“Rubbish. The boy loves you. You love him. Just admit it, Keely. You love him. You’ve moped around here all week wanting to see him.”
“And look where that got me!” Keely got up from the table, grabbing a beignet on her way out of the kitchen. She went to her room where she could nurse her wounded pride alone.
When she emerged, it was late in the afternoon and she was ready to take Duke for his daily jog. Lucinda didn’t say anything to stop her from going. Keely was glad. She didn’t have the energy to argue.
A cool breeze blew as she traveled around the lake with Duke. It made the time pass more quickly. The exercise improved her disposition and she felt more energetic, her mind clearer. That is, until she spotted Darren walking towards her. He wasn’t dressed for a jog. He still had his dress slacks on. She didn’t slow down. In fact, she tried to appear as if she hadn’t seen him at all.
Twice they passed where he stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He appeared to be waiting patiently for them to finish their jog. It annoyed Keely. Why couldn’t he take the hint and leave? Another lap around and she finally slowed down, walking Duke a lap before going over to where he stood.
“What are you doing here?”
“It’s a public place. I can come here if I want.”
“I don’t want to speak to you.”
“I think you do.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t ever want to see you again, Darren Wright. You can go back to Wright and Associates and… and—”
“Go to hell?” he asked, grinning at her.
How dare he mock her?
“There’s nothing funny about it.”
“You’re cute when you’re mad. Did you know that?”
“No I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, honey, and you have every right to be upset. But before you go making a mountain out of a tiny mole hill, you need to let me explain about what you saw this morning.”
“I know what I saw.”
“You saw Shelby kiss me, but it wasn’t what you think. She was excited over my giving her the lead on an account. That’s all.”
“My boss gives me leads all the time, but I don’t go touching him and kissing him.”
“No, but Shelby is a touchy, feely person. She can’t help it.”
“I don’t like you working with her.” Keely placed her hand over her mouth after the words came out. She had no right telling him with whom he could and couldn’t work.
Darren hesitated a moment. “Jama asked me to mentor Shelby. We’ve not worked nearly long enough together yet for her to gain the benefit of my knowledge, but I can put distance between us if that will make you happy.”
“You would?” She totally didn’t expect him to say that.
“Yes. I’d do anything for you, Keely. Don’t you realize that?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m in love with you.” He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, kissing her tenderly. “That is all the reason I need.”
Keely felt speechless. How could he be so sure he loved her? They’d hardly known each other long enough to profess feelings so deep. Sure, Lucinda had claimed he did. She’d claimed Keely did too.
Darren waited for her to say something back. Her mouth twitched as if she started to speak then stopped. He didn’t expect her to say I love you back, but it would help to know he wasn’t putting himself out there to be rejected.
“I’m sorry, Darren. I like you. I even contemplated giving us a chance. But if I can’t trust you enough not to jump to conclusions where another woman is concerned then it’s too soon for me—”
“That’s okay.”
“We’re still competitors.”
“I believe we can work around that.”
“How?”
“I’m not sure at the moment, but I’ll figure out a way.”
“Until you do, I think its best we don’t see each other,” she said.
“Come on, Keely. Don’t be like this,” he protested as she turned away.
She got her feet tangled in Duke’s leash and stumbled over the dog. Darren caught her.
“Won’t you reconsider?”
“I have several times, and I come back to the same conclusion. I think it’s time I start listening to my brain instead of the gris-gris.”
Watching her walk away, Darren jammed his hands in his pant pockets and kicked at a rock. Duke tried to protest, but she had a strong hold on his leash preventing him from gaining control.
“Stubborn woman,” he muttered. When he turned, he saw his friend Clint staring at him.
“Dude, why are you wasting your time with her?” He tossed Darren the Frisbee.
Darren returned it and walked up to Clint, patting him on the shoulder. “Dude, because I love her.”
The sun was barely visible in the sky when Darren crawled out of bed the next morning. He’d spent most of the night before contemplating how he was going to handle the situation with Keely. If he wanted to be with her, then he had to find a solution to the competition problem. About midnight, he’d finally hit pay dirt. He knew what he was going to do. Now he had to put his plan in motion.
No one was at Wright and Associates when he arrived, which was unusual. Jama was known to be the last one to leave and the first one to arrive. He’d even heard his sister spent a good portion of her Saturdays in her office. She’d turned into a workaholic. After he fixed his problems with Keely, he’d have to give serious consideration to getting Jama a personal life.
He put on a pot of strong coffee and headed to his office. An empty box sat in the corner, and he began putting personal items back in it. Then he typed up a letter and took it to Jama’s office. Two cups of black coffee later, he was ready to tie up loose ends on his current projects and leave the office for good.
“Have you lost your mind?” Jama practically yelled, walking into his office. “You can’t resign. Since you’ve been director Wright and Associates has made a comeback. We’re out of the red. We’ve landed more new accounts in the last six weeks than the last year.”
“I can, Jama, and I am. Despite the success, I can’t see staying here. At least in New York I never had to worry about going up against someone I cared about. If it takes me bowing out of the race to prove to Keely that I’m serious about my feelings toward her, then I’m willing to do it.”
