Barefoot Bay: Paradise by Design (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read online

  Keegan shook the other man’s hand. “Not the best way to reconnect after all these years, but I’m glad we were able to help.”

  Drew’s dad fingered the top of his blanket like he was attempting to determine the fiber content. Then he returned his attention to Keegan. “Drew’s had a tough time of it these last few months. I wanted her to get away and do something that took her mind off things. So I invented this project of transcribing my notes as a way to get her to Casa Blanca. Offered to pay for the trip if she’d do the work.”

  Keegan attempted to wrap his mind around the information dump the man in the hospital bed had just unloaded. The last few months had been hard on Drew? How? Something else besides her father’s scandal and her mother’s accident and subsequent death had happened? Now her dad was inventing work to get her to relax? Guilt shot through him as fast as the sun dropped into the Gulf at nightfall. No matter how things ended between them, he should have contacted her long before this.

  “I’d planned to find some excuse to put off work on the project today, get her out in the sun, do something fun. But now that I landed myself in this hospital, I need help seeing it through or she’ll never let down and enjoy herself.” He stared at Keegan.

  “Meaning me? Uh, I’d like to help, Mr. Honeywell, but I’m on a tight schedule to finish this shoot in the next two days. There’s no time to entertain Drew, as much as the idea appeals.” How had that last part gotten in there?

  “It’s a huge request, I know. You’ve already given up several hours of sleep to accompany us here. But I don’t know who else to ask.”

  “Twenty-four hours ago, I hadn’t set sight on your daughter since she sent me packing. Again yesterday, when I knocked on your door, she closed it in my face. Why would she consider spending time with me now?”

  “Don’t underestimate this current situation, Keegan. Had you approached her under normal circumstances, I can’t say how she would have reacted. But right now, you’re both operating in the surprise of a reunion prompted by this crisis surrounding my trip to the hospital. Take advantage of it. Perhaps you could invite her to observe your filming?”

  Join him and the crew? The only other times they allowed others on the set were when network execs showed up unexpectedly. Those folks seemed to be under the impression sitting in involved sharing their opinions. Given the time constraints he already faced, he’d just as soon avoid that kind of pressure for this shoot. On the other hand, he knew he wasn’t getting out of this room without agreeing to something.

  “Okay.” He had to be out of his mind. It was difficult enough being by her side these past few hours without putting his arms around her. To comfort her, sure, but the temptation to hold her close for other reasons was already growing, along with pressure in his lower region. How could he survive a whole day and not make an ass of himself?

  Burgess Honeywell leaned forward, his anxious expression becoming a delighted smile. Almost as fast, he grimaced, held a hand to his head. “Keep forgetting I can’t move fast until this heals.”

  “How do you feel? Headache, dizziness?”

  “Neither. In fact, I don’t feel much of anything. It’s like having my head encased in cotton. Until I move suddenly.”

  “Then I should leave. You need to rest.”

  Honeywell held up a hand. “Wait. Before you go, I need to share something else.”

  Now what? Hadn’t he already agreed to do more than was wise? “Oh?”

  “I’m the reason you and Drew aren’t together. I didn’t take my clients’ money, but I was too trusting of my partner. Because I didn’t question what at the time struck me as questionable practices, I brought shame to my family and endangered my business. I didn’t know Drew would feel it necessary to set you free so our disgrace didn’t touch you and your family, or I would have taken other measures to prevent it.”

  First step in repairing relations, acceptance. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Honeywell…”

  “Call me Burgess.”

  “Okay, Burgess, I appreciate your concern, but in my mind, it’s over and done with. I’ve moved on.”

  “Is that so?”

  “No denying, Drew’s decision floored me. Was hard to absorb. I couldn’t stick around at the risk of running into her. I had to get out of town. So I put some space between us and accepted an offer to do the show I now host. A show that has become so popular I’m a household name. That’s not bragging, just describing my situation. What I’m trying to say is, Drew and I are history.” Did he really mean that?

  After a slight frown, Burgess’ earlier smile returned. “Then it’s not asking too much for you to spend a little time with her now. Simply as old friends.” A statement, not a question. The man assumed this was a done deal.

  ****

  Drew lifted a brow when Keegan returned. “Everything okay?”

  He nodded, still surprised at the concession he’d made Honeywell. “You were right. He wanted to thank me for helping you last night.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment underlay her tone. Had she expected more? Did she suspect her dad was orchestrating her life without her knowledge? Keegan debated whether to tell her more about his conversation with the man but in the end decided to drop it, at least for now.

  “I’m about to call the resort and ask them to send someone to get me. I can’t put off the shoot any longer.”

  “You’ve hardly slept. Won’t that affect your performance?”

  “I got in a few hours before the storm woke me. I’m used to strange hours when I’m on the road.” His eyes sought hers. “But thanks for the concern. What about you? Are you going to stay here?”

  “Dad told me to leave.”

  “And?”

  “There’s not much I can do here, but I hate leaving him by himself.”

  “Yeah, he’ll really be alone with the hospital staff popping in and out of his room all day.”

