Island Hope (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 4) Read online

  “Sure.” Hope finished off her lunch and stood. “Think I’ll get back to work.”

  Derrick nodded. “I’ll stop in and look things over before I head out today.”

  She frowned. So he really did plan to look over her shoulder. She clamped her teeth together to keep from saying something she shouldn’t and marched inside.

  A few hours later she sensed someone in the suite with her and looked over her shoulder. “Hey, Derrick. I’m about finished here.”

  “Don’t let me rush you.”

  I won’t. She tightened the screw, backed away, and with a flourish of her arms motioned toward the wall. “It’s all yours.” She stepped aside as he casually looked at the wiring for the jetted tub.

  “Looks good to me.”

  She let out her breath in a whoosh. “Good. Now I’ll be able to sleep.”

  He chuckled. “I’m only doing my job.”

  “So am I. See you tomorrow.” She grabbed all of her stuff and strode from the room. Maybe Derrick wouldn’t turn out to be a nuisance on the jobsite after all. But the idea he was assigned to check her work, so Piper could play matchmaker still irked her.

  ***

  “I appreciate your situation, Hope, but this isn’t open for debate.” Piper sat propped up in her bed with arms crossed. A white down comforter folded halfway back revealed she wore yoga pants. Clearly she had no intention of living in bedclothes for the next several months.

  Hope sat beside her friend’s bed. “I’ve never known you to be so unreasonable. Why are you doing this?”

  “It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I already asked Derrick to double check your work, and I don’t want to look indecisive in my assistant manager’s eyes. It’s bad enough I can’t do my job right now. I can’t afford to lose the respect of my employees.”

  Hope pulled the magazines she’d brought out of her bag and gently tossed them within Piper’s reach. “I hear what you’re saying, but I doubt the people who work for you would think less of you if you change a request. Especially Derrick. He seems like a reasonable person and a genuinely nice man.”

  “He is, but please just go with me on this.”

  Hope stood and paced Piper’s bedroom. “You have an amazing view of the Sound from here.”

  “I know. I’m so glad Chase chose well when he bought the place. I love it, even if it is a little on the small side.” Piper cleared her throat. “So, how are you doing? Have you made any sculptures lately?”

  Hope tensed and kept her focus on the water. Piper knew good and well the humiliation and pain her manager/mother had inflicted on her. She’d left the art world and had zero intention of ever returning. “No. That part of my life is over.”

  “It doesn’t have to be. I know your mom hurt you when you overheard that conversation, but it doesn’t mean she was right. You are a talented artist.”

  Hope sucked in a breath. Piper didn’t know the half of it, nor would she. Hope did not like talking about her mom’s stint as her manager. A mom should never say the cruel things she’d overheard her say or steal from her daughter. Her mother’s greed had removed any desire to create from then forward. Hope had not even drawn a new design since that day.

  She turned back to her friend. “I appreciate your kind words, but why does it matter to you?”

  “I like your work and want to add to my collection. Did you notice the windmill in the garden at the resort? It’s one of yours.”

  Her eyes widened. “I haven’t explored much.”

  “I also have one of your wind chimes.”

  Why was Piper doing this? She knew her art was a painful topic.

  “I’d like to commission you to create a sculpture that would hang on the boathouse. I’m thinking something whimsical with a bird. Maybe a stork.” She chuckled. “You get it? A stork?”

  Hope offered a grin, but couldn’t muster a laugh. “I get it, and although I’m flattered, I’ll pass. I should be going.” She stood and hugged Piper. “Will Chase be home soon?”

  She nodded. “He’s bringing dinner. I’m sure there’s plenty if you want to hang out here tonight.”

  “Thanks, but Zoe handed me a boxed dinner on my way out again. I appreciate you arranging that.”

  “You’re welcome. I figured it was the least I could do since I’m cramping your style.” She grinned sheepishly.