“Did she give you an ultimatum?”
“No. I gave myself one.”
Jama sat on the edge of his desk and studied him for a minute. “You’re serious? Are you leaving town?”
Darren steepled his fingers in front of him and rested his chin on them. “A little distance couldn’t hurt. I might pay Patti and Claire a visit. See if that Blue Ridge Mountain is as pristine as they claim.”
Jama smiled. “Take mom with you. She’ll enjoy seeing them too.”
“Does that mean you’re giving me your blessing?”
Jama scowled at him in sisterly fashion. “Not exactly, but I think I see where your heart’s at.” She paused a moment then grinned. “Clear out your office and give your open contracts to me. I just hope that Keely appreciates what you’re doing.”
Chapter Thirteen
Keely woke to a pounding headache and a scratchy throat. She looked at the clock on her bedside table and groaned. Why hadn’t the alarm woke her? She never overslept.
“Good morning,” Lucinda called, coming into her room with a breakfast tray. “I thought you could use a little rest. I hope you don’t mind, but I turned off your alarm.”
“Why’d you do that?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“It sounds like someone’s getting sick. Maybe you shouldn’t have pretended to be sick yesterday. Karma is a fickle friend.”
“I’ll be fine. A hot shower and some hot tea and I’ll be as good as new.”
“Your assistant called to see if you’d be in the office this morning, and I told her you weren’t feeling any better. If you’re going to play hooky from work, you migh
t as well make the most of it.”
“Gee, thanks. I think.”
Lucinda chuckled and opened the sheers wide, letting in the morning sunlight. “It’s a beautiful day. Why don’t we take a drive? Maybe have a picnic. Just get away from it all?”
“Sounds nice, but I should try to go into work even if I sound like I swallowed a frog.”
“Nonsense. You work too hard. Eat and then take a shower. Pack a bag. We might just stop for the night somewhere.”
Keely frowned, wondering what Lucinda was up to. The idea of getting away was appealing so she did as she was told and within the hour met Lucinda downstairs ready to go.
“I’ll drive because you’re head isn’t on straight. I don’t want you driving us off into a ravine.”
Keely frowned and put her hands on her hips. “I’m a good driver. Besides, I thought you said we were going for a drive. Now you’re talking about ravines. Exactly where are we going?”
Lucinda opened up the back of her SUV and they put in their overnight bags and the picnic basket. “The mountains. I haven’t been in years. I think it’s time I go again.”
“A short trip. I have a presentation to work on for Monday.”
Lucinda grunted and got into the SUV muttering, “Work. Is that all you think about?”
“I heard that.”
“Mom, what have you got in this thing?” Darren lugged her suitcase from the car into the lobby of the Crescent Creek Lodge that his twin sisters, Patti and Claire, co-managed.
“The essentials. As you get older, a body requires more grooming to stay young looking.”
He rolled his eyes and spotted Patti leaning over the railing waving to them from the second floor balcony that overlooked the open lobby area. He tapped his mother on the shoulder and pointed upward.
“Oh!” Lillian gasped. “Don’t fall.”
“Mom,” Claire called from the front desk, distracting them as Patti made her way down to the lobby.
“My girls!” Lillian exclaimed, pulling them together for a tight squeeze.
Darren watched the small reunion and felt sadness inside his chest he hadn’t expected. It was great to see his sisters again. He’d only seen them twice since returning from New York. Having them meet Keely had been top on his list of things to do, but now that didn’t look possible.
“Hey little brother,” Patti said, hugging him. She had to look up at him since he stood a head taller than her average frame. “It’s good to have you and Mom up for a few days.”
Claire nodded, getting in on the hugs. “Yeah, unfortunately, the lodge is practically booked up. There’s a single available. We thought Darren could take that. Mom can stay with us in our guest room.
“That’s fine,” he said, figuring he wouldn’t be getting that much sleep anyway. He’d not been able to reach Keely at the office when he tried calling. He’d left messages on her cell, but she hadn’t returned those either. The news of his leaving Wright and Associates needed to come from him not the gossip mill.
“Good. You come with me, and I’ll show you to your room,” Patti ordered.
“Don’t be long. Mom and I are going into the dining room to have dinner,” Claire announced. “Just as soon as I stow her suitcase behind the front desk.”
Darren chuckled. “Be careful. I think she’s got the house in there.”
“Hogwash!” Lillian exclaimed. “It isn’t that heavy.”
Claire tried to move it, but when it wouldn’t budge she looked at her mom and made a face. “I see you went light this time.”
“Oh for heaven’s sake. Let me have it,” Lillian said, taking the strap and pulling the suite case over to the front desk without any trouble.
They all laughed.
“I see some things never change,” Patti mused.
Keely slowly opened her eyes from a nap and frowned. “Where are we, Lucinda?”
“Somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m not sure, but I think we’re lost.”
“Lost?” Keely sat up in the passenger seat and stared out the window. Trees and shrub filled the view. “How can we be lost?”
“I made a wrong turn. Thought I could correct myself by going right. Everyone knows if you keep going right you’ll end up back where you started.”
“Lucinda! That only works in the city.” Keely glanced at her watch and saw it was early evening. How long had she been asleep?
