Or worse, Internet poker.
How she’d hated competing with the screen of an iPad to get her ex-boyfriend’s attention. Jenna could strip down to a thong and Sam wouldn’t notice if he was involved in a high stakes game. She certainly hadn’t run him off with her love of sea turtles. It was his love of gambling that ended their six-month relationship. Besides, she’d already moved on, not that her love life was any of Military Man’s business.
It was wrong to stereotype someone based upon their looks, she knew, but she was certain the man she’d met on the beach was somehow involved with the military. If the chiseled body and the cropped hair didn’t give it away, the cocky warrior vibe he gave off was enough for Jenna to identify him as a soldier of some sort. Having spent the first eighteen years of her life living on one military base or another, she’d become somewhat of an expert, after all. She’d also sworn off military men years ago. Too bad since this one had practically made her ovaries explode.
She felt a flush stain her cheeks. Jenna discreetly glanced around the large room to determine if any other staff was around to witness the embarrassing reaction she was having to a stranger on the beach. Relieved that none of the techs or vets paid her any attention, she let her mind wander back to Military Man, telling herself this was the last time she’d do so, even though she knew that was a lie. The guy was the definition of eye candy that she’d likely have to savor a few more times today.
Standing over six feet tall, his body was ripped, mouthwateringly so. It was obvious from the tanned muscles that he hadn’t sculpted his physique in a gym, but rather through strenuous activity and exertion. The man’s arms rivaled that of an Olympic athlete, looking as though he could swim clear across Magnolia Bay into the Atlantic Ocean without taking a breath. His dark hair had been damp and Jenna’s fingers had itched to finger comb it.
The reflective sunglasses he’d worn kept her from seeing his eyes, though, which was probably just as well. Something about him seemed too intimate, too perceptive, making Jenna grateful for the shield his aviators provided between them. He’d already hit too close to home with his barb about her chasing off men. Her teeth clenched just recalling it again.
Thankfully, Magnolia Bay was a popular tourist destination during the summer. It was likely Military Man was just taking a quick beach getaway while on leave from Parris Island or one the many other bases located in the Carolinas. She’d never see him again. Relaxing a bit, she forced her mind back to the reality of her work day.
Jenna meandered through the numerous two-foot deep, six-foot wide pools spread out amidst the lower floor of the hospital. The pools were similar to the above ground ones families might have in their backyard except these housed rehabilitating sea turtles that had been rescued from near death. The large room contained twelve of the salt water pools as well as numerous other plastic storage bins serving as habitats for smaller land turtles brought to the center for treatment.
She stopped at the last pool, located just in front of the operating suites and offices, staring down at a large turtle swimming inside of it. “Hey Reggae, how are you feeling today, buddy?”
Reggae, a three-hundred-twenty pound loggerhead, had been living at the center for nearly seven years. While other turtles were able to be released back into the ocean after their injuries had healed, Reggae’s front left flipper had been severed by a boat propeller forcing him to swim in circles the rest of his life. Instead of returning to the wild where he didn’t stand a chance against predators—nearly all of them man-made—the giant turtle served as the mascot for the Center.
Jenna trailed her fingers along the turtle’s knobby back. Yes, she was passionate about the turtles. She had been since she was eight years old. Growing up military, she’d never been able to set down roots—except for the two weeks her family vacationed in Magnolia Bay each summer. Those vacations had been magical; especially the nights spent waiting for the sea turtles to hatch. She and her brother, Robbie, would sit out along the shore in the dark night, sipping sweet tea with Miss Evie, waiting for the turtles to make their run toward the sea—
“Oh my gosh, Miss Evie!” Jenna yanked her hand out of the tank, sending water spraying down the front of her as she hurried back to her office. How could she have forgotten? She’d agreed to accompany the Center’s new director, Dr. Perry Duhamel, to Miss Evie’s house for a lunch meeting today. Military Man had scattered her wits this morning, for sure.
Jenna entered her small office nearly tripping over her roommate, Macy Hallis.
