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

session. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like. Might not be as daunting with a partner.”

Winnie spread her arms out. “Honey child, a wet suit can’t handle all of this.”

“Well, the invitation is open. I’ll tell Riley that there’s no need for her to come since you will be with me. And you can invite that other young woman who joined us too, if you’d like.”

“You’re very kind to include us in your experience. Thank you.”

“Well, I’d better get back to this jog. Got a lot packed into the day.”

Winnie looked at the path ahead of her. The side of the Beach Tower peered out from the other building in front of her. “Ooh, yeah, I need to get back too. Don’t really want to walk down there.”

“Something wrong?”

“You read expressions too?”

Laine laughed. “I watch people all the time. You just look like something unsettled you.”

She tossed her hand behind her. “Just have a few memories down there, that’s all. And not a one of them do I feel like remembering today.”

“Okay then.” Laine turned to go, then stopped. “Um, Winnie, any chance you’re free for dinner tonight? You’re welcome to join me for that, too.”

Winnie cocked her head. She knew this was far more than a friendly invitation. “You don’t like eating alone, huh?”

Laine’s eyes widened. “It was just an invitation. I travel alone all the time.”

Winnie pressed further. “You’re not enjoying Riley’s company?”

“Riley is very professional.”

Winnie raised an eyebrow and gave the woman a nod. “Okay then, since you’re enjoying yourself so much but just want this crazy old fan to have dinner with you tonight and swim with the dolphins with you tomorrow, I will oblige. But just know, sugar, famous author or not, you’re still a woman. And I’m thinking you haven’t found a dining companion you are enjoying yet, so I’ll be glad to be there.”

Laine’s demeanor shifted as she shifted her weight on her feet. “You don’t have to come; I was just offering.”

“Oh no, I’m coming, baby girl. I’m coming. My pleasure. I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll have Riley call you with the time and place. Enjoy the rest of your walk.”

Winnie watched as Laine jogged around the bend of the sidewalk. Laine Fulton was proof that neither money nor notoriety afforded companionship. But she’d be her companion, especially if she was buying everything on the menu again. Winnie studied the lean body of Laine as it disappeared up the beach. She had no idea why she attracted women with flawless bodies. Maybe to show them all what they could become. She laughed at the thought. Then she hastened her steps too, putting as much distance as possible between her and the memory of her past.

* * *

“Mr. Takashito, how is everything with your stay?”

“Oh, lovely . . . lovely, Ms. Sinclair.”

Riley patted the arm of the gentleman who stood almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her. “Please let me know if we can get you anything.”

“Will do.”

Riley looked at her watch, grateful that there were no distractions this morning that kept her from being on time. After last night she could have killed Laine, but just talking about it with Christian had soothed some of that angst. And as she stood on her balcony earlier this morning and stared out over the vastness of the ocean, she’d had a talk with God about it too. She figured if He could create something as amazing as those waters in front of her and tell them where to stop so they wouldn’t cover the earth, she could trust Him to help her endure Laine Fulton.

She’d talked with her mom too. Everyone was safe, and Gabby was going to have lunch with them that afternoon. She was sure she’d get an update before the day was over.

Mia rounded the corner, her phone up to her ear, the hem of her green and white dress moving as she walked. Her voice was rushed and tense. “I can only do so much. Honestly, Mom, could you lay off?”

She pulled the conversation to a quick close when her eyes caught Riley’s. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.” She closed the phone and the furrow of her brow loosened as a smile stretched across her flawless face. “Good morning, Riley. Hope last night was better than the first part of your day.”

Riley smiled. “How about, it was just as interesting as my day.”

“Alright then.” Mia’s energy was buoyant as they walked down the open corridor of The Cove.

“You okay?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. Wasn’t eavesdropping, honest, just sounded like a tense conversation.”

Mia swatted her hand. “Oh, it’s nothing. My mother is stressed out over some things and just needed to vent. She doesn’t realize how busy I am.”

Riley stopped and turned to Mia. Mia almost passed her but realized Riley wasn’t following her. She turned and looked at her. “Mia, if you need to tend to something with your family, I want you to know you can take the time to do that. I’ve had you going as frantically as I am.”

“Nonsense, Riley. This is what I came here to do. To work. My mother will be fine. Mothers are always fine.”

Riley laughed. “You never met mine.”

Mia laughed with her. “Now back to work. What do you need today?”

“Well, if you could check on Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds this afternoon. They had some questions about Thursday night’s concert.”

“Sure. I’ll call them this morning.”

“So what’s on your agenda today? Anything you need to tell me?”

“No, just some new guests arriving later and a reception for that larger group that gets in at noon.”

“Sounds good. I can’t be at the reception, though, because of Laine. Can you handle that for me?”

Mia brushed away a long strand of wavy blonde hair that fell across her face as the wind swept through the hall. “Absolutely. Christian and I have already gone over everything this morning, and he is coming too. Then I think he and I are grabbing some lunch before the afternoon heats up.”

Riley felt a slight pang in her chest. “Oh, well, good.