Forty and Free: A Sweet Romance Series Bundle - Books 5 - 8

by Blake, Lillianna

  “Sorry about that little interruption,” said Natasha.

  “It’s quite alright. Is everything okay?”

  “Sure. Lucas is just eager to see Emma.”

  “It’s wonderful that you two have such a good relationship.”

  “Now we do, yes.” She laughed a little. “It was a bit of a fight for the first few months. But after that, things settled and we both focused on Emma.”

  “It must be hard for you to be a single mom.” Cassie sipped her coffee.

  “Not at all. I’m probably the most pampered ex-wife that ever existed. Lucas insists on far more than he needs to provide and always puts Emma’s needs first. The only drawback is how little time he gets to spend with her.”

  “Oh?”

  “He’s always flying out on business. I don’t mind getting her back last-minute, but he doesn’t like to do that to her. He feels it’s too unstable to shuttle her back and forth between houses, so she lives with me the majority of the time. Of course she’s always had a room here, and there are times she will spend a few nights with him.” She frowned. “I do wish it could be more. Not that I don’t love all the time I get with Emma, but she misses her father.”

  “Lucas doesn’t seem the type to ever slow down.”

  “No, he’s not. But he makes a point of being there for Emma the best way he can.”

  “Do you ever think of getting back together?” Cassie kept her tone as casual as she could, but she was burning with curiosity. If Lucas was so wonderful and they got along so well, how could they not still be in love?

  “Honestly, no. Lucas and I had something amazing. Now it’s just as amazing, but different. We’re best friends, and because of that Emma will never have to choose between us. She will never have to be concerned about whether we will get along. I valued the marriage we had, but honestly, I value what we have now much more. I wasn’t the type to be married to a man like Lucas.”

  “I guess no one else is either—since he’s still single, I mean.”

  “I think he hasn’t found the right person yet. He will, though.” Natasha took a swallow of her coffee, then smiled. “I know he will.”

  Cassie held her gaze for a moment. The way that Natasha smiled at her it seemed as if she was hiding some great secret. She decided not to press harder on the topic.

  “He’s a very generous man to let me stay here while I’m working.”

  “Yes, he is. But you have to be careful. Sometimes he gets a little too reliant on his money.”

  “How so?”

  “He thinks he can fix anything with money. If it’s easier to write a check to solve a problem, then he’ll write the check.”

  “Hm. So he doesn’t like confrontation?”

  “He doesn’t like compromise.” Natasha laughed. “He’s a bit like our five-year-old that way. He wants what he wants when he wants it, and if he has the means to get it, he will use it. Of course he doesn’t see that similarity in himself when he comments on the behavior in Emma.”

  “It’s so hard to see our own flaws. I imagine, though, if I had even a fraction of his success, I’d probably be guilty of using the money for a bit of avoidance.”

  “Who wouldn’t?” Natasha shrugged. “However, when it comes to choosing you to paint Emma’s room, I hope he spared no expense because the quality of your work is certainly worth it.”

  “Thank you.” Cassie lowered her eyes and smiled. “I don’t really think about it. I just pick up the paint brush and go.”

  “That’s the kind of creativity that Lucas needs in his life. You’ll be good for him.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh. I mean, while you’re here, of course.”

  “He’s not creative?”

  “Lucas has experienced a lot of loss in his life. I think it frightens him a little not to have everything planned out. When things get chaotic, that’s when his temper flares. He likes things to happen in a certain expected order. Anything out of place plucks at his nerves.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened. She wondered if she’d made a mistake by taking so much liberty with the mural. Would he like it after all? Would it be too wild for him? She bit into her bottom lip and picked up her coffee cup.

  “Well, it sounds as if we have very little in common. My life has been about never setting down roots or doing what’s expected.”

  “Lucas could use a little more spontaneity.”

  “Well, like I said. I’m just here to paint.” She shrugged. “I’m sure we won’t get much of a chance to get to know one another.”

