Page 31 of A Taste of Paradise

‘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.

Chapter 22

Though treacherous for swimming, the rough currents and strong breezes of the Atlantic made for a surfer’s dream. The coast on the opposite side of the resort was known for its rocky formations and foamy waves, and today they were on display in spectacular fashion.

Lily figured it was as good a place as any to take Shay out for a day at Erin’s request.

She was inclined to agree with her colleague that there was surely something to Eugenie’s claims since the older woman was no fool. But she couldn’t deny that another opportunity to spend time with Shay appealed enormously too, and she was especially pleased with another unexpected jaunt away from her duties.

Though it had to be said, Dee wasn’t so thrilled about who she’d been tasked with distracting.

‘I seriously hope you know what you’re doing,’ her friend warned again.

‘Can you imagine looking at this every day?’ Shay commented now as they watched the waves crash against a stack of boulders several feet out into the water.

He seemed content to let her play tour guide.

‘I know,’ Lily murmured as she leaned against the dark-wood rails. The skirt of her emerald dress billowed around her feet as the wind played with it. ‘Once a year I try to take a staycation here,’ she divulged as she attempted to recapture her wayward hair. The curls she’d tied back that morning had since come loose in the breeze and were dancing across her eyes. She raked her hand back in an attempt to smooth them, but it was pointless.

‘Why don’t you just take it down?’ Shay laughed, referring to her flyaway tresses.

‘It would be even messier then.’

‘I think it would look good on you,’ he said absently as he assumed an identical position at the railing.

‘That’s easy for you to say. Your hair isn’t long,’ she countered.

‘Dunno, think I’d look good with some of those waist-length braids?’ he joked.

She made a face. ‘I think you’re fine as is. Let’s get inside somewhere. All this fresh air is threatening to make me sleepy,’ she joked as she moved away from the rail.

They found a cosy rustic eating spot nearby with views over the water. It was cool beneath the covered balcony and the white-painted pillars and ceiling gave the space and feeling of being even larger than it was. The sound of cutlery in use was faint from the few occupied tables alongside them, but the aroma of the food was overpowering in the best of ways. It was a scent that would make even the most satisfied stomach clamour for more.