Stranded in Paradise (The Blake Boys Book 13)

by Rhonda Laurel

  He picked up the resort brochure off the table and leafed through it. The all-inclusive resort boasted luxurious private bungalows, breathtaking ocean views, and five-star restaurants. He stopped at the pictures of the club scene. There were nightly parties where the guests got to mingle.

  The intercom buzzed. It was Tyler, and he was right on time.

  Jared let him in and closed the door. “Hey man, thanks for the ride to the airport.”

  “Not a problem. I promised Morgan I would get you to the airport safe and sound and without incident. You cannot change your mind whether you like it or not.”

  “At least she didn’t come to Philly to make sure I got on the plane.”

  Tyler laughed. “No, but she almost sent Sam with her tranquilizer gun. The last time I had a plane ride with her I was drugged and woke up in Denver.”

  “Sam is an awesomely scary badass, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah. We had some good times before she married J.J.” Tyler grinned.

  “Well you can tell Morgan and her co-conspirators that I happily went off to paradise. That should give me a reprieve on any future matchmaking attempts.”

  Tyler took a seat on the couch. “I never understood what the problem was being set up with Autumn. She’s beautiful, hot, and successful.”

  “The ladies have this grand fantasy about how she and I would be this amazing couple. We don’t know anything about each other. What if there’s no chemistry? What would happen if we went out and hated each other’s guts? Talk about awkward family dinners.”

  “I hear you. That would be a lot of pressure.” Tyler smiled.

  Jared smiled back. “I guess we better get going.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “Can you get that for me?” Jared asked. “I left a book I’m taking in my bedroom. It’s probably my neighbor across the hall.” Jared pointed to a box on the floor next to the umbrella stand. “I signed for a package of his the other day and he said he’d pick it up before I left.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Jared rushed upstairs to his bedroom looking for the spy novel he’d bought at Morgan and Michelle’s bookstore the other day. He did another once-over in the bathroom and headed back downstairs. He could hear Tyler talking to someone who was laughing incessantly at some joke he’d told. The laughed sounded familiar. When he descended the staircase, he saw his ex-wife, Taylor. Tyler turned around when Jared reached the bottom and waggled his eyebrows at him. Boy was he in trouble if this got out.

  “Taylor, what are you doing here?”

  “I thought I’d give you a ride to the airport so we could talk some more before you left.” Taylor dug her hands deeper into the pockets of the stylish half trench coat she was wearing. A telltale sign she was nervous.

  Jared cleared his throat. “I see you’ve met my brother-in-law, Tyler.”

  “Yes, I called him Seth like an idiot.” She turned back to Tyler. “Sorry about that. You’re a dead ringer for your brother.”

  Tyler waved it off. “No worries. There are worse things than being mistaken for a four-time Super Bowl champ.”

  “Oh! Wait a minute, you’re the race car driver who likes to play with his food.” She laughed.

  “Guilty. I love a good food fight.” Tyler grinned and turned back to Jared. “So Jared, looks like you don’t need my transportation services after all today?”

  “I guess not,” Jared said reluctantly.

  Taylor extended her hand. “It was so nice to meet you, Tyler.”

  He shook her hand with a wide smile. “I can’t tell you how illuminating it’s been to meet you.”

  “I’m going to walk Tyler out,” Jared said to her. “Why don’t you get something to drink in the kitchen?”

  “Sure.” She smiled and went into the kitchen.

  Jared grimaced as Tyler walked toward the door like the cat that swallowed the canary. It didn’t take a psychic to know that as soon as he was on the other side of the door he would call his wife Michelle and the family phone tree from hell would commence. Jared had to get in front of the gossip mill and he was willing to resort to bribery if necessary.

  Jared plastered on a smile but lowered his voice. “I beg of you. Please don’t tell anyone about Taylor being here.”

  “Why do you think I’d tell?”

  “You have the worst tells in the world. Why do you think I like to play poker with you?”

  “You have to admit, this is salacious news.”

  Jared gave him a quizzical look. “Salacious?”

  “Michelle bought me a sexy word-of-the-day calendar for my birthday.” Tyler shrugged. “I have to tell Michelle. We don’t keep secrets.”

  “So you’re bailing on the bro code?”

  “The bro code isn’t worth sleeping on the couch for a month because I kept one of your secrets, which happens to be pretty big,” Tyler huffed. “Sorry, this is too good to pass up. I will call her as soon as I can get my butt behind the wheel of my SUV.”

  “No!” Jared grabbed him by the shoulders. “You cannot tell Michelle. She’ll call Morgan, and I’ll be up to my eyeballs in text messages and phone calls before I board the plane. I’m trying to get away from the family drama and away from Taylor and go on this vacation.”

  “What exactly is going on?” Tyler looked over toward the kitchen. “Why the surprise visit?”

  He knew it wasn’t a good idea to tell Tyler, but maybe he could buy himself some time. “I’ll explain, but only if you hold off on telling Michelle.”

  Tyler looked at him dubiously. “This better be good.”

  “Taylor asked me if I would consider having a baby with her.”

  “Really?” Tyler raised an eyebrow. “You two still having breakup sex?”

