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

“The storm’s still a cat two,” Dan said. “That’ll cause some serious damage.”

“And depending on when it hits, the storm surge could really be devastating.” Brooklyn frowned. “Cole, is your friend Branson ready? His place is lovely, but so close to the shore. The cliffs aren’t very high, either.”

“You know it?”

She smiled. “Everyone knows that property. The lighthouse was a legendary make-out spot in high school.”

Dan laughed and Cole was left wondering if she’d ever gone to the lighthouse for that sort of activity. But he wasn’t going to ask. He didn’t need that picture in his brain if she confirmed it.

“I hope so. Jeremy, too. We’re all right in the path.”

Silence fell for a few moments, and he noticed the wind had an eerie sound to it. “It feels weird.”

Brooklyn smiled a little. “The wind? Yeah. The waves are gonna pick up really soon. By tomorrow night we’ll be in the thick of it. But you wait. Before it hits? There’ll be tons of surfers out catching the swell.” She shook her head. “That’s not for me. Last time we had a storm this big, power was out on the mainland for five days. I guess I’m chill about it once I’m prepared, but I don’t see it as something to play with.”

Cole looked over at her and saw lines of worry near her eyes. “You know if it looks bad, you can come out to the house and wait it out with us. Marvin, too.”

“Oh, we’ll be fine. Not our first rodeo.”

He knew she would be. She was one of the most independent, capable women he’d ever met. “Of course you will. But you’re welcome just the same.”

“Thank you.”

He downed what was left in his cup and stood. “Well, thanks for the coffee, but I should probably be getting back. I’ve been working with the New York office today, and I have a call at four that I need to prep for.”

“I’ll head back with you, and take the tractor,” Dan agreed. “But you can ride shotgun if you want to, boss.”

Brooklyn laughed and snorted, and Cole couldn’t stop the smile that spread over his face. She was so darned artless.

“I’ll walk. And see you there.” He met Brooklyn’s gaze. “Thank you for moving my boat. Please be careful during the storm, okay?”

Her smile slipped and she nodded. “I will. You do the same. And we can check in when it’s over.”

“The invitation still stands. You and Marvin are welcome any time.”

She nodded.

He tried not to think about her down here all alone if things got scary. She was a big girl and could take care of herself.

But damned if he didn’t want to. Why did he keep having that impulse?

CHAPTER EIGHT

HURRICANE PAULA ROARED into Nova Scotia as a strong category one. Before it ever made official landfall, power was out all over the south shore. Brooklyn stared out the window at the wind and rain. It wasn’t raining heavily yet; this was just one of the outer bands getting started. But this was gearing up to be a doozy, and for the first time ever she was nervous about being here at the house.

It was only four o’clock and still daylight, but soon darkness would fall as the worst of the storm wreaked havoc on her island. Marvin sat at her knee, never moving. He was a loyal companion, always at her side at any sign of trouble. She patted his head and rubbed his ears. And thought of Cole and Dan and Raelynn, up at the house, hopefully safe and cozy.

There was a large crack and a whoosh and she jumped up and ran to the window. One of the trees in her front yard had broken off, tilting awkwardly into the lane. She looked down at Marvin again. The sound had startled him and now he was panting. Good heavens, this was just the prelude. And as much as she loved the little house, she realized she really didn’t want to be alone right now. Not when there was company to be had.

“Come on, Marvin.” She went to grab his leash and filled a zipped baggie with kibble. Then she took her waterproof pack and put the kibble and a change of clothes inside, along with her toothbrush. There were three people at the house and he had extended the offer, after all. Things would be fine until morning, and then she’d come down and run the generator as cleanup began.

She pulled on her raincoat and boots, fastening the hood of her jacket around her chin with the Velcro closing. With Marvin’s leash tight in her hand, she locked the door with the other hand and tested it, then kept her eye on the handful of trees nearby, just in case they too succumbed to the wind. A gust buffeted her and she staggered, but then she gripped the leash and started toward the other end of the island. Marvin squinted against the driving rain but trotted along beside her.

To her right she could see the coastline, and the wild spray that filled the air as the big waves crashed onto the rocks.

Paula was far more dangerous than her name sounded.