“You won’t be seeing much of us. We’re on our honeymoon.” Mr. Decker grinned lovingly toward his bride.
Nick held back a chuckle. He planned to be on his honeymoon soon too. “Congratulations.” He nodded then hustled downstairs to set out the tea. He’d really hoped that Zoe would be back by now. He couldn’t help but wonder where she’d gone. She’d been quieter than usual since he’d proposed. Was she having second thoughts? She hadn’t expressed any desire to set a date, which worried him, and she didn’t seem to be making any progress with wedding plans. Did she still want to marry him?
They’d only known one another a short time, but he knew he loved her and wanted to be with her forever. He thought she felt the same way, but maybe he was wrong. Maybe he’d moved too fast and rushed her. He went into the kitchen and pulled the fruit platter from the fridge then placed it on the dining room table. Aiden sat humming in a corner with a book in his hands. At least his nephew was content. Nick went back to the kitchen.
The back door opened, and Zoe breezed in. She yelped. “Uh. Sorry I’m so late. Be right back.” She whirled and darted out the door.
What was that about? He strode to the door and saw her running toward her car. “Are you okay, Zoe?” he called.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Fine. Be right in.”
What was going on? His stomach knotted. Zoe didn’t have the best track record when it came to relationships. Her last fiancé had cheated on her with her best friend, and they’d ended up engaged. Did Zoe regret agreeing to marry him? And what had she tossed into her trunk?
Zoe slammed the trunk lid and jogged back to him. “Sorry about that. I wasn’t expecting you to be in the kitchen.” She pecked him on the cheek.
“Obviously.” He pointed toward her car. “What’s in the trunk?”
A mischievous grin spread across her face. “A spare tire, a jack, a…”
“Never mind. Forget I asked.” He would be patient.
Chapter Four
Piper pulled a folding chair from the backend of her Jeep, along with her briefcase and a lunchbox-size cooler. After her meeting with Chase Grayson yesterday she knew she needed to get out here on her own and rework the resort plan. The sun shone high in the sky, but all was quiet except for a few tweeting birds. It was almost eerie compared with how loud they had been yesterday.
She followed the same trail Chase had created, careful to dodge any overhanging limbs. Her father had entrusted this to her, and though she had dreamed up big plans for a large piece of acreage, she had been overzealous. She simply wanted to prove herself capable—and prove that she could overcome her past mistakes.
Finally, she came within several feet of the lake. This property truly was beautiful with the pristine water, tall fir trees, and wildflowers along the edge of the lake. Surely she could think of a way to make her dad’s investment profitable yet not tarnish the beauty of the rustic island.
She’d made little progress yesterday, other than to donate her plans to the young boy at the B&B to color. She set up the chair and plopped down facing the lake. The sun glistened off the water, nearly blinding her. Adjusting the dark sunglasses that had slipped down her nose, she relaxed. She felt her tension begin to melt as she took in the sweet smell of the nearby wildflowers.
One thing was certain. She would keep her plan for the boat and bicycle shop, but would scale it back to a more modest size and design. In fact, maybe that was the answer. Stick with the basic original concept, but scale down the size and opulence. The island’s infrastructure couldn’t accommodate such a large and ritzy facility anyway. She pulled out a blank piece of paper and sketched out the new pavilion. There would still be a restaurant and spa, but she’d nix the large conference room. A few meeting rooms would be plenty. But what about the cabins she’d planned? Would building them destroy the natural beauty here? What if instead of two-dozen cabins she scaled it back to no more than twelve and turned them into top-dollar suites. The pavilion could house hotel rooms. They wouldn’t build the swimming pool she’d planned, but each cabin would have its own hot tub. The cabins would be clustered in cul-de-sacs or circles to keep from having to rip up more trees than necessary. Just because the land was there didn’t mean she had to develop every acre. It would be easy enough to leave a large undeveloped section between Chases’ property and the resort, sort of a greenway.
She breathed easier with the new design in mind. She knew coming back here would clear her head.
“U-hem.”
She whirled around, her heart beating a rapid staccato. “Chase. I didn’t hear you approaching. What are you doing?”
“I was on my way to the B&B to see you when I noticed your Jeep. I figured this is where I’d find you.”
“I’d invite you to take a seat, but I don’t have a second chair.” His presence here, although a surprise, was welcome. Even though he hadn’t welcomed her with enthusiasm, she liked him. He seemed to be a man of integrity, and she respected that.
“This won’t take long.” He crossed his arms. “I wanted to tell you that I plan to speak with the town council and recommend they do not approve your plans.”
Her heart thudded. She bolted out of the chair. “Why? How can you make that kind of decision before you even see the design?”
“Oh, I saw enough yesterday. You may as well pack up and return to Seattle, or wherever you’re from, because you’re wasting your time here.”
She balled her hands into fists and took a slow deep breath. Losing her temper would not help anything. Her dad had taught her that a cool head and thoughtful words were the best response when faced with adversity.
