by Cate Beauman
She thought back to their quick meeting in the grocery store. Cade had certainly been a sight to behold—early thirties at the most, striking green eyes, and short, sun-streaked dark-blond hair. He had a darker scruff accentuating his strong jawline and broad shoulders to go along with all of his muscles. Tall, tan, and hot if you were into that sort of thing. Athletics had undoubtedly played a part in Cade Paxton’s past, but now he was a businessman—a big-time billionaire businessman who’d hired Rebecca Carter Interiors to help him give Carter Island Airport a little buff and polish.
When Mom had handed off the once-in-a-lifetime project to her, Gwen had experienced several bad moments, worrying that she might not be up for the challenge. She’d certainly assisted Mom with numerous large interior design jobs over the years, but this was an entire airport. Yet her need for a big payday had forced her to put away the worst of her doubts and insecurities and jump at the chance to pave a new path for herself and her daughter’s future.
With Kaitlyn’s arrival and Nate and Callie’s baby soon arriving, Mom and Dad kept mentioning putting their Arizona house on the market and making Carter Island their once-again permanent home. Mom had also hinted that reopening Rebecca Carter Interiors on a full-time basis was in the cards—and the assistant job was Gwen’s for the taking.
How could she say no?
She was a single mother—officially divorced for the last two and a half months. She was also nearly broke. She’d learned the hard way that Liam O’Leary was an absolute bastard. He’d taken her to the cleaners in the name of marital assets, helping himself to half of her investment portfolio, as well as the sizable savings account she’d spent a decade of her life accumulating. He’d also saddled her with massive credit card debt.
Somewhere along the way, Gwen had forgotten about the black card they’d opened two years ago to pay for some of their wedding expenses. The monthly bill had gone to their Boston address, and she hadn’t realized that shortly after they’d said their “I dos,” Liam had started spending extravagantly, racking up nearly a hundred thousand dollars while he’d spoiled his mistress with expensive jewelry, lavish vacations to the Mediterranean, and weekends away in wine country.
She’d thought his worst betrayal had been finding him in bed with another woman, but when the past-due bills started rolling in, Gwen realized Liam had reneged on his agreement to take responsibility for his half of the monthly credit card payment. With little choice, she’d cleaned out another enormous chunk of her life savings to pay off the balance, close the card, and officially free her name from any further financial ties to her ex-husband.
As Vice President of Sales for the Northeast’s largest pharmaceutical company, Liam was generously compensated. Plus, he had access to a sizable trust fund that had been protected from their divorce proceedings. Liam had never been a saver, which meant there’d been little to divide fairly and equally, but she doubted he’d lost any sleep over it. Liam had always played to win, no matter the cost—and he sure as hell had won.
Taking him back to court to recoup her losses was always an option—an expensive, time-consuming process she couldn’t afford, so she’d decided to keep her mouth shut and let it go, eager to move on. Alimony had been an option her attorney had suggested, too. But she refused to go there. She could and would take care of herself.
Her lawyer had also warned her that she was getting screwed when she chose the expedited route to end her nuptial nightmare. But ultimately, Gwen had gotten exactly what she’d asked for in the divorce: sole legal and physical custody of Kaitlyn.
Securing full custody of her daughter had been all that mattered. Plus, she’d been able to keep the vehicle she’d purchased and paid for, and her one-third share of Carter Island Arts and Eats, the new business she owned with Molly and Callie. Liam’s one and only responsibility to Kaitlyn was providing her with health insurance; otherwise, he had nothing to do with his daughter, which broke Gwen’s heart.
She’d wanted so much more for her little girl. For as long as Gwen could remember, she’d dreamt of white picket fences, two loving parents for her children, and siblings born close together, so they could grow up as confidants and friends—everything she’d had in her life.
