Something to Believe In

by Kimberly Van Meter

  * * *

  THAT NIGHT, THE ENTIRE GANG was settled into the office with the exception of Pops and Heath. Heath took Pops to St. Thomas for a doctor’s appointment and then dinner as an excuse to give the group a chance to meet and discuss the situation.

  As usual Lora took point, being a former marketing executive, talking about strategy and whatnot was in her wheelhouse.

  Now that Gabe Weston was part of the family, he also brought some valuable insight as well as contacts to the table.

  As for Lindy and Lilah, they were bewildered by business details but willing to pitch in however needed.

  “I appreciate everyone coming tonight,” Lora began. “I know it’s been a rocky road to this point. We’ve all made sacrifices to help save Larimar and I just want to say thank you. I know it hasn’t been easy on any of us. First, I want to share the good news—we’ve made all the scheduled payments to the IRS and we’ve managed to clear the back taxes that were due. So, yay for getting caught up,” she said, clapping her hands for emphasis. Lilah smiled as polite applause followed. “Now for the bad news. We used up our income to pay the last of the shortfall, which puts us back to square one when taxes come due again for this year. We have no reserve and we need to find a way to create more income in addition to what we’re pulling in regularly. As we all know, Heath had hoped that the gift shop would pull in more revenue. That hasn’t exactly been the case. His fused glass sells but not enough to sustain the gift shop, which is why we’ve brought back a smattering of the previous inventory of standard tourist fare. We’re at a crucial stage for the gift shop. We might need to rethink the plan all together if we’re going to keep the gift shop open.”

  “The art is original and it sells. I think we need to give it more time,” Lilah said.

  “Time is something we don’t have,” Lora said. “I wish we did. I love Heath’s creations but we need more income and although the touristy stuff wasn’t exciting, it moved units. Let’s face it, T-shirts are easy to pack in a suitcase whereas fragile glass art is a nightmare to ship.”

  “What happened with the idea to market the glass on the website?” Lindy asked.

  “We’d have to redesign the entire website from a reservation program to a sales portal and although we queried a few web designers, we just couldn’t find one within our price range, which is embarrassingly cheap. And I’m not about to tear down our professionally designed website for one that’s substandard. I don’t think that will serve our brand at all.”

  Lilah dishearteningly agreed. “We don’t want to go backward that’s for sure. What about the charter company idea?”

  “Heath talked to Billy Janks about partnering and Billy was leery. I don’t blame him. He has a successful operation in his own rights. He doesn’t need us and we don’t want to start a relationship that’s grounded in such inequality. It sets up an unhealthy power balance and between friends, it can be toxic. I’d hate to see Heath and Billy’s friendship damaged.”

  “So what are we going to do?” Lilah asked.

  “Well, I’ve been cultivating a relationship with Sears in the hopes of landing their corporate retreat account but it’s not going as smoothly as I’d hoped,” Lora admitted.

  “I might be able to help in that respect,” Gabe chimed in, surprising Lilah.

  “How so?” Lora asked.

  “I golf with the VP of Foreign Acquisitions and I could nudge him in your direction.”

  “That would be great,” Lora said. “I’ll take whatever advantage we can manage. I am without shame at this point.”

  “No shame in doing whatever you can to save your business,” Gabe said, and Lindy leaned over to place a kiss on his cheek with a warm smile. Gabe grinned. “And I get rewards of my own. I’m in.”

  Lilah smiled at the love flowing so easily between her sister and her fiancé. Someday she hoped to find a man as good as both Heath and Gabe. If only she would be so lucky. She withheld a sigh and returned to the conversation, though her mind kept wandering. What was Justin doing right now? Was he spending the evening with some island girl? She hated that idea and pushed it away with immediate distaste even though she shouldn’t care.

  “Lilah, have you considered selling a few of your art pieces in the gift shop?” Lora asked, surprising everyone with her suggestion. Lilah froze and sent a panicked look to Lora with a minute shake of her head. Her work certainly wasn’t of the caliber worth displaying for sale. But Lora didn’t back down. In fact, she stared her down, daring her to defend her work. “Li...you have scores of finished paintings rolled up and gathering dust. Between your art and Heath’s, we could make something of the gift shop. Heath and I have already talked about it and he agrees.”

  “I’m flattered but I think you’ve overestimated the value of my work. Sorry, Lora.”

  Lindy seemed intrigued by this idea and jumped in. “Wait a minute, Li. I think Lora’s onto something. When we saw your work, your real work, the stuff that you hide away in the broom closet in the atrium, I was astounded by how beautiful and soulful it was. You have real talent. We could have them professionally mounted and have a gallery showing for you.”

  “No.” Lilah hadn’t meant to snap but the word jumped free from a place of pain and fear and snarled like a rabid dog in the room. She reined in her initial knee-jerk reaction and tried to smooth things over. “I mean, I’m really flattered but I’d rather not. It’s not good enough for one, and two—” she paused, swallowing a lump in her throat “—it’s personal stuff that I don’t want everyone and their mother to see. It’s bad enough that everyone on the island knows what happened to me. I don’t need them judging my work, too. It’d be like standing on the pier welcoming the tourists in nothing but my skin. I’m just not interested in being that vulnerable.”

