Hurricanes in Paradise by Denise Hildreth Read Free Book Online Page A

it. I’m rambling, aren’t I? Sorry, I don’t mean to ramble. When you have a six-year-old, every now and then you ramble. So, okay, well, then . . . I guess good-bye. Well, it’s not good-bye; we’ll see each other around and everything. But good-bye for a date. Tonight. Yeah. Alrighty, then. I’m hanging up now. Okay. Bye-bye.”
    She disconnected and stuck the phone back in her pocket. “Okay, you’re an idiot twice. Twice in one day. Why don’t you see if you can make it three? I hear that’s a lucky number. And this is just the place for lucky numbers.”
* * *
     
    Mia was in Riley’s office when she turned the corner. She stepped from around the back of Riley’s desk. Her presence caught Riley off guard. “Hey, um, what’s up? You looking for something particular?”
    “Oh no, I was just checking on something for Mrs. Harris. I knew you had written her appointments down on your calendar, so I was just checking it to make sure I had it right.”
    “No problem. I actually wrote them down and gave them to her. And she’s a character, let me tell ya.”
    “Well, they called to confirm her dolphin experience tomorrow, so I was just checking it with your time.”
    Riley slipped around Mia and looked at her calendar. “It’s at ten thirty tomorrow.”
    “Good. That’s what they have. Do you need me to assist you with anything for Ms. Fulton?”
    Riley’s brow furrowed as she pulled her phone out of her pocket and laid it on top of her calendar. “Um, yeah, there is. Could you get us dinner for two tonight at Mesa Grill, back table, something quiet?”
    “Consider it done. Anything else?”
    “Yeah, let’s keep a good eye on Tamyra. Something’s not quite right there.”
    “Will do. So if that’s all, I’ve got a few other guests to check on. Let me know if you need me.” Mia walked toward the door of Riley’s office, then turned. “Oh, I did get an update on the hurricane. They said its course has been so erratic that they’re not sure where it is going to make landfall, but they are saying if it follows its projected course, we’re in it.”
    “Of course we are. With a week this packed, why not throw a hurricane on top of it?”
    “I’ll keep my eyes on it. We’ve already had quite a few cancellations for the week, though.”
    “Well, let’s do everything we can to be prepared. There are always those determined few that won’t leave regardless.”
    “Yeah, I hear they can be pretty headstrong when it comes to vacating early on a vacation.”
    “Can’t blame them. I figure if they’re willing to make the reservation during hurricane season, they’re risk takers anyway.”
    Mia laughed. “Got quite a few of those here, it seems. See you later.”
    “Thanks, Mia. Great job. Really.”
    “It’s my pleasure, Riley.” And she left.
    Riley looked at her watch. She had fifteen minutes to go grab Gabby. That would give her time to call Jeremy. If they were in the path of a hurricane, she didn’t want her daughter in it.
* * *
     
    Riley clicked the Weather Channel off and went back into the kitchen. Macaroni swirled in the hot, salty water like synchronized swimmers in a pool. “Angel girl. Come in here for a second. Mommy needs to tell you something.”
    Gabby bounded into the kitchen, wearing her pale pink leggings and pink leotard, and plopped onto a barstool at the counter. “I know. I know. Melissa’s coming to watch me tonight. That’s the only time you cook macaroni and cheese.”
    Riley laughed as she twirled the wooden spoon through the cloudy water. “Yes, and Mommy’s very sorry. But there is something else I have to tell you. Daddy is coming in early to get you. He’ll be here tomorrow.”
    “But you said he’s coming in next weekend.” Her voice began to tremble slightly.
    Riley turned the burner off and set the spoon down in the ceramic spoon holder by the stovetop. She walked around the bar and knelt down, turning her body toward Gabby. She placed