Page 47

“Did you tell them an Englishman was coming?”

I scrunch my brow. “No. Why?”

“Because they have beans, tomatoes, toast, bacon, and eggs. No sausage, but otherwise it’s a perfect English breakfast.”

“Oh boy. What about tea?”

“There’s that too in the cupboard. But I’ll have that later. Coffee is ready.” He bobs his head over toward the pot of black stuff waiting for me.

“Can I take him and put him in his chair while you finish up?”

“Erm, yeah, that’d be great actually. Thank you.”

Fen comes eagerly into my arms, and I twirl him around, mindful of my brace and wrist as I set him into his highchair with only a minor protest.

“Can you say Keegan? Kee-gan.” I elongate my name.

Fen simply gives me that charming, toothy smile he does so well and makes some impatient noises when Loomis starts to plate up some food.

“Hold there, lad. It’s hot.”

I pour a cup of coffee and plate some eggs and bacon for myself. I don’t know about beans or cooked tomatoes with all of that, but before I can decide, Loomis scoops some of both onto my plate.

“Trust me.” He winks, and with his own plate in his hand, he goes to the table to feed Fen and eat.

I set my plate down and sip on my coffee and try not to watch him talk to Fen as he feeds him. Loomis is in a good mood this morning. I don’t know if it’s being here on the island with a bit of freedom he hasn’t had in months or the sunshine and warm air outside the window or what. It’s infectious, though, and I end up eating everything on my plate while ignoring Loomis’s smug grin.

I do the dishes and load up the dishwasher—one-handed, I might add—and the moment that’s done, I go upstairs, grab my laptop, refill my coffee, and head out into the garden. Time to start writing. And ignore the hot, shirtless guy headed for the pool with a baby in his arms.

15

Fen finds a rooster. There are three of them on this island by my count, along with two chickens. They have a coop in the garden that’s far bigger than I thought. But Fen loves the roosters who run from him or chase him in return. He thinks it’s hilarious, and I’m somewhere in between making sure it’s all fun and games and these wild birds don’t take it upon themselves to peck my kid’s eyes out.

I’m also ignoring Keegan, who has found a small table with an umbrella on the edge of the grass directly overlooking the ocean. There are all kinds of small alcoves here, and I can see why her uncle and aunt bought this island. Key West sits like a giant beacon from the east end of the island, and that’s when I catch the boats heading our way. Two of them, in fact.

A bolt of nerves hits me until I recognize one of them is the boat for the island and the other is a smaller, speed cruiser that whips up in the wake the larger boat is making. Within minutes, Paulo and Alicia are tying the boats to the dock and heading our way with… two large boxes in their hands.

“Good morning, sir,” he greets me, and I return the welcome to both of them. “We have gates for you, yes? Miss Keegan said you need them.”

Miss Keegan is on the other side of the island and has no clue they’re here, but I thank them in Spanish since gracias is easy and one of the few words in the language I know.

“We also return the boat.”

Again I thank them in Spanish, though they’re speaking to me in English, and I feel like a fool for it. I follow them inside and set Fen down to try to take the boxes, but they wave me off, insisting they’ll install them. I’ve never met such kind, giving people before. People who go above and beyond their job and do it all with a smile. I’m starting to realize the Fritz family surrounds themselves with people like that, and I’m jealous.

I’ve surrounded myself with sharks, thinking I needed them to keep me swimming.

I thank them again, this time in English, and follow Fen out the door since outside is the only place he wants to be. I lather him in sun cream, attach his floaty thing that snaps around his chest and arms, and the two of us find the pool.

Fen has no fear. Not even a bit. He takes off and jumps straight into the water, me hot on his heels. He goes under but immediately pops up, sputtering and shocked from the cold and the water rushing over his face, only to break out into a world of giggles.

“I am in so much trouble with you. You are exactly like I was.” I shake my head, my heart pounding in my chest. “Don’t turn me into one of those parents who put their kids on a leash. I see them in the airport all the time and I shamelessly judged them. Until now.”

“Dada.”

“Yes. Dada.” I kiss his nose. “Can you say water?” I cup some in my hand and pour it over his head.

He squeals and spins in his floaty, his legs kicking beneath the surface, propelling him in a circle.