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The next morning, Hope used the pod-style coffee maker in her bungalow and went out onto her porch. It was 6:30, and soft light filtered over the scene in front of her. The resort faced due west, so she’d been treated to a spectacular sunset the previous evening and had done her best to appreciate it. Now, as dawn broke, the sun rose above the steep mountains to the east, the line of shadow creeping across the beach toward Hope as the sun progressed.
After a good night’s sleep, she felt slightly better about her situation, but Steve’s sudden departure had badly shaken her. She let her gaze drift to the ocean and someone freestyle swimming with confident strokes toward the pier. Hope admired the form of the swimmer. She’d been an All-State swimmer in high school and could recognize an expert. Maybe one of the guests?
The swimmer climbed the ladder located at the end of the pier and walked toward the resort. Hope sat up, focusing closely. Appraising the athletic form and sandy hair, it must have been Alex, the dive guide. She was impressed he got here so early to start his day. Hope was further surprised when he climbed a set of stairs at the side of the building and entered a room.
Wait, does he live here?
She winced. Hope had been so shocked yesterday that there was no way she’d made a positive impression, which wasn’t good at a resort that prioritized scuba diving. The last thing she wanted was for either Tommy or Alex to view her as a pathetic female who didn’t stand a chance of being successful there.
Her frown deepened further as she remembered the first impression Alex had made on her. She hadn’t liked how assertive he’d been when he found out about Steve. The one type of man she could not abide was an aggressive alpha male who bullied his way through life, wrecking everything and everyone in his path. Though, to be fair, she’d overheard several conversations at lunch yesterday about how fun Alex was to be around on the boat.
She went back inside and returned her empty cup to the table. Her still-packed suitcases taunted her. “If Steve’s gone, there’s no reason for me to stay in this bungalow.”
Hope took a shower and attempted to rein in her unruly chestnut hair. Usually the wave in her hair naturally fell in soft layers, but the humidity turned it into a frizzy mess. Finally giving up, she tied it back in a ponytail and called it good.
She entered the restaurant and Patti walked toward her with a big smile. Her ebony skin already glowed from the humidity. “Good mornin’. I trust you slept well? Gonna be a hot one today.”
“I slept like a rock. I was pretty worn out.” Hope inhaled deeply. “Breakfast smells great. Looks like you serve it buffet-style?”
“Yes. Breakfast is a buffet, and lunch and dinner are both served plated by menu.” Patti turned toward the buffet. “We like to be a little more casual at breakfast. I’ll introduce you to our chef, Gerold, later. We’re proud to have him. He went to culinary school in Tortola and is very talented. He could easily work at one of the bigger resorts here, but he likes the quiet west side of St. Croix.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. I loved the meals I had yesterday.” Hope got a plate at the head of the buffet and poured some guava juice. “Patti, would you show me where the owner’s house is located? I’d like to see it first thing this morning. There’s no sense in my using a guest bungalow when the house is empty.”
“Of course. Come find me in the office behind the front desk when you’re through eating.”
Hope inspected the lavish buffet with a sinking feeling. With its French toast, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and more pastries than she could count, she would need to be selective if these were going to be her daily choices.
She took her hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, and yogurt to her corner table. There were already several groups of guests eating, excited about what adventures the day would bring. She ate her breakfast, then chatted with some of the guests to discover what they had planned and what they were enjoying about the resort.
Hope was determined to make a productive start to her new life.
CHAPTER 12
Alex took a quick shower after his morning swim and made his way to the back of the restaurant and into the kitchen for breakfast. Opening the door, he was greeted with the smell of frying bacon and cinnamon from the French toast. It was a brightly lit, neat area, and the employee table he sat at was spotless, as was the rest of the kitchen. Gerold’s standards and work habits were very high, something he and Alex shared.
Gerold nodded. “Hey, man. You want your usual oatmeal and fresh fruit?”
“Sounds good.” Alex poured a cup of coffee and sat down.
“You meet the new boss?” Gerold spoke in a soft Caribbean accent as he deftly flipped six slices of French toast. Thirty years old, he was a St. Croix native with closely cropped black hair. “She hasn’t made it back here yet.”
“Yeah, I met her yesterday. She looked pretty shaken up. You heard about Steve, right?”
Gerold gestured with his spatula. “I still can’t believe it. He hasn’t been the same since Susan died. Patti said he couldn’t bear to stay on any longer. Poor bastard.”
“This definitely throws a monkey wrench into everything,” Alex said as he accepted the bowl of oatmeal. “He’d promised the new owner he would stay on for six months to help her with the transition.”
Patti entered the kitchen and turned to Alex. “Can you come see me in the office for a few minutes when you’re done eatin’? I need to talk to you.”
“Sure.”
She nodded, grabbing a banana before leaving.
“I can understand Steve wantin’ to get out of here. He misses his kids and grandkids.” Gerold was now frying hash browns and cooking a huge pan of scrambled eggs simultaneously. “I wish him the best.”
Alex snorted. “Then you’re a better man than I am. I’m pissed at him.” He finished his coffee, becoming serious as he gathered his dishes. “You don’t just leave people behind. If he comes back any time soon, I’ll probably toss him off the pier.” He got up. “I’d better go see what Patti wants.”
Alex nodded to Martine as he went behind the front desk and into the office.
