Eleven Days in Paradise
Jeannette Winters
An original work of Jeannette Winters, 2020.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, events, business establishments or locales is entirely coincidental.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my friend and reader Vicki and her husband Jerry. I loved hearing your love story, hope you enjoy mine!
And also thank you to Jade Webb at https://meetcutecreative.com/ for another amazing cover!
And to my readers. You continue to challenge me and I love it. Please keep those emails coming!
Contents
Jeannette Winters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
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Eleven Days in Paradise
James
I had the life I wanted in the Marine Corp, until one accident changed it all. Choices needed to be made that there was no coming back from. I wasn’t thrilled with what my future held. I needed to make a new path for myself and it required calling in a few favors.
When I get to the island of Tabiq, what was promised isn’t what awaits me. Instead of being back in the action, I’m babysitting some stuffy lawyer who thinks she knows it all. She challenges every order I give her and worst than that, she does it with a smile on her face.
If she thinks she can break me with the sexy sway of her hips or her deep blue eyes, she was mistaken. I don’t do relationships and I sure as hell don’t fall in love. That didn’t mean I was opposed to spending some hot steamy nights under the moon in this paradise island.
Once again my life faces a crossroad. This time my path is clear. But do I want to take it alone or is this journey meant for two?
And the saga continues….
Chapter 1
James
“I don’t need a vacation. What I need is a job,” I snapped. We had served together in the Marines years ago, but Bennett Stone was a civilian now, just like me. “I’ve spent the last six months being told to rest, that I deserved time off. I’m going to lose my fucking mind if I sit around doing nothing any longer.” Playing golf and fishing got old quick. At least for me.
I knew Bennett was only trying to help, but he was missing the mark. Offering me a place to stay at New Hope Resort for two weeks felt too much like a handout. I wasn’t broke, far from it. Hell, being single and deployed overseas so long meant I hadn’t had the opportunity to blow all my money. I figured I’d be banking it all for retirement someday. Never thought I’d be using now.
Bennett said, “We can discuss both while you’re here.”
“I don’t see how a ten-hour flight to Tabiq is going to change anything,” I responded. “You’re either hiring or not.”
Bennett owned a top-tier corporate security company and he employed a lot of veterans. At least with Bennett’s crew, I’d be around people I could relate with and…trust.
“I like to conduct my interviews in person, James. Since I’m going to be in Tabiq for the next few weeks, your choice is fly here, or wait till I return to the States.”
Damn it. “Fine. I’ll book a flight and text you my arrival date.”
“The Henderson jet is flying out of Boston tomorrow morning. I suggest being on it,” Bennett stated.
I knew the Hendersons were heavily involved in Tabiq, a country with a reputation of instability. What I couldn’t figure out was what Bennett was doing there. The Hendersons were all big business. The only thing that made sense was Bennett was providing the security for his in-laws. God knows the Henderson needed it. Hopefully Bennett was bringing me to Tabiq for more than just an interview.
Maybe Bennett needs my help there. The sooner I’m back in the action the better.
“I’ll be there,” I said.
“Good. I’ll let the pilot know. When you arrive in Tabiq, a driver will be there to take you to New Hope Resort. Once you’re settled in, we’ll meet.” Bennett ended the call.
I looked at my phone, stunned. I can’t believe I agreed to fly to Tabiq without Bennett providing me any details. Fuck. I’m not desperate for a job, but it sure as hell sounded like it when I was talking to him.
I’d applied at several similar places and had been shot down. They hesitated hiring someone who’d just donated a kidney a few months earlier. The doctors had given me a clean bill of health, so it only pissed me off that potential employers didn’t see things the same way.
Running my hands through my grown-out hair, I closed my eyes and leaned back on the couch. I don’t have any regrets. I would do anything for the ones I love, and family is on top of that list. That’s why when I had received the call that my baby sister had been in a car accident a year ago, I freaked. It wasn’t just a fender-bender. The doctors had told them it was a miracle that Cindy was even alive. But the recovery hadn’t been easy for her and some things wouldn’t ever be normal again, like functioning kidneys.
I couldn’t let her spend the rest of her life on dialysis. Not when I had two good kidneys and I was a match. But that reality means I’m supposed to take better care of my one remaining kidney. But fuck, I’m not going to live in a bubble, not for anyone or anything.