“I’d like to discuss my design with you. Have dinner with me tonight at the golf club restaurant.” She refused to give up without putting forth her best effort. She had too much riding on this to walk away. This resort would be her big break in business and on a personal level, too, if her parents followed through with their promise.
He shook his head. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
She clenched her jaw. Chase was her only hope of winning the town council’s approval. “Please, Chase. Dinner is on me, and in return all I ask is that you listen to my new ideas.”
The firm set of his jaw made her legs quiver, and she rested a steadying hand on the chair. If she failed this time, not only would she lose this land, her Dad would also let her go. He hadn’t said as much, but she knew how things worked. She didn’t get any special treatment simply because she was his daughter. She needed this project to succeed, but Chase’s opposition might destroy everything before she even had a chance to prove herself.
“I don’t think dinner is a good idea.”
“You have to eat anyway, and it’s on me, so what do you have to lose?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and tilted his head. “When you put it like that, I sound like a jerk.”
She held in a grin. “I doubt anyone would consider you that. You are only showing concern for the place you call home. I can respect that. Please hear me out over dinner. I don’t know what you think you know, but there is no way you saw my plan for this development because I haven’t drawn it yet.”
He raised a brow. “Then what was Aiden coloring?”
“Oh. That was the original design I drew before I saw the island in person. It was completely inappropriate.” She held her breath. Had she convinced him?
Chase narrowed his eyes. What was Piper up to? Had she really changed her mind about the design, or was this a ploy to try to win him over to her way of thinking? Regardless, she was right about one thing, he had to eat. “Fine, I’ll hear you out over dinner.”
“Thank you. Is six o’clock too early?”
“No. I’ll meet you there.” He spun around and marched to his pickup. This woman made him second-guess himself. Could she really come up with a plan that would help the island and not hurt it?
He headed home and thanked the Lord his house was on the farthest corner of the property from the
Hunt land. All these years no one knew much of anything about that property except for the owners’ name, which was registered with the county clerk’s office. He’d personally looked into it before purchasing his home. The Hunts had owned the place for many years and not done anything with it, so he’d felt safe that it would stay undeveloped. But that feeling had left the moment Piper entered his life.
He pulled onto his driveway and followed the winding road up to the top of the hill where his 1950’s bungalow stood overlooking the Puget Sound. He got out and wandered over to the outlook he’d created to take in the view. A sailboat in the distance made him wish he was the one out on the Sound enjoying the water. He sat in one of the two Adirondack chairs facing the water. Chairs he’d put there for himself and Victoria. But things with Victoria had taken a bad turn once she realized he lived in the sticks, as she called it.
The sound of tires on pavement and coming closer drew his attention to his driveway. He didn’t often get guests. He marched over to greet his visitor.
A familiar black Miata pulled to a stop. His buddy and business partner from Tacoma unfolded his legs and got out.
“Caleb. What are you doing here?” He strode over and gave him a bro-hug.
“We have a meeting.” Caleb’s wide shoulders filled out the sport jacket he wore. The man had style Chase only dreamed of. One of the reasons Caleb Cabot was the face of C&G Landscaping—short for Cabot and Grayson.
“Right. Come inside. I have a lot going on and forgot to order our usual from the cafe.” Chase gave himself an internal smack. They met every Thursday for lunch to go over business. He couldn’t have the lifestyle he had were it not for Caleb being the front man for their landscape and design company. Caleb took care of the office side of the business and Chase drew the designs. He enjoyed yard work, so he often worked alongside their employees.
Caleb held up a grocery sack. “From the tone of your voice on the phone last night, I had a feeling all was not right in paradise. I should have reminded you.”
Chase grinned. Paradise was his affectionate term for Wildflower Island. Caleb, on the other hand, preferred the action of city life. “You know me well.”
“True. Plus the last time you had that tone of voice was when Victoria dumped you. You didn’t remember lunch then either.”
Chase chuckled. “When it affects your stomach you have the memory of an elephant. Let’s go inside.” He led the way to the living room where they usually met. His oversized coffee table served as a place to put their food and as a worktable. “I have the designs drawn up for the backyard on Dock Street.”
“Good. I was talking with the homeowners earlier today, and they’re anxious to see what you came up with. Do you want to present your pitch in person, or would you like me to?”
“You better take this one.”
“Whoa.” Caleb sat back and rested an ankle on his knee. “Now I know something big is up. You never let me present your plans.”
“You offered.”
“I always offer.”
“A developer wants to build a resort on the property beside mine.”
Caleb’s foot plopped to the floor, and he leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “Now that is big. Do you think we could land the job? That would be huge for us. We’d be big time!”
“Chill. I’m trying to stop the development, not get hired to design and landscape the property.”
Caleb frowned. “Hold on. We’ve wanted to get a job like this from day one. Don’t you dare mess this up.” Caleb’s voice held an edge Chase had never heard.
“I’m meeting with the developer for dinner tonight to discuss her plans.”
“Her? Maybe I should join you and pitch our services. I’m better with the ladies than you.”
“No,” he nearly growled. “I can handle this. If it makes you feel better she mentioned something about using our company.”