  “I agree.” She shot back playfully. She’d missed these times. They’d been roommates in college and had spent many hours talking into the wee hours of the morning then half-sleeping through classes the next day. Her parents insisted she go to college and get a degree in business management. She hadn’t cared much for traditional school and wanted to go to a trade school instead, but her parents won her over to their side when they offered to pay for everything.

  It all worked out in the end. She still went to trade school following college, and started tinkering with metal art on the side. And she had a degree that helped her know how to run her businesses. A win-win as her dad had said on numerous occasions.

  “How do you like Wildflower B&B?”

  “It’s nice, and the food Zoe makes is some of the best I’ve ever had. If I’m not careful, I’m going to gain ten pounds while I’m here.”

  Piper chuckled. “I agree. Did I mention that while the resort was being built, I occupied the same room as you?”

  “Nope. Funny coincidence.”

  “Not really. They’ve dubbed the Poppy room their long-term guest room. Nick, the owner, finally decided after numerous long-term guests stayed, to set a by-the-month rate for that room.”

  “Hmm. Speaking of the B&B, I should head out.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the magazines and please consider my request for a sculpture. Regardless of what happened with your mom, you are the best metal artist around, and I would love to have another piece by the famous H.L.”

  “Shh!” Her heart raced.

  Piper laughed. “No one can hear me.”

  “True, but you know that I want anonymity. Sure, people recognized me back when I was sculpting, but no one here has a clue about my past, and I’d like it to stay that way. If anyone recognizes that name and puts two and two together . . .” She shivered. “I can’t deal with all the questions about what happened to me and whether the rumors are true.” In certain circles, she had been quite the celebrity, and keeping her pseudonym secret protected her privacy.

  “Don’t worry. No one here has even heard of H.L., and they’d never put two and two together.”

  That was at least some comfort, but still . . . She had no desire to pick up where she’d left off. It was all too painful. “Take care of yourself.” She gave Piper a quick hug and darted out the door, passing Chase on his way in. “Hey, Chase.”

  “You leaving?”

  “Yep. I’ve been here a while. Catch you later.” Fresh air and a run were in order, and she knew exactly the place to clear her head.

  Thirty minutes later, wearing a headlamp, since the sun was setting and the beach was not lit, Hope jogged down around the side of the B&B to the backyard and followed the path that led to the beach. She ducked to avoid a low hanging branch. Her pulse increased slightly as the water came into view.

  Pebbles beneath her feet shifted slightly as she found her running rhythm. Soon she barely noticed the fluctuating surface and instead enjoyed the gentle breeze that cooled her neck. She’d taken up running after quitting metal art. Her mom had pressured her so much to produce something new after she’d learned what her mother had been up to that she’d turned to running as a form of escape. She learned quickly to turn off her phone since Mom would never slip on running shoes to join her. Eventually she had accepted that Hope was finished with art.

  At least Hope thought she was finished. She owed Piper a lot. Could she go there again and create the piece her friend wanted?

  Piper’s request unsettled her, and she couldn’t get it out of her mind. Her friend knew what happened. Knew how devastated she’d been when
she discovered her mother had been stealing from her, even though she’d been paid a twenty percent commission on everything Hope sold. On top of that, she had spread rumors that Hope was an alcoholic, driven to drink by her passion for her craft—a misguided attempt to attract more attention to Hope’s work.

  The crazy thing was, she didn’t even like the taste of alcohol. Mom was a master at mind games—still was—but Hope knew better now and kept her distance as much as possible.

  Hope suddenly tripped and stumbled to the ground, landing on all fours, jarring her arms. The light on her head flew off and went out. Shrouded in darkness she reached out for the headlamp and only found pebbles and something wet and slimy—Ewe! She jerked her hand back. Her stomach lurched as unease settled over her. It was funny how that small light made such a huge difference in her view of things.

