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Her Holiday Miracle
Joanna Neil


Her Caribbean escapeTalented A&E doc Cade Byfield appears to have it all, and yet there’s always been something missing… When Dr Rebecca Flynn arrives on his Caribbean island Cade begins to think that she might be the answer.But the mysterious beauty hides a devastating secret – the family Cade wants is the one thing she can never give him. Until one smouldering kiss in the eye of a storm makes Rebecca question…Could trusting Cade with her past give them both the future they dream of?







Praise for Joanna Neil (#ulink_d947e2a6-211f-5460-b595-506f8c153ccf)

‘ … a well-written romance set in the beautiful Caribbean.’

—HarlequinJunkie on Temptation in Paradise

‘I really enjoyed this read. Sometimes the tension between Matt and Saffi was simply crackling … If you enjoy Medicals this is a good, solid read … well worth it.’

—HarlequinJunkie on A Doctor to Remember


‘You can’t stay here. I won’t let you.’

‘Oh, really?’ She raised her brows. ‘I don’t see that you have a choice. It’s my decision to make, not yours.’

‘Is it? Maybe I can persuade you otherwise …’

Before Rebecca had time to realise Cade’s intention he swooped, claiming her mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss that caused the blood to course through her body in an overwhelming tide of heat. Her lips parted beneath the sensual onslaught and she clung to him as her limbs responded by trembling under the passionate intensity of his embrace.

It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. His kisses made her feverish with desire, the touch of his hands turned her flesh to fire as they shaped her curves, leaving her desperate for more. It was so unexpected, such a coaxing, tantalising raid on her defences. Her resistance crumbled. She wanted to stay here, locked in his arms, having him hold her, his long, hard body pressuring hers and promising her heaven on earth.




Dear Reader (#ulink_c7b9a40e-eb92-502c-bf2e-88288fdbea92),


What better place is there to while away the hours than on a beautiful Caribbean island? The gentle lap of surf on the sand, palm trees swaying in a soft, warm breeze … In this idyllic setting a girl can surely soak up the sun and forget her troubles.

Or can she? Setbacks in the form of a tropical storm and its aftermath might not present too great a problem—but when it comes to dealing with an incredibly good-looking plantation owner set on keeping her away from his equally handsome young cousin, what’s a girl to do? How can she possibly resist his all-out charm offensive?

There’s only one option when temptation arises in Paradise … isn’t there?

I hope you enjoy reading my latest book …

With love,

Joanna


JOANNA NEIL loves writing romance and has written more than sixty books for Harlequin Mills & Boon. Before her writing career started she had a variety of jobs, which included being a telephonist, a clerk, as well as nursing and work in a hospital pharmacy. She was an infant teacher for a number of years before her love of writing took over. Her hobbies include dressmaking, cooking and gardening.




Her Holiday Miracle

Joanna Neil







www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)




Table of Contents


Cover (#u65ccbb91-c4b2-5b6d-b08b-998055e6ca0d)

Praise for Joanna Neil (#u56774eeb-ae55-577a-91a6-1ddc4a93e796)

Excerpt (#u6401a7c9-ea31-5642-ad25-c7ab257f3030)

Dear Reader (#u851d9553-b2f4-5ca3-b8b4-b7de227cea39)

About the Author (#ucb13e760-4a90-5c51-9fcf-6942555eb1f6)

Title Page (#uc86b2a83-7e49-5aa0-97c9-1d4a1d2d7112)

CHAPTER ONE (#ub9b0da73-2241-5049-be6c-571ba672c778)

CHAPTER TWO (#ua507457f-b068-5cf2-ac5a-cc50881e493b)

CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)




CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_aed6bcaf-315c-53b6-93bd-1f6763846f11)


AT LAST. REBECCA GAVE a soft sigh of relief as a sixty-foot-long catamaran smoothly eased into position alongside the dock. The sound of calypso music came from on board, floating on the air waves towards her, and her spirits lifted in an instant. She’d been patiently standing in the queue for some time, wilting in the heat despite her light camisole top and loose cotton skirt, but now there was an end in sight. She would soon be on the last part of her journey to the beautiful Caribbean island of St Marie-Rose.

Just up ahead of her a man straightened as the boat approached. She’d noticed him earlier—in fact there was no way she could have missed him. He had midnight-black hair and sculpted, lightly tanned features, and he stood out from the crowd—tall, muscular, supremely fit-looking, wearing pale chinos and a white T-shirt that outlined broad shoulders and well-muscled biceps. He’d been looking around, taking in his surroundings. Presently, though, he seemed preoccupied, deep in thought, not at all like the others who lined the quayside.

Perhaps he felt her glance resting on him just then, because he half turned towards her and looked directly at her, his dark gaze meshing with hers for a heart-stopping instant. His eyes widened and his glance moved over her, taking in her slender yet curvaceous figure, the long copper-coloured hair that tumbled past her shoulders in a mass of unruly curls. All at once he seemed stunned, as though he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

Heat swept along her cheekbones and she looked away, embarrassed for her own part to have been caught staring. Somehow she hadn’t seemed able to help herself … there was just something about him … He probably wasn’t a tourist, she decided. There was nothing of the loose-limbed, laid-back sunseeker about him.

Actually, much the same could be said of her right now. She didn’t feel at all touristy. After being cooped up in an aeroplane for almost a dozen hours, followed by a short taxi ride to this port, she was more than ready for the last leg of her journey. At least she hoped this was the last leg. It was already late afternoon, and she really wanted to arrive at the house before nightfall. With any luck her sister, Emma, would be there to greet her. She smiled, a thrill of excitement running through her at the prospect—it would be so good to see Emma again.

Up to now, though, nothing had gone quite to plan—instead of flying directly to the island she’d found herself stranded here, on the verdant, equally lovely tropical island of Martinique, waiting for a ferry to take her across the sparkling blue sea to her final destination.

The people in the queue began to move slowly forward. ‘Ah, looks like we’re boarding at last,’ someone said behind her. ‘Finally!’

It was a male voice. She turned to glance at him. He was a young man—in his mid-twenties, she guessed, much the same as herself. She was twenty-six. He had blond hair and blue eyes, and a ready smile. Dressed for the heat, he wore three-quarter-length shorts and a T-shirt. Clearly he was in a good mood—most likely returning with his friends from a day trip to Martinique. The three young men with him were chatting to one another, lively and exuberant.

He returned her gaze and waved a hand towards the boat. ‘Shall we? I’m William, by the way. William Tempest.’

He looked at her questioningly and she responded in a soft voice, ‘Rebecca … Rebecca Flynn … most people call me Becky.’

‘Hi, Becky. We should be able to get some refreshments on board. Perhaps I could buy you a drink? I’m not hitting on you,’ he hastened to explain. ‘Well, maybe I would in different circumstances. It’s just that I noticed earlier you were looking a bit fed up and I thought maybe you could do with something to cool you down and perk you up—perhaps an iced juice of some sort—they do a good orange and mango mix?’

