NautiCal (Forever Wilde 8)

“Of course,” I said around a lump in my throat. “Do you think I should come home and see if she needs help? If she has surgery or something, she might—”

“No, no. Let’s wait and see how bad it is. If she does have surgery, she’ll probably need some help, but I think Brian and Sharon are there too. They can probably help.”

Her nephew and his wife would be about as much help as a toddler would. I’d met Sharon a few times in the past and remembered her fondness for high heels and a full face of makeup. I couldn’t picture her getting her hands dirty to help anyone with much of anything. Maybe this was a sign. I couldn’t help her with the sailing school, but I could help her recover from surgery.

“Well,” I said, trying to project more confidence in the decision than I felt, “no matter what, I’ll head home on Sunday if I can find a decent flight, okay?”

Grandpa’s voice was soft and steady. “That would be great, sweetheart, but only if you’re ready.”

I hadn’t imagined I’d have to come home and face the couple who’d be taking over my dream all at the same time. Lord knew, I wasn’t anywhere close to ready.

But it was time.

When Nat and Mia came to find me for another sail, I threw everything I had into enjoying the time I had left here. Not only would I miss most of the people on this ship, but I would also miss the peaceful, easy feeling of finding solace in the sun and the sea.

I spent the afternoon drinking in every gust of wind and spray of water that landed on my skin. As the sun shined down on me, I even forgot Worth for a little while and simply enjoyed my time in this island playground I’d fallen in love with over the past two years.

The memories would have to hold me through a north Texas winter while I tried to figure out what my life was going to be about.

18

Worth

The conference call went even better than I’d expected, and we scheduled a meeting in San Jose for the following week to talk through specifics. I was excited to have a new project to tackle, especially anticipating being a little out of sorts after leaving Cal behind.

I’d developed some feelings for him beyond friendship and even beyond whatever part-time lover status we’d ventured into by making our relationship physical. I wasn’t so short-sighted as to think those feelings would magically disappear the moment my plane took off from the St. Mitz airport.

Staying busy would be crucial, and by the time I returned to Chicago, I’d be ready to tackle my job with renewed vigor.

It was always good to have a plan. I thrived on plans.

I hopped up the staircase to the main deck, excited to share my news with whomever I found first. I looked around for Cal but couldn’t find him. Jade was half-asleep on the big lounger in the bow while Prescott flipped through his phone a few feet away.

“Where’s Cal?” I asked.

“Sailing,” Jade murmured. “He’s created a monster.”

I shaded my eyes and looked out to see if I could spot the Hobie Cat. Its rainbow sail was easy to find since it was farther out than any of the other rentals.

Mia’s colorful hair clued me in to the newest sailing convert. “Oh good. Is Lucas with them too?”

“Yes, he’s like a kid in a candy store on that thing.”

I was happy to hear they were still having fun with the little sailboat, but I had to admit being a little disappointed neither Cal nor Lucas were around to talk to about my business excitement. I didn’t care to spend more time being lectured by my sister on turning Cal into a life partner, so I avoided her and headed back inside to get a drink. I settled on the sofa on the deck behind the living room with a cold beer and my laptop. Since I was by myself for a little while, I thought I might do a little research into Calgary Wilde.

Of course, I justified the intrusion by telling myself that I was researching him as a possible investment, but that wasn’t true at all. I was committed to considering investments as objectively as possible, and a twenty-three-year-old sailing instructor wasn’t a proven entity yet.

I glanced up to see if I could spot the Hobie Cat from where I sat. The boat was heeling with Mia at the helm, and I had to remind myself that Cal would easily be able to right the boat if it capsized.

I went back to my browser and entered his name. Several articles about him at Texas A&M popped up. Most of them were about regattas he’d helped win on the sailing team, but two of them were about a business school presentation about the effects of community outreach on small businesses that had impressed local company owners.