Unless he missed his guess, he was in hot water and other than omitting the fact that Emerald Larson was his grandmother, he couldn’t figure out why.
“Your assistant is quite beautiful, Lucien,” Emerald commented as they walked across the ballroom. “I take it there’s more between the two of you?”
“That’s really none of your concern, Emerald,” he retorted, not at all surprised that she felt entitled to know about every aspect of his life. After all, she was the all-knowing, all-seeing Emerald Larson.
“Of course it is,” she sweetly disagreed, smiling. “I’m your grandmother and I naturally want to see that you’re happy.” She placed her hand on his arm. “And if there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“I seriously doubt that I’ll need your assistance,” he disclaimed, wondering what the hell she thought she could do that he couldn’t.
“Just keep that in mind if you ever do,” she reminded as they continued to cross the ballroom.
Her comments had him wondering how much she knew about his arrangement with Haley, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it as they approached the three men.
“Lucien, I’d like for you to meet your brothers, Caleb Walker, Nicholas Daniels and Hunter O’Banyon,” Emerald said. “Now, while you boys get to know each other, I’ll return to my guests.”
“She’s a piece of work, isn’t she?” Hunter asked, shaking his head as they watched Emerald walk back toward the ballroom entrance.
“Is she ever,” Luke agreed, liking the man instantly.
“We’re glad to get to know you and the rest of the Garnier side of the family,” Caleb spoke up.
“Likewise,” Luke answered, shaking hands with all three of his half brothers. “For the record, everyone but Emerald calls me Luke.”
“Yeah, she insists on calling me ‘Nicholas’ most of the time,” Nick disclosed, his expression reflecting his displeasure.
“When you have her kind of money, you can do anything you damned well please,” Hunter summarized, laughing.
“I hear you own one of the biggest construction companies in the South and thanks to Emerald you’ve recently ventured into log homes,” Nick described, sounding thoughtful. “Have you ever considered building in the western states? I promised my wife a new house for our anniversary and who better to build it than one of my brothers.”
Luke smiled. “I haven’t ventured past the Mississippi, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to the idea. If you’re going to be in town for a few days, maybe we can get together.”
“Save a spot at that table for me,” Hunter added. “I run an air med-evac service in southwest Texas and I’d like to build an office and sleeping quarters for the on-duty crew separate from the hanger where we service the helicopters.”
“And me,” Caleb interjected. “You never know, I might just decide to have you build something for me out in New Mexico.”
Luke had tried to tell himself that he didn’t care if he ever met his half brothers. But truth to tell, he was glad for the opportunity. It wasn’t their fault they had been thrown into the same set of circumstances that he, Jake and Arielle found themselves.
“How does Monday evening sound?” he asked. All three men agreed, and naming a time and place, Luke added, “I’ll see if Jake will be able to rearrange his schedule and hang around another day or two and join us.”
“Sounds good,” Hunter confirmed, glancing toward a group of women. “Uh-oh, I think Callie’s trying to get my attention again.”
“Yeah, Alyssa’s giving me one of those looks, too,” Caleb noted, smiling toward a pretty auburn-haired woman across the ballroom.
“Then I’ll see you Monday evening,” Luke said.
When he turned to find Haley, Luke spotted her by the buffet table. Damned if that jerk Chet Parker wasn’t standing right beside her. What the hell was he doing at a reception for Emerald? And did the guy have some kind of radar honed in on Haley wherever they went?
“Looks to me like the entertainment for this little bash is about to make time with your new wife,” Jake taunted, coming up to stand beside Luke.
Glancing at his brother, he felt as if he was looking in a mirror. But instead of wearing a devil-may-care grin like Jake, Luke was certain his expression bordered on premeditated murder.
“He’s the entertainment for the evening?”
“That’s what I hear.” Rocking back on his heels, Jake nodded and took a sip of the drink he held. “You do know he’s most likely looking for wife number four?”
“I’ve heard the rumor,” Luke responded, his gaze never wavering from the pair at the buffet table.
“I represented his second wife in their divorce and let me tell you, she came away with a bundle,” Jake supplied, sounding quite pleased with himself.
“Good for you,” Luke commented absently. He felt his blood pressure skyrocket when he watched Parker put his hand on Haley’s bare shoulder. “I’ll be back in a few, Jake. Right now, I have something I need to take care of.”
His brother chuckled. “Let me know if you need back up with that, bro.”
When he walked up and slipped his arm around Haley’s waist, Luke made it a point to meet Parker’s questioning gaze head on. “Haley, have you seen my sister?”
“I spoke to her a few minutes ago,” she answered, her tone as cool as he’d ever heard it.
“Why don’t you go find her for me?” he proposed, his gaze never wavering from Parker’s. “I’d like to talk with her before we leave.”
Haley glared at him for several seconds, before giving him a short nod. “Of course, Mr. Garnier. Whatever you say, Mr. Garnier.”
She was less than happy when she brushed past him, but he’d straighten out things with her later. At the moment, he had to put the fear of God into one country Casanova.
“Listen up, Parker. I’m only going to tell you this once,” Luke threatened, his jaw clenched so tight it felt welded shut. “Stay the hell away from Haley.”
“Why should I?” Parker demanded, his tone self-assured. “You seem to keep forgetting that you bring her to these things or else she wouldn’t be wandering about alone.” He smiled. “A little gal like Haley makes a man think about settling down and raising a couple of kids.”