A few minutes later she was dressed in the red one-piece swimsuit with a sarong tied around her hip. She grabbed the picnic basket her mother put together and strolled down to the pool. Even from a distance she could hear the splashing of water and the high pitched squeals of boys having a good time.
Kayla spotted an attractive young woman with chestnut hair pulled into a long, swinging ponytail, and a little girl next to her that could be a clone. They were seated on the edge of a lounge chair, watching the boys play. She also noticed Sean in the pool, tossing a beach ball around to the boys. She ignored him for the time being, and walked over to introduce herself to their new guests.
“Hi, I’m Kayla.” She offered her hand and a friendly smile. “My mother checked you in this morning. Welcome to Paradise Cove. How was your drive from North Carolina? Jack said you stopped in Orlando and took the kids to Disneyworld.”
“Yes, we did, but it might have been a mistake, as they cried for hours when we left,” she said, giving her daughter a quick hug. “Nice to meet you. I’m Rosemary, and this is Megan.”
“Would you like to join us for a picnic lunch?” Kayla asked. “We have plenty of food, and that way you and I can get to know each other.”
“Don’t tempt me. I have unpacking to do, and laundry. My husband’s a nice guy, but leaving him to do the work would be pushing it.”
Kayla smiled. “I understand. I’ll get a chance to get acquainted with both of you later. At happy hour.”
“That’s right. Your mother mentioned it.” She smiled. “I really appreciate you taking care of Megan for me.”
“My pleasure.” She kneeled down so she’d be at the same height as the little girl. “How old are you? I’m guessing four.”
Megan nodded. “I used to be three.”
“That’s right, and now you’re a big girl and can swim with floaties.” She glanced at her mother. “I used to work summers at a county pool. I’ve got a life guard certificate, so she’s in good hands.” She winked at Megan. “And I like little girls. I have two younger sisters—have you met them yet? One is named Taylor and the baby is Brittany.”
“How old is Brittany?” Megan asked. “Is she four? Can I play with her?”
“She’s working right now, but you’ll meet her in a little while. She’s big like me, and she’s twenty-five, but sometimes she acts like four.”
Her mother laughed. “Thanks so much for taking the kids off our hands. It’s been a long couple of days driving and they’re restless.” She glanced at Sean playing with the boys in the pool. “It was very nice of Sean to take Jack fishing earlier. He has the boat down at the marina. It’s lovely.” Her eyes held a question that Kayla ignored.
“Yes, it is. He’s a long-term guest and we’re very lucky to have him.” She glanced at him, and her mouth watered.
Sean caught her look, and shouted loud enough to be heard, “Come on in. The water is perfect.” He sent a dazzling smile to Megan’s mother. “We’ll take care of the kids. Not to worry.”
“Thank you,” Rosemary acknowledged Sean’s words, then she stood up and walked to the pool’s edge. “Don’t be rough with her, Jack. You know she’s little.”
“I won’t, Mom.”
“Sean’s my friend, and he’ll take care of us,” Raul said proudly. “He saved me, and my mom and dad. We were drowning—out there,” he pointed to the ocean. “Didn’t you?” he asked, delighted to share his story.
Sean tossed the ball over to Jack, clearly not wanting to go into details. “Yeah, it was that or run over you in my boat. I figured picking you all up was a better idea.”
Rosemary glanced at Kayla. “Really? Did their boat capsize?”
“It sure did,” she replied, but didn’t feel the need to elaborate. The less the guests knew of the rescue, the better for the family. Some people might oppose the idea of letting them stay in this country and she certainly didn’t want to argue the point. “Sean saved their lives. Raul’s mother is seven months pregnant. She’s on bed rest.”
“Amazing.” She gave Sean an admiring glance, then bent to kiss her daughter’s cheek. “I’ll see you a little later. Have fun, sweetheart. I love you.”
“Okay. Love you too, Mommy.” Megan took hold of Kayla’s hand. “I can’t swim so you have to hold me up. Okay?”
