Falling for Fortune

Chapter Two

“Oh, look at the flowers.” Angie sighed as Christopher guided her and Toby up the bougainvillea-lined path to Red.

“Just wait until you see the courtyard inside,” Christopher said with as much pride as if he were showing off his own home. “Red is built around it. There’s a fountain I think you’ll love.”

Angie stopped. “Red?”

“Yes, that’s the name of the restaurant.” Christopher gestured to the tile nameplate attached to the wall just outside the door, which he held open as he tried to usher them inside, but Angie stopped.

“Is this the same Red that’s owned by the Mendozas?” Angie asked.

“One and the same,” Christopher said.

“Wendy and Marcos Mendoza catered our wedding reception.” Angie sighed again as she looked around, taking it all in. “They have to be two of the nicest people I’ve ever met.” She turned to Toby. “I can’t believe we’re here. Chris, did you plan this?”

He wished he could take credit for it, but until now, he’d had no idea what had taken place at their wedding. He’d been so intent on staying away to avoid clouding their day with bad vibes that he hadn’t realized he didn’t know the first thing about the event other than the fact that his brother had taken himself a bride.

Regret knotted in his gut.

“The Mendozas catered your wedding?” Christopher asked.

“Yes, they did a beautiful job,” Angie said. “Everything was delicious. Oh, I hope that chicken mole they served at the reception is on the menu. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since.”

A twinge of disappointment wove itself around the regret. Christopher knew it was totally irrational, but he had brought them here because he’d wanted to introduce them to something new, something from his world that he had discovered. Yet by a strange twist of small-world fate, Red was old news to them.

“This place is so beautiful,” Angie cooed. “I could live here quite comfortably.”

“I’ll bet we could.” Toby beamed at his wife. His love for her was written all over his face. Watching the two of them so deeply in love blunted the edges of Christopher’s disappointment. He wasn’t surprised that Toby had settled down. Of all of his siblings, Toby had been the one who was the most family oriented, especially after taking in the three Hemings kids. He was happy for his brother and Angie. He hoped things worked out and that they would be able to adopt the kids. But although Christopher looked forward to being an uncle, he couldn’t imagine any other kind of life than the one he was living now.

On their way to lunch Christopher had seized the opportunity to show off his new town and lifestyle. He’d loaded the newlyweds into his spankin’ new BMW and given them the fifty cent tour of downtown Red Rock.

Although there were certainly fancier restaurants in town, none spoke to Christopher quite the way Red did. Obviously the Mendoza appeal wasn’t restricted to Red Rock, since Toby and Angie seemed to love their food as much as he did.

Christopher held open the door as Angie and Toby stepped inside. He breathed in deeply as he followed them. It smelled damn good...of fresh corn tortillas, chilies and spices. There was something about the mix of old and new that appealed to him. The restaurant was housed in a converted hacienda that had once been owned by a Spanish family rumored to have been related to Mexican dignitary Antonio López de Santa Ana. Santa Ana was known as the Napoleon of the West. Christopher had recently learned that the current owners of the property, Jose and Maria Mendoza, had been fortunate to purchase the house and land at an affordable price before anyone realized its historical significance. The place couldn’t have been in better hands because the Mendozas had given the place its due reverence. That was especially true after the restaurant had been largely destroyed by an arson fire in 2009. Luckily, the family rebuilt and reopened after several months and had been going strong ever since.

Inside, the restaurant was decorated with antiques, paintings and memorabilia that dated all the way back to 1845 when President James Polk named Texas the twenty-eighth state of the Union.

In college, Christopher had complemented his business major with a history minor. So it was only natural that he liked the place for its history.

But the food...he loved the place for its food.

Red offered a mouthwatering selection of nouveau Mexican cuisine. The chef had a talent for taking traditional dishes such as huevos rancheros, the chicken mole that Angie was so crazy about and tamales, and sending them to new heights using fresh twists on old classics. The menu was bright and vibrant, familiar yet new and exciting.

Christopher had experienced nothing like it in Horseback Hollow. His mother, Jeanne Marie, was a great cook, but her repertoire was more of the meat and potatoes/comfort food variety. The food at Red was an exotic and surprising twist on traditional Mexican.

