Page 21 of Hibiscus Heights (Crown Island #4)

D eb compared a handful of paint swatches against the rug in the meeting room.

The final decor was progressing well, but details mattered enormously to her.

The exact shade of blue would make all the difference between coastal elegance and a tacky beach theme.

Every color changed in the light, compounding the problem.

“This one is better,” she said to the head of the painting crew, pointing to a swatch that matched elements in the rug and other furnishings. She held out a sample.

The painter nodded, making a note on his clipboard. “We’ll get that mixed and tested this afternoon.”

Deb’s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she checked the message. Knox had a question about custom light fixtures she’d ordered for the main hallway. She tapped a response and returned to her color deliberations.

A hotel staff member stepped inside the door. The young woman said, “Excuse me, but you have visitors at the front desk.”

Hating to step away, Deb frowned. “Can you put them through on the phone?”

“They asked to see you in person.”

With a sigh, Deb gathered her notes and swatches. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes, so please take a break. We have another room to sort out, too.”

As she made her way through the hotel’s grand corridors, Deb admired the work Knox’s crews had already completed. The restored crown moldings gleamed against freshly painted walls, and new carpet runners over the refinished hardwood floors muffled her footsteps.

When she reached the lobby, Whitley stood behind the reception desk, his bright banana-yellow jacket standing out like a beacon. He smiled when he saw her, then nodded discreetly toward two familiar figures seated in the lobby’s seating area.

Mason and Teddy.

Her heart leapt at the sight of the boys. They spotted her and jumped to their feet, breaking into broad grins.

“What are you two doing here?” Deb glanced around. “And where’s your father?”

The boys exchanged a quick look that aroused her suspicion.

“He’s taking a nap,” Mason said. “We were bored in the hotel room.”

“So, you just wandered off?” Deb raised an eyebrow.

Teddy nodded eagerly. “We left a note. And we know the hotel pretty well now.”

Whitley joined the conversation. “I’ve been assisting our young guests. They asked if I could help them find you.”

“We wanted to ask you something,” Teddy blurted out. “Will you have dinner with us tonight? Dad said we’re eating at the cafe, so we thought it would be fun if you came, too.”

“Since you’re already here,” Mason added.

A flutter of unease filled Deb. “Does your father know about this plan?”

The brothers exchanged an uncomfortable look.

Mason’s face flushed. “I don’t think he’ll mind. Aunt Jen said he used to like you a lot.”

“He still does,” Teddy added. “Can you bring Duke to the beach? We saw some people with dogs there.”

Deb narrowed her eyes, growing increasingly suspicious of their motives. As the boys launched into an animated discussion about what games they could play with Duke on the beach, Whitley leaned closer to her, and she stepped aside.

“If I may add some context,” he whispered, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I believe they’re undertaking some innocent matchmaking efforts.”

Heat rose in Deb’s cheeks. “They have no idea about the history between their father and me.” Whitney had been there when Grant stood her up years ago.

“That makes their instincts all the more remarkable, doesn’t it?”

Before Deb could respond, Teddy tugged at her sleeve. “Will you come? We could have ice cream for dessert.”

Her heart twisted at his hopeful expression. These boys seemed to want maternal warmth in their lives, and they’d latched onto her. It was touching yet concerning.

“That’s very sweet of you to invite me, but I?—”

“There you are.” A woman’s voice interrupted.

Deb turned to see an attractive woman about her age. There was something in her features that reminded her of Grant.

Mason ducked his head. “Aunt Jen. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Obviously,” Jen said, her gaze assessing Deb with undisguised curiosity. “I’ve seen you around the hotel. At the spa, I think. You’re the designer with the dog, right?”

Mason beamed. “We told her about you.”

“I’m Jen, their aunt. I was supposed to be watching these two while my brother napped, but they slipped away while I was on the phone.”

“We asked Deb to dinner,” Teddy said, clearly proud of his efforts.

Jen’s eyebrows rose with interest. “Did you now?”

“I’m afraid I have to decline,” Deb said to the boys. “I have quite a lot of work to do here at the hotel, and I promised Duke a run on the beach later.”

“Can we come?” Teddy asked.

Jen raised her brow in a warning look. “We talked about this. Adults need some alone time. Besides, I bet she’s tough to keep up with.”

Disappointment clouded their faces, and a pang of guilt struck Deb.

Jen turned back to Deb. “I heard you’re the one to beat in the annual marathon.”

“Maybe in my age category.” Sailor beat her last year.

Jen had a curious smile on her face. “I think you should join us later. My mom told me about you.”

That intrigued Deb, but just then, a familiar voice called her name.

Matteo strode across the lobby to her. He was impeccably dressed in tailored slacks and a crisp shirt. A wine carrier was slung over his shoulder, and he greeted her with kisses to both cheeks. “I hoped I’d see you here.”

From the corner of her eye, she saw Teddy’s eye bulge, and he slapped a hand to his mouth. Mason nudged him to be quiet.

Deb was surprised. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I have an appointment with Ryan and the director of food and beverage about my wines.” He nodded at Jen and the boys. “Forgive me if I’m interrupting.”

Deb noticed Jen’s gaze flicking between her and Matteo with interest. “This is Mason and Teddy. And Jen, their aunt.”

“A pleasure,” Matteo said, smiling warmly.

The boys, however, seemed less enthusiastic about this new arrival. Teddy’s lower lip jutted out slightly while Mason studied Matteo with poorly concealed suspicion.

Mason tugged at his brother’s sleeve. “Let’s go back to the room before Dad wakes up.”

Jen nodded. “It was nice to meet you finally, Deb. I hope we’ll see you around the hotel. And thanks for making sure the boys didn’t have to wash dishes in exchange for their lunch.”

“I was happy to do it.” Deb smiled, recalling how they met.

As Jen led the boys away, Deb noticed Teddy looking back at her, his little mouth turned down with disappointment. She gave him a little wave of encouragement.

Whitley, who had been keenly observing the entire exchange as if watching a play, cleared his throat. “Mr. Kingston is waiting for you. Shall I show you to the executive offices?”

Matteo turned to Deb. “Would you like to join us?”

“I need to meet with the painters. Good luck with your meeting.” Deb was eager to escape this sudden tangle of relationships surrounding her.

She hurried toward the meeting room, her chest tightening. The boys’ attachment to her was touching but troubling. Jen’s curiosity made Deb wonder if Grant had confided in her their history that she had worked so hard to forget. And Matteo’s appearance had only complicated matters.

Deb drew back her shoulders. She was at work, this was her profession, and with the official reopening event looming, she had little time for personal drama.

While her heart ached for those motherless little boys, Grant and Matteo were distractions.

And in her experience, the men would be fleeting at best.

Still, as she thought of Mason and Teddy, an image of what might have been lodged deep within her.