Hurricanes in Paradise by Denise Hildreth (best ereader under 100 .TXT) 📗

it promptly. If not, someone else will entice them to their property, and we want their money spent here. To help ensure that we get them, we’re flying a group of their vice presidents in this Thursday just so we can make them feel special,” he said with a wink.

“And special they will feel. I’ll be looking for the contract and get it right to you.”

“Go over it thoroughly. Then have it sent to legal and they will finalize everything tomorrow and get back with Friesen first thing Monday morning.”

“Does Claire ever take a weekend off?”

“Claire thinks the Atlantis is her hotel.”

“Well, by the way she runs legal, I think so too.”

Max laughed.

“When can I expect the contract?”

“You’ll have it on your desk before you leave.”

“Then I’ll have it sent to legal first thing in the morning.”

Max stood. She followed. “Sorry you’re having to mess with any of this tomorrow. I know it’s your day off.”

“It’s no problem. With Laine Fulton here this week, I don’t think there will be a day off.”

“Well, she’s a huge author. Best sellers every time.”

“That’s what I hear.”

“Hopefully this storm out there won’t mess anything up for her or our VIPs.”

They walked to the door. “I had heard there was some trouble churning out there.”

“September can be a brutal month for hurricanes. But we’ve lived through worse, haven’t we.” He patted her on the shoulder.

She reached up and patted his hand. “We survived tsunamis.”

* * *

Riley walked down the covered walkway that connected the Royal Towers and The Cove, past the spa, and headed toward the fitness center.

“Just pick up the phone and call him,” she said, shaking her head.

“Excuse me? Did you say something?” a guest asked as she exited the fitness center, a ring of sweat around the collar of her dark blue T-shirt.

“No, um, no. Sorry. Just talking out loud, I guess.” She walked hurriedly past the lady and pulled her BlackBerry from the pocket of her slacks, then dialed Christian’s cell. She’d just as soon get it over with.

His voice came over the other end. “I can’t take your call right now.”

She felt her resolve weaken. Even his voice was beautiful.

“But just leave a message and I’ll get right back with you. Thank you.”

The beep that followed fortified her nerves slightly. “Hey, Christian, it’s Riley. I’m sorry about tonight, but the author that I have in town is expecting me for dinner. And it looks like I’m going to be pretty swamped with her all week. So, sorry, but I think dinner is out for a while. But . . . um . . . thanks. I mean, thanks for asking and everything. But I’ve just got to, you know, make sure my guests are taken care of and all, and well, yeah, I guess . . . well, I guess that’s it. I’m rambling, aren’t I? Sorry, I don’t mean to ramble. When you have a six-year-old, every now and then you ramble. So, okay, well, then . . . I guess good-bye. Well, it’s not good-bye; we’ll see each other around and everything. But good-bye for a date. Tonight. Yeah. Alrighty, then. I’m hanging up now. Okay. Bye-bye.”

She disconnected and stuck the phone back in her pocket. “Okay, you’re an idiot twice. Twice in one day. Why don’t you see if you can make it three? I hear that’s a lucky number. And this is just the place for lucky numbers.”

* * *

Mia was in Riley’s office when she turned the corner. She stepped from around the back of Riley’s desk. Her presence caught Riley off guard. “Hey, um, what’s up? You looking for something particular?”

“Oh no, I was just checking on something for Mrs. Harris. I knew you had written her appointments down on your calendar, so I was just checking it to make sure I had it right.”

“No problem. I actually wrote them down and gave them to her. And she’s a character, let me tell ya.”

“Well, they called to confirm her dolphin experience tomorrow, so I was just checking it with your time.”

Riley slipped around Mia and looked at her calendar. “It’s at ten thirty tomorrow.”

“Good. That’s what they have. Do you need me to assist you with anything for Ms. Fulton?”

Riley’s brow furrowed as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and laid it on top of her calendar. “Um, yeah, there is. Could you get us dinner for two tonight at Mesa Grill, back table, something quiet?”

“Consider it done. Anything else?”

“Yeah, let’s keep a good eye on Tamyra. Something’s not quite right there.”

“Will do. So if that’s all, I’ve got a few other guests to check on. Let me know if you need me.” Mia walked toward the door of Riley’s office, then turned. “Oh, I did get an update on the hurricane. They said its course has been so erratic that they’re not sure where it is going to make landfall, but they are saying if it follows its projected course, we’re in it.”

“Of course we are. With a week this packed, why not throw a hurricane on top of it?”

“I’ll keep my eyes on it. We’ve already had quite a few cancellations for the week, though.”

“Well, let’s do everything we can to be prepared. There are always those determined few that won’t leave regardless.”

“Yeah, I hear they can be pretty headstrong when it comes to vacating early on a vacation.”

“Can’t blame them. I figure if they’re willing to make the reservation during hurricane season, they’re risk takers anyway.”

Mia laughed. “Got quite a few of those here, it seems. See you later.”

“Thanks, Mia. Great job. Really.”

“It’s my pleasure, Riley.” And she left.

Riley looked at her watch. She had fifteen minutes to go grab Gabby. That would give her time to call Jeremy. If they were in the path of a hurricane, she didn’t want her daughter in it.

* * *

Riley clicked the Weather Channel off and went back into the kitchen. Macaroni swirled in the hot, salty water like synchronized swimmers in a pool. “Angel girl. Come in here for a second. Mommy needs to tell you something.”

Gabby bounded into the