The day, like most days at Casa del Sol, passed in a blur of activity and fun. The romantic couple retreated to their room shortly after lunch. Heather didn’t begrudge them the time alone. If anything, she was a little jealous of it. She’d never had such a connection with a man before. The idea of abandoning fun in the sun to sneak off for sex was a completely foreign idea.

She snuck a glance at Ash, who was organizing snorkel gear at the end of the dock.

Maybe it wasn’t a completely foreign idea.

Maybe she could entertain the idea of spending some time cloistered in a hut over the ocean with Ash.

Oh yes. That could be a possibility.

He looked up from adjusting a mask to see her watching him. “Hey. Like what you see?”

Heather shook her head, but she couldn’t help but laugh. Ash could get away with the cockiness. “I do.” She blew him a kiss and quickly turned away.

She closed her eyes and let the heat of the sun wash over her face. She’d never been so forward before. Never flirted so openly. It was unlike her. She liked it.

Besides that, it was fun and there was nothing wrong with fun.

“Seriously. He’s so hot.” Sandy, who sat in the chair next to her, nudged Heather with her elbow. “You’re a lucky woman to have such a hot boyfriend.”

“Oh, he’s not my—” Heather stopped herself. There was no point getting into details with her guests. “But I am very lucky. Ash is a good guy.”

“If you know what I mean?” Sandy laughed, clearly looking for details Heather wasn’t prepared to give. But she also wasn’t going to shatter the illusion for the woman, so she settled for wiggling her eyebrows before she excused herself.

“I should go see what Camila’s planned for dinner. If you ladies want to go for another snorkel before it gets too late, I’m sure Ash could hook you up.”

She felt kind of bad about pushing the women on Ash that way, but she knew he could handle it. Besides, she probably should take a look in the kitchen. Not so much to check up on Camila, who was most likely preparing something absolutely delicious for dinner, but it was past time to take a look at the inventory on the shelves and see what they were getting low on. It might be time to organize a trip into town soon.

It didn’t take her long to go through the kitchen, and the list wasn’t as long as Heather thought it might be. Camila was amazing at using a lot of the ingredients that grew locally and managing the supplies that were harder to get.

Still, they could always do with a few things next time a trip into town needed to be made. With any luck, it could be organized around the guests coming and going to reduce the trips that needed to be made.

Casa del Sol ran on solar power, and Heather had found it to be remarkably well wired. It was an interesting combination between primitive and modern. Heather liked to call it rustic luxury but it still made her shake her head in wonder every time she fired up the laptop that handled all of the bookings and connected her to the Internet.

Sherri had shown her the passwords and log-ins for the website. Heather tried to look at it every two days at the latest, in case someone sent an email inquiring about a booking. There were usually a few, but not as many as she thought there should be. And not nearly as many bookings as they could handle.

She made a mental note to check with Sherri about the idea of listing Casa del Sol on a site like Airbnb, where she was positive they would get more hits, and therefore more reservations. The property had enough rooms to handle up to ten people comfortably. Heather would love to have a full house. It would be a lot of work, but it would also be a lot of fun. Not to mention the whole business side of things. Heather had always liked a challenge. Not that Casa del Sol was a challenge—but if she could increase the guests and therefore the revenue…well, that would be something.

It took her a few minutes to go through the emails and send a few to upcoming guests. She jotted down their arrival times, which coincided conveniently with everyone else’s departure. There’d be two more couples coming in and judging by their correspondence with Sherri, it looked as though they were up for a little fun and adventure. It could be an interesting week.

Heather was just about to power things down when she decided to do something she’d been avoiding since she’d arrived.

She clicked over to the Internet, opened a new window and typed in the address for her online email account. Right before she’d left for Bocas, Heather sent her mother an email, telling her about the divorce and Heather’s relocation. She knew how her mother would react, and she wouldn’t have told her at all except, well…she was her mother.

Just as she knew it would be, Heather’s inbox was full. There were at least ten messages from her mother. With a sigh, she scrolled up and clicked on the first one.

Heather!! Her mother always did have a flair for the dramatic. Why use one exclamation mark when you could use two?

What the hell is going on? I told you Joe was no good for you. You must be crushed. There it was. Just about as much motherly sympathy as she’d get.

He always was a deadbeat. In actuality, he wasn’t; he just wasn’t a good match for Heather. That was one thing her mother had gotten right. Which was why Heather had steadfastly ignored her every time her mom had told her that.