  “I guess that depends on how hard you try. Trust me, he’s a fascinating man when you get to know him.”

  Cassie looked across her coffee cup at the woman. She noted the beautiful way her hair fell around her shoulders and the sparkle of her eyes. She was perfect, put together, and everything that any man could want. So why would Lucas ever want anyone else?

  “I’m sure he’ll find someone.” Cassie finished her coffee and set the mug down.

  “I hope so. I hope I do too.” She rolled her eyes. “The hunt is a bit exhausting. I hoped to be married before I turned forty.”

  “Have you been dating?”

  “Not too much. It’s harder than you’d think. How about you? Do you date often?”

  “Here and there—nothing too serious. When I want to find someone new, I just log on to a website I belong to.”

  “Oh? What site?”

  Cassie jotted the Forty and Free URL onto a napkin and handed it to her. “There are a lot of men who are looking for long-term. I couldn’t tell you what they’re like, as I don’t fish in that pool.” She grinned.

  “No? You’re not looking to settle down with anyone?”

  “It would take moving heaven and earth to get me settled. I’m not sure there’s a man alive that has that kind of power.” She stood up and walked with Natasha to the stairway.

  “I guess time will tell.” Natasha winked at her before she continued down the stairs.

  Cassie watched her go. She’d enjoyed her chat with Natasha, but it had also made one thing clear. She and Lucas had nothing in common.

  Chapter 19

  After a few days in Venice, Lucas finally allowed himself to relax. It had taken him at least two days to get out of business mode, and on the third he’d finally awakened to the paradise he was in.

  He watched as Emma chased after a small bird. “Not too far, Emma.”

  She stopped, turned and smiled, then chased the bird again.

  Lucas turned his attention to Natasha, who was sitting across from him at a small table.

  “I met your artist friend.” She twirled her straw through the liquid in her glass.

  “My what?”

  “Cassie?”

  “Oh.” He met her eyes. “You did?”

  “Yes, when I stopped by to pick up a few things for Emma.”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise. Did you like the mural?”

  “Yes, it’s beautiful. Better than anything I could have ever come up with. Was it your idea?”

  “Oh the mural was, but not the art. She came up with that all on her own. I don’t think she could have chosen better.”

  “I like Cassie too.” Natasha smiled at him.

  “Sure. She seems nice. I don’t know her very well.”

  “I think that she’s a very sweet person. We shared a cup of coffee.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You did?”

  “What’s wrong?” Her smile spread wider. “We just talked a bit.”

  “About what?”

  “You, mostly.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “Why else? You’re interesting.”

  “What did you tell her?”

  “Are you worried?” She laughed. “What do you think I said?”

  “I’m not worried. I’m just curious. I mean, she’s a stranger. I don’t really want her knowing too much about me.”

  “Or you just want to be the one to tell her?”
r />   “Why would I want to tell her anything? She’s just there to create some art for me.”

  “Sure.” She sipped her drink.

  “You think something different?” He watched the way she hid her smile.

  “I think she’s there because you want her there, and you want her there for a reason. What that reason is, I don’t know. But I hope I get to find out.”

  “So you can tease me?”

  “Is that what you think?” She sighed and pushed her cup out of the way. “Lucas, I want you to be happy. I don’t want to tease you. Maybe Cassie is a way for you to be happy.”

  “She’s just an artist.”

  “So? You need someone creative like that in your life. Someone to balance out all of the pressure you’re always under.

  “Not this again.” He sighed. “My work is important, you know that.”

  “Of course I know that. You’re very successful, and you’ve worked hard to get to where you are. But you need fun, and love and pleasure too, Lucas.”

  “Stop.” He gritted his teeth. “I don’t want to discuss this with you.”

  “Why not? If not me, then who?”

  “It just feels a little awkward. Besides, if I couldn’t make it with the most amazing woman on the face of this earth, then why bother trying with anyone else?” He winked at her.