‘Do they?’ So he’d noticed her wilting. What was it that had given her away? Was it her hot cheeks or the way her curls clung damply to her temples? She should have taken the time to pin her hair back while she was on the plane.

She’d no experience of the facilities on board ferries in the Caribbean, but now she moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue in anticipation.

‘A cold drink sounds wonderful. I’d like that.’ She added as an afterthought, ‘This whole thing is a bit of an adventure for me.’

‘Are you here on holiday?’

‘Sort of. More of an extended break, shall we say? Things were getting me down back home and I needed to get away.’

‘Really? I’m sorry. I feel a bit that way, too. I’ve had a break-up with my girlfriend … it was really hard to take. It was a while ago, and I keep trying to put it all behind me, but it’s difficult.’

‘Yes. I know how that feels.’

Together, chatting amiably, they walked the short distance along the quay to the boarding ramp and stepped on to the deck of the boat.

It was strange … She didn’t know him from Adam, but she liked him instantly, in a platonic, unthreatening kind of way. All her usual English reserve seemed to be disappearing fast—melting away in the tropical sunshine.

Perhaps it was the heady atmosphere of the Caribbean beginning to exert its hold on her—or maybe the energetic beat of the music coming from the boat was serving to loosen her up. Whatever the reason, she’d throw all her inhibitions away right now for the chance of downing a long, cold glass of something. Anything.

William looked around. ‘Where do you want to sit? Would you like to be under cover, or do you want to look out over the sea?’

‘Both, I think.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve been stuck on a plane for several hours, so it will be great to move around and feel the fresh air for a bit.’

He nodded, his mouth curving. ‘Sounds great. We can get to know one another—it’ll take about an hour to get to St Marie-Rose.’

He was friendly and open with her, and as they chatted Rebecca was startled to find herself responding readily, a bit like a flower opening up to the sun. Why did she feel so at odds with herself about that? He’d already told her that he was getting over a broken relationship. Would it hurt to talk some more and maybe confide in him in return? He was easygoing and sociable and that was what she needed right now.

‘So what’s been getting you down?’ he asked.

‘Oh, a few things … I was ill, and my boyfriend decided that he couldn’t handle it.’

‘Ouch! That’s a tough one. It must have been difficult for you.’

‘Yes …’

It had been a few months since her relationship with Drew had disintegrated, and what had happened over that time had certainly taken its toll of her … Complications after her appendicitis had added to her problems and left her feeling low, and Drew had been less than supportive. After her appendix had burst, peritonitis had almost killed her, with the poisons in her bloodstream keeping her in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit for a couple of weeks.

But her problems hadn’t ended there. The doctors told her she might be infertile because of the scar tissue from those complications, and that was when Drew had decided to bow out. She had been devastated, overwhelmed by everything that had happened to her. How could she cope with the possibility of never having children? That question haunted her still.

It had all been a bit of a struggle. She desperately needed a change of scene—a chance to put herself back together again. Wasn’t it time she tried to relax and let her hair down? It could hardly matter what happened here, what she decided to tell William—he was only going to be around for a short time, after all.

She found a seat on one of the benches under the awning and put her bags down on the floor by her feet while he went to fetch the drinks. Padded bench seats were arranged along the deck, facing a central four-sided counter where dusky-skinned youths were busy cutting up all manner of fruits—oranges, melons, passion fruit, limes. There were a couple of urns available for hot drinks, along with juice dispensers and water coolers. She glanced around. There were even potted palms placed at discreet intervals on deck, all adding to the holiday atmosphere.

The man she’d seen earlier had gone to stand by the rail, looking out over the sea. He braced himself, leaning back against a stanchion, as the boat’s engine started up. He glanced her way, watching as William came towards her with a tall glass of iced juice. She couldn’t tell what the man was thinking. His gaze was smoke-dark—brooding, almost. As though he was disturbed to see her with another man. That couldn’t be so, though, could it?

For some reason he bothered her. Perhaps it was because in some way—maybe in the way he stood apart from the others—he reminded her of Drew. Though her ex had never possessed those bone-melting good looks, or that way of looking at the world as if it was his to command.

‘Don’t worry about him.’ William must have seen her cautious glance, and now, as she accepted the drink he handed her, she looked at him quizzically.

‘I won’t. Do you know him?’

He nodded. ‘He’s my cousin. He’s been over to Martinique on business—I think he probably wants some space to mull things over.’

‘Oh, I see … I think.’ She frowned and tried to put the man out of her mind, turning her attention to William and chatting to him about nothing in particular.

He was good company. He was fun and he made her chuckle, and at one point he even pulled her to her feet and had her dancing with him to the hot, rhythmic music that spilled out from the loudspeakers overhead.

Other passengers were already moving to the beat, and from time to time William’s friends came to join them. She laughed with them and exchanged banter, simply enjoying the freedom of letting herself go for a while. Her hair tumbled this way and that over her bare shoulders and her skirt gently swirled around her thighs as she sashayed to the beat of steel drums. She hadn’t felt this unrestrained in a long time.

The music stopped for a moment as the latest song came to an end and she stood still, attuning herself to the rhythm of the boat as it crested the waves.

‘Shall we go and stand by the deck rail for a while?’ William suggested, and she nodded, going with him and turning her face to the cooling breeze as the boat ploughed through the waves.

Standing with her by the rail, he put an arm around her shoulders to point out dolphins in the distance, playing in the clear, crystal water.

She felt a prickling at the back of her neck and looked around, suddenly distracted. The man at the rail flicked a glance in her direction, inclining his head in acknowledgement, his eyes narrowed against the glare of the sun. Was he still intent on watching her? Or was it William he was keeping an eye on?

William spoke to her, cutting into her thoughts. ‘Perhaps we might see each other again—hang around together from time to time? Don’t get me wrong—I know you’re not looking for a relationship and neither am I—but we do have something in common. We’ve both been hurt and we could be friends, maybe?’

‘Yes, I’d like that.’ It would be good to have a friend out here.

She looked out over the blue water once more. The island of St Marie-Rose was drawing closer, its green-clad mountains beckoning, while picturesque white-painted houses nestled among the trees on the hillsides—a perfect invitation to visit.

‘Whereabouts are you staying?’ he asked.

‘Tamarind Bay. My sister’s renting a house there … well, nothing quite so grand as a house—it’s more of a cabin, really. She was lucky to get it—it’s quite secluded, apparently, near to a small private marina. The owner of the property is a friend.’

He frowned. ‘That’s the opposite direction from me. We’re all staying at a rental place in the north of the island. Still …’ He brightened. ‘It’s not too far away. It’s not that big an island. You could go from one end to the other in two or three hours.’ He smiled. ‘There aren’t that many bars and nightclubs in Tamarind Bay. I’m sure I’ll manage to find you again. Maybe I could have your phone number? I could help cheer you up.’ He made a wry face. ‘Heck—we could cheer each other up.’

She nodded and smiled in response, but she wasn’t about to commit to anything. She wasn’t averse to having fun—in fact it would be great—but above all she’d come out here to spend time with Emma.

