PARADISE COVE (PARADISE SERIES Book 1)

by Wilton, Patrice

  "I am now." He sat up straighter, and glanced at her on the pier. "You coming aboard?"

  Relief ran over her. "Permission to board, Captain Sir?" She asked with a smile, as if they had nothing better to do than tease each other.

  "Granted. Need help?" He stood and reached out a hand.

  The touch of his fingers elicited a response deep inside of her. Her stomach clenched and tears sprang to her eyes. She blinked them back. "Thank you. I feel a bit wobbly."

  "I'm sorry. Too much champagne?"

  "Perhaps. Although I brought a bottle with me. Just in case." She smiled, trying so hard to keep things light. To be brave and strong. Her chin trembled and she glanced away. This was more difficult than she'd imagined. Being this close to him was tearing her apart. How would she manage to tell him what she'd come to say, and not cry?

  He took the bottle from her hands and indicated the chair. "Take a seat, Kayla. I'm glad you're here."

  "Are you?" She sank into the chair gratefully. She had partaken a little too freely in the light fizzy cocktail, hoping it would give her the courage to do what needed to be done.

  "You know I am. I need to talk to you, Kayla. You're important in this decision making."

  She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her breath under control. How could she be? He needed to make decisions regarding his future. Not her. Hell, if she had her way she'd sell his boat so he could never leave. It wasn't fair to pin this on her. She was too emotionally involved.

  "Why aren't you saying something?" He knelt down beside her and put his hand in her lap. "This is too hard for me to make alone. The hospital board wants me to get my ass on the next plane. The guy who needs the operation is a very important, powerful man. He gave the hospital money to have a wing built in his company's name. A software company."

  She swallowed hard, and gripped his hand. "You probably should go then. How can you even think twice about turning his request down?" Her fingers were cold and shaking. He kissed them and held them to his cheeks.

  "Because he should get the very best care possible and I'm not sure that I'm the right choice." He gazed into her eyes. "I used to be. I admit that I was the best, but the reason I took a leave of absence was because I stopped being the best. After Sara's death I worked on autopilot. If a crisis had occurred, could I have reacted as rapidly as I once had? I'm not sure, and I still don't know. I'm afraid, Kayla."

  She wanted to wrap her arms around him and pull his head to her chest. To hold, comfort and reassure this man who was some kind of fallen demi-god. "Then you must. You have to go. Prove to yourself that you're still the best." She stroked his head. "You can't hide away in Paradise Cove. You have to show the world that you are Dr. Sean Flannigan, the best cardiac surgeon in the country." God, how she loved him.

  "But what if I'm not?" His beautiful eyes were clouded with doubt.

  "I don't know. Whatever it is, you're strong enough to accept the truth and move on. Or get better. Become the man, the doctor, you used to be." She cupped his face, and kissed his forehead. "I know you're great. Everyone does, but you must find that out for yourself."

  "You're telling me to go?" As if on cue, thunder rumbled in the darkening sky, followed by a sudden flash of lightning.

  She shivered, in spite of the heat. "Yes. I don't want your fears and insecurities holding you back. I don't want you here with me unless it's for all the right, positive reasons."

  He looked down at her knees, as if ashamed to meet her eyes. "I don't want to leave you."

  "I don't want you to stay." Of course it was a lie, but she couldn't keep him. He had a gift to offer the world, and this was not the place for a man with his talents.

  He pulled away and looked at her. "How can you say that?"

  More thunder and lightning lit the sky. She stood up. "I should go. The weather..."

  Before she'd finished her sentence Raul came running down the ramp, shouting, "Dr. Sean! Dr. Sean!"

  "What is it, Raul?" Sean had gotten to his feet also, and stood at the railing. "Has something happened?"

  "Mamacita. Her water broke, and, and there's blood. Come. Hurry."

  The sky exploded like the fourth of July. Only minutes ago the weather had been perfect, now it flashed and danced, and roared and thundered like a heavenly rock concert. A torrential downpour would come next. The branches on nearby trees rustled as the wind picked up.