“Okay. I’ll be right with you all the time, and when you want out of the pool, you just tell me.” She glanced at Rosemary. “Tell Brian I look forward to meeting him later. Happy hour is mandatory around here.”
She nodded and smiled. “So I hear.” Tossing her daughter and son a kiss, Rosemary left them to return to her chores.
Kayla entered the pool by the steps, holding the sweet child’s hand. Sean swam over and reached for Megan’s other hand, leading her into the pool.
Kayla felt her insides turn to mush as she watched him care for the young girl. Did this child remind him of the one he’d lost? She could see that he must have been a wonderful father. She hoped that one day he would be again.
Sean swung Megan into the air, over his head, and made her laugh, then he eased her into the water, and held her for a few seconds until she felt comfortable. The pink butterfly swim vest held the child up securely, enabling her to kick and splash her way around the shallow end of the pool. The boys began a game of Marco Polo.
Sean swam up to Kayla and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her back into his chest. He nibbled on her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “You look sexy as hell, but where’s that bikini I asked for? I can’t feel your skin the way I want to.”
Her stomach did a cartwheel, but she pushed his hands away and turned to face him. “That kind of talk can only lead to no good,” she answered with a teasing smile. “And we have a lunch that will spoil in the sun.” She tossed the floating beach ball in the direction of the boys. “Hey, kids? Who wants chicken sandwiches and fruit salad?”
“I do! I do!” They both shouted, splashing as they raced to get out of the water.
Sean lifted Megan out of the pool while Kayla grabbed towels for everyone. Once they were all dried and seated Kayla dished out the food. It made her happy to see Raul eating and chatting with his new friend. He had left everyone he ever knew behind him back home and nearly hadn’t survived the crossing. But he and his family would be happy here, and they would thrive.
Megan sat next to her brother, and Kayla and Sean sat together across from the three children. She could feel his warm thigh next to her bare leg, and pretended not to notice. He dropped a piece of chicken from his sandwich and it landed between them, giving him an excuse to touch her. She tried to keep a straight face as he meticulously cleaned the spot; the back of his hand caressing her skin.
She shifted her bottom ever so slightly, so they could sit hip to hip. Her insides were fluttering like a pack of butterflies, and for a woman of her age it was darn near embarrassing to be so affected. But he wasn’t an ordinary guy. He was a man that could so easily slip into your heart and live there forever.
The thought silenced her for a moment. She had to guard against that, or she’d be a goner.
“You kids finished? How about some more fruit salad? Eat up the watermelon and the strawberries before they spoil.” She spooned a little more on their plates and watched as they plopped the juicy bites into their mouths.
“And you, Sean, don’t forget to bring the snappers over before happy hour. Taylor has a great menu planned for tonight’s dinner.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” His lips curled into a bad boy’s smile. “Miguel is settled into the new cabin, which means I have mine back to myself.”
“Yes, it does.” Determined to get the conversation back on track, she asked, “So did he find everything to his liking? I know the girls loaded up on supplies and bought a few necessities for the family.”
“You have all been extremely generous. Giving them Smooth Sailing to live in for a month is beyond anyone’s expectations.”
“It wasn’t oc
cupied, so why not? Doesn’t cost us anything, and they need shelter.”
“You’re one of the finest people I know.”
Her heart skipped. “Coming from you, that means a lot.”
He raised her hand and kissed it.
The boys laughed, and Megan clapped her tiny chubby hand over her mouth. “Kiss her. Like my mom and dad.”
“I might do that, if she’ll let me.”
“No!” Kayla cried in mock horror. “I don’t want boy kisses.”
“That’s good,” he answered, and kissed her mouth sweetly while whispering for her ears alone, “Because I’m a man.”
Oh gawd, if she could only forget. He was a man all right, and had proven it over and over just last night. What they’d done together might be seared in her memory for a long time.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Happy hour was tortuous. Sean sent her scorching hot glances while she made the rounds, talking to their guests. Knowing how much Sean liked her in dresses, it might have been a better idea to have worn a T-shirt and knee length shorts. Instead she’d chosen this slip of a black and white dress that felt so cool and sexy in the late afternoon breeze. She had tied her hair up in a topknot, and left strands floating around her face. The humidity was obnoxious this time of the year, and a woman had to do what she could to combat the situation. If that meant running around in a thin, cotton dress that left little to the imagination, well so be it.
