Page 22 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

“It was the only reason I could think of for you being there. You and Lila.” She removed the towel. The ice was melting and dripping down her back, and her hot flash had passed.

“Jennifer called and shared their plans. She wanted me here to surprise Lila.” At Eva’s raised brow, he said, “Yes. I know how much our daughter hates surprises, but I figured she could use the support.”

“Because I was going to go off the deep end?”

“You and the rest of your family. And the fact that you’re not can mean only one thing, so I’m going to warn you right now, I won’t let you ruin this for Lila.”

And they’d been having such a nice conversation up until then. She should’ve known it wouldn’t last. “I’ve just learned that my daughter has been secretly engaged for months and is having an extravagant weekend-long wedding at the resort that is in all likelihood going to put us out of business, so forgive me if I’m not reacting how you expected, James. I’m in shock.”

“You’re right. Sorry. And I hate to pile it on, but you should know that Gavin, David’s father, asked him to manage Windemere, and David accepted. They’re using the wedding to boost Windemere’s profile.”

“And Lila was okay with this? Okay with marrying a man who will be responsible for putting her family out of business?”

“Of course she wasn’t,” he said, sharing Lila’s reaction to the news with her. “But what was she supposed to do, Eva? David needs a job, and I’m sure he’s used the added inducement that they’ll be living in Sunshine Bay.”

Eva didn’t know how she was going to break the news to her mother. “Did they offer Lila a job too?”

“No, and you know she wouldn’t take it if they did.” He looked around the restaurant. “How big of a hit have you taken?”

“Too big to sustain for long. If we don’t turn our numbers around, we’ll have to close at the end of the season.”

“I told the Westfields that since I’m paying for the wedding, and Lila is the bride, that she should have some say, and at least some of the wedding festivities should be held here. Gavin wasn’t impressed, and I’m afraid I hurt Jennifer’s feelings. I may have been somewhat abrupt, but in my defense, I’d just watched our daughter run off looking like she was going to throw up.”

“My poor baby. I don’t know how you can support this wedding after what you’ve just told me.”

He shrugged. “I’m not the one marrying into the family, Lila is. She’s smart and cautious. She doesn’t jump into anything without thinking it through. The only reason she’d get married is if she wanted to.”

He was right. Lila didn’t make a decision without going through a long list of pros and cons. And Eva knew from experience that no one could convince her daughter to do something she didn’t want to do. But after everything Eva had heard about David and his family and her daughter’s reaction to the wedding plans, she was more determined than ever to sabotage the wedding. She’d just have to proceed carefully, especially with James around.

“Thank you for suggesting some of the wedding festivities take place here.” She didn’t know how her mother would react—dramatically, no doubt—but it was kind of James to think of them.

“It’s only fair, but I’m not sure the Westfields are on board.” He glanced at the menu. “If you want, I can brainstorm a few ideas with how you might turn things around here. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see what you can’t.”

She’d be a fool not to take him up on his offer, and Eva Rosetti was no fool. James had run a highly successful and profitable hotel conglomerate for decades and knew the hospitality industry inside out.

“I have some ideas on how we can turn things around, but if you have the time, I’d like to hear your take on things. When do you fly back to London?”

“After the wedding.”

“You’re staying in Sunshine Bay for a month?” she asked, praying she’d misunderstood him.

“I am. I rented a beach house.”

“That’s—” She broke off when she spotted Sage striding to the back of the restaurant with a determined look on her face. Eva had no doubt her niece was here to stage an intervention. “Excuse me,” Eva said to James, jumping up from the table.

“Sage, darling!” Eva hurried to her niece’s side. “I’m so glad you’re here. Lila has just shared her happy news with us, and we’re going to celebrate!” Eva said loud enough for her daughter to hear.

Sage looked at her as if she was waiting for the punch line, and Eva lowered her voice. “Play along. As soon as Lila leaves, the four of us will come up with a plan to stop the wedding. Smile,” she ordered her niece as she backed away, something unyielding blocking her retreat. She turned.

James stood there with his arms crossed and both eyebrows raised.

“Look who’s here, Sage. Your zio James.” Eva dragged her niece to face James, ensuring that he didn’t have a chance to lecture Eva as she hurried to the family table and picked up the bottle of champagne.

“Eva, wait, don’t—” her sister began as Eva popped the cork and a plume of champagne sprayed her daughter and niece.

“—open it yet. It fell on the floor,” Gia finished with a sigh.

Chapter Eight

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