The Tycoon's Mistake

By Martha Murray Moore

Trust and Love:  Two Powerful Forces

Luke MacKinnon is rich, handsome, successful, and happily single until he meets the delightful Julie O'Mara.  A fateful encounter changes both their lives and sets in motion actions that reveal the depths of the passions of those Luke trusts and to what extent they will go for their own selfish desires.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Double H Publications
• Release date: Jul 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533425898

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Morning rush hour in Manhattan was a madhouse.  Compound that with dark skies and slashing downpours of rain, it was no wonder that the scurrying throngs were pushy and irritable.  Julie gratefully ducked into the marquee of the glass-walled skyscraper and closed her dripping umbrella.  She smiled cheerily at the doorman waiting for the next taxi to deliver its hurrying passengers.  Pushing her way into the revolving door, she popped into the giant atrium.  Pausing briefly to catch her breath after the soggy dash from the subway, Julie took refuge by one of the tall trees growing in tubs around the perimeter of this soaring space. 

Ever awed by the sight, she gazed upwards to the barely visible glass ceiling many stories above her head.  On a sunny day, it was a bright and cheerful place, the tree branches lit from above by welcome sunlight.  Today, though, it was gloomy – or would be if lights throughout the towering atrium didn’t mimic the sun. 

Her attention was caught by the sight of a man striding through the throngs of people heading for the bank of elevators.  His sandy hair and broad shoulders glistened with raindrops.  Julie sighed.  This was Luke MacKinnon, CEO and sole owner of Lumak Industries.  She knew from office gossip that he had designed this towering space.  From any floor in the lofty building you could gaze down on the atrium with its trees and fountains and the walls would recede into space and beauty. 

Julie firmly turned her thoughts from Luke MacKinnon and joined the hurrying workers towards the bank of elevators.

Stowing her raincoat and umbrella in her closet, Julie gave the mirror on the closet door a quick glance, patting her chignon to be sure it was ready for the business day.  The office lights glinted on the honey blonde swirls and the few wisps that had escaped to frame her face softly.  She turned and checked the inbox for new messages for her boss, Frank McKay.

Gathering a small stack of papers, she moved into Frank’s office to arrange them on his desk.  She was tucking his scattered pencils into the holder when Frank came in.  With a big smile he draped his raincoat over a chair.  Good morning, Julie!  Your smile sure knocks the gloom out of this dreary day!

Hands on hips, Julie smiled at him.  Shaking her head, she picked up his damp raincoat, shook it out, and hung it in his closet.  Frank grinned at her back.  She may have been petite, curvy and adorable, but she acted like a mother hen!

Say, keep an eye out, Julie.  Luke’s coming down to go over the plans for that new office in London.

Julie’s heart gave a leap.  Luke McKinnon was coming here, to their office?  Frank was busy signing the documents Julie had spread out for him and didn’t notice her sudden indrawn breath.  She gathered the papers and went back to her desk. 

Frank yelled, Get me the London file, please.  Luke will be here soon – he said first thing this morning.

Julie stilled her racing heart and went to the wooden credenza that held the horizontal files.  Pulling the ones for the new London offices, she took them in and laid them in front of Frank. 

I’ll put on a pot of coffee, Mr. McKay in case you and Mr. McKinnon want some.  Want me to order up some Danish from the cafeteria?

Looking up from the London plans, Frank smiled.  Yeah, that would be great.

Julie was setting cups and the coffee pot on a tray she used for visitors, when she was pleased to see the messenger turn in her door with a grin.  Danish for the pretty Miss Julie! he sang out.  Julie laughed and took the bag from him.

There, everything was set.  Danish nicely arranged, small plates, coffee fixings, napkins.  All was ready for their guest.  She smiled.  He wasn’t exactly a guest; after all, this was his building!  She felt a flicker in her gut.  She was going to actually be close to Luke MacKinnon and not watching him at a distance. 

CHAPTER TWO

Hearing voices from the corridor, Julie felt herself tremble.  He was coming!  She would have to speak to him!

The deep rumbling tones resonated within her.  Thanks, Charlie.  Yes, I like that idea and I’ll pass it on to Frank.

And then he was there, filling the doorway.  Their eyes locked and Julie felt a strange awareness fill her as she stared into Luke MacKinnon’s piercing blue eyes. 

He paused in mid-stride and stared.  Who was this sprite with the mesmerizing blue eyes.  He felt something deep within spring to life. 

Good morning.  Is Frank in?

Inwardly shaking herself to action, Julie jumped to her feet.  Oh yes, Mr. MacKinnon.  He’s expecting you.  Won’t you come in?

Julie groaned to herself.  Inviting the man into one of his own offices!  Really, Julie – how dumb can you be?