  She slowly stood and gazed toward the water as it lapped against the shoreline. Soon her eyes adjusted to the light of the nearly full moon and stars. Beautiful. The headlamp rested on the pebbles a few feet away. She grabbed it and flipped the tiny switch—nothing. She tried again, still nothing. Now what?

  How far had she run? It wouldn’t be easy to run back without the light, but nature’s lamp would do. Turning in the direction she’d come, she walked off the pain from the fall then sped up to an easy jog. The farther she jogged the more concerned she became. Everything looked the same. Would she recognize the pathway that led to the B&B if she saw it? Would she even see it? Staying on the beach all night didn’t appeal.

  She kept on for what seemed like forever. Surely she’d run out of beach sooner or later. A person holding a flashlight walked in her direction. Unease gripped her—what if the person was trouble? Not likely here on Wildflower. But thankfully her dad had taught her self-defense should the need arise.

  “There you are.”

  “Derrick?” Relief washed through her. “What are you doing here? Not that I’m complaining. I’m a little lost.”

  “Jill was concerned and asked me to see if I could find you.”

  “She did?” That seemed so unlike the B&B manager. Then again, the woman went out of her way to make sure the guests were comfortable and content. “What time is it?”

  “Around nine.”

  Her stomach did a flip-flop. “I didn’t realize I was out so long. I’m sorry for worrying her and causing you to come look for me, but I’m really glad you did. I didn’t know where the pathway was that led back to the B&B.” It chagrined her to admit it, but she wanted him to know she appreciated what he did.

  “It’s not a problem. It’s a little tricky finding the path at night. Do you usually take such long runs?”

  “No. At least not at night.” She bent her right leg and grasped her ankle then repeated the process with her left one. “I asked Jill how to get down to the beach because I’d wanted to clear my head. I guess I lost track of time.” Plus her tumble slowed her down. She shook her head. “I can’t believe your sister worried about me.”

  He chuckled. “Jill is a very nice person once you get to know her, but she does come across as uptight to some people.”

  Hope chuckled. “You mean she’s not?”

  He laughed. “She can be. You ready to head back?”

  “Yes.” The cool air hitting her damp skin caused gooseflesh to rise, and she shivered. “Brr. It gets cold at night.”

  Derrick shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

  “Thanks.” She breathed in the musky scent on the fabric. She didn’t recognize the cologne, a combination of citrus and spice—very nice.

  “Sure. My wife was a runner too. She often forgot to bring warm enough clothes for her cool-down and came home shivering.” He shined the light on their path. “I noticed you’re carrying a light, but not using it.”

  “Yeah. It broke when I fell and it flew off my head.” She wanted to ask him about his wife, but held back.

  “Sounds painful.”

  “A little.” She shrugged and ducked under the same branch she’d encountered on the way down to the beach. “You said Jill was concerned about me and here I thought she didn’t like me.”

  “Really? I couldn’t say one way or the other. Tonight is the first time you were brought up.”

  “Then you think she might not?” Something about his tone and evasiveness made her think she was right. “Why wouldn’t she like me? I’ve been polite, I keep my room tidy, and I chew with my mouth closed.”

  He laughed.

  “It’s not funny.”

  “Yes, it is,” he said while still chuckling. “You don’t know my sister well, but you nailed her pet peeves.”

  Hope grinned. Okay, so maybe that was a little funny. The B&B’s well-lit property came into view as they left the path into the backyard.

  Jill stepped out the back door. “There you are. I was worried.” She wore a sweater tugged closed that hung almost to her knees.

  “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to the time. I’m not used to people watching after me.”

  “No need to apologize. I’m glad you’re okay. I guess I panicked for no reason. I should head inside.”

  “’Night, sis.” He guided them around the side of the house to the front porch. “I need to get home. I left Alyssa doing homework, but I have a feeling the minute I walked out the door, she was Skyping with her boyfriend, Gabe.”

  “She has a boyfriend?”

  “Her first.” He frowned, clearly not pleased with the situation.

  “How sweet. Have you met him?”