  Lilah wrestled with the guilt her refusal created that was accentuated by the disappointed expressions reflected in the room but she held firm. Her work wasn’t good enough. Anyone with an ounce of true talent could see her obvious technical flaws but beyond that, her art was sacred to her and she didn’t want anyone to take that from her.

  “You need to stop being so modest,” Lora said. “Your work is as good, if not better, than some of the stuff I’ve seen hanging in galleries in New York. That’s the honest to God truth.”

  Intensely uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, she shrugged and remained silent. Perhaps if she didn’t lend any fuel to the fire it would die out on its own.

  Lindy, sensing her distress, piped in. “Well, let’s focus on what we know is working and expand on that before we start implementing all kinds of new ideas in a scattershot pattern just to see what sticks to the wall. Lora, you said that reservations were up thanks to the website overhaul?”

  Lora nodded. “Yes, we contracted with a company that does online reservations and they’ve funneled some business our way. We’ve also contracted with a few travel sites to offer some discount packages to draw more business. So far, it seems to be working. We’re taking a hit on the pure profit, but making up for it in volume.”

  “Sounds like a decent strategy,” Lindy agreed, nodding. “Can we find some more travel sites to make the same deal?”

  “I’m working on it,” Lora answered. “With most people going through travel sites rather than an agent, I figured it would be best to have a presence at the busiest sites.”

  “Smart,” Lindy said. “And I haven’t given up on the film industry. I sent pics of Larimar to all the film commiss
ions in California. It’s not a quick fix but it’s always nice to be on their radar.”

  The conversation meandered over sales projections and needed repairs and soon Lilah’s eyelids were dragging. After months of insomnia, the weight on her lids was always welcome. She knew she’d sleep well, even if her thoughts were a turbulent mess and for that, she was grateful.

  “Li? You okay?”

  Lilah awoke with a start and realized she’d dozed. She yawned and quickly apologized. “I’m beat.” She rubbed her bleary eyes and tried to focus. “What did I miss?”

  “Nothing,” Lindy assured her. “We’re just finishing up. Besides, Heath and Pops will be back soon and we shouldn’t be powwowing in his office when he returns. It could set him off.”

  Another yawn cracked her jaw and she nodded, happy to have an out. “All right. I’m heading to bed, then.”

  Everyone said their good-nights and Lilah left the office, eager to find her bed.

  As her eyelids closed, she sighed when an image of Justin filled her mind as she drifted to sleep.

  Drat that beautiful man—there was no escaping his adorable face.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  THE NEXT MORNING, JUSTIN entered the lobby with a palette and a blank canvas and his backpack slung over his shoulder filled with paint supplies. His mission was simple and to the point: get Lilah to spend time with him. And he wasn’t above hitting his target where it would have the most impact.

  Lilah was chatting quietly with what he assumed was her twin. Even though they weren’t identical, he could see similarities in their mannerisms and the bond between them as they talked. Both women angled their bodies toward one another in an affectionate manner that spoke of their invisible connection as light laughter followed whatever train of conversation they were having. He almost hated to interrupt their girl time—almost.

  Lilah looked up and saw him striding toward her, her gaze immediately going to the folded easel in his hand and the backpack slung over his shoulder. Her brow winged upward in question. “Are you an artist?” she asked with open surprise.

  “Not exactly,” he admitted with a cheeky grin. “But I’ve always wanted to try. I love art if that counts for anything and I’ve been told I have a good eye so I thought, what the hell, let’s give it a go. I bought a book on watercolors, pastels and oil paints but I haven’t a clue as to where to start. I heard through the grapevine that you’re a halfway decent artist and thought you might take pity on me and help me out.”

  Guarded laughter was his answer as she shook her head until her sister piped in, nudging her with her shoulder. “Li, you’re a great teacher. And this guy’s pretty adorable with those puppy dog eyes. How can you resist?”

  Lilah hesitated, her gaze going to her sister with surprise, as if she’d expected her to back her on her polite refusal. “I think if he wants lessons, he ought to pay someone who teaches for a living,” she said.

  “Teachers get too wrapped up in technique and style. I want someone who can teach me how to tap into that artistic side without clinging to a bunch of rules. My gut says you’re just the right person for the job.”

  If Lindy caught the warmth growing between them, he wouldn’t be surprised. Justin was trying hard to seem like a happy-go-lucky tourist, but he couldn’t escape the feeling that it was imperative he convince Lilah to say yes. If he were a smart man, he’d count Lilah as a loss and cut ties but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Maybe it was because he wasn’t accustomed to losing, or maybe he hated the idea of someone so easily discounting him, but he couldn’t walk away.

  Not yet.

  He’d have to leave in a few weeks anyway. And if he had his way, he’d spend every available moment with Lilah until then.

  “You should go,” Lindy urged with a grin that bordered on mischievous. “It’s a gorgeous day. Perfect for an art lesson.”

  “I’m supposed to man the desk today,” Lilah protested.

