looking for a job when I set up my business here,” Lucas went on, “I’ll have to give you a call for an interview.”
“You’re moving here?” Isabel asked, sounding surprised by the news.
“Yes, didn’t Maggie tell you? I’ve decided to set up my office here as soon as possible to start selling the condo units. I’m going to be starting construction soon, once the dirt gets leveled, and I’d like to get the capital coming in to keep the construction moving forward.”
Isabel and Emily exchanged questioning glances.
“I’m sorry, I completely forgot to mention it.” Maggie shrugged her shoulders apologetically.
“You’d like to set up an interview?” Fiona smiled sweetly at Lucas. “Sure, that would be terrific. Maggie has my number.”
“Now,” Lucas held his hand out to Maggie, “I would like to ask the most beautiful woman at this party to dance. I have ignored her far too long.”
Maggie’s face lit up as she took his hand. He helped her to her feet and led her to the dance area.
Emily, Isabel, and Fiona watched as Lucas and Maggie joined the other handful of couples swaying to the beat of a slow song the DJ had just begun to play.
“Boy, Fiona, that was a lucky connection,” Isabel said.
Emily nodded her agreement.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Fiona said. “That Maggie Sullivan is a lucky woman.” She turned sharply and went inside the house, leaving Isabel and Emily wearing puzzled expressions on their faces.
~*~
The evening was winding down and most of the guests had left. Camille and Jonathan were busy cleaning up with Emily and Isabel’s help. Alex had been out front for a while directing traffic, making sure the multitude of cars made it away without a scratch.
Maggie and Lucas were standing on the front steps of the Martínez home, saying good-bye to the last of their guests. Mayor Sullivan was one of the last to leave, and he hugged his sister good-night. He shook Lucas’s hand and promised to make time to meet with him about his exciting new project.
“I think the resort will be a good thing for this valley. What are you calling it?” he asked.
“Whitetail,” Lucas replied. “Whitetail Ski and Golf Resort.”
“I like the sound of that. Whitetail,” Sully said as he stepped off the porch. “It has a nice ring to it.”
“I’ll call you,” Lucas shouted out as he waved good-bye. “Let’s go inside, Maggie. Maybe they need help cleaning up.”
CHAPTER 3
Upon their return from a quick trip up to Sun Valley, Maggie reported to the girls over lunch at Bar deNay’s one day that she and Lucas had explored what they could of the ski resort there. It being summer, there were no snow activities to observe, but Lucas had scrutinized the other activities, studying the layout of the resort and condos, as well taking a tour of the massive Sun Valley Lodge.
Maggie also mentioned that Lucas was ready to start setting up his business and that he’d been able to secure a lease in the old Graystone Building where Emily had her private investigation office. Maggie had thanked Emily for the referral.
She told them how Lucas followed through on his promise to Fiona and had hired her to help him set up his files and his office.
Emily wanted to be happy for Maggie, so she was willing to welcome Lucas into their tight circle of friends, but Isabel, with her suspicious nature, remained somewhat aloof and watchful.
A few days later Emily and Isabel had lunch together at The Blue Moon Café. As they sat on the sun-drenched patio under a big blue umbrella, looking out over the rushing Boise River, Isabel shared her misgivings about Maggie’s relationship with Lucas. “I think I need to do that background check now. They’re moving too fast, getting serious too soon. Don’t you think, Em?”
“It does seem pretty quick, but it’s not like they’re kids. They’re both mid-thirties. Some relationships just move faster than others,” Emily replied.
“But he just seems…” Isabel tapped her finger on her chin and rolled her eyes upward, as if she was searching her brain for the right word.
“Seems what?”
“Seems too nice, too slick. I don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it,” Isabel said, frowning and pursing her lips.
“Too perfect?”
“Yes, and too sweet, like pure honey. He always seems to have just the right thing to say—an answer for everything. Maybe I’m too suspicious, but I think for Maggie’s own protection we need to make sure this guy is legit.”