Hurricanes in Paradise (15 page)

8

Monday morning . . .

Laine rolled over and tumbled to the floor. Her eyelashes were stuck together and she struggled to open her eyes. When she cracked them apart, the side of the sofa was all she could see. She spat an expletive at it, then jerked the blanket down and wrapped it around her. Two days in a row she had awoken with her head pounding. Two days in a row she had slept on the sofa in a suite that cost an exorbitant amount per night. Two days in a row she had wanted to pull the covers over her head and hide.

She reached up, grabbed the side of the sofa, and pulled her body up. She walked into the bathroom and stared at her haggard image in the mirror. She had made a fool of herself last night in front of Riley. Perfect Riley. Miss “I don’t drink. I don’t cuss. I don’t rat my hair. I’m Sandra Dee” Riley. There was something about that woman that she loathed. She didn’t know what it was, but her niceness couldn’t be as real as she tried to make it seem. Southern or not, there was no way she was that “good.” She was as nauseating as that sweet tea Winnie craved. And if Laine weren’t so ridiculously obsessed with not eating alone, she wouldn’t have Riley around at all. She was going to have to find someone else to eat with. Someone who didn’t make her crazy.

She unplugged her iPhone from the charger that sat on the bathroom counter. She checked it again. Nothing. She knew in her gut he wouldn’t call. She longed in her heart that he would. But she knew she would tell him the same thing, so it was ridiculous that she was obsessing over the fact that he hadn’t. But the calls had at least let her know he was there. Without the calls there was nothing. Books—sure. Money—a lot of it. Fans—everywhere. Happiness—gone. Life—meaningless. It vacated right along with Mitchell.

She popped four ibuprofen and headed out to run, hoping one day she could outrun the hatred she had for herself. Then maybe she could find something worth living for.

* * *

Winnie’s gray walking pants with the pink sequined stripe up the leg and her pink shirt with complementing sequins made her as hard to miss as Dolly Parton’s cleavage. Her round behind moved side to side in rhythm as she greeted the new morning with a brisk walk. She had joined a boot camp class in her neighborhood about a year ago, so her heart was in pretty good shape. Granted, she did more “camping” than “booting,” but she enjoyed the music and the company. Plus, she didn’t feel quite as guilty about what she ate anymore.

She looked out over the ocean, the sight breathtaking. Morning had arrived with elegance and grace, and the song of the ocean could have rivaled a Nashville picking fest. Her angst over seeing Albert yesterday was absorbed by the tranquility of this majestic site. This place was big enough that she could avoid him for the next five days. She looked at a young woman who jogged below her on the beach with headphones on, confirming this generation was incapable of appreciating the music that heaven played. She’d confiscated enough iPods in various sizes and colors to open a pawnshop.

She walked down the concrete walkway, admitting she was thoroughly enjoying herself. She hadn’t realized how much her mind and body had needed a getaway. And that Tamyra. That girl had stolen her heart. Her walls were slowly coming down, and Winnie knew she wasn’t far away from getting to the heart of what that young woman was going through. She had talked her into going with her to dinner last night, and Tamyra had shared a little about her pageant experiences and her family. But Winnie knew that something was incredibly broken in the soul of that young girl. She was just trying to be patient to let her reveal it when she was ready. Taking care of the hearts of young people for years had taught her that every soul has its seasons.

The jogger who had passed her a few moments ago headed back in her direction. It was Laine Fulton.
The
Laine Fulton. Winnie still couldn’t get over the fact that she had met a celebrity. As Laine was about to pass below her, their eyes connected and Winnie gave her a huge smile and wave. Laine stopped and slipped her earphones out of her ears as she walked up from the beach and onto the sidewalk that ran the perimeter of the Atlantis property.

“Good morning, Miss Winnie. How are you today?”

It was useless to hide her excitement. “I’m having the best time and just loving your book. Sugar, you are so talented. Those stories you tell . . . well, they just rip the heart right out of me. Have me crying like a two-year-old. How is your research going?”

Laine fidgeted. “Good. Yeah, good. A lot to discover around here.”

“They haven’t tried to get you swimming with the dolphins yet, have they? Lord, have mercy, they’ve booked me for that thing again. I didn’t show up yesterday. I told them I’m not a fish. Never wanted to be a fish. Don’t plan on acting like a fish.”

Laine laughed. “I’ll probably have to try it out so I can know how to describe it to my readers. I think I’m headed there tomorrow. I have a private session. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like. Might not be as daunting with a partner.”

Winnie spread her arms out. “Honey child, a wet suit can’t handle all of this.”

“Well, the invitation is open. I’ll tell Riley that there’s no need for her to come since you will be with me. And you can invite that other young woman who joined us too, if you’d like.”

“You’re very kind to include us in your experience. Thank you.”

“Well, I’d better get back to this jog. Got a lot packed into the day.”

Winnie looked at the path ahead of her. The side of the Beach Tower peered out from the other building in front of her. “Ooh, yeah, I need to get back too. Don’t really want to walk down there.”

“Something wrong?”

“You read expressions too?”

Laine laughed. “I watch people all the time. You just look like something unsettled you.”

She tossed her hand behind her. “Just have a few memories down there, that’s all. And not a one of them do I feel like remembering today.”

“Okay then.” Laine turned to go, then stopped. “Um, Winnie, any chance you’re free for dinner tonight? You’re welcome to join me for that, too.”

