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would be nice. I’ll just get my coffee.”
    But he was already stretching one of his long arms toward the other table, easily reaching her mug. She continued to stare, amazed at the agility of the man. He was so large—not like Gregory, who was a far more pared-down version. Matt’s height included long arms and legs and big strong hands, not to mention an athletic build. She cleared her throat and jerked her eyes away, reminding herself that she really didn’t care for such a physical sort of man.
    “Thank you.” Cautiously, she took the seat across from his, wishing he’d chosen a larger table, one where their legs didn’t have to be practically touching. Tall herself, she knew that two pairs of long legs would have difficulty not brushing against each other.
    “Did you sleep well?” Matt asked, moving his calculator so that her plate and mug fit more easily on the table.
    She remembered the night, her initial restlessness, then her dreams about Gregory, how it would be to share his home, his bed. Embarrassed, she cleared her throat, suspecting that spots of color dotted her cheeks. “Yes. The mountain air is very refreshing.”
    He chuckled. “Most people say it freezes them out the first time they come up here.”
    “I do live in Salt Lake,” she reminded him. “While it’s in the valley, it’s not exactly the flatlands.”
    “True, but it’s not at the top of a mountain, either.”
    She smiled. “And it’s a beautiful mountain.”
    For the first time, she saw a genuinely pleased expression cross his face. “It’s that and more.”
    “So you’ve never had a desire to leave here, explore other ventures?”
    Matt lifted one brow. “I have dragged myself away on occasion. Even us backwoods boys like to have a taste of the big city now and then.”
    Wondering if she’d insulted him, Brynn toyed with her french toast. If he enjoyed being a ski burn, why did her comment upset him? “I’m sure most people envy you your freedom.” She gestured toward the book in front of him, guessing he was doing some accounting for the resort. “Even though I’m sure you get roped in to working, as well.”
    A frown creased his forehead. “On occasion.”
    She smiled. “I’m a bit of a rebel, myself. That’s why I like working out of my apartment. I set my own rules.”
    “I see.”
    “And on occasion, I like to get into the city myself,” she added, hoping to lay oil on any ruffled feathers.
    “I managed to stumble off the mountain myself this week.”
    She cocked her head, then remembered. “Of course. You went to Washington.”
    “And it’s a funny thing.”
    “Oh?”
    He stared at her. “You haven’t asked what I found out about Gregory. Not once.”
    Brynn swallowed uncomfortably, caught in the web of her own making. “I thought if you had news, you would share it.”
    “Pretty big assumption.”
    She clutched her napkin, balling it into a wrinkled wad. “I think I’d better tell you—”
    “Brynn! I thought you might be sleeping in!” Ruth greeted her, swooping down to give her a friendly hug. “You’re still a touch pale. You’re such a fragile thing—we’ll have to feed you well until Gregory comes back. I don’t want him to think we let you fade away.”
    “No, really. I’m fine—”
    Ruth waved away her protests. “I’m going to bring you a plate of blintzes—full of cream, strawberries, and all kinds of wonderful things. Now don’t go away. I’ll be right back.”
    Tom, Brynn stared between Ruth’s retreating back and Matt’s unrelenting gaze. “Really, no one needs to fuss over me.”
    “Mother’s right. You look as though a good wind would blow you over.”
    Brynn pushed at her glasses, mortified as always by her image as the tall, skinny kid.
    Matt closed the ledger, seeming to sense her unease. “If she gets to be too much for you, just tell her to back off. Mother will smother you to death if you let her—all with good intentions. She and Dad are really