The chef was always coming up with new specials of the day and anytime Christopher was in, he asked him to taste test and share his opinion. Christopher loved being able to offer his input.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Fortune,” said the hostess. “We’re so glad you chose to join us for lunch today. Come right this way. Your favorite table is ready.”

The shapely brunette shot Christopher a sexy smile before she turned, hips swaying, as she led the three of them to an aged pine table next to a large window where they could enjoy the comfort of the air-conditioning, but still look out at the well-landscaped courtyard. As far as Christopher was concerned, it was the best seat in the house.

After they were settled, the hostess handed each of them a menu. “Enjoy your lunch, and please let me know if you need anything.”

She winked at Christopher before she turned to make her way back to the hostess station.

That was quite obvious of her, Christopher thought as he watched her walk away on her high-high heels with the grace and assurance of a tightrope walker. Her skirt was just short enough to draw the eye down to her firm, tanned calves. Now, that was a woman who knew how to dress. Unlike Kinsley, who hid herself under all that heavy tweed fabric that left her looking buttoned-up and shapeless. What a shame.

Suddenly, seeing Kinsley in a skirt and heels like that became his new fantasy.

“I see you come here for the good service,” Toby said, a knowing glint in his eye.

“Of course.” As Christopher turned back to his brother and Angie, a blonde caught his eye. She was was seated at a table to their left—and he couldn’t help noticing that she resembled Kinsley—

Wait, that is Kinsley.

She was dining with a woman he didn’t recognize. He had a view of Kinsley’s profile. If she just turned her head ever so slightly to the right she would see him, but she seemed engrossed in her conversation. Just as he was contemplating getting up and going over to say hello, her server brought their food.

She must have gotten here before him and ordered already. Besides, he, Toby and Angie had just sat down. They hadn’t even placed their drink order. He would wait.

When she’d made his reservation she hadn’t mentioned that she’d be dining here herself, even though she knew he was going to be here right around the same time. Maybe she was afraid that he would think she was angling for an invite to join them. Most of the women he knew wouldn’t have been shy about doing that. But Kinsley was different. Quiet, understated, more conservative.

She was a refreshing change from all the other women he’d met since he’d been in Red Rock. And there had been more than a few. Most of them were sassy and assertive, not at all afraid to reach out and let him know exactly what they wanted and how they wanted it. None of them was a keeper, either. They were all nice and fun, of course, but they left him wanting.

Kinsley, on the other hand, was a puzzle, and most definitely, he realized as he was sitting there, one he was interested in trying to solve.

Hmm. Why had he never thought about her like that before? He’d always thought she was pretty, and on occasion he’d tried to flirt with her, but until right now, he’d never really thought about what made her tick.

As if she felt him watching her, she glanced his way, and their gazes snared. He waved and she lifted a finger before turning her attention back to her lunch companion.

Despite this strange new Kinsley-awareness coursing through him, Christopher decided he should do the same and turned his focus to his brother and Angie. But pushing her from his mind was harder than he had expected.

The view of the courtyard helped. It was spectacular, with colorful Talavera tiles scattered here and there on the stucco walls, Mexican fan trees and more thriving bougainvillea that seemed to be blooming overtime today in a riot of hot pink, purple and gold. But even the crowning glory of the stately, large fountain in the center of the courtyard couldn’t keep Christopher’s gaze from wandering over Kinsley’s way.

“Too bad we couldn’t sit outside,” Toby said.

If the temperature wasn’t pushing ninety, Christopher would’ve insisted that they sit out by the fountain. Even though the outside tables were shaded by colorful umbrellas, the humidity was a killer. He didn’t want to sweat through his suit and then go back to work.

Not the image he wanted to portray, he thought, glancing at Kinsley.

“Is this okay?” he asked Toby and Angie. “We could move, but it’s a killer out there.”

“No, this is so lovely,” said Angie. “I want to stay right here.”

Before she could say more, Marcos Mendoza, the manager of Red, appeared at their table.

“Christopher Fortune, my man.” Marcos and Christopher shook hands. “It’s great to see you.”

“You, too,” said Christopher. “My brother Toby and his wife, Angie, are visiting. I couldn’t let them leave Red Rock without dining at Red.”

