“Nothing important,” she answered lightly. Afraid that Kayla would look too deep and see beyond her bright smile, she moved on to greet her mom, Juanita and to plant a big kiss on Meri, who squealed with delight.
Ignoring Colt, she chatted happily with Juanita and Raul, and leafed through a picture book with Meri, who tried to identify the farm animals. “Moo, the cow says.” Taylor helped Meri pronounce the words, and didn’t look up when Colt left the room. She hoped he got the message—loud and clear. She didn’t need him. She didn’t need anybody. She had everyone she loved right here.
* * *
While Taylor played with the baby, Colt joined Sean who was sitting in the great room watching the news station on his sixty inch TV. He was unshaven, wearing baggy running shorts and a Miami Heat t-shirt.
“What’s the latest?” Colt asked, sitting in one of the two sofas.
“Hi Colt. Glad you both got some sense in your heads. You never know with these things. They can change on a dime. Right now the winds are at 70 miles an hour. It made landfall in the Bahamas yesterday as a cat two, and that weakened it some. Now it’s picking up again.”
“Damn.” Colt ran his hand through his hair. “Those poor folks haven’t yet recovered from Hurricane Joachim. That monster took out several of the smaller islands. People were evacuated, others stranded, and left without fresh water and food for days. Just doesn’t seem right to be hit again so soon.”
“I remember.”
“So what happens at the hospital during all this? Just a watch and see?”
“Pretty much. Some patients may be moved, but basically the hospital has every emergency backup possible, so it’s business as usual.”
“And you? On call?”
“I visited my patients this morning, and hopefully they won’t need me tonight.” He stood up. “You want anything? Coffee? A beer?”
“I might take that beer. But I’ll check and see if Taylor wants anything first.” He glanced at Sean. A handsome man, early forties, successful cardiac surgeon—and someone who’d come back from unbearable pain. Colt didn’t know how he could ever get up in the morning if something happened to Jamie.
“Not sure if I made the right decision by saying we should come here. There never seems to be a right answer with women.”
Sean chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth.”
Colt entered the kitchen area and found Taylor sitting around the table teaching Raul how to play checkers. He took a seat beside the boy, wondering what his own son was doing right now. Would his mother or sister be playing games with him, or leave the boy with an iPad to amuse himself? Latter, probably. They never knew what to say to him, and the iPad was an easy solution. Jamie loved it, since he didn’t have one. Win-win.
Kayla brought out sandwiches and a large bowl of sliced fruit and told everyone to help themselves. Colt stood—hoping to make amends for whatever he’d done to piss Taylor off—and offered to get her a plate.
“I’m fine,” she told him in a snappish tone of voice. One he’d rarely heard her use. “You help yourself. I’ll get something later.”
Stepping behind her, he put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked quietly. “Should I apologize for something?”
She twisted her head and shot him a look. “Like what?”
“Like I don’t know.”
“Well, in that case, you didn’t.” She shrugged his hands off. “Don’t worry about me.”
“What does that mean?”
“Figure it out.”
Raul looked from one to the other. “Are you guys fighting?” He pushed the checkerboard away. “I thought you liked each other. I want you to be friends.”
“We are friends,” Taylor said. “That’s what we are.”
“Good friends,” Colt added, hoping for a smile from his favorite girl.
She didn’t give him one. “Yes.” She picked up Raul’s hand. “Like you and me.”
“Taylor…” Colt sweetened his voice, “would you like to step out for a moment. Could we talk?”
“Out? Like outside? It’s a torrential downfall in case you didn’t notice. And the winds must be about ninety miles an hour. You want to drown me or something?”
“I want to find out what the hell is going on in that head of yours. I came here to make you happy and all you’ve given me is grief!” He had raised his voice, and when he looked around he could see everyone was quiet. Her family was staring at them—shaking their heads and whispering together.
He’d blown it for sure. Up a creek without a damn paddle.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Taylor watched Colt storm off into the living room and bit back tears. Kayla came over to her and sat down at the chair he’d vacated. “Want to talk, honey?”
“No. Not now. Still processing it.” She kept her eyes averted. “After a great night, this morning he jumped on the opportunity to come here instead of remaining alone at the cabin with me.” Her voice broke and she covered her mouth.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Kayla put her hand over hers. “I’m sure you misunderstood his intentions.”
“Maybe. I’m just not sure. I mean, I knew it wasn’t going to last forever, but I wanted one last night.”
Blinking back tears, she fled the room, and went to wash her face in the guest powder room. Her mother knocked on the door. “You okay, honey-bunch? You want me to have a word with Colt?”
“No. It’s fine,” she mumbled, unable to talk about it. Last thing she needed was a total meltdown. Maybe Kayla was right. Maybe he hadn’t been eager to leave the cabin either. Made sense. How many men would pass up an opportunity for free sex?
“It’s just something Colt and I have to work through,” she added.
“Okay, dear. But if you want me to intercede, happy to do so.”
“No. I’ll be out in a minute.” She left the bathroom and found Colt sitting alone next to the TV. Everyone else was in the kitchen having their sandwiches and giving them some space.
“I’m sorry,” she said, sitting next to him.
