Chapter 4

Kyle did have to say he was pleasantly surprised, when he pulled off the interstate at the exit for Bayview, to actually find a Starbucks. He loaded up with a grande Americano with two extra shots, enough caffeine to keep him awake while he made polite conversation with a dowdy innkeeper. While avoiding his true purpose for the visit.

Sipping his high-octane drink, he piloted his rental car down the highway to Bayview, taking note of the tropical landscaping on both sides of the road. He didn't know what he'd expected, but it wasn't the attractive homes and buildings, all with a distinct Florida appeal. Whatever that was, he thought.

When he saw the sign that said Entering Bayview, Population 3512, he cringed. What in hell could someone find to do in a town that small? He saw a convenience store a few yards past the sign and decided to pull in and feel out the situation. He noticed with idle interest the number of bikes parked outside the store and wondered if there was a special event going on.

When he pushed through the glass door, the first thing he saw was a circular rack filled with T-shirts of all colors. He paused to skim through them, taking note of the graphics of dolphins, hibiscus, and other Florida symbols, many with wording too cute for his taste.

Touristy. Of course.

To one side of the counter was a soft ice cream machine and next to it a popcorn-style cart offering boiled peanuts. Really? At the other end was a refrigerator case with a big sign that said Fresh Bait. He wandered around the store, taking note of the other merchandise they sold besides the usual convenience store items. Moving through the aisles, he found displays holding flip-flops, water toys, bathing suits, and beach towels. Did they have real stores in this town, or did everyone do all their shopping at - what was it called? - Dot's Mini Mart?

Glancing around as casually as possible, he tried to get a read on the people shopping. He had difficulty figuring out who were the tourists and who were the residents. They all seemed to be dressed in what he'd call beach casual, even the woman working behind the counter. She was medium height and slightly plump, the kind people always called squeezable. Her blonde hair was sprinkled with strands of gray and clung to her head in a riot of curls. Her eyes were the same green as her T-shirt that said, Dot Says It's So. Dot Says It's So? Really? And her smile was the kind you just could not resist. She looked like a Gulf Coast version of Mary Poppins. He wondered if he'd fallen into a movie musical by mistake and looked around for hidden cameras tucked into the corners.

Dot - at least he assumed that's who it was - was efficiently waiting on the steady line at the cash register, so he wandered a little more. By the door, he spotted a rack holding tabloid-size newspapers and picked up a copy of The Bayview Banner. Great. He could imagine what kind of news he'd find in there. Still, he folded it and tucked it under his arm for later. He took his place in line for the cash register, smiling at the woman when it was his turn to pay.

"Fifty cents," she told him.

Kyle dug into his pocket for change.

"This is quite a store you've got here," he commented.

She grinned at him. "People tell me we're a landmark here. You visiting or just driving through?"

Okay, so it was small enough here that strangers stood out.

"Actually, I thought I'd hang out for a few days. You know, get out of the rat race." He hoped she didn't ask him what rat race he meant. "I have a reservation at someplace called Hibiscus House."

The woman's lips stretched to a wide grin. "Oh lord, you will just love that place. And little Pepper is just the sweetest thing. She'll take good care of you, I promise."

Little Pepper? The sweetest thing? What the hell was he getting himself into? A finger of suspicion trolled its way up his spine. What had his parents gotten him into? He knew how devious they were, especially his mother, but this was just too much. He might be out of here by tomorrow. Sooner, if he felt trapped.

"Thanks. I'm sure I'll be dropping in again."

Back in his car, Kyle turned on the GPS on his phone again. Following the directions, he headed down the highway for another three miles before turning onto Hibiscus Lane - okay, this really was a movie. Magnolia trees and hibiscus bushes lined the narrow road which opened up into a large parking area and dead ended at a turn-of-the-century building complete with balconies and tall columns in the front. More hibiscus were planted around the building, and beyond it he could see the beach and Hibiscus Bay.

Getting out of his car, he took a moment to stretch his cramped muscles and inhale the crisp salt air touched with the scent of tropical flowers. The grounds were meticulously cared for, a point in favor of the owners. All the shrubbery was trimmed and the fences bordering the property a glistening white. He wanted to walk around and get a complete outside view of the place, but he figured he'd probably been spotted by now. Grabbing his suitcase, he climbed the three steps to the porch and opened the front door. Wind chimes immediately announced his entrance.

The lobby was clean and airy, the furniture upholstered in muted tropical colors. A graceful staircase curved up to the second story and in its curve was the registration desk. For a moment, he didn't see anyone. Hmm. Didn't they have those wind chimes to announce guests and visitors? Someone should be out at once, he would have thought.

But, in the next instant, a redheaded whirlwind spun out of the kitchen and launched itself at him. Legs wound around his waist, slender arms around his neck, and firm, nicely rounded breasts pressed into his chest. The scent of vanilla teased his nostrils and set his body on full alert. He was so startled, he was actually tongue-tied. What the hell was going on here? He'd never had a welcome like this before.

"Oh, Kyle," the whirlwind squealed. Then she planted a kiss on him that scorched him to the soles of his feet. "I'm so glad you got here. I want to introduce you." Still wrapped around him, she turned to the three people who had followed her into the room. "Here he is, everyone. My fiancé. Kyle Montgomery. Isn't he gorgeous?"

Fiancé? What the hell? Had he fallen into an alternate universe?