The catamaran moved into place alongside the dock at St Marie-Rose just a few minutes later and they readied themselves to disembark. Ahead of them, William’s cousin was among the first to leave the boat.

William helped her with her bags as they negotiated the steps to the quay. She paused for a moment to look around, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction as she took in the curve of the bay, with its wide strip of golden sand and palms that tilted towards the sun, their green fronds drifting gently in the light breeze.

‘Are you going to be okay getting to your sister’s place?’ William asked as they stood among the melee of disembarking passengers. ‘Tamarind Bay’s about an hour’s drive south from here.’ He seemed concerned, anxious to stay with her, but also aware of his friends waiting for him a short distance away. ‘I could find you a taxi. Better still, I could ask my cousin—’

‘No, please don’t do that,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Don’t worry about me. I’ll be absolutely fine. Go and join your mates. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.’

‘Okay …’ He frowned. ‘I suppose so … if you’re sure?’

‘I am.’

Reluctantly he walked away, and she looked around to see if there were any cabs left for hire. A man thrust a leaflet into her hands—an advertisement for sea trips to the local islands—and she glanced at it briefly. In the meantime passengers were still getting off the ferry, descending upon every waiting vehicle.

‘I help you, lady—yes?’ A dark-skinned, athletic-looking young man came to stand beside Becky on the dock. ‘You need help with your bags?’

‘No … no, thank you.’ Becky gave him a tentative smile. She’d been warned by the tour company about hustlers, and though he seemed innocent enough she was cautious. Perhaps he had a car somewhere, but from his manner she seriously doubted he was a legitimate cab driver. ‘I’ll be fine. I’m sure I can manage.’

Unfortunately, her suitcase was still back at the airport, but she had her hand luggage with her—a holdall and a roomy bag.

He shook his head. ‘You give me money—I take your bags for you.’ He bent down and started to grasp the handles of her overnight bag.

‘No, no … please don’t do that … I can manage,’ she said again, but he wasn’t listening.

‘I take care of it for you,’ he said.

‘No—I’d rather you didn’t do that.’

She tried to reach for her bag but he was too quick for her, deftly swinging it away from her into the air. She sucked in a sharp breath. How on earth was she going to deal with him? Should she kick up a fuss? Call Security? Where was Security around here?

Even as the thoughts darted through her head the man she’d seen earlier stepped forward. He moved so fast she blinked in surprise, watching as he came up to the stranger, gripped the handles of her bag firmly and wrenched them from him. Rebecca was stunned. He was lithe and supple, his body honed to perfection. It was simply amazing to watch him in action.

His steel-grey gaze cut through the young man like a lance. ‘She told you that she didn’t want your help. Now I’m telling you—leave her alone.’

It was clear he meant business. It was there in the clipped tone of his voice and in the firm thrust of his taut, angular jaw. Even Rebecca was in awe of him, and she was an innocent bystander.

‘Okay. Okay.’ The young man held up his hands in submission, backing off. ‘I didn’t mean any harm. I’m going.’ He looked wary, taken completely aback by the opposition that seemed to have erupted out of nowhere.

Her rescuer watched him leave. ‘He won’t bother you any more,’ he said.

‘No. I see that.’ She sent him a grateful glance, her green eyes drinking him in. The youth was hurrying away along the quayside, anxious to stay out of trouble. ‘Thank you. I wasn’t sure whether there were any security people around here. They didn’t seem necessary. Everything looked so peaceful.’

His mouth made a wry curve. ‘It is—usually. But anywhere you go you might find people who want to supplement their income any way they can.’

‘I suppose so.’ She used the leaflet to fan her cheeks against the heat. How did he manage to look so cool and in control? He must be used to the conditions out here.

‘I’m Cade, by the way,’ he said. ‘I’m William’s cousin. He may have mentioned me.’

He held out a hand to her and she slipped her palm briefly into his. His grasp was firm and reassuringly strong.

‘Rebecca,’ she answered. ‘Yes, he did. Thanks again for your help.’

‘You’re welcome.’ He gave her a thoughtful look. ‘I couldn’t help overhearing some of your conversation with William on board. You said you were staying at Tamarind Bay—that’s roughly where I’m headed. Near there, anyway. I have a place in the hills above the bay. I could give you a lift, if you like?’

‘Um … that’s okay, thanks. I don’t mind waiting for a taxi. I don’t want to put you out.’ She didn’t know him, after all, so why would she trust her safety to him?

‘You could be in for a long wait …’ His glance shifted over her. ‘To be frank, a woman on her own—a beautiful young woman at that—could invite unwanted attention … as you’ve already discovered.’ He reached into the pocket of his chinos and showed her a business card. ‘Perhaps this will help to put your mind at ease.’

Dr Cade Byfield, she read. Emergency Medicine Physician, Mountview Hospital, St Marie-Rose.

‘People know me around here,’ he said. ‘I make the trip to and from Martinique on a regular basis. Ask the officials at the end of the dock if you need reassurance.’

That sounded reasonable enough. She’d seen one of them acknowledge him with a nod a short time ago. ‘A doctor?’ she said quietly. ‘So you live out here?’

He nodded. ‘I have done for the last few years, anyway. I’m from Florida, originally, but my parents settled on the island some years ago.’ He glanced at her questioningly. ‘And you?’

‘I’m English—from a busy town in Hertfordshire.’

‘Ah, I thought I recognised the accent.’ He smiled fleetingly and waved a hand in the direction of the harbour wall. ‘My car’s parked over there. Shall we go? I promise you, you’ll be safe with me.’

‘Okay.’ As she nodded he placed the palm of his hand in the small of her back, sending small whorls of sensation eddying through her spine. She tried not to think about the touch of his warm, strong fingers on her body as she walked with him.

‘We could have done with your help as a doctor on the plane coming over here,’ she murmured as they set off along the quayside.

‘Really? Why is that?’

‘We had to divert to Martinique to drop off a man who was taken ill. He was sitting in the seat across the aisle from me when he collapsed. He looked dreadful—pale and waxy. The pilot had to radio for help and they made sure they had an ambulance waiting for him at the airport.’

He frowned. ‘It must have been serious if they had to do that. What was wrong with him? Do you know?’

She nodded. ‘He complained of chest pain radiating to his ears and gums, and then he lost consciousness. I felt for a pulse but there wasn’t one.’

He sent her a quick, concerned look. ‘Sounds like a heart attack. What happened?’

She pulled a face. ‘There was general panic all around me for a moment or two. Then I started chest compressions while a flight attendant rushed to get a portable defibrillator. We managed to shock his heart and establish a rhythm and restored blood flow to his vital organs.’ Her mouth flattened. ‘I thought he was going to be all right, but then things went wrong again and his heart went into an irregular rhythm and stopped for a second time.’

Cade sucked in his breath. ‘He was obviously in a very bad way—that must have been scary for you.’