  “No, we haven’t been intimate since we separated.”

  “So how are you going to make a baby?”

  “What do you mean how? You’re a little old to be getting the birds and bees talk,” Jared fired back.

  “I mean, does she want you to deposit your love juice into a petri dish or hit the sheets?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  “For starters, the personal approach is more fun. But if she wants to conceive the old-fashioned way, maybe she’ll want to start things up again.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it.”

  “Sounds like you have a lot to consider.” Tyler put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ll make you a deal. I won’t tell Michelle about Taylor until I know your plane is in the air. But by the time you land half the family, hell, half the planet will know. But at least you can decide if you want to soak up the sun or spend your time screening calls from well-meaning meddlesome loved ones.”

  “Thanks, man.” Jared bid Tyler farewell and looked at his watch. He needed to leave for the airport now. He’d keep his conversation with Taylor focused on the weather, her work, anything except talk about a baby.

  * * *

  Jared’s luck didn’t hold out. Taylor started chatting about the baby as soon as he clicked on his seat belt.

  “I was thinking the fall would be a good time to conceive. That way the baby would arrive in the summer. I could plan my vacations around that time and—”

  “One step at a time,” he said. “I thought you were giving me some time to digest this?”

  “I am. I just want you to know how well thought-out this was.”

  “OK.” He shifted to get a better look at her face. “How would we conceive the baby? You want to sleep together or would you rather I go to a facility and make a deposit?”

  “Well…” She bit her lip. “Going to bed together would make more sense. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other naked before. We could both get tested to ensure that we’re both disease-free. I haven’t been with anyone in a while. How about you?”

  He got the feeling this was a fishing expedition, so he ignored the question. “And have you thought about custody and visitation? You live across the country.”

 
“Oh, I just assumed you wouldn’t want to be involved.” She fidgeted with the rear view mirror.

  “Why on earth would you think that?”

  “I don’t know. But we can hash all of that out when you get back.” She patted his knee.

  “When I get back with my decision,” he replied.

  “Right.” She smiled. “So, was this a planned trip? It seems kind of spur-of-the-moment. I thought you’d be in town for a while. I looked forward to getting reacquainted with you.”

  “Actually it’s been on my agenda for some time now, I’ve just been procrastinating about taking it.”

  “Is this a resort or something?”

  “Yes. I will be getting some sun and relaxing on the beach.”

  “It’s a shame you didn’t tell me. I could have joined you.”

  Jared glanced at her and to his surprise, she looked totally serious. “I recall lots of hectic vacations until we finally gave up traveling together.”

  “I’ve changed. I’m not so uptight anymore.”

  He didn’t believe that for a second. She was still wound tightly, even if she thought she was playing it cool. Jared glanced at the highway signs. “You’re going to take the next exit.”

  “I thought you were leaving out of Philadelphia International Airport?”

  “I’m taking a private plane.”

  “Oh.” She put on her blinker. “Fancy.”

  “The Blake family has a plane on standby at a private airport for traveling. I get to use it whenever I want.”

  “My how things change,” she murmured as she curved the exit and kept to the right.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ve learned to embrace change. We can’t stay the same forever.”

  “Hence jet-setting off to a tropical locale with the bikini-clad bunnies frolicking on the beach?”

  “Don’t forget the tropical drinks and long, lazy afternoons swinging in a hammock,” he added. “Take a right at the light.”

  She met his eyes as they pulled into the parking lot and the car stopped. “It will certainly give you some time to think about my offer.”

  “I’ll get the bags. Thanks for the ride.” He unclicked his seat belt and bolted out of the car to get his bags from her trunk. When he was done, he slammed the trunk. Taylor was standing there looking at him.

  “Have a good time.” She gave him a hug.

  “Thanks.” He hugged her back. “I hope you have a great time visiting your family and friends. I’ll call you when I get back.”

  “Sure.” She jammed her hands into her pockets. “I know it sounds wonky, but we can iron out all of this when you get back. Just promise me you’ll keep an open mind.”

  “I will. You need directions back to the city?”

  “No, the car has a GPS.” She smiled and kissed him on the lips.

  Jared watched as Taylor pulled off and turned back onto the main road. As soon as she was out of view, he headed toward the entrance and was in the air within a half hour.

  As soon as the plane landed, Jared got into the limo waiting for him and turned on his cell phone. The first notification to pop up was a voice mail from Tyler. He said he’d held out as long as he could, but Michelle, who suspected something was up, made him a kick-ass peanut butter and jelly sandwich and wheedled it out of him. The successive notification pings were from family members putting in their two cents about the situation. The advice ranged from a heartfelt “follow your heart” from Sydney to a “run for your life” from his brother Robert. Morgan, who normally weighed in with a tirade, didn’t say anything at all. But the best one came from his brother Charles who rarely sent text messages. It said “once a fool, twice an idiot.”

  Taylor left a voice mail too, wishing him a great vacation, but he could tell she wanted to mention the baby thing again. This was no way to start a vacation. There was plenty of time to obsess about things later, but right now he was being driven through paradise and missing the wonderful scenery. He put down his phone and rolled down the window. It was a nice warm day. The sun was shining brightly, there were palm trees everywhere, and the smell of the ocean immediately put him at ease.

