Chapter Three.....

Luke took one more look at Tracy before he rose and walked to the bathroom for a cloth. He was always mesmerized by the colouring around her face after they made love. It was one of the few times in her day when she was truly contented and he wished they were in a position to continue just lying together and enjoying the feel of one another.

When he returned to her he found her cutting away the last of her destroyed panties. "You know Husband, since you came into my life I've gone through more lingerie..."

"One trip to Heddy Hoftsteaders coming up," he replied.

Tracy looked up at him and snickered. "If you think I'm putting that polyester garbage against my skin you've another thing coming. But you are going to replace these. You know what I like."

"Intimately," he leered, which gained him another saucy grin.

Quickly they dressed and prepared to resume their day, but just before they left the office Luke pulled Tracy into his arms and kissed her passionately.

"Mrs. Spencer, I haven't told you today how much I love you."

"I love you too," she replied before giving in to their kiss completely and sharing one more moment of pure happiness.

As they left the office with one last check to see that nothing telltale had been left behind, Luke pulled Tracy's arm through his and began to talk about the evening's plan for the Haunted Star. They always pretended that their business interests were somewhat separated outside of her investment, but over the years Luke had come to depend on Tracy's head for numbers and her thoroughness. There wasn't much that he could get past his wife, which was frequently frustrating when he was trying to play an angle but it did give him an overarching sense that she was always there for him. He wished he could return the favour with ELQ – and had on one or two occasions – but she had that company running so well he didn't know where to begin. Luke didn't know a man his age who admired his wife the way he admired Tracy.

Coming out to the main area they noticed Ethan quietly working away as he prepared for the evening, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Something amusing in those glasses, Mr. Lovitt?" Luke asked him.

"No sir, just admiring the way you conduct business."

"My 'business' is none of your concern. You're paid to pour drinks nothing more."

"Right-oh" Ethan said as he looked up at Tracy briefly, unable to control the blush that moved up his neck.

"Why Ethan, have we embarrassed you?" Tracy inquired, enjoying his discomfort way too much.

"Not at all, Tracy. I always admire a woman who knows how to get the good things out of life. I've been warned to keep my wits about me when you are here."

"Excuse me?" That was not something Tracy had been expecting.

"Before she left, Lulu... Ms. Spencer, told me I'd be out of a job pretty quickly if I disturbed you."

"Well, she's right about that," Luke snorted. "Where is my daughter anyway?"

"She had to leave sir and asked me to tell you goodbye. Charming young thing, she is. Starting to take after you, Tracy."

Momentarily pleased, Tracy quickly controlled herself and got up from her seat. "Well, I think that's a bit much. Would you hand me my purse Ethan, it's behind the bar."

Luke put the drink he had been enjoying down with a thud. "Tracy, are you insane? The first time you met him he stoled all the cash you had on you. Why are you giving him access?" Then he turned to Ethan and grabbed the purse from him. "Give me that" he demanded as he opened it and checked to see what was stolen. Finding everything in order he handed it to Tracy.

"Are you quite satisfied, Husband?" Tracy said drolly.

"You're just lucky this time, Spanky. You should know better. This kid has even worse scruples than me."

"As if that were even possible," she replied. "Mr. Lovitt and I have an understanding, Luke. I know he would never steal from me. He was just trying to impress you that day I bailed you out."

Ethan grinned from ear to ear, which annoyed Luke even further.

"Tracy, what has this kid done to you? You don't trust anybody but this guy flips his hair or flirts with you and you turn into a big ball of mush. I just don't get it."

Tracy slowly stood and straightened her jacket. Then she took her purse off the counter without checking it and started to make her way towards the door. She threw one last comment over her shoulder as she left for the day...

"You might want to learn from him, Luke."