I flipped through the reservation book in the Dune Scape office. Cole had told me there were a few customers booked into the fall, but not many.

The goal was to turn the Dunes into a year-round destination for families and couples, not a only a spring break and graduation hangout for college kids. Graduation was an incredible way to make money, but Cole needed steady income he could count on when the students weren’t in town. Now that I was on the payroll, I needed that consistent cash flow too.

The agreement I made with Cole was that I wouldn’t start accepting a paycheck until the motel had a fifty percent reservation rate for three straight months. It wouldn’t be much, but I’d be able to pay myself a small salary if the motel could bring in that kind of income. I had a savings account I could use in the meantime, but it made me nervous to live off it for too long. When it ran out, I didn’t have anything else to fall back on.

I had convinced myself that my business degree had prepared me for this. I had marketing classes and economic training under my belt. If I could make an A in class, I could definitely make an A for the Dunes.

The little window unit hummed along as I scanned the calendar. It was hard to believe I had already been in South Padre for a week. I had managed to unpack the rest of the boxes, and set up the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom with all my things. Cole promised we could start hunting for living room furniture over the weekend.

He and Grayson had a few things, but it looked like something I bachelor would throw together and he wanted Grayson to feel like it was a real home.

I think Cole and I were finally starting to get the hang of living together. It wasn’t the same as sharing an apartment with Mary Ellen. Whenever she and I lived together, there was a more clearly defined barrier of personal space. Living with Cole, all the personal space boundaries were blurred. We slept in the same bed, shared the same bathroom, and cooked meals together in the kitchen.

I didn’t realize he had a night routine that lasted almost as long as mine. I tried to give him his space to shave and brush his teeth. It seemed weird to hover over him in the bathroom.

We were navigating through it one day at a time. So far, I was proud of us for making it this far without any major blowups or arguments.

I looked up as he walked into the office.

“Hey, I have to run to the mainland to pick up some things for the other rental properties. Want to ride with me?”

“Actually, I just started digging into the reservations. Is it ok if I stay?” I wasn’t sure how long he would be gone and I felt guilty for neglecting my new job’s duties.

“Sure. I’m picking up a new door and some shingles. It shouldn’t take me long.” He strolled over and kissed me long and hard, before retracing his steps to the door.

For that, I would have ridden over the bridge with him. I sighed.

“Thanks for dropping Grayson off this morning.”

“Of course. He was so cute running into preschool. He’s very proud of his Batman backpack.”

Cole had found a small school for Grayson. It was one more thing Amber had never even thought of. I had been added to the list of emergency contacts. It was scary and normal at the same time. I had a car seat in my car. Cole made sure that Grayson had everything he needed. He was an incredible dad.

“I’ll be back soon.” He stepped out of the office.

I logged on to my laptop, ready to start work on my social media campaign. I had made a list of all the places we could start posting and advertising the Dune Scape that might attract an older clientele.

All we needed was one good pipeline, and I knew we could have the place full throughout the year. I had fallen in love with the rundown rooms and the retro accents on my first trip. With a little more upkeep, I wouldn’t be the only one.

I dove into my marketing plan, and before I knew it, it was past lunch. My stomach started to growl.

I didn’t feel like walking back to the house to make lunch. I realized I hadn’t stopped by to see Hank yet. I grabbed my purse, locked the office, and headed over to Peabody’s for a turkey sandwich.

“Look who’s here.” Hank’s smile lit up the bar when I walked in.

“Hey, Hank.” I tossed myself over the bar so I could give him a hug. It was good to see him after so many months.

“How do you like the new place?” he asked.

“The fact that it’s right next door to the Dunes is perfect.”

Hank threw a towel over his shoulder. “Tell me what I can get you.”

“I think I’ll have a turkey club sandwich and some fries.”

“Just one?” His eyebrows arched.

“Yes, Cole had to go pick up some things. I’m eating solo today.” I glanced around the bar. There was a couple on the sunset deck drinking margaritas and a guy in the corner wearing a plaid shirt.

“Ok, one sandwich and fries coming up.” He turned to punch my order into the computer.

“So what have I missed since I’ve been gone?” I settled onto the bar stool. Hank always had the best inside scoop on island news.

“Have you talked to Sasha?”

I laughed. “Yes, I saw her the first day.”

“Good. Didn’t think I could keep that news from you. Don’t know if I’ve ever seen anyone so happy, but she swore me to secrecy until you got here.”

“I think it’s the best news. She and Cal are great together.”

“Hold on one second, Kaitlyn. I’ve got a customer I need to check on.” Hank excused himself from behind the bar and walked to the corner opposite the stage.

I thought back to my first night in South Padre. This is where I met Cal and Lance. After playing pool with them all night, I felt like we had gone to high school together or maybe even grew up on the same street. Things were a little awkward with Lance once he realized all my attention was on Cole, and then there was that situation when I found out Lance was Grayson’s uncle. I didn’t like Cole had been with Lance’s sister, but it was the past.

Hank’s voice rose from the corner, but I couldn’t pick up the conversation. He returned to the bar, slightly flushed in the face.

“Everything ok?” I wasn’t sure I had seen him agitated.

He pulled the towel from his shoulder and wiped the bar until I was certain he could see his reflection. He huffed. “Yes everything is fine. I shouldn’t let people get under my skin. Nothing to worry about.”

