Chapter 30Stella
Chapter Thirty
Stella
The warmth of the sun soaked through my skin as I sat on the pool patio, sipping coffee that had lost its steam long ago. The Big House was quiet except for the occasional chirp of a bird hidden in the trees above. It was late morning, but the day felt like it had already stretched much further.
My alarm had gone off much too early, but I’d trudged down the hill with bleary eyes. The dark pre-dawn air had seemed thick with anticipation as I placed the two orchids on the patio outside Orchid’s dark entrance. They would be noticeable when the area became fully light, but not so obvious the thief would realize they were a lure. At least I hoped so. My heart was hammering.
True to form, sleep evaded me once I crawled back into bed, leaving me tossing and turning in a tangle of sheets. My phone vibrated at seven, tearing me from my restless thoughts. Hunter’s message on the screen was terse, a stark contrast to the chaos in my head.
Hunter: In position. Don’t go near Orchid. I’ll handle it.
His words were meant to be reassuring, but they only fueled my impatience. I wanted to be there, in the thick of the action, not sidelined. But I also knew when to follow orders like a good soldier. With a snort, I dragged myself out of bed, foregoing any attempt at further sleep.
I’d been camped out on the patio ever since, my breakfast picked over and each sip of coffee an attempt to drown the turmoil inside me. A run on the treadmill in Evan’s gym would have probably been a good idea, but I seemed stuck in this weird limbo like I was frozen on the patio. In a bid for distraction, I indulged in a delicious fantasy of Ben Coleridge in handcuffs. It was petty, maybe, but imagining his downfall made me think all this work might be worth it.
I took another sip, letting the liquid slide down my throat, and forced my attention away from the churning thoughts of Ben and onto the other major issue ahead. Aiden. My chest tightened at the mere idea of bridging the gap between us. The silence from his end was still deafening, a reminder that if things were going to change, it would have to start with me. And maybe not an undeserved reminder.
“Stella, up and about already?” Evan’s voice interrupted my musings as he approached, his tone light but tinged with surprise.
I glanced up to find him dressed in crisply pressed slacks and a staff polo shirt, Calypso Key’s logo stitched over his heart. Mr. General Manager in action.
“Couldn’t sleep,” I said, offering a tight-lipped smile. “Apparently, my body thought the morning was just too beautiful to sleep through.”
He nodded, then tilted his head, examining me with those perceptive eyes that missed nothing. “You sure everything’s okay?”
“I’ve got some things going on,” I said, the qualm of guilt for keeping him in the dark about Hunter’s plan twisting uncomfortably in my stomach. “We’ll talk more later. I don’t want to keep you.”
“Things to do with Aiden?”
“Some of them, yes.”
He nodded. “Aaah. This must be the day for the big sting. That what’s got you worked up?”
My mouth hinged open. “Hunter told me not to tell anyone! You know?”
“He got on a conference call with me and Gabe to give us a heads-up but was vague on the when .”
I relaxed in my chair. “Good. I didn’t like the idea of keeping it from you guys.” Then my gaze sharpened on Evan. “And apparently neither did Hunter.”
His face was impassive. “As he should be. I’d be mad as hell if he’d kept something this big from me that involved my own resort.”
I smiled. “I’m really glad you two are talking again.”
Evan stuffed his hands in his back pockets. “We’re both walking on eggshells around each other. But I guess that’s better than throwing punches.”
“Yes, it is. Much better.”
“Heard anything from Hunter?”
“No. He’s around somewhere, watching. But we have no way of knowing when the thief will strike. Or if he will.”
“All right then.” He flashed a brief smile, then gestured toward the resort. “I better get going. Lots to sort out at the office.”
“See you later, Evan.” I watched his hitching gait as he retreated with purposeful strides, leaving me alone again.
Another hour passed. And, of course, my thoughts inevitably drifted back to Aiden—his ocean-blue eyes, the way they could be so warm and yet so guarded. His cautious nature had always been a puzzle, each piece meticulously placed, revealing only what he chose. Like his single-minded focus on becoming a doctor. But I understood ambition, and I understood being driven. It was fear that held us back, fear that carved the gulf between us. And most of that fear was on my side.
In my chest, something heavy shifted. Hopefully, all this thief business would get sorted out today. As soon as Ben was arrested, I’d surprise Aiden with a visit. We needed to talk and get everything out in the open. Could he convince me he had changed? I still wasn’t sure.
My phone buzzed with a text.
Hunter: It’s done. Police arriving now.
