Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Book #4
It was smooth sailing
Until they tied the knot.
About the Book
When cruise ship assistant manager Kaylin Sampson is passed over for a promotion, she takes a break to regroup. And when her sexy ex offers to reignite their old fling and accompany her on an Alaskan adventure, Kaylin can’t say no. Ethan Harrington knows how to get her out of her funk. Fun is the theme for the week, down to the white water rafting and their fabulous old-timey fake wedding. Except the paperwork is genuine—and now two commitmentphobes are married. The real question is, will it be for better or for worse?
Chapter One
Aug. 2
You’re the best worker we have, but…
Once she’d heard the word but, Kaylin Sampson had tuned out most of her supervisor’s words. She had stood inside her supervisor’s office, gripping the back of the chair, having chosen to stand when Daniel Rawlston delivered the news that someone else had been granted the promotion as hospitality manager of the VIP suites on the cruise ship.
After six years of unwavering commitment serving as assistant manager, never taking a sick day, except for the four weeks she had taken when her sister Courtney had given birth a couple months ago in June, Kaylin had been passed over for someone else because they had showed up to the interview with a portfolio. A portfolio outlining projected plans to improve customer relations.
Are you kidding me? She’d wanted to hurl. A portfolio? But, ever the professional, she had planted a smile on her face, stuck out her hand and thanked Daniel and the team for the consideration.
Then she had sailed out the door before she’d fallen apart.
Whatever the selected candidate had brought in that binder had impressed the committee. So, though Kaylin had the experience, spoke four languages, and was the go-to person if there was an emergency on the ship, she would begin reporting to this new hire, Oksana Masterson, on August 21. Nineteen days.
She sniffled to keep the tears of humiliation threatening to spill at bay then made her way to her living quarters while avoiding contact with her coworkers. She couldn’t bear to see the sympathy reflected in their eyes and she wasn’t ready for the trite words of consolation. Her peers knew how hard she had worked for this; how much she’d wanted this promotion; how much she actually deserved this job.
Once inside her single cabin, she shut the door, kicked off her heels and drew in a deep breath. Taking a few steps into the small area, she tugged off her dark blue jacket with white polka dots, undid the buttons of her crisp white blouse and stepped out of the matching skirt.
Kaylin plopped on the edge of the bed, rested her head in her hands and cried.
She had really needed this win. Especially after the past month where she had practically broken two of her cardinal rules.
Besides her younger sister, Courtney, and her nephew, Jayson, her career was the only thing in which she had a vested interest. She had learned to depend upon her capabilities from seven years old when she and her six-year-old sister had ended up in foster care due to their mother’s mental health struggles and resulting drug addiction. As a result, Courtney and Kaylin had made a pact never to fall in love, never to get married and never to have children. Courtney had broken all three rules, and while Kaylin was ecstatic for her sibling, she wasn’t about to detour from her life plan.
That’s why when her fling with Ethan Harrington while visiting her sister in Love Creek, Florida, had derailed off the track of light and fun and veered onto that of a potential serious relationship, Kaylin had ended things abruptly. She had liked him way too much and she had had a minor scare where her period had been a couple weeks late. Talk about scared straight.
Poor Ethan had been confused but Kaylin had run back to her safe zone—the cruise ship—and had buried herself in work, signing up for back-to-back cruises. As assistant manager, her main task was to ensure that the cruise ship ran effectively, which entailed overseeing the food and beverage, guest services, housekeeping and any other duties as assigned. Kaylin had done it all and then some. Yet even though she loved her nomadic existence, she craved stability.
The VIP position would have given her that. A chance to do what she loved and develop longer-lasting friendships while still being at sea. But she had been passed over and she was expected to continue working this final day of the cruise with a smile on her face. Kaylin stood and looked out the porthole at the calm blue waters.
They were due to dock soon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Above her, vacationers were getting in their last hours of fun or packing up their belongings or swiping through photos of the places they had been or the touristy things they had done. They were going home.
Home.
She didn’t have one anymore, having given up her apartment in Fort Lauderdale. It hadn’t been practical paying rent when she only spent an odd weekend here and there out of the month. But now she wished she hadn’t because she could have hibernated over the next few days without worrying about keeping up appearances. She could just…be.
Kaylin wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to get over this loss. That was unusual; a direct contrast of the carefree attitude she liked to project.
Her cell phone vibrated.
It was her sister, Courtney, calling.
“Hey, sis. How did the interview go?” she asked, her eyes glowing with newfound happiness. A few months earlier, Courtney had been a pregnant widow trying to make a life for herself and her child. But now she was the mother of a six-week-old baby, Jayson, and had a new fiancé in Brigg Harrington, Ethan’s brother. Dang, those Harrington men were hard to resist. Her heart had narrowly escaped unscathed.