Still, her nerve ends stood on alert when she watched Sean get out of his chair and head in her direction. Quickly she grabbed the pitcher of Key Lime margaritas and wasn’t sure if she meant to refill everyone’s glasses, or if she planned to use it as a barrier between them.
She waved it in the air as he approached. “Hey, Sean. Want a refill?”
“I do. Very much. Not for the drink, however.” His eyes twinkled as he looked her up and down.
“Then what were you thinking of?” she asked innocently, just as it hit her. Oh, my! “You mean…me?” she felt her cheeks go crimson.
“Yes. You.” He stepped close, and whispered in her ear. “You don’t mind, I hope.”
A zing of sexual energy made her knees weak. She dipped and swayed, and darn near dropped the pitcher. Luckily his hand slipped underneath.
“Let me take that from you.”
Gratefully, she handed it over, feeling a little foolish—like one of those women from historical novels who wore their corsets too tight, and always seemed to swoon.
Lordy, Lordy, she was in trouble.
“I swear, Mr. Flannigan, you must stop talking to me this way. My heart flutters,” she spoke in her best imitation of a southern drawl.
“Why Scarlett, I do swear you’re blushing.”
“It’s the heat of the day.” She put her shoulder to him, intent on getting away as quickly as she could. The way he was looking at her—as if she was a Popsicle he wanted to lick—was making her melt faster than ice on a stick.
“What time would you like me to come for dinner?” he inquired politely. “I’m ravenous at the moment.”
She tried to hold back but she couldn’t. Laughter rippled out, and she slipped a hand around his middle, giving him a brief hug. “You make me feel good. Do you have this effect on every woman?”
“I hope not. I only want one.”
Her eyes met his and she had to will herself not to throw herself into his arms. Seemed like every damn cell in her body wanted to mate with his.
She swallowed and took a breath, fighting to appear normal. “How about seven o’clock—that will give Taylor a chance to prep the food. Did you bring the fish over?”
“I did. It’s in your fridge.” He glanced over her shoulder. “I thought she might be here. I hope she’s not planning anything elaborate.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. She just wanted to stay in the air conditioning and get things ready. She loves to entertain and rarely has an opportunity beyond happy hour food.”
“Well, she doesn’t need to fuss for us.”
“I know, but that’s just Taylor. It’s her ‘thing’.”
“I like your thing better,” he said with a wink and walked off.
She watched him for a moment as he spoke with Rosemary and her husband Brian. They were a tall, good-looking couple, with two perfect children. Megan was wearing a pretty yellow sundress for the cocktail party, and Jack wore a pair of cargo shorts and a button down blue shirt. They were seated at a table, swinging their legs, drinking lemonade and eating a plate of nachos.
Sean said good-bye to them and snagged a chip loaded with cheese before moving on to join her mom and Brittany at their table, and with all her heart she longed to go and sit with them too. She wanted to put her stamp on him, claim him as hers, but she knew that to do so would likely frighten him off for good. Until the man was ready to love again, she needed to give him plenty of space, and to try and guard her heart.
Kayla made her way around the pool, chatting with everyone for a moment or two. A father and his teenage son had booked one of the smaller cabins for three days of fishing. An older couple had come from West Palm Beach to enjoy the change of pace and scenery in the upper Keys.
The father and son were from Atlanta, Georgia. Drew was a mortgage lender, Tom was on summer break, entering his high school senior year in the fall. He hoped to play college basketball at Miami U, and if his size was any indication, Kayla expected he’d easily make the team. Already he towered over her by a good five inches, and he wasn’t yet fully grown.
Brittany waltzed over while she was talking to them, and the young man gaped at her like she was a super model. Which, of course, she could be with her long legs, tiny waist, and exquisite face framed by dark unruly curls. Tonight she wore her tight jean shorts, and a pink halter top tied under her breasts. Her brown tummy was smooth and bare.