“For what?” he asked, not looking at her. “Do you even know why you were mad?”
“Of course. Don’t you?”
“No. What the hell did I do to set you off?”
“You wanted to come here, instead of spending another night with me alone.”
“That’s what you think?” He shifted so he could look at her.
“That’s what I know. I gave you every opportunity back at the cabin to tell Miguel no. That we were staying. But you didn’t…” her voice broke.
“Are you crazy? You’d think I’d choose this over making love to you right now? We still had half a box left.”
She laughed, tears coming to her eyes. He took her into his arms and kissed her, swiping the pad of his thumb over her cheeks to dry them.
“You know that I’m crazy about you.”
“Likewise.” She put her head on his shoulder, knowing that everything now would be all right. The world outside might not agree, but in her heart she was happy. Jumping to the conclusion she did had been so silly. But she was vulnerable and inexperienced when it came to men. She’d never doubt him again.
Taylor went with Colt into the kitchen, hand in hand, and everyone gave them a warm smile, accepting whatever had gone down before. She refused to linger in embarrassment, and fixed a plate for herself and one for Colt. He grabbed them each a light beer and then they ate, hip to hip, at the counter. When they were through, Taylor brought out the Monopoly board.
Her mother moaned. “No. Please. It takes forever.”
“Exactly. All the more reason to play it,” Taylor answered. “Come on, everyone. This will occupy our time, and give us something to do together.”
“I’m in,” Miguel said. His wife nodded, and Raul jumped to the table too.
Colt patiently explained the game to the three of them, and Taylor could see the excitement in their eyes. She was so pleased that sh
e had thought of it—if for no better reason than to take their mind off the approaching storm.
Juanita caught on quickly, rushing to buy real estate. Kayla was the banker, and Anna was the Queen of the Railroads, getting all four pieces. Taylor didn’t mind going bankrupt first, as it allowed her to watch them all and cheer as Raul bought Boardwalk. She was constantly amazed—in a good way—by this delightful Cuban family. Seeing their joy in this old board game made her heart feel light, even though the sky was getting darker as the wind howled outside.
A gust rushed against the patio doors and they shuddered inward from the force of the wind. The windows were being pelted with heavy rain, and they could hear it beating on the roof and against the frame of the house. Lights flickered and Sean, who had lost all his money and was out of the game right after her, got the lanterns ready.
Raul looked up, his eyes wide, and Colt handed him the dice. For a little while longer they could concentrate on winning Boardwalk instead of the dangers of the storm.
“Did you know that this game originated in 1903?” Colt asked. “My father told me that it was created to show people that the accumulation of wealth should be rewarded.” He took a slug from his water bottle, then wiped his mouth. He continued his history lesson as the kitchen window shook. “As you buy up property and put up your hotels and homes, you then charge rent and force people into bankruptcy. You win by having more than anyone else, by being powerful. This is a Monopoly, real world style.”
“Why that’s terrible,” Taylor said. “I didn’t think of it that way.” She was intrigued by the fact his father had educated him with this piece of knowledge. What else had his father taught him?
“Like Cuba,” Miguel said, rolling the dice. A four and a two. “The important people own everything. The economy is controlled by the government, not the people.” He landed on his property and handed the dice to Anna.
“I own Boardwalk,” Raul said proudly. “Does that make me rich and important?”
“What makes you rich and important, my son,” Miguel said fondly, “is your love for your family, and your values. If you work hard and lead a good life, you will be a wealthy and powerful man. Your wealth comes from your family. They are what matters.”
Colt stood up suddenly, almost knocking the board over. “Taylor, will you take my place for a sec? I’m going to make a few calls. Want to check on Jamie. Carry on without me.”
Taylor watched him leave, wondering what part of that conversation had driven him away. Wealth, or family? Although she felt closer to him than any man she ever knew, he was still a stranger. He hid part of himself away and didn’t share it with anyone. If they were ever going to make it as a team, he would have to open up and expose his real self.
Juanita rolled doubles, but then landed in jail. She passed the dice to Kayla. She tossed a ten, and landed on Boardwalk, giving all of her money to Raul—but then she was out of the game. “Your turn, Tay,” she said.
Loving a shell of a man would never cut it. Not with her. There were no secrets in her family. Nothing too sacred to share. Every one of them had the other’s back, and would stand by them regardless of what they’d done, or had not. She rolled for a total of seven, squeaking by for Colt.
And she was an all or nothing girl. When she chose a partner, she would give everything of herself and demand the same thing back.
They went around the board one more time, and the game was between Anna and Raul—her mom’s railroads didn’t stand a chance.
Raul high-fived his dad. “I won!”
“In America, anything is possible,” Juanita said.
Colt returned ten minutes later. “Jamie’s good. Called the marina, but nobody picked up. Guess I shouldn’t have expected them to,” he said. Deep crevices lined his mouth, and worry fanned his brow.
“You worried about your boat?” she asked.
“Shouldn’t be. She’s protected, but still. Got a lot invested in her.” He glanced toward the windows. “Sean’s watching the storm tracker, and we’re about to be hit the hardest, according to the chart. Let’s move into the living room, away from the windows.” After that things got crazy outside.