Before Kaylin could answer, Courtney said, “Hang on a minute. Let me get situated. I just put Jayson down for a nap.” She yawned. “That little guy kept me up all night.”
“I bet he wasn’t the only one,” Kaylin teased. “I hope you’re taking your vitamins.”
Courtney chuckled. “Yes, I’m still taking my prenatal vitamins.” The picture on the screen bounced as Courtney walked into her living room and settled onto the couch before turning off the television. “I’ll just put you right here on the coffee table so I can be hands-free. I’m on my iPad.” She released a breath. “Now, tell me all about this interview. When do you start?”
Kaylin peered into features so similar to her own—copper curls, hazel eyes, full lips and high cheekbones—that they had been mistaken for twins many times over the years, though Kaylin was a year older at thirty-two. She’d had a brief stint over the summer where she had undergone a drastic change with her hair and makeup but she was now past that phase. “Ugh. It was a plane crash.” She had a habit of botching clichés on purpose. “They gave the job to someone else.”
“Wow. Really? As much as Daniel has asked you to cover for him? I’m beyond surprised and upset on your behalf.”
“I’m disappointed too. No, disheartened is a more accurate word for how I’m feeling right now.” Her chin wobbled. “There is no puffing my chest and carrying on, I tell you. This one bites.”
“How about you come back to Love Creek, stay with me and Brigg, for a bit?”
The idea was tempting but she didn’t want to intrude on Courtney and Brigg. They were in the throes of that new new love. Kaylin didn’t want to be a thundercloud among all that sunshine. She heaved a long sigh. “I can’t. I won’t be good company and I’m sure you and Brigg don’t need me afoot right now. You need to be enjoying each other.”
Courtney fanned her reddened cheeks. “Oh, boy, have we been.” She raised a brow. “But you could visit Ethan while you’re here.”
“Bought that book, read it and returned it to the library,” Kaylin said with a wave of the hand. Though her heart squeezed with a rare feeling of envy. Not for her sister. But at her sister’s blissful state. Kaylin wondered what it would be like if she allowed her heart to get caught up and carried away.
Yes, please, her heart begged.
“I want to leave that topic alone but I’m dying to know what happened between you two.” Courtney leaned closer to the screen. “Tell me.”
“Nothing to tell.” Kaylin shrugged. “You know I have a three- date max policy.”
“Oh, I know, but I thought Ethan was…different. It seemed like you had something special with him.” Her sister prodded.
“It was and I…I couldn’t.” Kaylin twisted her lips.
“Okay, I’ll back off. You did a number on him though. Ethan was in a daze for days. Brigg said he had never seen his older brother like that. Ethan has always been carefree and all about a good time. He’s been…quiet. And, he’s asked me about you. Several times.”
Has he? she wanted to ask. Her traitorous heart liked the sound of that. Particularly because her mind wandered back to her time with him more often than she would admit to anyone. Especially her sister.
“Please, no more about Ethan, sis,” Kaylin pleaded, her voice cracking a little. To talk about Ethan would be to experience potential regret. And Kaylin couldn’t dwell in the what-ifs, she had to be about the what-now. Courtney must have seen that this was a real touchy conversation point because, with a nod, she shifted gears and started to talk about Jayson.
His main activity was sleeping for a good fourteen hours but that didn’t stop Courtney from bragging on him. And Kaylin was loving every minute of it.
Looking at her watch, Kaylin groaned. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“You know what? Why don’t you just not do that?” her sister asked.
“Say what now? I’m not following.”
“I’m saying to take a break from work. As in, take a vacation. Like a for real vacation where you go on that trip to Alaska you always wanted to go on.”
“But I have done that. I’ve gone to Alaska twice already.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t count. You were working,” Courtney emphasized. “It’s time for you to lose that cruise uniform and don a sun hat and go on excursions like a tourist. If you ask me, this is a perfect time to regroup. Take a vacation.”
Hmm… Courtney’s suggestion took root. When was the last time she had taken an actual vacation? The fact that she had to think about it showed just how long it had been.
“You have a point. I’ll think about it.”
“Oh no. No thinking allowed.” Courtney wagged a finger. “To borrow from your book, it’s time for you to do, big sis. Put in for your time off today.”
She straightened. “There’s actually a seven-day cruise leaving in a couple days…” Her heart thumped with anticipation. “And you’re right. I have been meaning to explore Alaska for quite some time.” Something about the rugged nature of the state excited her.