My heart lurched into a gallop. My fingers barely managed to clutch the phone as I rocketed to my feet, adrenaline surging through me. The porcelain mug slipped in my hand, coffee splashing onto the stone tiles before I rushed it to the table. I bolted down the hill, my pace reckless. As I neared the lobby building, two police cruisers came into view. No lights were flashing, but their silent presence was more ominous than any siren could be.
Reaching Orchid, my breaths came out in short, sharp gasps. A crowd had gathered by the entrance, a tangle of curious faces and hushed murmurs. Hunter stood among them, his tall and easily recognizable frame a beacon of calm authority amidst the chaos.
Skidding to a stop, I scanned the scene. Then looked it over again. It didn’t make sense, and my mouth dropped open. Matt, our prep worker who usually moved with such quiet efficiency, was now the center of attention—his wrists secured in handcuffs, his face a mask of defeat and shock.
“Matt?” I whispered, disbelief clouding my thoughts. Where was Ben?
Movement caught my eye. Ben Coleridge and his coworkers were pruning one of the palms they’d planted months ago, the same ones we’d argued next to. Now he was keeping one eye on the tree and the other on the hubbub, a hint of curiosity etched across his features as he continued working, shears snipping away methodically .
My feet carried me toward Hunter, the ground beneath them feeling strangely soft and buoyant, as if the earth itself had turned to waves.
“Matt?” My voice was quiet, but it cut through the morning air like the sail of a boat slicing through calm waters. I looked him over and noted a swelling around his left eye, the skin darkening.
Hunter’s gaze met mine, and for a moment, I saw the weight of the ordeal etching lines into his usually unflappable demeanor. “Caught him red-handed,” he confirmed, nodding gravely toward Matt. “Both orchids in his arms.” His large hands mimed the act of holding someone, a silent testament to the struggle that must have ensued. And where Matt’s black eye came from. “I restrained him until the cops showed up. He confessed as soon as he saw them.”
I followed his gesture to where the remnants of my prized plants lay scattered on the ground, their once-perfect blooms now crushed underfoot. My heart twisted at the shards of broken pottery glistening like tears. Matt stood there, the image of defeat, his shoulders slumped as the handcuffs glinted in the sunlight.
“How could you do this to us?” The question burst from me before I could rein in the hurt lacing my words. It was more than the loss of the stolen items. It was the betrayal, the trust shattered of someone I’d personally worked with. Mentored.
Matt’s eyes flickered to mine, holding a mixture of shame and defiance. He swallowed, visibly struggling to find his voice. “My mother had a greenhouse in Key Largo. She specialized in orchids and exotic flowers. She taught me how to care for them, which ones were valuable.” A bitter laugh escaped him. “I needed money. And stealing here was easy.”
“Easy?” I gasped the word, my heart thrumming painfully against my ribs.
Matt’s gaze hardened even as a sly smile rose on his lips. “Especially when everyone is so eager to blame someone else.”
His declaration hung heavy in the air, a force that seemed to push against my chest. The feeling was almost physical. Two police officers stepped forward, gripping Matt by the elbows to lead him away. He bowed his head, accepting his fate with a resignation that made my fist clench.
For a long moment, I stood there frozen as my mind worked to face the obvious. I’d been wrong—so utterly wrong about Ben. And Matt. The realization struck like a sudden, fierce storm, whipping through my thoughts and leaving clarity in its wake.
The world tilted on its axis, sending my senses spinning as I stood rooted to the spot, absorbing the revelation. Ben Coleridge, the man I had been so quick to judge, was innocent. He’d been watching Matt trudge away and now turned back to the palm tree, applying the final touches. Ben was exactly what he’d tried to tell me—a hard worker trying to start over. The taste of regret was a bitter brew that settled heavily in my stomach.
“Never ceases to amaze me,” Hunter mused next to me, his gaze fixed on the retreating figure of Matt. “It’s always the ones you least expect.”
I whipped my head back to glance at him, seeing the grave set of his jaw. “You knew?”
“Not specifically, but I learned a long time ago to keep an open mind about suspects.” He turned toward Evan and Gabe, who had joined us, their faces lined with concern and relief. “I’m sorry about not telling you this was going down today, but I couldn’t risk spooking that guy.” His gaze narrowed on Evan. “You’re damn good at what you do, Evan. So am I.”
Their gazes locked in a silent exchange, laden with history. Then, after what felt like an eternity, Evan nodded. “You made the right call. Well played, Hunter.”
“Thanks.” Hunter’s voice was rough around the edges, betraying the tension he’d held at bay.