‘It was worrying,’ she admitted. ‘But I’m a doctor, too, so I suppose the training kicked in. They had adrenaline on board in the aircraft’s medical kit, so I gave him intravenous doses until he started to recover.’

His eyes widened with interest. ‘Are you an emergency doctor?’

‘No. My specialty’s paediatrics.’

‘So, do you work in a hospital or general practice?’

By now they were approaching his car—a dark metallic red sports utility vehicle. It managed to look both sleek and sturdy at the same time, and she guessed it would be capable of managing most types of terrain.

She said quietly, ‘I was working in a neonatal unit, but actually I’m taking a break from medicine right now.’ How could she bear to go into work every day and be surrounded by babies, knowing she might never hold one of her own? It was like a pain deep inside her. ‘At least I thought I was taking a break until I stepped on the plane. My plans certainly went wrong after that.’

He opened the passenger door for her and ushered her inside. He was frowning again. ‘Obviously you weren’t heading for Martinique at the outset. Wouldn’t it have been easier to fly the rest of the way from there instead of getting the ferry?’

‘Probably.’ She was thankful he hadn’t asked about her reasons for having a break from her career, but maybe he assumed she was just taking a holiday. ‘There wasn’t another flight until tomorrow morning,’ she explained. ‘Once we stopped at Martinique the flight crew had worked their allotted hours, apparently. I didn’t want to mess about. I wanted to get here on time to be with my sister—and my luggage had already been taken off the plane.’ She pulled a face. ‘I’m not quite sure where it is at the moment … en route to Barbados, I think. I’ve filled in all the appropriate forms, so hopefully I’ll be reunited with it at some point.’

‘You’ve had an eventful journey.’ He slid into the driver’s seat and switched on the engine. ‘Let’s hope things go smoothly for you from now on.’

‘Yes, we should look on the bright side, shouldn’t we?’ She leaned back against the luxurious upholstery and felt the cool waft of a delicate breeze fan her cheeks as the air-conditioning kicked in. ‘Oh, that feels good.’

He gave her a sideways glance. ‘How long are you planning on staying over here?’

‘Three months to begin with—maybe longer, but if so I might need to find work of some sort. I’m not in a hurry to do that yet—I suppose I’m looking for a change of direction. I may even decide to go home when the three months is up. I just want to spend time with Emma—my sister. She’s over here on a temporary contract with the nursing directorate.’ She frowned. ‘She messaged me a short time ago when I was on the boat, to say she’d been called out on a job—some last-minute thing that cropped up. I’m just hoping she’ll be back before too long.’

His cool, thoughtful gaze swept over her before he turned his attention back to the road ahead. ‘Talking of jobs, it seems a bit strange for you to be taking time out so early in your career. You’re very fortunate if you can afford to do that. A lot of people would envy you.’

She winced inwardly. Was that a veiled criticism? After seeing her on the boat, getting on so well with his cousin, he probably thought she was a bored rich girl looking for thrills.

‘Perhaps they might. You’re right—it’s good to have enough money to be able to choose—but I don’t see myself as “fortunate”, really,’ she countered. ‘My parents died when I was twelve. They left money in trust for me and my sister, so we’re both comfortably off, but I’d much rather they were still around. We were brought up by an aunt and uncle. They’ve been good to us, but they had their own two little girls to care for. It can’t have been easy for them.’

‘No, I expect not. I’m sorry.’ He studied her briefly. ‘Does it bother you, leaving them behind to come here?’

‘Oh, yes—I’ll miss them all … especially my cousins. But we’re all older now, going our separate ways.’ She was pensive for a moment or two, lost in thought. ‘I suppose we were lucky that there was no rivalry or resentment bubbling away in the background because we were taking up the love and attention that should have been reserved for family. In fact we get on very well with one another. My aunt and uncle did a good job.’

‘Four youngsters must have made for quite a lively household?’

‘Yes, it was a bit rumbustious at times. We had a lot of fun … holidays and family picnics and generally hanging out together.’

‘I never had that experience.’ There was a slight thread of regret in his voice. ‘I was an only child—that’s probably what makes me value my cousin’s friendship all the more. We’re very close—a bit like brothers.’

She sent him a curious glance. ‘Really? I didn’t get that impression. You kept to yourself on the ferry and didn’t really have any contact with him—he said you’d been to Martinique on business and needed some space.’

‘That’s right. I had to go over there to talk to some clients—I have a plantation in the hills, a few miles from Tamarind Bay, so I make the journey to Martinique on a fairly regular basis to see people about supplies and exports and so on.’

‘Wow!’ She smiled. ‘I’m impressed … a plantation owner … that’s inspiring.’

‘Not so much.’ His mouth made a wry twist. ‘I took it over a couple of years ago, when it was completely run down, and I’m learning a few lessons on the way. It’s taking a lot of effort to get it going once more, but we’ve made a reasonable start, I think.’

‘It sounds as though you have a busy life.’ She wanted to know more about the plantation, but he hadn’t yet commented about leaving his cousin to his own devices. Why had he done that if they were so close? ‘You said, “We’ve made a reasonable start”—is William part of that? Where does he fit in? If you’re so close, I don’t understand why you didn’t want to talk to him on the boat?’

‘He works for me, but he’s on holiday at the moment. As for when we were on the boat—he was with his friends and I didn’t want to intrude … more especially since he seemed to be very taken with you. In fact, I’d say he was smitten … so much so that I doubt he’d have thanked me for getting in the way.’

She looked at him in mock surprise. ‘Smitten? We’d only just met!’ Why would he have reached that conclusion? Was he jealous of the attention William had been giving her? Of course he hadn’t heard the bulk of their conversation, or he would have known they were just going to be friends. William liked her, but he was still getting over the break-up with his girlfriend and wasn’t making any romantic overtures. ‘You’re reading too much into the situation.’

‘I don’t think so.’ Again, that wry smile. His glance drifted over her, taking in her slender curves, the way her camisole top nipped in at the waist and her skirt draped itself over the swell of her hips. ‘What chance did he have against a flame-haired beauty with emerald-green eyes and a come-hither smile? He was done for the moment he looked at you.’ He pulled a face. ‘Heaven knows—I was done for.’

She stifled an uncertain laugh. Did he really feel that way about her? And that was the second time he’d commented on her looks. ‘Well, thanks for the compliment … I think …’ He made her sound like some kind of Delilah … ‘But if it really was as you say, do you imagine he’d have some sort of a problem getting involved with me? I couldn’t help feeling you were keeping a weather eye on him.’

‘I was, to be honest.’

She blinked, startled by his frank admission. ‘You were?’

He frowned. ‘I was … most of the time. At least I was trying to, when I wasn’t distracted by thinking about you. There’s something about you—a vulnerability that I sensed, maybe. I suppose it must have brought out the protective instinct in me.’ He sighed and gave his head a shake, as though he was trying to pull himself together. ‘Perhaps William feels it, too. Either way, I don’t want to see him land in hot water. My aunt asked me to watch out for him over the next few months. He may not look it, but he’s vulnerable, too, right now. He’s easily led and he’s been hurt in the past.’