At least now you can get out of that godforsaken country and come home where you belong. Her mom had never understood why they’d gone to Panama; she’d refused to visit them—not like it was a big loss—and she was always trying to encourage Heather to come home by sending her articles on yellow fever, hurricanes, and crime rates in Central America.

It wasn’t helpful.

Call me when you can. I’ll send you a ticket home. Yeah. That wasn’t happening. The phone call or the ticket home.

Panama was home.

Heather clicked off the email and scanned the others. They were more of the same.

There was no help for it; she’d keep writing her until she responded. They hadn’t always seen eye to eye when she was growing up, but she knew her mother cared about her. She’d always wanted the best for her, and even though she didn’t have a great way of showing it, her mom loved her. It had only been the two of them after her father died when Heather was only five and her mother, who’d seemed fairly normal up until then, became both very detached and completely overbearing all at the same time.

Joe and Panama had been Heather’s escape. Looking back, it hadn’t been the most mature response to dealing with her mom, but it got her out from under her influence and ultimately, it had probably been the best thing for their relationship. After all, Heather didn’t totally cringe now when she spoke to her. That was progress.

Heather opened a new email and wrote quickly.

Mom,

Thank you for your concern. I’m doing fine and I have a great new job managing a beautiful bed-and-breakfast on the other side of Panama. I won’t be coming home, so please don’t send a ticket.

I hope you’re well and keeping yourself busy.

It really is paradise here in every sense of the word. You have to see it to believe it.

Love, Heather.

She sent the email before reading it over, clicked through a few other messages, including one telling her that the divorce was final and everything had been settled easily. No doubt, Joe and his baby mama would be tying the knot soon, if they hadn’t already, now that he was free. She almost felt like emailing Joe to congratulate him but it didn’t seem appropriate. She didn’t really know what was appropriate when it came to Joe. It was a very odd thing to be hurt and relieved about a divorce all at the same time. But the overwhelming feeling was one of relief and freedom.

She looked around at the beautiful waters, the palm trees, the hibiscus and orchids blooming, the birds singing in the trees behind her. She took it all in and let out a long breath.

Yes.

Definitely freedom.

* * *

“Good night.”

Ash kept a smile on his face until the last guests left out the garden door to their own bungalows for the night. The second they were gone, he turned to Heather, and his smile became very different. He’d been waiting all night. No. He’d been waiting all day to get her alone again.

He’d never thought of himself as an impatient man, but Heather was changing a lot of the things he’d once thought about himself. Including the fact that he might not be a one-night stand type of guy after all.

At least not the way he thought.

The fact that after his night with Heather in the ocean, he not only wanted to see her the next morning, but for the rest of the day, was telling. Never mind the fact that he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.

He never let a woman get to him like that. Not since—

“What’s that smile for?”

Heather interrupted his train of thought. From the way she walked across the room, a sultry swing in her hips and a sexy smile of her own on her face, he was pretty sure he was going to like the interruption.

“I’m just happy to have a little alone time is all,” Ash said.

“With me?”

He hooked a finger in the hem of her shirt and tugged her close before pressing his lips to her neck.

“You’ll do.” He nipped the skin under her ear. “Oh, you’ll do all right.” He kissed her again, sucking her earlobe between his lips. “You’ll definitely do.”

“Oh, I’ll more than do.” Her voice was little more than a breath on the air.

“Damn right.” He walked her back to the bench of cushions that served as a couch in the corner of the room until her legs pressed against it and she sat down. Gently, Ash pushed her back until she was on her back, looking up at him straddled over her body. The look on her face was full of want, and he was more than ready to answer her need.

* * *

Ash pulled a thin blanket over their bodies and cuddled Heather closer. They’d worked up a sweat, and the breeze coming off the ocean could be cool, especially after the heat they’d created faded. Not that he thought it would. Not really.

She nuzzled into his chest, a perfect fit, and Ash felt something in his chest hitch. He’d never spent so much time with a woman. Not like this. Not since Carlie.

It was the first time he’d allowed himself to even think her name in months. Maybe years. The fact that he did so while holding another woman stopped him. His fingers, which had been tracing circles on Heather’s back, froze. It wasn’t until Heather pulled away and propped herself up on one elbow that he realized he’d been holding his breath.

“You okay?”

