Chapter Three

John dropped his keys on the front table and walked across the expansive living room of the Deluca guest cottage. “Not bad.”

He’d checked his voice mail the minute the plane had landed at the Kona airport, and then again at the baggage claim, in the back of the Lincoln, in the driveway behind the guest cottage, and, for his own sanity, he checked it one more time before setting down the phone. Nothing. Normally his phone rang every ten minutes without fail. Yes, he’d notified all his business contacts that he would be taking an extended vacation, as had Evelyn, but he hadn’t expected everyone to take the changes to heart so quickly.

At least he had a phenomenal view to mend his bruised ego. When Evelyn had said Annette Deluca had offered the guest cottage for him and his siblings, he’d expected something more primitive. Not a sprawling showpiece from the pages of Architectural Digest. He could only assume the new-century modern home perched atop the distant hill was the main house. Scattered palm trees and native shrubs hid most of it from view. No wonder the woman wasn’t concerned his sister would see him arrive.

Sliding open the patio doors, he stepped outside. The oversize veranda was almost as big as the living room. Talk about outdoor lifestyle. Only a few steps down, an impressive infinity pool sparkled in the moonlight, and, just beyond, he could hear the mild roar of the ocean. Evelyn was right. It was time to stop and smell the hibiscus.

From inside the house the Fifth of Beethoven ring tone sounded. Finally. Almost tripping over the massive ottoman on his way to the coffee table and totally out of breath from the short jaunt, he snatched up his phone. “John here.”

“All settled?” Evelyn asked.

“Still checking out the place.”

“Annette said there’s a sauna in the master bath.”

“Good to know.” Not that sitting in a steam room was his thing, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.

“And the pool is heated.”

“Why? It’s eighty degrees out here all year long.”

“It can get chilly at night.”

“O—kay.”

“Have you tried the bed yet?”

“No, haven’t checked the bedrooms.”

“I have it on good authority that you’ll never want to get out of bed again. They’re like sleeping on a cloud. Annette had trouble resting, so she had them custom made.”

“When did you become such good friends with Annette Deluca?”

“I’m not really. Getting you out of this office and on a plane to Hawaii is no easy task. We’ve had lots of chances to chat. She’s very nice.”

“Yes. Yes, she is.” John’s gaze shifted down the hall. For him it was well after midnight, and the thought of crashing in a big comfortable bed, even if alone, held an extraordinarily strong appeal. “Thanks for the heads-up. Did you hear from Reagan on the—”

“No business talk. For the next thirty days you’re not to do anything except relax and have a little fun.”

“Got it. Fun. What about the DelFrisco proje—”

“Ah, ah, ah.”

“Seriously, Evelyn. You can’t expect me to just sit around and watch the ocean rush ashore for an entire month.” Whether she liked it or not, once his sister’s birthday celebration was over, he’d change his airline reservations and head back to California.

“Of course not. You can play in it too.”

“Evelyn.”

“I’m sure, as soon as Annette knows you’ve arrived, she’ll be checking on you.” At Evelyn’s words a soft knock sounded at the door.

“That’s probably her. I’d better go.”

On the other side of the door stood the petite woman. Her delicate frame made John wonder how she possibly could have survived a plane crash. Nothing hinted at the insanity of last year. The mad rush for his sister to sneak Annette’s kids into Hawaii and away from the threats that had sabotaged the Deluca private jet, killing Tom and leaving Annette barely hanging on to life. Nor her struggle to bring normal back to her and her children’s lives.

“Forrest.” Annette held out her hand. “Nice to see you again. Welcome to Hawaii.”

“Thank you.” John accepted the proffered hand and the fact that, for the duration of his stay, he would have to get used to answering to his given name, which all his sisters insisted on calling him. “Please come in.”

She stepped into the room, casting a casual glance around. John bit back a smile. There was nothing casual about the quick surveillance. She was making sure everything was suitably in order. They’d only met a few times and briefly, but, even with that, John knew that Annette was as much a force to be reckoned with as her powerhouse late husband.

“I’m afraid there’s been a slight change in plans,” she said.

“Oh?”

“Your sister had a little surprise for us as well. She procured tickets for my daughter, Bethany, at the Taylor Swift concert in Oahu.”

“Taylor Swift?”

“My daughter’s a devoted fan. Anyhow, as an early graduation gift, Magnolia whisked her off to Honolulu late this morning. They’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

“I see.”

“Heather and Rose are arriving tomorrow afternoon as well.”

Had he known a few hours ago that none of his sisters would be here today, he could have taken that extra day in Los Angeles after all.

“So that a busy man—like you—won’t be too bored waiting for everyone else, I took the liberty of calling the shop.”

“I’m sorry, where?”

“Billy’s shop. He’ll be picking you up tomorrow morning at six thirty. He has to get to the marina before everyone, so don’t be late.”

“Marina?”

“Uh-huh. I believe he’ll be captaining the Island Girl. That’s my favorite.”

“Captaining?”

Annette tilted her head and studied him a second. “Have you always asked so many questions?”

John laughed. “Yeah, I guess I have.”

Smiling back, Annette nodded. “The Island Girl is the newer of Billy’s boats. He’ll be behind the wheel.”

John momentarily bit his back teeth, the names all coming back to him. “What exactly have I been signed up for?”

The petite woman beamed up at him. “The first day of the rest of your vacation. You’re going diving.”