My willingness to jet to Tabiq was a prime example that I wasn’t about to stay in Boston a second longer than necessary. But I couldn’t leave without seeing Cindy one last time. I knew she’d be okay with the awesome support system she had here. But for the last few months she’d been my focus. Without her and without the Marines, I wasn’t sure what was left for me. It felt like I had to redefine who I am, and I wasn’t sure going to meet with Bennett would provide the direction I needed.
I pulled my cell phone out and dialed Cindy’s number. As usual, I got her nauseatingly cheerful voicemail. I’ve told her a million times to change it, that she’s not sixteen anymore, but she refuses to budge. That girl is so stubborn. She’s so much like me.
When I heard the beep, I started my message. “Cindy, this is your big brother. Let’s get together and have lunch. I’m leaving town today and I’d like to see you.”
We all have something that haunts us. Cindy has her car accident and I am sure she often wonders what if? Those are the same things I face when I close my eyes at night and think about the last ten years in the Marine Corps. I know I’ve done what I was told. I’ve done the best I could. But the times that there was a loss of life weigh heavily on me. As I’m sure it does with each member of my team.
My team. I don’t have a team anymore.
I know I didn’t abandon them, but at times it sure as hell felt that way. We relied on each other. We knew our lives meant doing so. Each member of my team knew exactly what they needed to do, and if one person made the wrong move, the whole team could pay the price. And now I’m the missing piece.
I looked over the bottle of bourbon that was still sitting on the counter. I could have another glass. Hell, I could have the whole fucking bottle. Waking up with a hangover when I met with Bennett in the morning sure as hell wouldn’t be the way to see him again after all these years. I wasn’t out to impress him. If he was going to hire me it was for my skill, not my personality. And if I remembered right, he was an asshole too. Occupational hazard. At least that’s what I tell myself. My parents and siblings don’t accept it. Maybe that’s why I don’t visit as often as they would like. But I’d just spent six months in Boston with them. I needed a break, I needed distance.
Fuck it! I got up, walked to the bar, grabbed my empty glass and the bottle, and headed back to the couch. It wasn’t even noon. As I poured myself a hefty glass, my cell phone rang. Perfect timing.
“I guess you’re calling because you want that lunch,” I teased.
Cindy laughed and said, “Why else would I call?”
I really didn’t care why she called. She was the one person I wanted to see. “Just because I’m buying doesn’t mean you get to pick. I’m not going to one of those obnoxious places surrounded by video games.”
“James, you’re only thirty years old. You act as though you’re a hundred. Please don’t tell me I’m going to become old and boring like you just because I have your kidney.” She gave a theatrical sigh.
I laughed. “I wish it was that simple. I would’ve given you a kidney long ago.” Actually, I would have been happy lose a kidney to anyone if it meant Cindy didn’t have to face the multiple surgeries and constant physical therapy she had been dealing with over the last year.
Cindy grumbled and said, “You know you love me just the way I am.”
“Good thing, because I don’t think you’re going to change anytime soon.” Cindy had us all wrapped around her pinky and she knew it. She was the baby of the family, and we all doted on her. I’m the oldest, and I’ll never tell her she’s my favorite. She’d use it in her favor till the day I die.
“I don’t know about you, but we’re wasting time talking about my behavior when we could be eating. And I am starving,” Cindy said.
“I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.”
“Do I have to change out of my bathing suit?” Cindy added in the voice she knows gets right under my skin.
I let out a low growl. “Only if you plan on eating with me. Twenty minutes. If you’re not ready…”
“Yeah yeah yeah, I know. If I’m not ready, then I’m the one buying. You say that every time, and I’ve never paid once,” Cindy said proudly.
I chuckled. “And you’ve never been on time, either. But I have an appointment. As I said, I’m leaving Boston and I have a jet to catch. You get twenty minutes. Be ready.”
I ended the call and put my phone in my pocket. I was tempted to down that bourbon. It was calling my name, but no way in hell would I have even one sip of alcohol and then put Cindy in the car as my passenger. Instead I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. Traffic was good. I’d probably be at her house in twenty-five minutes. Even then I knew I’d be sitting in the car waiting for her. I could go in and wait, because she still lived with our parents, but that meant we’d never get out of the house. Sometimes it’s good to know the people you’re dealing with.
