Page 24 of Luke

Five

Luke hadn't thought he'd sleep, but somehow the shocks of the past few days combined with the jet lag had propelled him into oblivion. He rolled over onto his side, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. By the dark room, he knew the sun had set, but he was surprised to see it was almost eight o'clock. He'd been out for hours.

Getting out of bed, he walked over to the window, seeing the glow of a fire and hearing the faint sound of music. The campfire had obviously begun.

It didn't sound like his scene, but on the other hand, he was hungry, and Lizzie had said something about marshmallows. Maybe he could also beg for some kitchen leftovers. After all, he was the boss.

He shook his head at that still bewildering thought and knew he had some decisions to make, but not tonight, maybe not even tomorrow.

He liked speed. He liked to live a fast life, but this was too fast. He didn't want to get swept away on a current of emotion, and he felt more emotions than he liked swirling inside of him. He wasn't just coming off his father's unexpected death and the shocking knowledge that he'd never get to say good-bye, he was also having to deal with seeing Lizzie again.

Sitting down on the bed, he put on his shoes and then grabbed his phone as it rang. It was Knox.

"What's up?" he asked.

"I was going to ask you that question. How's the resort?"

"Not as big as it seemed when we were last here."

"I barely remember that trip."

"I didn't think I remembered it at all until I got here. That old guy still gives riding lessons. I thought he was a hundred back then, but he only appears to be about seventy now." He paused. "But the lodge didn't turn out to be the big surprise."

"I had a feeling there was more to it than just a random deed. Why did Dad leave you the resort?"

"Because Lizzie is here."

"Your Lizzie?" Knox asked in surprise.

"She hasn't been my Lizzie in a long time."

"I thought she was a pianist or something."

"Me, too, but her sister died, and she's now raising her niece. I guess Dad gave her the job managing the resort about six months ago."

"And he gave you the resort so you'd have to see her again. Interesting."

"So what did you get? Have you been to the storage unit yet?"

"Not yet. Too busy."

"Come on."

"I'll get there. Whatever it is, it isn't going anywhere."

"It could be Dad's Porsche or maybe his speedboat."

Knox laughed. "Yeah, like I'm going to be that lucky. How does Lizzie look?"

"Too good. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid." He'd actually already done something stupid, but he didn't need to share that with Knox.

"She's always been under your skin. You used to call her your beautiful trouble."

"That still fits. I thought I'd gotten her out from under my skin a long time ago. Her presence here complicates things, because she really needs the job, and as much as I know I don't owe her a damn thing, I feel for her situation."

"You could always keep the place."

"That's going to take some cash." His gaze drifted to the folder Lizzie had given him at lunch. He really needed to take a look at the accounting at some point. He didn't know if his dad had left him a profitable venture or a money pit.

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