by P. J. Mellor
Tears sprang to Reese’s eyes—as they had been doing at an alarming rate since her return to Houston. “I don’t think that’s what he wants, Bay.” She sniffled.
“Have you heard from him?”
Reese shook her head. “No. Don’t you think that should tell me something?” She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s obvious he got what he wanted from me, financially and sexually. If I show up, I’ll just look pathetic. Worse, what if he thinks I’m trying to take over the hotel? It’s his island, his hotel, his inheritance.”
“Who says it has to be one way or the other?” Bailey sat down next to her, giving her a quick hug. “Paige could really use your help. Plus, we both know she’s useless when it comes to planning a wedding.”
“True,” Reese agreed with a laugh.
“Ben!” Rick tapped on his shoulder.
Ben turned off the sander and removed his ear protection.
“I’m going to take off before the weather gets any worse.” Rick pointed to the darkening sky. “Weather bureau is saying we could get another tropical storm. Is your boat secured?”
“Yeah. But I may still move it to the other side, if it looks like the storm is getting worse. Thanks for all your help.”
“No problem. Oh, Rita told me to remind you she’s expecting you for dinner.”
“Not tonight. I don’t want to get caught out in the storm, if it develops. I still have most of the supplies she brought out last week. I can fix a sandwich or something. I’d like to get the lobby floor done so I can get the sander returned tomorrow.”
Rick nodded. “Understandable. I’ll tell Rita. But I gotta tell you, she’s worried about you. We all are. Don’t be a stranger, you hear? See you.”
Instead of turning the sander back on after Rick left, Ben walked to the window. The sky was already dark as midnight. Judging by the movement of the trees, he could tell the wind was kicking up.
For about the millionth time, he remembered another tropical storm.
His mouth quirked as he recalled Reese’s butt as she hung over the side of his boat. And the look on her face as she bobbed around after falling overboard.
He looked around the lobby, now bare of furniture. In his mind, he saw the makeshift bed in front of the fire, Reese lying naked in his arms, smiling up at him.
Everywhere that he looked reminded him of her and what he’d lost.
It was nuts to be missing her so much when they’d spent such a brief amount of time together. And a lot of that was spent arguing. And loving.
He scrubbed his face with his hand. It was just fatigue and hunger making him take a stroll down memory lane. Maybe he’d eat, then finish the sanding and call it a night.
He knew he was lying to himself. Nights were the worst. Even when he tried sleeping in one of the beds he hadn’t shared with Reese, he didn’t get much sleep.
The only solution he’d found was to work until he dropped from exhaustion. And, even then, sometimes sleep eluded him.
“Eek!” Paige ran across the lobby of the Sand Dollar Inn to hug Reese. “I can’t believe you’re finally here!”
“Me either.”
Paige’s smile dimmed. “Rough trip?”
“Actually, no.” At her friend’s disbelieving look, she continued. “I sipped on a Coke and chewed gum. The worst part was the ride out here from the airport.”
“I heard that,” Rick said with a smile as he entered the lobby with Reese’s suitcases. “I’ll just take your stuff on up to your room.”
“You’re not staying with us?” Paige gripped her hand. “We have plenty of room. Wait until you see Brett’s house! I swear, it’s like the plantation house from Gone With the Wind. Only nicer and with modern conveniences, of course.”
“Of course.” Reese gave her another hug. “I’ve missed you! Margarita nights just haven’t been the same.”
“Really? Mine have improved. Now they’re naked margarita nights!” Her smile faltered. “Seriously, I’m kind of surprised you’re still doing margarita nights. I know Bailey isn’t a big drinker, and you’re, um, well, kind of strapped for cash.”
Reese grinned. “You’re right. We make our own. Believe me, Bailey and a blender … not always a good combination.”
As they laughed, Rita came hustling into the room. “Reese! Thank God you’re back!”
“Um, thanks, Rita. I missed you too.” She accepted Rita’s hug. “But is there a particular reason you’re glad to see me?”
Rita glanced around the lobby, then said in a low voice, “Ben.”
Cold fear gripped Reese. “What about Ben? Is he okay?”
Rita shook her head. “We’ve all been so worried …” She wrung her hands. “He’s been out on the island alone for weeks. And, the last time I saw him, when I went out to Serenity, he looked positively ghastly.”
“Is he sick? Hurt?” Panic welled. “I have to go out there.”
“There’s a storm heading in,” Paige told her, pointing to the dark sky on the off chance Reese hadn’t noticed. “But if you can be ready soon, Brett can run you out there. He’s already at the marina. But you have to hurry. He needs to get back before the storm hits.”
