Page 17 of Walking the Bird

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“Your concierge said you wanted to see me?”

Having rehearsed what he wanted to say to Melinda all morning, Cade shot her the Biggs signature smile which had won the hearts of many young ladies back in Montana, and gained his brother Ryan his beautiful wife, Ellison.

“Yes,” Cade purposely kept his voice deep, gambling on the beauty before him having a thing for bass. “I’d like to take the boys out into town, let them see the beauty of the island, and visit any touristy places.”

Melinda clenched her knees together, silently berating herself for getting hot and bothered over a guest. “Of course. I’ll arrange for a tour guide to take you—”

“You,” Cade interrupted confidently. “I want you to take us around the island and show us your favorite spots.”

Opening and closing her mouth several times like a fish gasping for air, Melinda regained her composure, reminding herself of the importance in making sure the guest standing before her was kept happy at all times during his stay. “Would an hour be enough time to ready the children?”

Cade could see the myriad of emotions flashing within Melinda’s blue eyes. Her nervous fingers tucking a non-existent strand of hair behind her ear. He’d warred with himself about pursuing a relationship so soon after Vickie’s betrayal, but the pull toward Melinda was strong, and he was a seasoned enough man to know fighting fate was never a good idea.

“We’re guys, Melinda,” Cade assured, lifting his nephew and tossing the giggling little boy over his shoulder. “Give us ten minutes and a soapy washcloth, and we’re ready for anything.”

Melinda stood waiting beside the resort’s SUV, her nerves getting the best of her as she tried to reason this was part of her job and not some chaperoned date. She’d all but run to her room to change into more suitable attire, sending a text to Mr. Silvers and her lead concierge, advising them both of her whereabouts and to reach her on her cell if anyone needed her.

Without warning, the glass doors to the private entranced burst open, followed by a set of adorable twins running at full speed toward her. “Ms. Stuart, Ms. Stuart. Uncle Cade says you’re taking us to see the turtles.”

An involuntary smile coated her lips as she bent to their level, eyes much like their father and uncle’s staring excitedly back at her. “Only if you want to see really big ones.” She returned, tapping her index finger against each tanned nose, the boys rewarding her with more giggles and a unified cheer.

An ear-piercing whistle sounded across the driveway, ending the laughter and pulling all three heads to the handsome man holding the hand of a third child, making his way toward them.

“Ashton and Parker Biggs, what would your momma say about your manners, young men?”

“Sorry,” the pair offered Melinda, but she was too focused on Cade to offer any reply.

She tried not to stare at his firm chest, the muscles testing the limit of his tight t-shirt, or how the muscles in his legs made her mouth run dry with every step he took. Confusion colored her mind as she licked her lips at the colorful tattoos which decorated his left arm, her experience with men had left her battered and bruised.

As the pair approached her, Melinda cleared her throat and focused her attention on the boy beside Cade.

“Are you ready to see the turtles, Keegan?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” The boy replied, his southern accent making Melinda’s heart melt.

“Don’t forget Uncle Cade. I’m ready to see some turtles and whatever else Ms. Stuart wants to show me.” Cade sent a wink in Melinda’s direction, making sure she knew the latter was to be taken in a way the kids didn’t need to hear about. His brother was due back by sundown, and he had every intention of handing off his nephews to their parents and spending some time with the beautiful woman helping the twins into their car seats.

Pulling the SUV up to the security gate, Melinda took a radio and GPS beacon from the guard before pulling out of the resort. The town surrounding the resort wasn’t bad during the day, however, the gangs and drug lords were allowed to run free at night. She’d experienced first-hand how dangerous getting caught out after dark could be.

“Have you always lived on the island, Melinda?”

“No, I came for vacation.”

“Let me guess? You fell in love with the place and couldn’t leave?”

“Not exactly,” Melinda pursed her lips, feeling the wall of protection building up around her. She hadn’t spoken to anyone about what happened in years, outside of her therapist.

Cade could sense the gravity of her words, and feel the barrier building between them.

“How so?”

Melinda glanced in the rearview mirror to find the three boys lost in watching the parasailing going on over the ocean. Sending Cade a side glance, “Not a conversation for young ears.”

Cade turned his head to look out the passenger window, ignoring the passing vegetation as he recalled what he’d read about the dangers of this place. Melinda was gorgeous but didn’t strike him as the drug lord groupie type. Nor did she have any visible tattoos like those he’d studied of local gangs in the area. Keeping his face stoic, he tried not to assume she’d been a victim or heaven forbid participant in human trafficking.

“You know, I may not be as worldly as my brother and his friends,” Cade began, reaching over and placing a hand on her shoulder.

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