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“I can’t wait to show you your apartment!” Hope said. “They did a wonderful job with the complex. It’s got a private beach and a really nice pool, not to mention a clubhouse with a fitness center. A bar and restaurant are opening soon.”
Sara raised a brow but remained silent. They hefted the suitcases into the back of Hope’s Jeep. As Sara buckled into the passenger seat, she finally shot Hope a skeptical glance. “And you’re sure I can afford this?”
“Yes. I made up a monthly budget for you with estimated expenses balanced against your salary. You’ll be fine.”
“Of course you did.” Sara shook her head with a grin. “I’m still not sure about accepting a full-time salary when I don’t know if I’ll have enough work to justify it.” She was mesmerized by the jagged, brilliant green mountains on her right and the aqua hues to her left.
Hope glanced at her before turning back to the highway. “This is the exact same salary I would offer anyone I hired to be spa manager. I swear. You’re not getting special treatment.”
“Ok, I believe you.” Sara had researched spa manager salaries and confirmed this for herself, though she wasn’t going to tell Hope that.
They passed through colorful Frederiksted and continued a short distance until the apartment complex appeared on their left, and Hope turned in. The entry featured two flanking rows of palm trees, then they circled behind the large clubhouse and office. The buildings were painted white with a soft blue trim. Large glass windows showcased both the front and back of the clubhouse. A huge resort-style pool sprawled behind it, and Sara craned her neck as they drove by. There was a rectangular area for lap swimming and a sandy beach entry. The unfinished restaurant sat to one side, yellow caution tape draped across the entrance.
Five two-story apartment buildings were placed around the grounds, featuring different views. Everything Sara glimpsed was modern, fresh, and brand new, and her heart thumped in her chest. Hope pulled into a covered parking spot and turned off the engine. “This is your assigned stall.” Then she frowned, turning to her. “We’re going to have to get you a car. I was lucky—my Jeep was included.”
“You were more than lucky, big sister. But I agree, car shopping will be a priority.”
Hope had stuck her tongue out at Sara’s first statement, but now she unbuckled and exited the car. “We can leave the suitcases here for now. I’m dying for you to see your new digs!”
“We don’t need to check in at the office?”
“You can stop by at some point and introduce yourself, but everything is ready to go. Come on!” Hope grabbed her hand and headed toward the end of the building and a staircase to the second floor, practically dragging Sara up the stairs.
An end unit. Nice!
There was a landing at the top of the stairs with a solid door to their left, painted the same soft blue as the trim. A bright blue and yellow doormat sat out front. Hope held out a key attached to a Half Moon Bay Resort key chain. “Here, you do the honors. It’s your place.”
Sara slid the key in, and the front door opened silently. She entered a large open-concept area, and Hope shut the door behind her. The great room was immediately in front, with a kitchen to her left. On the other side of the great room were two closed doors, presumably the bedroom and bath.
But Sara hardly noticed the room. A large sliding glass door took up most of the back wall. The vertical blind was open, and all she could see was blue. “Is that the ocean?”
“Go check it out.”
Forcing her feet to move, Sara slid open the glass door. Am I dreaming right now? She stepped onto a large, covered deck, surrounded by the soft sound of waves splashing onto the shore. A couch and loveseat sat in an L shape on one side, with a matching table and two chairs on the other. The fabric was a gentle gray with royal blue and yellow pillows accenting the furniture.
“The deck is big enough to place your easel here in the middle. With this view, you should have plenty of inspiration to paint.”
Tears sprang to Sara’s eyes. “Hope, I don’t even know what to say. You’re sure I can afford this?”
“Yes! They’re offering a special rate to the first tenants.” She pointed to another building to their right that was closer to the water. “And look. That building is the oceanfront unit and the most expensive. I thought this one was a better combination of view and affordability. I wanted you to have the top floor for a better view.”
She turned to embrace Hope. “Thank you. It’s amazing.” The interior enticed and they went back inside. The medium gray couch and loveseat faced her with a brilliant royal blue and yellow area rug underneath the coffee table.
“I decided on neutrals for the furniture so you can accent it however you want. But I picked out some pieces for you so it would look homey from the start. I know you love bright colors.”
A large watercolor hung on one white wall, an image of turquoise ocean and the multi-colored buildings of Frederiksted. Sara cocked her head, recognizing the style. “Is that the same artist who did the paintings you have in your house?”
Hope nodded. “He’s just a street vendor, but I think he’s fantastic. I’ve bought several paintings from him.”
A few minutes later, all three of her suitcases were lined up neatly inside the front door. Hope gave Sara’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll leave you to get unpacked and settled in. A rental service is dropping off a car this afternoon, so you have wheels until you can buy something. Give me a call tomorrow morning and we’ll get together.”
Then Hope was gone, and Sara stood alone in her new home. She inhaled a deep breath of freshly painted air as excitement rippled down her spine. It had been a while since she’d felt the sense of keen anticipation. Striding to the door, Sara went to work.
First up was the suitcase containing the clothes she couldn’t part with. She dragged it into her bedroom and discovered a bright room with a king-size bed. A modern, white-striped comforter and fluffy pillows adorned it, and a multi-hued blue runner draped across the foot. Sara smiled, recognizing the same linens that graced the beds at the resort.
The suitcases were unpacked within an hour, though her clothes looked lonely in the large walk-in closet. Art supplies were scattered across the kitchen table, but she was decidedly tired at this point. Her stomach growled and she checked the time. No wonder. It’s after 2 p.m. Well, food could be a problem.
Crossing to her new kitchen, Sara examined it. A multitude of white cabinets accented a gray quartz countertop, and the stainless-steel appliances glimmered. “This is nice enough I might actually learn to cook.”