“Well, if it isn’t the newlyweds.” Marcos leaned in and kissed Angie on the cheek then shook Toby’s hand. He hooked a thumb in Christopher’s direction. “This guy is your brother?”

“Yep, I’ll claim him,” Toby said without a second’s hesitation. His brother’s conviction caused Christopher’s heart to squeeze ever so slightly, but he did a mental two-step away from the emotion and everything else it implied: the problems between him and Deke; the way he’d left home; the fact that he’d allowed all the ugliness to cause him to miss his own brother’s wedding.

“Christopher here is one of our best customers,” Marcos said. “I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together and figure out that the two of you were related. But different last names?”

“I go by Fortune. Toby goes by Fortune Jones.” Angie flinched. Christopher hadn’t meant to bite out the words. There was a beat of awkward silence before Toby changed the subject.

“Did you know that Marcos and Wendy are opening a new restaurant in Horseback Hollow?” he asked Christopher.

“Seriously?” Christopher said. He’d only been away a couple of months and he felt like a stranger.

“We’re opening The Hollows Cantina next month. In fact, my wife, Wendy, and I are in the process of packing up and moving there with our daughter, MaryAnne.” Marcos paused, a thoughtful look washing over his face. He turned to Christopher. “So if you and Toby are brothers, that means Liam Fortune Jones is your brother, too?”

Christopher nodded.

Marcos smiled. “I’ve hired his fiancée, Julia Tierney, to be the assistant manager at the restaurant.”

Christopher forced a smile.

“I had no idea that you were leaving Red Rock, or that Julia would be working for you,” Christopher said.

“I kept it on the down low until I was sure that everything would pan out,” said Marcos. “This is a great opportunity for my family, and having my own restaurant will be a dream come true. Really, we owe this happy decision to Julia. She is the one who talked us into opening a place in Horseback Hollow. Your future sister-in-law should work for the Horseback Hollow Chamber of Commerce—she can’t say enough good about the place.”

“Congratulations,” said Angie. “We will be sure to come in after the Cantina opens.”

“I have your contact information,” said Marcos, “and I will make sure that the two of you are invited to the grand opening. The Fortunes are like family, and family always sticks together.”

Toby shot Christopher a knowing look. “Yes, they do.”

“In fact, Fortune,” Marcos said to Christopher, “I’d better see you at the grand opening celebration, too. Especially now that I know that you’re a native son of Horseback Hollow.”

Christopher gave a wry smile. “Yeah, well, don’t go spreading that around.”

Everybody laughed, unaware or ignoring the fact that Christopher wasn’t kidding.

“I need to get back to work,” Marcos said. “So please excuse me and enjoy your lunch.”

The men shook hands again and Marcos planted another kiss on Angie’s cheek before he moved on to greet the next table of guests.

“When are Julia and Liam getting married?” asked Christopher.

“That remains to be seen,” said Toby. “It’s a big step that he’s committed to one woman. Julia is good for him. She gets him, but doesn’t let him get away with squat. I think she’s about the only woman who could make an honest man out of him.”

Nodding, Christopher gave the menu a cursory glance. He wanted to hear the day’s specials, but it would take something extra appealing to sway him away from his favorite beef brisket enchiladas.

Toby looked up from his menu. “It looks like the marriage bug is infesting our family. I just heard that our cousin Amelia Chesterfield Fortune has gotten engaged to some British aristocrat.”

“That just seems so odd,” mused Angie. “She was dancing with Quinn Drummond at our wedding. It was the way they were looking at each other... The two of them seemed so happy. In fact, I would’ve wagered that something was blossoming between them. I just can’t imagine that there’s another man in the picture.”

“Yeah, but I heard the news from Mama and she usually gets things right.” Toby shook his head as if trying to reconcile the idea.

Their server was a woman named DeeDee. Christopher had seen her socially one time, but he hadn’t called her again. He hadn’t realized that she worked at Red. Within the first hour of their date, he’d realized DeeDee was after a whole lot more relationship than he was able to give. No sense in stringing her along, even if she was nice. The world was full of nice women and he needed to get to know a lot more of them before he settled down. He found his gaze sliding over to Kinsley’s table yet again. It looked as if they were finishing up with their meals. “Well, if it isn’t Christopher Fortune as I live and breathe,” DeeDee said, a teasing note in her voice. She twisted a strand of her long red hair around her finger as she talked. “It’s been so long since I heard from you, I thought maybe you’d fallen off the face of the earth or maybe you moved to some exotic, faraway land.”

