Barefoot Beach

by Debbie Mason

  She made her way through a crowd of people who were being organized into search parties by two firemen. Theia worked better alone and headed for the man sitting with his walker under the shade tree in hopes he might have useful information. She was steps away from him when a shout rang out.

  “I found them!”

  Everyone turned toward the voice, including Theia. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the man holding each twin by a hand. Ryan Wilson. She didn’t believe in coincidences. He had something to do with the twins going missing, and no one would convince her otherwise. She was positive she’d just discovered the identity of the person working for Emily. Now she had to let Caine know before the stakes went even higher.

  “Weston! William!” Penelope raced down the stone steps and across the front lawn to gather her sons in her arms. Once she had assured herself they were fine, she hugged and thanked Ryan Wilson, the man Theia was certain had lured them away. But her attention was immediately captured by Marco, who’d crouched to talk to the boys.

  If Ryan had thought to win over Penelope by playing hero, he hadn’t counted on her attraction to Marco DiRossi. A man who didn’t have to fake at being a hero. It was who he was.

  Daphne ran to them, hugging her nephews and then her sister. It was the first sign of real affection between the women that Theia had witnessed. At least something good had come of the situation.

  At the sound of an alert on her phone, Theia pulled it from her pocket. She had a Google Alert set to activate whenever Holden’s family was mentioned.

  His son and his wife, who lived in a small town in Nevada, had been featured in their local newspaper. They were celebrating the boy’s unexpected good fortune. He’d received a call from the college he couldn’t afford to attend. It seemed his scholarship letter had been sent to the wrong address, and they were giving him an extension on his acceptance. They didn’t have to. He said yes right there and then. Theia already knew he had. She’d heard from the head of administration and had sent in the first of three payments.

  A flash of movement drew her attention to Daniel, who stepped over the bed of pink roses to reach her. “You know what Wilson’s about, don’t you, lass? You have to do something about him. Talk to that boss of yours.”

  “I was just about to.” She held up her cell phone.

  He cast a worried glance at his daughters, who vied for Marco’s attention as he carried the boys to the fire engine. “Look at the two of them. The crisis brought them closer, but their crush on Marco will tear them apart again. You have to intervene. Just ask the man out.”

  There was more at stake here than her heart. As the Google Alert had reminded her, she still had a debt to repay.

  “Relax, Daniel. Marco and I are dating.” But considering how Penelope and Daphne were still throwing themselves at the guy, they hadn’t been convincing enough. She folded her arms across her stomach. They’d have to up their game.

  “Glad to hear it. I’ll tell Tina. She’s been trying to get the lad’s attention, but he won’t have anything to do with her. This will give her a little hope. Cheer her up a bit.” He patted Theia’s shoulder and walked to where Tina watched her son.

  Theia had almost forgotten she’d been enlisted to reunite mother and son. The idea of her as Harmony Harbor’s resident family fixer was laughable. But before she did anything else, she needed to have a private conversation with her boss, away from the prying ears and eyes of Colleen Gallagher’s ghost.

  The thought made her laugh. She’d never been the superstitious sort or had an opinion of any kind on life after death. But there’d been enough odd goings-on in the tower room for her to believe the Gallagher matriarch had yet to leave the building.

  Theia’s cell rang.

  “T, are you okay?” Caine asked before she got out a hello.

  Obviously his source in Harmony Harbor had told him about the fire. She’d always known he had someone in town feeding him information. But despite how close they were, Caine refused to divulge the name(s) of the person or persons who were providing him with information. No matter how often she asked. In some ways, he was more untrusting and isolated than her. She blamed Emily for that.

  Still, she was angry the fire might have been connected to the company she worked for, which in her mind made her culpable. “I’m fine, and so is the manor.”

  Caine sighed. “I know what you’re insinuating, but from the information I have, the fire was a result of faulty wiring. The electrical needs a complete overhaul, but because of the expense and the revenue they’d lose from having to close for renovations, the Gallaghers have been doing piecemeal repairs.”

