fantasy about children? 'You
When she left, he'd probably wave goodbye and say thanks for a good time. Why not? She'd provided one willingly.
Sam didn't know what hurt more, her stomach or her heart. Looks like she'd be ending her engagement but winding up alone after all.
She buried her face in her hands as the realization washed over her. She'd gotten everything she came for. And not a damn thing more.
Mac strode through the lobby of his hotel. Knowing he couldn't risk running into Samantha, he'd showered, shaved and changed before leaving Bear's. Upon his arrival at The Resort, he tucked his bag away in his office closet, checked on his employees and made himself as scarce as possible.
Now a little before four in the afternoon, he needed to make sure things were on schedule. 'Everything all set, Joe?' Mac leaned against the front desk in full view of the side elevators, so he could catch sight of Samantha before she could view him.
'Just like you instructed on the phone, Mr. Mackenzie.'
After a week of being just Mac, he resisted the urge to look over his shoulder and see who else the young clerk could be referring to.
The name wasn't the only thing that felt strange. His clothes, a pair of black trousers, a white linen shirt and a sport jacket, standard for Resort clientele-hell, it was standard attire for him-felt stiff and awkward on his body.
Mac envied Bear and the relaxed comfort of his life. He never had before. Was it because his closest friend had found himself a soul mate, a woman who was willing to readjust her life and priorities in order to fit into his? Or