He nodded but it took him a moment to recover from the sudden wash of emotion. “I’m good.” He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head before he slipped off the couch. “I was just thinking there might be a storm coming in.” He grabbed his pants and tugged them on. “It feels a bit cooler than usual. We should check the weather. If there’s something coming in, I might need to take the guests back early.”

Ash was aware that he was being an ass, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. It was too much to be next to her at that moment. He just needed a little space so he could think and clear his head. It was far worse to lie next to Heather and be thinking of another woman. Even if it was Carlie, even if—no. He needed to stop.

“Do you want a drink or something?” He went to the bar and rooted around for something strong. “Scotch?” He selected a bottle from the shelf and grabbed a glass.

Heather watched him from the couch, the blanket pulled up under her arms, covering her body. She shook her head, so he poured himself a dram and swallowed it fast.

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

Ash nodded. “Fine. Just thinking about the weather.”

“Right.” She nodded slowly. “Well, if you’re this worked up by it, maybe you should fire up the computer and check. If you’re right, we’ll have to make arrangements for everyone to go early.” She slipped off the couch and, keeping her body covered, fetched her clothes from where he’d thrown them. Ash’s guilt grew as he watched the way she worked to get dressed without the blanket slipping. He’d done that. He’d created an awkwardness between them. And after the closeness they’d just shared.

He was an ass.

He poured another measure of the amber liquid and tossed it back quickly before he reached for the laptop and powered it up.

There were a million places he could have looked while the old laptop took its time powering up, but like the coward he was being, he stared at the black screen until it came to life. Heather came to stand beside him, and his reflex was to put his arm around her, but he stopped himself.

He knew she was feeling the sudden strangeness between them; she had to be. But instead of pulling away the way he expected her to, she slid her hands over his shoulders and squeezed. “Well?”

Ash turned and took her hand. “Heather, I—”

“The weather, Ash. How is it?”

It took him a moment to process the fact that she wasn’t going to call him out for being a jerk, and it was just the thing he needed to snap out of whatever it was that was going on in his head. Ash grabbed her face with both hands and kissed her hard.

“What was that for?” Heather laughed when he finally let her up for air.

“For acting like an idiot.” He hated lying to her, especially more than once. It just wasn’t the right time to tell her about Carlie, and it certainly wasn’t the right time to tell her what kind of man he really was. “I was just thinking about the weather and then I got worried that the guests would be stranded and miss their flight, and—”

“It’s okay.” She kissed him softly and smiled. “You don’t owe me anything, Ash.”

He opened his mouth to disagree, although he didn’t know what he’d say, but the incoming ding of an email interrupted.

In fact, there were multiple dings and the email program that had been left open lit up with the incoming messages that filled the screen. “Looks like someone is pretty popular.”

Heather’s arm shot across him and slammed the lid shut. “It’s nothing.”

It was most certainly something and he said so. “You don’t like email?”

She reached around him and slid the laptop away from him. “We need to check the weather.” With the screen turned away from him, she flipped it up and started to click buttons.

Whoever it was sending her emails, she certainly didn’t want him to see. A spark of jealousy flared in his gut. “A boyfriend?”

He couldn’t believe the question came out of his mouth. He had no right to ask her that. Especially after the way he’d just been acting. Besides, whatever it was they were doing together, it wasn’t serious. He didn’t do serious and he likewise, he couldn’t reasonably expect any kind of exclusivity from her. “I mean, it’s fine if—”

“No boyfriend.” She cut him off. “And before you ask, no husband either. I’m not that kind of girl.”

“I didn’t mean to imply that you were. I just…well…sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She laughed. “I had a husband up until very recently. It wasn’t right and it ended.” A wave of relief washed over him, which was ridiculous because, like he kept telling himself, they weren’t serious. “And that’s why my mother keeps emailing me. She wants me to go home to recover.”

“Ah, a mother.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “And I take it you don’t need to go home and recover?”

She looked straight into his eyes. “I think I’m recovering just fine right here. Not that I need to recover,” she added quickly. “Like I said, it wasn’t right. And sure, there are some hard feelings for sure, especially since he decided to end it like a coward by finding someone else.” He could see the hurt in her eyes when she told him that, but as they talked, and Heather told him the details, he could also see the sense of relief in her face as she let it all out. While she was talking, Ash realized she was sharing her story. The story Sherri told him all women had. Everything in the past had helped shape her and define who she was. He wasn’t sure what it was, but it was clear to see that Heather’s story had made her stronger.

