"Welcome back, Mr. Armstrong. We're so happy you could join us this evening." The concierge clutched a clipboard and directed their attention to the two young men standing nearby on the dock. "Thomas and Henry are available to help you with anything you may need."
"Thank you, Terry." James stepped off the plank onto the dock and offered a hand to Anna, who was quickly followed by Louise. He held his arms out to each woman and grinned when they both latched on.
"Wasn't that fun!" Louise remarked, looking over the dock's edge to the water below. "Thank you for the invite, James. This is positively stunning."
James led the ladies up the dock to the pebbled path of Sunset Key. "Just wait until dinner. The restaurant here is one of the best I've ever tried."
Louise swatted his shoulder. "That's high praise coming from a Manhattan boy."
James chuckled. Anna's aunt loved to tease him and he found it very easy to like Louise. Even though it seemed the woman waslooking right through his soul sometimes, deep down she was a wonderful woman and full of life.
A lot like her niece.
"Then you know I've visited many outstanding restaurants in my day. I'm not lying when I say this one is in my top five."
"Ooooooh!" Louise clutched his arm. "I simply must know your top five now."
"What's that I heard you say, James? It's only in your top five?" Carl’s booming voice came to their left. "Are you fibbing to these beautiful ladies? You know we're the best."
"Carl!" James steered the ladies over and shook the old man's hand. It had only been two days since they'd been camped across from each other in the restaurant, finalizing their deal. "So glad you could join us."
James turned to Anna. "Anna, love, you remember Carl from the last time we were here?"
"Of course." She offered her hand to Carl, who immediately placed a kiss on it. "It's good to see you again."
"You are still as lovely as ever, my dear." Carl's gaze swiveled to Louise, and James could have sworn he saw a gleam in the old man's eyes. "But James, please do me a favor and introduce me to this stunning vision before I embarrass myself."
James snorted. "I think we're past that, man. Louise, this is Carl Owens, a good friend of mine. And Carl, this is Anna's aunt from Delray Beach, Louise Marlowe. She grew up in Key West and moved north several years ago."
"Any friend of James is a friend of mine," Louise responded, smoothly gliding toward Carl. "Please don't disappoint me, Carl. After that display with my niece, my expectations are fairly high."
Carl chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of slighting such a gorgeous woman." He made a grand show of bending over her hand and gracing it with a light kiss, outdoing any royal’s fancy etiquette.
"Anna and I were showing Louise around the island. Would you like to join us?"
Carl clutched his heart. "Why, I would be insane to turn down such an offer. Especially since you're technically the new owner." The old man shrugged. "I mean, the only thing holding it up is all that legal gobbledy-gook to be finalized."
James grimaced. He hadn't found the right time to tell Anna that he was the new owner of Sunset Key's Diamond Resort. She'd been shocked when she’d learned he’d bought the house sight unseen. So it was common sense that she’d be stunned by this new information.
Right on cue, Anna swiveled a shocked gaze toward him, her eyes like saucer plates. He nearly groaned out loud as his worry was confirmed. If she only knew what the rest of his business dealings entailed. For some reason, his wealth made her uncomfortable despite the fact that her business catered to Key West’s elite.
"You bought this entire island?" Her tone was a combination of accusation and disbelief.
"Well, no," he answered softly. "I've bought the resort. There are still several privately owned homes on Sunset Key. They enjoy the luxuries of the resort, but they pay an annual fee for that privilege, sort of like HOA dues."
Anna’s expression pinched as if the idea made her uncomfortable. "But, I don't?—"
"Louise, my dear," Carl cut in as he held an arm to Louise. "It would be my pleasure to give you that tour."
Louise's lips curled as she accepted. "I would simply love that. Thank you."
Carl beamed and his chest puffed out, looking like he was walking on air. "This way. We'll start in the main office. If you look close enough, you may spot some of your niece's furniture there," he teased.
"Carl, when you two are done with the tour,” James interjected. “Would you escort Louise to our table in the restaurant's private section? There will be an extra seat for you at our table if the thought appeals."
"I would be delighted." Carl's eyes twinkled as he led Louise along the pebbled path, pointing out areas of interest as they strolled arm-in-arm.
James turned to Anna, who watched Carl lead her aunt away, her brow beetled. "They'll be fine, don't worry."