  “I think I can cover the desk for a few hours. Besides, Gabe and Carys were going to hit the beach for a while anyway. It’s perfect. And it helps me to feel as if I’m being helpful when I’ve been so far away.”

  Justin grinned and thrust his hand out to Lilah’s sister. “You must be Lilah’s twin sister, Lindy. Nice to meet you. I’m Justin Cales, a friend of Lilah’s.”

  At the mention of friend, Lilah’s eyes widened and he choked back a laugh at the private joke between them. Lindy smiled and accepted his handshake with laughter dancing in her eyes. Intuition told Justin that Lilah had shared a little of their involvement with her sister and instead of disapproving, Lindy was wholeheartedly in favor. “I owe you a beer for taking pity on this poor tourist,” Justin said, casting Lilah a teasing grin that caused her to blush prettily. Ahh, he liked having Lilah off-kilter. It gave him an advantage that he sorely needed.

  “I might take you up on that offer,” Lindy said, then gestured to Lilah. “Go on and have fun. Why don’t you take him up to Cinammon? There’s some gorgeous old growth trees, very wild and untamed that he might like.”

  “That’s not very easy to paint for a beginner,” Lilah retorted, slipping from her chair and dusting her behind as she straightened her sarong. She heaved an exasperated sigh and gestured to Justin. “Fine. If you want a lesson, I’ll give you one but don’t blame me if you don’t learn a thing. I’m not cut out to be a teacher.”

  Justin laughed good-naturedly, not the least bit put off by the subtle snap in Lilah’s tone. He got that she was irritated by his open manipulation and he was willing to take a little punishment if it meant he got to spend the day with the woman who was fast becoming his favorite obsession.

  He sent Lindy a wink and followed Lilah to the Jeep.

  * * *

  “THAT WAS LOW OF YOU, using my sister to get what you wanted,” Lilah said, putting the Jeep into gear and rumbling away from Larimar. “Is that how you do things in New York?”

  He didn’t even try to offer up a plausible denial. “Pretty much.” He grinned and she groaned, hating that his silly smile made her insides light up. He chuckled at her irritation. “What drives you the most crazy? The fact that I don’t make apologies for going after what I want, or that you can’t seem to say no to me when you claim that you don’t want to get involved?”

  Damn him. “Why do I have to choose? Both points make me crazy,” she groused, downshifting to climb a steep hill. “You are so damn stubborn and single-minded. Why does it matter that I don’t want a relationship with you? Why can’t you just find some other island girl to spend your time with? What is it about me?”

  Her tone voiced complaint but she secretly wanted to know the answer. His pursuit thrilled her to her toes but she hated that she was so affected by it. Lindy had always been the superstar of their family. All the boys had always gravitated toward her blinding charisma and she’d toyed with their devotion without apology, yet they’d always come back running. Lilah had never inspired such rabid interest. Sure, she’d had boyfriends but there’d always been that subtle quality about Lindy that had outshone Lilah every time. So the fact that Justin seemed preoccupied with Lilah for reasons she couldn’t fathom, tickled her feminine pride in ways she’d never experienced.

  “Lilah, do you really want me spending time with other women?” he asked her pointedly, and she couldn’t lie. She shook her head slowly, reluctant to admit such a telling truth. He accepted her answer and smiled with satisfaction. “Good. Because I don’t want to hang out with other wome
n. I want you, Lilah. And today, you’re going to teach me how to paint.”

  “Have you ever painted before?”

  “Never held a brush in my life,” he said without shame. “And I’ll probably suck at it, but as long as I’m spending time with you...it’s a win.”

  His words struck a chord deep inside her and she almost had to fight to suck back sudden tears. He made no apologies for what he wanted. She admired his tenacity. She snuck a glance his way and caught his strong profile as the sun shone down on their heads, bathing the Jeep with drowsy, warm light. The wind played with his brown hair and he looked as if he didn’t have a care in the world. In that split second, she memorized every line in his face, every subtle nuance of character evident in his profile, and committed it to her private cache of treasures. When he left, she’d remember this day as the one that made her feel special and wanted by a man who was too handsome for his own good and too charming by half.

  Oh, to hell with good sense.

  She was going to enjoy whatever it was they were doing while it lasted.

  * * *

  LORA WALKED INTO THE LOBBY just as Lindy was finishing a reservation call. Lindy flashed a brief smile, ready to share the good news about booking all the rooms for next month when Lora scowled.

  “What’s wrong?” Lindy asked, confused. “I just booked the resort for all of next month. A big group is coming in from one of those travel sites you hooked up with. That’s good news,” she supplied when Lora didn’t lose her pinched expression. “What gives?”

  “Where’s Lilah? She was supposed to work the desk today.”

  “Yeah, so? I took her shift so she could spend time with that cutie Justin Cales.”

  “Damn it,” Lora muttered, shaking her head. “This is getting ridiculous.”

  “What are you talking about?” Lindy asked, confused and becoming irritated. Lora’s attitude rubbed at Lindy’s inborn sense of chaos she used to live by and she had to remind herself that she was not that rebellious kid anymore. “Is there something I should know?”