Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge (Sweet Colorado Romance #3)

3. CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

Barb

Barb stood still, her heart pounding as she watched the man before her. Surprise flickered in his eyes, but something about it didn’t sit right. He looked at her as if he’d never seen her before. An awkward silence stretched between them before he finally frowned.

"Have we met?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of confusion.

Anger surged through Barb like a tidal wave. Was he seriously trying to pull this? Pretending not to recognize her? Pretending he didn't know his own wife? Her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she fought to keep her voice steady .

"Very funny, Zac," she bit out, her tone laced with sarcasm. "If you're going to fake amnesia to get out of our marriage, you could at least make it believable. But thanks for making it easier for me to see that divorce attorney I have lined up in Frisco."

She expected him to flinch, to show some sign of guilt or remorse. Instead, she saw something else in his eyes—realization.

"You must be Barb," he said slowly, his voice measured. "I'm Liam, his older twin brother."

Barb stared at him, disbelief clouding her thoughts. This had to be a sick joke. She knew Liam was his twin, but she also knew her husband, and Barb was sure he was the man standing in front of her. She searched his face for any sign of deception, anything that would confirm her suspicions. But his expression was calm, sincere, even as he met her gaze head-on.

"You're lying," she finally said, though her voice wavered with uncertainty.

Liam nodded, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I’m sorry, but I’m not. My brother and I are identical twins.”

“If you’re not Zac, then where is he?” Barb asked, biting back the anger that trembled through her. “Other than a year-old article about you and your brother, no one has been able to get hold of him.”

Liam glanced at his wristwatch, and Barb noticed it wasn’t Zac’s watch. It was a sleek Rolex worth more than she probably made in a few years, and her unwavering certainty that he was Zac started to falter.

"I'm heading to the main lodge," Liam replied. "If you're headed that way, maybe we can walk together. I have a meeting I have to get to. I’ll explain as much as I can along the way."

Barb hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to hear more lies, but her curiosity gnawed at her, demanding answers. With a reluctant nod, she gestured for him to lead the way .

As they walked, Liam began to recount what had happened. "My brother had an accident," he said quietly. "He lost his memory. The day he was supposed to go back to Africa, someone tried to kill me. My brother took the bullet meant for me. He fell and hit his head hard. That’s when he lost his memory."

Barb's steps faltered. Her mind struggled to process his words. Zac had been in an accident? He’d lost his memory? Surely someone from his family would’ve reached out to tell her? She glanced at Liam.

He obviously knew who she was, so Zac must’ve told his family about her. More anger flared up inside her at the thought that Zac’s family had just not bothered to let her know that her husband had been injured.

When they reached the lodge, she was still reeling. But before she could say anything more, Liam’s phone rang. He answered it, then quickly asked the caller to hold. He turned to Barb, his face serious.

"Look, I know this is hard," he began, lowering his voice. "But I need to ask you not to contact my brother. "

Barb’s breath hitched. "Why? Is he here?"

Liam hesitated, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "Yes," he admitted. "But there's something you need to know. He’s here with Courtney Waller. His ex-fiancée. He thinks they're still engaged."

Barb's world tilted on its axis. "What did you just say?"

The picture in the article clipping flashed through her mind of the brunette attached to Zac’s arm, and her world felt like it had exploded. Before there was still doubt in her mind, still that sliver of hope that maybe something like this had happened or he’d been forced to take an undercover assignment, and he couldn’t contact her as he had to keep his family safe.

But this felt like the final blow to their relationship, shattering that tiny sliver of hope into dust.

"I’m sorry, Barb," Liam continued, his voice almost apologetic. "I can’t get into great detail right now as I’m already running late for a meeting. We brought my brother here, hoping this place would spark some memories for him. It’s the last place he remembers going to, and it also happens to be where he and Courtney got engaged ten years ago."

“What?” Barb felt like there was a crushing weight on her chest trying to push her down. She had to force her legs not to buckle beneath the excruciating pain slicing through her heart and into her soul. She thought she’d gotten over the worst of the pain over Zac, but she was wrong.

“I can see how this news has affected you,” Liam stated. “Would you consider staying elsewhere, just for a while? I can arrange a hotel in Frisco or further away, somewhere for you and your son."

She knew the offer was meant to be considerate, but it landed like a slap in the face. "You can stick your offer where the sun doesn’t shine," Barb snapped, her voice shaking with fury. "I was invited here by my friends , who happen to own the lodge. I’m not going anywhere." She swallowed. She didn’t like confrontation. “If it’s uncomfortable for you and your family that I’m here, then you leave.”

