Chapter 33Stella
Chapter Thirty-Three
Stella
The next afternoon, my stomach fluttered and flitted as I dragged my feet across the resort grounds, my sandals leaving fleeting impressions in the soft grass. The emotion felt so foreign compared to what I had been basking in—willingly drowning in—since Aiden and I had collided yesterday. I took a deep breath, trying to exhale the tight energy building at the task I was about to accomplish. Orchid’s rose-colored walls blushed in the sunlight, but that wasn’t my destination.
My gaze drifted over to where Ben Coleridge was working, the muscles in his back flexing as he gathered tools into his wheelbarrow. The landscaping crew was wrapping up their duties, their last day of transforming the resort coming to an end.
I hesitated for a moment, taking in the changes—the new flower beds bursting with color, the meticulously trimmed hedges. The palm trees were soaring and healthy, croton plants provided pops of color, and our new underground irrigation was hidden and invisible. I couldn’t fault the work Ben and the rest of the crew had done, even if it had been carried out under a cloud of misunderstandings and resentment. With a steadying breath, I approached him.
“Ben,” I called out softly, not wanting to startle him.
He turned, dirt smudged across his brow, and for a long moment, his movements paused. His eyes locked onto mine, and his guarded expression brought an embarrassed flush to my face. I watched as he straightened up, wiping his hands on his jeans, trying to brush away the soil that clung to his skin.
“Stella,” he acknowledged, his voice careful.
“I owe you an apology. I judged you unfairly… about everything that happened with the thefts.” I swallowed hard, my words laced with regret. “You didn’t deserve what I accused you of. And you didn’t deserve how I treated you.”
His face was a closely guarded fortress, shadows of emotions flickering behind his blue eyes. There was hurt there, etched deep, but also something resolute. As if he was used to accusations and adding more bricks to the walls he’d built to protect himself.
“Thanks for saying that,” Ben finally said after a heavy silence. His nod was slow, deliberate. “I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. I’m only trying to make things right now.”
I could see the weight of the past resting on his shoulders, not unlike the weight I had been carrying around until Aiden helped me set it down. “I hope you find what you’re looking for. Again, I’m sorry.”
He nodded, but his face remained inscrutable. Then his expression softened slightly. Not a smile, but the hard cast of his face relaxed. “Good luck, Stella.”
As he bent to pick up more tools, I turned to leave, feeling a new lightness in my chest. An apology was a small step, but it was a step forward nonetheless. With the weight of destructive patterns lifting from my heart, I wandered toward the Big House. I had so much to look forward to, so much to be grateful for.
My mind drifted to Aiden, and an involuntary smirk tugged at my lips. Our incredible night together—and this morning too— replayed like a favorite song that you can’t help but put on repeat. And how many more could we look forward to now?
The expanse of lawn where the festival had been held stretched out before me. It seemed different now, like a stage after the performance that still hinted at the sounds of laughter and music. But for me, the echoes were also whispers of newfound perspective, eyes no longer afraid to see what was directly in front of them—a chance at love, at happiness, that I had almost let slip by.
Approaching the house I’d grown up in and now called home again, my gaze narrowed at the sleek black SUV parked out front. Hunter’s car. I hadn’t realized he was visiting today, but then again, I’d taken off immediately after Matt’s arrest.
I pushed open the kitchen door, the familiar creak a comforting welcome, and was greeted by a sight that warmed me more than the sultry Keys air ever could. Dad, Evan, and Hunter were gathered next to the sink. The sight of these two brothers casually leaning against the counter, together , sent a surge of deep emotion through me. For a moment, I let myself indulge in the rare harmony before joining their huddle.
“Hello there, guys,” I said, reaching for the pitcher on the counter and pouring myself a glass of lemonade. “What’s up?”
“We were just discussing the situation about Matt,” Dad said.
“At least that’s over now,” I said, then glanced at the floor. “I just apologized to Ben Coleridge. He took it better than I thought he would.”
Dad reached out to grip my shoulder. “People change, and it takes courage to admit you were wrong. I’m proud of you, sweetie.”
Then he turned to Hunter. “I’m proud of you too. Your plan worked beautifully. I honestly couldn’t believe someone was stealing from us.” His brow furrowed with regret, adding, “Shame it had to be someone we trusted.”
Hunter’s jaw clenched ever so slightly, then he nodded. “Thanks, Dad. It’s done now. But I don’t care if you’re sick of hearing me say it. You need a security team. More than just cameras. Calypso Key is growing, more guests, more events—more risks.”
“You’ve mentioned that before,” I added before taking a sip of tart lemonade.