  Sean didn't hesitate. He jumped off the boat, and ran toward the cottage where Juanita waited. Raul ran after him. Alone now, Kayla made her way to the bow of the boat where it was easier to step ashore. She raced back to Passions to tell her mother and sisters that Juanita was in labor, and to see what they could do to help.

  Over the past few days, Juanita had grown tired of bed rest, and had begun to take on too many chores. They'd all insisted she go back to bed, but with her son and husband busy painting all day, she had refused to spend her days resting.

  Now she was in labor early. Luckily it was tonight, and Sean was not on his way back to Boston. How were they going to do without him, she wondered? It was one thing to be heroic and tell him to leave; it was another to face the possibility that after tonight she might never see his beloved face again.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Kayla huddled with her sisters in the living room with Miguel and Raul, listening to the sounds of thunder, and the sharp strikes of lightning that seemed to get closer and closer. In between the vicious sound of nature, they heard Juanita's cries as she pushed on Dr. Sean's commands, then rested between contractions.

  Sean had poked his head out the bedroom door and announced that so far it appeared to be a routine birth. Both baby and mother were doing fine.

  Anna waited in the office for the ambulance to arrive and Kayla watched the minutes tick by. She knew how difficult driving on this two lane highway could be during a summer storm in the Keys. Traffic would come to a grueling stop. The pelting rain made visibility impossible for the drivers, and as Kayla had learned, one accident could create hours of delay.

  She decided to brave the elements and go ask her mother what was happening. She battled an umbrella and lost the fight in the wind. Minutes later, drenching and shivering she slammed into the office.

  "Mom? Where's the damn ambulance?"

  "I don't know. They said they were coming, but that was twenty minutes ago." Just then the phone rang. Anna grabbed it right away. "Where are you?" she asked, her voice shaking.

  "Sorry, ma'am. We're stuck in Marathon. Part of the road, near the bridge, has flooded out. We have to wait until the water recedes before we can get to you."

  "Can't another ambulance come? From the north?"

  Kayla listened to the conversation, and knew the ambulance was unable to get to them. She paced the floor, glancing out the window, praying for a miracle. Thank the good Lord, Sean was still here. He would bring the baby safely. Juanita was in good hands.

  Her mother put the phone on speaker.

  "We've sent out a call, Ma'am, and the first ambulance that can make it through will get to you, barring no serious accidents."

  "What do you mean? An accident trumps a woman giving birth?" Anna's voice was sharp with worry.

  "That's not our call, Ma'am. But my reports say you do have a doctor with her now."

  "He's a cardiac surgeon, for heaven's sake! What does he know about delivering a premature baby?"

  Kayla smiled, and tried to calm her mother down. "It'll be fine, Mom," she whispered. "Sean will make sure of that."

  "We can guide him along if need be. Make sure he has our number, won't you please?"

  "I most certainly will!" she answered sharply. "Someone has to do something to help." Hanging up the phone, she turned to Kayla. "Did you get all that? They're stuck in Marathon."

  "Yes. It'll be fine, Mom. So far, both mother and baby are doing great." She hugged her mom, who held on tight. "Everything is proceeding normally, according to Sean."

  "Thank heavens. I've been so worried. I
t would be a tragedy for anything bad to happen now. They might even be deported!"

  "That's not going to happen. Stop worrying, okay?" She held her arms and looked into her eyes. "Go make yourself some cocoa or a cup of tea. I'll call you if anything happens."

  "Thanks, hon. I'm sure she's in good hands."

  "Yes. The best." She spoke more positively than she actually felt. "I'm going to run back now and let Sean know what's going on. I have the medic’s numbers. That's a little reassuring."

  "I suppose. I hate sitting here, doing nothing." Her eyes lit up. "Since the ambulance is in Marathon, why can't I go with you?"

  "We're already crowding the place. And you're needed here."

  "Okay. Okay. Maybe I'll make some tomato soup and a platter of sandwiches. People are bound to be hungry by the time this night is over."

  "Good idea, Mom. I'm sure it will be appreciated." She pulled the rain slicker over her head and opened the door, preparing for the mad dash.

  "I'll call you the minute anything happens, and you call me if you get any more news." Then she was out the door and running.

