The Good Luck Charm (The Good Luck Series) (6 page)

Duke howled.

Keely moaned.

Ducks squawked.

She felt a tap on the back of her leg. She tried to ignore it, but the tap happened again. Slowly, she pulled away and gasped.

“What is it?” Darren asked.

“Qua-a-a-ck!” The offending duck poked its beak at him and grabbed an apple wedge from his plate.

“Qua-a-a-a-ck!” another duck squawked, picking at the loaf of baked Brie.

Darren jumped to his feet and scattered the wandering ducks back toward the water. “I guess that concludes our picnic.”

Keely laughed until her sides hurt. Sobering, she began packing up the leftovers.

“Maybe we’d better stop having these near water interludes. The ducks are getting too friendly.”

“Perhaps,” she said, laughter clinging to her words.

Darren discarded the paper plates in a nearby trash bin then knelt beside her to help.

Their hands touched.

Their elbows bumped.

She stole a glance.

He stared back.

Neither moved for a moment.

Darren reached for her hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles.

Keely smiled, longing for something more from him. But when he didn’t make a further move, she sighed. She pulled her hand away and continued working.

When all the food was packed into the basket they settled back on the blanket to finish their tea.

“Thanks for the help.” She leaned on one hand.

“Thank you for dinner.”

“Thank you for agreeing to the picnic.”

He grinned. “Do you want to go out Friday?”

She shrugged, and then frowned as she thought about her pending face to face with Prescott at noon. “Can I let you know? I have to meet with a client that day. Depending on how things go, I may want to come home and bury myself under the covers.”

Darren chuckled. “You don’t strike me as the type to back down from a challenge.”

“What type am I, then?”

Darren shrugged, wrapping a cloth napkin around his empty glass. “The type that doesn’t let annoying clients get them down. You find the best of the situation and play upon the positive.”

“But what if there isn’t a positive to play upon?” she asked, titling her head to the side.

Darren didn’t have a ready answer to her question.

Silence separated them for a moment then Keely asked. “How do you know Shelby Mitchell?”

Busted. She saw you this morning.

“Through business.”

She nodded, but he couldn’t tell if she bought the explanation. He started to tell her he worked for Wright and Associates. It was the perfect opening, but she stopped him.

“Enough about work. I thought we’d already decided to not mention it,” she said.

“So I’ll check with you on Friday about going out. We could go to a movie?”

She nodded, getting to her knees. Inserting the empty glasses, she closed the lid to the basket. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you after work then?”

“If you give me your number I’ll call you,” he said, watching her cheeks flush.

“That would work too,” she chuckled. “I’ve got a business card in my purse. Walk me to my car?”

Darren folded the blanket, then grabbed the basket while she emptied Duke’s water bowl and cajoled the dog into getting up from his resting spot.

“I thought bloodhounds were supposed to be active dogs,” Darren said.

“Normally they are, but my brother
would
select the one that wasn’t.” She groaned, nudging the dog’s hindquarters off the ground with the calf of her leg. “Come on Duke, get up.”

Duke yawned, his flews flopping. He shook his head and rolled onto his side, relaxing his legs.

“I’m
not
rubbing your stomach.”

Rebuffed, the dog immediately rolled over and jumped up.

Keely looked at Darren and grinned. “Sometimes you have to show him who’s the boss.

“I never had any question,” Darren said, walking beside her.

When they reached her car, she pressed the key remote and opened the back door for him to stash the basket, and then she motioned for Duke to jump in. Closing the door, she popped the trunk with the remote and grabbed her purse.

“Here’s my card. You can reach me at the office or on my cell during the day Friday.”

“Okay. Until Friday,” he said, leaning toward her. She met him halfway, and he pressed her back against the car as they kissed.

Horns honked as cars passed by.

Pulling away, he grinned. “Looks like we can never get a break.”

“It seems that way.”

“You have a good night, Keely Jones.”

Turning, he left her leaning against her car, staring after him. Once inside his own car, he tucked her business card into the passenger side visor where he kept important pieces of paper.

He strummed the steering wheel with his hands, and then pulled out of the parking spot. He had a late meeting tomorrow that would go into the evening, meaning he wouldn’t get by here. Maybe he should have told her not to expect him.

Nah. He’d send her flowers instead.

Keely walked into her office to discover a large bouquet of flowers in the middle of her desk. She gasped in surprise and inhaled the pleasant aroma of jonquils, pink and white roses, English iris and ruffled daylilies that her mother had called Fairy Tale Pinks, filling her office.

“Secret admirer?” Sue Charles asked, bringing in her mail.

“Not that I know of.” Keely reached for the card.

See you Friday – Darren

“I don’t recall you knowing a Darren,” Sue teased, looking over her shoulder at the card.

Keely smiled, fingering the velvety petal of a rose. “Darren’s a new acquaintance.”

“Ah. And by the look on your face, I’d say he’s someone you like.”

Keely nodded. “I do like his company.”

Sue patted her on the shoulder. “Good. Enjoy yourself. You work too hard.”

“I plan on it.” Keely tucked the card back into the envelope.

“I’ll have the updated notes from your meeting with Jefferson Pilot ready in half an hour. Graphics called and they have your storyboards reproduced. I’ll pick them up before lunch. Is there anything urgent this morning?”

Keely shook her head. “Nothing. Thanks.”

