JOANNA ASSURED HERSELF she wasn’t disappointed that Matt hadn’t come to meet her in Nassau. She’d taken the flight directly from London to the Bahamas and been met by Matt’s helicopter pilot, Jacob Mallister, instead. He’d flown her on to Cable West, the small airport that catered to Cable Cay’s commercial and personal needs, where Henry Powell, Matt’s steward, was waiting to greet her.
It was good to see a familiar face. She’d met the old man before on the two occasions she and Matt had holidayed at the villa. ‘Hey, there, Mrs Novak,’ he exclaimed, his dark features beaming as he gave her a hand to negotiate the steps down from the aircraft. ‘Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?’
‘A sight, certainly,’ agreed Joanna drily, glad to be on solid ground again. She didn’t like helicopters. They tended to dip and sway quite alarmingly, and even the short trip from New Providence had left her feeling slightly sick. The thought of having to do that journey again, when she was in labour, filled her with a sense of alarm.
‘Well, welcome to Cable Cay,’ declared Henry cheerfully. ‘Did you have a good journey?’
‘It was fine.’ Joanna didn’t mention the helicopter ride. ‘But I’m glad it’s over.’
‘I’m sure you’ll feel better once you’ve had a good night’s rest,’ he said, taking charge of her cases. ‘I know Mr Matt will be glad you’re here safely.’
Joanna made no comment to this. She doubted Matt would care, one way or the other. He’d given her an ultimatum: let him play a part in the remaining weeks of her pregnancy—which he regarded as only fair—or face the prospect of him petitioning for custody of the child after he was born.
She didn’t know whether Matt would have done such a thing, but she decided not to take the risk. And after all, surely it was no hardship to spend weeks being pampered by servants on a semi-tropical island in the sun.
Now, looking about her, she had to admit that she’d forgotten how picturesque the island was. The view, even this late in the evening, was so beautiful, and, in spite of everything, she had to smile.
The sunset was just gilding the palms that edged the runway, and the heat was very welcome after the rains of January back home. She was glad now that Matt had sent the helicopter. The ferry ride from Nassau would have taken the better part of two hours, and it would have been dark before she arrived.
In the distance, she could see a beach, with the ocean creaming softly on the shoreline. A cool breeze blew in from the water, and she breathed deeply as she gazed towards the horizon. The sea might look dark now, and even a little threatening, she remembered, but when the sun rose in the morning, it would be a delight in shades of pink and green and gold.
‘It is good to see you again,’ Henry continued, stowing her luggage in the back of a gleaming SUV. ‘I think Mr Matt’s been a little lonely since he moved here. But if you don’t mind me saying so, you’re looking a little pale, Mrs Novak. Maybe a dose of our hot Bahamian sunshine is exactly what you need, eh?’
‘You could be right,’ said Joanna, realising she actually was glad to be here at last. ‘How are you and Teresa these days? I thought you might have retired by now.’
‘Oh, no. We’re not ready for retirement, Mrs Novak,’ he assured her, making sure her suitcases were safely installed. He lifted her father’s old laptop, which she’d brought with her. ‘Will this be okay in the back?’
‘Oh, yes.’ Joanna nodded. ‘It’s just an old machine that used to belong to my father, but I’ve brought some work from home, and I thought it might be useful to keep in touch with my family as well.’
‘Work?’ Henry pulled a face.
‘I run a website,’ Joanna explained. ‘Didn’t Matt tell you, I have shares in an art gallery in London? My partner is keen for me to keep my hand in.’
‘Mr Matt probably forgot,’ said Henry cheerfully. ‘And it’s good to keep in touch with family, too. But Mr Matt’s parents don’t come here like they used to when the children were small.’
Joanna couldn’t deny a sense of relief at these words, but she guessed that since Oliver had had his second stroke, he didn’t travel as much. It hopefully meant she wouldn’t have to face Matt’s mother. Which could only be a plus.
The journey to the villa didn’t take long. Henry spent most of it regaling her with stories of his grandchildren and asking her if she minded that she was having a boy.
