Page 8 of Visions of You

I gave him a slow nod, accepting his statement and impressed that he refused to be intimidated. “I’m glad to hear that, Wyatt. Because if you’re not, you’re going to answer to me.” Then I turned around and walked out of the gear room.

Yeah, I could be an asshole when I wanted to be, but I wasn’tabout to buddy up to the guy who knocked up my little sister. He’d have to earn my respect.

I continued down the brick pathway but passed by the glass door leading into the dive shop. Maia had told me April would be getting her dive orientation this morning. But after having my home usurped, I wasn’t in any rush to meet her. I stopped behind the building, where a covered patio overlooked a glade of gumbo limbo trees with picnic tables scattered beneath. The fish-cleaning station and shack sat at the end of the clearing, near the canal entrance. This early, no divers or anglers rested at the tables, and I had the place to myself.

I leaned against the white cinderblock wall of the dive shop, the concrete warming my skin through my shirt. I slid my foot up the wall and relaxed with one leg bent as I surveyed our dive operation. I hadn’t been over the detailed financials of the resort yet, but I wasn’t at all sure hiring an additional divemaster was a good idea. Maia might be out for only a matter of months, so what would happen to April then?

Above me, the dive flag on top of the building fluttered in the morning breeze, and I frowned.

Scuba diving has brought this family nothing but heartache. Doesn’t look like that’s changed, with Maia getting pregnant and me possibly needing to fire someone we just hired.

But those were problems for the future. Like Dad said, I didn’t have to tackle everything at once.

Soft footsteps approached. A woman walked past the end of the building and angled over to stand at the patio railing, unaware of me. My breath stilled as she lifted both hands to gather a mane of thick, long hair, its color like a field of spun gold.

I knew without asking this was April.

She was average height, though that sheet of golden hair was anything but average. Board shorts and a T-shirt covered what looked like a perfect hourglass figure. Still facing away, she pulled her hair through an elastic band, then circled it into a bun at the nape of her neck. Muscles in her arms flexed with the motion. Herface was in half-silhouette, and I caught sight of a sharp cheekbone and snub nose. I swallowed over a suddenly dry throat, unable to look away.

Why the hell am I reacting like this? I might have to fire this woman next week. She might be stacked, but I don’t mix business with pleasure. And after Kora, I’m sure as hell not getting involved with anyone again. Ever.

She stilled again and smiled as she studied the glade. Then she turned around and saw me. The smile fell, her full lips forming an O as her eyes opened wide.

Eyes the color of a perfect tropical sky. The kind of eyes a man could get lost in.

Good thing I’m not that kind of man.

Chapter Four

April

I took a meanderingjourney to the dive shop, wanting to explore during the calm of my first morning at Calypso Key Resort. As I wandered up the cement path after eating breakfast at Dorado restaurant, a sand trail veered off toward the canal. I followed it, figuring if it wasn’t brick or cement, it was for employees. The path turned to brick as it led between the back of the dive shop and another building directly across.

A stunning butterfly bush with a profusion of lavender and dark-purple blooms stood at the corner of the dive shop. I’d never seen one that flowered in two colors, and it was obviously lovingly tended. Colorful butterflies danced in the morning air, and as I passed by, a sense of peace filled me. I continued along the brick path, laid in a herringbone pattern. On my left, I passed an open door. A rack of hanging wetsuits lay on the far side of a crowded room, and I could hear sounds emanating from inside.

But I wasn’t quite ready to meet my coworkers yet. A shady grove lay in front of me, drawing me toward it. Several sizeable white boatswere tied up in the canal, and I studied the nearest. Empty white plastic tank holders lining the two side benches proclaimed this the resort’s dive boat, and I was impressed by what I saw. I noted the name and smiled.Shark Baitwas a solid forty feet long with a canvas canopy stretching over the front half. A ladder led up to a small, elevated bridge. Another boat lay behind it, Calypso Key’s fishing charter.

My feet carried me toward the open end of the canal, and the adjacent grove of gumbo limbo trees lay ahead. Panning my gaze around the empty picnic tables, I could imagine the area full of waiting guests, eager for the day’s adventures. But in the silent early morning, no one was there yet.

A covered patio lay to my right, and I eased forward to the rail. The morning sun was already warm, and I gathered my hair, circling it into a low bun.

Anticipation built within me, raising a smile on my lips.

Then the back of my neck tingled, and a shiver ran over my shoulders—a strong feeling I wasn’t alone. Glancing to my right, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

I nearly gasped as a man was revealed. He casually leaned against the dive shop wall behind me, one leg bent at the knee.

“Oh!” I said, my stomach flopping over. “I didn’t see you there.”

The stranger was very tall, I’d guess six-foot-three. He had dark hair, cut short, and his intense brown eyes gave absolutely nothing away. A trimmed scruff covered his jaw, but he didn’t look sloppy.

In fact, he damn-near stopped my heart, and not just because he’d startled me.

He was dressed strangely for a diver in a button-down shirt and jeans. When he lowered his leg to stand on both feet, his work boot made a solid thump on the brick floor. Remaining silent as he eyed me intently, the man was over-the-top handsome.

A slow ripple moved from my neck farther down my body. Taking a firm imaginary grip, I got a hold of myself.

Sabbatical from men,remember?

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