But it had become painfully obvious shortly after their wedding that Liam had no interest in being her partner. She’d foolishly hoped he might come around when she announced her pregnancy, but Liam had spent even more time away on business trips instead of at home preparing for the birth of his daughter. On the night Kaitlyn was born, Liam hadn’t been there. As Gwen had cuddled her new baby girl, she’d promised her she would never know anything but love.
It was undeniable that she’d made an absolute mess of her life. It baffled her that she’d made so many mistakes over the last three years—the biggest by far was giving her heart to a man who hadn’t deserved it. Even several months after finally calling it quits, it still stung that she’d married a man who had loved the prestige of the Carter name and her connections to the Sanderson family more than he’d loved her.
If he’d ever loved her at all.
In her lowest moments, she couldn’t ignore the bone-deep shame and humiliation of being used so cruelly, nor could she pretend that she didn’t constantly question herself. She hated that she’d allowed a man to shatter her to her core. She was supposed to have been stronger. Smarter.
Never again would she be so foolish. Never again would she go down that road. She had all that she wanted and needed—a healthy, beautiful daughter, amazing family and friends, and a gorgeous historical home to call her own. She also had a new career path that was about to take off. She’d officially hit the reset button on her life, and it felt so damn good.
Tucking away her thoughts, she moved farther down Highway 1, glancing out at the sunlight glinting on the inky-blue Atlantic. Sighing her pleasure, she passed Mary’s Bluff and the pretty red lighthouse towering among the jetty rocks—one of her all-time favorite views. There was nothing more soothing and beautiful than Carter Island in its summer glory. But as she gave her attention back to the road, she pressed harder on the accelerator, realizing she was on the verge of being late for her initial meeting.
Moments later, she slowed as she approached the turn for Carter Island Airport, then made the left, eventually finding a parking space much farther away from the building than she’d hoped for. The quiet season was definitely long over.
Grabbing the diaper bag and her laptop case, she quickly set up Kaitlyn’s stroller, settling the car seat into its place. She held her breath, giving the stroller a smooth back and forth roll as Kaitlyn stirred, then fell back to sleep. “Just give me an hour, Baby Girl,” she whispered, walk-jogging her way to the entrance. “We really need this payday.”
Chapter 3
Gwen slid her sunglasses on top of her head as she walked into the hustle and noise of several busy travelers lined up at Carter Island Air’s check-in kiosk. She settled her bags more securely on her shoulder, making quick work of moving farther out of the commotion, smiling when Charlotte Deacon grinned and waved from her seat at the Customer Service desk. Subtly smoothing her strapless sundress, Gwen glanced around, searching for her new client.
Moments later, Cade appeared from his office, wearing the khaki slacks and navy-blue golf shirt she remembered from this morning. He flashed her a grin with his perfect pearly whites as he headed down the hallway.
She returned his smile, refusing to acknowledge that his mouthwatering face and long, hard body had any effect on her. She’d fallen for good looks before. They no longer impressed her much.
“Gwen.” He stopped in front of her, holding out his hand as he had earlier in the day.
She accepted his greeting, feeling his rough calluses against her soft skin. “Cade. I’m afraid my sitter canceled at the last minute. I apologize for bringing my daughter to work. She should sleep, though.”
“No worries. Come on back to my office.”
She exhaled a quiet b
reath. So far, so good. “Sure.” She followed by his side, noting Cade Paxton’s oblivion as several females glanced in his direction. She imagined they would find his Aussie accent as appealing as the rest of him. But she didn’t.
“Right in here,” he said, letting her into Buzz Deacon’s former office before him. “Go ahead and make yourself comfortable.”
She glanced around at the old furnishings and the ugly orange carpeting that needed replacing. “Thanks.”
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Uh, no, I think I’m all set, but I appreciate it.” She wanted to get started before Kaitlyn woke up again. Settling quickly in her seat, she took out her laptop, taking a moment to collect herself. The last thing she wanted was to appear frazzled or as if she was rushing their appointment along.
Cade took his seat behind the ancient box-store desk.
