“And the freedom. Heady stuff getting my old man off my back. Doing things because I want to do them rather than because he told me to.” He chuckled. “I’m surprised you came back. I got the feeling you felt the same way at Base Camp.”
Now they were getting to the heart of it. Win clasped her hands together in her lap. She couldn’t wait to get back to it. “I did.”
Leif surged to his feet again and took a turn around the room.
“Something on your mind?” she asked finally.
He stopped in front of a large porcelain vase containing a huge bouquet of cut flowers. “So… you really want to get back together?”
“Me? No,” she said slowly. “I meant what I said when I left. I don’t think we’re right for each other.” She leaned forward. “Did someone tell you I wanted to get back together, because from what I heard, you’re the one who wants to go back to being engaged.”
Leif shook his head and turned to face her again. “Not me.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Mom and Dad said they had it on good authority from your parents. They said it’s why you came home.”
“I came home because my mom was sick.”
“And not because you were pining for me. God, they had me fooled. And here I’ve been wondering how to let you down easy. Sounds like I’ve done a bunch of flying for nothing.” He grinned at her. Good old easygoing Leif, Win thought.
“My parents are consummate liars. I learned that myself today.” She relayed what Maria and Rosa had told her. She thought Leif would be surprised, but he simply nodded. She was convinced she was still in shock. She’d known her parents were cunning adversaries in the business and political world, but she’d never thought them capable of putting her through so much just to get her home.
“Both our parents are good at manipulating people. Look, Win, I’m glad we got a chance to talk no matter how long a flight I had to take to be here. I wanted you to hear from me first that I found someone else.”
“You did?” Relief surged over her. One person she hadn’t disappointed, then. “I’m so happy for you! I want to hear all about her.” But then she remembered the time and the flight she’d scheduled to Montana. “I need to get going, though. I’d hoped my parents would be home by now so I could tell them exactly what I think about what they’ve done, but my priority is getting back to Base Camp.”
Leif nodded. “That’s right. Tomorrow is Greg and Renata’s wedding. Angus and Walker will be drawing straws. You’ll want to be there.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “You watch the show?”
“Everyone watches the show,” he said affectionately. “Yes, of course I do. We’re old friends. I want to stay up-to-date on your life. I’ll tell you what. Want a lift to the airport? I can tell you all about Isabel, and you can fill me in on the past few months.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks!”
“Almost time,” Angus said the following afternoon as he and Greg checked their old-fashioned uniforms in the mirror in one of the guest rooms at the manor. Greg seemed over the moon about his impending marriage. Angus was trying to focus on him, like Maureen had suggested, but he was having trouble keeping his mind off Win.
“That’s right, and you know what that means.” Boone came into the room, holding up a fist with two straws poking out of it.
“Hell, I’d hoped you’d forgotten,” Angus said. “It had better be your turn,” he warned Walker.
“Not ready,” Walker grunted.
“Someone better get over here and draw a straw,” Boone said.
“After you,” Angus said.
Walker made an ushering gesture as if to waft Angus across the room.
“No. You first.” Angus held firm.
Walker crossed his arms and didn’t budge.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Boone snapped. “Get over here, both of you!”
Angus and Walker eyed each other. One of them would have to break, and it wasn’t going to be him, Angus vowed. Finally, just when he thought Boone would come over and thump each of them over the head with the fist that held the straws, Walker growled with impatience, strode over to Boone’s side and yanked a straw from his grip.
Held it up.
It was definitely long. “Ha,” he said and left the room triumphantly.
Angus’s heart sank, and for the first time he wondered if he could really go through with this. Boone held up the short straw and waggled it at him.
“Come on,” Angus protested. “Are you serious?” He wasn’t ready.
But what did it matter if he was ready? Win had made her choice—she was probably saying her vows to another man right now. He hadn’t been good enough for her. She needed someone with wealth. Power. Ambition.
“I’m always serious,” Boone answered him. “You’re up, Angus. Sorry, but you’re going to have to get over Win and move on.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“I’m not just saying it.” Boone looked uneasy. “Your backup bride will arrive tomorrow, and she’ll stay here for the next thirty days. You’re going to need to pull it together.”
“What if I don’t like her?”
“It’s just thirty days,” Boone reiterated. “Give her a fighting chance, that’s all they’re asking for. You going to be able to handle this?” he asked with concern.
“Guess I have to be,” Angus said stiffly.
Boone clapped him on the back and moved away. “All right, people. It’s wedding time.”
“You never know. Maybe she’ll be the woman of your dreams,” Greg said when Angus came to take one last look in the mirror.
“The woman of my dreams is in California,” Angus retorted, then took a calming breath. This was Greg’s wedding day, and he wasn’t going to ruin it. Like Boone had said, he needed to get it together.
“I’m ready,” Greg declared.
“Me,