  Back at Smooth Sailings, she pulled her sisters aside and told them what was going on. They decided to keep the information to themselves for now. Raul was watching TV, and Miguel was in the hallway outside the bedroom door, wearing a path in the old wooden floor.

  "Hey, Miguel, take a break." Kayla smiled, and patted his arm. "I'll go see how she's progressing, and will report right back. Why don't you keep Raul company for a few minutes? Have some of that lemonade and cookies Taylor brought over. She baked the oatmeal raison you love."

  He shook his head. "Can't eat—not now. Don't like this bad storm." He ran a hand threw his shaggy black hair, looking ready to pull it out.

  "Nothing to worry about," she said, just as a streak of lightning crashed nearby, making a mockery of her words. The cottage shook and she jumped, then gave a sheepish smile. "Sheesh! That was close."

  He hit the wall with his fists, then mumbled an apology. "Where's the ambulance? What's taking so long?"

  "The weather is slowing things down. Driving is difficult. Babies take a long time to come." She glanced at the closed door. "I'll let you know in a minute."

  She had her hand on the door handle when a cry stopped her. She glanced at Miguel's face. "Was that...?" Hope slammed through her, making her almost weak with relief.

  "A baby?" His weathered face broke into a big smile. "Go. See. I'll wait right here."

  She closed the door behind her and put her back to the door. Juanita was pumped up with big pillows behind her, and Sean stood next to her, holding an infant in his hands. He cradled the baby as if it were the most natural thing in the world, then handed the tiny pink preemie over to its mother.

  Kayla's heart melted when she heard him say, "Congratulations. You have a beautiful daughter." She watched as Juanita kissed the baby's head, then she grabbed hold of Sean's hand and kissed it too.

  "Gracias." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "My beautiful American girl."

  Sean turned his head and looked at Kayla. She blinked back tears, too emotional to speak. She nodded silently, and opened the door to tell Miguel the happy news.

  "You have a girl," she said with a smile, and left the door open for him to enter. Then she walked down the hall to tell the others. A minute later they were all crowded around the opening of the door, and Raul sneaked his way through to stand near his father.

  "Mama." He buried his head on the edge of the bed. "Mi hermana, si?"

  She patted his head, and lifted his face. "Si. Meet your sister, Raul." She held the baby so he could see her, then kissed his cheek. "What should we name her?"

  He beamed, and Kayla could see that this baby would have a loving big brother. "How about 'Merica’?”

  Juanita glanced over his head and smiled at her husband. "Me gusta. Don't you?"

  "Merica is muy bonita." Miguel hugged his son and then turned to throw his arms around Sean, who looked like a proud parent himself. "Gracias! Merica Sean Hernandez."

  Kayla slipped away to call her mother, and to say she'd wait for the ambulance so that Anna could join in the happy moment. Besides, she needed to be alone. Watching the miracle of birth and seeing Sean holding the baby was too much for her to deal with right now. Her insides were in so much turmoil—wanting, needing, loving, with a fierceness she'd never known before. She wanted a baby. She wanted Sean. And she wanted him to want her more than he did his career. And that was so unfair that she couldn't even voice it aloud.

  Her gut felt like a giant fish hook was buried inside. The pain was sharp. Intense. And she couldn't have it. Sean must never know how deeply she felt, because if he did it might hold him back. She couldn't do that to him. He had only come here to heal. Not to stay.

  He was a wonderful doctor, an amazingly kind, gentle, generous man. He had a gift to offer the world and Paradise Cove wasn't big enough for a giant like him. He had to go where he could do the most good, and Boston certainly needed him more than the Florida Keys. She had found her safe haven, and by damn she was staying put. Therefore, she had to do the right thing. Come morning, Kayla would say good-bye to Sean and watch him sail away, even if her heart accompanied him home.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  It was the usual hour when Kayla would get out of bed and go for her run on the beach, but today she stopped at Rhapsody instead. She knocked softly on the door and as if expecting her, Sean opened right away.

  He was dressed in his shorts and tee, and beside the door, she could see his bags were packed. He was leaving, and she wondered if he would have waited to tell her or slipped away in order to avoid this painful farewell.