‘Haven’t we all?’ She said it under her breath, but he gave her a quick, sharp glance before concentrating on negotiating a twisty bend in the road.

Rebecca gazed out of the window, watching the landscape unfold in all its glory. It was easier than trying to fathom him out. She sensed there was a lot more to Cade Byfield than she’d learned so far. He was attracted to her, but he was fighting it, and at the same time she had a sneaking feeling he didn’t trust her around his cousin. She wasn’t at all sure why.

Not that it mattered. Did she even trust herself right now? She was here to chill out, to get over the breakdown of her relationship with Drew and the turmoil that had caused … and hopefully to recover from the aftermath of the illness that had thrown her life into disarray these last few months.

The road wound its way through forested slopes, and their journey of discovery helped to take her mind off things. Beneath the thick canopy of trees she glimpsed the occasional flight of a colourful parrot or a yellow-chested peewee, and on the ground, which was thickly covered with broad-spanning ferns, she caught sight of small green lizards darting through the undergrowth. There were wild flowers hidden among the foliage along the route—waxy lilac anthuriums and the pretty scarlet rosettes of bromeliads peeking out here and there. It was beautiful, and all new to her.

‘You said you often go to Martinique on business?’ she murmured, turning her attention back to Cade. ‘Wouldn’t it be quicker and easier for you to fly?’

He nodded. ‘That’s true. But I like having the chance to unwind on board the ferry. It gives me time to clear my head and maybe get things into perspective. In a place like this you don’t always want to be rushing about. I get plenty of that in my job at the hospital.’

He pointed out the pristine waters of a yachting harbour as they rounded a curve in the road. ‘We must be getting fairly close to where you’ll be staying, I think.’

‘Oh …’ She gave a small gasp of delight as she looked out over the hillside and down into the rocky cove. ‘It’s so lovely. It’s perfection.’ Beyond the shoreline, outlined beneath the deep blue of the sea, she saw the turquoise ridge of a coral reef. ‘It’s even better than the way Emma described it to me.’

‘Yes, it’s an exquisite island—a beautiful place to live … and work. I’ve travelled the world, but I always love to come back here.’ He negotiated a winding road down to the scattering of houses that made up the small hamlet. ‘Yours is the cabin, you said?’

‘Yes … I think I can see it amongst the trees. Emma sent me pictures of it.’

Excitement bubbled up inside her as she caught sight of a timber-clad house with white-framed windows and a white-painted wooden balustrade enclosing a wide veranda. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the hills as they drew up in front of the house. Everything looked tranquil and untouched by the outside world. She sat for a moment, taking it all in. She could be happy here. She felt it deep inside. Surely this was a place of healing, where she could mend her body and her spirit?

‘Presumably your sister would have been expecting you earlier? How will you get into the property if she’s not here now?’

She frowned. ‘It’s been a couple of hours since her text message—I would have thought she’d be home by now. But she said she would leave a key in a safe place where I’d be sure to find it.’ She laughed softly. ‘Knowing Emma, that probably means it could be under a rock marked “Key is here”.’

He laughed with her. ‘I dare say the locals are all on good terms with your sister. You can rest easy. We don’t get a lot of crime out here.’

He parked the car in front of the cabin a few minutes later. It was set against a backcloth of leafy trees and dense shrubbery, its location completely private, and everything smelled fresh and open to nature.

Cade waited while Rebecca knocked on the door. When there was no answer she stifled her disappointment and went in search of the key.

‘It was hidden in a box under the veranda,’ she told him. ‘Would you like to come in for a drink of some sort? I expect there’ll be juice in the fridge—or coffee?’

‘Thanks. I’ll have a coffee, if you have the makings. I’ll see you settled in and then I should be on my way. I have to get over to the plantation to meet up with my estate manager.’

‘You work late out here?’

He nodded. ‘Occasionally. Sometimes it’s necessary if problems crop up. My manager wants to see me about getting a new truck—the one we have at the moment keeps breaking down. He lives in a cottage on the plantation, so it’s not as if he’ll be put out too much. I need to get it sorted.’

All this on top of his work as a doctor? He obviously believed in keeping busy. She stepped on to the veranda and unlocked the front door. ‘Come in.’

‘Thanks.’

They both took a moment to look around. The living room was simply furnished, with a polished light oak floor, a couple of settees and a coffee table, and opened out into a light and airy kitchen-diner at one end. The units there were cream-coloured, with pale oak worktops that were easy on the eye. Two sets of French doors led from the kitchen and the living room out on to the veranda that swept around the building, giving a view through the trees of the delightful cove below.

‘I’ll just see if Emma has any coffee.’ Rebecca checked the cupboards, then set out porcelain mugs on the oak table while she waited for the kettle to boil. There was a note from Emma propped up against the sugar bowl. ‘She doesn’t know when she’ll be back,’ Rebecca said, quickly scanning it. ‘She says the landlord will stop by tomorrow morning to sort out a problem with the window shutters.’

She frowned. It definitely sounded as though she would not be back tonight.

‘Ah, I might have known it—Emma’s left some food for supper,’ she murmured, continuing to read and then going to rummage in the fridge. ‘We might as well help ourselves … there’s plenty for both of us, from the looks of things. Spiced chicken drumsticks and salad, with savoury rice.’ She turned to him. ‘How does that sound?’

He pulled in a breath. ‘Too tempting to refuse,’ he admitted with a grin. ‘It seems to be quite a while since I had lunch.’

‘Mmm … me, too,’ she agreed, taking dishes and platters from the fridge. She frowned. ‘I wish I knew how long she was going to be. I was so looking forward to seeing her again.’

‘Is she older than you or younger?’ he asked as they sat down to eat a minute or so later.

‘Older by just a year. But for all that she’s always sort of looked after me … kept me on the straight and narrow, so to speak—our cousins, too. They’re three or four years younger than us.’ She waved a hand over the food she had set out. ‘Help yourself.’

She’d always looked to Emma for guidance over the years. Perhaps Emma would know how she could get over her illness and the break-up with Drew and restore her self-confidence once more. When her consultant had said she might have difficulty in having children because of scar tissue blocking her fallopian tubes it had come as a devastating blow. Rebecca had withdrawn into herself for a while and shut out the outside world. She hadn’t wanted to face up to anything for some time.

As for now … A recklessness seemed to have taken her over. She’d left her job, left the country, put everything behind her. And she’d met a handsome young man on the ferry coming over here—not to mention the fact that now she was sharing a meal with a perfect stranger in the privacy of a secluded cabin. Had she lost her senses? Perhaps she was hell bent on self-destruction. She didn’t want to take anyone down with her, but was she headed that way? Emma would surely put her right.

She shook the thoughts from her mind. Better to think of something completely different. ‘What kind of plantation do you have?’ she asked now. ‘What do you grow there?’

Cade had been watching her, she realised, clearly curious about her introspection, but now he followed her lead and answered readily. ‘Cocoa—everything depends on producing a good crop.’