  “No. I learned about him the same day my hours jumped.”

  She nodded. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’m sure you raised a smart daughter.” She handed him his jacket and instantly chilled. “Thanks again. See you tomorrow.”

  She wanted to dislike the man because of Piper’s matchmaking antics, but he was making it very difficult.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The following week, Derrick sat at his desk in the office situated behind reception at the resort. It felt like a Monday, but it was Wednesday. Things were not going well at home. He could still hear Alyssa shouting at him that he didn’t care about her and that her boyfriend loved her. A boy he still hadn’t met.

  Somehow meeting the kid would make it too real. He wasn’t ready for this stage of his daughter’s life.

  The office door swung open, and Chase sauntered in wearing his typical garb, Levis and a flannel shirt. A little casual for the resort, but considering he generally worked on the grounds, his attire was appropriate.

  Chase stuck out a fist. “Thought I’d find you here.”

  Derrick bumped it. “Hey, man. How’s Piper?” His boss’s husband was a great guy. Very down to earth. He enjoyed it when Chase stopped in.

  “Going crazy, but otherwise fine.”

  “Good. I didn’t imagine bed rest would suit her well.”

  Chase chuckled. “Nope. How are things going here? Anything I need to deal with?”

  “It’s been a challenge taking over for Piper, but I have everything handled. Is there anything I can help with?”

  “Nope. Take it easy. I’ll check in with you in a day or two. Call if something comes up.”

  “Will do.” He grinned as the man left the office. Piper said her husband would be by twice a day, but clearly Chase was his own man and did things his way.

  “Knock. Knock.”

  He looked toward the doorway leading to the reception area, and his gut twisted. “Hi, Hope. Come in.” For some reason, his daughter had taken an instant liking to Hope and admired her tattoos. Now Alyssa wanted a tattoo in the shape of a heart with her boyfriend’s and her name. The idea was bad on so many levels, but he couldn’t get her to understand.

  “I got your message. What’s up?” Hope asked, completely unaware of the turmoil she was causing in his house, thanks to her tattoos.

  “How much longer until the work is completed in the north wing?”

  “It’s going to take a while. We have to
rip everything out room-by-room and start from scratch. It was a mess in there.”

  He knew she was right. He’d seen the water damage.

  “If we push hard and everything falls into place, we might be finished by next Friday, but that is the best case scenario.”

  He squared his shoulders. “Really? That’s great news.” He’d been so busy dealing with everything else, he’d neglected to oversee Hope’s work. He’d make sure to check it before heading out tonight.

  “Is that all you wanted?”

  “Yes. Thanks for stopping by.”

  “You could have sent me a text.”

  “I prefer to do things in person.”

  She nodded and looked at him closely. “Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself.”

  “Rough morning.”

  “Work?”

  He started to shake his head, but it had been a little rocky here too. “Mostly I’m learning to be the dad of a teenage girl.”

  “Isn’t she fifteen? I’d have thought you would’ve figured that out by now.”

  “Spoken like someone with no kids.”

  She chuckled. “I was a teen girl once. What seems to be the problem?” She leaned against the doorjamb.

  As much as he appreciated the offer of help, he didn’t care to admit that her tattoos were the problem. Plus, he’d been taking care of Alyssa on his own for four years now, and until the past week or so things had gone well, at least for the most part. The time right after Jenna’s accident had been really rough. “It’s nothing.”

  “Suit yourself, but if you change your mind you know where to find me.” She spun around and left.

  Great, one more person annoyed with him. He stewed for a moment then stood and followed after her, catching her in the hall. “Hope, wait.”

  She stopped. “I need to get to work if you want that wing finished by next week.”

  “Understood. May I walk with you?” Yep, she was clearly miffed considering a minute ago she had plenty of time to listen to him. “As you know, Alyssa has a boyfriend—her first. He’s a senior, and she’s only a sophomore.”

  “Strike one.” She made a slash in the air.