Tidewater Inn (11 page)

“Forget that idea. Bad things happen even to good people. Life is hard. God never said it wouldn't be. And he's with us in the hard times.”

“I feel very alone,” she admitted.

“I know Tom will do all he can to find her.”

“I might believe that if he will look somewhere other than at me.” She finally spoke her greatest fear. “What if they dumped her at sea and she's fighting the waves out there?” He didn't have to answer that. If that was Nicole's fate, she'd be dead by now.

“There's no reason to think that.”

She stared at him, caught by a certain tone in his voice. Almost a hesitancy. “Do you know something you're not telling me?”

There was a long silence before he spoke. “Mr. McEwan said he saw two men go past his little island in a boat. He mentioned a sleeping woman.”

She sprang to her feet. “Nicole! Did he see Nicole?”

He held up his hand. “We don't know that. I'm going to take a run out there in my boat though. Once the storm subsides.”

“Can I come?”

“If you like.”

She bit her lip. “Everyone thinks she's dead. I can sense it. I just can't believe that. We have to find her.” She willed him to agree with her, but he looked down at his hands.

He rose from the armchair. “I think I'll call into the office and see if I'm needed.”

It was clear that he thought Nicole was dead.

The storm had finally died. Though it was still early, Libby took her mug of tea to the porch. The jute necklace was warm at her neck. She touched it, then opened the notebook her father left. What would Jesus have done yesterday? She grimaced when she realized money had been her first thought when Alec brought in people escaping the storm. Jesus would have been concerned about people, not money. She wrote down yesterday's date and jotted down how she'd failed. Today she would try to do better. She closed the notebook and tucked it into the cloth bag at her feet, then went down the steps to the beach.

Debris littered the lawn, but the old house had withstood the blow like the proud matriarch she was. Libby studied the stately lines of the house. It was so beautiful. Someone would pay handsomely to own this. She walked down the sloping sand. The boardwalk and cam where Nicole had been taken were about a mile down the beach. This stretch of sand seemed to go on forever. Did she dare walk along the shore alone?

Then a figure caught her eye. A man strode along the beach with a clipboard in his hand. Strikingly handsome, he had almost-black hair and broad shoulders. Muscular legs extended from walking shorts. As he neared, she realized his eyes were a vivid blue. He put her in mind of a young Elvis Presley. The breeze lifted his dark hair from his forehead.

She lifted a smile in the man's direction when she saw him looking at the inn and writing in his notebook. “Can I help you?”

He smiled and stopped about four feet from her. “I'm looking over the property for a client who is going to buy it.”

Her hackles went up. “Oh? I think you should make sure the owner wants to sell it.”

“Oh, it's a done deal,” he assured her. “Are you a guest?”

“No, I'm Libby Holladay. The owner.”

His smile vanished. “That's not possible. Mr. Brent Mitchell agreed to sell it to me.” His eyes narrowed. “What kind of scam is this?”

The proprietary way she felt about the house already was a shock. This was
her
house. “He was unaware until recently that I inherited the house, not him.”

He smiled, an obvious attempt to regain his composure. “Then I will direct my client's interest to you.” He held out a card. “I'm Kenneth Poe. I have a client who would like to purchase this property.”

She couldn't afford to reject his offer. “Why does your client want the property? It's not really a moneymaking venture at the moment. Tourists have to rent a boat to get here. I had a hard time getting here myself.” She decided not to tell him about Nicole's disappearance. It was none of his business.

He shifted his clipboard to the other hand. “I'm sure you see that the place is a monstrosity. It's going to take a lot of money to fix it up. Better just to tear it down.”

She gasped. “Tear it down? You have to be joking.”

He held up his hand. “Look at the place. Rotting wood, peeling paint, outdated rooms and baths. It would be cheaper to bulldoze it and start over.”

“The mansion should be on the historic registry. It will be if I have my way. I've spent my life protecting historic property. I'd die before I saw this place bulldozed.”

His smile was entirely too smug. “Come now, Ms. Holladay. I think we can persuade you. My client is willing to pay you ten million dollars for this property.”

The blood drained from her head, and she felt dizzy.
Ten million dollars
. The amount was outside her comprehension. She could buy a house outright, two houses, one for her and one for her stepbrother, here in town if she wanted. She could get a new car before her old clunker died for good. The future stretched out in an enticing way. But to follow that path, she would have to sacrifice an important piece of history. Could she turn her back on her convictions?

She wetted her lips. “I'll think about it.”

“You do that. I think you'll see it our way. And my client might be persuaded to give you other incentives, such as a parcel elsewhere to build your own place. I'm sure we can come to an agreement. He's very eager to have this property.”

Hope Beach would be just like the rest of the beach towns. There wouldn't be anything unique about this little bit of paradise any longer. Libby couldn't bear the thought, but she couldn't afford to reject it out of hand either. Any other investor would have the same idea, and this one seemed eager to move now.

