Her Secret Texas Valentine

“Is something wrong with your business?” he asked, his gaze narrowing.

She shrugged, looking as though she’d said too much. “Nothing we can’t handle.”

“Big business can be tough.”

She nodded. “But I like the challenge. And Maddie is giving me more opportunity to shine, which is great. In fact, she and Zach have recently let me take the lead on signing a really important client. Which we need.”

Jake backed off, but he made a mental note to do a little investigating. From all accounts, the Fortunado family was wealthy and successful. If that was a facade, he figured he needed to know before he got in any deeper with Valene.

“You father is a self-made man, I presume?” he asked quietly.

She shrugged. “Kind of. He was lucky enough to have had a lottery win some years ago. He invested wisely, made a few good decisions and started the real estate business. The business grew, and we now have offices in San Antonio and Austin as well as Houston.”

It occurred to Jake that Kenneth Fortunado was much like himself. Jake had invested the sum he’d inherited from his father’s life insurance, plus the money he’d earned working at the ranch and also packing shelves at Mason’s Minimart just outside Fulshear. Five years later he had enough to make an offer when the ranch came up for sale. A few years and some sound business decisions later, including his investment in the lucrative Wagyu beef market, and he owned the ranch outright and had more money in the bank than he could ever spend.

“You admire him a lot?”

She nodded. “I admire people who make their dreams come true. My dad did that and created a legacy that will continue to grow. My sister Maddie is now CEO alongside her husband, so the business is in good hands.”

“And what are your ambitions?”

“To be the best I can be,” she replied. “At whatever I do. When I graduated college, I went directly into the business and haven’t regretted it. I enjoy the work and get to spend my days helping people find the home of their dreams. It’s a win-win.”

Jake realized he could easily get hooked on her passion for life. She was definitely a glass-half-full kind of girl. He liked that about her. The truth was, he liked everything about her.

They stayed for a little while longer, but by ten she said she’d had enough. Jake helped her into her coat and then walked her from the bar and back down the street. Once they reached her car, she fished inside her small bag for her keys and unlocked the vehicle.

“Well, thank you for a lovely evening,” she said and held out her hand.

He stared down into her face, watching as her mouth parted slightly and his own mouth tingled in response. She was eminently kissable. But he wasn’t about to have his first kiss with Valene Fortunado in the middle of a busy street with people walking past.

He took her hand and enclosed his fingers around hers. “Good night, Valene. I’ll call you.”

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly, almost nervously.

“Positive.”

She nodded fractionally. “Okay, see you soon.”

As she stepped into the car and drove off down the street, Jake remained on the sidewalk, hands on his hips, staring after the fading taillights. And he knew one thing. He fully intended on seeing Valene again.

And the sooner, the better.

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