The expansive lawn had been meticulously groomed. The flower beds were in perfect condition for the garden party, and Lawrence smiled with satisfaction. His wife wouldn’t be able to complain that he hadn’t taken care of his duties as a host.
“How do I look, Daddy?” Katelyn twirled in a gauzy white dress.
His daughter might not be the most beautiful young woman he’d ever seen, but she was elegant and well bred. With her by his side, Poe could go far. Someone needed to be groomed to take over the Rooney businesses. Poe was the first man to come along who Lawrence felt might fill the ticket.
“Like a princess,” Lawrence said, kissing her cheek. “There’s someone I want you to meet today.”
A dimple appeared in her cheek. “Your amazing Kenneth Poe?” she said. “I saw a picture. He’s quite handsome.”
When she blushed, Katelyn was downright pretty. Lawrence hoped Poe could see her attractions. “There he is now,” Lawrence said, waving to Poe, who stood at the edge of the lawn looking around.
“Oh my,” Katelyn said. “H-He’s like Elvis.”
Like Elvis. Lawrence hid his amusement. The girl was already halfway in love. Poe acknowledged the wave with an answering smile and strode across the green carpet of grass with a confident air. Lawrence liked arrogance in a man. Poe had the strength to tame Katelyn. And he’d dressed nicely for the occasion. The suit he wore was an Armani, if Lawrence was any judge—and he was. Poe’s tie was silk, and he’d had a fresh haircut.
Lawrence put his arm around his daughter as Poe reached them. “You just flew in, Kenneth?”
He nodded. “My chopper landed an hour ago.”
Lawrence put his arm around Katelyn. “Kenneth, my boy, I’d like to introduce you to Katelyn. My one and only heir.” He put the emphasis on the last word.
Poe took her hand. “I’m honored to meet you, Ms. Rooney.”
“Call her Katelyn,” Lawrence ordered.
He noted the way Poe kept control of her hand for a little longer than necessary. The boy wouldn’t let any grass grow under his feet. Poe kept his attention on Katelyn too. Smart. They chatted for several minutes, and Lawrence saw how Katelyn flirted. She liked him. And why not? Poe was certainly handsome enough. Their children would be good-looking too. And with any kind of luck, they would possess Lawrence’s business acumen.
His wife called to Katelyn over by the food table. “I’ll be right back,” Katelyn said with a lingering glance at Poe.
Poe watched her leave. “Your daughter is lovely.”
Lawrence put his hand on Poe’s shoulder. “Feel free to call on her. I’d like nothing more than to have you for a son, my boy.”
Poe’s eyes widened and he smiled. “I’m honored, sir. Do you think your daughter would be agreeable?”
“I’m sure you could persuade her.”
Poe’s smile widened and his blue eyes were bright. “I’d like nothing better.” He glanced toward where Katelyn stood talking to guests. “Before she comes back, I have some news to report.”
“Oh?”
“The property is owned by someone other than Brent Mitchell.”
Lawrence shrugged. “Shouldn’t be a problem, should it? Offer the same deal to the real owners.”
“I did. She was reluctant at first, but I think I can persuade her. It just may take a few weeks until I have her signed contract. The wrinkle is that Nicole Ingram is her business partner and friend.”
“Nicole Ingram? That’s no problem. She’s in my employ.”
For the first time, Poe appeared uncertain. “You know her?”
“She’s part of the firm I hired to renovate some buildings. You know all about that.”
“I know the firm’s name. I didn’t know the employees.”
“What is this about?”
“She’s the woman who found the cave.”
It wasn’t often that Lawrence was unable to speak. “What did you do with her?” Lawrence held up his hand. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. This is getting more and more complicated. Just get the property signed and delivered. I want to break ground by the end of the summer.”
Poe nodded. “My thoughts exactly. The thought of ten million dollars was quite an enticement to the owner.”
“Just get it done,” Lawrence snapped. He nodded toward his daughter, who was approaching with a smile. “You’ll be part of my family soon if you get this deal settled.”
Emotion flickered in Poe’s eyes and his jaw hardened. “I’ll do that, sir. You won’t be sorry you trusted me with this.”
Lawrence’s good mood had evaporated. The property would be his no matter what he had to do.
The winds died by early afternoon. Alec stood surveying the storm damage in the heart of Hope Beach. Libby had insisted on coming with him and Zach when the sheriff called about all the damage. Alec thought she was afraid Nicole’s body was going to be discovered floating in the debris, but he prayed she wouldn’t be assaulted with such a sight.
