Page 48 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

“I never really thought much about people finding a perfect mate,” he said.

“You haven’t lived on Amore Island long enough,” she said, laughing.

“Obviously not,” he said.

“You were very calm with me the day I called,” she said.

“Which is part of the job,” he said.

“I have to say I’m stunned you decided to do that. I know they need people on the police force on the island.”

He wasn’t surprised that she’d brought that up.

“Mac asked me,” he said. “He knew my background.”

“Why did you say no?” she asked. “You wanted a change of pace and something to keep you busy while you figured out what to do about your inheritance or was there more to it?”

He was positive if he didn’t give the complete truth she’d fish it out of him at some point anyway.

“That was part of it,” he said. “The other part was I’m not sure how I’d react in the field. Was I going to hesitate or would I be jumpy? I had every intention of returning to my job in Wichita and then I got that letter from my grandfather’s attorney. It gave me an option.”

One that he was relieved to have even though he was shocked and pissed at the same time to read what it’d said.

“Options are good in life,” she said.

“They are. I want to learn about the hotels. I’m not sure I’ve got a lot to offer for them, but it’s not as if I have to work or do anything by the sounds of it either.”

“I think Barry left a lot of the running of everything to my father,” she said. “But...the hotels always need security. With your background, have you thought of that?”

“No,” he said. “I suppose that is something your father and I can talk about. I’m sure he has it.”

“Security cameras and people on staff. Sure. But is it what it should be? Do they have someone overseeing that other than my father? No clue. I’m going to be selfish and say that my father works more than he should. My mother too. At some point they are both going to need to cut back and settle down.”

“I didn’t picture him the type that was going to do that any time soon,” he said.

She sighed. “Not likely. And all those businesses he owns will come to Duke and me.”

That hadn’t crossed his mind either.

Shit. If he and Kelsey parted ways, he’d still have to deal with her.

Nope. Not letting his mind go there for a number of reasons.

“Do you want to do that?” he asked.

“It’s not about wanting it, but about our legacy. What our parents did for us. Which your grandfather did for you. Duke and I will figure it out when the time comes in a far, far future. I’m not stressing too much.”

“I’m trying not to stress at all. I thought island living would wipe that away.”

She turned her head and smiled at him, then patted his leg. “It can do that if you want. You can go about your life as you were weeks ago. Go to work, go home and sit on the deck and look at the water alone. Let my father run things and get your money. Nothing else has to change.”

“It already changed the minute I met you,” he said softly.

She didn’t reply to that but continued to smile.

14

EVERY POSSIBILITY

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