by Jean Oram
With his free hand, Evander thumbed away the wetness on her cheeks.
His voice was low and unsteady when he said, “I need to thank you, too.”
Daphne smiled with uncertainty, quirking her head. What could he possibly need to thank her for? An ulcer caused by her inability to listen to him?
He scooped both of her hands into his, and in the cool damp air, his body heat felt welcoming and familiar. Like something she never wanted to leave.
“You showed me that real life is still possible.”
“Of course it is,” she said softly.
“You gave me hope that I may still be capable of participating in it. That maybe I could be more than an ex-warrior.”
Her heart broke as she pulled her hands from his grip, cupping his face while trying to see inside him. How could a man like him ever make it through the things he’d been through? He had such a kind and caring soul that going to war should have torn him apart. She stroked the scars along the side of his face, ran a thumb along his eyebrow and another faint scar.
He rested his forehead against hers and she smiled. This was who they were, leaning against each other in ways the other didn’t understand or even realize. While she had thought that he was saving her, she had possibly been saving him. Fixing his broken spirit.
“So? Ready for the real test to see if you’re fixed?” she asked with a playful smile.
“I don’t know,” he said, with such seriousness she had to laugh.
“Is the glass half empty or half full?”
“You tell me.” He angled his lips over hers, drawing her in for a sweet kiss. He broke the kiss, watching her with heavy eyes, waiting for her to reply.
“It’s always been half-full in my books.” She slid her arms up over his shoulders, toying with the short hairs on the nape of his neck. He was so tall and broad it made her feel sexy and small and feminine. Wonderful.
“I’m starting to see it that way, too.”
“I knew I’d get to you.”
“Who says it was you?”
“Because love conquers all.”
“Yeah? And do you love me?” His voice was even, low.
“Yes,” she said playfully, realizing it was true, and that it felt good to have it out in the open. To admit to it. To claim it.
He kissed her hard, nothing held back. His large hands, which had been covering her shoulders, slipped to her back, drawing her so close she could feel his anticipation through his cargo pants. Letting out a soft moan, Daphne went up on her tiptoes so their mouths would stop breaking apart because of their height difference. Evander cupped her buttocks, pulling her up his body in a move so slow and sensual that by the time her legs were wrapped around his waist she was ready to shed clothes and get down to business.
“Let’s go somewhere more private,” he said, and she’d never heard a man suggest anything better in all her life.
CHAPTER 16
Daphne and Evander lay entwined in her cottage bedroom. Sighing against his bare chest, she smiled.
Destiny had come through for her just under the wire, with a man she’d never have expected but who couldn’t have been more perfect. And on her birthday, no less. He’d sneaked in like the trained man he was.
Resting her chin on a fist, she stared into his dark eyes. He tried to hold back a smile as he pushed a heavy hand through her curly hair, giving her tangles the most delicious tugs.
Being with Evander was like nothing she’d ever experienced. He was sweet and tender, yet insistent in all the ways a lover should be. He’d been almost bashful while undressing her in the small bedroom, yet reverent and sensual. He was the same man in the bedroom as outside of it. In control, caring and protective.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice almost breaking. He swallowed hard and pulled her head against his chest, breathing her in.
He was struggling with something.
“Let go,” she said, tipping her head up to meet him eye to eye. “I’ll catch you.”
“You already have.”
“Then let it out.”
He took a deep breath, then whispered, eyes shut tight, arms wrapped around her as though afraid she’d disappear with the words he spoke. “I love you, Daphne Summer. I love you so damned much it scares me more than being shot at.”
She laughed, her body rocking against his. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave any holes.”
“You’d better not.” He pulled her closer so he could kiss her, the bedsheets tangled around them. “I said I would protect you so you can change the world, Daphne. That’s a promise I intend to keep. In fact, I plan to talk to Finian, Connor, and Tristen to see if they’d like to go partners in a new venture I have planned.”
“What’s that?” She couldn’t see the other men wanting to be bodyguards, but then Evander had given Mistral that focused look of his when he had an idea and was about to make it happen.
“This woman I know—” Evander said.
“Hey, no mentioning other women in the bedroom!”
He caught her hands as she pretended to fight him. “It’s you! It’s you!” He laughed, and she’d never heard anything better in all her life.
He settled her and continued, “If the four of us can get the island, then maybe you would be interested in creating a place that is relaxing, teaches people about the environment, preserves our heritage, and maybe creates a new legacy within your family for a little girl who has snuck her way into my life and heart.”
“Are you talking about Baby Horseshoe Island?” Daphne sat up, not caring that her chest was exposed. Around him, it didn’t matter what she wore, he would always see through it to the real Daphne. The one she hadn’t felt strong enough to reveal to the world. To herself, even.
“It’s going to take a lot of time.” She had to take the job with Environment Canada, and needed to arrange for a signing bonus ASAP. It was Tuesday, and by Friday she had to have enough to pay the taxes on this place or it would be gone forever. Legacy ended.
“It will,” he admitted.
“We both have jobs.”
