Dune Road
Thank you for purchasing this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Dune Road
by
Dani-Lyn Alexander
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Dune Road
COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Dani-Lyn Alexander
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by
Debbie Taylor
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Publishing History
First Crimson Rose Edition, 2013
Digital ISBN 978-1-61217-976-6
Published in the United States of America
Dedication
Elaina, Thank you so much for everything!
I am so proud of the young lady you've become,
I love you!
Chapter One
“Ashleigh, come over here.”
Rolling her eyes at his summons, she quickly glanced at the other two women who were cleaning with her, before she stood and went to see what Mr. Thompson wanted. “What’s up, Mr. Tom?”
“Kayla is out sick today, and Mr. Bronson just called. He’s arriving tomorrow evening and needs someone to open his house. Do you want the work?”
Ashleigh knew she was being offered a great opportunity. Cleaning for one of the biggest beach clubs on Dune Road in Westhampton Beach brought in good money for the summer. Opening and cleaning the exclusive mansions that lined the narrow stretch of barrier island that kept the Atlantic Ocean from crossing into the Great South Bay, brought great money. Mr. Thompson only assigned his most trusted employees to this elite side of his business, and this was Ashleigh’s first offer to work there.
“Well?” he demanded, his foot tapping a clipped rhythm against the tile floor.
His impatience made her answer more quickly than she would have otherwise.
“Sure, I’ll do it.” She cringed as she turned to collect her bag and car keys. She’d have to call her mother and ask her to watch Savannah for the night. Of course, her mother would agree. Savannah was a sweetheart, a beautiful little girl with big blue eyes, golden curls, and a sunny disposition, who was the light of her grandmother’s eyes, but Savannah had lots of energy. She was always into something and could keep you on the run from morning until night. Unfortunately, grandma was getting older and not so energetic.
Stepping into the sandals she’d set aside while mopping the floors, Ashleigh grabbed her soft, flannel shirt and stuffed it in her oversized canvas bag. “See you guys later.” She glanced over her shoulder as she walked toward the door.
“Ashleigh.” Mr. Thompson tossed her a ring of keys when she turned. “Clean the cabana too, and make sure you wash the sheets. The key is labeled and it opens the back door.”
“You got it, Mr. Tom.” She slipped the keys in her pocket and headed to her car. When she closed the door of her old Honda Civic and turned the key in the ignition, she said her usual quick prayer, sighing with relief when the jalopy turned over. She had to get the car fixed, but any repairs would have to wait a while yet. Living on the east end of Long Island, the gateway to the Hamptons, where the rich came to play, had its advantages. Work was plentiful in the summer. She cleaned at the beach club during the day and worked as a bartender at night. Tips were good, and she usually managed to put away enough to help her, her mother, and Savannah struggle through the winters. Unfortunately, finding work in the winter was a different story. If Mr. Tom started assigning her to some of the private homes, she might be able to get the car tuned up before the end of the summer.
When she reached the address of the Bronson home, she pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. Instead of climbing out right away, she crossed her arms over the steering wheel and rested her chin. She sat for a moment, staring at the massive house. The rounded whitewashed exterior was quite beautiful and had a welcoming appeal. There didn’t appear to be any sharp angles. The exterior walls were curved and large brick pillars were chiseled to form curved entry-ways. Even the decking was rounded. What would it be like to live in such opulence?
Building these huge, luxurious homes on a section of road that often washed out during particularly violent storms always seemed wasteful. “Oh well, I don’t have to build them, just clean them.” She sighed, blowing a stray piece of long, blond hair out of her face. “I’d better get started.” She knew the house would take a few hours to clean, but after being up with Savannah several times during the night and cleaning all morning, she longed for a few minutes to regain her energy.
The houses in this area were built on stilts to prevent flooding. Ashleigh climbed the long, wooden stairway to a deck that wrapped around the unusually shaped house.
As she walked toward the back of the house, she suddenly understood some of the attraction this tenuous piece of real estate held. Ashleigh trailed her fingers along the railing, mesmerized by the incredible view.
Dropping her bag on the deck, she pulled the tie from her hair and wrapped it around her wrist. She shook her head, releasing her hair over her shoulders and then leaned her elbows on the railing, watching the incredible power of the endless ocean spread out before her. She lived here her whole life and played on these beaches as a child, but never before had she stood so alone in the face of such enormous power. The usual summer crowds that filled the beaches detracted from the serenity that filled her now. The sun’s soothing warmth poured over her, interrupted only by a cool spray from the crashing surf. The waves pounded the shore in a steady rhythm—loud and yet somehow peaceful.
Ashleigh tilted her face to the sun, allowing the heat to caress her face and neck. She thought of the small two bedroom cottage she shared with her mother and Savannah, and wished they were here to share this moment with her.
****
Cole watched as she untied her hair and shook it loose. Large waves crashed against the shore, and the resulting spray covered her in a fine mist. The sun reflecting off the water droplets that clung to her long, blond hair, made it shimmer and sparkle, giving her the appearance of a princess adorned with jewels. He couldn’t drag his gaze from her, even if he wanted to, which he didn’t. When she stood straight, clutched the railing, and lifted her face to the sun, her back arched and the tips of her gem covered hair skimmed the denim waistband of her cutoff shorts. Cole was lost.
