With Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

with George, the more I liked him. At this point, I forgot all about Luke.
    An hour or so later, Julia reminded me that the Gala would be the first one since Helen died. I was absolutely honored to be asked to be the photographer.
    When our meeting was just about over, Julia received a phone call. “If you will excuse me,” she said as she left.
    George turned to me. “Alyson, you are welcome to stay at our cottage. I mean, it’s big, and of course, you will have your own room. It’s beside Julia’s old room, and you’ll be across the hall from my youngest daughter, Kristen.”
    “George, it would be my pleasure.”
    “Well then,” George said as he stood up. “Shall we?”
    He started walking toward his desk. “I’ll just let Eric know to put your belongings into my car, and then we’ll be on our way.”
    After putting a few files away, George led me out of the office. On the way out, we stopped by Julia’s office to let her know that we would be leaving for the day and that I would be staying at the cottage.
    Julia was on the phone; she looked up and glanced at her father holding my hand. She grinned and nodded her head.
    “Just a moment, please,” Julia said to the other person on the phone. “Ally, I’m glad you’re staying at the cottage. Daddy, can you stop by Luke’s office on the way out and hand him this file, please?”
    “Sure, baby girl.”
    You could have knocked me over with a feather.
    How did I forget about Luke? He’s a part of this family; he’s the one that found me. I was about to pull away from George’s hand when he gave me a reassuring grasp. On the way to Luke’s office, I kept thinking What am I going to say? Oh well, at least I am wearing pants this time .
    We stepped inside another office, and Luke was not there. I couldn’t help but feel relieved.
    ***
    “Luke, slow down on that treadmill. It’ll fall apart if you keep hammering it like that with your feet,” said Brian, Luke’s best friend.
    “What? Oh yeah, I guess it’s time for a cool-down walk, huh?”
    “Ya think?” Brian chuckled to himself. “Tough afternoon at the office?
    “No. Work was fine. Actually, I kinda left early today.”
    “Why? Is there something wrong with the Gala?” Brian asked, throwing Luke a water bottle.
    “No,” Luke responded in a rough tone.
    “Spit it out. What’s up? And, as you tell me, make yourself useful and come spot me on the bench.”
    ***
    The drive to the cottage was peaceful. George talked about his company and what they did. He also talked more about fishing and holidays with his family. As I was listening, I couldn’t help but feel like George and I were lost friends. Even though I don’t know him from Adam, I still feel like he is a close friend.
    “As you know, Luke is my eldest. He looks like Helen with his dark hair and blue eyes. He gets his height from me, and his work ethic is unbeatable, but he also gets his warmth from his mother. Luke is quiet, focused, and in love with life. If I ever need anything, I know that Luke would be there in a heartbeat. Luke was close to his mom. It really threw Luke when she passed.”
    I just stared at George with deeply sad eyes. I placed my hand on his and kept listening.
    “Julia, as you know, is newly married. She is my beautiful middle child. She does not work for the company, but she is in completely in charge of the Gala. My wife would have wanted it that way. How could she not? Rarely does anyone say no to her, in case you haven’t noticed. She reminds me of Helen sometimes when she laughs. I can still hear her. Julia and her husband, Kyle, live in the city, but if I know Julia, it won’t be long before they move closer to the cottage.”
    I wonder how Helen died.
    “Then, there is my wonderful and carefree daughter, Kristen. She’s still in high school and almost ready to graduate.”
    I gave George a funny look.
    “I know. She’s the ‘oops’ child—not that we would ever tell her that. That girl is