“Thanks.” She climbed out onto the helipad after him. Her hair whipped around her face and she tucked it behind her ears.
The sun was close to setting, and the last couple who’d been playing tennis closed the wire gate and handed their rackets and balls to the attendant standing inside the beachside bright yellow sports kiosk.
Dr. Hika handed her the box then reached back in for his briefcase. “If you’re still after that appointment, instead of trying to make one at the pharmacy, I could see you during my lunch break tomorrow.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Certainly not. You can take a look through the nurse’s office and get comfortable with where everything is.”
“That’d be perfect.” She didn’t start until Monday, once the others had sailed.
“See you tomorrow afternoon at one.” He waved and strolled away.
Tyler strode across, took the box from her and grinned. “Thanks for keeping an eye on your sister for me.”
“Anytime, although it was more the other way around today. She found her dress straight away, while I took forever.” She slung her purse over her shoulder and followed him and Lydia along the wharf as they nattered.
They boarded, and she hurried down the stairwell. Guilt still ate at her for not taking Ben’s call earlier, but she wasn’t ready to talk to him about her decision to take the job and remain here.
She snuck into her room, locked the door and leaned her forehead against it.
“About time you got back.”
She spun about, banging her hip on the brass doorknob. “Ben, what are you doing here?”
“We need to talk.” He rose from the white leather couch and stared her down.
“I—I—” Her gut clenched.
He raised one blond eyebrow in a hard angle. “Did you have a nice day on the mainland?”
“Yes. What about you? Catch any fish?”
“Not one.”
“That’s a shame.” Now he was in her room, he’d demand an answer. She nibbled on her bottom lip. There must be some way she could sidetrack him. “I bought a new dress and some shoes as well.”
“I’m more interested in this new job you’ve got.” He pressed her against the door, his chest rising and falling heavily. “Explain yourself.”
She was out of time. “I was presented with an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, and it’s only temporary.”
“I’m aware it’s temporary.” He slid his fingers in under her hair and around the nape of her neck. With his other hand, he played with the top button of her dress. “For an entire four weeks.”
“What are you doing?” She desperately wanted him to undo that button, and the next.
“Nothing.” He held her, his rapid heartbeat pounding against hers. “I’m doing absolutely nothing, as agreed.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on.
In the quiet, the day’s frustrations melted away, and a sense of rightness stole over her. The setting sun sent a blaze of gold shimmering across the walls.
“I told Brigs and Tyler everything.” His words rumbled over her.
“Did they take it well?” She hid her smile in his shirtfront.
“Yes, and I should have told them years ago. I know you’re smiling and thinking I-told-you-so.”
“I’d never do any such thing. I’m enjoying the moment.” She rubbed her cheek against his chest. “Is there anything else you want to tell me since we’re having this heart to heart?”
“I’ve never known what it’s like to have a true home.”
“Keep going.” Her heart lifted. Finally, he was opening up.
“The first time I ever had a room to myself was after I left the army and started up my own firm.”
“How did that happen? What made you set out on your own?”
“It’s not a secret. One of the men in my dorm room heard about an outside job going over the Christmas holidays. A bodyguard was needed and the pay was good. Since I was due some leave, I offered to take it. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go during the holidays. No family and all.”
“No, but you have wonderful friends.” She looped one finger through his belt hoop. “Who was the job for?”
“A wealthy actor. The studio he worked for took me on to do another job following that one. In the end, I had to keep extending my leave to cover the additional work. Three months all up.”
“You enjoyed the work?”
“Yes. Referral after referral came in, and before I knew it, I could no longer handle the number of assignments on my own. I left the army for good, and at that point, Brigs and Tyler joined me. Within two years, I had more than a dozen men on staff. I expanded, rented a city office, and from there began accepting local authority and government contracts. I’ve never looked back.”
“I’m glad it was you who took on my job.”