Before Liam could respond, Emily appeared at Barb’s side, her eyes blazing. "You heard her," she said sharply, cutting off any further protest from Liam. "Barb is staying, and if anyone’s leaving, it’ll be you and your lousy brother."

Barb felt a surge of gratitude for her friend’s support, but the turmoil inside her was far from settled. She watched as Liam sighed, clearly outnumbered, and stepped back, his expression resigned as he shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that,” Liam told them. “It’s essential that we be here until my brother regains his memories.”

“Why here?” Emily challenged. “There must be a million other places that would jog his memory.”

Liam’s eyes flashed with impatience before they heard an angry voice come through the receiver of his phone. “Sorry, I have to go.” He spoke into the phone. “I’ll call you back on my way.” He hung up and turned his attention back to them. “This is where we have to be.” His eyes fell on Barb, and something that looked like regret flashed in them. “I’m sorry, Barb, if you don’t leave, then this is going to be a very painful and awkward time for you.”

“We’ll see about that,” Emily promised. “This is my lodge, and I’m officially kicking you and your family out. You have two hours to leave.” Emily linked her arm through Barbs. “Come on, Barb, the temperature is already freezing out here without him lowering it a few more notches.”

“Wait!” Liam called after them as they started to walk away. “We really can’t leave here.”

“Mr. Shields,” the driver of the mystery limo called to him. “Sorry, Sir, but if we don’t leave now, you’re going to be late.”

Emily stopped and swung them back around to face Liam. “You may as well phone and cancel your date because I’m not joking when I say I want you out of here in two hours.”

“Can we speak about this?” Liam implored, his eyes darting from his driver to them. “Look, give me until the morning, then we can meet and discuss this. ”

“There is nothing to discuss, Mr. Shields ,” Emily told him frostily while Barb just stood watching the scene between her friend and Zac’s brother unfold. A strange numbness settled over her. “I’ll send someone to help you pack.”

Emily pulled Barb, and they stalked into the lodge, ignoring Liam. The warmth inside did nothing to thaw the ice around Barb’s heart.

“The nerve of that man!” Emily prickled and gave Barb an encouraging smile. “Are you okay?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” Barb’s brows drew together. “I… I’m feeling quite numb and confused.”

“At least we’ve solved one mystery.” Emily tried to lighten the mood. “We now know whose limo that is.” She tilted her head to look past Barb, pointing to the vehicle before meeting Barb’s eyes. “Are you looking for me or Oscar?”

“You,” Barb said, forcing a smile and pulling Oscar’s inhaler from her pocket with shaky hands. “I forgot to give you Oscar’s inhaler.”

“Oh!” Emily took the device. “Rose has one similar.”

“You know how to use it?”

“I do,” Emily confirmed, taking the inhaler and slipping it into her pocket. “Why don’t you let me get you some of my grandmother’s special hot chocolate?” She whispered behind her hand. “She puts a splash of rum in it.”

Barb laughed. “Although that sounds really appealing, right now, I have to stay fully focused on Charlotte.” She swallowed down the burning lump and cleared her throat. “My kids, Christmas, and my friends are all I want to think about right now.”

“Of course,” Barb said, smiling. “At least have a normal cup then while we wait for Liam to leave. ”

Barb nodded and followed Emily into the lodge's cozy living room, where two fireplaces on either side of the room crackled invitingly. Emily asked one of the staff members to get two hot chocolates and moved Barb to a cozy corner of the room where they could see the driveway.

“Was it just me, or did Liam try to get me to leave the lodge?” Barb asked in disbelief, giving her head a slight shake.

“No, you didn’t imagine that,” Emily assured her. “The douchebag actually tried to coerce you by offering to pay for your stay elsewhere.”

“Do you believe him about Zac?” Barb’s frown grew deeper. She was still not sure that Liam was who he claimed to be. “I know this is going to sound really strange. But for the life of me, I can’t shake the feeling that Liam is lying.”

“About Zac?” Emily looked at her curiously.

“No, about being Liam!” Barb stated.

“Oh!” Emily’s eyes widen in realization. “You mean you think the Liam who is standing in the driveway frantically talking on his phone,” she pointed out of the tinted windows, grinning at Liam’s obvious distress over something, “is actually Zac?”

“Yes.” Barb nodded, smiling at the waitress, who handed her a cup of steaming hot chocolate. “Thank you.”

The woman handed Emily a mug before leaving them.

