At the Sight of Holly Read online

  Days like this didn’t leave him with much to do. So, he sat in the recliner by the lamp, shut it off, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep. But even with the light off, there was one thing that shined bright: the thought of the golden-haired beauty. He couldn’t believe he’d asked her out. Technically, he’d traded his services for a date. That sounded a bit lame now, and he couldn’t believe those words had actually come out of his mouth. What was even more shocking was, Janet agreed.

  The best place to eat was at the resort, but she worked there. He needed to come up with something more original. Normally Vinny ate at home. He wasn’t opposed to cooking for someone else, but she probably was expecting something…edible.

  He racked his brain trying to think of someplace appropriate to bring her. Dating wasn’t something he’d had time to do since arriving in Tabiq a year ago. He’d made friends with some of the locals and would turn to them for advice. If there was a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, they’d know about it.

  It was just dinner, nothing more. Yet, he still wanted to make a good impression. Thankfully he had the weekend to figure it out. Damn. I really need to fix that truck.

  Chapter 2

  Janet had caved and decided dinner with Isa and Drake was much easier than coming up with excuses as to why she blew them off. As usual, she and Isa did most of the talking at the table. Not that Drake was unfriendly, but he spoke mostly about business, whereas she and Isa chatted about everything but the resort.

  “Why don’t I put the baby to bed and you ladies can talk about the man who dropped Janet off at work?”

  Isa looked at Drake then back to Janet. “You’ve been here for two hours and I have to learn about this from my husband?”

  Janet rolled her eyes. “Thanks Drake.”

  “My pleasure,” Drake said. He gave Isa a kiss on the head before leaving the dining room with his sleeping daughter in his arms.

  “Ok. Start talking,” Isa demanded.

  “It’s nothing. My truck broke down and he gave me a ride.” Keeping it simple was the best way to handle this. The lecture about the truck was surely coming next.

  “Janet, I can’t stress to you enough how dangerous that was. You should’ve called me. I’d have sent someone to get you.”

  “It was just a ride. No different than taking a taxi. Not that you guys have them here. You really need to work on that.”

  Isa crossed her arms. “Don’t try changing the subject. What I don’t understand is why Drake made it seem to be more than just a ride.”

  Damn. Janet forgot that she’d been stammering about the date. “He may have asked me out.”

  “And?”

  “I may have said yes.” Janet felt like she was back home with her parents and needed permission to go out. That wasn’t the case at all. That didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate her friends watching out for her. “He seemed very nice.”

  “What could you learn about a person during a ride that maybe lasted fifteen minutes?”

  “Believe it or not, more than I have on some dates I went on back home.” In a way, it was true. Vinny had shared quite a bit—and done a good deal of boasting about his abilities—but she believed it was out of a desire to help her.

  “Let me be the judge of that. What’s his name?” Isa was from Tabiq, and between her and her sister Ziva, they knew most families here.

  “His name is Vinny Hartman.”

  Isa wrinkled her nose in thought. “I don’t believe I’m familiar with him. Is he a guest at the resort?”

  “No. He lives here and works as a mechanic. And he offered to fix my truck.”

  Isa rambled something in Tabiqian which sounded very much like cursing. “That’s it. If you won’t let me give you a car, then we are providing transportation to and from work each day. There is no way we are allowing that to happen again. Anything could’ve happened.”

  “Isa, nothing did. He was a gentleman who made sure I got to work safe and sound. And if he can’t fix my truck, then I’ll consider your offer. But I’m not here for charity. I came to do a job and if you show favoritism towards me, no one is going to believe I earned my position.” Maybe not even me.

  “I’m sorry Janet. I didn’t mean to insult you,” Isa said softly.

  Janet reached out and patted Isa’s hand. “You’re stubborn and independent, just like me. And that’s why I know you’ll understand why I have to do this on my own.”

