Linus’s prediction—that the island would be a madhouse by the following afternoon—was terribly accurate. The madhouse feel was evident early the following morning, though there was no overabundance of furnishings, and no floral arrangements were needed. As the nuptials were to take place in such an idyllic setting, natural beauty did the majority of the work.
Sophia, as the great orchestrator of her big sister’s perfect day, had arranged for a sunrise event. Planners had arrived at sunrise the morning prior to begin setting the stage. And they weren’t the only ones working at such an early hour.
The Idella’s crew had been en route hours earlier. The Idella was headed to Nassau to collect the first of the eighty-some odd guests set to attend. While the groom’s guest list was a relatively modest one, the bride’s was a little more extensive. Those connected to the Hail family had insisted on being there, given they’d felt cheated out of joining in on Sophia’s nuptials.
Additionally, there were those connected to Viva’s Hollywood career who insisted on attending as well. Sophia gave herself several pats on the back for keeping the guest list to such a manageable number.
Paula made her way up to the dining room shortly after the yacht departed to collect the first of the guests. A midnight breakfast was presented buffet style, which pleased her greatly. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Besides, there would be more than enough time for that later.
She filled a plate with eggs, medallion biscuits, sausage, fruit and cheese. Coffee in hand, she ventured out to study the beach instead of heading back to her suite straightaway. Another wedding, she mused, sipping the rich Colombian brew and silently reveling as it flooded her bloodstream. Had anything truly changed since the last one she’d attended? Had anything improved? Things had changed, she acknowledged, while setting her plate to the small stone table perched by the walls that overlooked the shore.
It appeared the girl she’d been and the woman she’d become had joined forces. The woman had been conspicuously silent since the onset of the trip. Paula hadn’t complained. She didn’t regret anything that had happened between her and Linus, regardless of the Miranda Bormann revelations. Still, she’d expected more tension to rise afterward. Perhaps there was nothing else left to stand between them...but what of the rest of his story? It still haunted him, and she ached to share that load with him.
The aroma of breakfast called to her then, and she set away her questions in hopes that a full stomach might help her make more sense of her thoughts.
It sounded like a pretty good plan. Too bad she wasn’t buying it.
* * *
The Hail sisters were at last on equal footing as far as the planning of spectacular weddings. The sunrise event was a sight rivaled only by that made by Rook and Viva.
Beautiful and in love, the two spoke vows entwined with devotion and desire. Once the couple was pronounced man and wife, Rook took Viva in his arms and told their guests that they had only a short while to mingle. The newlyweds planned to set out on their honeymoon by midmorning.
The island had become a loud and lively destination. Laughter and conversation consumed almost every square inch of the villa. Paula enjoyed herself more than she’d expected. She hadn’t seen Linus during the wedding or the reception, but didn’t make a real effort to seek him out until everyone gathered at the dock to wave off Rook and Viva. The Idella was set to carry them back to Nassau, where they’d board a private jet to the Maldives.
Paula had returned to the villa before the boat cleared the bay. She checked Linus’s suite, but there was no trace of him there. It was a while before she saw anyone she’d arrived with and had all but given up the search when she noticed Tig working his way through the crowd. She went to meet him.
“Tigo!” With a wave, Paula jostled her way closer to the man. “Where’s Linus?”
Apology immediately filled Tig’s dark eyes. “Sorry, hon. He, uh, he left last night when the Idella started making its first trips to Nassau for the guests.”
“Why?” Paula shook her head in confusion.
“What came out about Miranda Bormann hit him pretty hard.” Tig squeezed Paula’s forearm in a calming gesture. “Not only because of what’s going on with the two of you—”
“Oh, Tig, there’s nothing—”
Tig interrupted with a sly smile. “You think women are the only ones who talk about relationships and regrets? Linus brought you here to fix whatever happened between you, to apologize for it and to tell you why it happened.”
“Do you know why it happened?” Paula asked, her tone uneasy and hesitant.
“I know what you’re asking, Paula, and no, no I don’t. I don’t think anybody’s ever known because I don’t think he’s ever really shared it with anybody.”
“Yeah.” Paula’s uncertainty meshed with sadness.
Tig squeezed her forearm again. “He loves you.”
“I know, Tig. I knew it when everything was falling apart.” She gave an attempt at providing a refreshing sigh. “So where’d he go?”
“Back to Philly. He wanted to get things ready for the meeting with Calvin Maxton.”
“Meeting?”
“The plan is to let Maxton know our trip here was a success and that we want to share our brainstorming ideas with everyone on his end who’d have to sign off on it.”
Discovery filled Paula’s eyes. “You’re hoping he’ll bring Hayden Bormann.”
Tig inclined his head, which was confirmation enough for Paula. “We’ll make sure Maxton knows that if we meet any newcomers after this meeting, we’ll take it as a sign of dishonesty, and the deal will be null and Linus will be extremely pissed.” He smirked. “There aren’t many who don’t know what happens when Linus is pissed.”
Paula nodded, able to imagine that all too well.
“It’s been years since we’ve seen him lose his temper—really lose it.” Tig’s voice carried a mildly haunted quality. “I’d hate for him to break the streak he fought so hard to get and hold on to, but this...” He raked a hand through his hair and muttered a curse. “He’s taking this all very personally—the fact that he missed Maxton being foul.” Tig took two flutes of champagne from a passing waiter and offered one to Paula.
“The blame for missing anything probably rests on my shoulders,” she said.
“Paula—”
“He was distracted—that’s because of me.” She sipped her drink. “I was distracted by him. If I wasn’t, I might’ve thought to ask Professor B to send photos of all her husband’s family properties first. It makes sense that her nephew would choose a personal holding to lay the foundation for a shady business deal.”
“Paula.” Tig took her glass and set it, along with his, atop the ledge they stood closest to. He took her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “You don’t need to do this. Right now you need to finish this thing with Hayden Bormann so you two can get on with your lives together. Think on that and nothing else. Alright?” He watched her a moment longer and then squeezed her arms again before moving on.
Paula let her eyes drift toward the bay. The beauty of Claudette’s Key remained unchanged, but Paula felt herself longing for snowcapped skyscrapers and chilly winds. She was ready to go home.