Last Chance Motel 1 (Last Chance Romance Series) (7 page)

She paid Juan’s boys on the spot, as she knew the teenagers needed the money. Having listened to their patter during the day, Eva knew they had girlfriends who were expecting to be taken to dinner that night.

Juan loaded up his boys in the truck, arguing that they should save their money and not spend it on women. The boys listened with bored indifference.

Eva waved goodbye as Juan honked his horn. She stood by the fence waiting for Mike to leave so she could lock the gate, but he didn’t follow Juan.

She found him organizing the scrap woodpile. “What are you doing, Mike?”

“I’m sorting this wood. I can reuse a lot of it to make outdoor tables and chairs. You said you liked my table.”

“Do that tomorrow. Go home. I know you must be worn out.”

“I will in a little bit. No one is home right now.” He looked up at Eva. “I don’t like going home to an empty house. Something about it creeps me out.”

Eva noticed that his brown hair was sun-streaked with blond and that he had very long black eyelashes, which emphasized his light gray eyes that were the color of the Atlantic Ocean on a stormy day. “I’m really tired. I think I will take a dip in the lagoon and then take a nap. If you leave before I wake up, will you lock the gate?”

“Sure. No problem.” Mike watched Eva head for the beach. “Gonna swim in your clothes?”

“Yeah,” she called over her shoulder. “Then I’ll use the outdoor shower.”

Mike shrugged. “To each his own,” he commented under his breath.

Eva stepped into the warm ocean water. She was glad that the motel was on the bay side, as she wasn’t rushed by waves. The water was always calm and serene. She could take her time and slowly immerse in the clear turquoise water. Every day she saw something new . . . a baby skate, sea turtles, various small fish darting here and there, a sea horse, cuddle fish, and hordes of colorful birds hanging around in the mangrove trees.

She was enjoying the water when she noticed something splashing around the mangrove trees. Eva hoped it wasn’t a shark. She started to get out when muffled whimpers came from where the splashing was occurring.

Eva slowly went over when she discovered a manatee cow entwined in fishing wire. The wire was interfering with her ability to swim and Eva could see that her breathing was distressed. The real mermaid of the sea made another mournful cry.

“MIKE!” cried out Eva, petting the manatee. “MIKE HURRY! BRING A KNIFE!”

Within seconds, Mike was running into the water looking for Eva. “EVA!”

“Over here!” she called.

For a split second she saw concern on his face change into relief. Was the relief due to the fact she was okay?

Mike waded through the water. “It’s a manatee.”

“I think she’s drowning, Mike. There’s fishing cord wrapped around her. There seems to be a big ball of it underneath her. I think some of it has got caught on the mangrove trees. Do you have a knife?”

The manatee began thrashing again.

“Try to calm her while I cut the cord. I don’t want to nick her.” Mike pulled out a pocketknife and after taking a deep breath, went beneath the water while Eva held onto the manatee’s flippers. Mike emerged from the water gasping for air. “Try holding her head up. The wire is caught on some mangrove roots.” He took another deep breath and went back under the water.

A minute went by. Eva could see Mike moving around the manatee working, but she was concerned that Mike might pass out trying to free the animal. Finally he came up. “The cord is cut. Let’s see if she will let us remove it. I’ll hold her and you try to work it free.”

Mike held up the manatee’s head while talking to her as Eva stuck her head under water, trying to work the cord from around the manatee’s flippers. The salt water burned her eyes and she had to come up. Knowing that this was causing the manatee a great deal of distress, Eva took another deep breath, shut her eyes tight and submerged again, using her hands to feel the cord. After several failed attempts, she finally got the cord loose.

“Let her go, Mike,” said Eva, emerging from the water.

Gently Mike turned the manatee toward the bay and pushed her out to sea.

As she moved past, Eva removed the last bit of fishing cord. “What a mess,” announced Eva, winding the cord while watching the sea cow swim away. “Saving her makes me feel good.” She turned to face Mike, only to see him staring at her with a strange expression on his face. “Mike, what is it?”

“I thought you were hurt!” accused Mike. “Scared me to death.”

“I . . . I’m sorry,” sputtered Eva. “I got excited when I found the manatee.”

Suddenly Mike reached over and grabbed Eva. Bending his head, he kissed her while pulling her close.

It was a long, lingering kiss. And to her surprise, Eva kissed back, wrapping her arms around Mike’s neck in a fierce embrace. She loved the feel of his torso against hers. He was built like a rock . . . solid and sturdy. She pressed closer to him until suddenly Mike pushed her away.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again,” he groused. Without saying another word, he turned and left her standing in the water.

Stunned, Eva didn’t know what to do. She certainly didn’t want to follow him.

Then she heard his jeep start and drive away. Confused, Eva went to the front gate and locked it. “What was that all about?” she whispered to herself.

