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“I’m glad to hear it. If anything should change though, I would appreciate you letting me know.”
“Yes, sir, I will. Umm...sir?”
“Yes, Becky?”
“There was some talk and questions about those new hotels of yours in France and Italy. Some people were thinking you were going to hold on to them instead of selling right away like you did with the others. And some people were wondering if you do, if there’s a chance to transfer to one?”
I consider the question. “At this time, Becky, I do not know what will happen with the properties I have outside of Austin. I’m not even done redoing two of them. I haven’t had an offer on the one in Monaco, so I can’t say if the offer wasn’t excellent I wouldn’t take it. However, once I know for sure, I’ll make sure those positions are open to my people in Austin. It’s always easier to move people up then hire and train them from outside.”
“Okay, sir. Thank you.”
“No problem. Have a good night.”
“You too, sir.”
With a few clicks I bring up the projects in Tours and Florence. The place in Tours is really coming along. My mom was right: it looks more like a home than a hotel. I’ve only been on site once, but I remember being struck by how peaceful and scenic it was. Sitting on twenty-two acres with an old stable, a pool, green and trees as far as the eye could see, it seemed like a dream vacation spot to get away from it all, but it still has a nice-sized town only a half hour away. Closing the window, I’m left looking at the report on the Florence property. This is definitely a hotel, and it will be an elegant draw by the time I’m done.
I consider Becky’s question. I don’t know if I’ll keep any of the properties for long. I’m not sure how long I’ll stay in Austin or if I’ll leave again. Only a week ago, I thought I knew everything. Now I feel like I don’t know shit, not even myself.
***
Olivia
It’s been three days since the night Rourke saw me naked, and three days since I’ve seen him. I’m barely interested in dinner, only moving it around my plate.
“What’s the matter, dear?” Cheryl looks worried.
I shrug, not able to meet her eyes. “I think Rourke is avoiding me.”
Cheryl sighs. “I think you should know it won’t be easy. Rourke doesn’t do commitment, but not because he’s some playboy like people think. The truth is he refuses to commit because he’s convinced he’ll die young and doesn’t want to leave his wife to grieve like I do for his father.”
“You cannot be serious.” She is; the sadness in her eyes has me flinching. “He cannot believe that. He’s the healthiest man I’ve ever met.” Then I remember dinner, how he was sure he’ll end up with diabetes, the strict diet and exercise he does.
“It’s why he’s so careful about what he eats, to stave off the diabetes that runs in his family. I understood, at first. Emilio died at only fifty-two—he never took care of himself with his diabetes and even after his first heart attack. Then there’s Emilio’s father, he died when he was only fifty-three, of a heart attack. At first, I was as worried as Rourke.
“I urged him to get tested. He’s had thousands of dollars in tests, MRI, EKGs, things that would have found the smallest thing. When they found nothing I was relieved and believed he would be too. Only he still believes he’ll die young; it’s what drove him away from Austin, to see the world while he could.
“I’ve tried to talk to him dozens of times. I reminded him his mother’s father is still alive, his great-grandfather on her side didn’t die until he was a hundred and two just last year. All of the men and women on her side are aging into their eighties and nineties. He won’t listen.” Her sigh is sad. “You’ll have to be patient and strong. I have faith in you.” Her smile is teasing.
“Wait, his great-grandfather was Charles Rourke? Of the Rourkes who at one time owned a quarter of Texas and into Louisiana? The family who for three decades was the main source of meat and cattle in Texas?”
Cheryl nods. “The very same. Although by Charlie’s generation they were well and truly land rich, cash poor. They had horrible problems for several years with their cattle and feed. When Rourke turned twenty-one he was gifted with a parcel of land, as a part of terms from a family trust. Since there was no money, the land was in the appraised value of the fifty thousand he was due for being a descendent of a Rourke.
“At the time Rourke was upset, swearing he wouldn’t take it. Since he was in the middle of his tour Emilio talked Rourke into waiting until he got out and home to make a decision. That tract of land became where he built the complex of the theater and strip mall and was a major cornerstone of his commercial real estate business.”
“Wow. Does he have any contact with any of them at all?”
“No, but almost ten years ago one of his uncles had the gall to come and ask for money. They had a particularly bad year. Rourke said no, but he advised them to go natural and organic as a way of diversifying. From what I heard they did and have had a bit of a resurgence.”
“I can’t imagine having a child, then turning my back on him to cling to a family who couldn’t love him because of the color of his skin. It blows my mind. I’m also thinking it’s a crazy way to react when from their history they used to be O’Rourke, Irish gypsies who were chased out of Ireland then settled in Texas. To have suffered intolerance, then to turn around and do it all over again. Emilio and Rourke are so lucky to have you in their life, to take them exactly as they are.”
“Oh no, I was the lucky one. I had a horrible marriage before them and had given up on ever marrying again. After managing to get out, I swore I wouldn’t give
any man that kind of control over me and my life again. Except when I met Rourke, he kind of burrowed under my heart. He was so serious, such a beautiful child, thinking constantly. I knew he deserved more than being stuck in a classroom with other children he was far more advanced than.
“Then I met Emilio and all my previous convictions crumbled. He didn’t talk about taking care of me, loving me—he showed me every day. I told him I didn’t want to get married, I couldn’t take the chance. Emilio nodded, saying he understood, then told me he loved me too much to not have me as his wife. It was my decision, but if I loved him too then we needed to get married or I could leave. At the time, there was no real decision, I loved him, I wasn’t going anywhere. You aren’t either, my dear. It’s clear as day, so please be a little more patient with him.”
As I lie in bed unable to sleep, I turn the conversation from a few hours over again and again in my mind. Was he avoiding me?