Christopher laughed, keeping things light. “It’s good to see you, DeeDee. How long have you been working here?”

“It’s only my second day.”

“Which explains why I’ve never seen you here,” said Christopher.

After a little more playful banter, DeeDee flipped her hair off her shoulder with a swift swipe of her hand and took their drink orders. Next, she described the day’s specials, which didn’t tempt Christopher’s taste buds away from his usual order. After she left to get their drinks, Christopher recommended some of his favorites from the menu to Toby and Angie.

A few minutes later DeeDee returned with a bottle of champagne and three flutes. “This is for the newlyweds, compliments of Mr. Mendoza and the staff at Red.”

“Oh, my goodness,” said Angie. “Champagne in the middle of the day. How decadent. And how absolutely lovely. Thank you.”

“Well, the way I see it,” said Toby, “I’m only getting married once, and it’s an occasion to celebrate. Right, little brother?”

Toby didn’t wait for Christopher to answer. He put his arm around his bride and leaned in, placing a sound kiss on Angie’s lips. If DeeDee hadn’t been standing there, Christopher might have joked and told them to get a room. But really, it was nice to see Toby and Angie so happy.

“So this is your brother and sister-in-law?” asked DeeDee after she popped the cork and filled the glasses with the bubbly.

Christopher didn’t want to be rude, but he didn’t want to get too personal. “Yes,” he said. “They’re visiting, but I’m on my lunch hour so we should place our orders now.”

“Of course,” said DeeDee, snapping into professional mode. She wrote down their selections and headed toward the kitchen.

After she left, Christopher said, “I just can’t get over the fact that you’re married. But it suits you. It really does.”

Toby gave Angie a little squeeze.

“Where do the adoption proceedings stand?” Christopher asked. Seven months ago, Toby had taken in the Hemings children: eleven-year-old Brian, eight-year-old Justin and seven-year-old Kylie. The kids had had nowhere to turn and faced possible separation when their aunt was ordered into rehab for a drinking problem and child neglect. Both Christopher and Toby had known the kids from the Vicker’s Corners YMCA where they had worked as coaches. Most people would’ve run from that kind of responsibility—Christopher knew he certainly couldn’t have handled it—but Toby hadn’t thought twice before agreeing to take them in.

Unfortunately, the kids’ aunt, who obviously didn’t have the children’s best interests at heart, had decided to try and take the kids from Toby and send them into another unstable situation in California. Her reasoning was the kids should be with relatives. Never mind that the relative she’d chosen was out of work and on parole.

That’s all it took for Toby to decide he needed to legally adopt the children.

“Everything is still pending,” said Toby. “Frankly, it’s taking so long I’m starting to get worried.”

“I just don’t understand what the holdup is,” said Angie. “They not only have a loving home with us, but they also have become part of the family. They call Jeanne Marie and Deke Grandma and Grandpa. They’re calling your sisters and brothers Aunt and Uncle. How anyone could think that uprooting these poor kids is what’s best for them is beyond me. It breaks my heart.”

Toby caressed Angie’s shoulder. “We are going to do everything in our power to make sure they stay with us.”

“What can I do to help?” asked Christopher.

Toby shrugged. “At this point I don’t know what else anyone could do.”

“The Fortune name carries a lot of clout,” said Christopher. “Maybe we can use its influence to get things going in the right direction.”

Toby peered at him. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

Christopher gave a one-shoulder shrug as he rubbed the fingers of his left hand together in the international gesture for money. “Money talks, bro.”

Toby frowned and shook his head. “Please don’t even suggest anything like that. I don’t want to be accused of doing anything unethical. That might hurt the situation more than it helps.”

“Nonsense,” said Christopher. “I think you’re being very shortsighted if you don’t take full advantage of your birthright.”

Christopher saw Toby take in a slow deep breath, as he always did when faced with conflict. It was as if he were framing his response so that he didn’t lose his cool.

