Tropical Leopard's Longing (Shifting Sands Resort 8)

She rose every morning before dawn, which would have felt ridiculously early at any other point in her life, and made bread dancing around the kitchen with the love of her life.

When the van finally pulled in at the gravel strip, Darla was smiling foolishly.

She could honestly not imagine a more perfect life.

Liam looked considerably less content than she did as he ushered the eight senior citizens from the charter plane.

“It was an interesting trip,” he confessed, looking thoroughly ruffled. “Mrs. Asher got lost in the Mexico City airport, and Mrs. Snaffit fell asleep in her luggage and you have no idea what someone shifting into a bear does for the weight and balance of a small plane. Thank goodness it was on the charter, and not the commercial airliner.”

“Interesting sounds like an understatement,” Darla laughed, and she stepped forward to help Mrs. Snaffit down the last of the steps from the plane. They didn’t have a wheelchair for Mr. Danby, who had been sedated for the trip to keep him from shifting into a mammoth mid-flight, but Liam gathered the old man easily into his arms and carried him to the waiting van as Travis assisted the chattering old ladies into their seats.

The seven ladies had a great deal to say about the road to the resort, the heat, the sun, Travis’ big muscles, the flowers, and, when they finally saw them, the cottages that Scarlet had assigned to the retirement community.

The resort owner had allotted four houses for the new residents, and Travis had constructed a large shelter for Mr. Danby; it was warm enough now that a roof over slat walls would more than suffice, and they had some time before storm season to come up with something more weather- and mammoth-proof.

The hedges between the four building had been removed, so it was a cozy community of homes, all at the same level, situated on a long, seamless lawn. One of the houses had been set up as a common area, with a dining table and chairs, couches, recliners, and televisions. The remaining three cottages were living quarters, and each of the new residents had a private room with a bed and a chair.

The seniors had a great deal to say about their rooms and after checking Mr. Danby’s vitals, Liam and Darla left them to unpack and explore their new campus.

“This is wonderful,” Liam said, coming back out into the sunlight. “How did you get it all done so fast?”

Travis, hauling in the last of the luggage, was pleased with the praise. “It wasn’t that much to do,” he said modestly. “Though I couldn’t answer for Graham and the landscaping. He can work miracles with the green stuff around here.”

“Speaking of miracles…”

Breck was standing in the doorway of the common cottage. Darla ran to give him a kiss.

“The breakfast crowd was small, so Chef let me out a little early to help Mrs. Shandy get settled in with all our new guests,” he explained, putting a hand around her waist.

“Is she fitting in well?” Darla asked.

“They’re already planning a backgammon tournament,” Breck said with a grin. “I don’t think they know what they’re up against.”

“I don’t know,” Liam said. “Mrs. Asher can hold her own if there isn’t any cheating.”

“Welcome back,” Breck said, offering a handshake that Liam warmly accepted. “How was the trip?”

“Grueling,” Liam said wryly. “I’m glad that it’s over.”

“How is your mom?” Darla asked. Alison had graciously declined Scarlet’s invitation to move to Shifting Sands, but had promised to keep it in mind when — if — Jubilee made good on her threats.

“She’s doing great, sends you a kiss.” He gave her a sideways look. “How’s your mom?”

“We got the earnest money back on the warehouse, less fees,” Darla was happy to report. “With the rest of the jewelry that Saina fenced for me, we have the dowry to pay back. We’ll be free and clear of the whole thing.” She played with the cheap fabric of her polo shirt. “There’s no word about a lawsuit yet, but it could happen at any time. I think she’s been busy having vapors over the fact that Eugene was manipulating her psychic. She hasn’t paid the remainder of the bill, of course.”

She had terribly mixed feelings. She had spent her life admiring her glamorous mother from a distance, but the real person behind the dazzling image had been so cold and heartless and Darla was only beginning to recognize how controlling she had been.

Liam gave her a look that suggested he understood the depths of her confusion. “I’m hoping for the best,” he said simply.

Darla smiled at him. “I’ll settle for not awful,” she said sincerely.

“I would be perfectly satisfied with ‘not awful’ at this point also,” Scarlet said, startling them all by suddenly being at the corner of the community house.

“I’m sorry for —” Darla started automatically.

Scarlet waved her off. “I’m not blaming any of you for circumstances,” she said firmly. “You don’t need to co

ntinue apologizing.” She gave the area a critical look. “I hope that this will suffice for now.”