So far, Xander couldn’t understand why Portia had taken the job as his brother’s assistant. She was efficient and talented. Of that, there was no doubt. But she seemed to be timid the majority of the time, not necessarily the sort that came immediately to mind when thinking of staff for a wild animal refuge.
Easton sat beside his assistant, who’d plastered herself in the seat with her back pressed against it, her fingers gripping the edge. Poor thing. She looked absolutely miserable and terrified. And while Xander’s first instinct was to talk to the trembling woman, he couldn’t help how his eyes seemed to always find their way back to Maureen.
“Would you like to return to the shore? You don’t have to come with us every time,” Maureen said gently, touching Portia’s arm.
“The doctor relies on my notes.” She nodded to the bag in her hand, though Portia’s eyes darted nervously to the brackish water and swamp animals outside. Clearly this job pushed her limits and yet here she was, anyway.
“They are helpful,” he said absently while leaning over the edge. Wind tore through the boat, pressing Easton’s blue swim trunks and white T-shirt hard against his body.
Maureen clucked her tongue. “A gator’s going to bite your arm off one day.”
Portia turned green.
Maureen’s brogue lilted like the waves. “I’m only teasing.”
Portia looked down and eased one hand free to pull her recorder from her waterproof bag. She began mumbling notes into the mike.
Maureen angled down to Easton. “I think she’s plotting your demise.”
“Possibly. But we have an understanding. We both need each other.”
“It just seems strange she would take a job that scares her silly.”
“I pay well. Not many enjoy this. I trust her and that counts for a helluva lot. Besides, I’m convinced she has an adventurous spirit buried underneath all that starch.” His grin was wicked as he turned to face Maureen. That was his brother all right—always pushing people’s comfort levels and making them laugh.
“If she doesn’t have a heart attack first.”
Portia chimed in, hands once again finding the edge of the seat cushions for stability. “Or die from some flesh-eating bacteria.”
Easton laughed, his chuckles echoing over the water before he returned to his work again.
Xander caught his brother’s eye before Easton turned to face Maureen. Something sly passed over Easton’s expression and he quickly raised his brow to Xander before fully focusing on Maureen. “I’m damn sorry you’re going to be leaving us.”
“Me, too. This is a dream job.” Her lithe arm extended out to the impossible shade of green water that surrounded them. Her attention seemed fixed on an imaginary spot on the horizon and Xander followed her gaze, trying to imagine what she was thinking about. Did she want to go home? It certainly didn’t seem so from her crestfallen face, and she had asked him to look into extending the visa to complete her work here. He hadn’t heard back, but then, that news would have gone to her and apparently the answer hadn’t been positive.
Still, her face showed such distress, Xander couldn’t help but wonder if it was about more than work.
Easton let out a low whistle. “And you’re sure there’s no way to extend the work visa?”
“It’s been denied. Your brother even had the company lawyers review my paperwork to help, but with things tightening down regarding immigration, my request has been denied...” Maureen glanced back at Xander, her eyes as green as the crystal waters.
Did she know he could hear them?
He did his best to seem disinterested and aloof, channeling years of cutthroat business meetings to school his features into a mask of neutrality.
Easton’s eyes momentarily flicked back to Xander. For a brief moment he swore Easton’s head nodded slightly. Was that a sign to pay attention? What did his brother have planned?
“Xander has a lot of his time and energy—and heart—invested in this place.”
“That, he does. I was surprised to see him dance last night.”
“Who would have thought he could dance a jig?” Easton winked over his shoulder at his brother, making it clear he knew full well his brother could hear every word. “Who would have thought he would dance at all? That has certainly been in question since Terri died.”
“She was a lovely lady.” Maureen’s voice meshed into the sounds of the nearby birds.
Xander tried not to look desperate as he strained to hear the rest of the conversation.
“She was. We all miss her. Her parents do, too, obviously. We always will. But I can’t help hoping my brother will find a way to move on.” Easton’s lips had thinned into a smile and he stuck her with a knowing glance.
Maureen shook her head and tendrils of red hair fell out of her loose ponytail. “You’re reading too much into a dance.”
“I didn’t say a thing. You did.” A taunting, brotherly tone entered Easton’s voice. He lifted up his hands to her, palms out in an exaggeration of placation.
“I’m definitely not making a move on your brother.” The words were jagged on her tongue. Even from his seat, Xander could see pain jutting into Maureen’s normally fair, bubbly features.
“Again, I didn’t say that. You did.”
“I’m divorced.”
“I know.”
Shrugging her shoulder, she leaned against the rail of the boat. “It was ugly.”
“So very sorry to hear that.”
“The past is past. I’m focused on my present and my job.”
“Is that the reason you’re so determined to stay here? Because your ex is back home?” Easton’s eyes flicked back to Xander who pretended not to notice. But the truth was that his heart pulsated in his chest as he continued to listen to their conversation. A bad divorce? He couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
“Staying here is certainly easier. Fresh starts often are.”
“It’s not over yet.”
“I appreciate your optimism.”
“Um, hello?” Portia’s voice rang out, urgency coloring every syllable. “Um, Doctor?”
“Yes, Ms. Soto?” Easton turned to face her.
“I’m getting seasick.” And with that, Portia pulled herself up to the railing, turned a particularly sunset shade of scarlet and hurled the contents of her stomach overboard.
Xander reacted, setting their course back to the dock. Portia needed land, and fast.
They weren’t too far away. Within minutes the dock was in sight.
And so were Xander’s in-laws. It was never a good sign when they showed up from Miami unannounced. A pit knotted in his stomach and he felt his jaw tighten and clench.
Xander leaped off the boat as soon as it stabilized and helped Portia out. She’d gone ghost-pale and her hands were clammy—clearly she was much more seasick than she’d let on. Once Portia’s feet were on solid ground, she covered her mouth, nodded politely at Xander’s in-laws and dashed up to the house, probably stifling the urge to hurl the whole way.
His in-laws surveyed the landscape with eyes that revealed complete disgust. His mother-in-law’s gaze followed Portia up the