“I appreciate your concern, Chris,” said Toby evenly. “But the caseworker told me she’s worried that the Fortunes themselves may be part of the problem. Since the Fortunes invaded Horseback Hollow so many strange things have happened. The authorities still think Orlando Mendoza’s accident might have been directed at the family.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Christopher. “Why would anyone want to hurt the Fortunes? I mean, look at me. I’m living proof. Since I changed my name nothing bad has happened to me.”

Christopher turned his palms up to punctuate his point.

“That is, if you don’t count your running away from home and shunning your entire family as something bad.”

Toby cocked an eyebrow at Christopher.

Christopher locked gazes with his brother and crossed his arms.

“Look, I know this Fortune Foundation gig is still new and exciting to you,” said Toby, “so don’t take this wrong. But someday you’re going to learn that some things are more important than money.”

Christopher glanced over at Kinsley, but she and her friend were gone. His gaze swept the restaurant, but she was nowhere to be seen. How had he not seen her leave?

He picked up his champagne glass and knocked back the contents.

“Come on, Chris,” said Toby. “When are you coming home? No one has seen you in months. They certainly have no idea that you’ve completely disowned Daddy’s name.”

Toby was usually the only one who could see Christopher’s side in times when he and Deke disagreed, which was more often than not. Awkward silence hung in the air and, for once, Christopher didn’t know how to fill it. He didn’t want to fight with Toby, but he wasn’t going back to Horseback Hollow. His life was here now, and he would prefer to keep his old and new lives separate. The contrast between the Joneses and the Fortunes was stark. Christopher couldn’t take the chance of losing the respect he’d earned at the Foundation.

“Man up, Chris,” Toby urged. “Take the high road and be the one who extends the olive branch to Deke.”

“Yeah, well that high road has two lanes. Deke can bring that olive branch to me easier than I can bring it to him. I’m a little too busy right now to coddle a grown man.”

Toby made a tsk sound. “An old man. Don’t wait too long. You may be sorry if you do.”

“Don’t pull that guilt trip crap on me,” said Christopher. “Just don’t. But please do tell me why it’s okay for Deke to resent me for making an honest living in a career I love. For making my own way. For not having dirt under my fingernails. No offense to you, but why should I have to grovel to him because the ranch life is not the kind of life I want? Until Deke understands that, I don’t think we’re going to meet anywhere, much less with an olive branch.”

Truth be told, he would rather be known as James Marshall Fortune’s nephew than as the son of Deke Jones, crusty old cattle rancher. Christopher hoped that Toby wouldn’t make him come out and say that.

Toby stared at Christopher, looking thin-lipped and angry.

“So you’ve got the fancy suits, the brand-new car and a parade of women who think you’re a big shot,” said Toby, virtually rolling his eyes at what he obviously perceived as self-importance. “Looks like you’ve finally achieved your dream, haven’t you?”

“You shouldn’t knock it since you’ve never tried it,” said Christopher. “No offense to you, Angie. I’m just saying.”

Toby took his wife’s hand and laced his fingers through hers. “No loss. Believe me, I wouldn’t trade my life for yours. I couldn’t possibly be any happier than I am with Angie and the kids. On that note, I think we’d better start heading toward home.”

Toby pulled out his wallet and tossed a crisp $100 bill onto the table in payment for the food they hadn’t managed to stay long enough to have delivered to their table. It was probably one of the ten that Christopher had given him as a wedding gift.

Christopher slid the bill back toward his brother. “Here, Toby. I’ve got this.”

Toby stood. “No, you don’t. If you got this, you would stop acting like such a pretentious jackass and come home and make amends with Dad. You may have given up on us, Chris, but we’ll never give up on you. Take care of yourself and call me when you’re ready to talk.”

Chapter Three

With his long lunches and daily putting practice, was it any wonder Christopher Fortune didn’t get much done? Kinsley mused after fielding a call from Emmett Jamison, the head of the Foundation. Even so, she’d covered for Christopher when Mr. Jamison had asked if she’d seen him. She’d explained that he’d taken a late lunch with family visiting from out of town. She didn’t mention that he’d been gone nearly two-and-a-half hours.