Chapter 8

Brayden

I’d been left a note by the maintenance supervisor that some issues with the pool filters had popped up and he wanted permission to shut the pools down for two days to make updates. The pools were a major feature and I had headed toward the equipment building to have a look for myself when I spotted Harper’s slender body in that pitiful old bikini on a lounge chair. I could hear her on the phone with someone and hung back just to listen to the musical lilt of her voice, though I couldn’t make out the words.

I watched as Ripley approached her and by her body language, she was not happy. That’s when I saw him touching her leg and moved closer so I could listen in. I didn’t want to make an unnecessary scene if I could keep from it, but the man was clearly over the line and one step away from dragging her away caveman style. I saw red as I heard him threaten her with his hideous proposition and just when I was about to step in, I saw her leave.

I took care of the pool equipment inspection and headed immediately to the ballroom where they were preparing for a fashion show function for socialites from Miami. A yearly event, it generally packed the rooms and restaurants and Utopia had become synonymous with its success. If ever there was an environment boiling over with ego and attempted domination, it was fashion. The entire event carried a backstage atmosphere of a carnival side show and yet, one by one, models emerged onto the runway with grace and a look of complete disinterest, thereby transferring all personality to the garment and away from the model herself.

My cell vibrated in my pocket. It was the front desk notifying me there was someone who insisted on seeing me. I responded that I’d be there as soon as I could.

Utopia was growing beyond what I’d ever imagined. I had based my business plan on roughly fifty percent average occupancy, but the current reality was ninety percent and higher on a regular basis. I was considering expansion but the tourism industry wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One thing was for sure; I needed help. I wanted a responsible, owner-perspective assistant I could trust with not just financial aspects, but with the privacy and sensitive issues that occurred in running such a resort. There was only one person I could imagine in that role – Harper. I told myself I just wanted her with me and I was exaggerating her qualifications. Realistically, I knew she could handle it.

I put out a few more petty fires on my way to the front desk. I considered calling Harper but wasn’t sure if I could spend any time with her at all. I recalled the images of Ripley fondling her leg and the slow burn I’d been trying to ignore was becoming hotter by the moment. Spontaneously, I tapped her direct cell number and she answered immediately.

“Crazy day here,” I opened the conversation.

“I sort of know what you mean, but probably in a different sense,” she commiserated.

“I know, I saw.”

“You…?”

“I was on my way to the equipment shed at the pool when I saw him touching you.”

“He’s a creep.”

“He’s dangerous, Harper. Stupid, desperate people always are. They lose their sense of reason to get what they want. I don’t like you being around him. Where are the kids?”

“With their mother, visiting a school. They’ll be back before long.”

“Can you meet me for an iced tea? I haven’t had lunch and miss you.”

There was a pause. “I suppose I could, but I can’t stay long. When the kids come back, I know they’ll be ready to explode. They’re not very good at prolonged good behavior.”

“Meet me in the front lobby. There’s someone there asking for me and I’ll wait for you there.”

“See you in a couple of minutes, then,” she agreed and disconnected.

I checked my watch and headed up front. I heard the voice even before I saw the owner.

My brother, Collin.

Gail, at the front desk, gave me a wry, apologetic look and pointed the tip of her pen toward a seating arrangement by the window. I drew a deep breath and quickly looked around to see if Harper had come down yet. I contemplated turning around and leaving—to let the lion pace his cage before I acknowledged him. I knew my brother, however. He would make it his business to time the reunion when it would prove the most embarrassing to me. I couldn’t give him that control. I could, however, give him a smaller, more private audience.

Turning to speak to Gail, I saw Harper headed my way. I didn’t know whether to hug her or ask her to go back to her room.

“Hi,” I whispered in her ear. “I’m in a fix. My brother, Collin, is here and holding court over there by the window. I know he’ll say something intended to embarrass me.”

“Okay, no big deal. He’s always been a bit of an ass, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

“I don’t, and I agree,” I admitted.

Harper took my arm and propelled me toward Collin. “We’re not hiding and certainly not on your turf,” she stated and I was more or less at her command.

Collin’s back was toward us. Harper pulled me close and then released my arm and stepped around to face him.

“I thought I recognized that voice. Hello, there, Collin. How nice to see you again!” Harper was in her cocky, I-dare-you-to-ignore-me stance. If I had any doubts about her competence before that, they had disappeared now.

Collin’s head tilted upward and his overly-loud laugh was cut short. “You look familiar, sweet thing, but I’m not sure who you are.”

Harper laughed, overly-loudly as if to mock him. “Oh, no? Your brother and I were an item for two years, Collin. I haven’t changed that much.”

“Harper.”

“Now you’ve got it, buddy,” she said, reaching down to slap his thigh. “I thought you were in prison,” she threw at him. An uncomfortable silence enveloped the small group and a couple of people stood and walked away. She had, in one sentence, effectively broken up his audience and disarmed his opportunity to embarrass his younger brother.

Collin sat there, watching people look elsewhere and quietly rise to walk away. He looked up at Harper who stood looking down at him. “Now, Harper, honey, why would you say that to me? That wasn’t very nice and I seem to remember you were a pretty nice little piece at one time.” Collin lifted his hand and took a sip from his glass. I knew it was a sign of danger; he was buying time before he exploded.