  She rose. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just that…”

  “You feel responsible for him.” He almost added, “Just like you did back then,” but stopped himself.

  She didn’t say much more until they were ensconced in an SUV heading back to Mimosa Key, the barrier island where the resort was located. She stared out the window. “It’s really pretty, isn’t it? Even the approach to the island. We arrived at night so this is the first time I’ve seen it like this.”

  An idea struck him. “Describe what you see.”

  She chuckled. “Why? Your eyes are as good as mine.”

  “True, but I’d like to hear how it appears to a third party. I might be able to use it in our story.”

  “Now?”

  “Take it all in now. Then write it down when you get back to your villa.”

  “I don’t know, Keegan. I’ve never done anything like that. Besides, my dad’s project beckons.”

  “Don’t you need him to be there while you’re working on it? In case you have questions?’

  “I could list my questions and keep going.”

  He gave her an eye roll. “Yeah, you could. But why not take a break? You’re staying in the midst of prime real estate, one of the most incredible resorts I’ve covered, and I’ve seen more than my share.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m liking this idea more and more.”

  “I don’t know, Keegan.”

  “We typically interview one or two resort patrons. More from the aspect of what brought them to that particular venue. But describing the place from your perspective would be a new angle. Not a total redo but a subtle breath of fresh air to keep things new.” A strange expression came over her face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’ve, uh, never heard you go on that way. You went into sales pitch mode without taking a breath. Is that how you are on your show?”

  He chuckled. “I take it you’ve never watched it?”

  She studied her hands. “Uh, no. I stayed up with your career enough to know you are doing well. But I haven’t thought it wise to ac
tually watch the show.”

  “Wise?”

  She buffed the pad of one thumb over the nail on the other, still not returning his gaze. “My feelings about you didn’t end when I called off our marriage. I tried hard to get past them. Finally, I had to admit to myself, they would probably be there for a long time, if not the rest of my life. The best I could do was avoid anything to do with you.”

  How had his simple suggestion she participate on the show brought them to ground zero of their break-up? He hadn’t expected such an admission. Nor had he dreamed—dared to hope, actually—she still had feelings for him. He’d assumed she’d given him back her heart when she handed over the engagement ring. “How about now?”

  “The last few hours have been like an out-of-body experience. The me of four years ago has stepped aside to let the me of now take over.”

  He swiveled in his seat to view her better. Did she realize what she just said? Did he dare point it out, for fear she’d deny her statement?

  The SUV was nearing the end of the causeway. In a few minutes they’d be back at Casa Blanca. He wasn’t ready for this conversation to end. “How about you tag along with me and the team for a bit when we get back? If you don’t feel like being interviewed, I’ll let that part slide, although,” he stopped long enough to offer his most convincing smile, “I’m one hell of an interviewer. I’d make it easy for you.”

  She returned what could have been a tentative smile. “I’ll observe, okay? At least for a while. I didn’t want to mess with Dad’s notes, anyhow. I still don’t understand why he’s so keen on this project. If anyone ever wants to reexamine the case, his raw data should suffice. I don’t see that happening.”

  Nor did Keegan, especially since the project had simply been a ploy to get her here. Probably best, though, to leave that situation alone and simply follow through on his promise to Burgess. “Great! I’ll call ahead and set it up. We’ll start a half hour after we get back.”

  Chapter Seven

  Drew surveyed the contents of her closet wondering what one wore when traipsing along with a film crew on a resort shoot. Casual or chic? She hadn’t brought much of the latter with her since she’d planned to spend most of her time planted in front of her laptop. She finally settled for a pair of tan Bermuda shorts and an emerald green knit top. Not everyone could wear the color, but with her amber eyes and sandy hair, she looked pretty damn good.

  Why had she told Keegan she still had feelings for him? The first mention had simply slipped out, and Keegan had called her on it. But when he did, why had she gone into more detail? Deep down, had she wanted him to know? If so, she was playing with fire. Keegan had moved on. He now traveled in different circles. Why would he want to rekindle his relationship with the woman he left in Wisconsin? Even back then, it had been a stretch for her to believe she was his equal.

  Sitting in with Keegan and his crew wasn’t the smartest idea, but she needed a break. She suspected the plan behind the project had been to help her forget her former partner’s treachery, which had put her into a funk far too long. She’d been foolish enough to believe their friendship and a handshake were enough to protect her interests in their joint business venture. What her dad hadn’t realized was how his notes now forced her to remember those dark days. Keegan’s appearance had reinforced the tough choices she’d made.

  Keegan and the other three showed up at her door thirty minutes later. He’d changed to an off-white, two-piece suit, jacket unbuttoned. Underneath, he wore an azure blue knit tee that accentuated his steel blue eyes. Like they needed additional help drawing one’s attention. She hadn’t expected his wardrobe to be so out there and eye-catching, but of course, he was the star. The get-up went with the territory.

  Keegan picked up on her surprise and smiled. “You really haven’t seen this show, have you? Or you would have recognized my ‘uniform.’ This is the network’s idea of the way to dress when mixing it up with the rich and famous on these ritzy properties.”

