Chapter Three
Luke worked the same amount as usual over the next few months: twelve- to sixteen-hour days, six days a week. He always honored the Sabbath; it not only brought him blessings but also gave his mind and body a much-needed break. June finally came to his beautiful mountain spot in Colorado, bringing warmth and sunshine. He took advantage of hiking and mountain biking in the sunshine.
If only he could get the beautiful Marietta Valez out of his mind. He’d only spent, what, a couple of hours talking to her? He’d loved those hours. They’d discussed, they’d outright argued, and they’d learned from each other and come up with some pretty great marketing ideas and ways to increase revenue for her and Cosette’s business.
To be honest, he was impressed by Mar and wanted to spend more time with her. Very few people were intelligent, informed, and confident enough to discuss with him like she had. Usually when he tried to engage someone in a conversation like that, they’d either end up with a blank stare, or treat him like he was Zeus and say far too many times, “Well, you’re Luke Jewel; of course you’re right,” or something equally annoying. Not Mar. She’d been quick to acknowledge when he had a good idea or insight, but she’d been just as quick to argue with him and question his ideas or expound upon them.
His phone rang, and he snatched it off his desk and stood and stretched, grateful for the break from his own thoughts.
“Isaac,” he said, greeting his brother warmly. “How’s married life?”
“Exceptional. How are you?”
“You know me, working nonstop.” He paced his large office, facing the majestic peaks west of Boulder. He could have his office anywhere in the world, but he’d become obsessed with the Colorado mountains. He also had three family members close by. Eve’s gym was only thirty minutes south of him in Golden, and he loved any opportunity to be with Paisley. Caleb played lacrosse for the Denver Outlaws so it was great to go watch his games. If Luke wasn’t acquiring or starting a new project, he’d usually be in Colorado. His mansion had a private airport close by where he had a hangar for his jet, and he could hike or mountain bike from the back doors of his mansion.
“Yeah, about that. You up for a short break?”
“Only if there’s a chance to start a new business during the break.”
“No,” Isaac said firmly. “I mean an actual break.”
“Um …” He looked back to his desk. The “pile” of work was all in his computer files, not actually visible, but it was still there. He had several personal assistants, and very competent CEOs running each of his various businesses, but he still liked to try to “touch” each business as often as he could. His ideas always increased profit and productivity.
“Come on. What’s it going to matter if you make another million dollars? I’ve got three days’ leave, and Cosette and I are flying to San Francisco for the weekend to be with Mar. We thought it’d be fun to have you come.”
“Mar?” He leaned against the glass window, suddenly a little short of breath.
“Come with us. We’ll take in the sights with the local tour guides. Rachel’s convinced Cosette that you and Mar had a spark at our wedding.”
“You and Cosette should have time alone.” He wasn’t going to admit that Rachel was dead on or admit to the “spark” he felt with Cosette.
“Believe me, I’m a fan of that, but she’s worried about Mar. The two of them have been inseparable since middle school, and Cosette claims Mar is working herself into the ground without Cosette around.”
“So this is a charity intervention trip?” He knew there was nothing charitable about him wanting to be around Mar.
“Whatever you have to tell yourself, bro. Come on. I haven’t seen you since my wedding. Come hang out with us.”
Luke felt bad that his siblings always had to twist his arm to do anything. Eve was the only one who never asked. He was the driving force there, because he loved her and Paisley so much and wanted to make sure Paisley had a good male influence in her life. Did Marietta have family? Isaac acted like she was floundering without Cosette. That was sad. Maybe he could help.
“Okay,” he said, surprising himself with his quick acquiescence. He could work on his laptop, and he’d see Mar again. He wasn’t ready to start a relationship, but he’d really liked her.
“Sweet. We’ll meet you tomorrow afternoon. I’ll text you Mar’s address.”
“Sounds great. See you then.”
Luke hung up the phone and stared out the window. He loved using all the ideas crowding his brain to start, grow, or reenergize businesses, but he probably needed a break. It probably wasn’t healthy for him to work so much, only taking time off to hike or bike or be with his niece.
Would Marietta be as feisty, intriguing, and fun as she’d been at the wedding? He certainly hoped so. Yet he also hoped he could remain detached. He wasn’t following his brothers’ examples and falling for a woman. He’d made that mistake years ago, and he had no desire to repeat it.
* * *
It was late Friday afternoon, and Mar decided to do something completely uncharacteristic. She went home early, took off her heels, blouse, and skirt, put on the comfiest clothes she owned, and settled in with a tub of ice cream, a spoon, and the latest Jennifer Youngblood novel on her Kindle. She wasn’t wallowing in missing her best friend, nor was she crying about her lack of dates tonight because she’d refused a dozen men who’d asked but couldn’t possibly compare to Luke Jewel, who she hadn’t seen or heard from in months. She was simply relaxing. It was allowed.
Throughout the past three months, she’d prayed alternately to either have Luke show up on her doorstep or for her besotted mind to forget about him. The latter was proving impossible. He was simply too impressive. Obviously, he hadn’t felt the same about her.
Half an hour later, her doorbell rang, and her head jerked up. First of all, she wasn’t expecting anyone; second of all, had she really consumed an entire carton of Moose Tracks?
She set everything on the coffee table, stood, and stretched before making her way down two flights of steps and to the door. It was probably one of her elderly neighbors. She lived in a fabulous area below Coit Tower, populated with unique San Francisco houses that went straight up five stories and were skinny as Cosette.