I should tell my parents and my siblings I’m leaving. But in a way, having lunch with Cindy was doing just that. Cindy was not known for being able to seal her lips. The one thing she loved more than loud music and video games was sharing a secret with anyone who would listen.
Damn, I’m gonna miss that kid.
When I pulled up in front of the house it wasn’t Cindy who came out to greet me. My mother was standing there, her foot tapping on the ground and her arms crossed as she glared at me. That didn’t take long.
I rolled down the window and waved. She walked over to my Jeep and said, “I hear you’re leaving Boston. I know you’re not deploying overseas, yeah, I don’t have a clue where you’re going. Since you’re no longer in the military, I don’t want to hear your excuse that it’s confidential. I’m your mother. I have a right to know where my son is going.”
“I’m thirty years old, mother. I don’t think I have to check in with you every time I take a vacation.” Technically, I didn’t have a job yet. So I wasn’t lying to her. I was staying at a five-star resort in a foreign country with all expenses paid. Sounds like a vacation to me. Hopefully a very short one too, because I wanted my ass back to work where I felt useful.
My mother seemed surprised. Why wouldn’t she? And all these years I’ve never taken a vacation. “Are you traveling alone?”
I chuckled. My mother was always hoping someday I’d bring some woman home to meet her. I’ve had plenty of women in my life, just none that I wanted to meet my mama. And that wasn’t something I had planned for anytime in the near future either. “It’s the best kind of vacation a man could ask for. Peace and quiet.” I paused for a moment and then I added, “I bet Dad would be jealous right now if he knew.”
My mother shook her head. “You’re impossible. You know darn well your father would not go on vacation without me.”
I know you would never allow him to.
“I do. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take Cindy out for lunch before I leave.”
“I was hoping you’d invite me as well,” she said hopefully.
If guilt was a tactic the military used, my mother would be a lethal force. “I’d love to, but as you can see this is a two-seater.” I pointed to all the stuff in the back.
“That’s okay. I’d much rather hear it from Cindy when she returns. I’m sure I’ll get a lot more information from her than I would from you.” She shot me a bright, warm, victorious smile.
“Just remember, you can only believe a quarter of what she says,” I responded. I opened my door, got out, and gave my mother a hug. “Don’t worry, mother, you finally have gotten your wish. I’m no longer in harm’s way.”
She gave me such a tight squeeze that I thought would never let go. “I don’t care where you are or what you do. A mother always worries about her children. I worried from the day you were born, and I’ll continue to do so until my last breath. I love you, James.”
I wanted to say something touching back to her. But I knew if I tried I’d just choke on the words. It’s not who I am. “Just don’t make it anytime soon. Remember this is my first vacation in a long time.”
Before she could say anything else, Cindy came bolting out the front door. She raised her right arm and said, “What do you think? Do you like my cast in pink better than purple?”
I wish you didn’t need one.
“Well, it definitely matches your tie-dyed shirt.”
Cindy looked down at her shirt and put her cast and arm against it. “Hey, you’re right. And al
l this time I thought you had no fashion sense.”
Right now I’m questioning if I have any common sense. If I did, I wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation.
My mother said, “I don’t know what donating a kidney has done to you, James! First you’re taking a vacation and now you’re commenting on clothes.”
Fuck me! “I know. It’s time for me to get the hell out of Boston.”
Cindy waved with her good hand to our mother and said, “You know James. We won’t be long, and I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”
You’ll only tell them what I tell you.
Chapter 2
Robin
When I told my travel agent I wanted a resort most people didn’t know about, this wasn’t what I had in mind. Granted, it was gorgeous here. Everything you could imagine doing was at your fingertips at New Hope Resort. The only problem is-everything you do had to be at the resort. Most people looked content with all the social and physical activities offered on the resort. But I love rock climbing, I love hiking, I love exploring-but you’d need to leave the resort to do any of those things. What’s the point of going to a new country if you’re not allowed to see it?
“Good morning, Miss Wellington,” offered Lily, my waitress of the past few days. I’d seen her coming across the sand to my lounge chair. “Would you like me to recommend something for lunch today?”
Eleven Days in Paradise (Barrington Billionaires Book 11) Page 1
