Page 22 of Paradise West
“Don’t mention it,” Steve replied, placing both hands on the bar. He glanced at Charli. “I’m sure I’ll see you around town.”
She smiled. “I’m sure you will. Thanks.”
Charli caught her breath when Jack turned to her and held out his hand. He was so incredibly handsome.
He grinned. “You ready?”
She pressed her lips together and placed her hand in his as she slid off the stool. Charli’s heart pounded in her chest as he led her out of the bar.
“Oh, Jack,” one of the ladies cooed behind them. “You’re such a gentleman.”
There was a snort behind them. “Knock it off, Cornelia. Leave the boy alone and let him work his magic.”
Jack coughed and Charli clamped her lips together to stifle a giggle. She squeezed his hand lightly in solidarity and he glanced down at her with a twisted grin, his dimples popping out. An overwhelming urge came over her to trace them with her fingers, but she grimaced and looked down at the ground.
He released her hand and lightly touched the small of her back, leaning in to her as they walked, the ladies following them down the street. “You okay? I’m sorry if they embarrassed you,” he murmured.
She glanced up with a smile. “I’m fine, Jack. They didn’t embarrass me at all.”
His forehead wrinkled. “You don’t mind going back to your place, do you? I’m sorry. I didn’t even think to ask. I was just trying to get them away from Steve before there was an explosion.”
Charli huffed a laugh and waved her hand. “There’s no need to apologize.” She gestured around them. “I’ve had a very full two days. Today has just been a bit overwhelming, that’s all.”
He smiled tenderly and grabbed her hand again, lightly rubbing his thumb over the top. “I know, Charli. Don’t worry—it’ll all get better from here.”
* * * *
“And here’s to Paradise West! May it finally be restored to its original glory,” Miriam shouted from the other room.
“Cheers!” The sound of several glasses clinking together made Jack grin. He shook his head as he put his phone in his pocket and walked back toward the kitchen. Once the Royal Conch Society got on a roll, the drinking could go on all night, leading to someimpressive hangovers. He had learned his lesson a long time ago not to try keeping up with them.
“And here’s to Amelia! May she finally rest in peace,” Iris shouted above the din. Another round of “Cheers!” rang out. Jack stepped into the kitchen to find three empty sangria bottles on the counter and the ladies spread throughout the room.
“Wait, wait,” Charli interrupted, her voice slurring slightly. She sat in the center of the group and seemed a bit worse for wear from her initiation to the group. Jack grinned—he was certain she didn’t realize that this was her formal induction ceremony.
The group quieted and, as one, their eyes moved to her.
“Is everything they say about Paradise West true? And what does all this have to do with Amelia and her finding peace?” Silence stretched awkwardly until it was nearly unbearable as the ladies looked at each other.
Jack moved to the cabinet and took out a glass, filling it with water and setting it in front of Charli. Then he leaned against the kitchen island, folding his arms across his chest.
“Since the main house was where Amelia died, legend has it that her spirit can’t be released until the resort is brought back to its former glory,” he answered.
He chuckled as Charli’s brows pinched in as she tried to follow what he’d said, creating a cute furrow between her purple eyes. The urge to lean in and kiss it away was nearly overwhelming.
Charli’s face scrunched. “But if Amelia died in 1871, logic would tell us that she’s been haunting the house long before the 1920s when it was just one house on the block. How is restoring the resort, which includes three other buildings now, supposed to bring her peace?”
“Oh, there’s more to it than that, Jack,” Miriam nagged. “You know that.” She flattened her lips into an annoyed grimace and gave her head a quick shake. She took a deep breath and looked at Charli. “Dottie knew more about this than anyone and she would always say that Amelia had a mystery to reveal and a wrong to right before she could move on. But more importantly, Dottie said that it couldn’t be just anyone who discovered the secret. It had to be the right person, or people.” A murmur of agreement moved throughout the group.
Charli thought about that for a moment. “And all of you think I’m the right person?”
“Mmmmm,” Miriam affirmed with a nod. “Dottie knew you and Jack were the right ones from the start.”
Charli drew back at that revelation, her eyes widening. “I don’t understand.” She waved her hands in the air, looking to Jack. “What can Jack or I do better than anyone else?” She wobbled slightly on her chair.
He smiled tenderly at her. The woman could not hold her liquor...she was adorable.
“You’re overthinking it, Charli. This is all speculation.” He shrugged. “The only thing we can do is what we’ve been tasked with—cleaning it up. Which starts tomorrow,” he announced. “I have a crew set to begin cleaning out that front section in the morning.” He glanced around the room at the group of drunk women. “Which means we need to bring this meeting to a close. Charli needs her sleep.”
