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

“Oh, Riley, I’m so sorry.” Her voice was now slightly frantic. “I’ll go right back and get them and take them over there right now.”

Riley shook her head. “No, that was my responsibility. It was very important and I knew that. I should have taken care of it.”

“Yes, but that’s what I’m here for—to help you. I should have kept calling until I got you. Please let me go get them right now and take them.”

“No, honestly, it’s all right. I need to do this myself. I promised Max I would.”

“Okay. But I am so sorry. I should have asked you twice this morning. I knew you were a little harried when you came through here.”

“Yeah, slightly hectic morning. I’ll see you shortly.”

“Okay. See you later.”

An overwhelmed feeling washed over her again, but she resisted, knowing that feeling would only lead her to a dark place. It was a place she hadn’t been to in years and one she had no intention of ever returning to. Besides, she had no time for old demons. Not when new ones seemed so capable of finding her.

* * *

Tamyra didn’t notice the brilliant blue of the sky that hung like a tapestry over Cain, the nine-thousand-square-foot designed pool at The Cove. Nor did she pay any attention to the two infinity pools that sat elevated and served as virtual bookends. She was silently grateful that Winnie had rescued her from her own thoughts, but none of it would undo the fact that Jason had found her phone number. That in and of itself seemed impossible. And if he could do that, there was a huge risk that he could find her here.

“Are you Miss Larsen?” a beautiful Bahamian woman asked, the vibrant orange of her top a sharp contrast to the black of her skin.

Tamyra stopped in front of the small teak hostess stand that stood at the entrance to the pool. “Yes, I am.”

“Come this way. Ms. Sinclair has reserved a place for you.”

Winnie and Tamyra followed the woman’s long legs, wrapped in flowing white pants, toward a large daybed with an awning-style covering that sat at the edge of the pool and stood elevated above the other lounge chairs.

Winnie stopped dead in her tracks. “You want us to climb up there?”

“They are remarkably comfortable, and we want you to have the complete experience here at Cain.”

“The question is, do you want your other guests to experience me atop that bed?”

Tamyra couldn’t help but giggle.

“I’m thinking the beached-whale exhibit isn’t what you had in mind for your guests this afternoon.”

The young hostess flashed a brilliant white smile at Winnie. “You, my dear, look breathtaking in that swimsuit of yours. You will be a model of elegance to all of us.”

Winnie raised her eyebrows at the young woman and dipped her chin. “That is the biggest bunch of hoodoo I’ve heard in a long time.” A smile broke across her lips. “But you can tell me that anytime. However, unless you have a crane to hoist my butt up on top of that thing, I’ll have to pass.”

Tamyra finally spoke. “Thank you, but we’d be more comfortable in a couple of the lounge chairs over there.”

“You’re sure?” the hostess asked.

“Yes, I’m positive. But please tell Riley thank you for us. It really is a kind gesture.”

The hostess nodded and led them to lounge chairs that sat at the edge of the pool and down slightly from the daybeds. “How is this?”

“This will be great,” Tamyra answered.

“Much better,” Winnie said.

“I will have a server come over in a few moments to see if there is anything else we can get you.” She left the ladies to themselves.

The music mixed into the natural sounds of the background—laughter, conversations, and cheers from the gaming pavilion behind them. Tamyra unfolded one of the towels a young steward brought them and laid it across her chair. She pulled sunscreen from her bag and covered herself in SPF 45, then lay down and watched Winnie wrestle with an umbrella.

She finally stood beside it, holding the pole in a victorious pose. “Could you see my red butt displayed atop that daybed? These people want to leave rested, not in need of therapy.”

Tamyra laughed. “You are beautiful, Winnie. I hope I look half as beautiful . . .” She stopped midsentence. If Winnie noticed, she didn’t say anything. The sun was warm and welcome against her skin. It was the first time in two months she had even realized it was there. But lying here in this beautiful setting, she couldn’t help but feel it.

Winnie finally collapsed on the lounge chair with a thump. “I need a drink.”

No sooner had the words come from her mouth than another beautiful Bahamian lady dressed in white shorts and a white shirt tied up around her midsection, revealing abs that Tamyra feared Winnie might scold, arrived with her tray and order pad. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?”

“I would like a piña colada.”

Tamyra looked at her.

Winnie wriggled her nose. “Virgin,” she said as she rolled her eyes.

“And for you, ma’am?”

“A bottled water would be great. Thank you.”

Winnie didn’t disappoint. “If you girls would get some sugar in you, then those stomachs of yours might not look like they were starving to death.”

The hostess laughed. “I’ll be right back, ladies.”

Tamyra and Winnie leaned back in their chairs. Tamyra looked around at the bodies that surrounded them. There were all kinds. And the sun was worshiping each one.

She turned to see Winnie bolt upright on her lounge chair. “I know she isn’t!”

Tamyra looked across the pool and saw a young woman, probably in her late twenties, wearing nothing but the lower part of her bikini. She was sitting up with all parts alert, talking to the man and woman who sat next to her as if this were as normal as eating breakfast.

“I think I read somewhere that you could go topless out here,” she whispered.

“She’s showing her private parts to the world! And it’s simply not