PARADISE COVE - 3 BOOK SET: PARADISE COVE SERIES

by Patrice Wilton

  She rapped on the door again. “Hey, Kayla,” the voice came from behind. Whipping around, she saw Sean standing there, fishing rod in hand. Raul and another young boy about the same age carried a pail with what she hoped was a dead fish flopping over the edge.

  “Hi boys,” she said, then whispered, “I need to talk to you,” as pleasantly as she could. “About the delivery we just got from Home Goods.” She had seen some lumber and primer, and paint brushes, and flower baskets?

  “Sure. No problem. Why don’t you come in? As you can see Raul and his new buddy, Jack, caught themselves some fish, and we need to gut them and clean ’em up.” He grinned. “You want to help?”

  Damn, he was cute—especially with that cocky grin of his. Her heart fluttered like a silly girl’s. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss him or smack him. He made everything difficult. How could she be mad when her entire insides were doing the cha-cha-cha?

  “I’m not really into gutting fish,” she told him, “but I’ll come inside and have some iced tea.” She stood out of the way while he opened the door, allowing the boys toting their prized fish to enter. “You have iced tea?”

  “Check the fridge. I know I have beer and bottled water.” He turned his attention on Raul and Jack. “Drop the fish in the sink, and then go into the bathroom and wash up,” he instructed and she watched as they quickly obeyed.

  Kayla was pleased to see Raul looking so normal and happy, and that he’d made a friend already. And she tried not to be too impressed at how easily Sean handled the young boys. He would have been a terrific father. How unfair that his young daughter had been taken at such an early age.

  The knowledge seeped into her, melting her anger and warming her heart. Here stood a man that she could easily love, but couldn’t keep, and yet, every time she was in his presence she cared a little more. Sean had no idea of the ripple of feelings that turned her into a pile of mush, and he mustn’t ever find out. She couldn’t burden him with that.

  She opened the fridge and peeked around for iced tea. There was a small bottle of orange juice behind the beer, and a liter of Coke that was still half full. She pushed aside a package of smelly cheese to grab a bottle of water and took a big sip.

  Sean had his back to her, rinsing the two fish in the sink. He patted them dry with paper towels, then wiped his hands and turned to her. “What’s up? You don’t look too happy about something.”

  She advanced on him, not sure what she’d do when she got there. Luckily there were two boys in the cabin, or she might have suggested going back to bed, and starting over. Her eyes roamed over his face, and lingered on his mouth. Her pulse speeded up, but she did her best to squash the turmoil of emotions she felt in his presence.

  “Why did you tell Miguel he could paint the cabins? I had hoped that he could do some minor work around the place, but I need a professional to do the outside paintwork. I already hired someone for the job.”

  “Then call them and cancel. Might lose a deposit if you had one, but it’ll still work out a whole lot cheaper.”

  “I don’t care about that.” She shrugged with frustration. “I don’t want them working so hard. We’re doing this as a kindness. We have no wish to be repaid, especially not when they are recovering from their ordeal.” She put her hands on her hips, and spoke quietly. “Raul and Miguel should be in the hospital too. Have you seen how battered that boy is?” She blinked rapidly. “He’s got a lump on his forehead, and his little legs and arms are badly bruised.” She bit her bottom lip. “And so skinny. A good wind could blow him away.”

  Sean tugged her close. “You know how pretty you are when you’re mad? I could kiss you right now.”

  “No, you can’t!” She pushed at his chest. “And the baskets of flowers? What were they for? Last night?”

  “It was just a gift. I thought you could use them to spruce up the office or Passions. Heck, I don’t know.”

  “A gift.” She lowered her voice. “I don’t expect or accept gifts from men I occasionally sleep with.”

  “Mr. Sean?” Raul pulled at his shirt. “My hands are clean. Can I gut the fish?”

  Reluctantly, Kayla took a step back. “Good job catching that yellow tail snapper, Raul. It’s a tasty fish.” She smiled at the other boy. “And you’re Jack? Which cabin is yours?”

  He answered shyly. “We’re staying in the cabin next door.”

