The Billionaire's Island Bride (South Shore Billionaires 3)

“I guess this is good-night,” he said softly.

“Thank you for dinner. And for introducing me to your friends. They seem very, very nice.”

“They are.”

“And tell Raelynn her food was exquisite.”

“All right.”

He kissed her lightly this time, not pulling her close, but a gentle, slightly lingering contact that left his lips aching for more. But he’d do the smart thing and go home, have a whiskey with his pals and put this whole thing in perspective. Stars and moonlight did strange things to a man, didn’t they?

“Good night,” he said and stepped away.

“Good night. I’ll wait to let Marvin out until after you’re out of sight. Otherwise you won’t get away for another twenty minutes.”

He chuckled lightly, but his chest was tight at the feelings he was developing for this woman and her dog.

So he turned away and walked out of the circle of her porch light and back toward the mansion on the hill, waiting for him.

CHAPTER SEVEN

BROOKLYN WATCHED THE forecast carefully over the days ahead. The hurricane had been a category three as it barreled its way north, and now, maybe thirty-six hours away, had been downgraded to a cat two.

She made a trip to the mainland for supplies before the surf started picking up. Batteries, lamp oil, dog food and easy-to-prepare foods were top of her list. It wasn’t her first storm, and she was fully prepared to spend a few evenings knitting by lantern light with a glass of wine if it came to that. There was still water in her rain barrels she could use for plumbing, and she filled two ten-gallon jugs that she’d use for drinking and cooking.

All models pointed to a direct hit just south of here as it made landfall, and even if it ended up as a category one, Brooklyn was pretty sure she’d lose power for several days. She had a small generator that would run her fridge and a few other things if required, but she relied on low-tech solutions to weather any outages.

She also hadn’t heard from Cole since the night of the dinner party. She missed him. Of course, that in itself was a bad idea, so she didn’t bother to initiate contact, either.

Instead she figured she’d have one lovely evening to remember; the night she stargazed with a billionaire and they made out on the beach. She smiled a little. It was a damned good memory, to be honest. One of those “there was this one time” stories. Had she really said she trusted him, and meant it?

Starlight was a funny, funny thing. Because for the first time in forever, she’d forgotten to feel threatened. Forgotten to be cautious.

She grabbed her lamps and filled them with lamp oil to shake away the unsettling thoughts. When the power went out, the darkness was the kind where a person couldn’t see their hand in front of their face. Her favorite lighting was from the oil lamps. It was so warm and cozy. If she got cold, she’d put a fire on in the fireplace. She’d already brought wood into the back porch for that very reason.

Marvin sat by her feet. He’d been keeping rather close today, a good indication that storm weather was on its way. Outside it was sunny, but the air was still. Brooklyn was glad she’d gone over to the mainland and was already back. The surf would pick up soon, ahead of the storm. The wind would slip in, full of restless, restrained energy that shushed through the leaves. It was mild, too, the tropical air humid and heavy.

She wondered if Cole was prepared. His boat was still at the dock, and unless the helicopter had come while she was in

town, he hadn’t left the island.

Lamps filled and fresh batteries in her flashlights, she called Dan and then took Marvin and headed to the main house and garage. Marvin trotted ahead, and she called to him when they neared the garage where Dan and Raelynn lived. Dan met her in the drive, wearing a pair of rubber boots and a windbreaker.

“You’re sure the tractor will tow his boat?”

She nodded. “Pretty sure. We only have to get them out of the water and to the boathouse. Then at least they won’t smash up against the dock, and they’ll be away from the trees.”

Dan nodded and opened the garage door. “The key is in it. You’re in charge, Brooklyn. I don’t have a lot of experience with boats. Limos now...that’s more my style.”

“Don’t worry. I know what to do. You just have to take orders.” She grinned and winked at him, and he laughed. She liked Dan a lot. He and Raelynn made a really cute couple.

Brooklyn hopped up on the tractor and whistled for Marvin, who hopped up on the step beside her left foot. While Dan waited, she pressed in the clutch and brake and turned the key, the diesel engine rumbling to life. Marvin looked like she’d just given him the world’s best present. He loved riding on the tractor. It was maybe bigger than required, but Ernest had always wanted the best. And she had to admit, in the winter, it did a heck of a job at snow removal once the blower attachment was installed.

They’d go to the boathouse and get the trailers, and then take the boats out of the water. Brooklyn wasn’t taking any chances. Her boat was her only way on and off the island.

* * *

Cole went to his window when the strange rumbling sound touched his ears. To his amazement, he saw a big orange tractor heading down the lane, with Brooklyn in the driver’s seat and Marvin’s golden head beside her. Dan was walking behind, and Cole wondered what the heck they were up to.