Caleb grinned. “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. Don’t mess this up. I know you love your island, but be realistic. A resort will stimulate the economy and raise the value of the land. It would be great for everyone.”
“I see higher taxes, more pollution, and clogged roads.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a curmudgeon?”
He slid a look of annoyance at his buddy. “Let’s get this meeting over with.”
For the next hour they talked shop between bites of Chinese takeout. C & G Landscaping was doing well. At this rate they’d need to hire several additional employees beyond the handful they now had to do the grunt work. He stood and stretched. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Behave yourself tonight. I want this job.”
“I promise to behave.” But he didn’t promise to support the plan. Their business was flourishing. The resort would only be icing on the cake.
“But?” Caleb’s eyes narrowed.
“Nothing. I’ll fill you in later if anything comes of my meeting.”
Caleb nodded and walked out the door.
Chase watched Caleb speed down the driveway before turning and going inside. Maybe the way to fight Piper was by getting to know her. He went back to the couch and googled Piper Hunt. He’d at least be armed with information about his adversary at dinner tonight.
Chapter Five
Piper’s stomach churned as she gazed through the plate-glass window onto the small lake outside the golf club’s restaurant. For a small island it sure had a lot of lakes. She turned and looked around the space and wondered how this place got approved. Then again, it wasn’t like it was huge and over the top like she had originally planned for the resort. Plus the golf club fit the feel of the island, even if it was the newest structure here.
She glanced at her laptop and the tube holding her updated plans. Would Chase approve of her idea? When he’d mentioned seeing the old plans and being set against them, she wondered if her new idea would make him any happier.
She reached for her glass of water; the ice clinked against the sides of the glass. She quickly set it back on the table and folded her hands in her lap.
“Hi, Piper.”
She looked up and caught her breath. Chase looked good in black slacks, a red shirt and tie, and a sports jacket. “Wow. You clean up nice.”
He chuckled as he sat. “As do you. This place has a dress code after five.”
“I noticed.” Fortunately she’d tossed a black sheath dress and pumps into her suitcase on a whim, one of those just-in-case decisions. “Zoe and Nick informed me about the dress code.”
“Good. Have you decided what you are going to have?”
“The halibut.”
“The chef here cooks it to perfection. Not that I come here often, but it’s what I always order.”
She took a bracing breath. He was being charming. Maybe she was scared spitless for no reason. “I have my revised plans with me if you’d like to take a look before the table is occupied by our food.” She pulled the top off the tube.
“Good idea.” He moved their glasses and silverware out of the way.
Zoe wiped the wet ring their water glasses left behind.
There was only one other couple in the restaurant, and they were seated across the room. She pulled the large sheets of paper from the cylindrical tube and spread them out facing Chase. “As you can see, I’ve reduced the scope of the project.”
“The parking lot still looks like it will be an eyesore.”
“Not if your company takes on the landscaping. I’m sure you could come up with an environmentally friendly plan that will please everyone.” She wrung her hands in her lap. Her dad wasn’t happy about her scaled back idea, but he hadn’t put a stop to the project. Yet.
Chase frowned. “What’s this?” He pointed to the cul-de-sac. “You’re not building a street of homes are you?”
“Not exactly. I had originally intended to sprinkle a couple dozen cabins all over the property, but after seeing it, I realized that it would be better to develop only one section rather than ri
p into a bunch of small parcels of land. There will only be a dozen. Each will be the equivalent of a luxury suite that one would expect to find in New York’s finest hotels. In addition, they will have a private hot tub and outdoor space with patio furniture.”
She almost missed the shuttered surprise in his brown eyes—eyes a shade lighter than hers. “What else did you change from the original?”
“The pavilion has been scaled back. The island can’t accommodate the numbers I was hoping to draw here. I think this modest sized resort is a much better fit.” She shared her vision with him for the next twenty minutes until their waiter interrupted them.
“Your meal is ready.”
Piper turned in his direction. “We never ordered.”
“Actually I ordered for us both,” Chase said. “You were putting the plans away and not paying attention.”
She laughed. “Whoa. I’ve been told I can be single-minded, but that puts it into perspective.” How had she missed him placing their order?
The waiter placed their plates on the table then reset the silverware. “Will there be anything else?”
“I don’t think so.” She raised a brow at Chase.
“This looks great. Thanks.” He bowed his head, clearly praying.
She offered a silent prayer for her own food, tucking this new knowledge about Chase away. There was more to this man than met the eye. She pierced a piece of fish with her fork and took a tentative bite. “Mmm. This is really good!”
“It’s the specialty.”
“So I should probably not hire a seafood chef, if they’ve already got that covered here.”
“You’re assuming you will get the chance to hire one.”
The food suddenly didn’t appeal. “Are you saying you won’t support the revised plan?” She thought for sure she’d won him over.
“No. Simply that you have a lot of hurdles to leap over before this is going to happen.”
“Oh,” she said softly. She tried to enjoy the rest of the meal but couldn’t get the doubt out of her mind. Would she succeed? What would happen if the town council didn’t approve the resort?
Island Dreams (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 2) Page 3