  She had to swallow. Twice. No wonder the show had become so popular. Women must tune in just to ogle this man with the swimmer’s shoulders and trim waist. This man she had willingly let go. She had to say something fast before she made a fool of herself gawking at him. “Everything should be ready for you. The staff apparently cleaned up after my dad’s spill, and I’ve stashed his notes elsewhere.”

  “I’ll just do a quick walk-through,” Bo said, after Keegan had formally introduced them. “Get an idea of the layout.”

  Ainsley accompanied her into the living room. “I understand you’re going to stick around and observe.”

  “Only if I’m not in your way. Just show me where to stand or sit.”

  Ainsley pulled up in the middle of the room. “It might expedite things if you could give us your thoughts on what’s unique, what definitely needs to be spotlighted.”

  “I have no idea how this place compares to the other villas, even yours, because I was under duress when I was there. There’s a magnificent master suite with a huge bedroom, bath, walk-in closet, and a private dining area on the patio. There’s also a smaller guest room with its own bath. The color scheme is mainly light cream and terra cotta with dark wood accents throughout.”

  Ainsley settled on the sofa and took out her notebook. “I have the resort brochure here, which describes each villa. Usually we borrow heavily from these babies, but since we have you on-site, I’d like to throw in some of your own words.”

  Had Keegan put her up to that approach? Whether he had or not, the idea intrigued Drew. Something new. Something to challenge her creativity other than transferring data from her dad’s notes to the master document. It might be fun. “I’m surprised the resort’s marketing person isn’t here to supply this information instead of me.”

  Ainsley set the brochure aside. “Emma Solomon has helped with the preliminary planning. Working with her has been a dream. But we’ve learned the hard way to keep our liaisons with the places we feature at arm’s length—close enough to troubleshoot problems but not so close as to stymie the shoot.”

  “The owners agreed to that?”

  Ainsley shot her a knowing look. “Not at first. I guess I can’t blame them for wanting to direct the action, but they also want this facility to be covered in the very best light. So they eventually came around. But don’t be surprised if Emma or Lacey Walker stick their heads in at some point.”

  Drew joined the other woman on the sofa, and for the next few minutes they read through the copy that had been provided by Solomon and augmented it with Drew’s observations. Meanwhile, Keegan and Bo surveyed each room seeking just the right camera angles and features to cover. Tony waited until they determined where they wanted to shoot to set up the sound equipment.

  “I like the way you think,” Ainsley told Drew as she finished jotting down Drew’s comments. “Who’d have thought to describe this place in terms of fabrics? Especially your comparison of the white beach to velour.”

  Once Ainsley wrapped up her notes, she excused herself to help Keegan apply makeup. Keegan wore makeup? Even for a camera, Drew couldn’t imagine that man needing anything to enhance his looks. Though she tried to occupy her mind re-reading the brochures, the idea of him being subjected to the same glamourizing tortures most women endured everyday was too much to resist.

  She peeked into the guest bath, which had become a miniature salon with Keegan seated in the center wearing a small black cape around his shoulders. Ainsley was just toweling off her hands when she spotted Drew. “What do you think?” She tossed the towel aside. “Too heavy on the foundation? After all the practice I’ve had with sun-drenched locations around the world, I still second-guess myself on how strong to make it. Keegan tends to pick up a lot of sun on his own.”

  Drew once again found herself staring at her former fiancé as she had when she first took in his wardrobe of the day, only this time her eyes were on his face and hands. Especially the hands. Her insides heated with memories of where those han
ds had been on her body and what they’d done to it. “He looks fine to me, although I have no idea how the camera picks up skin color.”

  Keegan eyed her with interest but didn’t say anything.

  In the end, they wound up shooting the living room with the kitchen in the background, and all of the master suite. They finished with Keegan talking to the camera while seated at the patio table with the cerulean blue Gulf behind him.

  As soon as Bo stopped filming, Keegan burst from his seat to huddle with the other three. “Good work, guys. This went well. And quicker than usual.” He glanced at Drew. “You were our good luck charm. Hang out with us the rest of the day.”

  “Great idea.” Tony came over to her. “It was like you’ve done this before. You were here to help, but you also gave us our space to do our thing.”

  “Thanks, but I should probably resume my own work once you head out to another villa.”

  “Oh, c’mon,” Bo said. “At least have lunch with us at our place. Quite a spread should be waiting. While we eat, we’ll convince you to continue to stick around.”

  Though she checked in with the patient from time to time, she remained with the crew the rest of the day, the project happily forgotten. She enjoyed being consulted by Ainsley on points to cover and Bo letting her check the shots they planned. Within a few hours, she felt like she’d been part of this team for months.

  But her most powerful impression of the day, one that would stay with her for some time to come, was of Keegan as host. The Keegan of old had been a very talented architect on his way to a great career. But the new Keegan was equally adept hosting his television show. Once he’d studied Ainsley’s notes, he talked to the camera like every fact and idea had just occurred to him. Most “scenes” required only one or two takes. Drew couldn’t wait to view the finished product, although that would be several months off, long after she and Keegan had once again gone their separate ways. Would she be able to watch him then without remembering what could have been?