  “That’s how I met him,” Raul said. “His screen has a hole in it. Dad’s patching it up.”

  “That’s nice of your dad,” Kayla said, “but he shouldn’t be doing that.” She sighed and glanced at Sean. “This is wrong.”

  “No, it isn’t. Let him help. He wants to.”

  “I know.” She sighed, and turned to the new boy. “Welcome to Paradise Cove, Jack. Did you have a good trip in? You drove from North Carolina, didn’t you? Straight through?”

  “No, we stopped in Disney. It was super cool. Wish we could have stayed longer, but Dad said we were going to do some fishing.”

  “You’ve come to the fishing capital of the world, right here,” she answered, “as you can see by these beauts you caught in such a short time. And it may not be as exciting as Disney but I think we have lots of fun things for you to do.” She glanced over at Raul and winked. “How did you boys meet?”

  Jack answered. “We were unpacking the car, and Raul offered to help. Then his dad came over and said there was a hole in one of our screens. In the living room.”

  “I see. I’m sorry. You should have reported it to the office.”

  Raul scuffed the toe of his shoe on the wooden floor. “Did we do something wrong? Do we have to leave?”

  The look on his face shamed her. “No, you don’t have to leave. You have to eat and sleep and get well. Soon the baby will be here, and then there’ll be no time to sleep.” She tried to gentle her voice and ease the boy’s worry. “I’m sorry if I seem grumpy.”

  “Why won’t we sleep?” he asked. “When the baby comes?”

  “Because babies cry a lot.” She bit her bottom lip and glanced over at Sean. He was busy cleaning and gutting the fish, but she knew that he was listening to their conversation.

  “That’s why I don’t want you and your father working. You will have your hands full once your mother is here, and when the baby is born.” She wiped her damp palms on her jean shorts, feeling embarrassed now.

  “That’s okay,” Raul said. “Dad doesn’t sleep much. Me neither.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and she knew that she’d lost the battle before it even began. “No problem. Did you boys have lunch? You want me to make a couple of sandwiches? How about you, Sean? Why don’t I run back to the cottage and make a picnic lunch? If you like you could take it down to the pool and have a swim.”

  Sean turned slowly and his eyes washed over her, from head to toe. She flushed under his scrutiny. “I hear you were working hard today, and that your sisters ran out on you. We’ll have that picnic, but only if you’ll join us.”

  “Uh, uh, I don’t usually swim with our guests,” she stammered. “Use the beach when I want a dip.”

  “Gotta watch out for sharks,” he replied, glancing at her body once again. “I think you should put your swimsuit on and meet us at the pool in half an hour. What do you say boys? Is that a good idea?”

  Jack nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll go ask mom and dad. They might want me to bring Megan along. She has to use her swimmers though. She can’t swim, but she can float.”

  “Tell your parents that I’ll be along to look after you kids,” Kayla told him. “Or if they like, they can join us too.”

  “Okey-dokey,” he answered. He ran off and the screen door slammed behind him.

  Raul walked toward his bedroom. “I don’t have a swim suit. Can I wear these shorts?”

  She nodded. “Sure you can. And we will buy you some tomorrow.”

  Sean stepped closer and lowered his voice, “Wear a bikini,” he said. “It’s awfully hot.”

&nbs
p; She narrowed her eyes. “All the more reason to cover up. I don’t want to burn.”

  He shifted his large body, crowding her space. His eyes were on her mouth, making her remember the taste of him. “I’ll put sunscreen on you. No need to worry.”

  Damn, he was impossible! Impossible not to want, not to love. How could she mend his broken heart and not end up with one of her own? “Just what I was afraid of,” she mumbled under her breath. “So what are you going to do with the snapper?”

  “Eat it, of course. It’ll make a nice dinner for Miguel, Raul and myself.”

  “Oh. I’m sure it will be, but if you’d like to wait until the happy hour is over, you could bring it over and Taylor would cook it up. All three of you are welcome.”

  “Well, that’s a nice thought.” His eyes caressed her face. “It’s almost two now, so we won’t be hungry after the sandwiches you promised us.”

  “It’s a date then.” She blushed. “Not a date date. You know what I mean.”