  “Janet, you didn’t get the job because of your friendship. Drake doesn’t work that way and neither do the Hendersons. You are darn good at your job. Heck, you took me under your wing and showed me the ropes. If it hadn’t been for you, I’d have been fired on my second day, if not the first.”

  “Then as my friend, I’m asking you to trust me, my judgment. Vinny seemed…normal. And it’s only dinner.”

  “Okay, but please do me a favor?” Isa asked.

  “Should I be afraid to ask what that is?”

  Isa smiled. “No. Just be sure to keep me and Drake in the loop.”

  “I just did.”

  “I mean more than that. I shouldn’t have to hear it from Drake. If you go out with him, we’d like to meet him. Not for the reasons you think. But you’re far from home, and here, you’re like family. I want you to be happy, but this is my home, and I know things about here that…I never want you to experience.”

  Janet knew Isa had a troubled past. She never spoke about it, but at times Janet could see pain buried deep within Isa. This was one of those times. Janet didn’t want the evening to end on such a serious note, so she lightened the mood. “You mean nab myself a handsome billionaire. Boy that would totally suck,” Janet said teasingly.

  Isa smiled. “I can’t believe that myself. But sorry, Drake is taken. I can see if he has any single friends.”

  Janet shook her head. “Drake is a nice guy and everything, but I’m not sure he knows how to have…fun.”

  Isa laughed. “I’m not sure I remember how to either. I can’t believe how exhausting it is being a mother.”

  “I’m happy to babysit any time so you and Drake can go out. It’d be good for the two of you. Of course, outside of the resort, I have no idea what one does for fun here.”

  “That’s because there isn’t any. Maybe we can have you and Vinny over for dinner and maybe we can…play cards or…”

  Janet chuckled. “Yup. You’ve lost your fun. That’s it. I have next weekend off and consider this a warning.”

  “For what?” Isa asked.

  “That you have only a week to think of something exciting to do with that husband of yours. And please make it something better than cards, unless it’s going to be strip poker.”

  Isa’s eyes widened, then she burst out laughing. “I’ve never played before, but then again, it’s not a game I’d mind losing, either.”

  Janet was about to offer another snipping retort, when Drake returned. “I have no idea how that little angel of ours is sleeping through this racket. What’s so funny?” Drake asked. Janet and Isa looked at each other, then burst out laughing. “Maybe I don’t want to know,” Drake said, leaving the room again.

  The two of them spent the next half hour laughing at Drake’s expression. It reminded her of the fun times after working a late shift back at the Pussycat Lounge at High View Falls. Life was so much simpler then. She didn’t have any responsibilities except for herself.

  Here at New Hope she had a staff that she needed to train and monitor. This new position came with a learning curve for everyone. Luckily, she had friends to turn to whenever she needed them. Janet hated to admit it, but being here with her friends was exactly what she needed tonight. Nothing could be better. Well maybe if that handsome mechanic had been here too.

  * * *

  No one had to tell Vinny who had just pulled into his garage. For almost a year, Vinny had worked for Drake Fletcher and the Hendersons. But he hadn’t seen any of them since the job ended a few months back. “Morning, Mr. Fletcher. Are you having prob
lems with your vehicle?” Vinny highly doubted it, as it was brand new and didn’t even have a scratch on it.

  “I’m not here for repairs,” Drake said.

  “What can I do for you then?” Vinny asked.

  “You asked a member of my staff out. Is that correct?”

  Vinny chuckled. “Yes, but I assure you, it was before she was on the clock. I don’t make a habit of harassing people on the job.”

  “That’s a damn good thing, or this conversation would be very unpleasant for you.”

  He wasn’t sure what was going on. Had Janet complained about him? She easily could’ve just said no when he asked her out. “If I’ve offended her, please let her know, that wasn’t my intention.”

  “What was your intention?” Drake asked.

  To get to know her. “Dinner.”

  “She’s far from home, and apparently so are you. I hadn’t realized you had stayed after the job ended. Tabiq isn’t usually the place people want to start a business.”