She sent him another professional smile, emanating far more confidence than she felt. “Are you ready to get started?”
He sat back, locking his hands behind his head, the picture of male confidence and relaxation. “Absolutely.”
“Great—”
His cell phone started ringing. “Excuse me.” He pulled the phone from his pocket, glancing at it. “I’m afraid I need to take this.”
“Sure.”
He stood, walking from the room, half closing the door. “Trent, tell me you’ve got good news, mate. Bullshit. That’s unacceptable. Those permits should have been in hand weeks ago. Get this fixed because this is costing us a fucking fortune.”
Gwen nibbled her lip, sliding her gaze toward the hallway as Cade’s voice chilled several degrees. Apparently, Cade Paxton wasn’t all charm and sunshine, which didn’t surprise her in the least. Businessmen didn’t become billionaires by playing nice.
“Call me back when you have what we need.” The door opened again, then closed behind Cade as he shoved his phone away and took his seat. “Sorry about that.”
She cleared her throat, studying, measuring, still trying to get a solid read on him. But the jury was bound to be out for a while. “No problem.”
He folded his hands, giving her his full attention. “You were just getting started when I interrupted you.”
“Yes.” She swallowed, sitting up taller, refusing to be intimidated by the man sitting across from her. “You had a preliminary meeting with my mother a few weeks ago, discussing some of the broader concepts for the renovation.” She gestured to the laptop and notes her mother had passed off to her. “As you know, I’ll be taking the lead on this project. Our goal at Rebecca Carter Interiors is to bring your vision to life.”
He smiled. “I’m looking forward to changing things up.”
“I imagine.” Carter Island’s airport was functional and had its charms, but that didn’t mean it didn’t need some serious work. She settled back in the hideous brown plaid chair, ignoring the spring poking her in the back, determined to crush this first meeting. “I would love to hear more about what you’re looking for—our first step in creating your story.”
He frowned. “My story?”
“Yes.” She swiped her hair behind her ear. “Every space tells a story.” She glanced around at the dung-brown walls and cheap gold-framed prints hanging there, clearing her throat. “Um, your office, for instance, is no-nonsense. Important work is done here.”
He grinned. “This room is awful. I want us to attack the entire building. Everything needs updating.”
She nodded, making notes in the file. “That’s good—very good.”
He chuckled.
She smiled, relaxing a degree.
“All the office spaces need a makeover, but the areas that serve our passengers are the priority.”
Gwen nodded. “That makes sense. Once I better understand your vision, I’ll be able to create several concept boards. We’ll go over them together—decide what you like, what you don’t. Maybe you’ll want to mix and match some ideas, and we’ll go from there.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’ll also be in and out over the next couple of days, taking photographs and measurements for the various spaces.”
“Great.” His hands wandered behind his head as he sat back—Mr. Relaxed again. Then he abruptly sat up, his eyes growing wide.
Gwen frowned. “Is there a problem?”
“No. No, I’d say we’re on the right track.”
Then why was he staring at her like that—like he was slightly panicked? “All right.”
He rubbed at his jaw. “Gwen, I don’t know how to…” He cleared his throat as he gestured to her top.
She glanced down, silently screaming a thousand horrors as she watched breast milk circles blooming at an alarming rate, darkening her pale-green sundress. Closing her eyes, she let her head hang. This was really happening. Right now. Sighing, she made herself meet his gaze. “Well, this is awkward.”
He smiled sympathetically.
Suddenly, Kaitlyn stirred and immediately began fussing.
Helpless to do anything but watch disaster unfold, Gwen visualized the whopping check she’d been counting on disintegrate. “And things just keep getting better.” Gaining her feet, she unfastened Kaitlyn from her car seat, then settled her on her lap as the baby started crying. “She’s off her schedule.” Gwen glanced at her leaky breasts. “Clearly.”
Cade grinned. “I imagine she’s hungry?”
“I’m afraid so.”
He stood. “How about I give you a few minutes?”