“I’ve seen Zac’s brother on television, and I have to tell you that other than the expensive suit and slick hairstyle, Liam and Zac are identical,” Emily pointed out. “I’m not sure I’d be able to tell them apart if they were dressed alike.”

“I know my husband. And that man out there,” Barb pointed to Liam, “is not Liam Shields but Zac. I know it in every inch of my being.”

“Then…” Emily said, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Let’s set out to prove it, and while doing so, we can figure out what the heck is going on with the Shields family.” She pulled an excited face. “A Christmas mystery!”

Barb’s eyes widened as she took a sip of the sweet, warm beverage, her heart skipping a beat at the idea. “How?” Her eyes searched Emily’s. “How do we prove he’s Zac and what he’s up to?”

“First, we bait and trap him,” Emily suggested with a shrug. “That’s the easy part. I saw the look that flashed in his eyes when you mentioned the divorce. So we can use that.”

“What do you have in mind?” Barb was getting drawn into Emily’s scheme.

“We make him jealous and let him think you’re moving on,” Emily told her, and Barb’s heart jolted at the thought.

“I’m not ready to get involved with another man.” Barb’s voice was laced with panic. “I have my baby and Oscar and… ”

Emily leaned forward and patted Barb’s knee comfortingly. “You’re not really moving on, sweetie. You’re pretending to. It’s the oldest love trick in the book and a sure way to find out if Liam really is Zac.”

Barb took a breath and smiled as she thought about the deception and nodded. “I’ve never tried to make anyone jealous before.”

“Oh! Don’t worry about that!” Emily snorted. “I have plenty of experience with Hank. I can help you with that part.” Her eyes narrowed. “Making Liam… can we refer to him as fake Liam?” She shook her head. “I’m getting confused.”

“What if he hears us and then knows we’re on to him,” Barb pointed out. “I think for now, let’s just give him the benefit of the doubt and play along with his game.”

“Good point,” Emily agreed. “While Liam is being distracted and thrown off balance thinking you have a potential new suitor, we can do some snooping. ”

“Sounds like a plan,” Barb said, feeling her spirits lift a little before another thought dropped them right back down again. “Do you know who Courtney Waller is?”

“The name sounds familiar.” Emily frowned. “Why?”

“She’s Zac’s ex-fiance who he believes he’s still engaged to and is at the chalet with them,” Barb explained, feeling the pain slice through her once again.

It was a cold blow to her heart as Barb suddenly realized she hardly knew anything about Zac, his past, or his family in the two years they were together. They’d been so busy with the Clean Water Project, falling in love and worrying about her criminal uncle who was looking for her. Barb hadn’t even realized Zac hadn’t opened up to her at all.

“I’ll Google her and find out what I can,” Emily promised. “Don’t worry, Barb, we’re going to figure this out while still having a wonderful Christmas.” She raised her brows. “You can’t let the Shields family spoil this holiday season for you or your kids.”

“I agree,” Barb said, her words sounding braver than she felt. “So what do we do?”

“A lot of detective work.” Emily frowned. “Like figuring out why the lodge is so important for them to be here.”

“Maybe this is where they were when Zac had his accident?” Barb suggested.

“No, he couldn’t have had it here,” Emily said. “I’d have known. But maybe he had it just after he left here?”

“Or maybe this is just someplace that Zac loved for some reason!” Barb shrugged.

“Like meeting you again?” Emily’s voice was soft, and her eyes were filled with compassion.

“I doubt that.” Barb’s voice was hoarse with emotion, and she felt the tears stinging her eyes.

A movement outside caught their attention. They saw Liam finally off his call and about to climb into the limo. He stood between the open door and back seat, staring toward the lodge.

“So what’s it going to be, Barb?” Emily asked, looking from Liam and then back at Barb. “Are we going to do this?”

Barb’s heart started racing with excitement at the thought of launching their own secret investigation. “Let’s do it!” she agreed. “Let’s find out what on earth is going on with the Shields family while trying to figure out if Liam really is who he’s claiming to be.”

“Yes!” Emily did a fist bump in the air.

“Shouldn’t you go tell him he can stay?” Barb asked, pointing to Liam and bending into the limo.

“Nah!” Emily waved Barb’s concerns away. “I can guarantee,” she pointed to Liam, “he’s not going anywhere— yet .”

As if hearing her, Liam, or rather who Emily has now dubbed Fake Liam, pushed away from the car and stalked into the lodge. Barb turned to see him stride into the foyer, stop as he overshot the living room, and then backstep to duck into the living room and head toward them.

