Haley started shaking her head.
“I don’t need to know about your past.”
“I want to tell you… I’m just afraid I’ll lose you if I do.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want to tell me.” Haley took a deep breath and took his hands to tug him down until he was on his knees in front of her.
“You know what my favorite season of the year is?”
Desmond gave her a strange look at her changing the topic.
Haley went on. “Fall. The leaves are so full of beauty as they fall down to the earth after battling the wind, leaving behind the tree that is still standing there, ugly, waiting for another season to come so it can be beautiful again.” Her hands cupped his cheeks.
“How many years have you had to battle the cold winters alone?”
At her soft question, she didn’t expect the strong reaction she received.
“Too long.”
As he dipped his head to her lap, she felt his shoulders start to shake. Curling her arms around him, she laid her head on his back as she cried with him. She had worked with troubled youths too many years not to have recognized the signs Desmond had put out. When each new runaway had come in, she had never judged them for their actions, and she wasn’t going to judge him.
“As much as I love the color of fall, springtime is my favorite, with the new leaves blooming. Whether the tree is naked or covered in leaves of various colors, it’s the same tree underneath, despite all the camouflage. I didn’t fall in love with you because of the façade you wear, your wealth or possessions; I fell in love with the part you tried to hide the most. Your heart. Did you see the faces of the people on the island today? The bride and groom’s joy of being there? Mine, for the last few weeks? You’re responsible for that happiness, Desmond.”
When Desmond raised his head, she handed him the tissues he had given her.
“Your pregnancy symptoms are getting to me.”
“At least you aren’t craving a McDonald’s cheeseburger. There isn’t one on the island. Or is there?” she asked hopefully.
“No.”
She pouted at him. “Do you have cheeseburgers on the menu here?”
“No, and the chef here would have a heart attack if you asked for one.”
“Why would he care?”
“He only cooks gourmet dishes.”
“Then fire him and find someone else.”
“I would if I could. I’m stuck with him until his contract runs out. I even tried to pawn him off on Dante.”
“How did that work out?”
“Not too well, which is why he’s here.”
“I have a suggestion. I may know someone who will take him off our hands.”
“I’ll take any suggestion at this point. Who is it?”
“Rhone.”
“Do I have your permission to be devious?”
“How devious? He’s my friend, and he got me out of a bad situation when I needed him.”
Desmond didn’t act like he liked her last sentiment.
“He tried to steal you away from me so he could marry you, then ditch you to resume chasing after models who are at the top of their game.”
“I forgot that part of your conversation…”
He laughed.
“Hand me my cell phone.”
“You going to call Rhone and ask him to take the chef?”
Haley gave him a stern glance. “Of course not. I couldn’t lie to a friend.”
Taking the phone, she sent a series of numbers to Desmond’s phone.
“You are, and I think Mr. Chef deserves a raise.”
“What about all the happiness I give people? This isn’t going to make Rhone happy.”
“With sunshine, a little bit of rain must fall.”
Instead of reaching for his phone, Desmond’s hand curled over the swell of her stomach.
“I told you I had loved a woman when I was younger. The first time I saw her, all I could think about was making her mine.”
Haley didn’t feel a spurt of jealously at the confession, not with the loving way he was touching her.
“You know what I think anytime you walk into a room, or I touch you?”
“No. What?” she asked solemnly.
“I’m yours.”