  “I do.” He darted a quick glance at Raul, but he was busy playing with his fish. “And I can’t wait to get my hands on you later.”

  Her pulse jumped into high gear, and she turned to flee, and ran smack into Miguel. “You,” she gasped. “Thank you for fixing the screen, but really, you don’t need to work. I want you and Raul to rest before the baby comes.”

  “Relax!” he scoffed. “That’s an American word for lazy. I help you instead. “Si?”

  “Si,” she gave in, not wanting to insult him or strip his pride. “Is it okay for Raul to come swimming with us? You’re welcome to come too.”

  He shook his head and glanced at his son. “Swimming, Raul? Don’t we have more important things to do?”

  The little boy’s face crumpled and his shoulders sagged.

  “It was my idea,” Kayla said. “He needs to help look after Jack’s younger sister. She might be coming to the pool too. And he can help me carry the picnic basket, and set things up.”

  Miguel mulled that over in his head and then nodded in agreement. “Okay. Raul can help you. It’s good.”

  “I understand, Miguel. He’ll be a big help.” Kayla would make sure that Raul’s work included having some fun. After all, he came from a place where life was hard. Miguel had been a carpenter and worked from dawn to dusk, and Juanita had taken laundry in. She’d overheard them tell the refugee people at the hospital about their life at home. Raul had had a little schooling but then he’d been pulled out when they lost their older boy. No longer in school, he’d helped the fishermen down at the docks, and they had paid him with scraps of fish.

  He was still a small child, and already he had experienced more than most people in their lifetimes. He knew grief and hardship and a great many things. But did he know how to laugh and enjoy himself? Kayla wondered. It would be her job to teach him that.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Kayla returned to Passions and found her mother and Taylor chatting in the air conditioned living area. Brittany was minding the office, and the other two had their feet up on the sofa, drinking large chilled glasses of iced tea.

  Still unsettled, she said, “Miguel is fixing a screen in Harmony. Apparently he spotted a hole and took it upon himself to do the work. Next he wants to paint our cabins.” She spread her arms to the sides. “Seems like we found ourselves a handyman.”

  Taylor looked up from her Cooking Light magazine. “Are we going to pay him? It only seems right, and they sure could use the money.”

  “I agree.” Kayla joined them in the living room. “But Miguel is very stubborn and proud. Sean doesn’t think he’ll take cash from us. Says it would be an insult since we’re giving him free room and board.”

  “Well, we can’t just let him work for nothing!” Taylor argued.

  “I know.” Kayla pushed her hair back from her forehead and stared at her mother. “Mom, maybe you can talk to Juanita when she gets here. Woman to woman. Perhaps say the money is for the baby? Give it to her and tell her not to let Miguel know until they reach Miami. Then he’ll be unable to return it.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Anna agreed. “Women are more practical in these matters. How can they possibly leave without a cent in their pockets? It would be a difficult position to put their relatives in, that’s for sure.”

  “Glad you guys agree. They have their pride, but still…” Kayla rubbed her stomach without thinking. “Babies are very expensive.” Then she smiled. “Hey, that gives me an idea. Why don’t we go out tomorrow and buy the necessities before the baby arrives? Give them a head start. It can be in the cabin when they bring Juanita home. A “welcome home baby” gift.”

  Anna nodded. “Excellent idea. So, did you meet the new family yet? Brian and Rosemary? They are very nice. I told them about our happy hour and they’re coming.”

  “No, I haven’t met them, just their son Jack. Sean invited the boys for a swim, and I told them I’d bring a picnic lunch. The three of them fished off the pier and caught two good size snappers.” She glanced at Taylor. “I also said they could bring the fish over and you might make it for dinner. I also invited Sean, Miguel and Raul.”

  “No problem. If the snapper isn’t enough, I can also do a meat dish. How about spicy Korean ribs?”

  “You’re wonderful, Tay. You can just whip up any old thing and make it taste fabulous.”

  “So—you’re going swimming too?” she asked with a not-so-sly wink.

  “I kind of got talked into it.” She turned her back so her sister wouldn’t see her blush.

