Levi had returned to wearing his business clothes to work, much as he loathed it. Emily enjoyed removing them, and there was no way he’d come between his woman and her pleasure.

He grinned, remembering how they’d christened the new tent. He’d built a permanent bedframe and bought a new mattress for it. He’d built the tent in his favorite spot on the property for Emily, though he’d not admitted it was for her at the time. He’d wanted some place he could bring her where they could enjoy the view of the lake, mountains, and stars. Because suddenly nothing in life was as enjoyable without her at his side.

The phone rang on his desk and he picked it up, clearing his mind of memories of his naked girlfriend in their new tent. “This is Levi.”

“Hello, Mr. Cade. This is Hwan Kim from Shin Electronics. I was asked to reach out to you to schedule our annual meeting at your resort for next year. We’ll be doubling the numbers and wish to book early in preparation for the larger group. One of our important American clients contacted us after our stay with you this summer and expressed how much he’d enjoyed Club Tahoe. He wishes to return next year, and we certainly want to make him happy.”

Levi couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He thought he’d ruined their chances with the business conglomerate after the disastrous last impression. “It was a pleasure to have you. We’d be happy to accommodate your group next year. Let me put you in touch with Emily Wright, my resort manager. She’ll make sure everything is set up exactly as you want.”

Levi had promoted Emily. Sure, she was his girlfriend, but she’d also been performing the job of a manager without the title. He’d simply handed off the grunt work she was doing to their two receptionists and one of the executives on his team, all of whom were more than happy about the pay boost.

He’d been frugal these last few months, but with the four-year conference account he’d landed last week and now Shin Electronics booked for next year, things were looking up. Emily had also sent out the second round of marketing for the new children’s program. The feedback was extremely positive, with bookings increasing by another ten percent.

After losing major accounts and a small percentage of capital, thanks to Samuel Miller, they’d been struggling. They still needed to stay on their toes and maintain the forward momentum, but once Levi had learned of Miller’s behind-the-scenes activities, he’d fired the man and anyone associated with him. Using the information his finance director and Jared had pulled together, Levi had pressed charges against Miller and the others.

Lisa’s boyfriend, Jared, was a good man, and he’d quickly fit in with the rest of Club Tahoe’s team. He’d even found a new way to save money for the club, which allowed Levi to add a new charity to the roster. Levi wouldn’t have expected that from a finance guy. Lisa had done well for herself, and he couldn’t be happier for her, or for himself—he’d landed a great finance manager out of it.

Hunt rapped on the open door. “You beckoned?”

“Come in.” Levi stood and walked to the window, leaning his hip against the ledge, arms crossed. It was time he spoke to his brother. He wasn’t sure he could snuff the animosity that had brewed between them for years, but he was willing to work on it. “Have a seat.”

Hunt let out a harsh breath. “I’d rather stand. I’ve got work to do.”

“Fair enough. I wanted to invite you to a round of golf this afternoon.”

Hunt glared. “We don’t need to play a round of golf. Just tell me what you think I’ve done wrong, and I’ll be on my way.”

Levi sighed. Obviously, some things would take time. “There’s nothing to report. Just thought we should spend time together.”

Hunt eyed him. “Time together… Are you serious?”

“It will take work to get things back to how they used to be between us, but I’m willing to make an effort.”

Hunt blinked. He looked away and shoved his hand in his pocket. He didn’t say anything at first. “I loved her, you know.” He looked back. “Lisa.”

“That’s what Emily said.”

Hunt stared for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll meet you on the tee at five forty-five. Maybe we can squeeze in a quick nine before it gets dark. Gotta help Emily with the kids’ program first.” He shifted slightly. “I shouldn’t have touched Emily. I was angry.”

“Touch her again, it will be the last time you use that hand.”

Hunt shook his head, a light smile on his face. “Noted. See you later.” He left with ease in his gait Levi hadn’t seen in a long time.

This had been the right thing to do. Mending fences. Or at least pouring the foundation for mended fences. They had a long way to go, but there was hope.

Emily walked in, staring down the hall at what Levi presumed was Hunt’s back. “Did I hear that right? You’re going to see Hunt later? He wasn’t scowling just now. You two must have apologized.”

“Not in so many words, but it was implied. I asked him to play golf with me this afternoon and he agreed.”

She set a stack of files—which she never seemed to be without—on his desk and walked around to join him by the window. He pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arm around her small waist. Her hands fell on his shoulders, running down his arms. “But how will he know you want to work on your relationship?”