“Hey,” Macy said, just barely managing to avoid being stepped on. “Millie told me you were out giving a tour. I was just leaving the mock-ups for the Christmas Flotilla and Fishing Tournament for you to approve.”
Macy worked as a freelance photographer in Magnolia Bay. She did a booming business during the summer months, taking family portraits that ended up as Christmas cards for hundreds of tourists. Not to mention the frequent destination weddings she shot at least once per month. The rest of the time, she helped out the local businesses with artwork for their advertising. Jenna was only too happy to throw a little business her roommate’s way when the Center needed some professional photos.
“Sorry,” Jenna said. She grabbed her purse out of the bottom desk drawer. “I’m late for a lunch. Perry and I are supposed to meet Miss Evie at—” she glanced at the computer screen “—oh crap, five minutes ago.” After running her palms over tan shorts and matching uniform blouse, Jenna dug into her purse for her lip gloss. “I’ll look at those when I get back and I’ll give you my feedback tonight. Promise.”
“You’re wasting your time.”
Jenna paused from adjusting her ponytail to look at her friend. “Christmas is four months away. We won’t start promoting the event until October. How am I wasting time?”
Macy crossed her arms in front of her. “I meant primping. You’re wasting time with the Great Doctor from Down Under. He’s just using you.”
She closed the drawer with a little more force than was necessary. Jenna knew where Macy stood on the topic of Perry. Her roommate had made herself very clear on the subject numerous times. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Jenna slid past Macy and out of the office.
“Nobody hopes they’re wrong more than I do, Jenna,” Macy continued as she followed her down the hall. “But you said it yourself, Perry practically ignored you the first three months he was here. Then he finds out you’re good friends with Evie Song—not to mention her millions that could fund his turtle hatchery project—and suddenly he’s Doctor Charming, wining and dining you every night and dangling romantic getaways in your face.”
Stopping abruptly so that Macy nearly bowled her over, Jenna scanned the empty hallway to make sure no one was listening. “Perhaps he ‘ignored’ me because he was a gentleman and he knew I was in a relationship.” Jenna put her hand up to stop her roommate from saying anything more. If Macy was unenthusiastic about Perry’s intentions, she was downright negative about Sam. “I’ve already conceded that my relationship with Sam was just one long booty call on his part so he could hijack our Internet connection and swipe our spare change. I rectified my mistake as soon as I came to my senses. But Perry is a grown-up with direction in his life and a career.”
“Yeah, too bad his career makes him your boss.”
Jenna sighed. “Technically, he’s not my boss. He reports to a board of directors and donors. I report to the State Fish and Wildlife Service. We just happen to work at the same place.” She’d made a point of re-reading her contract to clarify that point when Perry’s smiles had become a bit more flirtatious several weeks ago. Not that their relationship had evolved further than a few serious kisses, but Jenna was flattered to have attracted the attention of the Australian oceanographer. Not only was he famous in his field, but he was charismatic and gorgeous to boot. Sure, when she was around him, her body didn’t come alive as quickly as it had this morning with Military Man, but she was definitely
starting to feel a sizzle whenever they were together. She could build on that. “It’s actually quite refreshing to have someone to discuss my day with who actually understands what I’m talking about.”
Macy flinched at her words and Jenna felt a pang of guilt. Her roommate had dropped out of college—the reason a closely guarded secret that Macy didn’t share with anyone—only recently earning her associates degree in photography at the local community college.
“I may not be a PhD but I do know what fish smells like and this guy reeks of it. If you don’t see through him, Miss Evie will.”
“And if Miss Evie thinks he’s the genuine guy that I think he is?”
Macy conceded a sigh. “Then I’ll photograph your wedding for free.”
Jenna laughed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Macy. Today’s lunch is strictly about business. I’m putting together a great scientist with a friend of mine who happens to like sea turtles and wouldn’t mind using her inheritance to further research in the area.” She gave her friend a cheeky smile. “But if I come home tonight with a happy smile on my face, you’ll know more than the meeting was a success.”
Her roommate let out a defeated groan as Jenna entered the reception area outside Perry’s office.