“Well, I wish you were all about going to Mexico or the Bahamas, but do you, girl. Just don’t get eaten by a bear or swallowed by a whale or something while you’re out there.”
Kaylin rolled her eyes, holding back a laugh. “I’m sure I’ll be safe.”
“Make sure.” Courtney laughed along before she tilted her head, looking at something off screen. Kaylin heard a low hum. Brigg must have entered the house. “Oh, hey. I didn’t know you were coming by…”
“Yeah, we had swim meets early this morning but I told Brigg I’d meet him here for lunch. Then I’m going for a ride in my Sling.”
She tensed. That wasn’t Brigg. In an instant, Kaylin’s stomach twisted like a pretzel. Kaylin recognized Ethan’s voice very well. She had come to know his voice and his Polaris Slingshot intimately that past summer. Because of parking restrictions at his place, Ethan stored his Sling in his brother’s garage. Um, she was so not ready to see him, especially as vulnerable as she felt at the moment. “I’ll call you back, sis,” she called out, but she didn’t think Courtney heard. Hopefully, Ethan hadn’t either.
“Hold up. Is that Kaylin?” Ethan asked.
Kaylin looked upward.
“Y-yes.” Courtney said, her tone wary. “We were just—”
“Let me say hello,” Ethan said, cutting Courtney off. The next thing Kaylin saw was Ethan jumping onto the couch, next to her sister. From her vantage point, she could see he was dressed in his usual garb as a swim coach at Love Creek Middle School—tank top, swimming trunks, and she was sure he was wearing flip-flops.
Ethan picked up the iPad, raking a hand through those long curly locks, and greeted her with a warm lopsided smile. “Kaylin, it’s been a minute since I’ve seen you. How have you been?”
She pinned her eyes on the man she’d blown off that summer, who had her moaning in her sleep at night. Heat flooded her body as she took in those full lips and those perfectly aligned teeth. He had a way of quirking those lips that made her insides melt. The man had no right to look so doggone good. What with skin the color of deep brown sand, square jaw, broad cheekbones—a nod to his Native American heritage—no wonder Ethan had been a heartthrob back in his days as an Olympian swimmer. The earring in his left ear winked at her. She distinctly recalled her tongue—stop. Stop. Stop.
A slight commotion in the background told her it was Brigg who had arrived this time. Courtney popped up, presumably to greet her husband, leaving Kaylin and Ethan to make conversation.
Great. Thanks, sis. She tossed her hair and gave him a friendly smile, ignoring her racing heart. Even in the distance her body reacted to him, remembering. “I’ve been well. Working as usual. How about you?”
“Eh. I’m almost done coaching.” His eyes darkened and his voice deepened. “You look amazing.” The hunger in his tone was just like it was when they were—no. No. She wasn’t going there.
“Thanks,” she breezily replied, hating how breathy she sounded. That was a dead giveaway that she wasn’t unaffected by his knowing gaze. She didn’t want him to know she remembered. Boy, did she. “I’d better get going. Tell my sister I’ll catch up with her.”
“Sure.” He cleared his throat. “When can I see you again? I’ve been thinking about you.”
Her nipples hardened. She addressed her traitorous body. Keep it casual. Then she answered Ethan. “Oh, you know. I’ll be up that way soon. Depends on where the seas take me.” Whew. It had been a long six weeks since she had slept with him. Long enough for her to have worked the memory of that man out of her system. But it had to be the stress of work and viewing nothing but water for days that made thinking about Ethan the perfect escape. Never mind that she had also rebuffed the passes of a couple fellow crew members who were clearly interested. Kaylin just hadn’t been in the mood. She refused to explore why not.
His eyes narrowed and his brows furrowed. “Wait. Have you been crying?”
The concern in his voice was almost her undoing. She could feel her eyes well and she found herself wanting to spill all to him. Get some of that comfort she knew he could provide. Uh-oh. She could barely handle a sexy Ethan but a caring Ethan would mess her up.
Warning signals went off. “I’m fine. Until next time.” She waggled two fingers at him and disconnected. That’s it. She was taking this vacation. She needed the time off to clear her mind and her brain of work, and Ethan.
Without a second thought, Kaylin pulled out her laptop and put in for two weeks’ leave starting in two days. The minute she hit Submit, relief flooded her insides. A sign she had made the right decision. She texted Courtney—I did it!—along with a copy of her itinerary so her sister would know her whereabouts and not worry.
Kaylin did a two-step. “Alaska, here I come.”
Chapter Two
Aug. 2
He knew he was being a nuisance but he had to try. Ethan Harrington hadn’t become an Olympic-level swimmer by giving up easy.
