Page 21 of Captiva Book Club

“Of course we can, and don’t worry, you don’t have to return Chris and Beth’s phone calls. I’ll call them and tell them what you said. We’re looking forward to all of us being together this year. But, Mom, you have to let us know what happens with the biopsy. Don’t try to spare us. We want to know.”

Maggie nodded into the phone. “I promise to call you when I know. Until then, you hug Jeff and the children for me. I can’t wait to hug you all soon.”

CHAPTER 7

Luke Powell worked long hours at Powell Water Sports, and that was just the way he liked it. Unlike his brother Joshua, who, despite being a hard worker, preferred to spend his time with his girlfriend Jacqui Hutchins and cultivating a social life outside the family business, Luke was fully immersed in his work.

Taking after his father, Crawford Powell, Luke constantly thought about ways to expand the business. However, his ambitious goals were often undermined by his lack of thorough preparation.

Luke always moved quickly when he got a new idea. The moment inspiration struck, he would dive headfirst into action, barely taking the time to plan or consider potential obstacles.

His impulsive nature often led him to start projects with boundless enthusiasm, convinced that his drive alone would see him through. This approach had its perks—his energy and initiative often sparked exciting opportunities—but it also meant that many of his ventures fizzled out as quickly as they began, lacking the necessary groundwork to truly succeed.

Studying for hours, reading books on how to become a multi-millionaire, Luke wanted more. He’d explained that it was how he was wired and there was nothing wrong with wanting to be rich, but Meredith had finally grown tired of his obsession with money.

Everyone knew that Luke’s long hours were partly a way to forget about Meredith, but he’d never admit it. Keeping his feelings to himself, he trudged along, focusing on his work, books, and occasionally taking courses he often never finished.

Now, standing behind the counter at Powell Sports, he stared at the envelope in his hands. Stunned as he read the contents, he was shocked to find that Meredith had invited him and a plus one to her wedding.

The invitation had come the day before, and instead of reading it then, he stuffed it into his backpack and put off dealing with the inevitable anger. He’d finally come to terms with the relationship ending, but he wasn’t ready to accept that Meredith had moved on without him.

“Is that a wedding invitation?” Joshua asked, as he opened a box of snorkel equipment.

“You’re about 12 feet away from me, how do you know it’s a wedding invitation?”

Joshua shrugged. “I don’t know, invitation envelopes look sort of formal, that’s all.”

“If you must know, it’s an invitation from Meredith.”

Joshua stopped what he was doing, walked behind the register and grabbed the wedding invitation.

“You’re kidding me! Meredith is getting married?” Joshua asked, a mixture of shock and amusement on his face.

“It isn’t funny, Joshua,” Luke responded.

“Sorry, I know it isn’t, but you have to admit, it’s kind of weird. Who invites a fairly recent-ex to their wedding?”

Their stepmother, Ciara, overheard them talking as she walked into the front of the store.

“Meredith invited you to her wedding?” she asked.

“Hey Ciara, yeah, it looks like it,” Luke answered.

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

Luke shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’ve been trying not to think about it, but I guess there’s the RSVP to deal with so I’ve got to decide soon.”

“Hey, guys!” Maggie called out as she entered the store.

“Hey Maggie. This is a surprise. What brings you to Powell Water Sports? Are you renting a Jet Ski?” Joshua teased.

Maggie laughed. “Very funny. I don’t think anyone wants to see me on one of those. I’d probably run it into a boat or some large structure. No, I wanted to talk to Ciara about our book club.”

Luke dropped the invitation on the counter and went to help a customer, and Ciara picked it up.

“Another wedding?” Maggie asked.

Ciara shook her head and put the invitation back on top of the counter.

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