“Absolutely,” Hunter insisted, his eyes flickering with a passion I hadn’t seen in a long time. He always did have a protective streak a mile wide.
“I agree, and I’ve been making calls all morning,” Evan chimed in, pushing off from the counter and crossing his arms. “There aren’t any agencies around here, and the ones in Key West and Marathon are booked solid. No one is accepting new clients. We’re kind of at a dead end here.”
“We can’t exactly expect the guests to fend for themselves,” I added. The Markhams might have been known for many things, but poor hospitality wasn’t one of them.
“Security isn’t just about reacting. It’s about anticipating and keeping your eyes open,” Hunter said, as if he were addressing a prospective client instead of his family in a sunlit kitchen. “You don’t wait for the storm to hit to start boarding up windows.”
I leaned back against the cool granite of the kitchen island, letting the sharp sweetness of lemonade play on my tongue. Hunter was pacing now, a caged predator. I watched him, and the idea that came to me was so complete, and so perfect, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it earlier. I took in his towering, muscular physique, his short, trimmed beard, and that hushed, efficient way he moved with every step.
“You know, Hunter.” My voice was steady despite the butterflies that had just alighted in my stomach. “Maybe it’s time you put your money where your mouth is. Why don’t you start your own security agency?”
He stopped mid-stride, turning to face me with a quizzical arch of his brow. “Excuse me?”
“Think about it,” I pressed on, feeling the conviction in my words. “You’ve got the expertise, and you obviously have a passion for it. And it’s clear there’s a need here. From what Evan just said, it sounds like there’s an opportunity in the Lower Keys just waiting for someone to grab it.”
The room fell silent, Dad’s and Evan’s eyes bouncing between us like spectators at a tennis match. Hunter’s gaze remained fixed on me.
“Start my own…” His voice trailed off, and for a moment, something flickered behind his guarded expression. Doubt? Excitement? Maybe both. His eyes slid to Evan, evaluating the reality of the two of them living near each other again.
“Stella might be on to something,” Dad interjected. “This resort is more than a business—it’s our home. Who better to protect it than one of our own?”
“I don’t know, Dad.” Hunter ran a hand through his hair, a telltale sign of his mind racing. He looked out the window, where the ocean lay calm and inviting. “Starting a business, coming back home… it’s not a decision to take lightly.”
“Of course not.” Offering a supportive smile, I kept from wringing my hands together. “But sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards. And you’ve never been afraid of risk, have you?”
For a long, contemplative moment, he didn’t respond. Then his eyes slowly traveled over the three of us, lingering on Evan. Evan gave a firm nod back.
“We’d all be here to support you,” Dad added.
Hunter stood completely still, the wheels in his head almost visible. “Okay. I’ll look into it.”
A swell of pride filled me as I watched him embrace the idea. The spark in his eyes spoke of possibilities and new beginnings—a light that seemed to chase away the shadows that had lingered there for so long.
The room seemed to exhale, a collective release of tension as Hunter’s decision hung in the air like a promise. I sensed it was the perfect moment to shift the atmosphere from serious to celebratory.
“Speaking of new beginnings. I have something to share myself.” All eyes swiveled toward me, and a flutter of excitement danced in my chest. “Aiden and I are officially a couple. Again. For good this time.”
“Is that so?” Evan’s eyebrows shot up, his playful smirk betraying his feigned surprise. “I wondered if he was the reason you bolted out of here yesterday.”
I nodded. “The situation with Ben made me realize I was being blind with Aiden too. Fortunately, I wasn’t too late. He put up with a lot from me, and we had some stuff to work out… but we did.”
Dad gave me a one-armed hug. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“And I’d love for him to be in on one of our family get-togethers,” I said. “How about a family picnic at one of the deserted keys? I can’t think of a more perfect way to introduce him. Again.”
“Sounds like a great idea!” Dad said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“We could try for Sugar Beach,” Evan added. “That place is pretty amazing if we can time it right.”
“I love that idea!” My mind was already working on the possibilities.
As we basked in our plans, the kitchen door swung open with a gentle creak. Gabe strode in, wearing workout gear. He raised a brow, all easy confidence. “I was just on my way to work out in the gym.” He wandered over to our little cluster. “What’s going on here?”
“Perfect timing,” Dad said. “We were just discussing a picnic for the whole family so Stella can officially show off Aiden. And there’s one other big news item.” He told Gabe about Hunter’s decision to come home.
Gabe whirled to his little brother, who was several inches taller. “Seriously?”
