Tangled Vines: An Australian Rural Romance (14 page)

Damn straight she’d help. No doubt she’d have dug up information he’d never even consider looking for. Even after five years, he still missed her like crazy. He must have been the only kid in his school whose mom had been his best friend. Sheila Whitman had always had time for him—no matter how busy she was she’d sit with him. Listen to him. Encourage him. She always believed in him, always thought his ideas were fantastic. She had been his biggest champion.

God, he wished she was here right now. She’d be able to convince his father that Daniel’s plans were exactly what the resort needed.

“Yes, I’m sure she would’ve loved that. She always believed that eating the organic fruit from our farm slowed her illness.” His father’s words were quiet and filled with admiration for the woman who’d tried with all her might to fight the insidious disease that had taken hold of her and had never let go.

Daniel nodded and took another sip of the whiskey, not needing the numbing sensation he had craved a half an hour ago. “There have been great leaps in using holistic treatments to help cancer patients recover from chemotherapy and radiation sessions. Doctors are adding everything from massages to herbal teas to acupuncture to diet changes, including eating totally organic produce, to cancer treatment plans. We have a chance to reach that market, too. We already know how eating organic can help cancer patients. We’ve got all of that at our fingertips with the orchards. But imagine if we introduced a technique or concept so unique no other resort in North America has ever seen the likes of it. It would really set us apart from everyone else. The possibilities are endless, Dad. Surely you can see that.”

“Dan, I can’t argue with anything you’re saying. Of all my sons, you’ve been the one with the business acumen. You have ensured that Emerald Paradise Resort has always been profitable, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. However, we just can’t do it at the moment. Maybe in a year’s time.”

“In a year’s time it will be too late. Other resorts are already starting to make these changes. I’ve been trying to speak to the marketing manager at a resort in far north Queensland in Australia but haven’t had any luck yet. According to their website, they’re an eco-friendly resort and their spa is the best in the country. I thought about taking a trip down there to check it out.”

“That’s a long way to go. I’m sure there are other resorts in the United States that will give you everything you need.”

“You’ve seen the research I presented to you earlier, we’re on par with the resorts here in the States. But I don’t want to be the same as the others. I want Emerald Paradise to be the best, and this Australian resort is an award-winning, world-class operation; we could learn a lot from them.”

“Richard, darling, are you ready to go?” A light feminine voice interrupted their conversation.

Daniel gripped his glass a little tighter. He still found it hard to believe his father and their housekeeper, Patty, were now an item. His father loving another woman. A woman who wasn’t his mother. The idea seemed so foreign to him.

He kept his eyes focused on his hands and not on what he was sure would be Patty touching his father’s arm.

“Give me a couple more minutes, sweetheart, then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Okay, I’ll go wait with Zoe. Bye Daniel.”

Daniel tried not to flinch when he heard the sound of lips meeting in a quick kiss. He needed to get out of there. There was no point continuing with the conversation. It was a dead end. He placed his glass back on the bar, pulled a couple of bills out of his wallet, and threw them down.

“It’s okay, Dad, I’m leaving now anyway.” He couldn’t deny the happiness shining on his father’s face. It didn’t mean he had to like it, though. “I’ll see you both later.”

He turned and walked away, not bothering to say goodbye to his brothers. He was sure they’d give him hell over it later, but at the moment he didn’t care. He just needed to get away.

The cool night air hit him and he welcomed its freshness. He’d walked to the restaurant, as he knew it wouldn’t be a good idea for him to drive home after a few drinks. He used the time to clear his head and work out what his next move would be.

There were so many changes going on around him. Both of his brothers were now engaged. His father was in love with his housekeeper. Even Colleen, the daughter of his father’s former business partner, had fallen in love and was expecting a baby. She’d been the last person he, and everyone else in town, had expected to succumb to Cupid’s clutches. It appeared there was something in the water in Emerald Springs, and he planned to stay as far away from it as possible. The very idea of falling in love and getting married was anathema to him.

Footsteps sounded behind him, but he didn’t bother turning to see who was there. Lots of people walked the streets at night. Emerald Springs was a safe place; he had no need to worry about anything bad happening. But he did up his pace a fraction, surprised when the person behind him also sped up.

