Resort to Love

by Priscilla Oliveras

  “Smart guess.”

  “It was only because we didn’t want to get your hopes up. We waited until he’d gotten the green light, but it took longer than we anticipated.”

  She tipped her head to acknowledge his reasoning.

  “And me...” Nate eyed her speculatively. “I’m wondering why and how you never told me what my father did.”

  No accusation, only genuine interest and admiration laced his words.

  Sofía rested her forearms on the white cloth, relieved to finally talk about something that had eaten away at her for years. “Like I said, what I think about your dad is one thing, and I purposefully chose not to be around him. If you recall, the few times you invited me to an event where he might be, I had an excuse why I couldn’t go.”

  Nate’s face crumbled in disappointment. “I hate that I never realized that.”

  “You weren’t supposed to. Not from me, anyway. He’s your papi.”

  “No.” Nate waved off her words. “There’s a big difference between my father and yours, Sof. No comparison at all. You should know I quit the company tonight.”

  “What? No! Nate, please don’t do that.” She lunged across the table to cover his hands with hers.

  “It was time. I should have done it years ago. I’m not cutting ties with my family. You’ve taught me plenty of things, and one of them is the value of family. Familia.”

  She stayed where she was, elbows digging into the hard surface, unwilling to let go of him. Praying their connection helped him deal with the hurt his decision must have caused him.

  “My dad and I have issues to work out. For instance, I made it crystal clear that he is never to say or do anything to cause you distress again. And while I doubt we’ll ever see many issues eye to eye, I’m certain he’ll never respect me as long as I’m working under his thumb. I’ve made a lot of mistakes trying to please him. Not anymore. It’s a good idea for me to start something new, something of my own. Or even better, something of ours.”

  The honesty and the love she saw reflected in his eyes was a one-two kick-punch combination to her heart, demolishing the flimsy wall she’d erected over the past two years.

  “I recognize how important it is for you to be an equal partner in the resort. My hope is that you can recognize how much it means for me to be a part of your life. Part of your familia. Sal took all your paperwork into his bank. They’re willing to give you a loan for a third of what’s needed for the resort.”

  “What?” The word escaped from her on a rush of disbelief, and she sagged back onto her seat.

  Nate slid off his bench, quickly moving around to straddle the one on her side.

  “I don’t...I don’t know what to say,” she stammered.

  “Say yes. We’ll be three equal partners. And maybe down the road, you and I can slowly buy out Sal’s portion, if we want, when we’re ready. Until you and I are invested fifty-fifty.”

  “Are you sure?” Her mind grappled with the very real, absolutely amazing idea of her and Nate co-owning Paradise Key Resort. Running it together. The place where everything had started for them.

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Nate tucked a lock of hair that had escaped her ponytail behind her ear, sliding his hand down to cup her cheek. “I already shared how I feel about you, Sof. I love you. I have since that first time we sat here, eating Angelino’s and sipping fake champagne. Only, I’ve been too scared to tell you. Afraid you couldn’t love me as much as I love you and I’d wind up getting hurt, like my mom with my dad. But not telling you how I felt, how I feel, that hurts more.”

  “Oh, Nate,” she murmured, shame over her own inability to share her emotions overwhelming her. Pride having kept her from doing so. “I’m the idiot.”

  Her eyes burned with tears, and she buried her face on his shoulder.

  “Hey, what are you talking about?” He cupped her nape, his other arm coming around to hug her. “You’re probably the smartest person I know. Though I’m betting Sal would wanna lay claim to that title. But you’re definitely the most determined.”

  She laughed, amazed that even in midst of his declaration, he could make a joke to lighten her mood.

  Straightening to sit tall facing him, Sofía grabbed a hold of Nate’s waist. Doing so grounded her. He grounded her. Made her feel unstoppable. With him by her side, as her equal partner, they’d conquer any doubts that fear or pride tried to put in their way. Together.

