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Mom was ahopefulromantic, her emphasis on the hopeful. I didn’t announce that Jo and I were dating, but I was sure my family noticed.
We started in the display gardens. These were Luis’s world. Different varieties of flowers were specifically planted to bloom now. The color patterns set to resemble landscapes, like a river running through a field of color or tall green mountains with a waterfall. Luis and his crew were talented, and these gardens were stunning.
As we left the stone paths, I held Jo’s hand and strolled through the long rows of color stretched out to the water and snow-capped peaks in the distance.
“This is unbelievable. I’ve seen pictures and assumed they were altered or something. No way this was real.”
Strolling the rows, I pointed out the different varieties and some of the test hybrid bulbs planted in smaller spaces around the periphery or by the house.
“How could you not live here?” Jo asked.
I held up my thumb. “This is not currently green. When I was a kid, I didn’t add much around here. Being back, working on the finance part of the farm and resort has been good. But my work’s in tech. There, I’m someone who can solve problems that others can’t. It’s important and engaging work, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Jo nodded, her expression solemn. “My parents have a few acres outside of Nashville. Growing up, we had chickens and a couple of horses. It was nice, but I wanted something different, something to make my own.”
I motioned toward the completed yurts and partially completed platforms while telling her about Finn’s biking resort plans.
“We’re thinking of doing a breakfast or happy hour for the resort. Nothing fancy. There’re only eight yurts. What do you think?”
“That’s a great idea. A cook could prepare things ahead of time to be heated later. You’d be surprised what chefs make in advance, even at the upscale places.”
“Is that something you would be interested in?”
“If it works with my schedule. Hopefully, my personal chef business will pick up soon, but I’d certainly like to be considered.”
Another smile bubbled up as usual around Jo. “It’s an idea, but I wanted to get your thoughts.”
I was excited about the possibility. Her food would be part of the resort’s draw, and Jo would be around more. That thought made me even happier until I realized Jo would be here, but I wouldn’t. Her life was in Perry Harbor, and mine wasn’t.
Seattle. Where my future was. Jo was building a future here. Could we make the distance work? Did I want to? Maybe Finn’s suggestion to start my own engineering firm deserved more thought.
33
JO
“Brittany,how is the buffet looking? You have to keep us in the loop, girl.”
I tried not to bark orders at the servers I’d poached for a night from The Elliot, but old habits die hard. Eduardo and I prepped food and stayed out of each other’s way. We did the dance pretty well, and he was a fantastic self-trained cook. A lot of excellent cooks honed their craft as an apprentice rather than in school, and he taught me a few things I didn’t know about the traditional prep for these dishes. Things he probably learned from a grandmother, like I did.
Lucas popped into the kitchen as I turned from the hot stove and wiped sweat from my brow. Wow. That man could wear clothes.
His dark jeans molded to his thighs, and a black T-shirt silhouetted his muscled chest under a subtle blue plaid sports coat. Those items were not off the rack. Money bought some pretty stuff.
His hair was a little shaggy like he’d been running his hand through it. He looked delicious. Heat pooled at the sight of him.
It was difficult to believe he was the man I had instantly despised when we met right here in this building. The Lucas Bakker I came to know was certainly unexpected.
“The food is great, Jo.” My pulse jumped at the provocative tone of his voice, like he was saying something intimate and dirty here in my safe place, my kitchen. He leaned in to speak low in my ear. “When can you take a break? I’d like a drink and maybe a dance.” His warm breath brought goosebumps, and my nipples instantly pebbled.
“Umm.” I glanced at Eduardo. “I can take a break after the desserts go out.”
Luc’s grin was slow as it spread to those full wattage dimples. He didn’t take his eyes off me, and I got lost for a moment.
“Jo, the sauce.” Eduardo looked over.
Oh, right, crap. “Go away, Lucas. I’m working.”
“I’ll be back after dessert then.” With a nod of his head, he left, and I exhaled.