His immediate response was to turn and check out who was following him. He would’ve if he wasn’t a short distance away from his house. An uneasy feeling settled over him. He jogged at night and had never experienced any problems. Why was he worried about the walk home? To see what would happen, he again increased his pace. The person behind him did the same.

This was definitely unusual.

He reached the front door of his house as his phone rang. Over the tone, he heard a muffled curse. He turned quickly to see someone darting across the street.

What the hell?

Shaking his head in disbelief, he pulled his cell out of his pocket along with his keys, and glanced at the caller ID as he unlocked the door.

Adam.

The last thing he wanted was to talk to his older brother. What he really wanted to do was catch up with the suspicious person, demand to know what the hell he wanted and why he felt the need to follow him. But Daniel knew if he didn’t answer, both his brothers would be camped on his doorstep first thing in the morning.

“Hey Adam, what’s up?”

“You tell me, Daniel. You left Chad and Jen’s engagement celebration without saying goodbye. That’s not like you; so what gives?”

Daniel sighed; it was never good when Adam called him
Daniel
. He closed his door and walked down the hallway, his footsteps echoing around him. His house seemed quiet and lonely.

“Nothing, man, I’m just tired.”

Even to his own ears he didn’t sound convincing, and there was no way Adam was going to let him get away with it.

“I saw you talking to Dad. Tell me you’re not still annoyed about the resort plans. It’s just not—”

“I know, I know, it’s just not good timing,” he interrupted his brother. “I heard it from Dad again tonight. The fact you guys can’t see how this will improve the overall profit margin of the organization baffles me. You’ve both made your decision, but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with it or like it or even follow it.”

“What have you got planned, little brother?” Suspicion laced Adam’s every word.

“Nothing.” Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. He wanted off the phone. “Nothing at all. Look I need to go. I’ll speak to you later. Bye.”

Adam’s goodbye faded as Daniel pulled the phone away from his ear. He tossed it and his keys onto the coffee table, right on top of the plans he’d shown to his family this afternoon. He sat down on the couch and picked them up. Every time he looked at them, he got excited. The possibilities were endless.

His phone buzzed for a second time, and he knew who it would be without having to check caller ID. He picked it up and connected the call.

“Hey, Chad, I’m fine.”

His younger brother’s chuckle drifted down the line. “I should be mad at you for slinking out on me. I had so much more fun planned for you. One of Jen’s friends was eyeing you earlier. Seems she likes the brooding, silent
business-suit
type. Guess there’s no accounting for taste.”

“Bro, I
don’t
need you to do any matchmaking, thanks. I can find my own dates; I’ve never had to rely on you or Adam to set me up.”

“What about Becky and her sister, Trina?”

Daniel burst out laughing. He could always count on Chad to lighten his mood. “Man, that was the date from hell, and besides, you tricked me into going with you.”

“Who knew Trina was an octopus in disguise?”

Daniel recalled how Trina’s hands seemed to have a life of their own—all over his body. “Well I don’t plan on falling into the trap you and Adam did. I’ve got my life planned out and getting married isn’t even listed on the pages at present.”

“Famous last words, bro, famous last words. It’s contagious you know. Even the old man got hit.”

Just like that, Daniel’s good mood evaporated. He didn’t need any reminders about his father and Patty. “Yeah, well, not happening here. I’ve got too much to do before I’d even consider entering into a serious relationship with someone.”

Daniel reached out and woke up the laptop sitting on his coffee table. A picture of a stunning wooden structure surrounded by lush green trees filled his screen. An idea quickly flared to life. He wanted to get away, and what better place to do that than at the resort he wanted Emerald Paradise Resort to emulate? Since Kulang Resort was on the other side of the world, it was the perfect getaway from all the sickening happiness surrounding him lately. Without a solid plan in place, without doing all the research necessary, Daniel acted solely on his need to disappear for a while and made a decision. “Listen, Chad, I’m going to take a trip. I’ll probably be gone for a couple of weeks. When I get there I’ll call you.”

“Whoa, man, what?”

