Page 40 of Paradise West
Charli’s hands came to her hips as she watched Jack weave a magic spell around her friends. “What the hell is this, Jack?” she snarked with mock outrage. “You never kissed my hand.”
He gave Charli a mischievous grin. “I’m open to suggestions on kissing you whenever and wherever you’d like.”
Annette choked and Charli’s jaw dropped at Jack’s uncharacteristic public display, and her mind raced knowing how their audience was going to take this information.
One glance at Annette confirmed it, and Charli suddenly knew how a lobster on a platter felt: hot, totally cooked, and definitely a bright shade of red. Both Annette and Amy stared at them with mouths agape.
Charli mentally rolled her eyes. She could literally see Annette’s wheels turning.
Oh, this is just freaking great...I’m never going to hear the end of it.
Charli released a deep sigh and waved her hand at the garden. “I can see you and the guys are almost done here. Do you have time to give Annette and Amy a quick tour of the compound?”
“Of course! It would be my pleasure.” He released Charli’s hand and offered Annette and Amy each an arm, which they eagerly took and began to stroll along the compound wall toward the back gate. Charli followed along behind, watching them with narrowed eyes. Jack began outlining the property and the renovation plans, pointing out key structures in the garden as they walked.
“Hey, Jack!”
They all turned at the shout to see Gus running up to them.
“Ladies, this is my business partner, Gustavo,” Jack announced. “Gus, these lovely ladies are Charli’s close friends who are visiting for the day.”
Gus gave them a charmingly brilliant grin, his teeth brilliant white against his olive skin. “You two make the island prettier just being here,” he replied, his eyes glued on Annette, who preened at his flattery.
In a nearly exact repeat of Jack, he gallantly lifted her hand. “My friends call me Gus.” He kissed her hand lightly and gave her a seductive leer. “But you, my gorgeous dove, can call me anything you’d like.”
Charli stifled a giggle as Annette batted her eyelashes at Gus. “You’re not so bad yourself, handsome,” Annette purred, fairly stripping the man with her eyes.
After several seconds, Jack cleared his throat and asked, “Was there something you needed, Gus?”, breaking the staring spell between Gus and Annette.
Gus blinked his eyes and shook his head as if clearing it and returned his gaze to Jack. “Uh, yeah, sorry. We’re nearly finished with the garden.” He gestured over his shoulder. “I was thinking we could move to the main house when we’re done. What do you think?”
Jack nodded. “Sure. You can have them start on the foundation if you’d like.”
“Good call.” Gus turned his attention to Annette, his gaze hot. “I certainly hope I’ll see more of you later,” he offered. “How long are you in town, gorgeous?”
Annette gave him a flirtatious smile and a shrug. “We leave first thing in the morning. But I’m sure I’ll be back here at some point,” she practically purred.
Gus held a hand over his heart. “I’ll count the minutes until your return.” He blew her an air kiss and turned on his heel, hustling to the workers.
Charli smirked. “You’ve still got it, Annette.”
Annette gave her a mischievous grin and wiggled her hips. “Of course I do.”
Jack cleared his throat and directed their attention to the compound as he turned and began walking toward the back gate. “Has Charli told you anything about this place?” he asked.
“Only that her aunt willed it to both of you to clean up and that it has a ghost,” Amy chimed in, her voice high with excitement.
Jack began to fill them in on the old resort’s history. By the time they reached the gate, he had made it up to the will reading that had only been a little over a week ago. “And now, Charli and I will be busy trying to restore Paradise West to its original splendor.”
“So the ghost is real?” Amy asked.
Jack chuckled. “Well, I have heard from several reliable sources that Amelia’s ghost still haunts the main building. I haven’t seen her personally, but I have seen her light.” He pointed toward the top of the large, weathered house. “Up there.”
“Her light?” Charli, Amy, and Annette chimed together, their eyes following his hands.
Jack pursed his lips and stared up at the rooftop. “According to the legend, Amelia kept a lantern lit in the Widow’s Walk for her lover’s safe return. On occasion, you can see that light up there.”
Amy’s eyes were as big as saucers as she leaned in. “And you’ve seen it?”