Levi raised his eyebrow. “Because I invited him to a round of golf?”

“Is that some kind of guy code for I’m sorry?”

“Basically.”

Emily gave him an incredulous look.

He grinned and leaned down to kiss her neck, unbuttoning the top button of her too-high collared shirt to give him better access to the good stuff. “We have thirty minutes before my next appointment.” He peppered kisses along the flesh beneath her collarbone, just where she liked it.

Her hands were already snaking up his shirt, which she’d untucked from behind. “This is so bad. How will we keep our hands off each other if we work together every day?”

He leaned back, confused. “Why would we do that? This is the most ingenious plan I’ve ever had.”

“You didn’t plan this.”

“Minor detail. Getting back to my point.” He reached down and squeezed her bottom. “Give me two seconds.”

“Huh?”

She stared in confusion as he strode across the room toward the door. He popped his head into the hallway and looked both ways. And backed up a step. And another.

“Levi,” Esther said, following him inside and closing the door behind her. She glanced across the room. “And Emily. Good to see you, dear.” She grinned, then did a double take at Levi’s disheveled shirt. He quickly shoved the fabric in his pants. It was like being caught necking by his mother. Only his mother hadn’t lived long enough to catch him necking, so Esther it was. “Happy to see you two are getting along so well.”

Was that amusement in her tone? Ah well. A small price to pay to be with Emily.

“Looking good, Esther.” She was wearing a fancy tracksuit. Probably something designer. The woman knew how to retire in style. “You here to confirm our lunch date next week?”

“I’m here to give you something. Privately, if that’s all right?” She looked apologetically at Emily, who’d picked up her numerous files.

“No, no,” Emily said, and headed for the door. “I was just—” She glanced at Levi. Emily was a terrible liar. Levi grinned and she glared at him. “Leaving.”

“I’ll be home once the sun sets,” he called, outing them.

He hadn’t talked Emily into moving in with him yet, but he was wearing her down. She wanted to wait a year, and he was okay with that. Levi would wait forever for Emily. Especially since they took turns sleeping at each other’s places, though she seemed to stay at his place more often. They both loved the land and enjoyed taking Grace on walks.

“Levi!” She glanced nervously at Esther, who merely smiled. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”

Esther’s expression was unruffled. “Oh, yes, dear. That was evident the moment I introduced you two.”

Emily’s shoulders slumped and her mouth twisted into the cutest pout. “Really?”

Esther smiled again. “Really.”

They gave each other a quick hug and Emily was on her way. As soon as she left, Esther approached his desk, where he’d taken a seat. But she didn’t sit in the chair across from him. “I only came by to deliver this.” She pulled out a letter-sized envelope from her purse and handed it to him. “It’s from your father.”

Levi blinked. “Excuse me?”

She smiled sadly. “It was written before he passed. I don’t know what’s inside, but I was given strict instructions regarding when to deliver it, and the time has come.”

He held the letter stiffly in his fingers.

“I’ll give you space to read. But I expect you at the restaurant promptly at noon on Wednesday for lunch. I have a busy schedule.”

He looked up and frowned. “You’re retired.”

“Yes, dear. But retirement doesn’t mean the end of one’s life.” She fluffed her perfectly coiffed hair. “It’s only the beginning.”

Esther walked away, a swish in her step, and Levi cringed. He didn’t want to know what she meant by that. God save him from sexagenarians with a romantic life.

When she closed the door, Levi stared at the envelope again. His father had written to him? What could he have possibly said? They’d rarely exchanged positive words with one another; they’d been too alike, both of them too stubborn.

Levi tore the envelope open and unfolded his father’s stationery, swallowing as he did. Memories of his dad in the very place where Levi sat now flooded his mind. And then he read.

Levi sat back and dropped his head against the leather chair. He brought his hand to his eyelids and pressed down. He wasn’t crying. His eyes simply stung, that was all.

Damn his father. He’d be grinning right now if he knew he’d managed to affect his stoic eldest son this way. And how the hell had his father predicted things with Emily? Had he and Esther plotted this?

No, that made no sense. Esther said she didn’t know what was in the letter, and she’d admitted to seeing a spark between him and Emily when she’d first introduced them. Her predictions came later. Which meant his father had practically hand-chosen the woman Levi would fall in love with.

Levi really hated admitting when his father was right, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

He smiled. Let the old man be right. In this case, he’d let the whole damn world say I told you so, because Levi was the lucky bastard who got the girl.