Page 43 of Island Rescuer

She gave a determined nod. “Then you can babysit the baking sandwiches while I shower.”

“It’s a plan.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You’re all locked up tight in here, but if you have a problem just shout and I’ll come running.”

“You’ll hear me in the shower?” She smiled as if indulging his wishful thinking.

“Damn straight I will.”

Reluctantly, he walked away, hating to leave her alone for even a minute. He took the stairs two at a time and rushed through the fastest shower of his life to get dressed and back to her.

He suspected that given a choice, given any hope at all that it wouldn’t hurt her, he would always rush back to her side.

ChapterNine

Harper’s shoulderswere locked tight and her palms damp as they drove to the scene. Emergency vehicles were still crowding the resort when she and Knox pulled up. He must have spread the word when he went to shower, letting her family know that she knew about the situation, because her phone blew up long before she was done making breakfast sandwiches.

Cooking was one of her coping mechanisms. A way to keep her hands busy while her mind pondered ideas or concerns. Whether it was planning a new program at the resort, a convoluted contract… Or the building she loved burning down.

Because of her.

She got out of the car and stared at the smoke-scarred side of the building. The shock of it pushed her back, made her weak enough to slump against the car for a moment.

“You okay?”

She couldn’t drag her eyes away from the destruction. And immediately her mind went to events on the calendar. The canceled plans and reservations, the disappointed guests. Good grief. Even family Sunday brunch, always held over on this side of the building, was going to be a problem.

Before she could decide if she was okay or not, she was tucked into Knox’s embrace. Tears welled up and she sobbed into his shoulder, her sorrow and frustration soaking his shirt.

“We can go.” He steered her back to the passenger door.

“No.” She straightened, hauled in a big breath. “I need to be here.”

“I’m not sure that’s true,” he grumbled. “The fire is out.”

“But the work is just beginning,” she said. “I have to let them know I’m here.” She glanced up to where her window had been. The balcony beside it. Both were black gashes now. “My desk was there.”

“What?” Knox snapped.

“The window on this side of the suite,” she explained, pointing up. “I had a desk underneath that window. Just a small little thing for planning during my off hours. It gave me a great view of the water and a good reminder of why our guests love to visit.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” He pulled her into another hug. “I’m sorry. We need to go.”

She pressed her hands to his chest. “Give me just a few minutes. I’d like to speak with Bruce if we can find him.”

“I told him we were on the way.” Knox pulled out his phone. “Let me send a text.”

A minute later Bruce was jogging up. He took one look at Harper and just wrapped her in his arms. She felt like a little kid again, being comforted after skinning her knee. This was a much bigger wound.

He rocked her a little side to side. “I wish you would have stayed away.”

“I couldn’t.” She stepped out of his embrace, smoothing the hair back. “You and I are the Ellingtons in charge here. It’s bad enough that I’ve been out of sight for days. I can’t sit a few miles away and let someone else step in to deal with this.”

“I understand.” Bruce held her face like he had done all her life, looking straight into her eyes. “You’re right. But I’m happier than ever that you have another place to go.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“What about me?” He released her, tucking his hands into the pockets of his windbreaker. “My home is off-property.”

He made a good point.

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