Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
We couldn’t both win.
“I’m just trying to stay busy,” I said evasively, and after I wrapped up with Mom, I typed the name of the diamond mine into my phone. There were a few articles as well as the operation’s website, which touted its commitment to politically correct mining, its adherence to world standards on labor, and the fact that half of its proceeds went to schools.
Could this be one of Eli’s new charitable endeavors? I browsed the list of Frayer’s biggest supporters for its charitable arm, but Eli’s name wasn’t there. I wasn’t entirely surprised, though I was, admittedly, a little disappointed.
But then I spotted another familiar name.
Willow Evans.
His fiancée.
I spent the afternoon at Happy Turtle Cove. My tour would be in a few days, and I wanted to visit the spot one more time beforehand to make sure I knew it like the back of my hand. I canvassed the cove, and along the way ran into Tanice and Reid. I knew Reid, a bartender I’d met at The Pink Pelican from time to time.
“Don’t forget the boat party tomorrow night,” Tanice said. “It’s been too long.”
“Yeah you better be there,” Reid warned playfully. We chatted more, then I said goodbye and as I wandered around the sandy beach, my gaze landed on a napping guy who looked like my stepdad’s club manager—big, burly with a snake tattoo on his arm. I’d seen him but not met him, so I didn’t interrupt his snoozing on a beach towel behind his shades.
I headed for the edge of the cove at sunset, since I’d arranged for Jake to meet me here, when he’d drive with me to Eli’s house for the dinner party.
I fought off a smile as I watched the rugged recovery specialist walk toward me. Though swagger was more like it. His eyes locked with mine and seemed to hold me with a certain after-dark intensity. My chest flipped as I checked him out in his blue T-shirt that showed off his gorgeous ink and trim shorts that hugged his strong thighs.
When he reached me he said, “Hey,” with a lopsided grin that made my heart race.
“Hi.” I needed pockets on my sundress so I’d have something to do with my hands when all I wanted was to grab him and make out like we had the last time we’d been in the cove. But after all the passion between us yesterday, we hadn’t discussed where we stood now.
Were we back to off-limits partners? Were we returning to secret lovers? We were so unclear, but now probably wasn’t the time to decipher this island tryst.
“Ready to go?” He gestured the way he’d come, over the dunes.
“I am.” We walked toward my car, not touching. Like, conspicuously not touching. That was odd. I’d been the one who’d initially made the “no making out” rule, but I couldn’t help thinking that this awkwardness was more distracting than giving in to attraction would be.
“How was your day?” I asked once we were driving toward Corey’s Landing in my rented Jeep. I grimaced at how girlfriend-y that sounded. “Any developments?” There. That was what I meant.
“I saw Eli and his fiancée heading into a realtor’s office downtown. That was interesting,” he said in a tone that suggested interesting was an understatement. He told me about his bank visit too. “I’m not sure if it relates to our investigation, but it seems likely. Money, finance, real estate. If you get a chance to suss that out during conversation tonight…”
“I’m on it,” I said, a little excited with my new mission.
I turned into the development where Willow and Eli lived. “I did some digging into Willow today,” I said, driving past manicured lawns and hedge-lined driveways. “She studied art history in college and she’s very passionate about collecting modern art. She’s the connection to the Frayer mine, by the way. A generous supporter of their charitable arm.”
“That’s an unusual combo.”
“Art and diamonds? Maybe she just likes the finer things in life,” I mused. I looked at Jake curiously, then returned my eyes to the road. Did he see me as an equal partner in intel? Did my digging make a difference? It was hard to say, and the man was hard to read tonight. But then, a detail nagged at me—the details of us right here, right now. He’d insisted on coming with me and dropping me off. At a party. But why? I hadn’t dissected his motivation till now, but as we neared Eli’s home, a new and uncomfortable possibility nagged at me. “You didn’t have to come with me, you know. I could have filled you in later,” I said, opening up the topic carefully.
He shook his head. “I wanted to be around in case of anything unexpected.”
Maybe that was true. But was that the only reason he was here? “What if they see you?” I asked, feeling him out more.