  “You know better than me, but this wouldn’t be the first time a Wicklow operative used fire as a means to get the Gallaghers to sell.”

  Before Theia had come to work for Caine, his personal assistant had been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Greystone Manor project. What Caine hadn’t known at the time was that the man was reporting his every move to Emily, who didn’t care what means were used to acquire the manor, including the first harmless attempt to smoke out the Gallaghers.

  “I realize that, T. But I convinced my grandmother that the possibility of a fire devaluing the property as well as putting the town in harm’s way was too high.”

  “Not to mention the lives of innocent people,” she said dryly.

  “You know me better than that. I’ve done everything in my power to ensure no one is harmed by the takeover. The offer for the estate is so high above market value, my accountants and lawyers were positive an alien had invaded my body.”

  “I know. I get it. But I also know your grandmother, and you said yourself, she’s desperate to get this done before she dies.” Theia blew out an exasperated breath, mad at herself for reminding him about Emily’s impending death. No matter how much Theia despised the older woman, she was Caine’s grandmother and, as misguided as it may seem, he loved her.

  “Look,” she continued, “you don’t have all the facts. There’s a reason I was concerned the fire might be arson. I’m pretty sure I know who’s working for your grandmother in Harmony Harbor, Caine. His name is Ryan Wilson. You need to do whatever you can to get this guy off her payroll. I have a bad feeling about him.” She filled him in on what had taken place with the twins, what she’d observed at Movie Night at the Park, and what Daniel had said.

  “All right. I’ll look into it. I have to go. Take care of yourself, T.”

  She frowned at the screen, surprised his reaction wasn’t stronger. Unless he’d known all along it was Ryan…And the man didn’t work for Emily; he worked for Caine.

  Chapter Fifteen

  It was two days after the fire, and Theia had just returned from flying three women from New York City to Harmony Harbor. The women were staying at the manor for the week leading up to their best friend’s wedding this Saturday. Although if you went by the number of bags they brought, it looked like they were staying a month. Theia helped Jasper fit the last of their luggage in the trunk of the limo.

  “I appreciated the help, miss. It was more luggage than I had prepared for. You did an excellent job fitting it all in,” Jasper said with a satisfied smile when the trunk stayed shut.

  “We moved around a lot when I was younger. I learned quickly that if I couldn’t fit it into the trunk, it stayed on the curb.” It was the truth but one she should have kept to herself, she thought at the sympathetic look he sent over the roof of the old-school black limousine.

  The Gallaghers and the staff at the manor were very good at taking something destined for the garbage and giving it a second chance. Case in point, the manor’s entire electrical system. The study and office were now undergoing major and costly repairs to the scorched and water-damaged walls and floors.

  “Nice chauffeur’s hat,” she said in hopes of avoiding a walk down memory lane with the man sliding behind the wheel of the car.

  There was something about Jasper that made her want to tell him the truth
. A feeling that he already knew more about her than he let on. Or maybe it was the feeling that he had secrets of his own and wouldn’t judge her for hers. There’d been times over the past couple of days that she’d wanted to test her theory. But it always came back to her loyalty to Caine. The last thing she’d ever do was betray him.

  Jasper touched the brim of the black cap as though he’d forgotten he wore it. He made a face. “Kitty’s idea. The limo drivers for the hotel in Bridgeport wear them, so she insisted I do the same. They’re a major competitor of ours.”

  Oh, she was well aware of that. Caine owned the hotel in Bridgeport. It had been his second salvo in the war against the Gallaghers.

  “I suppose I shouldn’t complain. You probably wear a uniform for the same reason. It inspires faith in your passengers that you’re a professional.”

  She wasn’t a fan of her black pilot’s uniform and hat, but she supposed he had a point. Though she was positive Caine had initially meant the uniform as a joke. Then again, it may have been Emily’s idea. The older woman wasn’t a fan of hers. She didn’t like that Theia and her grandson were friends. No doubt she’d see the uniform as a way to put Theia in her place.