“True.”
“I never really wanted to work behind a desk, though.” She let out a sigh. She really wanted this. Badly. As soon as she had started telling Mistral the small dream all those years ago it had begun to feel real. And the hope was still there. The desire to make it happen.
The timing was off, though. She couldn’t have the cottage and build this island retreat.
The men didn’t even own the land yet.
But it felt so right. She couldn’t imagine saying no.
If the cottage is meant to stay with us, destiny will find a way. Wasn’t that what her mother always said?
Evander took her left hand, his large and warm around hers. “Will you be my partner?”
Although he was talking about the island, Daphne couldn’t help but feel as though he was asking for more than that.
And for the second time that day, she followed her heart.
“Yes, Evander. I will be your partner in anything that comes our way, and especially this. That is a promise.”
He smiled and swept her up into his arms. “How did I ever become so lucky to have you walk into my life?”
“You were special-ordered by destiny, sweetheart.”
Now all she had to do was hope destiny could save the cottage, too.
* * *
Evander was afraid. Things were so good with Daphne. Unexpected and entirely frightening. In war he’d had moments of fear, but was never afraid. He knew what his odds were. The other men were there of their own accord, had made their own peace with the fact that they might not come out alive.
But this was different. Daphne had the power to destroy what war had never been able to touch.
And he could break something here more precious than anything he’d ever been responsible for.
But he loved her. With all his might, and the hope and brightness he saw on his horizon was something so exciting it
nearly split him apart with the possibilities of what his future could be with Daphne at his side.
The past ten days had changed them both and that crushing weight that had been following him, pressing down hard on his chest, had lifted as though it had never been there.
He looked in the old cottage bathroom mirror and caught himself smiling. No, not smiling, grinning like a mad fool.
He was that man. That man in love who whistled everywhere he went, with a bounce in his step. He let out a chuckle at his turn in fate.
The Summer women said this place was enchanted, and for the first time, he believed. The force of love was something that could never be underestimated and he’d do everything in his power to nurture and protect it.
He lifted his face to the ceiling and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you for Daphne and a chance at living a real life.”
CHAPTER 17
Melanie burst onto the veranda, her fiancé, Tristen, in tow, the last couple to arrive as they said goodbye to the cottage before heading down to the tax office. Snacks and a pitcher of margaritas were set out, but nobody was diving into them.
“Mr. Valos from the municipality got arrested.”
The sisters and their men all whirled to gape at Melanie.
“He was taking money under the table.”
“No!” exclaimed Maya in disbelief.
“Of course he was,” Tristen said, slipping an arm around Melanie’s waist.
“Thank goodness. One less jerk to worry about in your life,” Evander said, cozying up behind Daphne to give her a kiss on the ear.
“You were worried about him?” she asked.
“Of course. He was part of the Aaron-Mistral mishap.”
“And Aaron Bloomwood is up on charges, too,” Melanie said.
“Mistral?” Daphne asked, and Evander’s grip tightened around her waist.
“Nope.” Melanie gave her a smile. “Although I heard through the grapevine that he’s officially no longer part of Rubicore.”
Connor raised his eyebrows at Evander, who slipped away from Daphne to stand with the other men.
“We have something to tell you all,” Evander said.
“We bought Baby Horseshoe Island,” Finian announced.
“What about your charity?” Hailey asked, her mouth hanging open. Finian had been supporting piles of charities back in his old neighborhood. How could he afford an island, when he barely fed himself half the time in order to make sure others in need got enough?
“I’m going to fly kids out to the camp to spend time in nature. What better way to make a difference in their lives? Daphne was telling me that time spent in nature reduces blood pressure, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and all sorts of other stuff.”
“The camp?” Melanie interrupted, hands clasped in front of her.
“I was talking to Polly Pollard, who’s on the camp board,” Tristen said, taking Melanie’s hands in his, “and she says they would be more than happy to reopen Camp Adaker on the island again.”
“I always liked Polly,” Maya said, pouring herself a margarita. She took a big sip and, wincing, gripped her forehead. “Ugh. Brain freeze.”
The sisters laughed, turning to see who was coming up the steps to join them.
“Simone!” They all got up to hug their friend, who had turned in her usual fashionista look for old cutoff jeans and a dinosaur T-shirt.
“What’s with the new look?”
“I was painting a few walls in my boutique.” She waved her checkbook in the air and the mood turned somber. “I brought money to save Trixie Hollow.”
Daphne checked her watch. “We have three hours until the tax office closes.”
She swallowed hard. She knew that she, for one, was short on the amount she needed to save the cottage from the tax sale. Turning down Environment Canada had felt like a relief, but it also meant she didn’t have a signing bonus to bring her to the amount she needed to cover the tax bill.
“Your money is no good here,” Hailey said crisply. “We made a deal among us.”
Melanie and Daphne shared a look. “Do you have enough?” Melanie whispered.
Daphne gave a minute shake of her head and Evander, at her side again, gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. He already knew she was short and wouldn’t accept a loan. How could she? She was a single mother starting a new eco-retreat venture with four billionaires. It wouldn’t be easy to pay him back.