“So, then I came here,” she finished her story. “And I think all things considered, I’m doing okay.”

Better than okay, Ash thought. And he couldn’t help but think he was at least a small part of that. “I’m happy to hear that.” He squeezed her hand and then tugged her close for a kiss.

“I told you about my past,” she said when his lips left hers. “Tell me about yours. How is it a guy like you isn’t married?”

“A guy like me?” Ash hoped his chuckle hid his discomfort. He didn’t talk about his past with anyone and he didn’t want to start now. But it didn’t look as though that was going to be an option for much longer.

* * *

Heather knew she was risking the easiness between them by asking about his past but she had to do it. It’s not that she was looking for anything between them, but whether she’d been looking or not, there was something. And if it was going to continue, she needed to know.

She waited.

“I was married once.”

She hadn’t expected that. “It didn’t work out?”

“I wasn’t there for her the way I should have been.”

It wasn’t quite the response she’d expected. Not that she really knew what she expected, but maybe something more along the lines of infidelity or money issues. Not that she thought he had either of those problems…it was just…she had no idea.

“What do you mean?”

“I worked a lot,” he said. “No. That’s an understatement. I was a total workaholic.”

“What did you do?” It was a question that the old Heather would have asked right away. The fact that they’d known each other for as long as they had and she didn’t know such a basic fact about him should have been strange. But that was the old Heather.

Ash shrugged. “Without getting into too many details, I invented a computer chip technology. It was pretty cutting-edge and in high demand. I should have brought on a manager to run the business side of things but I couldn’t let go. It was a power trip for me and as a result, I worked too much. It’s not that I didn’t know it was a problem—I did. We had more conversations about it than I can even remember. I knew everything could be on the line, but I still couldn’t seem to make myself slow down. It was always ‘after this project’ or ‘as soon as I get this proposal done’ or…well, it doesn’t matter.” His eyes got a faraway look, as if he were remembering saying those exact things to his ex-wife. “It doesn’t matter because I never did seem to find the time to slow down and put her first.” He shook his head and managed a wry smile. “I can’t even tell you how many holidays I canceled because something ‘more important’ came up.”

“Holidays? No?”

He nodded solemnly. “One time we were supposed to go to Mexico for her cousin’s wedding but at the last minute I had this huge project come up. I couldn’t say no. As a start-up, you have to take every opportunity that comes your way. No matter what. No matter the cost.”

“Oh no.” Heather’s hand flew to her mouth. Joe had made a lot of mistakes, but he’d never made her miss her cousin’s wedding. “And you guys had to miss it?”

Ash shook his head. “No. She was a bridesmaid—she couldn’t miss it.”

“She went without you.”

Ash nodded.

“Wow.”

“Wow indeed. I was a total dick.”

She couldn’t disagree with that, but it wouldn’t have helped to say anything, so she didn’t. “I bet she was mad?” It occurred to her that he hadn’t told her his ex-wife’s name. “Was she?” Heather emphasized the word, hoping he’d get the hint.

“That’s the thing. She wasn’t mad.” His eyes clouded as he got lost in a memory and Heather couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. “She was never mad. She always understood. I could see it hurt her when I canceled or left her at parties alone, or didn’t come home because it was easier to sleep at the office. But she never once said anything.”

If she’d never complained or gotten upset, then how did they get a divorce? Heather couldn’t wrap her head around what he was telling her, but he didn’t look as if he was ready to explain. “So, what happened?”

He looked startled, as if he was lost in a memory and she’d interrupted him. In fact, that’s exactly what had happened. Heather felt like an intruder watching the emotions play on Ash’s face. He was clearly lost in his thoughts. She asked again. “If she never got mad, then what happened?”

“We just didn’t get our happily ever after is all. It happens sometimes.”

“It shouldn’t happen,” she said simply. “I still believe in happy endings.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Do you now?”

She couldn’t help it; Heather laughed and smacked him on the arm. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You’re crazy.” He winked and grabbed a pillow from a nearby chair and tossed it at her before taking off, running across the room.

It may have been a diversionary tactic, but it worked because she wasn’t thinking about failed marriages or past relationships anymore. Her only focus was on catching Ash and making him pay for his crazy comment.

If making him pay meant pinning him down and having her way with him, then all the better.

* * *

He let her catch him. Mostly because only good things could come from Heather straddling him on the floor. And all those things most certainly happened. And then some.

