his way back to the Double Crown Ranch, he stopped by the Fortune Foundation, a nonprofit organization that had been founded in Ryan Fortuneâs memory.
Since Ryan had always believed in paying it forward, it had seemed only fitting to create a charitable organization that helped others in need. And Jeremy was proud of the work they did.
The three-story brick building, which had a day-care center on the ground floor and a playground in back, was located on the highway, just outside of town.
It was after four oâclock when Jeremy entered the lobby and took the elevator to the third floor, hoping to find Nick, his older brother.
At thirty-nine, Nick, the second born of William Fortuneâs children, was a financial analyst for the foundation. And heâd never been happier.
Jeremy couldnât help thinking about all the changes thereâd been in Nickâs life these past two years.
Once a confirmed bachelor, heâd become a guardian of triplets. The baby girls eventually wound up in the custody of their aunt and uncle, but not before Nick fell head over heels in love with Charlene London, their nanny.
Now Nick and Charlene had a baby of their own, a cute little boy named Matthew, with red hair, green eyes and a splash of freckles, just like his beautiful mother.
As the elevator doors opened, Jeremy stepped into the lobby, where an attractive young woman with long brown hair sat behind a desk. He didnât remember meeting her before and assumed she was new.
âHello, there,â she said, in a soft, Southern drawl. âYou look lost. Can I help you?â
Heâd known exactly where he was going, although heâd been deep in thought. But he couldnât see any point in chatting with the woman. He was here to see his brother.
âIâm looking for Nick Fortune,â he responded. âIs he available?â
âIâll check and see. Heâs been in and out all day.â Her gaze scanned the length of Jeremy, as though checking him out. Then she slowly got up and walked around her desk.
She was wearing a stylish black top, with a neckline that might be a smidgen low for an office job, abright turquoise skirt and a pair of high heels that set off shapely legs. She was, Jeremy admitted, a very attractive womanâprobably in her early twenties. Not that he was interested.
âI can let Nick know that youâre here,â she said.
Yet she continued to study him as though he were a chocolate éclair in a bakery window, leaving him feeling a little awkward.
âAnd your name isâ¦?â she asked.
âJeremy.â
Her smile nearly lit the room as she instigated a handshake. âMy nameâs Wendy. Iâm an administrative assistant with the Fortune Foundation. Is there anything I can do for you?â
âIâm afraid not.â
She paused for a beat, her frown a bit pouty, reminding him of a Southern belle whoâd been used to getting her way over the years.
Then she reached across the desk for the telephone receiver. As she did so, her bend-and-stretch motion caused her skirt to hike up and reveal a shapely length of upper leg.
He couldnât help wondering if her movement had been deliberate, but before he could decideâand before she could page Nickâa door swung open.
Jeremy turned toward the sound and spotted his brother, who was wearing his customary business-casual attire, tortoiseshell glasses and spiky brown hair.
âHey,â Nick said, picking up his pace as he approached the lobby. âItâs good to see you, Doc.â
Wendy returned the telephone receiver to the cradle, leaned against her desk and crossed her arms.
âI see you two have met,â Nick said, glancing first at Jeremy, then at his assistant.
âNot really.â A slow smile spread across Wendyâs pretty face as she looked at Jeremy.
âMeet Wendy Fortune,â Nick said. âSheâs from the Atlanta branch
Since Ryan had always believed in paying it forward, it had seemed only fitting to create a charitable organization that helped others in need. And Jeremy was proud of the work they did.
The three-story brick building, which had a day-care center on the ground floor and a playground in back, was located on the highway, just outside of town.
It was after four oâclock when Jeremy entered the lobby and took the elevator to the third floor, hoping to find Nick, his older brother.
At thirty-nine, Nick, the second born of William Fortuneâs children, was a financial analyst for the foundation. And heâd never been happier.
Jeremy couldnât help thinking about all the changes thereâd been in Nickâs life these past two years.
Once a confirmed bachelor, heâd become a guardian of triplets. The baby girls eventually wound up in the custody of their aunt and uncle, but not before Nick fell head over heels in love with Charlene London, their nanny.
Now Nick and Charlene had a baby of their own, a cute little boy named Matthew, with red hair, green eyes and a splash of freckles, just like his beautiful mother.
As the elevator doors opened, Jeremy stepped into the lobby, where an attractive young woman with long brown hair sat behind a desk. He didnât remember meeting her before and assumed she was new.
âHello, there,â she said, in a soft, Southern drawl. âYou look lost. Can I help you?â
Heâd known exactly where he was going, although heâd been deep in thought. But he couldnât see any point in chatting with the woman. He was here to see his brother.
âIâm looking for Nick Fortune,â he responded. âIs he available?â
âIâll check and see. Heâs been in and out all day.â Her gaze scanned the length of Jeremy, as though checking him out. Then she slowly got up and walked around her desk.
She was wearing a stylish black top, with a neckline that might be a smidgen low for an office job, abright turquoise skirt and a pair of high heels that set off shapely legs. She was, Jeremy admitted, a very attractive womanâprobably in her early twenties. Not that he was interested.
âI can let Nick know that youâre here,â she said.
Yet she continued to study him as though he were a chocolate éclair in a bakery window, leaving him feeling a little awkward.
âAnd your name isâ¦?â she asked.
âJeremy.â
Her smile nearly lit the room as she instigated a handshake. âMy nameâs Wendy. Iâm an administrative assistant with the Fortune Foundation. Is there anything I can do for you?â
âIâm afraid not.â
She paused for a beat, her frown a bit pouty, reminding him of a Southern belle whoâd been used to getting her way over the years.
Then she reached across the desk for the telephone receiver. As she did so, her bend-and-stretch motion caused her skirt to hike up and reveal a shapely length of upper leg.
He couldnât help wondering if her movement had been deliberate, but before he could decideâand before she could page Nickâa door swung open.
Jeremy turned toward the sound and spotted his brother, who was wearing his customary business-casual attire, tortoiseshell glasses and spiky brown hair.
âHey,â Nick said, picking up his pace as he approached the lobby. âItâs good to see you, Doc.â
Wendy returned the telephone receiver to the cradle, leaned against her desk and crossed her arms.
âI see you two have met,â Nick said, glancing first at Jeremy, then at his assistant.
âNot really.â A slow smile spread across Wendyâs pretty face as she looked at Jeremy.
âMeet Wendy Fortune,â Nick said. âSheâs from the Atlanta branch
Similar Books