“For how long have you been making these right turns?”
“An hour, maybe two. I lost track of time. Just look at the beauty of these hills. And I thought the good Lord had out-done himself making the Louisiana Bayou.”
Keely glared at her friend. “Stop the car.”
“Why? I’m sure if we keep going, we’ll come to our destination. I can feel it.”
“This is crazy. Why’d I ever agree to this drive,” Keely mumbled, picking up the map and trying to figure out their location.
“You needed the fresh air. Didn’t we have a lovely picnic?”
“Yes.”
“And you relaxed. Didn’t your headache go away?”
Keely nodded, lowering the map. She watched the passing foliage, looking for a road sign that might tell her where they were.
“So it was worth it. Now, help me watch for the marker that says Crescent Creek Lane.”
She glared at Lucinda again. “We’re not really lost are we?”
Lucinda laughed. “You should know I have a better sense of direction than that. You need to lighten up, dear.”
“Lucinda,” Keely growled.
The woman chuckled. “I dare say your momma wouldn’t be pleased to see you in this state of mind, Keely.”
“Probably not, but life isn’t as simple as it was before Mom got so ill. I didn’t have a demanding job. I didn’t have to take care of Alex’s dog.”
“Oh rubbish. You enjoy taking care of Duke for him and you know it. If you didn’t have that dog in your life right now, you’d be lost for what to do with your free time. He gives you something to look forward to each day besides work, besides fighting with Darren.”
“We don’t fight.”
“No? Then what do you call it? It sure isn’t making love.”
“Lucinda!”
“What? When I was growing up making love meant romancing each other, kissing, and sweet talking.”
“Sure it did.”
Lucinda slammed on the brakes and turned right. “Crescent Creek Lane. We’re finally here.”
“Exactly where is here?” Keely asked, settling back in her seat after being lurched forward.
“You’ll see.”
“Somehow I don’t think I’m going to like this.”
“Sure you will, honey. I’ll even bet on the gris-gris that you will love it.”
Keely laughed and watched as a lodge came into view. “This looks like a resort.”
“More like a hotel. I took the liberty of booking us rooms for the weekend.”
“The weekend! Lucinda you said possibly staying over night. I told you I have a presentation to work on. I can’t spend the whole weekend up here. And what about Duke? Who’s going to feed him? Take him for his daily jog?”
“Don’t worry about Duke. I got that very handsome young vet to watch him.”
“You called Kyle Landers?”
“Yes. That’s his name. Nice young man. Sounded happy to help you out.”
“Oh, Lucinda,” Keely shook her head. “But my presentation. I’ll never be ready in time. I’ve already lost two days by being out of work.”
“And I say all work and no play makes Keely a very dull young woman.”
“Try telling that to my bosses.”
“I’ll be happy to on Monday. I’m sure once I get through talking to them they’ll be even more pleased to give you anything you want. I’ll just take my little bag of goodies along with me and sprinkle a little Cajun magic around the room.”
This time Keely snickered imagining Lucinda doing just that. “I remembe
r when I was a little girl. You had me really believing in your little bag of magic.”
“And rightly you should.” Lucinda pulled into a parking space, putting the SUV in park. “Come on, let’s go inside. I hear they have the best spa here and the massages are to die for.”
Entering the lodge, Keely marveled at the high vaulted ceiling and gleaming rafters that ran the course of the lobby area. Delicious aromas filled the air from the onsite restaurant and her stomach rumbled, reminding her it had been hours since they’d had lunch.
“Let’s get checked in and then go eat.”
A dark brow arched as Lucinda nodded. “I thought you’d like it here.”
“I might as well enjoy the weekend.”
“Of course, dear.” Lucinda smiled and approached the front desk. A few moments later she handed Keely a room key. “I’m in room 212 if you need me. I’m going to go change before dinner. I’ll meet you back here in half an hour.”
“Sounds good.” Keely noted they had given her room 224A. She wondered what the A stood for as she picked up her small suitcase and headed up the stairs.
Darren pretended to eat his dinner half-listening to the conversation between his mother and sisters. He pushed the food around on his plate with a fork and thought about Keely’s reaction when he’d told her he loved her. He hadn’t expected her to fall into his arms over the declaration or to even tell him she loved him in return.
“Yo, Earth to Darren,” Patti called, waving a hand in front of his face.
“Huh?” He looked up.
Claire giggled. “Are you up for dessert?”
“No. I think I’ll call it an early night.”
“Are you sure, dear?” Lillian asked, concern evident in her voice.
“Positive.” He laid the cloth napkin on the table and stood. “Today has been very draining.”
The three of them nodded, smiling.
“We’ll see you in the morning then.” Lillian stood, placed her hands on his upper arms and kissed him on the cheek. “Try not to be so hard on yourself. We all face difficult challenges from time to time.”
He half-smiled and nodded, then walked toward the stairs. In the lobby a group of people were crowded around someone and he had to inch his way through to get to his destination. He stopped in mid-step when he heard a thick Cajun accent singing a snippet of a jazz song.
The Good Luck Charm (The Good Luck Series) Page 9