  “My uniform doesn’t always inspire confidence in my passengers. I wish it did.” A sex change would probably do a better job than a mere uniform. It still amazed her that in this day and age there were people who assumed just because she was a woman, she wasn’t as good a pilot as a man. And it wasn’t just male passengers who felt that way. “At least I don’t have to worry about what to wear.”

  “Quite.” Jasper agreed with a half smile and then lifted his eyes to the rearview mirror before turning off the airport road. The clear, soundproof privacy partition was no match for the passengers in the back. “It seems we have a lively bunch.”

  “They started the party on the plane.”

  “They didn’t give you any trouble, did they?”

  “My flight with Penelope, Daphne, and the boys set the bar pretty high. They didn’t come close.”

  He snorted a laugh. “I’m glad to hear it. I noticed you had a different co-pilot this flight. I hope you didn’t lose an employee because of the girls and the twins.”

  “No. He’s more of a friend than an employee.” And boss. A boss who was at that moment in Ireland visiting Wicklow’s home office. “He was doing me a favor until my regular co-pilot returned from vacation.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t want to think we’d cost you an employee.”

  “Not at all. But speaking of employees, how are Penelope and Daphne working out in their new positions?” she asked as Jasper turned onto the road to the manor.

  “I’m afraid Sophie had to fire Daphne this morning.”

  “Really? I thought she’d be perfect as the wedding planner’s assistant. She has a such great eye, and she’s so stylish.” All true, but that was not why Theia had suggested her for the job.

  Mixing one bitter divorce attorney with happy, stars-in-their-eyes brides was a recipe for disaster. What Theia didn’t understand was why on earth Kitty and Jasper had listened to her suggestion. For some odd reason, they took every opportunity to pull her into situations that had nothing to do with her. Then again, they seemed to like and trust her, which was nice, but it also made her feel guiltier than she already did. The sooner she could leave Harmony Harbor the better.

  “Why did Sophie have to fire her?” she asked, crossing her fingers that, whatever the reason, it had obliterated Daphne’s nostalgic feelings for the resort by the sea. Even better, if Daphne, Penelope, and the twins created enough problems for the manor, Theia hoped the Gallaghers would turn a blind eye to the stipulation in Colleen’s will and let the girls leave before the month was up.

  “She insisted the brides sign a prenuptial agreement before they could marry at the manor. She can be rather forceful, you know.”

  Ha. That was the understatement of the year. “That’s too bad. But you know, Daphne has great organizational skills, and touring with a group requires a forceful personality at times. Why don’t you switch her to guest services and Penelope to wedding planning?” Theia suggested, fighting to keep the laughter from her voice.

  Daphne would last about a day and alienate two-thirds of the guests before she quit. And surely Penelope would remember her own wedding while planning someone else’s and be reminded of how much she loved her husband and how much she missed him.

  “That might just work. I’ll pass along your suggestion to Sophie,” Jasper said as he drove the limo under the stone arch and into the manor’s parking lot.

  Penelope stood beside a white twelve-seat passenger van holding a walker while Daniel helped Theia’s piggyback friend up the steps. Daphne, with her nephews’ hands in hers, walked down the path toward the van. She’d been playing the doting aunt since the day the boys went missing.

  Jasper pulled in a few parking spots over from the van. “We’re most grateful for all the help you’ve given us these past few days, Theia. Especially where Daniel and the girls are concerned. Without your efforts, I highly doubt we would have gotten the three of them to even speak. And now look at them. They’re acting like a family.”

  She glanced to where the three of them were now talking and laughing outside the van and felt a small measure of pride. But there was something else, too, just under the surface, an emotion she couldn’t name. Though she had a feeling she wouldn’t like it if she could.

  She looked away from Daniel and his daughters. “I’ll give you a hand with the luggage.”

