was it because the time had come for Mac to stop living out of a hotel and move into a real home? A little of both, he assumed. He just couldn't be sure he'd end up with either.
But his friend had. Like Samantha, Bear's woman had merely been passing through his part of the world.
Impossibilities.
Improbabilities.
Bear would never desert Zee, just as Zee for all his zest and zeal, would never enjoy life outside of the Southwest. Which was why the old man didn't know all the details yet. It had taken some time, but Bear's lady, now his fiancee, understood that one of them had to sacrifice if they were to have a life together. Mac understood the same thing.
But with a hotel this size, his sister two hours away and his mother aging and incapable of handling responsibilities this huge, he couldn't be the one to give. That left Samantha, a woman with an older father and responsibilities of her own. Compromise, he reminded himself.
He turned to Joe. The guy had worked an extra shift and would be clocking out soon. 'The flowers?' Mac asked.
'All set, sir.'
Although he understood the necessity, the formality grated.
'The room will be filled as soon as she leaves for her cocktail hour,' Joe said.
'The dinner?'
'Taken care of.' If the clerk's smile grew any wider, his face would crack. Apparently pleasing the boss was high on his list.
' Champagne?'
'Done.'
Mac had never been a hearts-and-flowers, romantic kind of guy. He still wasn't, and based on what he knew of Samantha, all he needed to do was explain why he'd neglected to tell her the truth. He didn't need to impress her with his wealth and surround her with luxury.
He might not need to do those things, but he wanted to. More than anything, he wanted to take care of her, to know she was safe in his suite of rooms and that she was his to come home to every night. He wanted her to know she was loved.
Because she didn't expect anything from him, he wanted to give her all that he had. And if he had to be honest with himself, he couldn't help think, courtesy of Zee, that some honest-to-goodness romance would smooth the way for the truth.
And a future. 'The ring. Was it delivered?' Mac asked. He'd called in a favor and asked a good friend, a jeweler in town, to help him out.
'It's gorgeous. Fits her like she was born to wear it. If I do say so myself, you have exquisite taste, Mr. Mackenzie.'
He'd been referring to the one he expected to be delivered, not the one currently on Samantha's finger. 'Maybe the extra shift was one too many, Joe.' Or the kid was a bigger kiss-up than Mac had originally thought. Although his enthusiasm and hard work were commendable, he often went overboard. If Joe thought he could butter Mac up by gushing over the turquoise-and-silver ring, he had a lot more to learn.
Not that Mac didn't love Sam's ring and all it represented. He did. But this kid wouldn't know that. 'I'll check in with Jim myself,' Mac muttered. If his friend said the package would be here, it would. Still it couldn't hurt to check.
After all, what was a marriage proposal without a diamond ring?
'Uh, Mr. Mackenzie?'
'Yes?'
'Miss Reed at one o'clock,' The kid nodded toward the front desk. He'd been watching too many James Bond movies, Mac thought, but at least one of them had remained alert.
Mac had nearly been caught unaware, and he moved to the side of check-in behind a marble pillar. Too much hinged on tonight's surprise to blow things now. His location hid him well. He had a clear view of the front desk and of Samantha as she approached.
His first look stunned him. He should have been prepared. He'd known, or at least sensed, what kind of world she came from. Even so, the woman approaching the desk didn't resemble his Samantha. After a week of seeing her, sometimes in short skirts, other times in a casual dress that hugged her curves, and more often than not, stark naked, her outfit now was something of a shock.
Sure, the silk dress clung to her breasts and accentuated her hips and curves, but it covered much more than it revealed with its high collar and long sleeves. Her dark hair, in stark contrast to the cream-colored silk, had been pulled on top of her head with a few stray strands brushing her shoulders.
She appeared regal, cool and aloof, all words he'd used regarding other women who frequented this hotel, but none he'd ever thought to use about the woman who'd spent the week in his bed. Until now. Mac would bet The Resort she wasn't wearing sexy lace underwear beneath that dress.
'Excuse me.'
A deep male voice sounded from behind her as an older man came up by her side. Mac drew the line at eavesdropping and snooping even in his own hotel, but he couldn't leave without calling attention to himself, so he waited.
'Yes, sir?' Joe asked.
'My fiancee is expecting a call from her father. Please have her paged at the cocktail party in the Western Ballroom if the call comes through.'
'My pleasure, sir.'
Mac stifled a chuckle. At least Joe kissed up to the guests as well.
'And your fiancee's name?'
The man laughed, a rumble from deep in his throat. 'Why, this young lady here,' he said with pride.
Mac expected him to pull a woman from behind him. Instead he reached for Samantha's hand and rested their hands on the counter.
Mac's gut twisted painfully. He'd been in barroom fights in his youth, but this punch to his stomach was much more brutal and infinitely more severe.
'But… but…' Joe stuttered and shot his boss a confused look. Mac placed his fingers over his lips, indicating the clerk shouldn't give him away, and nodded that Joe should go along. After all, the older man knew what he was talking about.
What did she need with his tin ring when she had that huge bauble hidden away? For that matter, what did she need with a penniless worker when she had a rich man waiting? He now understood why she'd dodged personal questions and avoided his attempts to get closer.
Mac studied the other man, wishing he could criticize, but the guy was well-dressed and not the potbellied aging gigolo he often saw with the younger women here. The only thing Mac could jump on was age, which brought one of two choices to mind.
Had Samantha amused herself with Mac, the bartender, enjoying a fun-filled week of sex before settling down with the rich but older catch? Or had she pegged Ryan Mackenzie within minutes of entering The Hungry Bear and set her sights on his wealth immediately? Lord knows Zee had a big-enough mouth, and Mac hadn't exactly sworn the older man to secrecy.
He didn't know which possibility was worse.
They started to walk away when Samantha turned back to the desk. 'Joe?'
'Yes, Miss Reed?'
'Has Mr. Mackenzie returned yet?'
The younger man opened and closed his mouth while Mac held his breath until Joe responded, 'No, not yet.' The kid just earned himself a raise, Mac thought.
'Thank you,' she murmured.
Watching the couple walk away, he clenched his hands into tight fists. He had his answer.
