SIX

Sadie appeared at her first meeting of the day a few minutes early and looking perfectly calm. Her blue linen sundress was long enough to be professional, but light enough to suit the warm island weather. Her espadrille sandals gave her a few extra inches of height without threatening to topple her when it came time to tour the beach. And she’d subdued her dark hair into a relaxed braid that hung over one shoulder. When she walked into Grace’s office, which was unobtrusively tucked behind the hotel’s registration desk, Sadie was confident that Grace wouldn’t think anything was wrong. In part because, unlike Lizzie, Grace didn’t know Sadie well enough to catch the small pinch that formed between her eyes when she was thinking through a problem. And because Sadie could blame any nervous energy on the large coffee she was carrying. Which she would tell Grace was her third. Even though it was her fifth.  

“Ready to inspect the crown jewel?”

Sadie raised the coffee to her mouth and cocked a questioning eyebrow as she took a sip. See, it was already coming in handy as a prop.

“The Seven Winds Villa,” Grace clarified. “I made sure it was out of inventory last night so housekeeping had extra time to prepare before our inspection.”

“Brilliant. Let’s take a look, then.” Sadie followed Grace out of her office and through the front doors of the hotel’s central building. She kept her eyes fixed to the back of Grace’s head, refusing to turn towards the rear terrace, denying herself a glimpse of the ocean that Jack had described so fervently in his letter.

Once safely tucked next to Grace in a golf cart, Sadie released the breath that she’d been holding.

“Our island vibe hasn’t caught up with you yet?” Grace gave Sadie a bright smile and Sadie tried to mirror the gesture.

“Oh, you know how these things go. No relaxing until the show is over. No matter how serene the scenery.”

“Fair enough. But maybe I’ll be able to convince you to exchange one of those,” Grace pointed to the cup in Sadie’s hand, “for a cocktail tonight. Get you into the Caribbean spirit.” Grace deftly drove the cart up a narrow path that broke open to reveal a crisp white stucco structure with cheerful yellow trim around the windows and doors. “Jasper makes a Dark n’ Stormy that is guaranteed to relax some of the east coast out of you. And I’ll even let you enjoy it in the staff lounge so you don’t have to worry about running into Mr. Donovan or any of the other guests.” Grace gave Sadie a teasing jab to the leg before bringing the cart to an abrupt halt. “Here we are. Let’s see if everything is as it should be.”

Sadie followed Grace through the deceptively simple doors and into the living space that sprawled out beyond the foyer. While the front of the villa appeared to be nothing more than a well-tended cottage, that misconception fell away the instant one stepped inside. The rear of the building contained a long row of windows and French doors that opened onto a porch that wrapped around the back of the villa. Given the terrain of the island, the villa’s entrance was on the top floor, a sweeping staircase off the living room leading down to a smaller sitting area on the ground floor, which was flanked by several bedrooms. Sadie knew from previous visits that the beauty of the canopied bed in the master suite was only surpassed by the views from the soaking tub in the adjoining bathroom.

Feeling no desire to linger in a space that would shortly be occupied by Mark Donovan, Sadie made her way quickly between rooms. Checking the living room carpet for stains. Making sure the kitchen was fully stocked with sparking water, wine, and lots of glassware. Ensuring that no nuts of any kind were hiding in the mini bar, the cheese and fruit tray chilling in the kitchen’s spacious fridge, or the carefully assembled welcome baskets displayed in each bedroom. Once both Sadie and Grace were satisfied that the villa would meet Mr. Donovan’s exacting standards, they exited the doors on the lower level and stepped onto the flagstone patio, where a private infinity pool drew the eye before it dropped off a steep rise, leaving them staring at the crystalline ocean beyond. 

“I know exactly how it will be to stand there with you.”

Jack had written about this view. He hadn’t meant this specific spot, no. Sadie knew the terrace he was referring to. The one she’d avoided at all costs as she’d left Grace’s office. But the view from the villa was the same. The same sand, the same water. The same green peak of St. Kitts rising in the distance. Standing so very still, looking at the horizon Jack had sketched for her in his letter, Sadie felt a small fissure open somewhere inside her. A gap in the defenses she had constructed over the past few months.

In the pool’s reflection Sadie saw a shape materialize next to her and for a split second she thought – she hoped – it was Jack. Until she realized it was Grace. And that she was potentially losing her mind.

“You all right?” Grace put out a hand to steady Sadie, preventing her from tumbling head first into Mr. Donovan’s pristine infinity pool. “I think it’s time you stop drinking those.” Grace plucked the coffee cup from Sadie’s lax fingers and headed towards the path that took them from the patio, around the villa, back to where the golf cart was parked.

“You’re probably right. Enough coffee for one day.” Sadie closed her eyes as she took a seat next to Grace. Rolling her shoulders back, she willed her mind to focus on her tasks for the day. “The villa looks beautiful, Grace. Mr. Donovan should be very comfortable. And,” she bumped her shoulder against Grace’s, “if he isn’t, we’ll know as soon as he checks in. And exactly what we need to do to rectify the situation. No doubt about it.”

“I’ll take a precise complainer over an ambiguous one any day. At least we’ll know what to fix.”

“We can always hope.”

Grace slowed the cart down in front of a path that jutted off to the right, rising higher up the hill. “The Sunset Villa is up there. Where Mr. Avery will be staying this week. Want to check it out as well? I had the keys made, just in case.”

