SNEAK PEEK #2
The rhythmic sound of another umbrella being cranked opened pulled her attention, but she hid behind the rain barrel and air conditioning fan while poking her head over top to peek at who was making the noise.
Her gasp was louder in her head than it was out loud as she took in the shirtless, dark-skinned man with broad shoulders, cropped curly black hair and neon-orange board shorts, cranking open a big army-green umbrella.
His back was to her, but there was no mistaking the toned muscles, or the way his biceps bulged.
He was on the rooftop deck of the red and white houseboat next to hers.
And as she studied the space, she could see that children lived there too.
A small laundry line was strung up, and smaller swim trunks and a couple of little girls’ one-pieces were hung to dry, as well as a Lilo and Stitch beach towel.
“Daddy,” came a little voice, prompting the man to turn around just as a blonde and blue-eyed angel with perfect twin Dutch braids came skipping up the stairs. “Carter wants to know if we can have ramen for lunch.”
He faced his daughter, giving Natalie a view of his sculpted profile, and nodded. “Veggies or fruit too, squish.”
She furrowed her brows at him and tossed her hands onto her non-existent hips beneath the cute little baby-pink shift dress. “Duh.”
Her dad’s lips twitched, but he cocked one eyebrow at her.
“I mean, okay,” she replied.
“I’ll be right down. Just going to water the herbs.”
Natalie wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing, sh ewas too busy watching to the handsome shirtless man and his adorabledaughter, that when she felt the burn of the sun on her shoulder and shifted to get deeper into the shade, she knocked over a metal watering can.
The noise was probably heard in Norway. Reindeer were surely running for cover thinking danger was near. At least that’s how loud it felt.
Father and daughter bother lifted their heads and faced her just as the flesh-burning heat of embarrassment rushed into every cell of her body.
“Hi!” the little girl said, excitement making her eyes go wide. She waved enthusiastically.
The man cocked his head to the side as Natalie remained hidden—not very well, though, apparently.
“Are you hiding?” the girl asked.
Shit. Better not to keep being a weirdo and just meet your hot new neighbor and his cute little girl.
She stood up and stepped out from behind the rain barrel and air conditioning unit, giving them both an awkward wave. “Hi. Yes.”
“I’m Cleo. This is my dad.”
The man gave Natalie a friendly wave and big bright smile. “Spencer,” he said.
Natalie waved again, her smile less big or bright as the heat of embarrassment caused sweat to emerge between her breasts beneath her saffron-colored tank top. “Natalie.”
“Nice to meet you, Natalie. Are you here for a bit?” he asked.
She swallowed. How much was she allowed to disclose to people?
Eventually, she’d need to go grocery shopping and stuff.
She would have to interact with the locals and tourists.
What if people asked questions? Was she expected to lie?
Create an entirely new persona? Isaac hadn’t briefed her on her what she was supposed to say and how low of a profile she was supposed to keep.
“Nat?” came her brother’s voice from the porch down below. “Nat?” Already more panic laced his tone as he said her name again. His footsteps echoed on the stairs and his dark red hair emerged a second later. He took in the scene and his face grew stoney.
“Hi,” Cleo said, waving again. “I’m Cleo.”
“Hi Cleo,” Isaac said. His gaze shifted to Spencer and he nodded.
“Spencer.”
“Isaac.”
Oh god, this is so awkward.
“You guys staying long?” Spencer asked again.
“Uh … I am,” Natalie finally said. “This is my brother. He’s just helping me move in. I’m renting it for the summer.” Or longer. Or shorter if they find me and kill me.
Spencer smiled and nodded. “Well, welcome. We live here, so if you have any questions about the island don’t hesitate to ask.” He turned on a tap for the spray nozzle and hose in his hand and started to water the terracotta pots filled with happy, healthy herbs.
“Thanks,” Natalie said just as Isaac grabbed her elbow.
“Downstairs,” he whispered, giving her a tug.
Like a scolded child, she returned Cleo’s extra wave, then reluctantly followed her brother downstairs.
She prepared herself for beratement, but he surprised her by pulling her into his arms for a hug. Almost instantly—after the shock wore off—she melted into his arms and let the emotions take over. Soon, she was tremblingwith sobs.
“I know,” he finally said. “I know. It’s not going to be easy.”
After a moment, she collected herself enough to break their embrace and wipe her face.
“Let me do a bit of digging into your neighbors, okay? I’m sure they’re harmless, but I’d rather know for sure. I don’t want you to go crazy being cooped up in here and unable to meet anybody, I just need you to be careful.”
She nodded.
“Maybe we should concoct a new persona for you?” he suggested, taking her elbow and leading her back over to the couch where all of her shoes were lined up on the coffee table.
“Well, I just told them my real name so …”
“That’s fine. I wouldn’t ask you to change your name. But maybe we should change a few other things …”
She nodded again and sniffed. “So I’m not going to be Natalie Fox for a bit?”
“For a bit, I think it might be best.”
“Natalie … Collins?”
That made him smile. “Gram’s maiden name? I like it.”
“And I’m not a doctor of genetics … I’m a …”
He lifted one broad shoulder. “Who do you want to be?”
I want to be me.
“A women’s fiction author, currently suffering from writer’sblock. So I’m here to try to find some inspiration because my editor is breathing down my neck for the first five chapters of my highly anticipated next novel?”
“This sounds like the start of a great made for TV movie.”
She snorted.
“It’s not for forever. We’ve got boots on the ground looking for those after you. And while we can’t trust the current administration to do anything to protect you, that doesn’t mean we don’t have alternate organizations doing things.”
She didn’t even want to ask what kind of organizations her brother was part of or in contact with. She knew none of them would be bad, but that didn’t necessarily mean they were all completely legal.
“Okay, so you’re Natalie Collins, women’s fiction author, here on the island for the summer to get over her writer’s block. Can you work with this?”
She hesitated a moment and clenched her molars until an ache formed in her jaw, but eventually, she nodded. “I think so.”
He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “And hey, maybe you’ll actually want to start writing a novel and it won’t be total farce?”
That made her snort again. “I am a scientist, Isaac. I don’t think a creative bone exists in this black and white body.”
His handsome face broke into a big grin. “Ah, but that’s Natalie Fox. Natalie Collins might be incredibly creative and write the next bestseller.”
“Natalie Collins needs groceries,” she said glumly. “If she’s going to write the next bestseller, she needs fuel.”
He stood up and held out his hand to help her up. “I know where the grocery store is. Shall we go?”
She placed her hand in his. “All right then. Let’s go introduce the island to Natalie Collins … whoever she is.”