  “Things didn’t work out with us because we want different things in life, Lucas. We love each other, but we are definitely much better as friends than as lovers. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone out there designed just for you.”

  “That’s a ridiculous thing to say.”

  “It is not.”

  “It is. My life is not conducive to being in a relationship with anyone. I’m too busy. Besides, I get my fun and my pleasure.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Natasha rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen the women you’re with. But what about love? How are you going to get that from some fame-hungry socialite that only wants to use you to climb into the limelight?”

  “I’m not complaining. So why are you?”

  “Because I know you. I know you better than you know yourself. You’re lonely, Lucas. You’re in that big hideous house—”

  “I bought that house for you—”

  “You’re in it all alone—with only James to spend time with. You know he’ll yes you to death if that’s what you want.”

  “I trust James.”

  “I suppose you should. But he’s still going to tell you what you want to hear. What are you doing in Venice with your ex-wife? You could be anywhere right now.”

  “But this is where I want to be. We’re still a family.”

  “Yes, we are. But we’re not a couple. I’m turning forty soon and I do want to fall in love again, you know.” She grinned at him.

  He looked down at his plate and released a slow breath. “I understand that.”

  “Do you? Because sometimes I wonder if you think we’re going to end up together again. That’s not going to happen, Lucas. I love you, but not that way.”

  “I know, I’ve heard it a million times. I’m not trying to convince you to come back to me. I like our friendship just the way it is. I know you’re going to have to move on with your life and find someone new—although I’m not looking forward to it.” He shrugged and looked up at her. “But even if that’s what you want, that doesn’t mean it’s what I want. I’m fine with being by myself. I get that you might not understand that, but it’s how I feel. The last thing I want is to have to explain myself every time I have to fly off to handle a business deal. Having a date here and there with different women prevents all of that.”

  “And it also keeps you from getting hurt again.” She locked eyes with him. “Yes. I know it hurt you. It hurt me too. Neither of us expected our relationship to turn out like this. But it’s worth the risk. I want you to be happy. I want Emma to see that her Daddy is happy.”

  He shook his head. “You’re nuts. There’s no woman that will fit into my life.”

  “I don’t think you’re right about that. I think you’re just too scared to find out.”

  “Call it what you want.” He stood up and watched Emma as she ran a little further after the bird. “That’s too far, Emma. Come back now.”

  “You won’t always have her to distract you, Lucas. One day you’ll wake up and she’ll be all grown up, and you’ll be left with that huge empty house.”

  “Why did I invite you again?” He shot a look in her direction.

  “Because you needed to talk. Not about murals, but about what’s really bothering you. You like her, Lucas—Cassie—what harm would it do to get to know her a little better?”

  He lifted his shoulders in a mild shrug and smiled slightly at the woman who knew him so well. “I’m not sure. Maybe you have a good point.”

  Chapter 20

  Each day that passed without Lucas’s presence made Cassie wonder even more about the man that he was. She still found herself researching him online in her off hours, but that left her unsatisfied. Though there was plenty of information out there about him, including the death of both his mother and his father, she couldn’t discover any real personal stories about him—not one mention of Emma, though a big deal was made of his divorce from Natasha. She gave up on trying to find anything informative on the Internet about him. Maybe it was more important to find out who he was from the people that spent the most time with him. At least then she might feel more confident in her idea for the mural in the foyer. She decided to go to the dining room for lunch.

  When she stepped into the room she was surprised to find James already at the table.

  “Afternoon, Cassie. Are you joining me for lunch?”

  “I guess so.” She smiled and sat down at the table opposite him.

  “Great. How’s the mural going?”

  “It should be finished soon. I’m a bit preoccupied with what to do in the foyer. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

  “Well, it’s not my house.” He tilted his head to the side. “But it seems to me that you’re taking quite some time to finish the one in Emma’s room.”

  “I am?” She raised an eyebrow. “Murals do take quite a bit of time.”