Sadie looked up the path to where it disappeared in a bend, the shade of palm trees punctuated by flowers in vibrant reds and purples.

“Nah, no need to check Mr. Avery’s villa. If it’s anything like Mr. Donovan’s, it will be perfect.” Sadie wondered if Grace saw some of the discomfort that passed over her face. At this moment, his words running on a perpetual loop in her head, the very last thing Sadie wanted to do was inspect his room in detail. To look at the bed he would be sleeping in, the pool he would be swimming in. The shower he’d be naked in. No, that would definitely be a bad idea.

“Ok, then. Back to home base. Let’s pop by the spa. Get you some of Sonya’s cucumber-mint-water. She swears by the stuff. Will help brighten you up, get rid of the caffeine jitters.”

“Thanks, Grace. That is exactly what I need.”

***

It wasn’t, of course. What Sadie needed was to not be on a beautiful, exotic, tropical island for an entire week with Jack Avery. Without Lizzie or any of her staff to run interference. With a man who had a hidden – and surprising – skill with the written word, and every intention, it appeared, of using it against her. But since escaping wasn’t an option, Sadie forced herself to focus on the rest of her meetings.

Peter was able to collect the packages from customs, and they’d inventoried all of the welcome gifts that D&A International had sent their executives. Sadie gave Peter and his team very precise instructions for distribution. The brown leather boxes – containing Omega watches – were to go to the men’s rooms. The midnight blue velvet boxes – protecting diamond solitaire necklaces – were to go to the ladies’ rooms. Sadie checked the stack of hand-calligraphied cards against the guest list, making sure Peter knew which card went to which room, and with which box.

“If Jacklyn Simmons gets a watch I will never hear the end of it. Please, please, Peter, make sure the boxes get to the correct rooms.”

“You don’t need to worry, Ms. Carter. I’ll make sure everything is taken care of exactly as you say.” Sadie gave his hand a squeeze before he headed out with the packages, the instructions he was passing along through his radio disappearing with him.

Next came the walk-through of the lobster bake that was taking place on the beach later in the week, the hotel chef assuring Sadie they wouldn’t have any problem catching lobsters the morning of, fresh for the grill that night. Then a review of all of the spa appointments Sadie’s team had booked for D&A International’s guests. And, finally, her last appointment of the day. Gulping down as much cucumber water as her bladder would allow, Sadie took the various department heads through all of the special requests – turn down services, dietary restrictions, tee times, and sunset catamaran cruises – that had flooded in over the past few weeks.

“You are very thorough, Ms. Carter.”

“It’s my job to be, Mr. Baker.”

“Marcus, please.”

Sadie shook Marcus’s hand, trying to ignore how his fingers lingered on hers longer than necessary. “Marcus.” Sadie pulled her hand away and brought it to join the one on her now-empty cup, fingers laced together in a protective grip. “We are thrilled to be here in Nevis, at the Seven Winds. You have a beautiful property. And an excellent team. If we can successfully handle all of the special requests that have come in, particularly those from Mr. Donovan, I have no doubt this week will be a success.”

“Of course, Ms. Carter. Our team excels at catering to a certain type of clientele. Those with, hmmm, discerning tastes. As it were.” Marcus leaned towards her as he spoke, his movement adding an odd emphasis to the word “tastes.”

Trying to ignore his sudden closeness, Sadie carried on, desperately hoping to escape Marcus as soon as possible. “You have some of the best in the industry. No doubt about it.”

“Well,” a smug smile spread across Marcus’ mouth, “they do have an excellent role model. If I do say so myself.”

Sadie tried to smile at him, but suspected it came out more as a grimace. “They’re very lucky to have you.” Sadie’s voice lacked conviction, but Marcus didn’t seem to notice. “Marcus,” Sadie started to skirt around him, trying to cut a path to the door, “thank you for taking the time to join this meeting. I know you are very busy, so many things to oversee here at the hotel.”

Marcus, completely ignorant of – or ignoring – her attempt to evade him, fell into step beside her. “Yes, as general manager my responsibilities are endless. Never a moment’s rest. But since I wasn’t able to greet you when you arrived yesterday I knew I had to find you today. To assure you that your program is in great hands. That you, Ms. Carter, are in great hands. We’ll take the very best care of you. Have no doubt.”

Sadie had gotten out of the room, relieved to feel the breeze rolling in off the ocean, but Marcus still hovered. He kept pace with her as she headed towards her room, his arm brushing hers every few steps.

“Marcus.” Sadie’s tone was friendly, but she said his name with an abruptness she hoped would discourage him from following her the entire way. “Again, thanks for joining. And for everything your team has done.” She retrieved her phone from her dress pocket and glanced at it, focusing on an appointment reminder that wasn’t there. “But if you’ll excuse me, I have to jump on a call. Gotta run.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean to keep you.” Marcus began to rummage around in his pockets, searching for something. “I had a card, my card, just a minute ago. Not sure where it went. Regardless. I’ll send you an email. To make sure you have my contact information. In case you need anything.” He made to reach out for her but stopped when Sadie returned her eyes to her phone. “Please, don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything. Anything at all, Ms. Carter.”

“I’ll be sure to, Marcus. Thanks.” Sadie tossed the words over her shoulder, hurrying down the path to her room, hoping Marcus wasn’t watching her hasty retreat.