If anyone could understand his frustrations, it would be Chad. Chad had fought tooth and nail for his business expansion plans. The fact that the microbrewery had put Daniel’s resort on the back burner should have annoyed him, but he was proud of his little brother, and he couldn’t hold it against him.

“I need to get away, bro. I need some space to deal with everything that’s happening around here. I just can’t deal with seeing—”

“Okay, I get it,” Chad interrupted. “Look, just let me know when you get to wherever you’re going, and I’ll break the news to Dad and Adam that you’ve done a runner.”

“I’m not doing a runner; I’m going on a scouting trip.”

“I don’t want to know. The less information I have, the less trouble I’ll get into. I hope,” Chad said on a laugh. “I got your back, Dan.”

“Thanks, Chad, I owe you.”

“Yeah you do, big time, bro. Take care.”

As Chad disconnected the call, Daniel opened Google and typed in Travelocity. Half an hour later, he had his flights and accommodation booked. In two days, he’d be in Australia inspecting Kulang Resort. He would make the changes to his resort even if he had to take out a second mortgage on his house to complete them. He believed in his vision, and he would do whatever it took to bring it to life.

• • •

Rochelle Harris rearranged the flowers on the reception desk, removing some blooms that were wilting. The perfume from the lilies was subtle but refreshing. She straightened a magazine and gave a slight nod, satisfied that the area looked neat but welcoming.

She loved her job. There was nothing more fulfilling than seeing people enter the resort tired and in desperate need of relaxation and then checking out with an abundance of energy and eager to book their next visit. Knowing she played a little part in making their stay enjoyable and that her innovative marketing techniques drew guests to the resort made all her hard work and the sacrifices she’d made along the way to get into the management position she now held, all worthwhile.

It wasn’t hard to relax, not when surrounded by the healthy rainforest and treatments meant to restore a weary soul. Even she made sure to book a weekly hot stone massage to ensure her energy levels were constantly on an even keel.

As Rochelle gave the reception area another once over, she noticed a man walking into the resort. He strode confidently through the doors; she pegged him for a successful businessman. He probably had a glossy, perfectly made-up woman following behind.

Except he didn’t. He didn’t waver in his strides, as if he was waiting for someone to catch up with him.

She made her way a bit closer to the reception desk. It wasn’t unusual but it definitely wasn’t common for a single man to come to the resort. She moved behind the counter, smiling at one of the staff as she did so.

“Good morning, sir, and welcome to Kulang Resort.”

Rochelle smiled as she heard the front desk clerk greet the mystery guest. She had no idea why she was so interested in him, but he’d piqued her curiosity. She risked a glance at him then looked quickly away. Up close, he was even more magnetic. She tried to ignore the increase in her heart rate. She wasn’t normally one to like a five o’clock shadow on a man, but on this guest it was extremely sexy.

She pushed the thought away. It was her personal policy not to get involved with any guest. The owners of Kulang had no hard and fast rule about guests and staff. But for her, getting involved with a guest could be detrimental to her career. She’d made that mistake once, and she wasn’t going to do it again.

“Good morning, my name’s Daniel Whitman and I have a reservation.”

Daniel Whitman.

Why did that name ring a bell? She racked her brain, trying to see if there was something that would trigger her memory. He was American; she got that from his accent.

Was he a returning guest? No, she didn’t think he was. But then again, it wasn’t like she knew all the guests who had ever stayed at the resort.

Daniel Whitman.

She knew that name, she was sure of it, and it was bugging her that she couldn’t remember how she knew him.

“I see you haven’t booked in for any of the treatments the resort offers, Mr. Whitman. Is there something in particular you’d like to experience?”

“I haven’t made up my mind, but when I do, I’ll let you know. Your resort has so much to offer; it’s almost too hard to choose.”

There was nothing in what he said that should have unlocked her memory, but she suddenly knew who Daniel Whitman was. He was the person who had been emailing her to get information about the resort. She’d not responded because she wasn’t sure if his claim as a resort owner was legitimate. She had been too caught up with the new marketing and expansion plans she’d been working on to take time to do proper research on the resort he said he was from, and until she’d looked more carefully into his background, she wasn’t going to respond to his queries.