‘You said it had been run down—why would that happen?’

‘Because of disease in the plants, the weather—hurricane winds, tropical storms—and low prices. A lot of people out here gave up on cocoa and turned to banana-growing instead. It must have seemed like the better option.’

‘But you think you can make a go of it where others have failed?’

He nodded. ‘I’ll certainly have a good try.’ He finished off his chicken and wiped his hands on a paper serviette. ‘That was delicious.’

She inclined her head briefly. ‘Emma’s always been a good cook.’

They talked some more about food in general, and his hopes for the plantation, and then her phone rang, cutting in on their conversation.

‘Perhaps it’s Emma. I should answer it,’ she said quickly.

‘Of course. Please—go ahead.’

She stood up and walked across the kitchen to take the call. It wasn’t Emma, though, and a swift wave of disappointment washed over her.

‘Hi, Becky … it’s William. I’m just checking that you managed to get to your sister’s all right. I was concerned about you. I hated leaving you alone at the harbour.’

‘Oh, hi, William. Yes, I did, thanks. You didn’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.’ Out of the corner of her vision she saw Cade brace himself slightly. His head went back a fraction.

‘That’s good. Listen, I’m coming over to the bay tomorrow evening. Maybe we could go for a drink together?’

‘I’d like that … It depends what my sister’s doing, though. She isn’t here right now.’

‘She could come with us.’

She thought about it. ‘Okay, then. Yes, we could do that. It sounds good. I’ll let you know if anything changes.’

‘Great. I’ll meet you in Selwyn’s Bar at around eight o’clock?’

‘Selwyn’s Bar? Yes. Eight o’clock, then. I’ll look forward to it.’ She was smiling as she said it, and when she cut the call she turned to look at Cade once more. ‘That was your cousin,’ she said unnecessarily. ‘He was just checking to see that I got here all right.’

‘So I gathered.’ He stood up, his features guarded. ‘You’ll be seeing him again, from the sound of things?’

‘Looks like it.’ She sent him a quick, challenging look. He seemed tense. ‘Do you have a problem with that?’

‘Not really … Maybe …’ He shrugged awkwardly. ‘Like I said, I don’t want to see him get hurt. He’s just come out of a bad relationship and he’s vulnerable right now. I know it doesn’t seem that way …’

‘Surely he’s old enough to take care of himself?’

‘You’d think so, wouldn’t you? But some people take a while longer than others.’

‘He seemed fine to me.’ Her green eyes flashed. ‘Anyway, why do you imagine I’m likely to be such a problem for him?’

‘Are you kidding?’ His mouth made a crooked shape as his glance drifted over her. ‘The way you look, I suspect you’d be a problem for a saint,’ he said, with feeling. ‘My cousin stands no chance at all.’

A wave of heat ran through her cheeks. ‘Well, I’m flattered you imagine I have such powers …’

He smiled. ‘I suppose I want you to go easy on him. I sense you just want to have a good time and enjoy your stay here—and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.’ His dark eyes glinted. ‘I’d be only too happy to help you do that. As for William—he’s here for the duration, while you’ll be moving on in a short time. I can’t help thinking that if you and he get together I’ll be left to pick up the pieces again.’

‘I’m sure you and your aunt are being overly concerned … I’ve never thought of myself as a heart-breaker.’ Still, something in her prompted her to say, ‘Anyway, you could always come with us to the bar.’ Even as the words left her lips she wondered what on earth she was thinking. ‘He suggested my sister might want to come along,’ she added, ‘so you could join us and make up a foursome.’

‘I’d like that,’ he said. ‘I’ll look forward to it—I’ll come and pick you up.’ His smoky gaze rested on her once more. ‘It’s a great pity William saw you first,’ he said softly. ‘I’d be more than ready for the challenge.’

She looked at him directly, her green glance unwavering. ‘I’ve said before that we’re just going to be friends … but even if that wasn’t the case I’m not some prize to be won.’

‘Like I said, I have his interests at heart. I won’t stand by and see him hurt.’

She wasn’t sure whether that was a threat or a promise.

He left soon after that, and she watched him drive away. She ought to be feeling relaxed, at peace with herself, but instead she felt a sense of nervous anticipation—a vague worry starting up inside her. What was she doing, getting involved with Cade and his cousin? Hadn’t she been through enough turmoil—and could William really get hurt because of her?

Her mouth made a crooked twist. She doubted Cade was the kind of man who would let that happen. She frowned. Perhaps that was what bothered her. What did he have in mind? Somehow she suspected a man like him would leave nothing to chance. Wasn’t that why he’d been waiting around on the dock after William had left?




CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_26925c04-16ef-5812-8c0a-acc726a15c8f)


‘I WAS SO worried when you didn’t come back here last night.’ Rebecca watched her sister search through the clothes in her wardrobe. ‘Does it happen very often—that you don’t manage to get home?’

‘Sometimes—it depends on the circumstances.’ Emma held up a pale green dress that had an off-the-shoulder neckline and a skater skirt. ‘How about this one? It’ll go beautifully with your eyes.’

‘Oh, that looks great. Thanks. I’ll try it on.’

They were getting ready for their night out at Selwyn’s Bar, and as most of Rebecca’s clothes were still in her suitcase, travelling between airports, she was having to rely on Emma to help her out. Luckily they were of a similar shape and size.

‘So what happened last night?’

‘We had to go to a rural area up in the hills.’ Emma frowned. ‘A couple of people have gone down with headaches and fever, and we’re not quite sure yet what we’re dealing with. We looked after them, made them comfortable, and sent blood samples and so on to the hospital. We shan’t know what’s wrong with them until we get the results back in a couple of days.’

‘So you’ll be going back there?’

Emma nodded. ‘I have to wait for a call from the chief nursing officer. They’ll send a Jeep to take me back to the village.’

The girls finished dressing, and Rebecca added a final touch of blusher to her cheeks just as a rapping noise sounded on the cabin’s front door. Her stomach muscles tensed. That would be Cade, of course. He was a few minutes early and she didn’t feel at all ready for him. She hadn’t had time to compose herself, but she didn’t know why that bothered her. Why was she nervous about meeting up with him again?

‘I’ll get it.’

Her sister left the room and Rebecca took a moment to quickly check her hair in the bedroom mirror. She’d pinned it up for the evening, doing her best to tame the unruly curls, though a few spiralling tendrils had escaped to frame her face. Satisfied that she looked okay, she smoothed down the dress. The silky material skimmed her hips lovingly and fell in soft folds almost to her knees.

Emma was already opening the door, greeting Cade with a cheerful, ‘Hi, there. You must be the man Becky’s been telling me about. Come in.’ There was a pause as he entered the cabin. Then, ‘She says you have a plantation up in the hills?’ Emma said. ‘That is so exciting! I’ve never met an estate owner before—or seen a cocoa plantation.’

‘You should come and visit, then,’ Cade answered cheerfully. ‘I’d love to show you and Rebecca around—you could come tomorrow, if you like?’

