“It’s crappy not being in control, right?” Tyler blew out a long breath.
“From now on, you don’t agree to any shopping excursions for those girls without my direct authorization.”
“I didn’t exactly agree. This was Lydia’s idea.”
“You agreed when you didn’t disagree.” The girls were both on their own. Without a guard. Ben should’ve ignored their request to go it alone and hopped on board the chopper with them. “I’m going to go crazy if I don’t hear from Saria soon.”
“I’ll make sure Lydia puts her on.” Tyler shoved a hand through his hair. “Hell, even your news this morning about your sleaze of a father didn’t manage to distract me nearly long enough.” Tyler hadn’t condemned him either, not even for all the years he’d withheld the information. “Maybe you shouldn’t have ended things yet with Saria.” Tyler fiddled with his rod. “You’re clearly uncomfortable letting her go.”
“It would never work.”
“Did Saria say that?”
“No, I said that. Sleepyhead there”—he jabbed a finger at Brigs—“tried to convince me letting her go would be wrong too, but that’s what I’ve done, and I’m sticking to that decision.” He held out his hand. “Pass me that damn phone. I’ve had enough of waiting.”
Tyler handed it over and Ben punched in Lydia’s number.
“Hello, honey.” Lydia’s voice, as sweet as sugar, resonated down the line. “I still had one more minute before I had to call you.”
“It’s not your honey. It’s Ben. Put Saria on, and I don’t want to hear any more excuses. Not one.”
“I can’t put her on. She’s filling in paperwork for her new job.”
“What?” He tapped the phone. “This connection must be acting up. Did you say paperwork for a new job?”
“Yes, she got the offer this morning, but told me not to say anything until the deal was all signed and sealed. We’re at the hospital now with Dr. Hika. He wanted everything recorded formally. You know, so she’s covered for any eventuality, insurance and all. We’ve already organized a Fijian bank account for her wages.”
“What job are you talking about? Saria doesn’t have a job.” She couldn’t work here, not when she’d be too far away from him. His heart started beating out of time.
“She accepted a nursing position with Dr. Hika. She’ll be staying on at Resort Island once we’ve sailed away.”
“For how long?” He thumped his chest, got his ticker back onto the right beat.
“Only four weeks. The nurse who usually holds the position is dealing with a family illness. I’m so excited for—oh, here she is. You can talk to her now. Saria, Ben’s on the phone. He wants to talk to you.” A crackle came down the line then all went quiet. Lydia must have covered the mouthpiece.
He rapped one foot on the dinghy’s floorboards where a little water sloshed within the hull.
“What’s happening?” Tyler leaned forward, his gaze narrowed.
“Saria’s accepted a job as a nurse here at the island. A temporary one, but I don’t like it.”
“Ben, she’s too busy to talk to you right now.” Lydia was back. “Sorry, but we’ve got to catch a cab and get back to the helipad. Tell Tyler I love him. See you guys soon.” She hung up and a piercing tone buzzed in his ear.
Lydia had not just hung up on him. And Saria had certainly never been too busy to speak to him whenever he’d called. What the hell was going on?
“Well, what did Lydia say?” Tyler held out his hand for the phone and he passed it back.
“They’re catching a cab now to the helipad, and she said she loves you.” He scrubbed his face with numb fingers. “Saria can’t take a job here.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t reach her quick enough if she needs me.” He hauled his line in, including another bunch of useless seaweed he wanted to toss at snoring Brigs.
“Hey.” Tyler gripped his shoulder. “Calm down. She’s no longer in The Program. She shouldn’t have a need for you to get to her.”
Tyler was right, only Ben couldn’t stand he was.
They weren’t in a relationship, and never would be. That hurt almost as much as the thought of her being so far away.
Saria jiggled in her seat as the chopper flew in over the island then settled with a gentle bump on the resort’s concrete landing pad. The blades whirred down and Lydia squeezed past her and bounded out. Tyler waited by the storage shed to the side of the tennis courts in tan shorts and a brown and white striped t-shirt. Lydia ran into Tyler’s arms and he swung her about, sending her knee-length lilac skirt flying. She adored how much Tyler loved her sister.
“I’ll get your purchases for you.” Dr. Hika hopped out then grasped the large box holding Lydia’s wedding gown and her bridesmaid dress. The shop assistant had carefully wrapped both in white tissue paper after they’d made their final selection.