Yet it appeared as if that was exactly what Kaylin Sampson wanted him to do. And though he respected her decision to end their fun fling at the close of June, he hadn’t been quite ready for the fun to end yet. Still wasn’t. Their high-energy, off-the-charts chemistry was a first for him and hard to forget. Not that he hadn’t tried.
But he also…cared. And therein was his dilemma.
He had seen those tears in Kaylin’s eyes and had experienced an immediate urge to fix whatever had caused her hurt. But she had disconnected instead of telling him what was wrong. And her sister Courtney, loyal to a fault, wasn’t providing any answers.
“At least tell me if she’s okay,” Ethan pleaded, running a hand across his five-o’clock shadow. Ethan, Courtney and Brigg were gathered around the table for lunch, which consisted of a salad, grilled chicken and cheesy flatbread.
“I’m sure if she wasn’t, Courtney would be rushing off to see her,” Brigg said as he took a bite of his flatbread, careful not to mess up his uniform. Ethan knew his brother meant to be encouraging. His line of work in law enforcement required Brigg to be practical and reasonable. But Brigg’s words did nothing to reduce the gnaw in the pit of Ethan’s stomach.
“Is she?” he asked Courtney again.
Brigg ran a hand over his head, drawing Ethan’s attention to his tight lineup and fade, and scoffed. “You got it bad, bro.”
He cut his eyes at Brigg. Brigg, who was about to turn thirty in September, along with his twin brother, Caleb, seemed to be having a laugh at Ethan’s expense. Of his blended family of seven brothers, Ethan was dubbed the clown. He was lighthearted, good-natured, the life of the party, and he had developed that same attitude toward dating. Losing his mother at an early age had made him wary of forming lasting relationships and of falling in love. When Ethan and his brother Drake had lost their mother at the hand of drunk driver as children, he vividly recalled his father, Patrick mentioning how devastated he had been at that loss.
Though Ethan had been a toddler, Patrick’s stories of how he had curled into himself, unable to provide for Ethan and Drake, unable to help them process their grief, resounded within him. According to his father, it wasn’t until he’d met Tanya, a single mother of a son, Axel, that Patrick returned to his former self. Patrick and Tanya then adopted Hawk and Lynx—two white foster siblings, and the oldest Harringtons—before Tanya gave birth to fraternal twins, Brigg and Caleb.
However, Ethan never forgot his father’s account of how he had been in his grief -stricken state. That left a lasting impression on Ethan and he’d decided that he was never giving his heart to a woman like that. Ever. His motto was Have a Fun Fling and Then Forget About It.
Until Kaylin.
But she hadn’t seen past his laid-back attitude to view him as commitment material. Not that he wanted that. But it would have been nice to least be considered worthy of a possible long-term exclusive entanglement. A situationship. Instead, when he’d told her he was developing feelings—developing, not actually having—she had laughed and then ended things.
Like he was a duck and her rejection would roll off him like water.
Courtney shifted before staring at him with those eyes the same color as Kaylin’s like she was trying to view into his soul. Read his intentions. The sisters shared a strong physical resemblance though, over the summer, Kaylin had favored darker eye makeup and kept her hair in a straight bob. But Kaylin had grown her hair out since then and gone for more natural hues, which had made her look like Courtney’s twin. However, Courtney had shoulder-length curls and she seemed to be makeup free most of the time. “Yes, Kaylin is okay, physically.” Then she bit her lip. “I suppose I could tell you. It’s really not a big deal and Kaylin didn’t exactly say it was a secret.”
He could see her wavering and pressed his point. “Yes, please tell me. Knowing would ease my mind.”
“Kaylin got passed over for a promotion this morning.”
“Oh wow. That’s terrible. I think I remember her telling me she was planning to interview for a hospitality manager in the VIP suite.”
“Yes, good memory. Well, she just learned this morning that they gave it to someone else for some bogus reason.” Courtney sighed. “She worked so hard for it too. That’s why I encouraged her to take a well-deserved vacation.” She picked up her phone to read a text message. “I’m glad Kaylin took my advice. She just sent me her travel plans.”
Jayson started to fuss and Brigg jumped to his feet. “I’ll go check on him.”
“You can bring my nephew to me if you want.” Ethan scooted to the edge of his chair. “So, where is she going?”
“Um, I’m not sure she would want me to say.” Courtney cocked her head. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”
“Because she started ignoring my texts,” Ethan replied. “And I had to respect her unspoken wishes. But hearing that she’s hurting, and seeing the tears in her eyes, I know I can give her what she needs right now.”
Brigg returned with Jayson in his arms when he’d uttered that last sentence.
Courtney raised a brow.
