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“That’s your helicopter,” Jada yelled, her voice barely carrying over the noise and the wind.
“It sure is.”
Raul made his usual skillful landing, touching down like a feather. He slowed the rotors and Mr. Forest, the estate manager, jogged out to the copter, wind whipping his hair as he opened the passenger door.
A woman hopped out, followed by a man who spoke to Mr. Forest briefly. Mr. Forest waved at the edge of the pad to Billy, who was standing nearby waiting. Billy rushed out and was soon being loaded down with baggage.
Jada squinted at the craft. “Who is that? Is that? Ohmigod. It’s Marina!” She looked at Ian, then at Marina who was already walking briskly toward them, then back to Ian. “What’s she doing here? You brought her here?”
He felt a moment’s worry that he’d read the situation wrong. “I did. I thought she’d be safer out here with us. I hope that’s okay.”
“Okay? It’s wonderful!” She practically jumped on him, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing him, her head pressed against his chest, nestled beneath his chin. “Thank you so much. I didn’t realize I was so worried about her until I saw her jump out of the helicopter.”
His heart swelled that she was happy. He gave her a quick squeeze in return, then let her go so she could greet her sister.
He watched as the two sisters laughed and hugged. He heard Jada telling Marina she was in trouble for not texting that she was coming, and Marina saying she wanted it to be a surprise. Marina was a knockout, like her sister, though Ian thought Jada had the edge.
Mr. Forest arrived shortly thereafter, along with the man who’d climbed out of the helicopter. It turned out to be Sullivan.
So Ian got a surprise, too. He hadn’t been expecting his head counsel and friend.
As a group, they headed toward the house and away from the noisy helicopter. Marina and Jada walked side-by-side, their arms around one another’s waists, talking a mile a minute, completely ignoring Mr. Forest who trailed behind them, trying to give Marina his usual introductory speech about the property.
Sullivan fell in beside Ian. “So, are you enjoying your time away?” Sullivan asked.
“Yes. The bigger question is, what are you doing here? I asked you to find Marina, not come with her. Who’s going to keep things together in the city if you’re out here?”
“I learned the most amazing thing today. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Did you know that?”
“I did, but only recently. Not sure how I forgot, except that we always work it. Also, there have been a few things going on to distract me.”
“So you know there’s no point in worrying about this situation until Tuesday. And that’s why I’m here. I don’t take a lot of time off myself, you know. Thought I’d come hang out, get in some fishing, the usual.”
Ian shot Sullivan a skeptical glance. “Why are you actually here?”
“Okay, look, I feel badly about what’s gone down with the Brimgore woman, and that you’re saddled with her now. I swear I didn’t tell her you were here. I only told her you were out of town. Sasha must have figured it out from there.”
“So you say.”
“It’s the truth. And I’m going to prove it. I’m here to throw myself on my sword for you. I’m going to run interference between you and Brimgore, and Sasha too if need be. If you want, I can try to make them so miserable they’ll be out of here by tomorrow morning.”
Ian relaxed. “You don’t have to do that. If Trey ever found out I let you terrorize his sister just to get rid of his former stepmother, he’d have my head. I will, however, let you know if I can use your services to keep them out of the way if need be. Come on. Let’s get you settled in. The more the merrier. Mrs. Best might pass out from joy with this many people here.”
Sullivan grinned. “I love Mrs. Best. I asked her to marry me once, but she turned me down flat.”
“I think she’s saving herself for Sasha.”
When they arrived at the wide steps leading to the house, Jada bounded up to the two men. Marina waved shyly at Ian and he nodded with a smile by way of greeting.
Jada beamed at Sullivan. “Thanks for rescuing Marina. She told me you found her and brought her here.”
“It was totally Ian’s idea,” he said. “But it was my pleasure, all the same.”
Jada turned to Ian. “I had a good time on our picnic. I hope you don’t mind if I go and help Marina settle in.”
“Of course not,” Ian said. “Go on now. I’ll see you later.”
“Promise.”
“Absolutely.”
She stood up on her tiptoes and he leaned down slightly so she could whisper in his ear. “I had a really, really good time, especially the part before we were so rudely interrupted.”
Ian’s ear tingled. “Same here,” he said, his voice a bit gruff.
Jada dashed off with Marina, Mr. Forest still trailing them, asking if Marina wanted a short tour first, or to be shown to her room right away.
Ian and Sullivan watched them go. Ian heard the helicopter gear up and take off again.
“You know,” Sullivan said, “your wife has the prettiest smile I think I’ve ever seen.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Ian answered without thinking.
Sullivan chuckled. “That was a joke, calling her your wife I mean.”
“Oh, well, I wasn’t paying attention,” Ian blustered.
“That, my friend, is clear as a bell. You’ve obviously got other things on your mind.”
And then some, Ian thought. And they all wore a demure green dress, smelled like flowers and tasted like strawberries. And had a cat with terrible timing.
He heartily slapped Sullivan on the shoulder. “Are you hungry? Shall we give Mrs. Best a thrill and let her fix you a snack?”
“You read my mind.”
And they were off to the kitchen.
Chapter Nine
MARINA LOOKED OVER HER PRETTY room which was nearly as big as Jada’s, and sighed. “Isn’t this the life, Jada? Didn’t I tell you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“About being rich. I told you it would be great to be rich. And here you go. You have to admit this is incredible.”
“I never said it wouldn’t be great to be rich.”
“I wanna see your room. Technically, I want to see everything Ian bought you,” Marina said, a spirited gleam in her eye. “I didn’t bring much with me, so I may need to borrow an outfit or two, for dinner and stuff.”
Jada laughed. “Come on.”
Elly was in Jada’s room when they arrived,
tidying things and re-organizing Jada’s drawers for what had to be the third or fourth time. Jada wondered why Elly didn’t have other things to do besides nitpicking the arrangement of Jada’s sock drawer, but what did she know about it?
Marina and Elly met like old friends and bonded within seconds with their shared enthusiasm about Jada’s new wardrobe. Marina and Jada sat in the comfortable wingback chairs while Elly brought out one outfit at a time for Marina’s inspection.
They thrilled over the fabric and workmanship, oohed and ahhed at detailing and speculated over cost. All the while, Jada’s mind wandered, returning to the magical picnic site and her steamy times with Ian, daydreaming about what might have happened had Ms. Kitty not arrived when she did.
“Can I wear this to dinner?” Marina asked, breaking into her fantasies.
Jada wasn’t sure how long she’d been away. She scanned the slinky silk dress Elly held up. “Sure. Of course.”
Marina clapped. “Yay! Now, we need to find shoes. What do you think will go best with this, Elly?”
Jada drifted off again. Ian was so handsome, so manly and powerful, yet he could also be kind and generous, too. She knew he couldn’t be as perfect as he seemed. No one was. Still, she hadn’t found anything about him she didn’t like.
Again and again, she recalled the events of that day, the way the sun sparkled in Ian’s hair, the way his ripped abs felt under her fingertips, the hard swell of muscle on his shoulders. Perfect. Everything was perfect. And getting more perfect all the time.
“Damn!” Marina said loudly. “You are out of it, Jada. And I think we all know who you’re out with.”
Jada came to, glancing at Marina who was practically gloating. “Okay. Don’t make fun of me. I can’t help it.”
“I think it’s sweet,” Marina said. “Now, do these shoes go with this dress?”
Jada had no idea. “What do you think?”
Marina sighed. “She’s no help, Elly. I think they work, don’t you?”
