Page 37 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

“There are other ways.” Too many.

“Well, then, it’s good that you’re here.” Nora tossed her a warm, sisterly smile.

“Eyes on the road, please.” Mackenzie focused on the road as if that would help Nora’s driving. “Now, can you please tell me why you believe you’re being monitored? Listened to. Maybe I can fix that too.”

“Just a feeling.”

Mackenzie had seen the fear in Nora’s eyes, and that fear stemmed from much more than a feeling. But her sister would tell her when she was ready.

“Can I ask why Dad built the headquarters so far away from the house?”

Nora laughed. “You don’t remember? He was a big fan of separating work and play.”

“What I remember is that he was a workaholic.”

“At first, yes. But later he realized he had to make a change.” Nora glanced at Mackenzie, then back at the road.

“Please just keep your eyes on the road.”

“He changed for you. You know that, right?”

Mackenzie hugged herself, then gripped the door handle when momentum threatened to throw her into her sister. “I think it was too late.”

“You were busy with community service to make restitution, but you might be right—it was too late. I’m sorry for everything.”

“You didn’t do anything, Nora.”

“Exactly. I know what Rowan said to you. He made you go away for good. And I did nothing. For that, I’m truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

“You’re forgiven.” It’s myself that I need to forgive. “I blame him too, but really, I don’t know if I would have done anything differently. He spoke the truth—my background wasn’t good for the company Dad wanted to build.”

“Oh, please. You were a kid. And I’m proud of what you’ve done with your life.”

Nora took another curve, the smile on her face letting Mackenzie know her sister was enjoying the drive.

“Dad thought that by moving the headquarters here as he built the company and expanded, he could offer employees an opportunity to enjoy where they lived. Healthy bodies, healthy minds. It’s a beautiful place to raise a family too. For years now, it’s been a trend for tech companies to operate in such environments, especially when you factor in that the stats show Montana employers have great retention rates—people don’t want to leave.”

“That’s one way to look at it.”

“And living and working here, it’s easy to incorporate adventure-based team building into the schedule. By the way, there’s a team-building session this week, in fact. You’re expected to join us.”

Mackenzie wanted to scoff at the idea. “What’s it include, zip-lining?”

Maybe she had a bad attitude, but she’d never been a fan of team building.

“How’d you know?”

Just a guess. Mackenzie wanted to roll her eyes at the question. “But, I mean . . . you’re not going to participate, are you? Rowan just died. You need time to grieve.”

“It would be easier to take the time if so much wasn’t depending on me. We’ll use the time to boost morale. Rowan would want that.”

Seriously? Mackenzie felt like she hadn’t known her family, or maybe it was more that she’d been born into the wrong family. Had she been adopted? As a kid, she’d wondered about that. Maybe all kids had that thought at times, especially in moments of anger or resentment or wishing for another life. All she knew was that life could change so fast, it made her head spin.

It was hard to believe that last week she’d gone to her condo on Lake Michigan and been preparing for a relaxing summer filled with meandering the white beaches.

The Lexus sped down a serious grade, and Mackenzie pressed her feet against the floorboard as if she could force Nora to slow down. “I’ve been living in Michigan for a few years now. You might not know, but it’s flat. Very flat. I don’t know how you ever got used to these mountains. I love looking at them in pictures, but that’s where it ends.”

“Oh, come on. You’ve lost your sense of adventure, Mackenzie.”