“A good time. A distraction,” Ethan supplied, even as he did a mental eye roll. But if that’s what she needed to get through, he could be that for her.
“Yeah, we all know you’re good for that,” Brigg snorted, patting the baby’s back.
Ethan bit the inside of his cheeks to keep the natural comeback at bay. For some reason, that comment rankled though he knew Brigg meant no harm. Maybe it was because he was such a goofball that no one took Ethan seriously. Not Kaylin. Not his family. Not his coach when he had been an Olympian. And definitely not his agent who, at the peak of his career, had kept booking him for gigs where he was either dressed as a clown or playing the comic relief.
Good grief. Being the fun cool guy was exhausting.
Courtney stood. “Let me get him fed.”
“All right, babe. I’ve already changed him.” Brigg handed over his soon-to-be adopted son and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Courtney responded by touching Brigg’s face. They peered into each other’s eyes, forgetting Ethan’s presence. Seeing Courtney and Brigg’s exchange made Ethan experience a rare twinge of jealousy. No, not jealousy. More like hopefulness. Hopefulness that he would have someone look at him the way Courtney did his younger brother.
Kaylin’s face popped into his mind, creating a light panic and…curiosity. He just wanted to be around her. After things between them had fizzled, he’d been dissatisfied, lost. In limbo. It was like his heart was in wait mode though he had no idea for what. He did know that this might be his last year working as a swim coach. He liked working with the kids and it had been a good career choice after his swim injury, but he didn’t think he wanted to do that for the rest of the life. His earlier meeting with a few angry parents had sealed that decision. Ethan planned to submit his resignation, and go where?
To be with Kaylin?
Where had that come from? The very thought was preposterous.
Brigg’s radio went off with something about a fire and a possible death of a fellow police officer. His brother rushed into action, giving Courtney another quick kiss. “I’ve got to get out there.” This was something Brigg, as Love Creek’s newest police captain, would need to oversee. Brigg rushed toward the front door.
“Hang on.” Courtney gave Jayson over to Ethan, sticking a bottle in his hand. She grabbed a container, placed two pieces of flatbread inside, and handed it to Brigg. “You’ll need sustenance. There’s no telling when you’ll be home.” With a thank you and a wave, Brigg was through the door. Courtney went out behind him, probably to see him off.
Ethan held Jayson in front of him and rocked him side to side. “Hey, little man.” Jayson smiled, making Ethan’s heart constrict. He had formed an attachment with Jayson since he had been one of the infant’s first babysitters. Ethan adjusted Jayson in the crook of his arm and placed the bottle in the baby’s mouth. Truth was, he’d told Brigg he’d come by to ride his Sling, but it was more about spending time with the baby. Jayson looked at him with such trust, his hand curling around Ethan’s finger. It just twisted his insides in a good way. A secret part of him imagined what it would be like to be a father. He rather thought he might be good at it.
Courtney came back inside. She ran a hand through her hair. “Thanks for watching Jayson. Want me to take over?”
“No, I’ve got him,” he said, his eyes pinned on his nephew. Courtney returned to the table, the chair scraping across the floor as she pulled it out then sat. Without lifting his head, he asked, “So…you never said where Kaylin was going for vacation…”
“I’ve got to give it you. You are persistent.” Courtney cleared her throat. “I really think you should talk to Kaylin.” She was right, but Ethan didn’t know if Kaylin would tell him anything of her plans. Every time he was in proximity, she ran in the opposite direction or cut the communication short.
“It might be my imagination, but she seems to be avoiding me.”
“I’m sure she has her reasons.”
Ethan decided to appeal to Courtney’s romantic side. “I thought we made a connection. I was into her and she was into me. You saw that for yourself. Then poof! It’s over.” He shook his head. “I believe if I had a heart-to-heart with her, Kaylin would see for herself that we have something worth…exploring.” He swallowed. “I like her. I really like her. And I don’t want things to end. Not yet.”
“Did you tell her that?” Courtney asked, her tone gentle, her eyes alight with understanding.
He nodded. “I did.” He mopped his brow. “I told her that I might be falling for her.”
“Oh my. You didn’t.” She placed a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide.
“It wasn’t the smartest move on my part.” He scoffed. “I don’t even know why I said that. Verbal diarrhea.”
“Huh…”
You would think he had confessed to a horrible crime the way she eyed him with amazement. Embarrassed, he averted his gaze. Jayson finished his bottle and Ethan rested the baby on his shoulder to burp him. Jayson squirmed little legs. Aww.
Courtney slapped her thighs. “Now I know why my sister ended things.”
“Well, that makes one of us because I’m clueless.” And that left his ego bruised.
