Unexpected Entanglement (Echo #3)

15. Chapter 15

fifteen

Rowan and her companions walked to the main house and waited by the driveway for the approaching truck.

“Let me do the talking,” she instructed. Knowing her best friend’s inability to keep her opinion to herself, she added, “Alex, whatever he says, try not to overreact.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Alex bristled.

“I don’t need more issues coming from him.”

“We’ll follow your lead,” Chris assured.

The big, fancy blue truck pulled to a stop in front of them. Rowan plastered on a smile as a man stepped out of the vehicle. Connor Gibbes looked fit for a man in his early sixties. With his full head of white hair, tanned skin, and still trim physique, some might say he was a silver fox. He wasn’t exactly handsome like her dad, but he exuded authority in how he carried himself.

“Mr. Gibbes,” Rowan greeted.

“Rowan.” Gibbes appraised her with a look. “You look well. Different.”

Her eyebrows rose, confused by the assessment. “Different?”

Behind her, Rowan heard Chris murmur to Alex, “Must be the hat—or lack of it.”

“Definitely the hat. Where is it?” Alex whispered back.

Rowan ignored them and refocused on Gibbes. “What can I do for you?”

“I was just wondering how you’re doing. We haven’t seen you in the last two meetings. Your brother told us you were busy putting the inn together,” Gibbes said, sounding as if he was genuinely interested in her well-being .

“I was. I am,” Rowan said without providing more info.

“A big job, managing a property like this. Too big of a job for one person,” he said.

“For one woman, you mean?” Rowan asked sweetly.

Gibbes didn’t acknowledge the jibe, but nodded to Chris and Alex behind her instead. “That’s why I’m glad you’ve got help now.”

Without waiting for an introduction from Rowan, Gibbes held his hand to Chris. “Connor Gibbes. Don’t think we’ve met.”

“Chris Sullens. Pleasure.” Chris shook the other man’s hand. He had no reason not to be civil with the man. Rowan knew his hospitality background would never allow him to be rude, even if she’d told him what a thorn Gibbes had been in her side.

“Sullens,” Gibbes repeated the name with vague recognition.

Rowan groaned inside. Damn it.

“You might remember my friend, Alex Freeman. She’s a chef,” Rowan quickly interjected to distract whatever thought Gibbes was forming with the knowledge of Chris’ surname.

Gibbes’ reaction to Alex was the opposite of his interest in Chris. With one look at Alex’s blue hair, he dismissed her as non-consequential. He didn’t comment, but the look on his face revealed his distaste.

Rowan’s jaw automatically locked tightly at his blatant disregard for women. It’d be a pleasure to clock the sexist son of a bitch on his fucking nose.

Something warm glided over her wrist and covered her balled fist. Rowan glanced at Chris to her right. He kept on his million-dollar smile and engaged Gibbes.

“Rowan told me you own the biggest lobstering fleet on the island,” Chris said. He discreetly and gently loosened her stiff fingers from digging at her earlier wounds.

Blood flowed back into Rowan’s fingers, and she felt the sting of pain and cursed silently at her lack of control. Good thing Chris had noticed it and distracted Gibbes. The last thing she needed was Gibbes telling the island she didn’t have the temperament to run an inn.

Gibbes’ chest puffed up. “We supply a big percentage of the market in the state.”

“When the inn opens full-time, we’ll need fresh supplies of lobsters, fish, and shellfish daily,” Alex inserted. “We plan to have a full-service restaurant. ”

“Do you?” Gibbes finally showed interest in Alex. “Where did you cook again?”

“I’m the executive sous-chef at Clover in Portland,” Alex replied.

Rowan was impressed Gibbes recognized Alex’s restaurant, one of the top five restaurants in the city, and managed to temper his shock.

“What are you doing in this unknown old small-island inn if you have such a lucrative job like that?” Gibbes questioned.

“I don’t think Bright Head will stay unknown for very long,” Chris added. “With Rowan’s vision, Alex’s cooking, and my help, Bright Head Farm & Inn will be a great holiday destination.”

Shit.

Rowan noted the calculating glimpse in Gibbes’ eyes and realized she’d lost her lead on the conversation. She didn’t want to provide fuel to Gibbes’ subtle attempt to derail the Bright Head opening.

“But we’re far from that,” Rowan jumped in. “There’s still so much to do. We’re just focusing on the wedding for now.”

“Ah yes, the wedding. That’s coming in two weeks?” Gibbes asked.

“A little less than two weeks.”

“I trust you have the licenses you need for that?” he questioned with narrowed eyes.

“Of course.” Rowan glared back at him. “I handled that months ago. Contrary to your beliefs, I know what I’m doing, Mr. Gibbes.”

“I’m only looking out for the interest of the community, Rowan,” Gibbes said, as if her reaction wasn’t warranted. “As the head of Vinalhaven Chamber of Commerce, I have to make sure the businesses on this island are doing their part by the book.”

“You don’t have to worry about Bright Head,” Rowan told him. “We’ve been a part of this community for generations.”

“Not in the past decade,” Gibbes said pointedly, with an undertone that Rowan took as a dig at her father’s failure to continue the family’s legacy.