‘Mr Matt told me,’ he added, pulling a wry face. ‘He’s pretty buzzed about the whole thing. I know he can’t wait to meet his son.’
‘Henry—’
‘Oh, I know. You and Mr Matt are divorced. But it seems to me that this baby just might bring you back together.’
Joanna was tempted to say, don’t hold your breath, but Henry was so enthusiastic, she didn’t have the heart. Instead, she endeavoured to concentrate on her surroundings, unable to prevent herself from stiffening when the gates of Long Point came into view.
They had been travelling along the winding coast road, but now Henry turned the car between the gates of the Novaks’ residence. ‘The guesthouse is in the grounds, about a quarter of a mile from the villa,’ Henry explained easily, and she remembered Matt had told her much the same.
As if to prove a point, after passing through the gates, Henry turned the car away from the main building. A twisting track led to where a neat little single-storey dwelling nestled among the trees. ‘Here we are.’
Joanna had half expected that Matt would be waiting to meet her. But the cottage appeared to be deserted, and she told herself she was grateful to have the chance to relax before meeting her host.
Someone had indeed prepared the place for her, however. The rooms smelled fresh and inviting, and a note pinned to the door—not in Matt’s hand, she noticed—informed her that a seafood salad had been prepared and was waiting in the fridge.
How kind, she thought, supporting herself with both hands in the small of her back as she followed Henry across the veranda and into the house. Whatever her doubts, Matt had evidently thought of everything.
‘Will I put your bags in the bedroom, Mrs Novak?’ Henry was asking, after staggering up the steps with the laptop tucked precariously under his arm.
‘Yes, please,’ said Joanna, quickly rescuing the small computer. Laptops weren’t cheap, and she’d hate for him to drop it. ‘You lead the way.’
They entered the cottage via a pleasant parlour that apparently ran from the front to the back of the house. Joanna hadn’t yet got her bearings, but she thought there might be a view of the ocean from the back windows. But it was getting too dark to see tonight.
A door to one side opened into a neat kitchen. There was a comprehensive supply of appliances and a small table that was presently laid for one. Then out into a narrow hall with three more doors leading to the bedrooms and the bathroom.
The bedroom Henry showed her into was surprisingly big considering the size of the rest of the cottage, with a huge colonial bed occupying a central position. The bathroom adjoining it was reassuringly modern, with a walk-in shower and a free-standing tub.
‘This is great,’ she said, kicking off her wedges to feel the marble floor cool beneath her bare feet. She couldn’t wait to have a quick shower. She wasn’t particularly hungry, but she supposed she should try a little of the salad. Then, if Matt didn’t turn up, she’d fall straight into that huge bed.
‘I’ll leave you now, Mrs Novak,’ said Henry, hovering in the bedroom doorway. ‘Mr Matt asked me to tell him when you’d arrived.’
‘Did he now?’ Joanna wondered if that meant Matt would be arriving later tonight.
But Henry disabused her of that notion. Glancing about him, he continued, ‘He also said he’d come see you in the morning. But if there’s anything else you need, don’t hesitate to call.’
Joanna hesitated. ‘Do you have the villa’s number?’ Although she was fairly sure she wouldn’t be using it tonight.
‘The phone has a direct line to Mr Matt’s office,’ explained Henry. ‘Just punch in number one and that will put you through. Oh, and your cook and housekeeper will be here tomorrow morning. I’m sure they’ll be happy to help you, too, in any way they can.’
‘Thank you.’ Joanna smiled. ‘Please tell Matt I do appreciate this. And thank you for meeting me, Henry.’
‘My pleasure, Mrs Novak,’ he assured her smilingly, and Joanna wondered if she should tell him that she didn’t call herself Mrs Novak these days.
But that could wait until tomorrow, too. Right now, she was too tired to care.
* * *
Matt was sitting on the veranda, enjoying a tumbler of whisky over ice, when Henry drove up to the villa. The older man parked the vehicle behind the house and then came up onto the veranda to report to his employer.
‘All present and correct,’ he said, nodding his curly grey head approvingly. ‘Can I do anything else for you, sir?’