“You scared her off. Kaylin doesn’t do relationships. We grew up in a home where our mother was an addict and her only concern was supporting her addiction. At six and seven, Kaylin and I were left to fend for ourselves. Kaylin did her best to take care of me though she was only one year older than I was. She took being a big sister to heart. However, she almost burned the house down trying to make us eggs for breakfast one morning, which was how we finally ended up in a foster home. And that was after many close calls.”
Ethan pictured two younger versions of Kaylin and Courtney struggling to cook a meal or dress themselves and his heart moved. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Ethan stood and placed Jayson on the baby mat to give him some tummy time. He put on the YouTube channel with some children’s tunes.
“We vowed to never rely on anyone but each other. We would never get married or have children. We didn’t want any child to suffer the way we did.” She splayed her hands and lifted her shoulders. “As you can see, I broke that pact. However, I’m glad I did.”
He scooched closer. “Don’t you want that for your sister?”
“I do, but it’s her choice.”
“I understand, but I need the opportunity to change her mind.”
“Wait. Are you saying you’re in love with her?”
“I—I care about her,” he stuttered. As much as he wanted to see Kaylin, Ethan couldn’t lie about his feelings. “I just want to be there for her. She seemed distraught and all I can think about is she’s alone and could use some company.”
Courtney placed a hand to her chest. “I agree with you. I’ve never seen her so despondent.” Her eyes narrowed. “Maybe you could lift her spirits and let me know if anything seems amiss with her?”
Hope flooded his chest. “I can do that.”
“Okay, we have a deal.” She inhaled and squared her shoulders. “Pack your bags and get ready for an adventure in Alaska. I’ll text you her itinerary.”
“Alaska? What is she doing all the way out there?”
Courtney leaned back into the chair and quipped, “I guess she’s waiting for you.” She looked at her watch. “You’d better get going. Her ship sails in two days.”
“Right.” Ethan hugged her and rushed out of her house to book his trip. If everything went according to plan, he would rekindle a physical, fun relationship with Kaylin and try his best not to fall for her. He tossed his keys in the air and caught them. That should be easy. Easy as the custard pie he planned to bake and take with him.
Kaylin’s favorite.
He couldn’t wait to see her face when he showed up on her trip, pie in hand. She was going to be so surprised.
Chapter Three
Aug. 4
What was Ethan Harrington doing on this ship all the way in Seattle? That was her first thought.
Standing in the queue of passengers awaiting embarkation to the ship, Kaylin blinked several times and then rubbed her eyes. The temps were in the upper nineties, typical for the first Sunday in August, and the humidity was ridiculous enough that maybe it was messing with her equilibrium and she was hallucinating. Nah. She knew the back of that head standing over in the priority check-in line very well. He had on a baseball cap and dark sunglasses. But Kaylin recognized that tall, solid frame, those long arms and that firm butt outlined in those telltale swimming trunks.
And she knew just who was responsible for him being on this ship.
I’m going to wring Courtney’s beautiful neck. Kaylin took out her cell phone and gave her sister a call, but it rang until it went to voicemail. How convenient. She tried again but this time the call went straight to voicemail. Pulling up the text messaging app, her fingers flew across the page.
Sis, I know you are avoiding me but you have some explaining to do.
Que?
Really? Courtney thought this was funny. Her chest heaved.
Why did you tell Ethan where I am?
Because you could use some fun.
Ethan isn’t fun. He’s a complication. I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with him right now.
No entiendo.
Kaylin folded her bottom lip into her mouth to keep from screaming.
Quit messing around. I’m not going to go, and you can thank your interference for that.
The person you’re trying to reach is unavailable for text messaging.
Answer me!!
Ugh. Was she serious right now?
Kaylin didn’t want Ethan here. She grunted loud enough to cause a few heads to swivel in her direction. She could feel her blood pressure spiking and released short, shallow breaths. Kaylin tucked her phone back in her pocket because it was obvious Courtney wasn’t about to confess to her wrongdoings. Ugh. What she really needed to do was leave. Turn around, get in her car and check into a hotel. But this vacation hadn’t been cheap. She had dipped into her savings so she could enjoy many excursions and experiences.
And it was the number-one item on her bucket list. To actually vacation in Alaska instead of work.
She released a plume of air. Maybe his being here was a coincidence… And, she was pretty sure Ethan had booked the VIP suite, so they would be in different parts of the ship. He would be in another section of the vessel enjoying a different experience. The VIP suites came with their own lounge, restaurants, access to a private concierge and butler, so he wouldn’t be hanging with the common folks like her. Kaylin had booked a cabin on a higher deck in the rear of the ship so she could enjoy a spectacular view. Comforted by that knowledge, Kaylin pulled her straw hat lower on her face. She had dressed in a pair of shorts and a tie-dyed shirt and a pair of matching tie-dye Crocs. If she were lucky, Ethan wouldn’t be able to find her even if he was trying.