I pulled Harper back, out of the line of fire and stepped around in her place.

“Hello, brother.”

“Well, what do you know. You decided not to hide behind your girl, I see?”

“She has better things to do,” I said coolly and glanced quickly at Harper, warning her away with a look. She nodded and sauntered off toward the elevator. I looked at Collin. “Why don’t we go into my office to talk? If I stay out here, someone will bring me a problem.” I thought it sounded plausible and Collin chose to believe me. He shrugged, set down his drink and rose to his feet. I’d finally passed him and was now two inches taller than he was; a fact that seemed to perturb him so I took advantage of it. I looked down at him and nodded over my shoulder. “This way.”

We went into my office and I felt my phone vibrate. I motioned him into a chair and checked the message. It was from Harper. I tried my best. Good luck. Oh, and mention that his fly is open. ~Harper

I just about choked to keep from laughing and looked at Collin’s pants. She was right. I didn’t say a word about it. “Nice to see you again, brother. What brings you to town?”

He sat sideways in the wingback and put his gym shoes on my desk. I handed him another drink from the mini bar in my office and joined him.

Pointing a finger at me, he started the story. There was always a story. It generally began with, “I hate to…” and ended up with me giving him money and a ticket out of town, sometimes after the bail had been paid. I took a drink and shut out his voice until he got to the part where he needed something.

I held up my hand. “No need, Collin. What do you need?” I headed off his closing statement.

“Now is that any way to talk to your big brother? The man who taught you how to defend yourself? Picked you up and dusted you off when the bullies came after you?”

“Which bullies? You mean the ones you sent my way with orders to kick the shit out of me?”

“All of them.”

“Collin, what do you need? I have to get back to work.”

“A place to stay and a chance to maybe help you out a bit, bro,” he said, the liquor smoothing his voice into a plaintive whine.

“No problem. Let me leave you a key at the front desk. Why don’t you go into the tearoom and order lunch? Tell them to put it on my account.” I walked to the door and held it open for him, but he didn’t budge. “Is there something else?”

“So, when did you and Harper hook up again?”

I shook my head. “We’re not hooked up, so let it go.”

“No kidding?” He emptied his drink and stood. A smirk twisted his lips as he said, “Then you won’t mind if I sniff around?”

It killed me and I wouldn’t allow it, but I knew if I told him he couldn’t, he would do it on purpose. “Sniff away,” I told him.

“Well, thanks, bro,” he mocked me and saluted as he left.

The second I closed the door, I texted Harper.

Collin is headed your way. Stay clear. It’s easier than telling him no because he’ll just see that as a challenge. ~Brayden

The response came within seconds.

Thanks a lot. I’ll see if I can find a street person to return the favor.

I loved her sense of humor. Jesus! Just texting with her made me hard. I hated the position I was in. I knew she was still a bit sticky about the old days and any whiff of repeat behavior and she’d disappear for life. It was only coincidence that had brought her into my gin joint, as Bogey would say.

I had a meeting coming up and thought I’d get some fresh air first. Grabbing an iced lemonade from the tea room, I pushed the door open against the heavy, humid air of the outdoor pool area. It was popular this time of day, particularly for the snowbirds from the upper half of the country. They were recognizable by the vivid red burn of their skin. If they’d come prepared to stay for three days, they wanted a year’s worth of tan in those three days. They would pay their dermatologist later, most likely.

I spotted Harper coming out another set of doors with the kids in tow. The boy’s mouth was open and, from the expression on his face, I could tell he was complaining. The little girl kept shoving her glasses up the bridge of her nose, something that appeared to be more of a nervous habit than a necessity. Harper was nodding and carrying her laptop. I felt badly for her. She was trapped. She wanted to be entrepreneurial but couldn’t afford the time it took to get her business off the ground. She was wearing the same tired bikini. I imagined for a moment what a new wardrobe could do to showcase her gorgeous body and face. I was afraid if I offered, I’d spook her again. I knew I was going to change her life, I just wasn’t sure how to manage it yet.

I checked my watch and saw I only had five minutes to get to my meeting. The woman was the president of a large writer’s group in New York City. They were scouting locations for their upcoming annual meeting, and I knew we were at the top of their list.

I headed indoors and Gail was trying to get my attention. She motioned with her eyes to a very attractive, middle-aged woman in a designer, two-piece suit. I knew she was my appointment and that she was from the north. No one in their right Floridian mind would wear such a heavy suit in this weather.

I approached and greeted her, holding out my hand. We spoke briefly but the noise in the lobby precluded a serious discussion. She asked if I minded coming to her room, mentioning that she had details of their needed accommodations on a white board there. She was staying on the first floor so it was nearby and wouldn’t take long. I nodded and followed her as requested. Just as the door was closing behind me, I saw Harper coming back in with the kids, her hair wet and flat against her head. I had a pretty good idea why they were headed back inside and what the boy was in for when they got upstairs, especially when I saw Ripley meet them with a perturbed look on his face. Shaking my head thoughtfully, I went into the meeting. I would talk to Harper later that evening if she could get away. Something had to change.