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They both laughed and turned back to the drawing. Sara wiped tears from her eyes, pointing to a vertical line dividing the structure. “What’s this?”
“One of my other projects. Most of the building will be the new spa, but I’m also planning an art gallery for a smaller portion of it. The gallery will be part of the destination appeal. Everyone will be relaxed after their treatment and looking for some shopping.” She waved an arm casually at the resort distantly visible through the window. “We have so many artists here—Robert, you, even Jack sketches. You could easily sell yours. So, I plan to open a gallery dedicated to local artists. The profit will be split three ways. One portion to cover the overhead of building and staff, and the rest will be split evenly between the artists and local charities. I’m going to start with the local domestic violence shelter and veteran’s support chapter.”
Sara gripped her upper arm. “Hope, that sounds incredible.”
“It will be. Phase one includes the six new bungalows behind the current ones and this building. Phase two will be farther to the north, a showstopper of a restaurant. Gerold hasn’t used a fraction of his talent. But that’s for the distant future. You’re looking at the near future.”
Visions and possibilities collided in Sara’s head as her heart sang. “Oh, big sister. We are going to do such amazing things together.”
CHAPTER 41
After the party broke up, everyone said their goodbyes and Dexter headed back to his house. Jack waved to him, a mixture of happiness and fulfillment rolling through him that everything had turned out so well for the old timer. He grabbed Sara’s hand and they walked toward her RAV4.
He started toward the driver’s side, but she placed a restraining hand on his arm. “I’ll drive.”
He grinned and swept his arm in an after-you gesture. “I’m kind of loving the new Sara. You want to be on top all the time, and now you want to drive. Next thing, you’ll be trying to tie me to the bed.”
Arching a brow, she broke into laughter. “Be careful what you ask for.”
They got into the car and Sara started down the sand road. “I wanted to drive because I have a little surprise for you. But first I have to tell you why Hope pulled me into her office to talk. It’s pretty amazing.”
She explained about the new spa, practically exploding with enthusiasm, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Probably a good thing she’s driving. “That sounds made for you. I have no doubt you’ll make an incredible success of it.”
He faced frontward again as they turned off the highway. They bumped down a rough dirt track, but he wasn’t watching, distracted by the changes in their lives. “Both of us are doing well. I’ve got all the work I could want at Half Moon Bay, and I get to spend every day getting paid to do what I love. That’s pretty awesome.”
“We’re surrounded by a good group of people, aren’t we?”
“It’s rare. I’m really lucky.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “And not just in the job. Though I might look into becoming an instructor someday. That’s the next logical step.”
Sara laughed. “Well, you might want to check in with the other instructor first. I don’t want any turf wars going on.”
“I don’t think Alex would mind. The other day, he was talking to Zach about getting Nitrox certified when the kid made a smartass comment about becoming the head divemaster there. Alex just looked at him and said, ‘Maybe you will.’”
Sara scowled. “Not if it puts you out of a job.”
“Don’t think we need to worry about that for a while. Zach’s got a long way to go.” Jack said the words absently, leaning forward in the seat as the trees thinned out and a brilliant orange sky peeked through. Now he was curious about their surprise drive.
Sara pulled to a stop in front of a weathered cottage. Jack got out of the car, and the sound of ocean waves filled the late-afternoon stillness. “What are we doing here?”
“This is what I wanted to show you. Come on.”
After they climbed the stairs onto the landing, she produced a key and opened the front door. Jack walked into a large, combination living room and kitchen. The furnishings were neat but plain, though colorful paintings adorned the walls. Sara pointed to their right. “Two bedrooms and baths are over there, but you have to see this first.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him across the white-tiled floor, opening a glass-panel door. The sound of ocean waves became much louder. Jack stepped through onto a large, covered porch. His experienced carpenter’s eye picked out the old, worn wood, but it was solid enough under his feet. The condition of the small house didn’t hold his attention long. In front of him was a short flight of stairs leading to a small beach. The vista called to him, and he moved without conscious thought.
The sand was a fine mixture of dark and white, and the cottage sat at the head of a small cove, completely private. It was similar to the hidden cove near Serenity, except the ocean was much calmer here. Even in the flat light of near-sunset, dark areas of coral reef were visible throughout the bay. “Wow. This is incredible. But why did you want to show me?”
“Selena’s uncle owns it and rents it out. This would solve the paying-Wayne-every-month problem. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Beyond cool. How much does it rent for?”
When she told him, he raised a brow. “Can you afford that?” He didn’t want to make any assumptions about her finances, especially since she told him she was investing in an ownership share of the new spa.
A curious expression came over her face, a mixture of hope and uncertainty. It was the look that always clutched at his heart—the rare times she showed her vulnerable side. “No, I can’t... but the two of us together could.”
It took a moment for what she had said to sink in. Then his heart started hammering. “You want us to move in together?”
“Can you think of any place better?”