Um, she needed to stop kidding herself. Of course, he had come looking for her. That knowledge flattered, but she sneered. Ethan was probably operating under a strong delusion that they would pick up where they had left off earlier that summer. However, having worked on cruise ships, she knew just how to evade him.
Ten minutes later, she was third in line to check in. Ethan came outside to join her. She didn’t feign surprise or hide her annoyance. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She caught a whiff of apple, pineapple and birch. Tom Ford’s Creed Aventus. Her insides quivered, remembering Ethan’s preference for this high-end cologne as well as Tom Ford’s Oud Wood. The man liked to smell good and he was willing to pay good money for it. During her exploration of his body, her nose had thanked him for it…followed by her mouth.
Oy. Two seconds in his presence and her mind was already straying to baser past times. Staying away from this man wouldn’t be easy, but she had to.
“I thought I would surprise you,” Ethan said, whipping off his sunglasses, all smiles. She heard a gasp behind her. Someone might have recognized him as a former Olympian. He also used to play a clown on some advertisement. She forgot which one. Although, with his striking looks and welcoming personality, Ethan had commanded attention wherever they’d gone during their short time together. And those muscles were muscling with that tank he was wearing.
“Consider your intentions met.” She shielded her eyes with her hand and peered up at him. “Where are you staying?”
“In the VIP suite.” He put on his sunglasses again and pulled his baseball cap low on his face.
She snorted. “Of course. Nothing but the best for the Harrington men.” Ethan and his other famous siblings—Axel, the movie star and Hawk, the football player—had a reputation for appreciating the finer things life had to offer, although they worked hard for it. Their father, Patrick, had instilled a strong worth ethic in his sons. All of the Harrington men were successful, each in their own right.
He cracked up. “You know it.”
Kaylin licked her lips. “I’m just going to put this out there. I came on this excursion to relax and have a good time. I’m not looking for a hanging partner or a bed buddy.”
Ethan opened his mouth, most likely to charm her into changing her mind, but she held up a hand. “Ahp. Don’t say a word. You’re not going to change my mind.”
He bunched his lips and nodded.
“Good. Now that we have that settled, let’s embark.” She took her place in line with Ethan by her side. “You don’t have to stay here with me. You can go back to priority boarding.”
“I don’t mind.” The jostle of the crowd of passengers waiting to get on caused him to move closer into her personal space. Her heart rate kicked into full gear and anywhere his body connected with hers had her tingling.
Welp. She wasn’t going to be able to keep him at a distance if he was going to be all up in her space like this. Kaylin didn’t want to lead Ethan on. He wanted something she wasn’t ever going to willingly give. Commitment.
Hearing a baby fussing behind her made Kaylin turn around. A couple appeared flustered while wrangling with a toddler who was trying to escape her father’s arms. “Go ahead in front of me,” she offered and stepped out of the way. The grateful parents thanked her several times as they moved ahead with the stroller, luggage, stuffed animals and a lot of paraphernalia. Kaylin felt exhausted just watching them, but other passengers also allowed them to pass.
“You are so thoughtful,” Ethan bent over to whisper in her ear. His bass voice moved through her ear canal, which made her quiver. “That’s what I like about you.” His breath on her neck made her grit her teeth. Kaylin gave him a light jab with her elbow so he would give her breathing room.
“Am I in your way?” he asked, acting like he was clueless.
She swung around to peer up at him through her lashes. His smirk told her he was rattling her on purpose. She refused to give him the satisfaction, so she folded her arms and turned around to stand off to the side.
Thank goodness, she was now second in line. The woman in front of her appeared to be sniffling. When the woman shuffled up to the security screening, her documents shook in her hand. Kaylin cocked her ears as she followed close.
“Nosy,” Ethan teased, on her trail.
“I’m just concerned,” she whispered then placed two fingers over her lips. Maybe getting away from Ethan was more important than her adventure in Alaska.
“Please let me board,” the woman cried. “I’m willing to pay whatever it takes. My fiancé is based in Alaska and is being deployed for Germany. I’ve got to catch him, and the flights are booked solid today and tomorrow, so this is my only hope.” The woman turned to the side and Kaylin gasped. She was pregnant.
Kaylin’s heart went out to her. She hoped the crew would be able to accommodate her.
“I’m sorry, Miss, but we’ve reached our capacity for same-day bookings.”
“She can have my cabin,” Kaylin yelled out, giving her name and holding up her boarding pass.