  The limo turned down a long, winding road and continued for about two miles before it reached a gate. The driver flashed a badge at the guard and the gate opened. The property was finely manicured with palm-lined paths leading to the hotel. As soon as he stepped out of the limo, a tall, strawberry blond woman in a crisp, white linen suit greeted him.

  “Hello, Mr. Reed. I’m Amber. Welcome to the Executive Desires Resort.”

  “Hi, Amber.” He smiled. She didn’t have to say her name. He’d know that soothing voice and English accent anywhere. “It’s nice to finally put a face to a voice. Sorry it took so long to get here.”

  “No worries, Mr. Reed. I’ve enjoyed our conversations. Our policy is no one comes to the resort until they are ready.” She smiled. “And I could tell you weren’t ready.”

  “I’ve been very busy and I’m passionate about my work. When I commit to a project I can’t let go until it’s completed.”

  She nodded and motioned into the hotel lobby. “Let’s get you settled.”

  Jared’s architecture antennae perked up when he saw the exquisite hotel lobby. “This is a lovely structure.”

  “You’ve designed some impressive buildings too. I particularly like the interior of Oasis Palms,” she replied.

  “You’ve done your homework.” He raised an eyebrow. Oasis Palms, the latest Blake resort, broke ground four months ago.

  “We make it our business to know our clients. Care to join me in my office so we can review your itinerary?”

  “Sure.”

  Jared followed Amber into her office, continuing to be impressed by the décor. When he finally plopped down opposite her on a white leather chair, he was ready to get back home and work on the new ideas that were popping into his head.

  Amber sat down and began tapping away at her computer keyboard. “I see from the profile form you completed that you’re quite the seafaring man. You like snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, boating, and photography. Well, you’re in for a treat. This island is picturesque from almost every angle, and we do have a lot of aquatic activities. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do on land. We have sightseeing tours and a casino just down the road. We encourage our guests to mingle, and there’s a nightly mixer at six in the main dining area. There are plenty of gorgeous, single ladies fluttering about. I’m sure an attractive man like you won’t be lacking for company.”

  “I’d really prefer to be alone. If you don’t mind, I’d like accommodations somewhere off the beaten path,” he replied. He didn’t want to get trapped into a never-ending conga line when all he wanted to do was keep to himself.

  Amber looked up from the screen. “If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly do you want to get from this vacation?”

  What did he want? He was trying to prove that he could step away from work and enjoy himself. The problem was that work was his life. He could spend a week doing nothing but listening to the waves crashing to shore and maybe break the hold work had on him.

  “I want to have fun. Nothing too crazy, and I stated in my profile that I wasn’t interested in any role-playing activities.”

  “Got it. I’ll go ahead and cancel the order for the ass-less chaps.” Amber smiled wickedly.

  Heat crept up his cheeks. “What?”

  “I was joking.” She stood and handed him the keys to his room. “I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for on this vacation, Mr. Reed.”

  * * *

  Autumn hadn’t been on the island three hours and she was already in love with the tropical oasis. The locale was perfect. The staff was friendly. This was just what she needed to unwind after working non-stop for months. She took Teri-Lyn’s advice and met with Jenna from Marry Me Now and was pleasantly surprised at the woman’s proposed approach to the wedding. Jenna said navigating family minefields was her specialty
. Bonnie was sweet, but she was trying to take over. When their mother got wind of Bonnie’s suggestions, she felt left out because she lived so far away. Jenna said she knew just what to do to make the parents feel like they were contributing, and they would start the preparation with a family video conference call when she returned. It would give everyone a chance to participate.

  The biggest challenge would be to get Bo’s brother Corbett more involved in the events. She knew he and Courtney were still in the planning stages of their own wedding, but Bonnie and Teri-Lyn said they hoped having something in common would bring the brothers closer together. Autumn had already asked Courtney if they could collaborate and do something for both couples, but Courtney gave her a look like she was purposely trying to steal her thunder. She didn’t look forward to seeing Courtney at family functions. Which was a shame, because Corbett was a nice guy. She’d heard Courtney mumbling about there being too many attractive women around for her tastes.

  Summer sent her a text reminding her to have a good time. Their roles had changed so much the past year. She used to be the one who had to nudge her sister to get out there and be social. A part of her was relieved that Summer and Bo still intended to stay in the condo across the hall, even though they were building a spectacular home on the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch. Summer explained it was more of a symbolic thing. He was a member of the family and it was a tradition to build a home on the ranch.

  There were no serious dating prospects on the horizon, and she was fine with that. She’d dated the baseball player but that fizzled, and she’d been on a few dates with a tech magnate who loved having his picture taken by the media. He’d always plan dates where he was sure the paparazzi were camping outside when they went out. She liked the limelight when it was to benefit the company, but her personal life was her business. The last thing she wanted to be was some vaguely famous person who had a string of failed celebrity relationships. That would send her mom into a tailspin for sure to see a “many loves of Autumn Waverly” article in some magazine.