Another pause.
“It was discussed at a meeting this morning. My brother, Trevor, is going to work with you on this.” He listened. “Yes. Fine.” He hung up, shook his head at it, then kissed Samantha quickly. “I need to go see Trevor and fill him in before Clarice gets to him. Unfortunately I’m not sure he knows what he’s coming up against with that woman.”
Samantha considered him. “You really worry about your brothers and sisters, don’t you?”
“Yes, I suppose I do.”
She went up on her toes and kissed him briefly. He looked a little surprised as he turned and left the office. He was a good brother, she decided, her heart beating with love for him.
And a good man.
Eleven
Just before lunch, Melissa popped into the office as Blake was discussing a letter with Samantha. “I’ve booked you in for a spa treatment with me at four, Samantha. You need some major pampering.”
Samantha blinked. “Oh, but—”
“No arguments. I don’t give many massages these days but I’ve decided to give you one.” Melissa smiled slyly at her big brother. “Anyway it’s Blake’s treat.”
Blake lifted his brows. “What is it with my sisters bullying me?” Then he smiled at Samantha. “Keep the appointment.”
“Okay, thanks.” Samantha smiled at Melissa. “And thank you, too, Melissa.”
“You’re very welcome. See you at four.” Melissa started to leave then stopped to consider her big brother. “It would do you good to have one, too, Blake.” Her face lit with mischief. “You could share with Samantha. I’ll even throw in a bottle of chilled champagne and some chocolate truffles. It’s quite decadent.”
“Not right now, thanks. I’ve got a lot to do.”
“And that’s exactly why you should have a massage.”
“Soon.”
“I’ll keep you to that.”
After she left, Samantha looked at Blake. “I wish you could come with me.”
Heat lurked in the back of his eyes. “So do I, but I’ve got that meeting in town this afternoon.”
His look warmed her through as she tilted her head. “You don’t realize, do you?”
“What?”
“That you said sisters before.”
Not sister and half sister.
Sisters.
Something flickered across his face, then he shrugged. “Yeah, well, don’t make a big deal out of it.” He went back into his office and Samantha went back to work, but she felt he’d made a big step in his relationship with his family and she was pleased for them all.
At four, Samantha walked over to the Tranquility Spa. Just stepping into a place that exemplified sophistication and sheer indulgence in a mountain setting relaxed her. It was gorgeous.
Melissa was waiting for her and led her to one of the treatment rooms that had serene music playing in the background. “I’ll leave you to take off your clothes. Then slide under that sheet there and lie facedown on the bed. It’s heated. I’ll be back in a minute.”#p#分页标题#e#
Samantha did as suggested and five minutes later, Melissa came back. “Good. Now I think a gentle massage should do the trick.” There was the sound of her moving about. “Hmm, I’ll have to be careful with your head. How is it, by the way?”
Samantha appreciated that Melissa remembered her injury. “Much better, thanks. It’s healing well.”
“I’m pleased. It could have been so much worse.” Melissa started to rub oil on Samantha’s back. “I hear Blake was quite upset about it.”
“He blamed himself because he insisted I go with him for a drive.”
“My brother’s deep at times.”
“I know.” Samantha groaned as Melissa began long strokes to help soften the muscles.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No, not at all. It’s exquisite.”
Melissa laughed. “There’s nothing like a massage.” She continued working wonders, finding the right spots with unerring accuracy. Then, “Blake was pretty hard on you in the conference room today.”
Samantha was glad she was lying on the bed with her face turned to the other side. “He apologized later.”
“I knew he would. He’s a man who knows when he’s in the wrong.”
“A rare boss,” Samantha said, trying to make light of it.
“And a rare man.”
“Right on both counts,” Samantha just had to agree, then gave a little moan of pleasure as the massaging reached the base of her neck. She hadn’t realized how badly she needed this.