The lady looked at her with gratitude in her eyes and rubbed her stomach. “Oh, thank you.” She gave the crew member a hopeful glance.
He shook his head. “I don’t know if—”
“You can get special permission,” Kaylin said with authority. “I work on a cruise ship.” She raised a brow and dared him to challenge her.
Ethan stepped up. “It’s just a matter of adding her name, isn’t it? I have a two-bedroom suite, so Kaylin can bunk with me.”
“That’s not necessary,” Kaylin said through gritted teeth. “I can go another time.”
“All right. I’ll be right back.” The young man slumped his shoulders.
The woman sagged with relief. She patted Kaylin’s arm. “Thank you.”
“You’re so welcome. It will all work out. You’ll see.”
She extended her hand. “I’m Beth, by the way.”
Kaylin smiled at the lady. “Hi, Beth. I’m Kaylin.” She pointed at Ethan. “And that’s Ethan. Do you know what you’re having?”
“It’s a girl,” Beth said with a tender smile. “Tyler—that’s my fiancé—is thrilled.”
They stepped aside so that the other passengers could complete their boarding while they waited. Ethan placed his hands on Courtney’s shoulders to give them a light squeeze. “I don’t mind sharing a space with you.”
She gave him the side-eye. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”
He put up his hands. “That’s not why I offered. The thought didn’t cross my mind when I said I would share my space. I know this vacation was your pick-me-up after not getting that promotion and I want you to still have that happen since it’s in my power to do so.”
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Kaylin relented. “Thank you, Ethan. I accept your proposition.” Staying in his suite didn’t mean they had to interact with each other. There was plenty to do onboard the ship, and she had many excursions planned so she would only be in the suite when it was actually time to go sleep. Yeah, this could work.
The crew member returned with good news and they finished boarding. Ethan paid the difference in the suite fees and Kaylin didn’t put up a fuss about it. She was willing to make a sacrifice so this other woman could be reunited with her child’s father. Kaylin found herself enfolded into the other women’s embrace. Once they pulled apart, the woman dabbed at her eyes. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“Knowing you’ll be able to meet with your honey is thanks enough.” Ethan excused himself to use the restroom, leaving the women to chitchat for a bit.
Beth gave a shy smile. “Tyler and I are going to get married before he flies out to Germany. When he first heard about the baby, he asked me to marry him, but I was too scared. I didn’t want children and I needed time to process that first. And since my parents got divorced when I was young, even though I loved him, I didn’t think marriage was for me. But Tyler took that to mean I was rejecting him. We didn’t speak for months. It wasn’t until I heard he was about to leave that I knew I had to gather my courage and tell him how I feel.”
Whoa. “I’m happy for you,” she whispered, amazed by what Beth had just confided.
Goose bumps popped up on Kaylin’s arms. Beth’s story was somewhat similar to hers except she had had a pregnancy scare not an actual pregnancy. Since her period had showed up, Kaylin hadn’t needed to tell Ethan anything.
“This experience taught me not to run from my feelings but to face them head-on.”
Those words sliced Kaylin’s heart. “I wish you the best,” was all she could whisper before they parted ways.
As she watched the other woman depart, Beth’s final words stayed with her. When Ethan returned, she followed him to the upper deck but remained pensive. Was she running away from her feelings when it came to Ethan? She snorted. Of course not, unlike Beth, she hadn’t been in love with Ethan when she’d ended things. On the verge of falling wasn’t falling. And she intended to avoid that precipice because her mental survival depended on it.
A few months back, Kaylin had decided she wanted to find her and Courtney’s birth mother. She’d hired a private investigator and when she’d found Lola Sampson, she’d rushed out to Ohio ready for a tearful reunion, ready for her mother to welcome her with open arms.
But the very opposite had happened.
Her own mother, the woman who had given birth to her, had called her outside of her name and denied her very existence. Kaylin had left the premises crushed and heartbroken, vowing never to return.
Her love for her sister and nephew sustained her and healed her, but she would never open herself to anyone else again. Being that vulnerable and having expectations only led to disappointment and heartache. To safeguard her heart, she would only allow herself short-term dalliances. After all, a beautiful letdown was ten times better than an ugly breakup.
So, despite their circumstantial proximity, Kaylin resolved she would keep Ethan at a distance.
Starting now.
Except from AN ALASKAN ARRANGEMENT by Michelle Lindo-Rice. This material is protected by copyright.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Book 1: Rivals at Love Creek
Book 2: Cinderella's Last Stand
Book 3: Twenty-Eight Dates
Book 4: An Alaskan Arrangement
Book 4: An Alaskan Arrangement