‘I don’t think so, Henry.’ Then, as the man would have turned away, ‘Does she look okay? How was her journey?’
‘Mrs Novak looks fine,’ said Henry enthusiastically. ‘A little pale—and tired, I think—but I guess it’s been a long day.’
‘I guess.’ Matt was thoughtful. ‘Did she like the cottage?’
‘Oh, yes, sir.’ Henry grinned. ‘I think she loved the place at first sight. She asked me to tell you so. And when Callie and Rowena take over, I think she’ll be very happy there.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ said Matt, wishing he could be as certain. He hadn’t forgotten that if it hadn’t been for some manipulation on his part, Joanna would be in Cornwall by now.
‘I didn’t help her unpack her luggage.’ Henry sounded doubtful. ‘But I expect she’d prefer to do that herself anyway.
‘Just a couple of cases and a laptop, that’s all.’
‘A laptop?’ Matt was intrigued.
‘Yes, she told me it had belonged to her father,’ Henry agreed thoughtfully. ‘She says she plans to do some work while she’s here.’
‘Work?’ Like Henry, Matt was surprised to hear this.
‘Yes, sir. Seems like the lady operates a website for some gallery she helps to run in London,’ said Henry, nodding. ‘Will that be all, Mr Matt?’
He was clearly waiting to go and get his supper, and Matt nodded. ‘Sure thing,’ he said, raising his glass, though he wasn’t altogether happy about Joanna’s plans to keep working for the gallery while she was here. But, at least she was here, where he could keep an eye on her.
For a while, after the man had gone, Matt remained where he was, watching the sunset. Teresa had cooked a steak for his supper, but he’d hardly eaten a thing. He hadn’t relaxed, even when his pilot, Jacob, had told him they were landing. Not until Henry had arrived to say Joanna was installed at the villa had his tension subsided.
An hour later, he left the comfort of the bamboo lounger and strolled restlessly to the edge of the veranda. Hooking his hip over the wooden rail, he gazed broodingly towards the cottage. He couldn’t see anything. It was too dark. But the temptation to go and check on his visitor was strong.
He’d had serious thoughts about the future since he’d returned to the Bahamas. One thing he knew for certain was that he wanted to play an active part in his child’s life. However Joanna felt, he wouldn’t compromise. Angus might have robbed him of his wife, but he’d be damned if he’d rob him of his son as well.
Foolishly perhaps, Matt couldn’t forget that night in Miami. Joanna had given herself to him so ardently. He had to wonder, if his father hadn’t been taken ill and he’d been able to follow her to London the next day, would the outcome have been the same? Or was that just wishful thinking?
He scowled and, finishing the last of his Scotch, he got up from the rail and dropped his glass onto the table. He was getting maudlin, he thought. Discovering he was going to be a father had done that to him. Nothing else.
After all, when he’d left her apartment after following her to England, he’d had no intention of seeing her again. And, despite his comparative isolation here, he’d been managing to make a satisfactory life for himself.
He wrote most mornings, and, when he got writer’s block, he had the businesses in town to check on. He’d actually been thinking he might get married again one day, although it was not a priority. But his parents wanted grandchildren and he’d had to acknowledge that as his father’s only son, he had some responsibilities in that regard.
Discovering Joanna was pregnant had thrown any other plans out of the window. And learning he was going to have a son had been the icing on the cake. During the long nights, as he’d waited for her to come to the island, he’d found himself wondering if he could persuade her to stay.
But hearing about her plans to keep working, he doubted she had anything similar in mind.
He scowled into the darkness, wondering a little anxiously if she’d remembered to lock her doors. People didn’t always lock their doors on Cable Cay, and it was unlikely anyone would disturb her, but Matt couldn’t put it out of his mind.
The sudden piercing scream that rent the peace of the evening set Matt’s heart pounding. The sound had definitely come from the cottage, and, after what he’d been thinking, his blood went cold.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he leapt down the steps and started along the path to the villa, all manner of horrific scenarios racing through his mind. If anyone had invaded the cottage, he’d kill them. And if they’d touched her...
But he refused to continue that thought.