  “Funny, I think you guys just built a multi-billion-dollar luxury resort here. I just nabbed a rundown, beat-up garage to work on cars.”

  Drake glared at him. “I know why I’m here. What I don’t know is why you are.”

  Vinny wasn’t one to be intimidated by money or size. He’d grown up around a bunch of veterans who were some pretty tough guys. Looking Drake in the eyes, he responded, “I don’t believe I owe you an explanation.”

  “If you hurt Janet, there won’t be one needed. I’ll be back, and you’ll wish you’d gone back to the States.”

  “Are you this protective of all your staff?” Vinny asked.

  “She’s like family to my wife. As long as she’s in Tabiq, she’s under our protection, from the locals and anyone else. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Mr. Fletcher, I can assure you I’m not out to hurt Janet. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to work. If you haven’t noticed, that’s her truck, her only means of transportation. And right now, you’re delaying my fixing it,” Vinny stated.

  Drake pulled out his wallet. “How much for the repairs?”

  “Nothing. I had the time and the parts and Janet needed help. Instead of coming here acting like a total ass, next time you might want to just say thank you.”

  Vinny turned and walked back into the garage, leaving Drake to ponder that shit alone. Was it wise to piss off someone so rich and powerful here in Tabiq? No. But he needed to set Drake straight anyway. Vinny was taking Janet out, whether Drake liked it or not.

  He heard Drake start his car and pull away. It wasn’t really a great impression to make when taking out one’s friend, but he didn’t care for Drake’s tone. The guy had a lot of nerve, coming to his shop and making threats. If he wants to fight about it, I’m game. But it better be on a clear, sunny day.

  Vinny refused to look at it as a disability. It was just part of his life. His grandfather, mother, and now he has retinitis pigmentosa, RP. At the age of ten, he was diagnosed, and each year it was getting a bit worse. Slowly he was losing his peripheral vision, and when it was dark or cloudy, there was no way he could be behind the wheel, and he would more than likely get his ass kicked in a fight.

  He could stand there and dwell on what transpired, or actually do something productive. He’d installed the new starter in the truck earlier and it started, but did run a bit rough. So Vinny gave it a tune-up, changed all the fluids, and it sounded much better. Even though it was early December, Tabiq never got cold. It was just different levels of hot.

  He looked at his watch. He had enough time to fix her air conditioner as well. If he had the time, he’d give the truck a paint job too. But he’d promised her he’d have it for her Monday, and he’d already lost valuable time Friday. The best he could do was get it running right. If he ever got his hands on it again, then maybe he could knock out the dents and give it a fresh new look. None of what he was doing guaranteed that Janet was going to fall in love with the truck.

  When he finished, Vinny went into town. He was meeting Sarva, a local guy who needed help with a tracker. His business was starting to get noticed. He didn’t care if it was autos or heavy equipment. The money was all the same. He wasn’t going to get rich doing this, but his name was getting out there and he was making a living, for Tabiq at least.

  “Sarva, what do you have for me today?” Vinny asked.

  Sarva took him to the back of the barn and Vinny saw the backhoe tipped on its side. That wasn’t a repair; it was going to take a crane to lift upright. He hadn’t taken his tow truck with him. Instead he had taken Janet’s truck, to make sure he put some miles on it and to get the fluids through the entire system.

  “I’m going to need to come back tomorrow.”

  Sarva said, “But I need to work today.”

  Vinny knew these guys would work late, sometimes after dark. Most likely that’s how this accident happened.

  “It’s getting late and I need to work in the daylight to ensure the backhoe doesn’t get damaged.” And so I can see the damn thing.

  “Okay. I will be ready at sunrise. I won’t lose too much time that way,” Sarva said.

  Vinny had hoped to sleep in a bit, but he knew the backhoe might need more time than what Sarva was anticipating. Once it was upright, Vinny was going to have to check the fluids and all the components. He didn’t want to have to spend Monday there as well. Not when I have a beautiful woman like Janet going out with me.

