Chapter 21
Once Lily read the letter and agreed with Erin’s suspicions that her late father, Richard, might indeed be the supporter Eugenie Cooke referred to, she reluctantly conceded there might well be shenanigans afoot.
‘I’ll talk to my mother – see if she knows anything about who has been trying to take over the hotel in the past, though I’m not altogether sure Dad would have discussed work matters in detail with her.’
Erin was left trying to figure out the best way to get a hold of the key to her mother’s safety deposit box on Molly’s behalf, to say nothing of tackling Eugenie’s claims.
It felt good to confide in someone, though, and if nothing else, had at least got her colleague on board to assist, and help Erin get some of her more recent concerns off her mind.
Especially when, according to Lily, it wasn’t the first time The Palms had come under threat from outside parties.
This gave additional credence to Eugenie’s claims that someone was out to secure the place once and for all.
But who could be the culprit?
Based on what Eugenie had said in the letter, Erin still wasn’t entirely certain whether she could confide in Grant yet, since management could potentially also be involved.
There was so much to consider, her head span.
And that was even before anyone managed to get their hands on Eugenie’s deposit box key.
Now Erin inhaled deeply, trying to figure out the best way to approach things, as she stepped out into the morning sunshine and the hotel’s luxurious gardens.
Work pressures aside, she did love it here.
St Lucia was everything Nevada wasn’t. It was warm but not scorching, and instead of miles of sand were miles of opulent greens, tall palms and vibrant blossoms rocking gently in the breeze.
And hummingbirds. She loved hummingbirds.
Fortunately, the gardens were a haven for them.
Each morning so far, she’d tried to take a moment to walk the grounds before the day got too crazy, just to enjoy the raw tropical beauty it had to offer. And today she needed it more than ever.
‘A little early for a break?’ she heard a voice from nearby say. Mack was coming toward her, dressed in swimming trunks and had a large towel draped over his shoulder.
‘No rest for the wicked,’ she commented. ‘Heading to the beach?’
‘Yep, much safer than the pool apparently.’ He grinned.
Today he seemed to be all smiles and joking again, and Erin didn’t know what to make of this sudden change of heart.
‘I’ll take your word for it. I’ve never been in,’ she replied, swallowing down the deeply troublesome jitters that seemed to bubble up whenever she was near him. What was it about this guy that unsettled her so much?
‘So why are you hiding out in the bushes?’ he continued amiably. ‘Making sure our slithery friends don’t come back?’
She made a face. ‘Thanks again for that. And no, I’m simply taking a breather on my way to check in with some guests. The gardens are amazing at this time of day. Lots of birdsong. It’s a very peaceful way to start the day.’
‘You almost sound like you like the place.’
‘I do.’ She turned to face him head-on and squared her shoulders. ‘I know you didn’t think much of my business pitch, but please don’t doubt that I do love it here.’
He watched her with keen interest. She noted the way his gaze seemed fixed on her face as if studying it for any sign of deception. Well, he wasn’t going to find any. She meant what she said.
‘Can I walk with you?’ The question took her by surprise, but Erin wasn’t about to pass up the chance to talk further to him either.
‘Sure.’
They ambled along the path that wound through the gardens for a few minutes in silence and she wasn’t sure what to say.
‘Mack?’ Erin began, finally making a decision.
‘I’d really like it if you’d give us – me – another chance.
’ She could see his hesitation and quickly continued.
‘Once you see what this whole area truly has to offer, I’m sure you’ll agree that The Palms is a national treasure and deserves recognition. ’
He looked at her dubiously.
‘I mean it. You might remember I offered to show you what we had to offer during that first … terrible presentation,’ she added guiltily. ‘So let me try again. No expectations and no sales pitches this time. What do you say?’
The look of suspicion had faded, and now he regarded her with curiosity. ‘OK, what did you have in mind?’
‘Well, why not start now? We have some of the most incredible native plant species right here, outside of the botanical gardens even.’ She looked at him.
‘Have you had a chance to visit there yet? If not, you should. It’s magnificent.
Acres of pristine nature and diversity, with its own hot mineral springs. There’s even a waterfall.’
Erin plucked a bloom from an overhanging branch as she continued to amble with him down the path toward the beach.
It was a beautiful pink Ixora – West Indian Jasmine – and she inhaled its scent as they walked.
He had moved from behind her to alongside her as they stopped to admire various flowers.
There were hibiscus and heliconia, anthuriums, and roses.
Plus several more that she didn’t know the name of.
‘Well, I better let you get on with your swim,’ she said, turning to walk away once they reached the sand.
‘Wait,’ he said, his hand gently holding her wrist. ‘You’ve got something in your hair.’ He pulled her back towards him and took a step closer.
She could feel her heart racing involuntarily as his hand rose along the edge of her face and then moved to her hair. She felt a soft tug as he plucked whatever it was out.
‘The Ixora certainly seems to like you anyway,’ he mused, holding out two small blooms to her.
‘Oh. Thanks,’ She allowed the flower to join the one she already held in her hand. His fingers still gently remained on her wrist, however.
‘I should go. I have to get back,’ she mumbled, a little discombobulated by the effect he had on her.
‘Do you, though? Isn’t it part of your job to show me around?’
‘Well, yes. But you didn’t …’
‘I didn’t before, but I do now.’ He looked into her eyes and Erin’s stomach flipped.
Until she remembered everything she had to do that day.
‘I’m sorry, I wish I had more time, but I need to go on my rounds and call on some newly arrived guests,’ she prattled nervously. ‘I was on my way to the honeymoon wing. One room in particular is having some Wi-Fi issues and I promised them I’d try to help.’
‘Why would a pair of newlyweds care about Wi-Fi in a place like this?’ Mack asked, incredulous.
‘Precisely what I thought,’ she confessed. ‘But they have important business to attend to while here and they need it.’
‘On their honeymoon,’ he stated disbelieving.
She shrugged. ‘What can I tell you? That’s what they said.’
But now that Erin thought about it, were the Beaumonts actually here on honeymoon – or perhaps a mission?
She thought back to a previous visit to their suite, having been summoned there soon after they’d checked in, whereby she’d overheard the husband having a heated conversation with an apparent work colleague.
While his wife was showing Erin the source of her Wi-Fi connection woes in trying to download a document sent by her office.
Strange for a couple who were supposed to be enjoying the start of married life together?
‘Another time, then.’ There was a satisfying hint of disappointment in Mack’s tone, Erin noted happily, as her mind drifted back to the present.
‘How about tomorrow?’ she suggested, keen to build on that. ‘Meet me in the lobby at midday and I promise to show you more of what this place has to offer.’
‘I’ll be there,’ he replied, and put the towel across his shoulders.
What are you doing? Erin questioned herself as she watched him head down the beach toward the shore.
This was work. Nothing more.
Somehow her insides didn’t believe her.