Being comfortable with men’s attention, Brittany tossed her hair back over her shoulder and winked at the boy. “How’s my favorite all-star? Did you check out the courts down the street? See any kids your age to pick up a game?”
“No one was there, but I shot hoops for an hour or so. Dad joined me.”
Drew grinned. “I lasted for the first fifteen minutes. In this heat, that was enough.”
Brittany flashed them both a smile. “I hope you worked up a thirst. We have another pitcher of margaritas or beers, and would you like a cold soda, Tom?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” the boy said.
She pouted prettily. “Don’t Ma’am me. I’m only twenty-five.”
“Sorry, Ma…I mean Miss,” Tom said with a blush and a stutter.
“Brittany will do,” she said, taking pity on the kid. Turning to the father she put a hand on his arm and leaned close. “What would you like?” she asked.
Kayla noticed the placement of Brit’s hand and the way she was eyeing the attractive father. He was about forty, married—by the look of the gold ring on his finger—and in good physical shape. The fact that he was here alone with his son did not mean he was single. Brittany should know better.
Kayla glanced away, feeling on edge. She knew that her sister was a flirt, but she also understood that living with her mom and sisters and having no social life was not exactly fun for Brittany. She was a young vivacious girl, stuck in a backwater place.
But that’s how it had to be for now. In a year or two, if Paradise Cove turned a nice profit, Kayla would offer to buy her share out. Brit could take her money and follow her dreams. But she had to work here for this first year and contribute to the success of their business venture, as agreed upon by all.
“I’ll have that light beer,” Drew said. “But I can get it, you have other guests to attend to.” He smiled at Brittany and moved his arm away from her grasp.
She shrugged. “Whatever.”
Kayla, afraid the moment could get awkward, chimed in. “Have you two met Sean? He has the boat down at the dock, and loves to fish. He might be able to suggest the best places around here to catch what you’re
looking for.”
She nodded in Sean’s direction and catching her look, he waved his hand, inviting her over. “I’ll introduce you if you like.”
Leaving Brittany to fend for herself, she guided the two men over to where Sean sat with her mother. “Sean, this is Drew and his son Tom. They just checked into “Baited and Hooked” and that’s what they came here for. Three days of fishing. I thought you might be able to give them a heads up on all the best places.”
“Better yet,” Sean said. “I could take you there tomorrow morning. Five thirty good for you two?”
Tom made a face. “A.M. or P.M.?” he joked. “Sheesh man, we’re on vacation.”
“Problem is, the fish aren’t.” Sean glanced at Drew. “We could go later but we might not catch much.”
“How about six?” Drew asked, glancing from one to the other. “Will that work?”
“Fine by me. I’ll see you down at the dock, six sharp. Sara’s the name of my boat.”
Kayla watched him as he spoke the name, and was proud that he didn’t flinch. This was a major breakthrough for him, easing his way to a full recovery. She hoped. For her sake as much as his own. If he did stay for the entire three months he’d paid in advance, he might leave a different man, or he might not leave at all.
Her heart warmed at the thought, and she wished they were alone together right now so she could show him how proud she was, and how much she cared.
Instead she backed away. “Mom, I’m going to help Taylor with dinner. Can you take care of the guests yourself?”
“Certainly. It’s not like we have a crowd.” She waved her away. “Besides, I’ve got this good looking man here to help me.” She winked at Sean. “Off you go, dear. We’ll see you in a bit.”
Kayla said her goodbyes as she left the pool area, but she noticed Brittany sitting in a lounge chair by herself, sipping on another giant-size margarita. Her sis was clearly not happy, and this worried her.
She would try to have a conversation with her later and find a solution. Brittany needed someone to show her a good time. Paradise Cove might be Kayla’s destiny, the bridge to her troubled soul, but it wasn’t her sister’s. She was young and carefree, and needed a creative outlet which her dancing had provided. There was a world of excitement beyond the horizon, but for Brittany it wasn’t the shores of the Keys.
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