  “Maybe. But you have no reason to rush, do you?”

  “I’m not sure I understand where you’re going with this.” She crossed her arms and sat back in her chair.

  “I’m just pointing out that the longer it takes you to finish the murals, the longer you get to live in luxury. Many people would take advantage of that.”

  “I’m not taking advantage of anyone. I’m sure that I’ll be finished earlier than Lucas expects.”

  “Mr. Morgan. He prefers to be called Mr. Morgan by his employees.”

  “Oh. He didn’t seem to mind me calling him Lucas.”

  “Maybe he’s just too polite to say anything.”

  Cassie shook her head. “If you say so. As I mentioned, I’m not taking any extra time.”

  “But you did expand the mural in Emma’s room from one wall to four without approval. Don’t you think that’s being a little bold?”

  “I went with my instincts and creativity as Lucas—”

  “Mr. Morgan.”

  She couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Mr. Morgan requested. You know, maybe I shouldn’t have lunch here.”

  “Nonsense.” Myrna walked into the dining room and set a plate down in front of her. “You have every right to eat here. Don’t mind James. He gets a little cranky when he hasn’t eaten. Isn’t that right, James?”

  “Sure.” He shrugged and dug into the food on his plate.

  “Thank you, Myrna. I wondered if I could talk to you for a few minutes.”

  “Absolutely. What about?”

  “I’ve been reading all these things online about Mr. Morgan that are a bit unflattering. I wonder if you’d mind sharing with me your experience of your employer?”

  James’s fork clattered down against the plate. He looked up at Cassie w
ith animosity growing in his eyes. “Myrna knows better than to discuss the personal matters of Mr. Morgan.”

  “Hush, James, and eat your food.” Myrna looked back at Cassie. “I’m more than happy to tell you about my experience with Mr. Morgan. Don’t listen to a word that’s said about him in the magazines or anything of that nature. He’s the kindest man I’ve ever met, simple as that. A few years back I had a big crisis. My husband was faced with a cancer diagnosis that was not good. We were told he didn’t have much time left. I was worried that if I left my job to take care of him, Mr. Morgan would replace me. Instead, he found my husband the best doctor and moved him in here with us so that he would be comfortable. He even flew our children in to spend time with him. He didn’t expect me to work, but he still paid me. How could a man like that be called anything but kind?”

  “I wouldn’t call him anything else.” Cassie smiled. “That’s an amazing thing to do.”

  “Yes. Unfortunately my husband did pass, but he did so in the comfort of this house with his family around him. Mr. Morgan gave me a gift that I can never repay. I will never believe a single bad thing said about him. Even if it wasn’t for that, all you have to do is see him with his daughter. A man who loves his child like that has a heart of gold.”

  “Enough, Myrna,” said James, “you’re really speaking out of turn.”

  “I’m not saying anything that isn’t true.”

  “I know that. I know that better than anyone. But Mr. Morgan values his privacy.”

  Cassie said, “I am not here to cause any problems for him, James. I was invited here. You are the one who did the inviting. Remember?”

  “I do. Because Mr. Morgan demanded it. I didn’t think it was a good idea.”

  “And so far?”

  “Look, Cassie, I’ve seen some great con artists—uh, women—come through here. They will do and say anything to get his attention. No, I don’t see you doing that just yet, but that doesn’t mean you won’t. Why wouldn’t you?”

  “So the problem you have with me is what? My economic status? You think because I’ve never had much I’m going to try to take everything from him? You have the wrong idea about me, James. I’m not interested in convincing you otherwise. I’ve made it a rule that I do not prove myself to others. You take me as I am, or I move forward with my life. So far, Mr. Morgan appears to be pleased with my presence here. If that were to change I’d have no problem leaving. I’m not sure what you’ve dealt with in the past, but I am sure there is one big difference between those people and me. I’m not here for romance, I’m here to create art. That’s all.”