  "You're leaving." She walked into the room. "Were you going to say good-bye?"

  "I'm not sure. I was having my coffee and trying to decide what I would say."

  "And here I am." She lifted her chin and met his eyes. "I came here to tell you to go, so it looks like we're on the same page with that."

  "Kayla..." he glanced down at his feet. "You know this is not easy for me. We discussed all the reasons why I should leave, and why I want to stay. Juanita giving birth last night changed everything. I feel like my job here is done. It's time to go."

  She swallowed a big lump in her throat. It was choking her. "Yes. It is." She tried to smile but was afraid it was more of a grimace. "It's okay, Sean. You are doing the right thing. You came here to heal, and I hope you have. This place is too small for you and you have to go where you can use your talents." She said the words she'd rehearsed all night, but they were hollow. Empty. "I wish you all the best, and much happiness. You deserve it. Don't ever forget that."

  He put out a hand and tried to pull her in for a hug, but she wasn't having any of it. "I do love you, Kayla."

  "When you get back home, you'll forget all about me."

  "I won't. And I will come back."

  "You say." Oh, dear heaven, don't let her cry. Her gut was churning, her heart torn in shreds. "Well, in any case, you know where we all live and if you do get this way again, please drop in."

  "Kayla," he frowned. "Don't do this. Don't belittle what we had between us. What we have," he corrected.

  "I'm not. I'm a realist, that's all. I knew that we were having a casual affair. It was not a lasting relationship. I enjoyed every minute, don't get me wrong, but the main reason I put my heart on the line was for you. So you'd see that you still have so much to live for." She moved away, one hand on the door. "I'm not so full of myself that I take all the credit. Your saving that family from certain death helped save you too. What you did was an amazing thing, and I will always remember. Everything."

  "Will you take care of them while I'm gone?" he asked. "Make sure the authorities are notified, today if you can."

  "Of course. Don't worry. They will be well looked after. We are going to hate to see them go." Almost as much as you, she thought but didn't voice the words. "You take care of yourself, Sean Flannigan, and email us h
ere at Paradise Cove to let us know how you're getting on."

  She smiled brightly, but he wasn't fooled. He took a step forward and before she could react he had pulled her into his arms. He kissed her deeply, until she trembled. This was so unfair. She'd been so strong and now he was making her weak.

  Kayla clung to him for a moment, accepting his kisses, trying desperately not to cry. There would be plenty of time for tears after he left. She pushed at his chest, breaking free of his embrace before she held on tight, unable to let him go.

  "The operation is scheduled for Friday," he told her. "I notified the hospital to say that I'd arrive late today. I'm taking the boat to Miami and will dock it there. I have a flight out this afternoon."

  "I see. That's wise. I suppose it would take days to get to Boston on your sailboat."

  "Longer than that. It's over 1300 miles." He smiled. "So you see. I'll be back."

  "You'll be in Miami to pick up your boat. That's different than coming back."

  "I will see you again." His eyes searched hers. "If you will let me."

  "Let's see how things go, okay? Once you get back into the swing of things, you might not be in a hurry to leave." She was eager to end this conversation and get away, knowing a crying jag was coming on. "I hope that's the case. I really want you to be happy. And your work brings you joy, just as running this place makes me happy."

  "You're an amazing woman," he said softly, and shoved his hands in his pockets.

  "And you're an amazing man. Good luck with everything. I know you'll be great. You already are." With that, she opened the door and fled.

  It was still dark, and the sun was low on the horizon. She picked her way through the mangroves and found the beach. She took off at a run, trying to flee her thoughts and to push past the pain. About a mile later she stopped running and sucked in air. She put her hands on her knees and bent over, heaving with the effort to breathe.

  Her lungs were on fire, and her calves were tight. She turned and limped toward home, hoping by the time she got there that his boat would be long gone. From a quarter of a mile away she saw Sara leave the marina, and head out to sea. She sank on the cool, damp sand and let the tears run free. She cried so hard and so long, that her ribs hurt from the heart wrenching sobs, but by the time she was done, she knew she would cry no more.