  Chapter 3

  Janet couldn’t believe how quickly the weekend had gone by. It was strange not to see decorations for holidays here. But New Hope didn’t cater to any one group. She had to admit, she missed not being home for Thanksgiving. Her mom cooked the best biscuits in the world, and her dad, no one could touch his turkey. Every year it seemed to get better. She’d asked him how he did it and he laughed, telling her the secret was a six pack: one beer in the belly of the turkey, and the other five in him. She never realized how much one could miss the sights and smells of home. Well, not the cows, but everything else.

  But there didn’t appear to be any time for sitting back and dwelling on it. Christmas and New Year’s were fast approaching and she would be right where she was now, at work. New Hope was really drawing in business. She understood why. Drake ran a very successful resort and casino in Connecticut, and some of his customers wanted the island getaway. Tabiq’s climate was perfect. The large outdoor endless pools sat overlooking the ocean and amazing sunsets. If she didn’t work here, she’d love to visit. Not that I can afford it.

  This place catered to the rich. So did Janet. She couldn’t believe the type of money these guests laid down for a week. The rooms alone cost more per night than most people made in a week, heck, a month sometimes.

  Her staff had finally found a groove when it came to handling certain situations without taking offense. The Tabiqian people were…leery, to say the least. It had been hard to get them to look the customer in the eye and smile. As time went on, and with a hell of a lot of practice, they were getting it. It also helped to know Drake and the Hendersons demanded the staff be treated with respect. It didn’t matter how much money they had, if they were inappropriate, they were spoken too. If it continued, they were asked to leave.

  Janet wouldn’t want to be the person who crossed these men. They were kind to her, but she’d seen them in action. Her legs wobbled and her hands trembled just at their expressions. Someone had to be crazy to get on their wrong side. Thankfully Drake was married to one of Janet’s best friends.

  Drake came around the corner and practically knocked her over. “Daydreaming?”

  Since Janet hadn’t been the one moving, this collision wasn’t her fault. “I beg your pardon? I believe you might be the one a bit distracted.”

  He peered down at her then said, “Maybe. Still have a date tonight?”

  “Dinner. And I believe so.”

  Drake cocked a brow. “You don’t know?”

  Janet shrugged. “He was working
on my truck. If it’s fixed, then yes, we will be going to dinner tonight.”

  “And if it’s not?”

  “Then we won’t be. It’s very simple.” Although Janet really was looking forward to dinner, and not just because that would mean her truck was working again. She’d thought about Vinny more than a few times over the weekend. There was something about him, like a knight-in-shining-armor type of thing. The way he asked her out by offering to fix her truck, well, it was kind of romantic.

  “Why don’t you have dinner here at the resort?” Drake asked.

  Although they did have the finest restaurants, it wasn’t where she wanted to go with Vinny. Actually, she had no idea where they were going, but hopefully somewhere less formal than this place. “Don’t you think I’ve seen enough of this place during the day?”

  “You don’t like the food?”

  Janet smirked. “Have you considered adding pizza to your menu?”

  Drake said, “I don’t believe they have pizza joints in Tabiq.”

  “Drake, I don’t care where Vinny and I go. It was nice of him to ask. And I’m…really looking forward to it.” She really was too. He was…interesting. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a few things I need to get done before he picks me up.”

  “You believe I’m being—”

  “Overbearing?” Janet blurted. Drake nodded. “Yes, and I don’t get why? You weren’t like this when I worked for you in Connecticut. What changed?”

  Drake looked serious for a moment then said, “I’m just watching out for my employees.” Then he stormed off angry.

  Janet needed to talk to Isa about this. Something was going on and she wasn’t sure what. It was almost five and since Isa would be alone, now might be the perfect time for a call. Ducking into an empty room, Janet reached out to Isa.

  “Hi Janet. Are you excited about your date tonight?”

  At least someone is happy for me. “Yes, and that’s what I’m calling about.”