  “What I said to your dad earlier, about you?” She paused, waiting for him to recall their conversation. “I meant every word of it. You’re amazing at what you do. More than that, you’re one of the most caring, generous men I know.” Her fingers curled around his belt loops, anchoring herself to him. “If we’re talking about who was afraid to reveal their true feelings, afraid of getting hurt, add me to that list. I love you, Nate. So much it aches in my heart.” She placed a hand on her chest, emotion welling when he rested his gently on top of hers.

  “So yes,” she continued. “I want to be your partner. In the resort, but more importantly, in life.”

  Nate’s eyes fluttered closed on her last words, as if he was letting them sink in, afraid to believe her.

  Sofía sat forward, bringing her lips a breath away from his. “I love you, Nathan Patrick Hamilton, III. I always have. I always will.”

  She pressed her lips to his in a whisper-soft kiss. It spoke of tender feelings and promise. Of deep devotion. Of love.

  Nate dropped his forehead to rest against hers and they shared a quiet moment, humbled by their self-revelations.

  A seagull’s cry pierced the air. Off in the distance, a boat motored by.

  “Speaking of the way you put my father in his place.” Nate waggled his brows, his lips curving in a wicked grin. “You were pretty bad ass in there. It was actually kinda sexy.”

  He laughed when she swatted his arm.

  “This calls for a celebration, you think?” He pulled the champagne from its ice bucket, then made short work of unwrapping the bottle and popping the cork. After filling two flutes, he handed one to her.

  “To the resort.” He raised his glass in a toast.

  “To our partnership.” Sofía clinked her flute against his.

  “To our love.”

  She smiled, a sense of peace reaching deep into her soul. “To our love.”

  This toast they sealed with a kiss.

  One that took her back to the first night she and Nate had walked the shore, hand in hand in front of Paradise Key Resort. Now their resort. A place where their familia would grow and flourish, safe in the shelter of their love.

  Epilogue

  “Are you sure you do not want another serving?”

  Nate patted his belly, smiling his gratitude at Sofía’s mami as she reached for his empty dinner plate.

  “No gracias, I’m stuffed already.” He pushed his chair back to stand. “But you and Tía Mili cooked, so I’ll help with the dishes.”

  “Nonsense, mi amor. Tonight is a celebration for you and our Sofía. We are so proud of you two. The new owners of Paradise Key Resort. Sounds maravilloso, no?”

  “Marvelous is the perfect word, Mami.” Seated beside him, Sofía covered his hand with hers on top of the dining room table at Tía Mili’s condo. Puckering her lips, she pressed against his side, angling for a quick peck. A request he easily granted.

  Anything she asked, he would give her.

  “Ay, so sweet,” Tía Mili teased from the kitchen where she’d started putting away some of the leftovers.

  The comfortable sense of belonging wrapped Nate in a soothing cloak. He leaned into Sofía, pleasure filling him at the absolute rightness in his world.

  Her parents had driven up from Miami to share in the special day. Mami and Tía Mili spent most the afternoon cooking while Papi had read the paper and taken care of any heavy lifting or last-minute runs to the grocery store.

  All that had taken place while Nate and Sofía sat in an office
in the town hall signing the official paperwork for the resort sale. Sal had sent his power of attorney, so it was just the two of them. Exactly as Nate envisioned it being someday soon.

  Afterwards, they’d returned here to join the familia for the tastiest dinner Nate had eaten in ages. Puerto Rican pork roast, pigeon pea rice, and fried plantains, with fresh slices of avocado garnishing their plates. Sofía was right. If they kept eating like this, they’d both have to up their run miles.

  Or find another fun way to work off some extra calories.

  “Well, if you don’t mind, I thought Sofía and I might take a walk to the resort before dessert?” Nate said to the room in general.

  He caught Sofía’s papi’s gaze, a silent assent passing from the older man to him. The exchange calmed Nate’s jittery nerves, assuring him that he was making the right move.

  “Of course, go enjoy the sunset,” Sofía’s mom answered. “We will be here waiting for you when you return.”