“Of course.” She turned to Rita. “Which room am I in? I’ll just grab my suitcase and—”
“No!” Paige and Rita said in unison.
“Brett’s waiting at the marina. I already called and told him you were on your way. Hurry!” Paige shoved her toward the door.
“But my suitcase—”
“Wait!” Rita ran to the check-in desk, then hurried back with a gift bag. “Here. There’s a toothbrush and toiletries. That will hold you until we can get your suitcase out to you. Marina’s that way.” Rita shoved her out onto the porch and closed the door.
“You don’t think she’ll figure it out and come back, do you?” Rita peeked out the window.
“No, I saw her face when you told her how worried we all were about Ben.” Paige gave her a high five. “Besides, I told Brett not to stop until she was on the island.”
Reese was too concerned and worried to be sick on the rough ride to the island.
Brett was polite, if tight-lipped, during the trip. It made sense, she supposed, if he was worried about the impending storm.
The engine of his big cabin cruiser roared away by the time Reese had taken two steps on the old dock.
Ben’s boat was not at the dock. Had he left or taken it to the protected side of the island?
As she climbed the path, relief flooded her when she saw lights shining from the windows of the old hotel.
Even in the dimness, it was evident the hotel had received a major overhaul. The shutters were all freshly painted and intact. The siding sported a new coat of paint as well. The old porch looked well scrubbed and boasted several new posts.
The sound of some kind of motor echoed from the interior.
Reese paused with her hand on the doorknob. What if Ben was fine? What if he didn’t want to see her?
Worse, what if he wasn’t alone?
Pictures of the blonde kissing his cheek flashed through her mind.
No point in waiting. If he wasn’t alone, and/or didn’t want her, she’d know soon enough.
It wasn’t like she could leave. At least, not right now. If the worst-case scenario happened, there were plenty of rooms for her to hole up in and wait out the storm.
A definite breeze caught Ben’s attention.
Through his dusty goggles and the haze of sawdust, he saw her. Was she really standing there, or was it just wishful thinking?
When he realized she was speaking, he motioned for her to wait while he turned off the sander. He removed his ear protection and goggles.
“What are you doing here?” Great, not exactly a warm welcome. “I mean, I thought you went back to Houston.”
“I did. But I decided I’d like to try small-town life. And when Paige called and offered me a job in her new clinic, I figured what the heck.” She walked
into the room, looking around. “You’ve done a lot since I’ve been gone. The outside looks great, by the way.”
“Thanks. It’s been a lot of work, but not as hard as I expected.”
She drew her finger along the sawdust coating the railing. “Need some help?”
“I probably wouldn’t turn it down. But I thought you said you were going to work with Paige.”
“She doesn’t have the clinic up and running yet, so it could be a while. Plus, I think she’s planning to wait to open until after their honeymoon.”
“How’d you get out here?” He took a step closer and tried to control his breathing.
“Brett brought me. But he had to take off again right away because of the storm.”
He looked at the trees bowing in the wind. “Yeah, it looks like we’re in for another one.”
“Do you have food? As I recall, we ate most of it last time.”
He grinned, feeling the pressure in his chest ease. “Is your stomach empty after the boat ride?”
“Yes, but not because of what you think. I was in such a hurry, I didn’t have time to eat lunch.”
“Want something? I know how cranky you get when you’re hungry.”
“Not right now.” She stepped closer, lifting her arm to run her hand along his jaw, making him wish he’d shaved. “I missed you,” she said in a choked whisper.
“You haven’t acted like it. Tell me, Reese, why did you come back?”
“I told you, I decided I needed a change.”
“Where are you planning to live?”
“Well, for the time being, I thought I’d stay here.” She hurried on.”I mean, I’m part owner, right? I have a right to stay here. And, if the renovations are done before Paige needs me at the clinic, I thought I’d stay on as a sort of resident manager. I can work for room and board until the hotel is up and running. Then, once you start making a profit, my salary can be whatever you can afford toward a no-interest repayment to my 401(k).” She paused. “Ben?”
“I’m just wondering what you plan to do after you’re paid back.” He stepped closer and began unbuttoning her blouse.
“Um, I haven’t thought beyond repaying my 401(k).” Her breath caught when he dipped his finger into the cup of her bra.
“Probably wise,” he said, pushing her blouse from her shoulders. “It could take years,” he said, trailing tiny kisses along her jaw.
Lips against his, she whispered, “I can wait.”