Keep On Loving you by Christie Ridgway Page B

always.

CHAPTER SIX
    Z AN WAS LATE . Mac checked her phone for the dozenth time, confirming that he was fifteen minutes past their designated meeting hour of 11:00 a.m. and that he’d neither called nor texted. “I’ve waited long enough,” she muttered and moved her hand to the ignition just as a car pulled behind hers in the driveway of the Elliott mansion.
    Poppy jumped out of the fancy SUV she was driving these days and let herself into the passenger side of the company sedan that was Mac’s ride that morning. “Why are you sitting here?” she asked.
    Mac’s gaze took in her little sister, dressed in dark jeans, an oversize yellow sweater that met her knees and a pair of warm suede boots. A knitted stocking cap in goldenrod was pulled over her honey hair. “You look like a ray of sunshine.” It made her smile.
    Poppy returned the assessing glance. “Ball cap, check. One of Brett’s old flannel shirts, check. Denim that’s about to split at the knees. You look like you’re on your way to the county dump.”
    Mac’s smile died. “Gee, thanks.”
    â€œWell, why are you dressing like that?”
    â€œI’m only meeting Zan,” she said, gesturing toward the house. “Or I was meeting Zan, but he’s stood me up apparently.”
    Poppy pressed her lips together, causing Mac to narrow her gaze. “What’s that expression mean?”
    â€œI only think it’s high-larious that you were shooting eye daggers at him over dinner and the next minute you agreed to do a job for him.”
    â€œHigh-larious,” Mac muttered. “It was that lasagna you made. The carbs made my brain muzzy.” The fact was, she’d been goaded into agreeing when he accused her of being afraid. Pride sometimes sucked.
    â€œStill—”
    â€œAnyway, I’m reneging. He’s not here now, and I don’t have time to reschedule.” Noting her sister was about to make another comment, she took control of the conversation. “What about you? Why are you on this side of the lake?”
    â€œCabin business.”
    At Mac’s arched eyebrow, Poppy continued. “I have a friend who’s going to show me some ins and outs of website design.”
    â€œI thought London and Shay put together a prototype for you that some techie at Ryan’s production company was going to polish.”
    â€œI decided to do it myself. I’ve got the time.”
    â€œWith a wedding coming up? And a kindergartener, not to mention a fiancé and an overfriendly dog?”
    â€œI’m not at the front desk of the lodge anymore. There’s a free hour here and there.”
    Poppy’s work for several years had been at a lakeside inn, which she brought up time and again when anyone questioned the success of the cabin venture given the Walkers’ lack of experience in the hospitality industry. Anyone , of course, coming down to only Mac these days.
    She sighed. “Are you ever—”
    â€œNever,” Poppy said cheerfully, “if you’re wondering if I’ll ever give up on making something of that land. It’s our legacy, and we’re so close, Mac!”
    Close to investing their hearts into something that could very well fail.
    â€œYou know, you used to be a lot more fun.” Poppy poked her in the shoulder. “When did you turn so gloomy?”
    It began the day my childhood dreams drove down the hill. Though Zan had talked about leaving the mountains forever, as a girl she’d never imagined that day would come, especially not once they were together as a couple. For a while she’d wondered if she would have gone with him if he’d asked...but since he hadn’t, she’d never nailed down an answer to the question.
    â€œI have a practical nature,” Mac said now. “And that practical nature thinks it’s time I boot you out of my car so I can get on with my