Eraser Platinum by Megan Keith Page A

thoughtfully.  “Interesting.  You’re obviously smitten with her and if that’s how you wish to spend your money, who am I to argue?  I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”  Lincoln stubbed out his cigar and polished off his drink before standing.  “Time for some lunch,” he said, effectively ending the conversation.
    By the time Nate and Lincoln came into the kitchen, the women had long ago finished their coffees and Carol had made a start on lunch.  Mackenzie was surprised to find that Carol and Lincoln didn’t have any staff like Nate did.  She offered to help Carol prepare their sandwiches, but before Carol could respond the men entered the room
    “Nate can help me, can’t you dear?”  She gave Lincoln a not-so-subtle look to indicate she wanted some alone time with her son.
    Lincoln growled and rolled his eyes.  “Mackenzie, let me take you on a wee tour of the place while Carol plays another round of twenty questions.”  Both the Pierce men laughed.
    “That would be nice,” Mackenzie replied.  Nate gave her a peck on the cheek and she followed Lincoln out of the room.
    Nate silently began buttering bread and waited for his mother to start.
    “So you met her at the bar you’re now going to buy for her to run?”
    “She told you about that?”
    “Buying the bar?  Yes.  Why didn’t you?”
    “Mom, it’s a great investment,” he said defensively.
    “I don’t doubt your decision, Nate.”
    “You don’t?”
    “No.  I wouldn’t.  I just wondered why you didn’t tell me.”
    Nate shrugged.  “It was a quick decision.”
    “Just like coming here?  Why the rushed visit, Nate?”
    He watched her cut a cucumber for a few seconds before buttering some more bread and answering with another shrug.  “It just felt like the right time.  I wanted you to meet her and I wanted her to meet you and Dad.”
    “But it was so spur of the moment, that’s not like you at all.  What gives Nate?”
    “I’m changing.  She makes things different.  I’ve been trusting my gut a lot more lately and acting on impulse.”  He smiled at her.
    She nudged his arm and grinned back.  “Love is liberating.”
    “Yeah.”  He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment.  “I asked her to marry me.”
    “You did?”  Carol squealed, putting down the knife to give him a hug.  “Oh my god!”
    “Settle down.”  He lowered his voice.  “She said no.”
    “What?”  Carol moved away.  “That must be a mistake.  That girl is so in love with you.”
    “I assure you I’m not mistaken.  She said no, repeatedly .  Marriage is not something she wants, no matter how many times I ask her.”
    “And we come full circle as to why you brought her here.  Showing her what a happy marriage is like, are we?”
    Nate nodded.  Busted by his mother.  What did I expect?
    “Her parents didn’t exactly give her anything to go by.”
    “She told me about them.”
    “She did?”  Nate was shocked that Mackenzie had opened up to his mom so readily, when it had taken him so long to get to that point.  Perhaps I’m a good influence on her.  Maybe she’s changing too.  “What else did you two talk about?”
    “Oh you know, this and that.  She’s such a lovely person, Nate.  Maybe given time she’ll come around.”
    “Oh, I’m counting on it.”  He gave his mom a smirk.  “I’m determined to re-negotiate.”
    “That’s my boy.”  She patted his cheek affectionately.
     
     

     
     
    Mackenzie enjoyed the tour with Nate’s dad.  She took in every word Lincoln said as they strolled through the different sections of the property.  He pointed out the architectural significance of the house and the outlying buildings.  He showed her the original stonework and the various sections of the property that had been added over the years.  He’d done extensive research after they bought the place, investigating the history and he became so animated and passionate as he spoke that