“I told you!” Emily grinned with a wink.

“How did you know he’d do that?” Barb whispered.

“When I told him he had to leave, I saw something close to alarm, and then panic, flash in his eyes,” Emily replied. “I don’t think he was lyin g about it being important for his brother to be here, as we’ve just guessed.”

“You got all that from watching him?” Barb looked at Emily in amazement.

“I studied psychology in college,” Emily explained, straightening as Liam stopped beside them.

“Look,” Liam began, his gaze sliding from Emily to Barb. “I’m sorry I tried to make you leave, Barb.” His eyes met Barb’s, and her heart picked up speed at the look that flashed in his. It looked a lot like regret and longing. “I just didn’t want you or…” His brows creased as if he was trying to find the words. “Oscar, to get hurt when you see my brother and he doesn’t remember you the way you want him to.” He ran a hand nervously through his hair. “In his mind, it’s still ten years ago—my brother is stuck in the past.”

“That’s so considerate of you!” Emily took control of the conversation, much to Barb’s relief, as right now, the words seemed to be lodged in her throat from Liam’s words. “But you need to get one thing straight, Liam . This is Barb and Oscar's home. They are part of my family, and if it comes down to your family or her having to leave—” she left the obvious unspoken.

“I understand,” Liam said, his eyes sliding back toward Barb. “I’m truly sorry for the way I handled our first meeting. When my brother came back from Africa, all he could speak about was you and Oscar.”

Barb felt a lump rise in her throat, and she had to fight back the tears. Not trusting her voice, she nodded in response.

“While he might not be able to show it now,” Liam continued, and Barb got the impression he was talking from the heart, “he loves you and Oscar more than you’ll ever know.” He gave her a strained smile. “He was excited to get to Africa to bring you and Oscar home to meet the rest of our family.”

“Mm,” Emily said, skepticism dripping from her voice. “Well, then his family,” she looked pointedly at Liam, “really let Zac down then, didn’t they? By not informing his wife, son, and…” She caught herself just in time when Barb shot her a warning look. “About Zac’s accident and let them think the worst for a year .”

“As there is a possibility he may not completely regain his memory, I thought it best that you and Oscar didn’t know,” Liam admitted. “The reasoning behind my decision was that it would be better and easier for both of you to think that he had just moved on.”

“Is that why you came back here?” Emily’s voice got frosty. “To cause Barb more distress and ruin our hot chocolate?”

Liam ran his hand through his hair. “I came here to apologize for my thoughtlessness earlier and to say that I’m sure if we work together, we can avoid any awkwardness.” He looked at Emily. “I can’t stress how important it is for my brother to be here for this stage of his recovery.”

“Barb?” Emily looked at her questioningly. “It’s up to you.” She leaned forward and put her hand comfortingly on Barb’s knee. “Say the word, and they’re gone.”

Barb avoided looking at Liam and shrugged. “It’s fine. Let them stay. I’ll explain things to Oscar.” Her eyes met Liam’s, and she swallowed, trying to still her pounding heart and suck in a bit of courage. “But I have one condition.” Her voice dropped, and she cleared her throat.

“Okay?” Liam frowned.

“In two to three days, I get the divorce papers, and I need you to get Zac to sign them,” Barb stated.

Barb saw shock flash through Liam’s eyes, making her heart jolt, and she knew at that moment she was right—the man in front of her was not Liam Shields. It was Zac. Barb didn’t know why he and his brother had pulled a twin swap, and while she still felt numb with shock, Barb didn’t really care. She glanced at Emily and smiled, but she also knew that when the numbness wore off, she’d want answers! If Barb had some doubt about Emily’s plan before, it was gone—Barb was all in.

She turned and looked at Liam, her eyes hooded as Emily asked him. “Well? What do you say, Liam ?”

A muscle ticked in Liam’s jaw, and he nodded. “If you’re sure that’s what you want?” His eyes met Barb’s. They were dark with emotion. “I’ll see to it.” He pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Barb. “You can call me on this number if you need me.”

His eyes held Barb’s for a few moments longer before glancing at Emily. “Thank you.” With that, he turned. “Good night.” He left and stalked out of the living room.

“Barb!” Emily’s brows were raised as she leaned forward, saying quietly. “I think your gut was right.” She watched Liam climb into the limo. “That’s definitely Zac. And if the real Liam is stuck in the past and needs to be here, I think we need to dig into the old guest's records to start the investigation.”