“Then I’ll get back to my desk.” Sue sounded hesitant.

“What is it?” Keely asked.

Sue shook her head. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you looking so…pleased before.”

“Oh stop it. This isn’t the first time I’ve received flowers.”

“No. But it’s the first time from a beau.”

Keely laughed. “Beau? That sounds so old fashioned.”

“Whatever you say, Miss Keely.” Sue shrugged, closing the door on her way out.

Keely moved the bouquet to a side table so she could still see them, and then settled at her desk. She shuffled through her mail, and spotted a postcard of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Keely,

Sunny California is great. I’m off to Paris tomorrow. Hope you are doing well. Is the gris-gris working yet? Will write soon.

Lucinda

P.S. How’s Darren?

Keely smiled and reached for the chain around her neck, fingering the filigree amulet. The stone lay dormant nestled within the ornate enclosure. She still couldn’t figure out how that stone was supposed to spring forth if she really were to find her true love. No matter how hard Lucinda pushed, Keely vowed not to fall prey to the superstitious mumbo jumbo associated with the necklace. She shook her head in denial, letting the charm fall back against her chest.

Turning her attention to work, she opened her sketchpad and reviewed the drawing she’d prepared the day before. While she cleaned away stray lines with an eraser, her mind began to wander. Her thoughts turned to Darren and how he’d quickly come into her life without warning. It had been a freak accident when they’d collided into each other. She knew she’d looked more like the creature from the black lagoon with algae clinging to her than Venus rising from the waves. Yet, he’d asked her out. Not once, but twice.

“Who knew?” She smiled, thinking about how his short, dark hair curled when wet and how his laugh made her feel warm inside. She looked up at the flowers. Before she met him, all she thought about was work. Now, she found herself daydreaming about him at the oddest times when she should be concentrating on a project.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so attracted to a man. And she was definitely attracted to Darren.

Her phone buzzed, bringing her mind back to her work. She picked up the handset. “Yes, Sue?”

“Edward and Tate are waiting for you in the conference room.”

“Thanks. I’m on my way.”

Keely replaced the handset and examined the sketchpad before her. The concept appeared clear and she hoped her boss would approve. She closed the portfolio, grabbed her notes and headed down the hallway to the executive suite.

Darren stared at the clock on the wall. He needed a plan. A strategy.  A campaign that would propel Wright and Associates over the top, leaving their competitors behind. Jama expected no less from him.

A soft knock averted his attention to the open door. His sister stood in the doorway. “How’s it going?”

“Slow. But I’ve found slow isn’t bad. Sometimes taking the time to weigh the odds can be a plus.” He steepled his fingers and tapped them against his mouth.

She entered his office, closing the door behind her. “In other words, you haven’t got a clue.”

Darren stared at her. “I didn’t say that. I’m still processing.”

“Stall tactics don’t work with me, little brother. I’m not expecting miracles this soon, but surely you’ve had time to consider something.”

He’d had plenty of time to think about Keely and how she would react when he told her he worked for Wright and Associates. He knew he couldn’t wait too long or she’d think he’d been withholding the information.
Which he was, but for a good reason. He liked her and he didn’t want anything to end their seeing each other.

“Darren?”

He half-grinned, and looked up at her. “Jama, I’ve got a problem.”

“Oh?” One blond eyebrow rose.

“I’ve met someone.”

“That’s wonderful. What’s the problem with that? Who is she?”

“Keely Jones.”

Jama’s brown eyes widened. “No? You haven’t. How?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got the time.” Jama sat down in a nearby chair and crossed her legs. “Spill the beans.”

He grinned, telling her how they’d met.

“And how does she feel about going out with the competition? I’m surprised she’d even do it. She’s always come across as strictly business when I’ve met her.”

Darren chuckled. “That’s the problem. She doesn’t know. I haven’t exactly told her what I do for a living other than I’m working for my sister.”

“She didn’t make the connection with your last name?”

“No. Not even after she saw me having breakfast with Shelby at the Revú. I think it’s the last thing she’d expect. I know it floored me when she told me where she works.”

Jama shook her head and furrowed her brow. “You’re playing with fire. It can only blow up in your face if you use her.”

“I’m not planning to use her, Jama. I don’t want our professional lives to interfere with our private ones. I don’t even talk business with her when we’re together. In fact I’ve made it a point to steer the conversation away from business other than asking how her day went.”

“Then why not tell her?” Jama asked, crossing her arms. “The longer you wait, the harder it will get. Trust me. Women
do not
like being lied to. And keeping this information from her is the same as lying.”

Darren nodded.

“Sooner is far better than later, Darren.”

“It’s complicated, Jama.”

“It’ll get more complicated, believe me, if she finds out on her own.” Jama stood.

God, but he hated when she was right.

“Do it,” she ordered, pointing her index finger at him.

Darren leaned back in the chair, watching his sister turn and leave without another word. He stared up at the ceiling and saw Keely’s face in each tile. In some, she smiled. In others, she frowned, laughed. But the one that caught his attention was the one where she looked angry and disappointed.

Shifting in his chair, he stared at the papers on his desk. He needed to go through them, but his mind went back to Keely. She’d said she had little time to date and he understood why. With twenty accounts to keep her hopping, there would be little time for a social life. Yet, she found the time to devote to taking care of Duke. And if she had time for that, Darren was certain she could make time for him in her life as well.