  “Gracias, Mami. Tía, as always, it was delicious.” Sofía hurried to press a kiss to the other two women’s cheeks, rounding out the good-byes with a hug for her dad.

  As was their tradition, her father clapped hands with Nate, tugging him in for a hug as well. It was a new sensation, this expression of mutual affection between all familia members. One he found himself enjoying.

  Sofía waited for him near the front door, her hair loose, a dark curtain in contrast to her bright yellow sundress. “You ready?”

  Her sweet smile, the happiness coloring her cheeks and lighting her hazel eyes filled his soul with joy.

  He was more than ready.

  “We won’t be long,” he called to her family. “Just a quick look around, maybe a short walk along the beach.”

  “Go, go.” Her papi waved them off. “Dios los bendiga.”

  God bless them. In Nate’s opinion, he certainly felt like they had been blessed.

  Even his own dad had joined in the well wishes today, sending Nate a cryptic text earlier.

  Make sure you review all the terms. I’m proud of you.

  After a final wave good-bye to her parents and tía, Nate and Sofía headed out, taking the stairs outside, hand in hand.

  “Nate, what’s the rush? I thought you wanted to do a walk-through of the property?” Sofía scrambled to keep up with him as he practically dragged her through the resort’s empty lobby area.

  “I want us to catch the sunset before it’s gone. We can do a walk-through later.”

  They reached the glass doors leading to the pool area, and Nate fumbled with the lock. He frowned, cursing under his breath at the key.

  Sofía put a hand on his back, hoping it might calm whatever had brought on his anxiety somewhere between the condo and here. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s all good.” He flashed her a grin, but before he glanced back at the padlock, she could have sworn she caught a hint of concern in his green eyes. Whatever it was, she’d have to dig it out of him.

  “Finally.” The lock slid open, and Nate pushed open the doors. “Come on. Let’s hurry.”

  Outside, he led her past the drained pool and the area that had been the old Tiki Hut restaurant, making a beeline for the walkway leading to the beach area.

  The sky ahead resembled a watercolor palette of blues, purples, and oranges smeared across nature’s canvas until it met the glistening ocean. At the end of the walkway, they came to stop so they could slip off their shoes. Nate placed his Sperrys alongside her tan strappy sandals on the cement edge. She marveled at the sight of them side by side. His and hers.

  Her heart fluttered at the silly thought. She and Nate were far from talk like that, but a girl could dream.

  “Here. Yeah, this one. I think.” Nate hurried over to a shady palm tree off to the right. Hands on his hips, he eyed the tree from top to bottom. He leaned to the side, peering at the resort behind them, before straightening to stare at the tree again.

  “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?” she asked, stymied by his strange behavior.

  Nate shook his head, his face actually flushing as if he were embarrassed. “I’m fine. Probably a little crazy, so you should heed that as a warning.”

  He winked playfully, but his words still didn’t make sense.

  “Okay.” The word rushed out of him on a heavy breath as he slapped his hands together. “I’m pretty sure this is it.”

  “What’s it?” she asked, cocking her head in question.

  “The tree. Our palm tree.”

  “Our palm tree?” she asked, more and more certain that at some point along their walk, this darling man she loved had lost a screw.

  Nate laughed. “I was kidding before. I’m not going crazy, so you can stop looking so worried.”

  “And yet, you claim this as our palm tree.” Sofía tried, yet she knew she didn’t quite hide her doubt.

  “I need you to go with me on this, since there is a method to my madness. It started with a floral sheet you brought from Tía Mili’s. We laid it out right here.” He spread his hands to indicate the sandy area at the base of the palm tree. “Dinner consisted of chicken fingers and fries, courtesy of the Tiki Hut when you finished your shift.”

  “Drinks were ice cold, fresh-squeezed lemonade from the Deli, because you knew it was my favorite,” Sofía finished, setting the stage for their first Paradise Key sunset picnic together.

  Nate smiled. For the first time since they’d stepped onto the resort property, his shoulders relaxed. Though she still caught a hint of nervousness in his expression.