Winnie cocked her head. She knew this was far more than a friendly invitation. “You don’t like eating alone, huh?”

Laine’s eyes widened. “It was just an invitation. I travel alone all the time.”

Winnie pressed further. “You’re not enjoying Riley’s company?”

“Riley is very professional.”

Winnie raised an eyebrow and gave the woman a nod. “Okay then, since you’re enjoying yourself so much but just want this crazy old fan to have dinner with you tonight and swim with the dolphins with you tomorrow, I will oblige. But just know, sugar, famous author or not, you’re still a woman. And I’m thinking you haven’t found a dining companion you are enjoying yet, so I’ll be glad to be there.”

Laine’s demeanor shifted as she shifted her weight on her feet. “You don’t have to come; I was just offering.”

“Oh no, I’m coming, baby girl. I’m coming. My pleasure. I’ll see you tonight.”

“I’ll have Riley call you with the time and place. Enjoy the rest of your walk.”

Winnie watched as Laine jogged around the bend of the sidewalk. Laine Fulton was proof that neither money nor notoriety afforded companionship. But she’d be her companion, especially if she was buying everything on the menu again. Winnie studied the lean body of Laine as it disappeared up the beach. She had no idea why she attracted women with flawless bodies. Maybe to show them all what they could become. She laughed at the thought. Then she hastened her steps too, putting as much distance as possible between her and the memory of her past.

* * *

“Mr. Takashito, how is everything with your stay?”

“Oh, lovely . . . lovely, Ms. Sinclair.”

Riley patted the arm of the gentleman who stood almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her. “Please let me know if we can get you anything.”

“Will do.”

Riley looked at her watch, grateful that there were no distractions this morning that kept her from being on time. After last night she could have killed Laine, but just talking about it with Christian had soothed some of that angst. And as she stood on her balcony earlier this morning and stared out over the vastness of the ocean, she’d had a talk with God about it too. She figured if He could create something as amazing as those waters in front of her and tell them where to stop so they wouldn’t cover the earth, she could trust Him to help her endure Laine Fulton.

She’d talked with her mom too. Everyone was safe, and Gabby was going to have lunch with them that afternoon. She was sure she’d get an update before the day was over.

Mia rounded the corner, her phone up to her ear, the hem of her green and white dress moving as she walked. Her voice was rushed and tense. “I can only do so much. Honestly, Mom, could you lay off?”

She pulled the conversation to a quick close when her eyes caught Riley’s. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.” She closed the phone and the furrow of her brow loosened as a smile stretched across her flawless face. “Good morning, Riley. Hope last night was better than the first part of your day.”

Riley smiled. “How about, it was just as interesting as my day.”

“Alright then.” Mia’s energy was buoyant as they walked down the open corridor of The Cove.

“You okay?”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you. Wasn’t eavesdropping, honest, just sounded like a tense conversation.”

Mia swatted her hand. “Oh, it’s nothing. My mother is stressed out over some things and just needed to vent. She doesn’t realize how busy I am.”

Riley stopped and turned to Mia. Mia almost passed her but realized Riley wasn’t following her. She turned and looked at her. “Mia, if you need to tend to something with your family, I want you to know you can take the time to do that. I’ve had you going as frantically as I am.”

“Nonsense, Riley. This is what I came here to do. To work. My mother will be fine. Mothers are always fine.”

Riley laughed. “You never met mine.”

Mia laughed with her. “Now back to work. What do you need today?”

“Well, if you could check on Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds this afternoon. They had some questions about Thursday night’s concert.”

“Sure. I’ll call them this morning.”

“So what’s on your agenda today? Anything you need to tell me?”

“No, just some new guests arriving later and a reception for that larger group that gets in at noon.”

“Sounds good. I can’t be at the reception, though, because of Laine. Can you handle that for me?”

Mia brushed away a long strand of wavy blonde hair that fell across her face as the wind swept through the hall. “Absolutely. Christian and I have already gone over everything this morning, and he is coming too. Then I think he and I are grabbing some lunch before the afternoon heats up.”

Riley felt a slight pang in her chest. “Oh, well, good. It sounds like you’ve gotten everything taken care of.”

“You just take care of Ms. Fulton, and we’ll get through this week.”

“I appreciate that. I’ll see you later.”

Riley shook away the heaviness that had taken up residence on her chest.
It doesn’t matter if Christian is hanging out with Mia. It’s not like I’m planning on going to dinner with him. Maybe he’ll turn his attention on her, and I won’t have to continue to find excuses not to have dinner with him.
She played ping-pong with her thoughts all the way over to the Water’s Edge, where Laine was meeting her for breakfast.

The incredible smell of pancakes shifted her attention toward the growling in her gut. “Oh, my word, that smells good.”

She took a seat by the door to wait for Laine and repeated to herself a hundred times,
It’s going to be a great day.
By one hundred and one, Laine still wasn’t there. She repeated it a hundred more times. Because she was certain the first hundred didn’t take.

* * *

“Are you sure she’s coming, ma’am?” the hostess asked Riley.

Riley looked at her watch. Laine was never this late. She had been a few minutes late that first evening, but it was already nine thirty. She had checked her phone multiple times to make sure she was at the right restaurant. At nine fifteen she had called Laine’s room and there was no answer. Then she had called Laine’s cell and got no answer there, either. “I’m not sure. I think I’ll go see if I can find her. If she should come, let her know I went to look for her and call me.”