“I’m sorry I’m late, Millie. He’s probably getting a little edgy by now. I can text Addison, Miss Evie’s assistant, and let her know we’re running a little bit late. No worries.”
The receptionist looked up from her desk, a confused expression on her face.
“What are you late for, darlin’?”
“Lunch. Perry and I are having lunch with Eveline Song today to discuss funding for the turtle hatchery.” A shiver of unease ran down Jenna’s spine at the perplexed look in Millie’s eyes.
“Dr. Duhamel isn’t late. He left for the lunch a half hour ago.”
“He left without me?” Jenna could feel Macy’s I-told-you-so look burning a hole between her shoulder blades. “We were supposed to go together. He wanted me to introduce Miss Evie to him.”
Millie’s eyes darted around the room. “Well, he never mentioned to me that you were going with him. I would have put it on the calendar. When I confirmed with that Addison woman, I only mentioned there’d be two joining her for lunch.”
“Yes. Two. Perry and me.”
“Nooo.” Millie dragged out the word as pink stained her cheeks. “Dr. Duhamel and Dr. Scott.”
“Dr. Scott?” There wasn’t anyone at the Center by the name of Dr. Scott.
“Yes. Dr. Imogene Scott,” Millie said softly. “From Australia. She’s Dr. Duhamel’s fiancée.”
Chapter Two
‡
Drew shifted his long legs trying in vain to get comfortable on the wicker sofa he’d sprawled out on. From his perch in a quiet corner of his godmother’s roomy, sun porch, he peered over his half-empty bottle of beer taking in the little scene playing out before him. Aunt Evie had told him one of her dear friends was coming for lunch today, a friend she was eager for Drew to meet. He’d envisioned a meal of cucumber sandwiches and canasta with two white haired ladies, but what he got was infinitely more entertaining.
Two Aussies who claimed to be doctors of something related to the ocean had showed up instead. Aunt Evie seemed a little miffed, as though she’d forgotten she’d invited them to dine with her. Not that there was any food being consumed. The couple had been here for nearly forty-five minutes. The guy named Perry Something-Or-Other was trying his best to charm his godmother with his surfer boy blonde curls and blue eyes, while his gorgeous partner sat rigidly on the sofa. She was a looker, for sure, blonde and blue-eyed like her conspirator. But her athletic, tanned body screamed do-not-touch. Clearly, she was along as ornamentation and nothing more.
Drew wasn’t sure why his godmother was drawing out the luncheon by playing the eccentric heiress when it was clear that Surfer Dude and his Plastic Partner were here for one thing only: her money. The thing about Aunt Evie was she was a lot more on the ball than most people assumed an eighty-eight-year-old woman should be; a misperception that she frequently used to her advantage. Drew was fairly confident no one could swindle her, so he kept his guard relaxed as he watched her toy with the scientists.
Aunt Evie sat on the cushioned settee, her wrinkled neck draped with pearls, as she slowly stroked the back of her sadistic Persian cat, Zarah. “I tested out my casket yesterday,” she announced to the room. Drew nearly choked on his swallow of beer. To his credit, Surfer Dude didn’t flinch. He was probably smugly counting the zeros in the check he was now sure Aunt Evie would write for him.
“The lining exactly matches the champagne color of my hair. I ordered it that way, you know,” she continued. Perry’s sidekick squirmed a little.
Drew bit the side of his cheek to keep from laughing. His father would howl with amusement when he heard this story. Aunt Evie was laying it on a little bit thick, even for her, but that didn’t mean her antics weren’t entertaining. Drew was a little disappointed when Perry’s response to his godmother’s zany statement was interrupted by the sound of the French doors being furiously flung open. Until he saw who was sweeping into the room.
Damn, that woman sure could make an entrance.
Much like she’d stormed out of the ocean earlier that morning, Jenna of the Sea marched into the room on a tide of fury, only this time it was tightly leashed. She was wearing a bit more clothing than she had on the beach, too; some sort of khaki uniform that did nothing to enhance her appearance, camouflaging the luscious curves he’d glimpsed earlier. Her hair was pulled back in a severe ponytail that slashed through the air like a sword as she surveyed the occupants of the room.