“Like I said, I'll think about it.”

“The offer won't be extended for long. If you don't wish to sell, he'll go after something else. I'd advise you to accept his offer before he loses interest. There are other properties he can purchase.”

She bit her lip. “Could I meet with him? See what his plans are?”

Poe shook his head. “I doubt he'd have the time. He would tell me to say take it or leave it.”

“I'll let you know next week,” she said.

She watched him walk away and chewed her lip. What should she do? That was a lot of money.

What would Jesus do?

T
EN

T
he expansive lawn had been meticulously groomed. The flower beds were in perfect condition for the garden party, and Lawrence smiled with satisfaction. His wife wouldn't be able to complain that he hadn't taken care of his duties as a host.

“How do I look, Daddy?” Katelyn twirled in a gauzy white dress.

His daughter might not be the most beautiful young woman he'd ever seen, but she was elegant and well bred. With her by his side, Poe could go far. Someone needed to be groomed to take over the Rooney businesses. Poe was the first man to come along who Lawrence felt might fill the ticket.

“Like a princess,” Lawrence said, kissing her cheek. “There's someone I want you to meet today.”

A dimple appeared in her cheek. “Your amazing Kenneth Poe?” she said. “I saw a picture. He's quite handsome.”

When she blushed, Katelyn was downright pretty. Lawrence hoped Poe could see her attractions. “There he is now,” Lawrence said, waving to Poe, who stood at the edge of the lawn looking around.

“Oh my,” Katelyn said. “H-He's like Elvis.”

Like Elvis. Lawrence hid his amusement. The girl was already halfway in love. Poe acknowledged the wave with an answering smile and strode across the green carpet of grass with a confident air. Lawrence liked arrogance in a man. Poe had the strength to tame Katelyn. And he'd dressed nicely for the occasion. The suit he wore was an Armani, if Lawrence was any judge—and he was. Poe's tie was silk, and he'd had a fresh haircut.

Lawrence put his arm around his daughter as Poe reached them. “You just flew in, Kenneth?”

He nodded. “My chopper landed an hour ago.”

Lawrence put his arm around Katelyn. “Kenneth, my boy, I'd like to introduce you to Katelyn. My one and only heir.” He put the emphasis on the last word.

Poe took her hand. “I'm honored to meet you, Ms. Rooney.”

“Call her Katelyn,” Lawrence ordered.

He noted the way Poe kept control of her hand for a little longer than necessary. The boy wouldn't let any grass grow under his feet. Poe kept his attention on Katelyn too. Smart. They chatted for several minutes, and Lawrence saw how Katelyn flirted. She liked him. And why not? Poe was certainly handsome enough. Their children would be good-looking too. And with any kind of luck, they would possess Lawrence's business acumen.

His wife called to Katelyn over by the food table. “I'll be right back,” Katelyn said with a lingering glance at Poe.

Poe watched her leave. “Your daughter is lovely.”

Lawrence put his hand on Poe's shoulder. “Feel free to call on her. I'd like nothing more than to have you for a son, my boy.”

Poe's eyes widened and he smiled. “I'm honored, sir. Do you think your daughter would be agreeable?”

“I'm sure you could persuade her.”

Poe's smile widened and his blue eyes were bright. “I'd like nothing better.” He glanced toward where Katelyn stood talking to guests. “Before she comes back, I have some news to report.”

“Oh?”

“The property is owned by someone other than Brent Mitchell.”

Lawrence shrugged. “Shouldn't be a problem, should it? Offer the same deal to the real owners.”

“I did. She was reluctant at first, but I think I can persuade her. It just may take a few weeks until I have her signed contract. The wrinkle is that Nicole Ingram is her business partner and friend.”

“Nicole Ingram? That's no problem. She's in my employ.”

For the first time, Poe appeared uncertain. “You know her?”

“She's part of the firm I hired to renovate some buildings. You know all about that.”

“I know the firm's name. I didn't know the employees.”

“What is this about?”

“She's the woman who found the cave.”

It wasn't often that Lawrence was unable to speak. “What did you do with her?” Lawrence held up his hand. “Never mind. I don't want to know. This is getting more and more complicated. Just get the property signed and delivered. I want to break ground by the end of the summer.”

Poe nodded. “My thoughts exactly. The thought of ten million dollars was quite an enticement to the owner.”

“Just get it done,” Lawrence snapped. He nodded toward his daughter, who was approaching with a smile. “You'll be part of my family soon if you get this deal settled.”

Emotion flickered in Poe's eyes and his jaw hardened. “I'll do that, sir. You won't be sorry you trusted me with this.”

Lawrence's good mood had evaporated. The property would be his no matter what he had to do.