“We are fixing that,” Rowan proclaimed. “I appreciate you checking on us, Mr. Gibbes. We are doing fine.”

Finally, Gibbes nodded. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Rowan. I watched your grandparents struggle to maintain this inn in their last decade. The upkeep and taxes on this property alone are high. Plus, I see you’ve added on a lot more. I don’t see how one little woman like yourself can manage this.”

Even though Rowan expected the dig from Gibbes, she still bristled at the comment. And apparently, Alex and Chris did, too. They both jumped to her defense almost in unison, but Chris was the only voice Gibbes seemed to hear.

“Rowan is a capable woman, Mr. Gibbes,” Chris said.

“And how would you know that, Mr. Sullens?” Gibbes eyed him. “That name sounds so familiar.”

“Of course, it’s familiar. Even if you’ve lived in Vinalhaven all your life, you’d have to bury yourself in a cave not to have heard of The Sullens Hotels,” Alex threw before Rowan could stop her.

Gibbes’ gaze lasered in on Rowan, and she knew she was fucked.

“What is going on here?” Connor Gibbes questioned Rowan. “Are you bringing an international hotel chain onto this island?”

Shit , Chris cursed internally.

Rowan didn’t need his family background to create more problems for her with the locals. Chris was about to interject, but Rowan beat him to it.

“No. Bright Head is a family business and always will be,” she stated.

“Then what is a Sullens doing here with you, helping you with the inn?” Gibbes glanced between Chris and Rowan.

“I am a Sullens, but I’m not here on behalf of my family business,” Chris said.

“Then what are you doing here, Mr. Sullens?” Gibbes zeroed in on him.

“It’s none of your business, Mr. Gibbes,” Rowan stepped in.

“It is my business when a hotel conglomerate is lurking around my island,” Gibbes claimed.

“Your island?” Rowan's tone rose. “This is as much my island as yours. In fact, my family was on this island way before yours arrived.”

“You and your father weren’t interested in this property until recently. I’m not surprised if you want to free yourself of it. But this is unacceptable. The last thing we need on this island is a generic hotel chain.”

Now that statement got Chris’ back up. He might not have a hand in the recent The Sullens’ developments, but he still didn't like anyone insulting his family business.

Before Chris could make his objection known, Gibbes continued, “I’ll have to report this to Doug—”

“Why would you involve the town manager?” Rowan interrupted, her voice rising slightly in what might sound like panic.

“Any investment this big, and knowing The Sullens Hotels, I assume it’d be significant, needs to be discussed because it will impact the entire island,” Gibbes plowed through.

“There is no investment!” Rowan exclaimed almost desperately as Gibbes continued to ignore her.

Chris finally stepped to Gibbes’ face and forced him to stop talking. “I told you I’m not here for my family’s business,” he said firmly. “My reason for being here is personal.”

“I can’t see how you would have any personal connection to the Kellys unless you’re eying the property,” Gibbes retorted in disbelief. “What other reason would someone in your position have to be here?”

“Me! He’s here for me,” Rowan announced loudly. “He’s my fiancé.”

Gibbes’ head jerked down to Rowan as fast as Chris’ did. Good thing, too, because Chris was sure his eyes popped out of his head. Alex, standing behind Rowan, had gone speechless with her mouth wide open.

Feeling Rowan’s hand reaching for his, Chris instinctively met it halfway, and their two hands clasped. Though he was as flabbergasted as Connor Gibbes was. He wasn’t sure where Rowan was going with this, and he had no reason to play along, but the irrational urge to protect her from Gibbes was stronger than his common sense at the moment.

“He’s family,” Rowan stated. “Or soon to be.”

“Bullshit,” Gibbes spat. “You’ve been on the island since spring, and this is the first time your fiancé visited you?”

“I’ve been busy opening a resort in Switzerland,” Chris supplied.

The information didn’t satisfy Gibbes, and he pushed past personal boundaries. “Where the hell would you have met a Sullens? ”

“Again, none of your business,” Rowan retorted. “Mr. Gibbes, I respect your position as a leader in our community, but it doesn’t give you the right to question my personal life or how I run my business. I don’t have to report to you where or how I met my fiancé. And if I want his help in reopening the Bright Head Inn, that is my prerogative.

“Now, I appreciate you checking on me, but as you can see, I have things under control. You won’t have to worry that this property is too big for one little woman to manage anymore. As you can see, I have top-notch help.”

Connor Gibbes didn’t know how to respond to this bit of pushback. But Chris could see he was still trying to find a chink in Rowan’s story. Chris felt deescalating the confrontation would be better than putting the older man in an embarrassing situation.

“Mr. Gibbes, Rowan and I met rather recently, but you know when Cupid strikes, time doesn’t really matter,” Chris started in an easy, relaxed tone. He looked at Rowan and continued, “When you find the one, you just know.”

Rowan looked back at him with her big bright blue eyes, questioning what he was doing. He smiled at her and hoped she trusted him to run with what she’d started. He let go of Rowan’s hand, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her to his side. She, following his lead, put her arm around his waist and relaxed in his arm.