Luke nodded and tore his eyes away from her and moved into Frank’s office.  Julie followed with the tray.  Frank hopped to his feet.

Luke, glad to see you.  He held out his hand and they shook.  Here, Julie, just put that down here, and he used his arm to clear a corner of his big desk.

She stiffened her arms to stop the trembling and set the tray down, then backed away.  Is there anything else, Mr. McKay? She didn’t dare look at Luke.

No, that’s fine, Julie.  I’ll call if we need something.  Thanks.

She moved to the door, closed it quietly, and sank gratefully into her chair.  Wow!  Luke MacKinnon was only a few feet away and he had actually spoken to her!

Luke eyed the closed door.  Who is that lovely girl?  I didn’t know we employed any angels!

Frank laughed and then his gaze hardened.  Look, Luke, I know the scuttlebutt is that you don’t date within the company, but you damn sure better keep your hands off Julie.  She is a true innocent and I worry about her all the time.  Everybody loves her and she is just too damned friendly for her own good.

Luke stared at him.  Hey, I didn’t mean to trespass.

Frank glared.  You know I love my wife, but she and I both worry about Julie.  I wish I could hire a bodyguard to just shadow her 24/7 and pulverize any creep who tried to speak to her.

Whoa, pal.  I hear you.  Luke turned to the coffee tray and poured two cups.  Handing one to Frank, he stared at him over the rim. I agree with your sentiments.  There is definitely something special about that young lady.  The city is a tough place and will chew up someone like her.  All we can do is make sure she’s safe here in our building.

Forcing his mind off the angelic face and escaped sunshine curls, Luke hauled his mind to the plans of the new London office and spent the next couple of hours debating.  Julie had plenty of work to keep her busy and her fingers flew over the computer keys as she worked her way through a stack of proposals waiting for Frank.  The lunch hour rolled around and the office door opened.  Frank and Luke strolled out, still discussing the London office.

We’re headed for the cafeteria, Julie.  See you after lunch.  And they were gone.

Sighing, Julie got out her small purse and slipped the strap over her head and went to join her friends.

From their favorite table in the main cafeteria, Julie could see through the archway into the executive section.  She watched as Luke, Frank, and several other department heads laughed and talked their way through lunch.  Before they finished, a woman stopped by the men’s table.  They all hastily got to their feet and she laid a hand on Luke’s arm.  Julie watched, wishing mightily she could hear what was being said.  The woman was tall, her head only a few inches below the top of Luke’s.  She was tall even without the added inches of her heels.  And slim.  And elegant.  Her chignon was smooth, not a hair out of place, with a dark sheen that was almost blue, it was so dark.  The pearls at her ears and throat were definitely not fakes – they probably cost more than Julie’s monthly salary!

A voice near Julie commented in hushed tones.  "That’s Delia Cordell.  Her family owns one of those big ad agencies that handles the Lumak Industries publicity.  Gossip has it that she has a yen for Luke MacKinnon.  Means to be Mrs. Luke MacKinnon.  Guess she decided to track him to his lair!"

In spite of knowing it was stupid, Julie felt a sharp pang of jealousy.  Luke MacKinnon would never look her way – this elegant obviously rich woman was his kind of wife.  Not a Montana country girl. 

She made it back to her desk and was scrolling through her morning’s work, when Frank came back in, alone. 

I’ll print this off for you, Mr. McKay.  You’ll need it for the meeting at 3:00. 

The afternoon rolled along.  Frank rushed off to his meeting, hands full of the folders Julie had set up for him. 

Five o’clock.  Julie shut down her computer, tidied up her desk, and went to check Frank’s office.  His computer swirled with the screen saver so she knew it would take a password to enter, so she turned out the overhead lights and left only the desk lamp.  The meeting was still going on.  Reluctantly, she got her raincoat, purse, and umbrella from the closet and gave a last quick look around the office.  She hated to leave, Frank might need her, but she sighed.  His orders were clear.  There will be times when we have to work late, but unless I tell you specifically, you go home at quitting time.  No hanging around in case I might need you.

It was still raining when Julie paused under the marquee out front and raised her umbrella.  Bracing herself, she resolutely headed out into the downpour for the subway.  It was crowded as usual and she swayed in the packed car until she could dodge her way off at her stop.  Her street was less crowded and she reached her building quickly. 

As she entered the lobby, she checked her mailbox.  Just a couple of bills.  Oh, well.  What did she expect?  A check from Publisher’s Clearing House?  Not likely.  You have to enter to win and she knew her chances were much too slim.

Clicking her two locks and flipping on the lights, Julie paused a moment inside her apartment to enjoy the warm solitude.  It wasn’t much, just a small living room with a kitchen corner, a bedroom barely big enough to hold a single bed and a dresser, and the tiny bathroom.  Not even room enough for a tub, just a shower.  Good thing she wasn’t bigger or fatter!  She’d never fit in the shower otherwise! 

