The Mistresses Collection. Оливия Гейтс

the hell did she want from him?

      After a time, his father spoke. “The heart’s a funny thing. There are some mighty powerful forces in this world of ours, but love beats them all, hands down.”

      Zack frowned across. “Are you trying to say that you still love Mom?”

      “Even if she decides it’s time to call it a day, I’ll never regret marrying her, having our family together.” He ran a finger over his graying moustache. “I’m not so young anymore. You begin to see life through a different lens when you hit sixty. Your ideas regarding success change. Some of the loneliest people in the world have bursting bank accounts.” He looked down and nodded to himself. “I often wonder where I’d be now if I hadn’t fallen so in love with your mother. I might have spent too much time away, but I was always so grateful to come home to you all. Birthdays, Christmas, all those great vacations in Colorado. Remember that old barn we spent that god-awful night in?”

      Zack summoned up a smile. “I’ll never forget it.”

      “When you’re counting down rather than building up, those are the times that matter, not whether or not you beat down some poor bastard in a takeover bid.”

      Zack sat forward. “Were you ever afraid of becoming a father? The responsibilities, I mean.”

      “Don’t know a man who isn’t. Just goes to show you’re not about to take the role lightly. Every child deserves that consideration. But if a man is fortunate enough to find his soul mate, in my opinion, he’d be a fool not to grab the whole package with open arms.”

      “What if you screw up?”

      “Work damn hard to make sure you don’t.”

      Zack swallowed against the hollow feeling rising in his gut. “No matter how hard I work, Trinity won’t want to see me again.”

      When his father sat back and thatched fingers on his lap, preparing to listen, Zack surprised himself and let the whole story out, including his offer of marriage.

      “I’ve seen her angry at me, frustrated, but seeing the disappointment in her eyes that day just about killed me.”

      “It’s not something that can be mended?” his father asked.

      “I don’t see how.”

      “Maybe the family needs to throw another engagement party soon.”

      Zack tried not to sound annoyed. “Dad, I told you she’s not interested.”

      “Perhaps you didn’t ask her the right way.” His father got to his feet. “You were always so sure of yourself and that largely has to do with instinct.” He clasped his son’s shoulder and squeezed. “Surrender to your instincts now and you might end up scoring the deal of your life.”

       Sixteen

      Trinity was heading back inside after making sure Maggie had caught her lift into town safely, when something odd caught her eye. Something small, round and clear glinting in the sunshine in the garden.

      She, Maggie and the baby had moved back to Denver two weeks ago and there was still plenty to do to make this single-story three-bedroom rental feel more like a home. The walls longed for a fresh coat of paint, the furniture needed updating and the yard couldn’t wait for leaves to be raked and some bright spring blooms to be planted. Remembering Mrs. Dale, Trinity had thought dianthus. She planned to start gardening this weekend.

      But with her foot on the first porch step, she wondered if she ought to start on that tidying now. Bel was asleep in the front room and it was such a gorgeous morning. So different than the day she and Bel had first met. The day dynamo Zack Harrison had blown in to her life.

      And had blown right out again, Trinity reminded herself as she headed for that curious spot in the garden. She wondered how many other women would turn down the chance to be Zack’s wife, even when the marriage was purely for show. Sometimes, when she felt lonely and wondered if tossing out her old life for a new one was totally insane, she’d think about how pleased he’d looked after offering what he must have believed to be a very attractive out for her.

      Chivalrous in his own way, she supposed, as that glint caught her eye again. Maybe if she hadn’t cared so much—if she hadn’t fallen in love—she might have accepted the deal for the baby’s sake. Had she been selfish in refusing his proposal? Should she have thought of Bel first and her own feelings not at all?

      But those doubts never lasted long. In her heart she knew what that child—any child—needed most. Not money or a person to call daddy whenever he could slot in a visit and jet into town. Trinity also knew what she needed. She might not have felt loved growing up but now she was grown—now she had a say and a choice—she wouldn’t settle for anything less than the real deal.

      Kneeling in the garden now, she brushed away the dried leaves built up around that piece of glinting glass and, in a heartbeat, reality seemed to turn in on itself. Scooping the piece up, she examined it from every angle while her stomach pitched and her thoughts began to fly.

      This wasn’t a random piece of glass. She’d found a replica of the snow globe Zack had given her. Only the scene inside this one was different. A man and woman stood side by side, a groom and his bride. They were waiting outside a chapel. A message was engraved on the gold plaque.

      Marry Me.

      Taken aback, Trinity fell sideways and almost dropped the globe. Zack had been here, had left this. But when? How? What was she supposed to think, to do, to say?

      “You found my surprise.”

      At the familiar deep tones, Trinity swung around. Zack stood an arm’s length away wearing blue jeans and a sexy white T-shirt. She tried to speak but her mind was whirling too fast. Surprise, affront, even wild, silly hope, were barraging her from every angle. Zack took pity on her.

      “I should explain,” he said.

      Shaky, she held up the globe. “If this is some sick way of tabling that marriage of convenience again, the answer’s still no.”

      “Haven’t lost that temper, I see.”

      “Don’t turn this around. Zack, I asked you to leave us alone.” To let her heal. To forget.

      Not only did he ignore that. He moved closer.

      “I heard from Mrs. Dale this morning,” he said. “They’re moving into a retirement apartment. She wondered if I knew a good home for Cruiser. I said I did.”

      An image of that big, beautiful hound flashed to the forefront of her mind and Trinity smiled. “Who?”

      “Me.”

      “You’re going to take Cruiser to New York?”

      “As it turns out, no. I also spoke with James Dirkins recently. Hope you don’t mind but I put your offer to him. I asked whether he’d consider being my partner in owning and running his hotel. Took him two seconds to agree. Said it was the perfect solution and he’s very much looking forward to working with me.” His expression sobered. “Seems I remind him of his son.”

      “I’m happy for him.” She truly was. “But how does that tie in with Cruiser. Does Mr. Dirkins want a dog?”

      “Cruiser will be staying with me. I’m moving here, permanently.” While she stared in stunned disbelief, he slipped the globe from her hand. “Which brings us to this.”

      When he shook the globe and snow rained down on the happy scene, she brought herself back.

      “No, Zack. I said no.”

      “You haven’t heard me out.”

      “I don’t need to. I’m not going to be anyone’s convenience. Maggie, Bel and I will do fine on our own. Kate’s given me