Not having been in this situation before, Taylor wasn’t sure how well the cottages would hold up, and she knew her mother was concerned too. Taylor comforted Anna the best she could, but it was out of their control and at the hands of Mother Nature.
Meri was terrified by the noise and sobbed in her mother’s arms—it was heart-breaking to watch. Raul tried to act manly, but he inched up close to his father. Miguel put his arm across Raul’s shoulders. Kayla sat next to Sean on the couch, their hands entwined as their new home rattled around them. Two hours into the relentless pounding of the storm, Taylor couldn’t take another minute of it, and went into one of the spare bedrooms. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes—and prayed for everyone’s safety, and for Paradise Cove.
A little while later, Colt entered and lay next to her. He took her in his arms, and she cuddled into him, her head on his chest. Being with him helped ease her worries. He seemed so solid and safe, and she knew he’d do anything to protect her. Not that she was worried about herself or her family, it was her resort and everyone else that she knew with families in the area, and businesses to protect.
“Colt?”
“Hmm?” He stroked her arm, and his tender touch soothed her.
“What do you think is happening out there? My cafe? Do you think it’s still standing?”
“I’m pretty sure it is. A category one can be pretty damn scary, but it usually doesn’t do that much damage. Makes a heck of a mess, and the landscaping will take a beating, but it shouldn’t knock down your cabins or the cafe.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am.” He said it with a soft chuckle, and she put a hand on his chest, enjoying the warmth of him, and the fact they were in this together.
“You were right about a few things last night,” she whispered, remembering how hot they’d been for each other. “I’m sorry I acted like a jerk this morning,” she said, wondering what was going to happen to them now.
“What was I right about?” He stroked her cheek.
“Well, you are a really good kisser. And we were pretty darn great together. And I feel like we can still be friends. Sex doesn’t have to ruin anything between us, right?”
“Right. I think it makes our friendship,” he made a mockery of the word, “all the more special. I care about you a lot, Taylor. I’d happily give up other women for you.”
“Why would you do that?” She raised herself on her elbow to look at him. “That would be silly. It’s not like this changes anything between us. We just acted on impulse.”
“Is that what it was?” he asked slowly, his hand slipping down to the curve of her ass.
“Kind of. It was impulsive, and I’m usually not like that. But I don’t regret it. Not at all. I’m happy we did it.”
“Which time?”
She sucked in a breath. “What do you mean?”
“Are you happy you did it the first time, the second, the third, or early this morning? Which time was impulsive?”
“Why are you asking me this?”
“Just curious. I’m feeling a little impulsive right now. If the family wasn’t outside this room I might want to try for a fifth. Bet I could score a home run.”
“Now you’re the one being a jerk.”
“Taylor. I’m serious about giving up other women. Just because I don’t plan on getting married anytime soon, doesn’t mean I can’t date one steady girl, does it?”
She didn’t answer. Being Colt’s steady girl had never occurred to her. Neither had making love to him all night long. She had enjoyed the second part—a lot—but what would being his steady girl mean? How often would they be doing what they did? Two or three times a week? After all, he had his son the other nights, so weekends then. Hmmm. Possibly doable. Certainly exciting. She’d have to think more on that.<
br />
“Did you fall asleep or are you going to answer?” He sounded annoyed.
“I’m thinking.” She closed her eyes, trying to imagine her life with Colt as a lover instead of a friend. She couldn’t. She had so much going on with the cafe and the resort that the idea of making love as a steady diet sounded—well, exhilarating but equally exhausting. When would she ever get any rest? Or alone time? She’d be with customers and people all day long. She’d never be alone again.
Colt was still beside her, but no longer touching. She wasn’t sure what to make of that, so she pretended to sleep.
What seemed a lifetime later, the awful noises and shuddering of the walls began to subside. The storm had done its worst and moved away.
Colt sat up. “It’s over, Taylor. At least for now. I’ve seen a hurricane change direction and come back, but I don’t expect this one will.”
She lifted her face and looked at him. “Thank you for being here. I don’t think I could have handled it, if not for you.”
“Sure you could.” He kissed her lips softly. “You’re one of the strongest, bravest women I know.” He kissed her again. Gentle, warm, friendly. He was wise enough to know that this was the time for comfort, not passion. “I hope my suggestion didn’t frighten you off.” He caressed her cheek with the palm of his hand. “I’ll always be here for you. As long as you want me.”
She gave him a small smile, her heart fluttering. “I want you.”
He sat up in bed, and pulled her with him. “Let’s go check on the others.”
Everyone was gathered in the great room, Meri in her mother’s lap, Raul glued to his father. When Colt and Taylor returned, their worried looks turned to smiles.
“You both okay?” Anna asked.
“We are now,” Colt answered, holding Taylor’s hand.
“Si. Storm is gone. Life is good,” Miguel said, and nodded at Colt, accepting their relationship for whatever it was. “How about you and I go take a look around?”
“I’ll get us some flashlights. Hold on a minute.” Sean took off and returned with wet gear for the three of them and lanterns. “We won’t be long,” he said to the others. “Probably won’t see much anyway.”
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