fixed.”
Joanne dropped her head back down to the table. “Go back to work, Marley. I don’t know why I told you.”
Marley giggled. “Because I’m your best friend and you tell me everything!” She sipped her drink before continuing. “So, if you’re really not interested in Mr. Stallion, will you introduce him to me? I promise I won’t run him, or his money, off.”
Joanne lifted her eyes to glare at her friend. “Marley, bite me!”
Still laughing, Marley stood back up, grabbing her beverage as she moved toward the back of the service counter. “Yep, you do like that man!”
When Luke poked his head into Matthew’s office, his brother was in deep concentration over a stack of legal documents. He was almost reluctant to disturb him, but he needed some advice. He knocked, raising his hand in a quick wave as Matthew lifted his eyes to see who was there.
“Hey, Luke, what’s up?”
“Do you have a minute? I could use a friend.”
Matthew dropped his ballpoint pen to the desktop. “For you, little brother, I have two minutes. Come on in and close the door.” Pushing himself away from the large mahogany desk, Matthew came to his feet. He moved to the other side of the room, gesturing for Luke to join him in the upholstered chairs that sat around a small conference table.
“So, what’s up?”
Luke took a deep breath, suddenly nervous. It wasn’t like this was the first time he’d had to turn to one of his kin for advice about women, but this wasn’t just any woman.
Matthew eyed his baby brother curiously, the young man’s brow creased in thought. “Are you okay?”
Luke met the man’s gaze, his head bobbing up and down against his neck. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just that…you see…well, there’s this woman—”
“She’s not pregnant, is she?” Matthew asked, concern flooding his face.
“No, nothing like that,” he replied with a nervous chuckle. “I think I could deal with that.”
“No time soon I hope because that truly is not the kind of trouble you need right now.”
“Really, Matthew, that’s not my problem. You see, I met this woman. She volunteers down at the community center and…” Luke paused, suddenly not sure what the problem was.
“Let me back up,” he said, changing gears. “Do you think we’re selfish? I mean, do you think we take our wealth for granted? This woman accused me of just tossing my money around without regard for people who are in serious need, and I have to tell you, it grated a nerve.”
“What was she saying, that you don’t give enough money away?”
“She thinks I need to be volunteering more of my time instead of giving my money away.”
“That’s different.”
Luke shrugged. “Do I give off the impression that I’m more about our money than anything else?”
Matthew sank back into the sofa, a slight smile pulling at his mouth. “Before I answer that, why are you so concerned about what this woman thinks about you? John always told us that what we thought about ourselves was more important than anything. If you know in your own heart that what you’re doing is right, then what does it matter what she thinks? Why is it bothering you so much?”
“Because she…” Luke paused, searching for the right words to convey what he was feeling. He suddenly found himself questioning exactly what that was. He met his brother’s stare, his expression pensive.
Matthew chuckled. “If I’m not mistaken, this woman has your nose wide open!”
“What?”
“Look at you. Are you falling for this girl?”
Luke stood up, moving from his chair to the window, shaking his head vehemently. “No!” he exclaimed, almost shouting the word. “It’s not like that.” He peered through the blinds to the landscape outside. “I don’t really know her yet. She just…well…”
Matthew laughed out loud. “If you say so,” he said, clearly unconvinced. “Who is she?”
Luke shook his head, a shy smirk filling his face. “Her name is Joanne. Joanne Lake. That’s really all I know about her.”
“Is she cute?”
Luke grinned broadly, moving back to sit in his chair. He leaned forward, excitement blanketing his expression. “Brother, the woman is too fine! She is deliciously thick with curves that make a man weak in the knees.” He blew warm breath past his full lips, shaking his head as memories of Joanne flashed through his mind. A rush of heat suddenly ran south, moving him to cross his right leg over his left, his hands falling casually into his lap as he leaned back.
“Well, she must be something special for you to be so interested.”
Luke returned his brother’s stare. He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I think she is.”
Matthew rose from his own seat and moved to Luke’s side, patting a broad hand against the younger man’s shoulder. “Then get to know her and let her get to know you. You’re a pretty special guy yourself. If it works between the two of you, then you won’t have to worry about what she thinks about the money. It won’t matter to her one way or the other.”
Luke nodded. “Thanks.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “Do you think about getting married, Matthew? I mean, since John and Mark both tied the knot, do you ever think about it?”
Matthew smirked, then shrugged his shoulders. “Actually I try not to, little brother. I mean, why ruin a good thing? Look, you’re still young and idealistic. Committing yourself to a serious relationship should be the least of your concerns. You have all the time in the world to be worrying about that grown-up endeavor. For now, just enjoy yourself.”
Before Luke could reply, the office intercom sounded from Matthew’s desk, his secretary’s voice rising from the microphoned box. “Mr. Stallion?”
“Yes, Carol?”
“Vanessa Long is holding on line two for you. I told her you weren’t taking calls, but she insisted that you would take hers. She says it’s important.”
Luke raised a curious eyebrow. Vanessa Long was an old family friend by virtue of her long-time friendship with their brother Mark. There had been a time when the whole family had been certain that Mark and Vanessa would end up in wedded bliss, but shortly after high school Vanessa had come out of the closet, announcing her preference for women. Mark’s very best friend had suddenly become his very best lesbian friend.
There was nothing unusual about Vanessa calling the office or their home, but usually she was calling Mark. Rarely did Vanessa call any of the others. If she spoke to any of them it was usually by default, Mark being unavailable. Luke couldn’t help but notice the look that crossed Matthew’s face, his brother suddenly seeming anxious. He couldn’t keep himself from prying. “What’s Vanessa calling about?” Luke asked,