Kaitlyn let out a long, lusty cry, growing more upset as her needs went unmet.
Gwen nodded. “Thank you.”
“I’ll check on you in a bit.”
“I appreciate it, Cade.”
“No worries.” The door closed behind him.
“Okay, sweetie,” she said on a sigh, settling Kaitlyn at her breast. “Eat up.”
Her little girl immediately latched on for her late lunch.
She smiled into Kailyn’s big blue eyes—her mirror image—playing with her daughter’s sweet little fingers, listening to each greedy gulp. “I think it’s pretty safe to say that we can cross the Airport Project off our summer to-do list. Guys just don’t understand leaky boobs the way we girls do.”
She smiled again, even as she breathed away the quick wash of panic. Losing this job was a great big X in the huge deal column, but she wasn’t destitute, either. If she was careful, they could get by on what she had left in her savings account for the next little while.
And she wasn’t jobless by any means. The bookings at Arts and Eats were full through the high season. If her projections were correct, she and her business partners would be earning a profit by late summer, which was excellent.
Plus, she’d promised Mini she would handle all of Carter Island Realty and Rental’s stagings while Mini summered in Paris with Leah. In fact, she already had a staging on the books. The quarter percent she would earn on the sale of each of the homes she spiffed up wasn’t chump change. Then there was Brad and Molly’s new place, which she would be decorating later this fall, when construction was complete. And hadn’t she just put together concepts for Carter Island’s reconstructed clinic?
If things got tight in the meantime, there were a couple more pieces of jewelry in the safe she could sell. She’d already hocked her wedding ring for a pretty penny. And she could always ask her family for a loan, but that was an absolute last resort. She’d made her mess, and she would clean it up. All by herself. As long as Kaitlyn’s needs were being met, she would keep on keeping on without anyone knowing just how much financial trouble she was in. “We’re going to be fine. I promise.”
Minutes ticked by, and she switched Kaitlyn to her opposite breast, hoping to avert any further disasters. “Help a girl out, okay?”
Kaitlyn cooed, then drank again.
“Thanks.” She smiled. “You’re growing again. I can tell. You’re getting so big. Before you know it, you’ll be trying sweet potatoes and applesauce, then I�
��ll blink, and we’ll be fighting over curfew and how short your shorts are.”
Kaitlyn reached up, pressing her fingers to Gwen’s mouth.
Gwen grinned. “You’re the best, Baby Girl. I love you.”
Cade gently tapped on the door, then poked his head in. “How are things going in here?”
“Fine. Great.” Gwen sat Kaitlyn up, then quickly adjusted her top, covering her breast. She settled her daughter at her shoulder to burp. “You’re welcome to come back in.”
Cade stepped inside, surprising Gwen when he knelt at her side, smiling at the baby, bringing the scent of his cologne with him. “Hello, sweetheart.”
Kaitlyn rewarded him with a grin.
Cade chuckled as he slid his big hand over her soft blond hair. “You’re a beauty, aren’t you?”
Kaitlyn cooed, burped, then spit up.
“Uh-oh.” Cade leaned forward, his solid chest pressing against Gwen’s back as he plucked a couple of tissues from the box on his desk, then wiped Kaitlyn’s mouth. “There you are, love.”
Kaitlyn smiled again.
He smiled back, then cleared his throat. “Uh, would you like me to get the spit-up running down your back, Gwen?”
She rolled her eyes, wondering how today could get any worse. “Um, sure.”
Cade’s fingers brushed along her shoulder blade as he wiped and dabbed with another tissue.
She fought not to stiffen at the gentle glide of his hand. It had been ages since a man had touched her, let alone a more-than-decent-looking stranger.
“I think we’ve got the worst of it.”
“Thank you.”
Kaitlyn babbled, reaching out to Cade.
“You’re a friendly one.” He chuckled again, touching her fingers, then stood, tossing the tissues in the trash. “She’s adorable, Gwen.”
