He ran his hand lovingly over the worn porch banister. “Oh, I can promise you, it’ll be frustrating at times. But it’s definitely worth it. This house has some stories to tell—I can feel it.”
The smile on Charli’s face faded as what Jack said hit home. This restoration project could take a long time to complete...years maybe.
What if she didn’t have time? Despite telling Art and Jack that she was here indefinitely, that wasn’t a certainty. She had a life and a career back in Boston, and the firm could—and probably would—call her back sooner rather than later. What would happen ifshe had to go back unexpectedly? What if she couldn’t return to Key West to help finish the restoration? Logically, there was only so long she could stay down here before she had to return to her career and real life.
Suddenly, her stomach twisted at the thought. Jack had been right—the thought of leaving the island and Aunt Dottie’s dream was very lackluster indeed.
“Are you all right? You’re turning green again,” Jack commented as he grabbed her elbows. “Come on, let’s get you back to your house so you can lay down. There’s really nothing here for you to do today anyway.”
“But you’re out here. I should be, too,” she argued, as he walked her out of the compound.
“I’m only supervising, so it’s just a lot of standing around and making sure the guys don’t break anything.” He patted her back lightly and gave her a sweet smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re around for all the important stuff.”
* * * *
Charli opened her eyes to golden sunlight streaming through her bedroom windows. By the position of the shadows on the floor, several hours had passed while she slept, and Charli finally felt like herself again. She tossed aside the sheet and walked out to the balcony overlooking Paradise West,lowering herself into a rocking chair and reveling in the beautiful afternoon breeze. Rocking quietly on the balcony, she watched from the shadows as Jack and his crew continued to clear out the overgrowth in the courtyard and gardens.
Her eyes kept sliding back to Jack and following his movements. With the exception of Gus, he was nearly a head taller than the men around him and was easy to spot. His chestnut brown hair hung loosely past his ears, gently brushing his t-shirt in the back, and bracketed a square jaw that held deep grooves, hinting at a life full of laughter. His chest strained his t-shirt as he moved and worked, hinting at the muscles rippling beneath.
She watched as he bent over to pick up a large chainsaw. His t-shirt stretched over the bulging muscles in his arms and back as he handed it over the wall to one of his workers. And the way he filled out his cargo pants...
Damn...
The man was a puzzle and the desire to unlock him had been building in her steadily since their first meeting in the airport. One moment, he was the charming driver who melted her insides and sent butterflies fluttering in her belly with his chocolate brown eyes and sweet smile. Then, he was a brooder who stood in a corner at the will reading, as still andgorgeous as a Roman statue, refusing to speak with anyone. Next, he’s her personal champion—a gentleman who protects her from herself and makes sure she gets to bed safely after she’s had too much to drink.
Now, he was down below barking out orders, directing the cleanup efforts, and cracking jokes with Gus and their crew. The man was seriously hot and the mystery of what made him tick only fanned the flames. She’d never met anyone like him before and she was drawn to him like a flower to the sun.
What she couldn’t fathom is why he was still single. Surely the women on this island weren’t blind or stupid. They should be crawling all over him. But so far, she hadn’t seen one so much as bat her eyelashes at him.
Hmmm....what am I missing? The man is damned near perfect, and yet not a woman in sight...
Charli jumped as Gus shouted suddenly and pumped his fist in the air. He ran over to Jack and held up his phone—showing him something that made Jack shout in celebration. Gus laughed and launched at Jack, enveloping him in a huge bearhug. Charli smiled as they pounded each other on the back.
Gus eased away slightly, a mischievous grin on his face as he grabbed Jack’s ass and pulled him into aquick salsa dance. Jack’s arms pinwheeled as he fought off Gus’s embrace. “Knock it off, jackass!”
Gus guffawed and released Jack. “That’s not what you said last night. You know you love me.”
Jack shook his head and mumbled something that sent Gus into more gales of laughter.
Suddenly everything clicked—it all made sense and her heart sank.
Oh my god...could Jack be gay? Maybe Gus was more than just his business partner... It’s the only logical explanation.
In Charli’s experience, straight men just weren’t this thoughtful and nice to women. She thought back through all of their interactions and disappointment flooded through her like a tide. She released a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding and her lips pursed as she thought through what she knew. In fact, now that she looked back on it, Jack treated her like a sister.
Dammit.
She huffed.
Well, it wouldn’t have gone anywhere anyway. It’s not like you’re staying here long, Charlotte Dorothea, and he’s your business partner.
She took a deep breath and mentally switched gears to the first task Aunt Dottie had given her. She looked out over the westernhorizon, mentally crossing the water to the tiny island her aunt had requested as her final resting place.
Jack was right...they needed to scatter Aunt Dottie’s ashes sooner rather than later. It would be a tremendous relief to fulfill her aunt’s last wish and know that she was at peace. The fact that Jack had already come up with a plan and was taking care of all the arrangements was yet another major point in his favor. Once the ashes were spread, she could focus on the other monumental project her aunt had given them in the restoration of Paradise West.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her train of thought. She glanced over to see who was calling and grimaced.
The law firm...well, they lasted longer than I thought they would.