Work clothes carefully hung up, underwear in the laundry bag on the bathroom door, and comfortably snug in her flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, Julie checked the fridge.  She had eaten out the night before with friends and the white foam container held leftovers enough for supper.  A quick spell in the microwave and dinner was ready.  Julie turned on the modest flat screen TV and skipped through the channels.  The news was depressing, constant, but sometimes amusing. 

Rousing herself later, she realized it was late so she dumped her carryout box into the trash, rinsed her glass and silverware, and headed for bed.  So much for the exciting life of a business woman in the big city!

CHAPTER THREE

The little alarm clock started its persistent muted beep-beep and Julie groaned.  She had been having such a lovely dream!  She smiled through her shower and dressing – was still smiling as she yanked her bed smooth and plumped the pillows.  Tucking the Mondrian print quilt over the bed she was still happily thinking about her dream.  She would die of mortification if Luke McKinnon ever knew of her heated fantasies of him!  But that’s all it could ever be.  Luke never dated anyone in his company for one thing, and he was only pictured in the society sections of the paper or the gossip magazines with tall, elegant beauties.  Sophistication seemed to be his favorite lure. A petite mousey secretary from the country would certainly never register on his horizon.

Checking the window of her corner apartment, Julie was happy to see the sun warming the steaming streets.  Shrugging into a light spring coat over her powder blue business suit, she locked her way out of her apartment and headed for the elevator.  Mrs. Clancy was already there, waiting.  She gave Julie a big smile.  The sun shining in the window at the end of the hall lit up Mrs. Clancy’s short fluffy white hair turning it to silver.

Good morning, Julie.  Off to work, I see.  Now you have a lovely day, dear.

And you make sure the library runs properly, Mrs. C., Julie laughed.

Julie turned for the subway as Mrs. Clancy started the short walk to the nearby library.  It had been such a delight for them to meet.  Julie loved books and Mrs. Clancy made sure that the newest and most interesting books were always reserved for Julie.  Julie had friends and they met for dinner, an occasional show, or a trip to the park or roller rink or bowling alley – but books were her most constant friends.  Julie made a decent salary for a secretary in the big city, but living expenses were high so there wasn’t a lot left over for extras. 

Sometimes Julie thought about the future.  She didn’t want to be an old, white-haired secretary some day.  She yearned for the usual things:  a husband who loved her, children.  Well, for now her life was fine.  Some day she would seriously concentrate on these distant dreams.

The sunshine and spring-like temperatures put a smile on her face and a lift to her walk as Julie arrived at the front of the office building.  The doorman gave her a big smile and touched his hat as Julie pushed into the revolving door.

Ah that was a pretty young thing – always a smile for me, no matter how bad the weather!  Accustomed to dealing with expressionless or even rude city folks, the doorman appreciated the warmth of Julie’s smile.

When Frank strolled in just before 9:00, Julie was hard at work on a new proposal on the computer.  With a genuine smile, he stopped to ask how her morning was going.

Everything is just great, Mr. McKay.  Did you want anything filed from the meeting yesterday?

Come on in, Julie.  Yes, I just stuck it all in the safe last night when the meeting finally ended.  Jeeze, I thought it would last all night!  It must have been 6:00 before we were done.

Opening the safe behind the big painting of flowers, Frank pulled out a thick file folder and handed it to Julie.  Can you clean up my notes and print off a couple of copies?  I want to polish them before the next meeting.  And Luke wants a copy of what went on at the meeting.

It took most of the morning to decipher Frank’s scrawled hieroglyphics so it was lunch time when she laid the copies on his desk. 

Thank you, Julie.  I don’t know what I’d do without you to untangle my notes.  Checking his watch, he stood up quickly.  Uh, oh. I promised Luke I’d meet him for lunch.  If he calls, tell him I’m on my way!

Grabbing the pages Julie had just given him, Frank left the office.  Yes, it was lunch time, so Julie saved her work and put the computer to sleep.  Her friends would be waiting in the cafeteria.

Today, it was only Luke and Frank at their table.  Their heads were together and it looked like they were deep into something serious.  When Delia Cordell again stopped by their table, laying a proprietary hand on Luke’s shoulder, they had to quickly mask their annoyance.  Both men rose to their feet and Delia immediately launched into a quick speech, tilting her head so she could look up at Luke flirtatiously.  Sighing he smiled and nodded.  Delia, obviously delighted, gave Luke a peck on the cheek and sailed away across the cafeteria, smiling condescendingly on all the occupants.  Julie seethed.  She chided herself for being jealous.  He was certainly not in her league and she had no right to be even thinking of his social life. 

