the music playing throughout the evening, encouraging people to dance on the expansive slate patio. She even asked Isabel and Alex to invite their neighbors, also people of means, hoping to avoid complaints of the loud music while adding to Lucas’s circle of influence.
Maggie had originally wanted a small intimate affair where her friends and brother could get to know Lucas and he could get acquainted with them. The party, however, turned out to be the event of the year, she overhead a number of guests say.
She introduced Lucas to her friends and her brother first, and then she took him around to meet others. He was tall and handsome with sandy brown hair, highlighted by the summer sun, a strong angular jaw line, and a distinguished cleft in his chin.
He seemed right at home meeting new people, holding a friendly smile, and shaking hand after hand. They would inquire how he liked their town and he would reply how it was a beautiful place, in great proximity to the new ski and golf resort he was building.
Maggie watched as most people’s eyes lit up at his detailed description of his endeavor. Even her brother, Sully, seemed captivated by the idea of a new resort nearby.
In the middle of Lucas’s portrayal of the resort, he paused and flashed a quick smile at her, then went back to the people hanging on his every word.
As the night wore down, Maggie left Lucas to his conversations and took a chair next to Isabel at one of the round tables Camille had set up around the meticulously landscaped yard.
An exhausted Emily plopped down on the seat next to them. “Great party, don’t you think?” She ran her hands through her loose curls.
“Yes, great.” Maggie sat, leaning an elbow on the table, staring at Lucas across the lawn.
“What’s wrong?” Emily looked into her friend’s pensive blue eyes.
“Nothin’. Just not what I expected. I wanted to introduce Lucas to my friends and family, but all these other people are takin’ his attention.”
“He is charming,” Isabel commented, “and it sounds like this get-together is a good thing for his new resort.”
“You’re right. I’m just tired, I guess.” Maggie propped her head up on one hand.
“He’ll be here for a while, won’t he?” Emily asked.
“Yes, and I’ll have him all to myself tomorrow when we drive up to Sun Valley. He said he wants to check out the competition.”
“I saw your brother is here, Maggs, but I didn’t see his wife with him,” Emily commented.
“MS? How awful.” Isabel had a tone of sadness in her voice.
“Their daughters are off to college. And with Carolyn so sick, my poor brother must be buried under a pile of debt.” Maggie shook her head at the thought, then she shot up straight and put her hand to her lips. “Oh, girls, please don’t tell him I said that.”
“Hello, Maggie.” Fiona approached their table.
“Hi, Fiona,” Maggie responded warmly. “I wasn’t sure you were goin’ to make it. You remember my friends, Emily and Isabel?”
“Yes. Hello, Emily, Isabel. So sorry I’m late. I had a flat tire on the way, but all’s well now.”
“Flat tire? Oh, how miserable. Well, I’m glad you finally made it.” Maggie reached out and gave Fiona’s hand a light squeeze. “I’m sure there’s still some food left. Camille made enough to feed an army.”
“I’m not really hungry.” Fiona looked over at Lucas as the small crowd around him began to dissipate. “Is that him?”
“Yes, that’s my Lucas. Let me introduce you,” Maggie offered.
“I don’t want to be a bother,” Fiona said.
“Look, here he comes. His ears must have been burnin’ with us talkin’ about him.” Maggie laughed.
“Hello, ladies,” Lucas greeted as he approached them.
“Lucas, I’d like to introduce you to one of my friends, Fiona Merlino,” Maggie said.
Lucas stuck out his hand and smiled cordially as he shook hers. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Merlino. Have you lived in Paradise Valley long?”
“No, only a month or so. I’m still looking for a job, actually.”
“What kind of work do you do?” he asked.
“I have an extensive background as an administrative assistant,” Fiona replied.
“Really,” he responded, looking into her deep brown eyes. That was one thing Maggie had noticed about Lucas, he always looked a person in the eye when he spoke to them. She liked that. Her daddy used to tell her that was the sign of a person who could be trusted. “Well, if you’re still