Must-Have Husband

truly loved Beau and believed him perfect for Linda, the fact was his staid, mainstream conservatism didn’t quite match her type. When Connie envisioned the ideal mate, he wasn’t tall, coat-and-tie and conventional, but adventuresome, energetic, and fun. The problem with the energetic ones she’d had so far had been convincing them to focus all their energy on her. Connie sighed, wishing it weren’t so darned difficult, this happily ever after thing.
    “You know what Grandpa says…”
    “ It’s just as easy to love a rich man as a poor man, ” the two girls parroted together in a deep tone mimicking his, before bursting out in giggles.
    Connie appraised her sister’s carefree face, surmising it must feel wonderful to have met her special someone. Beau really was ideal for Linda and obviously made her happy. Connie felt a flash of envy, wondering if she’d ever know that sort of relationship herself. “Oh, Linda,” she said, suddenly flinging herself into her sister’s arms with a sob. “What am I going to do?”
    Linda wrapped her arms around her and held her tight. “You’re going to get through this, that’s what. The moment we get back to Napa, you’re going to tell everyone the truth.”
    Connie sucked in a breath, not knowing how she could possibly do that. The news would kill her grandfather, and he had one foot in the grave already. The only thing that kept him hanging on was the thought of living to see his last granddaughter wear the traditional family wedding gown, the one that had belonged to his late wife. With Connie, the cycle would be complete, and everyone destined to don the family heirloom and be blessed by its magic would have worn the sacred gown. Tears burned down her cheeks at the thought of breaking her dear grandfather’s heart. He’d been so good to them all. It was a simple wish he’d held, not so unreasonable for a man of his generation.
    She’d put off breaking the news to her family, hoping against hope the wedding might still go on. Perhaps Walt would come to his senses and realize she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. But just before Linda booked this girls’ weekend, she’d learned that he’d already moved on. He’d not only taken up with someone new, he’d moved in with her besides. Connie released another sob, and Linda held her tighter.
    “There, there,” Linda said, patting her back. “It’ll be okay.”
    Connie pulled back with a wail. “I don’t see how!”
    Perhaps Linda didn’t either, because she had nothing further to offer. No kind words of wisdom or even snarky comments. She just studied her sister sadly.
    “I feel so horrible I waited this long,” Connie admitted, ashamed. “And now Grandpa’s turning eighty.”
    “It might have been kinder to tell him before his birthday.”
    Connie blinked. “You’re the one who was just saying now’s the time to fess up!”
    “And it is,” Linda said surely. “The longer you let this go on, the worse for everyone it’s going to be. You’re going to have to just woman up and put it out there. It will be like a Band-Aid, ripping it off.”
    “Ow!”
    “But the sooner it’s done…” Linda held her gaze. “The sooner everyone will begin to heal. You included, sister. You’ve got to take this next step, so your life can go forward.”

    Rugged mountain man “Mac” McCormack strode through the main room of the rustic lodge, carting his gear. The rucksack strapped to his shoulders carried a pup tent, bedroll, sleeping bag, and all the dehydrated foods an outdoorsman could hope for.
    His best friend, Hank, and the owner of the lodge, addressed him from the far side of the reception desk. “Headed out already? I thought you weren’t breaking camp until dawn?”
    Mac stopped and turned toward his friend, stroking his reddish beard. It had come in nice and full and slightly darker than the auburn hair on his head. It matched his fur elsewhere, though. “I feel a rain coming on,” he told Hank. “So I wanted to stake out early.”
    “Speaking of getting soaked…” Hank leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “What did the insurance dudes say about your store?”
    Mac shifted on his feet, disgruntled by the memory. “Just what I expected. There’s an out clause in my coverage excluding forest fires.
    “Ouch, man. That burns. What are you going to do?”
    “What I always do when the going gets tough. Hit the trail.”
    Hank lowered dark eyebrows over