  “Exactly,” he answered. “That night, I knew. I mean, we were so young I’m sure I brushed it aside. But the adult me, if I could go back and give the sixteen-year-old me one piece of advice, it would be, ‘Trust your gut, kid, it’s leading you the right way. She’s a keeper.’”

  Tears filled Sofía’s eyes at his words.

  “Good advice,” she murmured.

  “Yeah, it’s one I plan to take, if you’ll let me.” Reaching into his pants pocket, Nate got down on one knee.

  Sofía sucked in a sharp breath. She reached out to him, then anxiously pulled her hands back, balling them in fists at her chest, suddenly overcome with nerves herself. Afraid this wasn’t real. Praying it was.

  “Sofía, you are and always have been the love of my life. You’ve taught me what it means to have a best friend, a confidante, a lover, an everything. That’s what you are to me.”

  He withdrew a small black felt box, opening it to reveal a glistening Tiffany & Co cushion-cut diamond engagement ring. It sparkled in the setting sunlight as if beckoning her to say yes to a question he had yet to ask.

  “Oh Nate,” she whispered, overcome with emotion.

  Hands pressed together as if in prayer, Sofía brought them to her lips. Dios mío, this couldn’t be happening. In her wildest dreams, she had imagined, but never...

  “There was a time when we lived by a silly ‘no-strings-attached’ rule,” Nate told her, his voice strong and sure. No sign of his earlier nerves. It was like they’d jumped from him to her, and now bounced around inside her chest making her heart race.

  “I don’t want that anymore. I want all the strings that you’ve wrapped around my heart tied in double and triple knots. So I’m asking you, Sofía Milagros Vargas, will you be my wife? My partner? My soulmate? Today and always.”

  Sofía sank onto her knees in front of him, a sob tearing from her chest. “Yes! Most definitely yes!”

  Throwing her arms around his neck, she confirmed her response with a kiss meant to curl his toes and leave no doubt about her intentions. She heard the little box snap shut, then Nate enveloped her in his strong arms, deepening their kiss.

  “I love you, Sofía,” he murmured in between nips of her lips, her neck.

  “I love you more,” she answered.

  His chuckle tickled her throat as he nuzzled her, before capturing her lips once more.

  With the setting sun behind them on one side and t
heir beloved resort on the other, Sofía reveled in the sense of peace curling around her heart, cementing their love, and the promise of forever in their shared embrace.

  The End

  The Paradise Key Series

  After the sudden death of one of their friends, four single women who spent their summers at a beachside resort with their families return. The place they loved when they were young is falling apart, as are the lives of the four women. They each have their own reasons for returning, and their own secrets to keep. But as they bond together to restore a bit of their past, they find love in the beachside town, and the happiness they have sought all their lives.

  Book 1: Summer Love: Take Two by Shirley Jump

  Book 2: Love at the Beach Shop by Kyra Jacobs

  Book 3: Resort to Love by Priscilla Oliveras

  Book 4: Small Town Love by Susan Meier

  Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from

  Small Town Love

  Book 4 in the Paradise Key Series

  Susan Meier

  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had a heartbeat.

  Evelyn Barclay felt the pulse as she walked up the street to the Shutto Building, home of the offices of WKPP where she did a daily talk show. Taxi, bus, and car engines purred. High heels clicked. Conversations ebbed and flowed around her, as people bobbed along the sidewalk.

  A few feet from her destination, she began inching to the right, easing out of the muddle of nine-to-fivers and into the cocooned doorway of her building. One quick push on the revolving door set it in motion. In three steps, she was in the lobby, waiting for an elevator with another group of people, this one quieter and impatient to get to their offices. The elevator came, she piled in, and the car began to ascend.

  The woman beside her gave her a puzzled look, then her expression turned to one of recognition. Evelyn smiled at her. As the on-air talent for Philadelphia’s biggest talk show, she was on Live at Noon five days a week. Her picture decorated the sides of buses and the backs of park benches.