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Indefensible.
Yet Stella had listened, and a new beginning had been formed. A week had passed since that night. We’d seen each other several times, going to Key West one evening where Stella showed me all the local haunts, and spent a morning on Big Pine Key. Our nights together had been like rediscovering a lost treasure, though our different schedules made getting together a bit of a juggling act.
Unable to resist, I reached for the phone and dialed Stella’s number, once again in my contacts where it should be. “Hi there,” I said as soon as she picked up, pleased my voice betrayed none of the heaviness that clung to me like fog. “Just checking in. How’s your day going?”
“Good. I’m in my office working on my catch of the day idea for tonight. I’m almost there but haven’t figured out the missing ingredient yet.”
That made me smile, taking my mind off my day. “I didn’t realize so much thought went into fish specials.”
“Oh, yes. More than any other dish, the catch of the day is the chef’s signature, especially at a destination restaurant like Orchid. And since the catch changes every day, the recipe needs to also. Citrus for a light flaky fish, a hearty sauce for a meaty dorado—stuff like that.”
I could listen to her voice for hours. Now I needed to get that passion aimed at me and not her kitchen. Give it time. I need to be patient here… “I had no idea. Guess that’s why you wear the chef’s coat.”
“Especially for me, trying to make a name for myself at Orchid. The daily catch is what I’m trying to make our signature dish. It’s what keeps me on the right course.” She laughed. “Sort of like a compass for you. But enough about culinary dreams. How was your day?”
And my smile fell as I told her in general terms about the conversation with my patient. “Thanks for listening. It helps.”
“Of course. And if I’m being honest, pouring over my recipe is serving as a distraction for me. My day hasn’t been so stellar either.” Stella’s voice floated through the line, now tinged with annoyance. “Someone stole our antique lanterns from Orchid. The ones outside near the patio.”
“Damn.” I straightened in my chair, concern swamping my own troubles. I couldn’t remember exactly what they looked like, but that wasn’t the point. “Isn’t this the second thing that’s gone missing? You were at the market replacing missing orchids.”
“Actually, it’s the third theft. We lost some lawn edgers not long ago.”
“Shit. It sounds like you guys might have a problem.”
“Yeah, and Ben Coleridge is always lurking somewhere,” she replied. I could picture her rolling her eyes, a gesture so quintessentially Stella it made my lips curve upward despite everything. Obviously, the Markham-Coleridge feud hadn’t dimmed over the years.
“We kind of got into it today,” she continued. “I asked him if he knew anything about the thefts, and of course he was all innocence.”
“You confronted him? Stella! Maybe I should swing by and give you a gentlemanly escort home from work…” I trailed off, hoping she didn’t think I was overstepping.
“Thanks.” The soft warmth in her tone told me she appreciated my concern as much as her words did. “I’ll be fine. I think Ben got the message loud and clear today. Just another day in paradise, right?”
“I don’t know about that,” I said. “Calypso Key has always been so safe. Maybe it’s time to look into more security around the resort.”
“Actually, I talked to Hunter about it today.”
Last night, we’d cautiously caught up with each other, and she’d given me updates on her siblings. Including that the tall, weedy boy I’d once known had grown up to become a mammoth Special Forces Marine. My forehead creased with concern. “Didn’t you say he’s all the way in South Beach? How does that help?”
“Aw, are you offering to be my Dr. Knight in Shining Armor?” Stella teased, a playful lilt in her voice.
“Hell yes,” I said as all traces of levity left me. My heart thudded against my ribcage. “You needed me once, and I let you down. I’ve regretted it. Every. Single. Day. Since.” The words hung between us, heavy and fraught.
There was a pause, a hitch in her breath that told me my confession meant something. “It means a lot to hear you say that,” she finally murmured. “But I don’t have a long walk after work. That’s one of the perks I negotiated.” Her laugh came down the line, making me smile despite my concern.
“Then at least text me when you get home?”
“I’ll do that. I need to get going. We’ll get together soon, okay?”
“Okay,” I replied, giving in before reluctantly ending the call. As soon as I did, a deep desire to see her coursed through me. Her voice coming through the phone, no matter how seductive, paled in comparison with the real thing.
And hell if I’d just sit by this time.
I hardly tasted the sandwich I wolfed down for dinner, my mind already halfway to Calypso Key. After scraping my plate into the trash, I grabbed my keys and headed out into the warm evening.
The drive was short, the roads nearly empty as I drove over the two-lane Calypso Causeway that separated the two islands. When I parked in the main resort lot near the lobby, my stomach tightened as I exited my car. Taking a quick glance at the softly lit grounds, I blew a low whistle. Stella had mentioned a recent remodeling, and what I saw before me bore little resemblance to the resort I’d known as a teen. Gabe was serious about his renovations. I hardly heard the low voices of guests enjoying the evening as I strode toward the pale pink structure hugging the edge of the island. The area around the back door was deserted, and as I approached, the anticipation within me built to a crescendo. Stella slipped out the back door, her silhouette graceful and familiar, and stopped before a potted orchid.
“Stella,” I called softly.