Perry looked a bit sheepish, rising halfway from his seat only to squat right back down after meeting Jenna’s angry eyes. Drew sucked in a breath at the quick flash of pain he glimpsed in them before she looked over at Aunt Evie. Jenna’s face softened into a genuine smile for the older woman.
“Jenna.” Not surprising, his godmother had gone from crazy to lucid in three seconds flat. “No need to be so upset, Sugar, we’ve held lunch for you. I’m just so glad you could finally make it.”
“Yes, Jenna, we’re glad you’re here,” Perry said. The doctor wiped his palm down the thigh of his slacks as he stealthily put a little distance between himself and his plastic sidekick.
“Hmm.” Jenna leveled a furious frown at Perry, her lips clamped together tightly as if she didn’t trust the words that might escape. Drew watched raptly as the muscles in her long neck swallowed whatever it was she wanted to say. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your…friend?” she finally asked.
Suddenly the room was fraught with tension. Aunt Evie’s eyes narrowed as she studied Perry. The woman he’d brought with him also eyed him expectantly. Drew didn’t need years of covert training to decipher that something was going down here. He’d bet his Triumph T100 motorcycle he’d restored by hand that Dr. Surfer Boy was responsible for the flicker of hurt that had crossed Jenna’s face when she’d entered the room and Drew had no idea why, but her obvious pain bothered the hell out of him.
Perry reluctantly rose from the sofa. “Of course.” He gestured to the woman beside him. “Jenna Huntley, allow me to introduce Dr. Imogene Scott. Dr. Scott is coordinating the hatchery project in Melbourne. I thought it would be a good idea to share with Miss Song all aspects of the project.”
Jenna smiled at that. It wasn’t particularly a nice smile, Drew thought. It was more like one of those pre-emptive smirks a woman gives you right before she goes for the testicles.
“Ahh. Like you shared all the aspects of your life with me?”
Oh yeah, right for the balls. Perry flinched as though she’d scored a direct hit. Drew felt more alive than he had in weeks. Years of working as a SEAL had taught him how to quickly size up a situation—oftentimes his life and that of others depended on it—and he was pretty sure he knew the plot of the little soap opera being played out in his godmother’s lanai. Dr.
Surfer Dude wanted Aunt Evie’s money. Most likely Jenna was up to her sexy neck in the plan, too, before Perry decided to go in another direction—one that obviously included his pretty plastic sidekick instead of Jenna.
Drew could have offered Perry some very useful advice: An op never went well when women were involved. Because where women are involved, sex was involved and even the most cold-hearted, mercenary woman can get her heart broken. Drew knew this because he’d done it. From the looks of it, so had Perry.
Jenna’s lips tightened as she struggled to maintain her tense smile. Drew shifted on the uncomfortable sofa again. This time, his discomfort was confined to one part of his anatomy, though. Despite a long cold shower, he’d been dreaming of those lips all morning long. They’d actually been a welcome distraction.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Dr. Scott,” Jenna said without a trace of bitterness creeping into her voice. Her performance was Oscar worthy and Drew nearly gave her a salute with his beer. “And may I offer my congratulations on your engagement.” Whoa! He watched as Perry flinched again.
There was no holding back Drew’s laughter this time. His loud chuckle reverberated around the room, disrupting whatever comeback Perry might have tried to make. Much as it had this morning, Jenna’s head snapped around, a look of surprised horror on her face. This was the second time that day she hadn’t noticed him. If he weren’t in the business of going around undetected half the time, his ego might have taken a little hit.
“Oh, Andrew, come over here and join us,” Aunt Evie demanded. “As long as we’re making introductions again, I’ve been dying for you to meet my lovely young friend, Jenna.” She winked at Perry. “In this case, Doctor, dying is just an expression. I won’t be needing that casket today, don’t you worry.”
Jenna was still wearing her startled doe-eyed look as Drew pulled himself off the sofa and ambled across the room to stand beside his godmother’s chair.
Holiday at Magnolia Bay Page 2