Page 32 of Troubles in Paradise
“The boat is named for Dunk’s dog,” Tilda says. “He has a harlequin Great Dane.”
“We love Olive,” Lauren says.
Cash turns to face Lauren. She loves Olive? Is this the woman who doesn’t do dogs? “Harlequin Great Danes are…quite a breed,” Cash says.
“It’s not a dog,” Granger says. “It’s a horse!”
“She’s so sweet,” Tilda says.
“That face,” Lauren says.
They have obviously all met Olive and fallen in love with her—after casting Winnie out onto the street. Cash stares at his mahi. It’s a beautiful piece of fish, and the pan sauce is probably heaven, but Cash can’t eat. He’s furious with Tilda for not telling him that Duncan was coming to dinner. This is why she was being so extra with her outfit and sparkly makeup—it’s all for Duncan. She has already met with him, maybe with her parents or maybe alone, but when Cash asked about her meeting last week, she claimed it was top secret.
Dunk says, “I guess my question for Cash is, what position are you qualified for? Do you have any management experience? What do you do onTreasure Island?”
“I’m the mate,” Cash says. He holds Duncan’s gaze, just daring him to smirk. Cash wishes he’d chosen a different shirt, one that makes him look less like Gilligan. He’s tempted to throw his napkin on his plate and leave. He doesn’t belong here. But he likes the idea of an eco-resort on Lovango.Treasure Islandpasses Lovango Cay every day, coming and going. It’s just sitting there, beautiful, lush, undeveloped, filled with potential. What a great opportunity to build something from the ground up.
“I’m a Colorado guy, actually,” Cash says. He nods at Dunk’s T-shirt. “I saw the Revivalists at the Mission Ballroom before they hit it big.”
“Cool, cool,” Dunk says. “I saw them in Austin. Great show, probably best show I’ve seen in a while.”
“Duncan,eatsomething,” Lauren says. “You haven’t touched your food.”
Tilda glares at her mother and mouths,Mom, stop!
“I’m a people person,” Cash says. “I enjoy the interface onTreasure Island,and I’m good at it. Before I moved down here, I taught skiing in Breckenridge.”
“Love Breck,” Dunk says. “We’ll have to talk aboutthatafter we get into the whiskey.”
Cash relaxes enough to take a bite of mahi. His mother might have caught this fish.
“We’ll find a place for Cash,” Granger says. “I’m already conferring with engineers about the desalinization plant. We greased the palms we needed to grease for the permitting.” Granger leans forward. “How much time can you take off work, Til? Will the restaurant shut down if you’re away for a week?”
“Ayers owes me a bunch of shifts, so, yeah, I can probably take a week. Why, are you flying me to Napa?”
“I’d like to send you on a reconnaissance mission,” Granger says. “Island hopping. Three high-end resorts. I want a report on everything from the kind of ice they serve in their cocktails to the brand of toiletries in the bathrooms to the temperature they keep their fitness centers.”
“Oh my God,” Tilda says. “Can Cash come?”
“Obviously your mother and I would feel more comfortable if you weren’t alone,” Granger says. “And we have to be in LA next week for work.” He pours Cash the last of the Shiraz. “What do you say, Cash? Can you swing it?”
A week away?Cash thinks. He would be a fool to turn the opportunity down, but he’s the only crew member onTreasure Islandright now. Whitney in the office and the boat’s owners, who live on St. Croix, are desperately looking for someone else. Any warm body will do; all they need is someone without a criminal record who can pass the required drug test. But even if they do miraculously find someone, Cash won’t be able to leave for a week. Ayers is too sick and exhausted to come back, and she has seniority; she shouldn’thaveto come back because Cash wants to skip like a stone across the Caribbean.
“I can’t,” he says.
“But—” Tilda says.
“I just can’t leave them in the lurch, Til. You know that.”
“Dedication,” Granger says. “Personal integrity. Frankly, if you’d said you could go, I would have wondered if you were the right person for our project.”
Cash drinks what’s left of the precious wine. He’s passed a test.
“I can go,” Dunk says. “I have zero personal integrity.” He laughs. “Kidding, of course. But I am free and I would love to put my eyes on a few places, gather some intel.”
Cash opens his mouth to protest. Does Dunk understand that Cash and Tilda are dating?
“Great idea,” Granger says. “Til, is that okay with you?”