As he watched her, he gripped the pole of the pool vacuum in both hands. He was hypnotized by her beauty, but by something else as well. Sadness seemed to emanate from her, which made him want to wrap his arms around her, protect her and keep her safe. Just by standing there, she managed to arouse instincts Cole hadn’t even realized he possessed. Pushing the vacuum to the center of the crystal clear pool, he tore his gaze from her and examined the decking. Sections were already starting to splinter and would soon have to be replaced. The awnings would also need cleaning.
No use. He hoped to sway his attention from her, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off the gorgeous woman who stood by the railing, glistening in the afternoon sun. He had no idea who she was, but a turmoil of emotions churned in the pit of his stomach.
Cole had enough on his mind. He couldn’t afford to be distracted. He had to stick to the plan of being invisible for a little while, and then he’d return to the city and resume his usual routine of casually dating several women throughout the season.
He sighed and realized he was staring again. He wondered what could cause the sad, introspective way about her. Thoughts of coming to her rescue, of being her knight in shining armor, filled his head. This was ridiculous. Pulling the vacuum from the pool, he turned and resolutely cleaned the deck.
“Hi.” The silky voice slid over him, stopping him dead in his tracks. If he had half a brain, he would ignore her and continue cleaning. Of course, the fact he was even here, in this position, proved he didn’t have half a brain. So, instead he spun on his heel and came face to face with the beauty he had been admiring only moments before.
The sun reflected off the many highlights in her blonde hair, as she looked up at him from beneath thick, full lashes that framed two brilliant blue jewels. He might have been able to walk away had she not smiled just then. A dazzling smile that lit her entire face, and erased the air of sorrow he’d noticed earlier, caused his gut to clench.
“Hey, what’s up?” What was wrong with him? His suave, lady’s man appeal had been replaced with a tongue-tied fool.
“How long have you been working for the Bronson’s?”
Working? Oh, right, cleaning the pool. “For a while now.” Well, that much was true. “What about you? Do you work for them?”
“This is my first time. The other girl was sick, so my boss sent me to open the house.” She held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Ashleigh.”
“Cole.” The urge to press his lips to her hand, as he accepted her handshake, was almost unbearable.
“Nice to meet you, Cole.” She picked up the bag she’d dropped on the deck and slung it over her shoulder. “I’d better get going. I have work to do.”
“It was nice to meet you, too.” He watched her walk away. His gaze stayed on her while she crossed the deck to the back door. He continued to stare long after she had gone into the house and disappeared from his view.
He was startled by laughter and turned to find Bob behind him.
“Boy, you’ve got it bad,” Bob said.
“What are you doing here?” Annoyed at having a witness to his surprising obsession, Cole frowned.
“I’m always here, remember, Boss?”
How could Cole forget? Bob was not exactly unobtrusive. Six feet three inches of solid muscle with an outgoing robust personality, Bob was not an easy man to ignore. Nor did he blend, which he needed to at the moment.
“Well, stay out of this, it doesn’t concern you.” Cole dismissed the man with a wave of his hand and bent to grab the hose. Spraying down the deck, he ignored Bob’s obvious enjoyment at Cole’s discomfort.
“Everything about you concerns me.” Bob’s tone was serious and his raised brow punctuated the comment.
“I know, Bob. I’ll be careful.” Cole knew Bob was just looking out for him, but when he glanced toward the wall of windows at the back of the house, he couldn’t help but hope to catch another glimpse of Ashleigh.
Chapter Two
Wiping down the counter, Ashleigh watched Cole from the kitchen window. He’d taken off his t-shirt and the muscles in his arms and back flexed as he lifted an awning over his head. His board shorts hung low on his hips revealing a tan line that hinted at how much time he spent outdoors.
She finished cleaning the house and was now procrastinating, hoping he’d finish up and leave. She couldn’t wait much longer since the cabana also had to be cleaned. After one last look around to be sure she hadn’t missed anything, Ashleigh sighed and turned back to the window. Of course, he was still out there. She’d have to face him…and see those six-pack abs up close. Her stomach flip-flopped.
Gathering her cleaning supplies and keys from the counter, Ashleigh took a deep breath and headed out the back door. The sun was already sinking below the roofline, which meant she’d have to hurry to make it home in time to change her clothes and get to the club for her shift at the bar. She opened the door of the cabana and immediately noticed the thick layer of dust coating every visible surface. She groaned, knowing she wouldn’t have enough time to do the cleaning right, but dragged her supplies out of the bag and spread them across the counter.
She loaded the glasses from the shelves on the mirrored wall behind the bar into the dishwasher, and climbed onto the step-stool to wipe down the shelves when Cole walked in. “Hi, again.” She shot him a small smile in the mirror, but continued to wipe the glass shelving.
“Hi, yourself. How are you doing?” He grabbed two water bottles from the small refrigerator and held one out to her.
“You can’t take that,” she scolded, and opened the cabinet over the bar. Ugh…more dust.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t take anything without permission.”