But it had felt right, choosing Baby Horseshoe Island, even though it meant she might have to say goodbye to the cottage if destiny felt it was time to let the island go.
Trading one for the other.
Because the one thing she’d learned in her life was that you couldn’t have it all, and sometimes you had to make sacrifices to keep what was truly important.
Tears streaked down Daphne’s cheeks, and with one arm, Evander effortlessly pivoted her into his hold, cradling her.
“Please? Will you let me help?” he asked.
She shook her head. She wanted to nod, but he’d already done so much. Besides, she and her sisters had been clear when they made their pact last month. They had to do this on their own, because if they couldn’t do it now, how would they ever be able to keep doing it through all the years ahead? The cottage definitely wasn’t getting any younger, and its maintenance costs would go nowhere but up.
“How is my money no good?” Simone was saying. “You’ve let me use the place like I own it for years, but you won’t let me contribute to it? I say we take a vote.” Simone slapped her checkbook on the table and took a large gulp of Maya’s drink.
“I vote yes,” Melanie said, her back straight, her hand in the air. “All in favor?”
“We can’t change our minds. We made a deal,” Hailey said.
“Is that heritage claim stuff going to get us a tax break, Melanie?” Maya asked.
“We won’t hear back for a bit yet. But even if they say yes it won’t be an immediate tax break.”
Maya took a careful sip of her drink. “So getting a heritage-related tax break this year is out of the question.”
“Oh!” Melanie turned to the men. “You own Heritage Row now!” She wildly pointed across the water to where the old cottages stood.
Tristen nodded. “Yes. All of it.”
Melanie froze. “Are you going to—”
“Save Heritage Row? Don’t be ridiculous. Of course we are. My fiancée would have my head if I didn’t.” He grinned as she launched herself into his arms.
“Wait…back up a second,” Daphne said. “Rubicore really bought the Fredericksons’ cottage?”
“I told you they did,” Maya said, arms crossed.
“I thought you were speculating.”
Maya smiled modestly and shrugged. “I was.”
Connor explained, “Rubicore had just taken possession of their cottage, and seeing as we bought every stitch of land from them, it’s now ours. We own Heritage Row and Baby Horseshoe Island in its entirety. Even Camp Adaker. The island and everything on it has officially been saved.”
The sisters cheered, then slowly grew quiet.
“We’re going to lose Nymph Island if we don’t accept help from others,” Daphne said quietly, turning away from Evander’s broad chest and the aftershave she’d come to equate with love and security. “I vote yes to help. Simone is one of us. She’s a sister and we said sisters.” She whispered, “Sorry, Evander.”
He gave her a squeeze in reply.
Hailey blinked twice at Daphne’s response, then waited for Maya to vote.
“I don’t care one way or the other,” Maya stated.
Tigger came bouncing through. “I saw a chippie!” She crooked her finger at Evander, who dutifully lowered his head questioningly. The girl placed a noisy kiss on his cheek and then scuttled down the veranda steps. Evander, looking bashful and pleased, called out a warning about the rotten step.
“I know, Evander-dander!” Tigger called back.
“Help would be nice.”
Maya elbowed Connor in the ribs. “My boss here just spent all of his money on an island and won’t give me the size of advance I surely deserve for finding him wonderful new venture capital clients, so I’m in. I’d like to be able to eat between now and my next paycheck.”
“I bought that island for you. And it wasn’t all my money,” Connor said darkly. “Plus, if you’d let me help with the taxes this could all be resolved in five seconds.”
“No,” Maya said. “Haven’t you been listening? We don’t want to get behind again. It’s do or die. Not beg and borrow.”
“So it’s settled?” Simone asked Hailey.
Hailey froze for a moment, before stepping forward and embracing their friend in a massive hug. “It’s settled,” she said. “Pay up.”
Laughing and wiping tears from her eyes, Hailey said, her voice shaking, “Okay, let’s see if we have enough to save this place.”
The men looked solemn as the women counted what they had between them.
“Are you sure we can’t help?” Tristen asked quietly.
Melanie held her breath for a long moment, then slowly shook her head.
“We’re four dollars short.” Maya laughed, sitting back in an old wicker chair, hands on her knees.
The men shared a look and dug into their pockets.
“No,” the sisters said at once.
“I’m sure I have change in the ashtray in my car,” Maya said.
“In the couch,” Daphne said.
“I have four dollars,” said a small voice. Daphne turned to see Tigger watching them quietly.
“Do you, Tigger?”
“Yeah. The fairies won’t mind if I take their decorations. It’s to save their island!” She dashed off and the sisters looked at each other.
Destiny.
You just never knew what she was going to pull out of her hat next.
* * *
Daphne stood beside her sisters, Simone, and Tigger in front of the municipal tax office.
“Shall we?” Maya asked.
Daphne turned back to where Evander was waiting, leaning against his truck. He smiled and nodded. He was at ease, an entirely different man than he’d been only days ago.