  “I bet you did.” She teased. “You want to wear Brit’s teeny-weenie bikini?”

  “I don’t think so! Besides the boys will be there.”

  “In that case save it for your moonlight swims.”

  “Taylor. I thought this was between us! Sheesh! If you can’t trust your own sister who can you trust?”

  “Am I missing something here?” Anna asked, glancing at her two daughters. “Catch me up to speed. I hate missing the good stuff.”

  “You’re not missing anything, Mom,” Kayla answered quickly, giving Taylor the evil eye. “And even if you were, a girl’s got to have some secrets. Right?”

  “Well, if it’s about you and that handsome devil, Sean, then no. I want all the details. What’s this about a moonlight swim? Did you two meet last night and have a rendezvous at the pool?”

  Taylor snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

  “Not one word out of you, Taylor-maid, or I’ll tell Mom about that guy in high school.”

  “What guy in high school?” Anna asked. “And don’t dodge the question. What about the swim?” She clapped her hands. “Oh, I do want to see one of my girls married while I’m still young enough to dance at the wedding.”

  Kayla rolled her eyes. “Mom, there is not going to be any wedding. At least not for me and Sean.” She sat down in an overstuffed chair and leaned her head against the back. “Last night he told me about Sara. The boat is named for his daughter. She died a year ago from leukemia. So, you see he’s hurting deeply inside, and all of us need to remember that and do what we can to help. He needs us, all of us. As friends.”

  Taylor sent her a look, and Kayla bit her lip, holding back the threat of tears. Even just talking about Sean’s pain broke down her emotional barrier. His pain was her pain, and she felt it deeply.

  Taylor nodded, seeming to understand. “We’ll all do what we can, Kayla. How does a parent deal with a loss like that?”

  “I don’t know. Not easily that’s for sure. His marriage broke up, and he took a leave of absence from work.” She picked at her thumbnail. “So you see, he’ll return to Boston and his job once he gets his head straightened out.”

  “It’s not his head I’m worried about,” her mother said. “His heart will take much longer to heal. And I can see that you care about him very much. He also cares about you. But will it be enough to make him stay?” She rose and patted Kayla’s shoulder. “I don’
t know, my sweet girl. Be careful.”

  Kayla stood too, and stretched her back. “I’ve got to get ready for the picnic at the pool. I’m so pleased to see Raul with a new friend.”

  Her mom gave Kayla a gentle push. “Go get into your most alluring swim suit, and I’ll get the lunch ready. Off you go now. The red halter suit is hot. It does great things for your boobs.”

  “Mom!!!” Kayla felt her cheeks flame. “Really?”

  “I’m just saying. Use your assets, girl. And that goes for you too, Taylor. Get your head out of cooking books and go find yourself a man to cook for.”

  Taylor tossed the magazine onto the coffee table. “I’ll go pick up a few things for dinner,” she said. “And maybe if I’m real lucky, I’ll meet a nice butcher or two.”

  “You’re a piece of work,” Anna said, laughing lightly. “Just wiggle your cute fanny around town and see what happens. I’ve noticed a few men giving you the eye. Not that you noticed, but I sure did.”

  “Not interested. I just broke up with my boyfriend a few months ago. I need some space.”

  “Well, you’ve got it, sunshine,” her mother said. “Right between the ears.” She tossed her a smile to take the sting out of the words. “While you’re in town, why don’t you pick me up a few romance novels? I just finished my latest book and don’t have anything to read. And while you’re at it, grab a couple for yourself. It’ll get you in the mood. Trust me on that.”

  “Oh, mother,” Taylor groaned. “You just buried husband number two. Surely you aren’t still interested in sex? That’s just gross.”

  “Honey, I’m only in my fifties. There’s still a lot of life inside these old bones.”

  Kayla headed for the bedroom. “I’m going to close my ears and pretend I didn’t hear that.” She shut the door behind her and smiled. With her sisters and her mother around, she always had a reason to smile. And knowing that she’d be hanging around a sexy, half-naked Sean for the afternoon was enough to make her darn near giddy. She’d try to put a lid on it, but it wouldn’t be easy.