‘That sounds great.’

‘Good. It’s a date, then. Late afternoon would be best for me—I could pick you both up after I leave the hospital.’

‘You have to work at the weekend?’

‘I do, unfortunately.’

He hadn’t wasted any time in issuing the invitation, had he?

His deep voice sent ripples of tingling sensation coursing along Rebecca’s spine. She tried to shake it off. How did he manage to have this effect on her? She wasn’t looking for any kind of involvement or attachment, yet he’d figured constantly in her thoughts ever since she’d watched him drive away the evening before. It was disturbing. Hanging out with William would be one thing—his cousin was a different matter entirely. With Cade she sensed danger at every turn … Her nervous system had gone into overdrive and was sending out vigorous warning signals that she would ignore at her peril.

‘Hello again.’ She took a deep breath as she walked into the room, and knew a perverse sense of gratification as she saw Cade’s grey eyes widen in appreciation.

He said nothing for a second or two, but then his dark gaze swept over both girls and he commented softly, ‘It’s clear to see that you’re sisters. You have the same high cheekbones and perfect jawline. You both look lovely.’

‘Why, thank you!’ Emma laughingly touched his arm, her long chestnut hair fleetingly brushing his shoulder as she moved in close to him.

She was wearing a simply styled blue dress with thin shoulder straps, leaving her arms bare. As for Cade, he looked cool and immaculate in a freshly laundered shirt and pale-coloured trousers.

‘Just give me a minute to get my bag,’ Emma said, ‘and we can be on our way. I’ve been to Selwyn’s Bar before,’ she confided. ‘I love it there.’

Cade led the way to his car a few minutes later and saw them seated comfortably. Rebecca chose to sit in the back seat alongside Emma. It didn’t feel as though they’d had much time to talk, since Emma hadn’t arrived home until mid-afternoon, and she doubted they’d have much chance to confide in one another this evening. It was good to be together again, though.

‘How long have you been working out here, Emma?’ Cade asked as he turned the car on to the coast road.

‘A couple of months. I’m having a great time out here. The work hasn’t been too difficult up to now—mostly we’ve been running health clinics and visiting the more remote villages. We’ve been giving vaccinations and checking out the under-fives to make sure they’re okay.’

He glanced in the rearview mirror. ‘Is that the sort of thing you might want to do, Rebecca—work with the under-fives, I mean? Not now, obviously, but maybe later? You talked about wanting a change of direction.’

Rebecca’s face paled at the unexpected question. ‘Um … I’m not sure. It’s something I’d have to think about.’

‘I suppose in neonatal your work was much more specialised?’

‘Yes. Some of the babies were very ill. They might have been born prematurely, or they had heart defects or lung complaints and so on.’

‘Is that why you stopped doing the job—because it was too harrowing?’

She swallowed hard. ‘In a way, yes.’

She didn’t want to talk about this. Delving into the different aspects of her work was far too painful, and it brought up a host of reminders she would rather ignore. It had been so hard going back to work after her illness. She hadn’t been able to bear to hold those tiny babies in her arms when she might never have one of her own. She hadn’t realised how badly she had been affected until she’d cradled those sweet, frail infants.

Beside her, Emma shifted closer in a silent gesture of support. ‘Sometimes it’s good to do something different for a while—to explore other opportunities. But for the moment Becky’s taking time out to recharge her batteries. She’s worked really hard over the last few years, qualifying as a doctor and taking her specialist exams. She hasn’t really had much time for herself and she’s well overdue for an extended holiday.’

‘Of course. I understand.’

Seeing the reflection of his dark eyes in the rearview mirror, Rebecca knew he didn’t understand at all. How could he? As far as he was concerned she was young, energetic, on the cusp of life—why would she need to take time out? But she wasn’t going to explain her circumstances to someone she’d only just met. And talking about it was upsetting.

She hadn’t been able to discuss things much with Drew, because his negative, unhelpful reaction had made matters worse. Whatever future they might have contemplated had been wiped out when he’d realized there was a possibility she might not be able to have children. She’d been devastated by his response to her predicament.

As for now, she wondered if any man she met might respond in the same way? She couldn’t even think about her situation without feeling shaky and unhappy. It was too soon … the emotional wound ran too deep and was still too raw.

‘They do marvellous mojitos at Selwyn’s,’ Emma said brightly, changing the subject. ‘You’ll like them, Becky. They make them with white rum, fresh limes and a sprig of mint. Yum.’

‘Sounds good.’ Rebecca made an effort to pull herself together. She glanced at Cade once more. ‘What do you like to drink, Cade?’

‘I like rum, too—it’s the national drink out here in the islands—but mostly I drink lager. Maybe I’ll have a rum cocktail this evening, but after that I’ll stick with non-alcoholic lager because I’m on the early shift tomorrow at the hospital … And, of course, I’m driving.’

‘Ah … you drew the short straw.’ Emma chuckled sympathetically. ‘They serve food at Selwyn’s, so you could always try soaking up the rum with a tenderloin steak or some such.’

He smiled. ‘I might do that.’

William was waiting for them, greeting all three of them with enthusiasm when they stepped on to the boardwalk leading to Selwyn’s Bar a few minutes later. The bar was made of wooden decking and built over a shallow tidal strait where mangroves emerged in a dense tangle of arching roots from the flood plain left by the ebb and flow of salt water. There was lush greenery all around, and the sounds of the forest mingled with the lively music coming from speakers positioned under the solid awning. Tables covered in white cloths were set out alongside the balustrade, so that customers could sit and eat and look out over the water.

William was smiling, wearing a T-shirt and knee-length cut-off shorts. ‘Hey, it’s great to see you again,’ he said, giving Rebecca a quick hug and nodding amiably to his cousin. ‘And this must be Emma …’ He turned to Emma. ‘Hi, there. Becky told me you’re a nurse? It must be a whole new experience for you to come out here and work in the Caribbean. How are you finding it?’

‘It’s great …’ Emma said. ‘It’s very different to what I’ve known before, back in the UK, but it’s really good—most of the time. Some things can be a bit frustrating—like equipment shortages or breakdowns—and of course everything tends to move at a slower pace.’

He nodded. ‘I know what you mean. Food stores can run out of staples like bread and milk, if you don’t get there early in the day, and the Internet can go down when you’re in the middle of something.’

‘And if your truck breaks down you might have to wait for a part to be sent over from one of the other islands,’ Cade put in, with feeling. ‘That’s happened to us more than once.’ He smiled and led them over to the bar. ‘I’ll get the drinks in. Mojitos, was it?’

‘That would be lovely.’ Rebecca glanced at him. ‘So, did you talk with your estate manager about getting a new truck?’

‘I did. It’ll take a while to sort out, but things will start to run a lot more smoothly for us once it arrives.’

They took their drinks to a table by the rail and the four of them chatted while they looked at menus and decided what they wanted to eat.

‘We could share a seafood and chicken platter?’ Cade suggested after a minute or two, and they all agreed. It sounded appetizing … saffron rice with grilled spiced chicken and mixed seafood.

