A Cloud Mountain Christmas by Robin Lee Hatcher

Author:Robin Lee Hatcher [Hatcher, Robin Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488025495
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2007-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Fortunately for Maddie, she’d packed two business suits, one of which had a skirt. Wearing a skirt to church would mean she didn’t have to cut a leg off a pair of her good slacks, something she was loath to do.

Somehow she managed to bathe and dress on Sunday morning without injuring another part of her anatomy in the process. Then, as satisfied as she could be with her appearance, she hobbled into the dining room just as the Sullivans were finding places at the tables. David was there, too, and when he saw her, he pulled out the chair next to him and motioned for her to be seated.

“How did you rest?” he asked as she drew near.

“Like a rock. All that smog-free night air did me good. I didn’t even need a pain pill.”

David nodded. “Glad to hear it.” He took her crutches and set them against the wall. “You look nice. I understand you’re going to church with Tony.”

“Yes. Will you join us?”

“Wish I could, but I’d best hit the road after breakfast. I told the pilot I’d be at the airport by eleven.”

She straightened on her chair. “But we were going to talk about the negotiations before I meet with Tony again.”

“I gave that some thought and I don’t think it’s necessary.” He took the cloth napkin from beside his plate and spread it open on his lap. “Maddie, you know what to do. You’re good at it.”

Yes, she knew what to do. She was a competent negotiator in ordinary circumstances. But doing business with Tony didn’t feel ordinary.

David leaned closer. “Trust your instincts.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“I have confidence in you.”

She wished she could say the same about herself, but she couldn’t. Everything about this trip seemed off-kilter. First there’d been that headline about Craig and Shari and their pregnancy. Then there’d been her broken ankle, something that never would have happened if she’d kept her mind on business. And now? Now there were these…feelings about Tony, feelings that had nothing to do with negotiating the purchase of the Uriah Small manuscript for David’s collection, nothing to do with closing the deal so that she could collect her commission and pay off her debts. Feelings she could ill afford to entertain.

Not now.

It wasn’t worth the risk.

* * *

Redeemer Community Church looked like something off a Currier & Ives Christmas card: wood siding painted white; long and narrow with plenty of windows; a tall steeple; snow piled high all around it; mountains rising majestically in the background; pine wreaths with red bows decorating each of the double doors at the entrance.

As Maddie climbed the steps, she felt Tony’s gentle touch on the small of her back, a gesture of support, a silent message that he wouldn’t allow her to fall. Emotion tightened her throat. She didn’t want to be so moved by his unspoken concern, but she was.

“Maddie, this is Luke Matthews, our pastor. Luke, I’d like you to meet Maddie Scott.”

Tony’s words of introduction pulled her attention to the man standing inside the doorway.

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