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She pulled a beer out of the refrigerator and unscrewed the top. “Let’s sit outside.”
As the sun sank behind the high basalt wall at the back of her small yard, they settled on the stone patio in the comfortable wicker chairs. The spicy fragrance of vaho hibiscus permeated the air, and Quinn filled her lungs with it.
“A small Eden,” Pete said, swirling his whiskey in the glass as he followed the progress of a golden butterfly from flower to flower.
Usually, the tension in Quinn’s neck and shoulders began to ease after two swigs of beer and a few minutes in her garden. This evening, though, she braced herself for the shock of whatever Pete wanted from her. He wouldn’t have come all this way if it wasn’t significant.
“How’s Dad?” she asked.
“Thriving. He’s a changed man, thanks to what you did for him.” Pete’s voice turned serious. “He’s kept all his promises to you.”
She wanted to believe that her father was now a law-abiding citizen, but Pete wasn’t the most trustworthy source of information on that front.
She knocked back the rest of her beer. “What’s he doing?”
“Oh, a little of this and a little of that. You know Brendan, he’s a wheeler-dealer. All perfectly legal, though, I swear to you.”
Pete’s word was worth about as much as her father’s, but there was no point in pushing him.
Pete drank the final swallow of his whiskey. “Can I treat you to a nice dinner, lass? You choose the place since you’re the local.”
It must be a big ask if Pete was going to spring for dinner. She hated to turn down his invitation. “Uncle Pete, it breaks my heart to say this—and I know you won’t take it the wrong way—but I can’t be seen with a convicted felon. I shouldn’t even have let you into my house.”
His chin sank onto his chest as he sat silent for a moment, his shoulders subtly slumped. “We’re so far away from all that unpleasantness at home. I’d hoped you might show me the sights of the island.” He lifted his head and turned his blue gaze toward her. There was no anger, only regret. “Truth is, I miss you, Quinnie. Your dad isn’t the same since you left either.”
The latter was a good thing, but her heart twisted at Pete’s sad face. She gripped his forearm where it rested on the chair. “I wish I could take you sightseeing, but the man I work for took a big chance by hiring me. I can’t afford to have any shadows cast on my reputation or my integrity here in Caleva.” She gave his arm a little squeeze. “This is my fresh start. I can’t blow it, because it’s unlikely that I’ll get another one.”
If it hadn’t been for her college professor’s connection with Mikel, she would be flipping burgers at a fast-food joint. Not surprisingly, the job of her dreams had evaporated with her conviction. She should have known better than to think she could live a normal life anywhere in the vicinity of her father. Mikel’s offer had put an ocean between them. She hoped it was enough.
Pete sighed. “Your dad’s a lucky man to have a daughter like you.”
“You helped raise me,” Quinn said. “You get some of the credit.”
“And so I did,” he agreed with a twinkle in his eye.
“Now tell me why you came all the way to Caleva.” Quinn released his arm and sat back in her chair, trying not to let him see her dread.
“Well, your uncle Pete’s gotten himself into trouble with some nasty characters. Not drugs or guns or anything like that,” he added. “If I don’t get a wee infusion of cash soon, I might find myself on the receiving end of a painful intervention.”
Relief flooded her. All he wanted was money. “You could have called me instead of flying all the way here.”
That shadow of sadness crossed his face again. “You don’t believe that I wanted to see you?”
Shock jangled in her chest. Tough old Pete had feelings that she’d hurt? Shit! “Of course I believe you.” She knelt in front of his chair and took his hands in hers. “I just feel guilty that you came all this way when I can’t offer you any hospitality.” If he’d called first, she would have told him that, but he embraced her father’s philosophy: Ask forgiveness rather than permission.
Pete’s expression brightened. “I’ll be able to tell your dad about your fancy house and that you have a gardener, so that’s something.” He leaned in to kiss her forehead. “You’re a good girl.”
Tears burned in her eyes, but she didn’t let anyone see her cry anymore, so she blinked them back. “Tell me how much money you need to get the nasty characters off your back.”
“I always liked that you don’t beat around the bush the way your father does,” Pete said and named a shockingly large sum. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
Quinn sat back on her heels as she considered her financial affairs. “I can give you about half that right away. I’ll have to sell some securities to come up with the rest.”
“Don’t you get the government money from the lilies? I hear that’s a tidy amount.”
She snorted. “They aren’t stupid on Caleva. You have to live here for two years before you get the subvención del lirio, the lily subsidy.”
“So you have to wait another year and a half for your first payment? I shouldn’t be taking money from you, then.”