Hunter tilted his head back and forth, equivocating. “Maybe. I’ll look into it, but there could be an opportunity for a new security agency here. My boss is driving me up the wall and a couple of guys I work with would likely come with me. We’ll see what happens. ”
Gabe embraced him, and they slapped each other’s backs. Evan stayed out of it, but his posture was easy. I took comfort in that.
Dad grinned around the group. “I’m thinking we’re going to need extra room for this get-together. Let’s take Shark Bait .”
“I’ll drive if you want,” Gabe offered.
Evan turned to me. “When were you thinking?”
“Probably not for a couple of weeks. It will take that long to clear all our schedules, and Gabe will need to check the marine forecast. I’m so excited!” I pressed my hands together and even Hunter smiled.
Gabe leaned against the counter, his gaze sliding over to Evan with a teasing glint. “Did you tell her yet?” he asked, nudging his head in my direction.
Evan’s grin widened, and he shook his head. “Nope. Why don’t you do the honors?”
That made my ears perk up. “Tell me what?”
“Let’s just say,” Gabe said, his smile growing sly, “that your next trip to Dove Key to see Aiden is going to have a little extra… scenery.”
“Scenery?” My imagination ran wild with possibilities. “What are you talking about?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” Gabe teased. “Keep your eyes peeled when you cross from our island to Dove Key.”
“Fine.” I sighed, feigning annoyance while secretly delighted by the prospect of a surprise. “Keep your secrets. For now.”
Gabe shrugged, refusing to tell me. Then pushed off the counter and headed toward the gym. “You’ll know it when you see it. See you guys later.”
Hunter straightened and set his empty glass of lemonade on the counter. “Well, I’d better start scouting locations if I’m going to open a new business.” He shot me a smile when I couldn’t contain my applause. He was really, really thinking about moving home!
“I need to split too,” I added, placing my empty glass in the dishwasher. “There’s a certain someone I need to see.”
After a series of hugs, I dashed upstairs, the weight of the day lifting off my shoulders with each step. In my room, I changed into a sundress that fluttered against my skin—a splash of light red that brought out the warm tones in my complexion, according to Liv. My heart thrummed with anticipation.
Driving north, the familiar landmarks of Calypso Key blurred past my open window, the salty breeze playing with loose strands of my hair. As I approached the bridge that connected my world to Aiden’s, something new caught my eye—a billboard on the other side of the road, its back turned toward me like a secret waiting to be unveiled. Curiosity tugged at me until I pulled over just beyond it. I stepped out of the car, the sun kissing my cheeks as I crossed the road to face the huge sign.
I stumbled to a halt, my jaw dropping open.
There I was, larger than life. My image was splashed across the billboard with a confident smile, Orchid’s logo gleaming beside me. “Head Chef Stella Markham. Home of the Best Fresh Catch of the Day Specials in the Keys.”
Laughter bubbled up from deep within, unrestrained and pure. It was perfect. Orchid wasn’t just my workplace—it was my canvas, where I painted flavors and crafted experiences. Shaking my head, I hopped back into the car, the engine purring to life before I rejoined the road. The billboard shrank in the rearview mirror, but its image was imprinted on my mind, a reminder that sometimes, coming home could lead to the most unexpected of journeys.
The marina was still a busy hive of activity when I arrived. Aiden was already sitting on the deck of his boat, his hair ruffled by the sea breeze. He looked up from the bottle he was coaxing open, his warm eyes reflecting the sun’s light.
“Hey, beautiful.” The corners of his mouth tipped up in our shared secret smile.
“Hey, yourself.” My voice was lighter than air as I stepped onto the deck, the gentle rock of the boat beneath me like a welcome embrace.
He popped the cork with a practiced twist, and the sound mingled with the soft lapping of water against the hull. Aiden filled two glasses with champagne, the bubbles rising eagerly to the surface as they tried to escape into the warm air. He handed me a glass, and our fingers brushed—a spark, an acknowledgment.
We clinked our glasses together, a toast to the unspoken but deeply felt. The cool liquid fizzed on my tongue, but it was the anticipation of his lips that had my heart racing. I set my glass down, drawn to him, and wrapped my arms around his neck. He responded, his hands finding the small of my back and pulling me closer. Our kiss was deep and searching, a tender exploration that promised more.
Always more.
When we finally parted, there was a shade of happiness in his eyes that surely matched the one in mine.
Aiden laughed, a deep, melodic sound that resonated through me. “What’s got you so giddy?”
I shook my head, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of emotions—the surprise of Hunter coming home, the excitement of the billboard, and most of all, the contentment here in Aiden’s presence. My heart swelled with the sheer wonder of it all. “I don’t even know where to start! But if I had to pick the most important item… How would you like to join me and my family for a picnic?”