The Legacy of Copper Creek Read Free Page B

fix them.” He retrieved a loaf of bread from his saddlebags. “I’ll make the toast.”
    Cara set the ham in the skillet on a rack over the blazing fire. Then she began stirring powdered milk, water, and half a dozen different ingredients into the egg mixture before pouring it into a second skillet.
    A short time later the little cabin was filled with the most wonderful, mouthwatering scents.
    Whit carried a plate of toast and jelly to the small wooden table before pouring two mugs of coffee. He handed one to Cara and watched as she sliced the steaming ham before turning the bubbling egg mixture onto a second plate.
    He carried the ham while she carried the eggs. He held her chair before taking the seat across from her.
    She was caught off guard by that little touch of courtesy. It wasn’t at all what she’d been expecting from the owner of this cabin, who’d found a squatter taking up residence.
    Whit filled his plate and tucked into his breakfast. He didn’t say a word for long minutes while he emptied his plate, then filled it a second time and emptied that as well. Finally he lifted his coffee to his mouth before smiling.
    “You lied.”
    Her hand bobbled and coffee sloshed over the rim of her mug. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    He met her worried look. “You said you cook enough to get by. After tasting those eggs, I’d say you do a lot more than get by. Anybody who can turn powder into something that tastes like heaven is a miracle worker.”
    She relaxed and gave him a smile. “Actually, I’ve done a good bit of cooking.”
    He nodded and stabbed at a last bite of egg. “Where’d you do this cooking?”
    “A little town called Minerva, Montana. Ever hear of it?”
    He shook his head.
    “Neither has anybody else. Minerva’s so small, if you hiccup, you miss it.”
    “Do you?”
    “Do I what?”
    “Miss it?”
    She sat back, fiddling with her spoon. “I used to think that if I could just get out of Minerva, I’d never look back.”
    Whit watched her. “Copper Creek isn’t much of a town either, but I’d miss it if I left.”
    “Then you’re one of the lucky ones. When I left Minerva, I promised myself I’d never be back.”
    “Where’d you go when you left?”
    “All over Montana. College, then jobs at a dude ranch, and finally a job at a ski resort.”
    He chuckled. “I guess you were eager to leave Minerva but not the state of Montana.”
    “Maybe I’m a country girl at heart.”
    She set aside the spoon and looked up to find him watching her a little too carefully. “Tell me about your ranch.”
    He sipped his coffee, aware that she was trying to change the subject. “It’s big. We raise cattle. It takes a whole lot of work. What else would you like to know?”
    She noted his sarcasm. “Did you grow up here, working the ranch?”
    “Yeah. My grandfather had a ranch next door. After his accident, he moved in with us and merged his land with ours.”
    “What kind of accident?”
    “A truck on a slippery road. It flipped, and by the time he was rescued, he needed a wheelchair.”
    “That sounds tragic.”
    “It’s not a tragedy if you deal with it. Mad deals. He’s always dealt with whatever life throws at him.”
    “Mad?”
    “Maddock MacKenzie. He’s Mad to everyone.”
    She chuckled. “Just as long as he isn’t mad at everyone.”
    “Sometimes he is. There’s a lot of bluster in the old man. The MacKenzie family is known for a hot temper. But once you get past that, he’s got a heart of gold.”
    “Is that true of all of you?”
    He shook his head. “Just the others. I’m the heartless one. But Mad…” Whit grinned. “Despite his sharp tongue, he wears his heart on his sleeve.”
    “So you don’t mind having your grandfather living with you?”
    “Mind?” He grinned. “When he moved in, he took over the kitchen from our long-time housekeeper, Myrna Hill.” Whit arched a brow. “You’d like her. The two of you have something in common. You’re