“You sure?” I didn’t mean to pry, but the customer had obviously said something to upset him.

“I sent that guy on his way. We don’t need people here poking around about business opportunities and real estate. Just makes my blood boil.”

“Oh.” No wonder Hank was upset. He liked the island the way it was. He didn’t have much patience for outsiders who wanted to alter it.

“Orders up!” the cook yelled from the kitchen window.

Hank pivoted on his heels then extended his arm to grab my lunch.

“Here you go. All ready for you.”

I handed him my credit card.

He waved it off. “No, this one’s on the house.”

“Hank, I don’t need you to do that.” I tried to shove my debit card into his hand.

“It’s a welcome home present.” He smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

There was no way I was getting him to accept it now. “Well, thank you. I like the way that sounds.”

“What’s that?”

“Home.” I smiled.

He chuckled. “I’m glad you moved here, girl. Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t. Thanks for lunch.” I picked up the white paper sack and headed to the Dune Scape office.

I unlocked the door and settled behind the desk, ready to dig into the fries.

I checked my email to see if any of the hotel sites I emailed this morning had responded. My inbox was full of promotional coupons, but nothing from the advertisers. I reminded myself this was a marathon, not a sprint. It would take a while to make contacts and start a campaign for the motel.

Cole had multiple offers from developers who wanted to buy the Dune Scape. They all had the same plan: snatch up the 1950s motel, demolish it, and build a high-rise condominium complex. He could have walked away from the money pit and cashed in a fortune, but he argued that wasn’t the reason Pops left it to him. It was the only piece of a family legacy he had, and I wasn’t about to screw that up. We could make the Dunes something amazing for Grayson. He wanted his son to have something.

I unwrapped the foil from my turkey sandwich and took a big bite.

The office door opened, and a man whose shoulders filled the frame walked through the door. It wasn’t until he was inside and the silhouette from the sun vanished that I recognized him as the guy sitting in the corner at Peabody’s.

I covered my mouth with my hand as I tried to chew and swallow the enormous bite of sandwich I had stuffed in my mouth.

He had a deep laugh. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you a hundred questions while you’re eating lunch.” He pulled up a chair and planted himself in front of the desk.

I sipped on my water and cleared my throat. “Sorry.” I swallowed again. “What can I help you with?”

He had light sandy brown hair, and a five o’clock shadow that gave him the look of a cologne model. He was maybe just under thirty.

“Don’t you want to finish your lunch?” He eyed my sandwich.

“No.” I shoved it to the side. “I’m working. Do you need a room?” I smiled and retrieved the reservation book. Cole had reverted to the old system as soon as I left. A walk-in reservation today would be fantastic.

“Something like that.” His eyes raked over me, and I had a creeping suspicion this was not guest-related at all.

“Ok, then what can I do for you?” I noticed his sleeves were rolled just below his elbows, a style Cole often sported.

He leaned forward, his light blue eyes blazing. “I’m Aiden Thomas.”

“Thomas?”

“Yep.” He reached for one of my business cards I had ordered online and read the name. “Are you Kaitlyn Sinclaire, the guest service, marketing, and planning manager?” His eyebrows arched.

The way he read out my self-proclaimed title made me feel ridiculous. I was the only one working in the office, so I tried to come up with something professional. It now sounded idiotic.

I nodded. “That’s me.”

“Maybe you can help me with something, Kaitlyn.” He leaned even closer to the desk. I could smell hints of cologne wafting across my computer.

“Ok.” I waited, hoping he would cut to the chase.

“I need to speak to the owner of the Dune Scape. I have some business I need to settle regarding the property.”

I rolled my eyes. No wonder Hank got annoyed with this guy. He was another investor in town, ready to obliterate the Dunes and its history.

“Mr. Thomas?” I straightened my shoulders. “I can probably save you a lot of time. The Dune Scape isn’t for sale. Cole isn’t interested in selling it and he never will be. Thank you for stopping in.” I smiled sweetly, pressing the point that it was time for him to leave.

He leaned in the chair, chuckling. “I guess I wasn’t completely clear.” His gaze locked on mine. “I’m the heir to the Dune Scape and I need to get the legal business settled. I already have a developer lined up. So if you could tell me where the other Thomas is, I can get the ball rolling.”

My pulse raced. What was this lunatic talking about? I pressed into the desk, my knuckles turning white. “What do you mean, you’re the heir? Cole’s grandfather left him the Dunes.” I didn’t want to air Cole’s personal business, but this was insane.

Aiden didn’t seem surprised. “You’re talking about my nephew?”

“Nephew?” I shook my head. Cole told me both of his parents were only children. This guy was way too young to be Cole’s uncle, at best a distant cousin. “Cole doesn’t have an uncle.”

Aiden sighed. “This wasn’t how I planned on meeting him, but sometimes shit happens.” He stood to leave. “Here’s my number.” He scribbled on the back of my business card and tossed it on the desk. “Tell Cole to give me a call.”

I jumped from my seat, ready to slug the smug look off his face, but I kept my palms by my side. I couldn’t start decking people in broad daylight.

“Nice to meet you, Kaitlyn.” He winked. “Hope I get to see you around soon.” He pulled the door behind him.

I picked up the closest thing I could grasp, a paperweight, and threw it at the door. The impact dented the wooden panel. I slumped into my seat. What in the hell had just happened?