  “No need, miss. It appears Daniel wants you to join them on the tour.” Jasper rolled down the window as Daniel motioned him to.

  “Tell Theia to hurry up. We can’t leave without her.”

  Theia leaned across the console. “You’re going to have to. I’m still in my uniform.”

  “That works. You’re driving the bus.” Maybe because he saw the irritated expression on Theia’s face, he jogged over and leaned in the window. “The van is a bit of a bugger to drive. I don’t want to entrust our lives to Penelope. She needs glasses and won’t admit to it. And Daphne hasn’t driven in seven years. I’d do it, but I’m used to driving on the other side of the road.”

  Theia cast a hopeful glance at Jasper.

  “I’m expecting an important package within the next hour and need to be here to sign for it. But you don’t want to miss out on the art festival. People come from all around to attend,” Jasper said as he waved Daniel out of the window.

  The art festival she’d promised Marco she’d attend on Tuesday. Which was today. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all, she told herself despite a sudden case of nerves. She’d have an excuse to hang out with him for only a few minutes. Surely she could keep from making a fool of herself in that short amount of time.

  “I’ve come up with a plan to get Penelope back with her man,” Daniel said out of the side of his mouth as they walked toward the waiting van. “I’m going to give him a call, chat him up a bit, see if he loves her and the boys. Make sure Caine’s man was right and the rumors that her husband was seeing the talk show host were unfounded. If he passes my sniff test, I’ll invite him for the weekend. What do you think?”

  “It’s a great idea. I couldn’t have come up with a better plan myself.”

  “I hope it works. I don’t like to think she didn’t trust her husband because of the poor example I set.”

  “I shouldn’t have said that, Daniel. Penelope says she was burned out. I’m sure that played into her meltdown on the talk show.”

  “I appreciate you saying so, but I have to own up to the pain I’ve caused my girls. I’m trying to make it right now.”

  “I know you are. And it looks like it’s paying off,” she said when the twins yelled for their granddad to get on the bus.

  “At least I know the terrors love me.” He smiled, gesturing for her to go ahead. Once onboard, he introduced her. “Theia will take care of the driving, and I’ll take care of the tou
r guiding,” he said, taking the seat beside her.

  Theia said hello to her passengers, ignored Daphne’s raised-eyebrow look, and shrugged off her jacket. She’d barely removed her hat when it was slapped back on her head by Daphne, who sat in the seat behind her. “Keep it on. You have hat hair.”

  “Now I have hot head, which is worse,” Theia said, tossing the hat onto the dashboard, out of the other woman’s reach. “I don’t care what my hair looks like.”

  “Obviously,” Daphne said, and leaned over to shove her fingers in Theia’s hair to fluff it. “It’s bad enough you have on your uniform. The least you can do is have half-decent hair in case you run into your boyfriend.” Her eyes met Theia’s in the rearview mirror. “Yes, I know all about you and Hottie DiRossi. I thought you threw yourself at him to mess with me at movie night, but for some reason, the man’s fallen for you.”

  Daniel glanced from Daphne to Theia, doing his best to suppress a grin.

  “He hasn’t fallen for me. We’re just…dating.”

  “Well, if you want to continue dating him, you’d better keep an eye on my sister. She’s not as willing to step aside as I am.” She glanced over her shoulder to where Penelope sat in the back row of seats with the boys and then lowered her voice. “It’s the twins’ fault. She feels bad they’re missing their papa.”

  Daniel reached back to pat Daphne’s knee. “Don’t you worry. I’ve got a plan to reunite the family.”

  “You’d better hurry. She’s asked me to file for her divorce.”

  “Who’s getting a divorce?” the older woman beside Daphne asked.

  Worried Penelope would overhear them, Theia said, “So, Daniel, when exactly did William Gallagher land in Harmony Harbor?” The storyteller in him couldn’t resist, and he had Theia driving slower than anyone else on the road so he could point out places of interest.