Rebecca looked out over the water and watched graceful white egrets searching for titbits in the shallows. In the distance, where the mangroves gave way to tall dogwood trees, she saw a blue-and-gold macaw spread its wings and take flight.

She smiled. ‘I love it here,’ she said softly. ‘It’s so restful.’

‘It’s good to see you looking relaxed,’ William commented. ‘You were a bit stressed after your journey yesterday.’

Smiling, she said, ‘Well, twelve hours on a plane and then finding they’ve lost your luggage can do that to you.’

Cade lifted a dark brow. ‘Have your cases still not caught up with you yet?’

‘Not yet. I rang the airport this morning, to check, but nothing doing so far. They don’t seem to have any idea where they might be.’ Rebecca’s mouth curved a fraction. ‘It pays to have a sister who’ll share her clothes with you.’

‘Yeah, I guess so.’ He leaned towards her and added quietly, so that only she could hear, ‘If that’s Emma’s dress it certainly suits you … and it fits like a glove.’

Warm colour flooded her cheeks. ‘Thanks.’

William was still thinking about the boat journey. ‘Actually, I thought there was more to it than lost luggage … there were a few moments when you were off guard and you went a bit quiet.’

‘I was fine,’ she said. ‘I’m still fine. Who could be stressed in a place like this?’

He grinned. ‘You’re probably right.’

Rebecca sent him a fleeting, thoughtful glance. Was it possible William was more perceptive than she’d given him credit for? Maybe through his own experiences William understood deep down how it was to be out of sync with everything around him and his general air of good humour was something of an effort for him.

She was conscious all the time, though, of Cade’s watchful gaze. He still wasn’t happy about her getting to know William to any great extent—she could feel it in her bones—and he’d even managed to arrange the seating at the table so that his cousin was placed next to Emma and sitting diagonally across from Rebecca. Of course that could have come about in the natural course of events—maybe she was reading too much into things.

Cade said now, ‘Perhaps you were quiet because you were thinking about that man on the plane—the one who was taken ill?’

‘Yes, that was probably it.’

William and Emma listened interestedly as she quickly recounted what had happened.

‘That must have been so worrying.’ Emma frowned. ‘I wonder how he’s doing?’

‘His condition’s stable,’ Rebecca said. ‘I phoned the hospital this morning. Apparently he’s been assessed, and they’ve made the decision to do heart bypass surgery tomorrow.’

‘That must have cheered you up—to know that you enabled that to happen.’ Cade smiled. ‘It’s good that you followed up on him—I was wondering how he was doing, too.’

‘From the way the nurse spoke, I’m sure he’ll be fine. I think he’s in good hands.’

William was momentarily subdued. ‘I’m surrounded by medics,’ he said, in a voice tinged with awe. ‘What I do is nothing in comparison.’

‘You shouldn’t feel that way,’ Emma said. ‘We all have something to offer.’ She studied him briefly. ‘You work on Cade’s plantation, don’t you? What do you do there?’

‘I help out in all areas—getting to know the job from the bottom up, so to speak. Cade thinks that’s the best way for me to start.’

He told them about his role in ordering new seedlings and supervising the planting.

‘When we took over the plantation there were a number of mature trees that were viable—a lot of them are ready for harvesting now,’ Cade put in. ‘They have to be at least three years old before they produce pods—five years is best for a good crop—but we want to plant seedlings every year to ensure quality and continuity. You’ll be able to see what we’re doing when you come and take a look around tomorrow.’

‘I’ll look forward to that,’ Rebecca said.

Emma nodded. ‘Me, too … Provided I’m not called away to work.’ She pulled a face. ‘I’d arranged to take a few days off, with Rebecca coming over, but we’re not sure if there’s some kind of outbreak happening up in the hills.’

A waitress brought their food over to the table and they spent the next hour or so talking about this and that while sampling the delicious dishes on offer. Rebecca ate shrimp sautéed with peppers and onions in a spicy ginger and lime sauce, along with crab cake and rice accompanied by a tasty green salad. Dessert was a delicious concoction of caramelised pineapple with a drizzle of lime, vanilla and rum syrup, and a scoop of ice cream.

‘Mmm … that was heavenly,’ Rebecca murmured, pushing away her plate when she had eaten her fill. She laid a hand on her stomach. ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to eat another morsel for at least a week!’

William laughed. ‘Let’s hope it’s not as long as that. I was thinking of tempting you with my own recipe for melt-in-the-mouth chocolate tart when you come over to the plantation tomorrow.’

‘Oh … chocolate … you’ve found my weak spot—stay away from me!’ She laughed with him. ‘So you’re planning on being there, too? That’s great. But what about your friends on holiday in the north of the island? I thought you would want to be with them?’

‘They’re going back to Miami,’ he said, his mouth turning down a fraction at the corners. ‘To go on with their university courses or work commitments. I met them over there, when I was studying food and agricultural sciences, and we stayed in touch after I finished my course. But my vacation ends today, and I’m due back home tomorrow—so, yes, with any luck I’ll see you there. I live in one of the cottages on the plantation.’

‘That’s handy.’

‘Yes.’ He leaned towards her and spoke confidentially. ‘It’s rent-free, courtesy of my cousin, so I’m more than happy. I owe him—though he’s very dismissive of his generosity.’

Rebecca returned his smile. Cade couldn’t hear what they were saying, but all the while she felt his brooding gaze resting on her. He obviously felt great responsibility towards his cousin. She understood his concerns, at least in part, but outwardly William was fun and that was what she needed right now. She responded to his lively, engaging manner, but it wasn’t as if she was setting out to capture his heart.

Emma was in a playful mood, too, unwinding after her busy time at work, and was more than ready to let her hair down. She teased William and laughed with Cade.

Both girls drank mojitos, and then at Cade’s persuasion Rebecca tried another cocktail, made up of dark rum, lemon juice, grenadine syrup and Angostura bitters. The evening passed quickly and in a bit of a haze after that. She was enjoying herself, but the others had to prepare for work the next day, and so all too soon their night out came to an end.

‘I’ll drop by the cabin around three-thirty tomorrow, if that’s okay?’ Cade said as he delivered the girls safely home.

The moon was a silvery orb, glimmering through the branches of the trees, casting shadows all around and highlighting the night-scented jasmine. The heady fragrance of the white flowers lingered on the air.

‘Yes, that should be all right. All being well, we’ll be ready and waiting.’ Emma waved him off as he slid back into the driver’s seat of his car and disappeared into the night.

Things didn’t turn out quite as they’d expected, though. Rebecca was disappointed when, early the next afternoon, Emma received a text message calling her out to work. Several more people had gone down with the mystery illness in the village high up in the hills, and the nurse in charge wanted extra staff on hand to be available to deal with the ailing patients. They were very ill, apparently, with high temperatures and headaches.

‘We think it’s some kind of bacterial infection,’ Emma told Rebecca. ‘We’ll probably have to give antibiotics as a precautionary measure.’




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