I watched the moment unfold, feeling oddly detached, as if observing strangers through a fogged glass. My own folly loomed larger, the shadow it cast darkening my thoughts. How had I missed the truth ?
“Stella?” Evan’s voice cut into my thoughts.
“Sorry, I… I need some air.” With legs that seemed to move of their own accord, I walked to the short bluff in front of the restaurant. The breeze off the sea was a cool caress against my flushed skin. Gulls wheeled overhead, their cries echoing the confusion that swirled within me.
Alone, I stared out at the horizon where sky met water in an endless embrace. My fingers dug into my elbows as my mind raced. If I could misjudge Ben and Matt so completely, what did that say about how I’d treated Aiden? His face materialized in my mind, his blue eyes that had only tried to reassure me. Until I’d finally pushed him too far. Catching Matt brought it all home—the rush to judge Ben paralleled my reluctance to trust Aiden.
A sharp laugh escaped my lips, tinged with irony and self-reproach. How had I allowed my fears to color my judgment? I saw Ben’s culpability where there was none, yet veiled Aiden’s strengths in fear. My intuition, once a trusted ally, was now completely unreliable. I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. I needed to bridge the chasm my doubts had created and work to repair the damage.
“Hey, sis.” Evan’s large hand settled on my shoulder, gentle yet firm.
“Hey.” I turned to look at him, trying to focus the whirlwind in my mind.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure.” I shot him a small smile. “Turns out I’m not the great judge of character I thought I was.”
“Join the club.” His tone was light, but I heard the truth underneath.
“Thanks for being here.”
Evan’s presence was always a comfort, even when I was grappling with internal chaos. He was solid and dependable, the one we all counted on.
“Always.” He squeezed my shoulder before stepping back. “Hunter’s got everything under control, so why don’t you take tonight off? Luis can run the kitchen, and Rea can help. You’ve made sure they’re ready.”
“Thanks. I think that’s a good idea.”
After watching him walk back to the small crowd, I turned back to the sea, letting the endless rhythm of the waves soothe my unease. It was time to confront my own shortcomings, to acknowledge the fear that had held me captive. Aiden deserved that much—a chance to be seen without the veil of our past clouding the view.
I stood at the edge of the bluff, arms folded over my stomach as Nona’s words came back to me. What she’d warned me about had just become very clear. I needed to prove myself to Aiden. Ideas swirled inside me, darting in and out of the shadows of my mind.
I had an idea of what I wanted to do. But I needed help.
Determination filled me as I spun around. “Sorry, guys, but I have to go.” I lifted my arm in a wave as I strode past where Hunter, Evan, and Gabe were still clustered around.
“Go?” Hunter looked up, his dark brows creasing. “What’s got into you?”
“Shopping,” I said, my voice breaking into a laugh. “For supplies to mend some fences. See you guys later. And good job, Hunter!” I called over my shoulder, my laughter trailing behind me like a kite tail in the breeze. I left them with questions dancing in their expressions, but I didn’t give them a chance to ask. No time for that now.
The scent of motor oil and salt air mingled in the garage as I slipped behind the wheel of my car, the one that had seen all corners of the Lower Keys. The key turned, the engine rumbled to life, and I felt everything else fall away. As I drove north up the paved road, the Big House shrank in the rearview mirror. Mangroves blurred past, their green branches whispering secrets only the wind could understand. My hands trembled slightly on the steering wheel, not from fear, but from an eagerness that vibrated through every fiber of my being.
I need him to know. The thought was a mantra, and his name pulsed with each heartbeat. Aiden .
I had been blind. So achingly blind, but no more.
My mind still spun, so I dialed Grace on my car Bluetooth. “Are you doing anything right now? It’s kind of a nine-one-one situation.”
“That doesn’t sound good. I was planning on a day of grading papers and watching sappy movies, but if you’ve got a better idea, I’m all ears.”
“I need some help with a project, and I’m on my way to Key West. I could use a sympathetic ear too.”
“I can definitely provide that. And a day in Key West beats any sappy movie. I’m in.”
“Thanks, Grace. I’ll pick you up in ten.”
As I headed toward her apartment on Dove Key, my mind raced ahead to Key West. One of the funky shops there would undoubtedly hold what I was looking for. What I hoped would be the symbol I needed to convince Aiden I’d been terribly wrong about so many things. I would find a way to mend what was broken, to bridge the gulf between us.
This wasn’t just about second chances. It was about seeing clearly for the first time.