After they pulled themselves together for the second time and scrounged up some semblance of breakfast, it was long past time for opening up the rest of Casa del Sol and checking for storm damage. Screwing around was fun and all, but it didn’t help them get their work done. And he really should head up the hill and check on Sherri. It had been too long as it was, and he should make sure there was no damage on her place, and do any repairs if they were needed. But first, there was something he needed to take care of.

He waited until the dishes from their pieced-together meal were in the sink and he’d helped her open most of the shutters. “I know you feel like you’re failing at things.”

“Gee, thanks.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“That came out wrong.” He reached for her hand and pulled her close. “That’s not what I meant. All I was saying is I know you’ve had a run of bad luck the last few days. So what if I showed you something that I think would help?”

She tilted her head, waiting for him to continue. “What did you have in mind?”

“I want to show you how to run the boat.”

“The boat?”

He nodded. It had seemed like such a good idea in his head. The wooden panga could be a little tricky and if she knew how to handle the boat, it might make her feel more in charge of things and secure if she ever needed to go somewhere and he wasn’t around. Although he couldn’t think about where he’d be or why he wouldn’t be around. He didn’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon.

“I’ve driven a boat before.”

That’s right; she had said she’d been at a marina with her ex-husband. But something told Ash he hadn’t been the type of guy to let her participate in a whole lot. “So you know how to drive a boat then?”

“I’ve done it.” She put one hand on her hip.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I did.”

“Okay then.” Ash clapped his hands together. “Let’s do it.” He started to walk out to the dock and the tied-up panga. “Show me your skills, girl.”

He knew she’d follow and sure enough, by the time he got out to the boat, she was right behind him. “I don’t think we have time to do this today,” Heather protested. “There’s still so much clean-up and I should check the guest rooms to make sure they’re—”

“Chicken?”

That had the desired effect, just the way he’d been hoping it would. But instead of answering his question, she crossed her arms over her chest, planted her feet and stared at him. “Who are you calling a chicken?”

“You.”

“Me?” She jabbed a thumb at her chest.

“Yes, you.”

“You’re calling me a chicken?”

He nodded. “That’s right.”

She nodded slowly, and a smile crept over her face. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Before he could offer her a hand into the boat, she jumped in and went straight for the bow rope.

“Whoa.” He was right behind her, stilling her hand. “One thing at a time, sweetheart. Never untie the boat before you get the engine started. And this particular engine can be a bit finicky.”

“Right.” She squeezed past him and stood in front of the old two-stroke engine. Ash watched as she pulled the starter cord. Once. Twice. Three times.

Nothing happened.

Heather straightened up, hands on her hips, and stared at the engine before she turned to him with a question on her face.

“Try the choke—make sure it’s on idle.”

“Right.”

He waited while she made the adjustment and pulled the starter cord again. Once. Twice. Three times.

Nothing.

Ash fought back his chuckle. “I thought you said you’ve done this before.”

He couldn’t help it; when he saw the fire in her eyes when she turned around the second time, Ash couldn’t hold back his laughter any more. He quickly swallowed it back though when he saw she might hit him. “Okay, okay. I’m not being fair. This boat is a little tricky. Can I show you the trick?”

Heather nodded and stepped aside. “By all means.”

It wasn’t a lie; the engine was tricky, but it wasn’t impossible. “Look here. Sometimes the fuel hose gets a little loose. You just need to make sure it’s snug and secure. Be careful when you’re driving, too, because sometimes the line can be jostled and if you’re not connected, then you know what that means.”

Heather tilted her head. “I do.”

“It sounds simple, but make sure you check it. Every time.”

She nodded. “That’s it?”

“That should be it.” He moved to the side and let her try again.

Ash watched while she checked the fuel line, making sure it was tight, adjusted the choke and pulled.

Once.

Twice.

The old engine fired up with a sputter and a roar. Heather turned, a huge smile on her face. She jumped up and kissed him on the cheek. “I did it.”

“You did.” He untied the bow line and sat back while Heather navigated the boat away from the dock and out into the water. He reclined in the sun and let her have her fun until finally the boat slowed and she navigated it back to the dock.

“That was awesome.”

“You did great.” Ash tied the bow line and helped her out. “See? It’s not all bad. You’ve got this.”

She held his face between her hands and kissed him long and slow. “Thank you.”

“It’s all you, babe. All you.”