“Since we’ve had little time together, we wanted to take this time to deepen our relationship before we announce our engagement.” Chris glanced at the still-shocked Alex and winked. “But I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.”

Alex seemed to thaw out of her frozen state, and a vast grin replaced it.

“Whoah! OMG, Ro.” She jumped both Rowan and Chris and hugged them both. “I knew something was going on between you two from the first moment he showed up. Man! You really put me through the loop there.”

“Rowan and I share similar interests in hospitality,” Chris said to Gibbes. “And we bonded over our dreams to create an oasis for people to enjoy—a place to rejuvenate, recharge. I set my sight globally, but Rowan’s dream has always been bringing Bright Head Inn back to its glory like her family had in the past. I only want to help her make that dream come true .

“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, but I’m getting what Rowan told me about this island. There’s something special and idyllic about Vinalhaven,” Chris added as he smiled down at Rowan. “I had the best sleep I’ve had in a long time last night.”

Rowan’s cheeks blushed, giving Chris’ statement a double meaning he didn’t consciously intend. But it fed into their overall story.

“Our island is special, Mr. Sullens. Pardon me if I came off as overprotective. We like to keep Vinalhaven true to its identity,” Gibbes said, sounding less confrontational though not entirely convinced yet.

“I understand.” Chris nodded. “Rowan feels the same way about the island and Bright Head.”

Chris could feel Rowan holding herself rigidly as he spoke for her, as if she wasn’t there to speak for herself. He squeezed her shoulder gently to calm her. Unfortunately, men like Connor Gibbes responded better to another man. So this time, Chris hoped she understood his signal.

Let me do the talking this time.

“When is the next Chamber of Commerce meeting? I’m sure Rowan would be happy to attend and update the Chamber on the Bright Head Inn’s progress and future plan,” Chris suggested.

Rowan pinched him at the waist at her displeasure of his promising something on her behalf, but she didn’t negate him.

“This coming Thursday at five-thirty.” Gibbes turned his gaze to Rowan. “Are you going to attend for once?”

From Rowan’s pursed lips, Chris could tell she wasn’t happy about the reprimand. But she answered through clenched teeth, “I’ll be there.”

“Good. We have a lot of questions that we hope you can answer.” Gibbes backed off. “Since you’re here, Mr. Sullens, you might as well come. It’ll be a good idea for you to understand our island better, since you advise Rowan here.”

Gibbes glanced once more at Rowan. “Congratulations on your engagement. Listen to your fiancé. He seems level-headed, which is something I can’t say much about the Kellys.” Without a goodbye, he turned back to his truck.

If he hadn’t already had his arm around her, Chris wouldn’t have been fast enough to restrain Rowan from throwing a punch at the older man.

Rowan's anger didn’t dissipate as Connor Gibbes' wheels churned up dust on her driveway. She barely registered Chris’ arm loosening around her waist. It was Alex who jarred her out of her red daze by shaking her silly.

“How could you keep something this big from me?” Alex chastised her. “If I wasn’t so excited for you, I would’ve killed you!”

Rowan’s eyes refocused on her friend’s exuberant face, and reality came crashing back on her.

Oh, crap.

“Do we have champagne in the house? We gotta celebrate!” In her excitement, Alex’s eyes ricocheted back and forth between Chris and Rowan.

“Why don’t you go check?” Chris suggested. “Rowan and I will be right behind you.”

“Okay.” Alex almost ran back to the house but doubled back and kissed Rowan on the cheek hard. “God, I’m so happy for you!”

She then jogged to the house, yelling, “Don’t be too long!”

Rowan could only follow her bullet train of a friend’s exit with panic building in her eyes. “What the hell did I do?” she murmured to herself as the consequences of a few little words dawned on her.

She forced herself to turn to Chris, knowing he was probably questioning her sanity.

“That Gibbes is such a dick,” he said. “I see what you mean now.”

Her mouth gaped open as she stared at him in disbelief.

“You better call your brother and give him a heads-up,” Chris suggested. “We don’t want him to blow our cover.”

“Our… cover?” Rowan echoed the words in confusion.

“Our engagement,” Chris reminded. “He’s the only one who knows why I’m really here. I’m guessing Gibbes isn’t the type who would keep things like this to himself.”

“The word will be out by morning.”

“Kieran needs to hear it from you. ”

“Right.” Rowan pulled her phone out of her pocket but stopped short of dialing her brother’s number. She eyed Chris. “How are you so calm about this? I just used you in the biggest lie I’ve ever told.”

“Because I didn’t expect my presence would cause you a problem.” Chris looked at her pensively. “I probably would’ve tried talking him down differently, but this is the situation we’re in now.”

“I’m sorry for putting you in the middle of my mess,” she said.

One corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile. “Let’s get Kieran in the loop. Then we’ll see how we deal with this.”

“And Alex, too.” Rowan looked at the house where Alex had gone to. “She’s not gonna be happy with me.”

“Hey, you were thinking on your feet as you were being attacked. She’ll understand,” Chris assured her. “Go on. Call your brother.”

Rowan nodded, hoping he was right. She dialed Kieran’s number and waited. He picked up after the second ring.

“Kieran, come to the main house. We have a problem.”