The week progressed.  The weather stayed warm and sunny.  Friday, Julie headed for the cafeteria, not noticing she was on a collision course until she ran into the wall of a broad chest.  Steely arms went around her as she stumbled and would have fallen.

Whoa, there, Speedy!  Can’t have you getting hurt.  It would ruin the company’s safety record!

Feeling the deep voice resonate through her, Julie slowly raised her eyes to the smiling face above her.  Luke McKinnon!  Mumbling in confusion, she tried to push herself away from his grip.  Her body was tingling where he touched her and her thoughts were jumbled and incoherent.

Hold on there.  Aren’t you Julie from Frank McKay’s office?

Julie nodded.

Well, come and let me buy you some lunch as an apology for running into you.

Julie stared.  Running into her?  She had run into him!  No, no, thank you but I have to join my friends.

Laughing, he caught her elbow and started for the executive’s area.  Julie dug in her heels and managed to halt their progress.  No, I promised to eat with my friends.  She looked up at him, her big blue eyes pleading.

Luke stared at her, then a slow smile curved his lips up.  Okay, we’ll eat with your friends.  Which table?

Julie gazed at him in horror.  He was serious!  We have to go through the cafeteria line first, she stammered.  That ought to stop him.  They had table service and waiters in the executive area.  The regular employees had to go through the line and get their lunches.  She watched as a slow grin broke through and he turned them towards the serving line. 

After you, Miss Julie, and he waved her forward. 

Julie barely remembered going through the line and choosing.  She usually had a full meal at lunch because of the skimpy kitchen capability at her apartment.  She had to stifle her discomfort when Luke paid for their lunches.  This was not good.  As they reached the table where her friends waited, Julie realized they had watched the entire thing and were waiting for them with bated breath.

Uh, Mr. McKinnon is going to join us for lunch today.  She rattled through the introductions and self-consciously sat down.

Luke smiled at the young people as he acknowledged their names and sat next to Julie.  As they all began to eat, Luke queried each of them about which department he or she worked in and soon they were all comfortably talking about work.  Julie marveled.  He really cared about what they thought.  When lunch was over and they all stood up to return their trays, Luke grinned at them all.  I have really enjoyed talking to all of you and want you to know that my office is always open to you, any time you have something you think I should hear.

Chattering happily, they all headed for the elevators.  Luke caught Julie’s hand and stopped her. 

I’m glad we had a chance to meet and get to know each other a little.  I like your friends and I’m glad they all work for Lumak Industries.  Thank you.

He turned and strode for the bank of elevators.  Julie could only stand and watch, her mind in a whirl.  Imagine, she and her friends had had lunch with Luke McKinnon!

All afternoon Julie had to drag her mind back to her work.  Luke MacKinnon’s grin and blue eyes kept intruding.  Finally it was quitting time and as she shut down her computer, Frank came out of his office and paused at her desk.

Have a nice weekend, Julie.  Got any plans?

No, Mr. McKay.  I’ll probably do something exciting like laundry and a little grocery shopping.  Some of us have been talking about the new movie for Saturday.  What are you and Mrs. McKay planning?

He groaned.  I promised Mary we’d take the kids to that new kiddie amusement park on Saturday.  They’ll have a good time and it will be fun watching.  Maybe some golf on Sunday.

Have fun and take pictures!  I’ll want to see them on Monday!  Julie got her coat from the closet and joined Frank at the door.  As they neared the elevators, Frank hailed one of the other executives.

Charley, wait up.  Mary and I are taking the kids to that new kiddie park tomorrow.  You and Beth want to come along with your gang?  Having two more adults would be good!  They stepped on the express elevator and pushed the button for the underground parking garage.

Julie moved into the other elevator, listening to all the plans being discussed as it slid quickly towards the main lobby.  Swept along by the flow of employees heading for the doors, she smiled.  Everyone seemed happy about the weekend.  Well if the weather held, maybe she would check out Central Park.  A good ramble would be fun.

As the revolving door deposited her under the marquee, she was startled to see Luke MacKinnon, leaning against his limo.  When their eyes met, he straightened and stepped towards her.

Can I give you a ride somewhere, Julie?

Flustered, she stepped back, getting jostled by other people pouring out of the revolving doors.  Uh, no, thank you.  I, uh, uh. . .  Trying futilely to come up with a good excuse, Julie stared at Luke. 

Nope, I won’t take no for an answer.  I have this perfectly good car and driver and want to talk to you.   He opened the door and held out his hand to her.

She stopped and stared.  Talk to her?  Why?  Her eyes darted back and forth, looking for someone, anyone, she could ring in and create an excuse.  There was nobody she