At the first glimpse of his house, he thought it had been spared. Then he drove closer, and water sloshed to the top of the truck tires. “I’m flooded,” he said, unable to keep the dismay from his voice.
Zach pointed. “Both boats look to be all right though. They’re both still attached to their moorings. Listen, can I take out the old boat?”
“The sea is still too rough,” Alec said.
Libby grimaced. “It looks like the entire town is a mess.” She was staring out the window at the still-turbulent water. “There’s no sign o-of Nicole, is there?” Her voice quivered.
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Tom would have told us if there was.” He released her hand and stared at his house. “Guess I’d better see how bad it is inside. You can wait in the truck if you like.”
“I’ll come.” She shoved open her door and stepped into the water.
He took her arm when they reached the front of the truck. He waved at some of his Coastie buddies, who were down the street carrying belongings from a house. The water filled his boots, and he shivered as the cold soaked his jeans. The flood covered Libby’s flip-flops and reached nearly to her knees. His spirits sank lower as he pushed open the door and saw the flooded living room. “Gonna be a lot of damage,” he said.
“There’s plenty of room at the hotel,” she said. “Let’s gather some things. I’ll help.”
“It won’t take long. You can wait here.” Alec went into his bedroom and pulled some jeans and T-shirts off hangers, then scooped up underwear from the bureau. In the bathroom he grabbed toiletries, then met Libby in the hall again. “Let’s toss this stuff in the truck and check on the rest of the town.”
She nodded and followed him back outside. People were assessing the damage along Oyster Road. He wondered if she knew which house had been her father’s. Taking her arm, he pointed down the street. “Your father lived there.”
She stared at the two-story house and he tried to look at it through her eyes. Ray had always kept it in top repair, but it was in sorry shape now. The storm surge still lapped a foot up the gray clapboard siding. The sea had deposited debris around the porch and the yard swing. The wind had torn some shingles loose, and they flapped in the last of the wind.
“Aunt Pearl said Vanessa was at a friend’s, but is that her?” She pointed down the street.
He followed her finger. “Yeah, that’s Vanessa. How did you know?”
“She looks a lot like me.”
He glanced at her. Same high cheekbones, same expressive dark eyes. They wore their hair differently, and Vanessa always covered her face with a ton of makeup. Libby was much more natural. “Guess you’re right. You want to meet her?”
She shook her head, but about that time Vanessa caught sight of him. “Alec!” She waved to him and sloshed through the water toward them. She was dressed in shorts and a red tank top. The tips of her short hair were purple.
“Sorry,” he said. “Should I introduce you?”
“I—I don’t quite know what to say. Give me a minute.” Libby sounded breathless.
Vanessa reached them. “Is Aunt Pearl all right? I heard you rescued her last night.” She gave Libby a curious glance, then her gaze went back to him.
“She’s fine. Where did you ride out the blow?”
“At the church. Brent too. He’s there now helping clean up. It’s a mess.”
“Looks like your house is hit pretty hard too.”
She shrugged. “I figured we’d join Aunt Pearl at the hotel. At least it’s still ours until the dragon lady comes to claim it.” She blew her bangs out of her eyes. “I still can’t believe Dad would give our property to some daughter who has ignored him all these years. I want to be out of town when she comes. I want nothing to do with her. Ever.”
He tried to interrupt her fierce flow of words, but she barreled over him.
“It’s a good thing my sister wasn’t in residence yesterday, or Aunt Pearl would have been out on the streets.”
He could see Libby take a step back. “Uh, Vanessa, there’s something you should know.”
Libby put her hand on his arm and shot him a pleading glance. He closed his mouth.
Vanessa’s face took on a rosy hue, and her voice rose with every word. “I can just see her arriving and trying to lord it over us. I’m going to put her in her place the very first thing. She didn’t know Daddy. She certainly didn’t love him, or she would have come to visit. I hope she just sells the place and stays away. No one here wants to meet her.”
“She might not be so bad,” he said.
Vanessa’s brows arched. “You think the best of everyone, Alec. I’m sure she’s some money-grubbing landlubber who doesn’t know the first thing about island living. I hope she realizes that and doesn’t bother us any longer than necessary. When we hear she’s coming, I think I’ll take a vacation.”
Libby’s face was getting pinker and pinker. Alec didn’t think she’d take much more before she blew.