T
he next morning Mike went straight to work, not bothering to come to the office.

Eva had made a huge breakfast for him as a thank you for helping with the manatee, but as she saw him make his way to the next bungalow to demo followed by Juan, she threw the food in the disposal and put the dishes in her new dishwasher.

For some reason, Mike regretted kissing her, so Eva would do as Mike was doing . . . pretend that it never happened.

She never should have kissed him back. Instead, Eva should have slapped his face for impertinence. But Eva admitted to herself that she had enjoyed the kiss.

But it was obvious that Mike didn’t want to get involved.

Eva didn’t really blame him.

There was a lot on his plate. He had a traumatized daughter who had seen her mother die in an unfortunate accident. His house had been destroyed in the hurricane and they were now living with his mother.

Eva would just have to move on. She was making a new life for herself in Key Largo and Mike was just a small bump in the road.

M
ike had been thinking about Eva all night. In fact, he got little sleep. He hadn’t been this restless since . . . well, since Beth.

He didn’t want to think about Eva. Mike didn’t want to invest in a relationship that wasn’t going to stick. He didn’t think Eva would hang around. She’d sell the Last Chance Motel and move back to the Big Apple.

Mike couldn’t take that chance with Jenny . . . or with himself either. He didn’t know what to do.

But he couldn’t forget that kiss. It was explosive, at least on his part. Maybe he should feel Eva out. Maybe she might be interested too.

All through the day, he tried to stay away from Eva. Being around her clouded his judgment.

Juan said he was being ridiculous . . . that Mike should talk with Eva.

After being harangued all afternoon by Juan, Mike decided to take his advice.

He went to look for Eva. Of course, he found her in a bathroom with a radio blasting away.

Mike turned down the radio. “Eva, can I talk to you?”

“Sure thing. What do you need?”

Mike wanted to say . . . “you” but thought that was too corny.

Eva waited for Mike to speak. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if he answered “you” to her question! She knew it would be corny, but awfully romantic.

Instead Mike stammered, “I think I might work late tonight. Okay with you?”

Disappointed, Eva nodded.

Mike stood staring at her.

“Is there something else?”

Finally Mike gathered up his courage. “I hope you’re not mad at me for kissing you last night.”

“I was surprised but not angry. It was nice.”

“Really?”

Eva smiled. “Yes, it was pleasant.”

“Maybe you and I can go out sometime . . . like to dinner.”

“As on a date?”

Mike puffed up his chest. “Yeah. No. Yes. Like a date. Would you like that?”

“Dinner would be nice.”

“That’s great. I don’t have time for the next several weeks but how about after that?”

“Just ask me again when you have freed up some time.”

Mike smiled. “Will put on my to-do list.”

Eva wiped dust off her face while chuckling. “That’s a first for me, being put on a to-do list.”

“Okay, Boss Lady. I’ll get back to you in a couple of weeks.”

“You know where to find me.”

Mike grinned and started backing out of the bathroom until he stumbled over some buckets.

Eva tried not to laugh.

Mike clumsily straightened the stack of buckets and made a hasty retreat. He felt his chest. His heart was pounding.

“What have I just gotten myself into?” muttered Mike under his breath. But he wasn’t upset anymore. The hurdle had been jumped. He had asked Eva out.

What will happen will happen.

E
va decided it was time to go to a popular watering hole and meet the local homies. She needed to start making relationships with resident business people, and also try the restaurants so she could make recommendations to her motel guests.

She shaved her legs and the small moustache above her upper lip after rubbing cream on her skin until it reflected light. Make-up was carefully applied, even false eyelashes. Looking at herself with approval in a full-length mirror, Eva put on a sixties-era black cocktail dress that had been her mother’s and new sandals.

It was time New York chic met Key Largo casual.

Eva walked across the highway and down a short road to the restaurant nearest the Last Chance Motel.

The restaurant, called Aussie Jack’s, was extremely busy. A hostess escorted Eva to the bar that was on the water at the back of the eatery. Eva sat on the left side so she could see the restaurant through its large panels of glass. People inside could watch people outside looking in. Perfect.

“What can I do for you, Luv?” asked the bartender.

“I’ll have a Manhattan,” replied Eva, giving him a bright smile.

The bartender began mixing the drink. “Down here for the fishing?”

“Not really.”

“Didn’t think so. You’re not burned but really tan. That means that you’ve been here awhile and you don’t look like the snowbirds we usually get after nine.”

Eva chuckled. “I am Eva Hanover. I bought the Last Chance Motel across the road.”

The bartender stuck out a hand. “I’m Jack. Glad to meet another local.”

Eva shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“I drive past your motel every day and I’ve got to say that it looks like you are doing a great job.”

“Thanks. I’m trying.”

“I especially like the pink flamingo sign. Does it work?”

“Yes, but we’re saving the lighting for the Grand Opening Day.”

“Let me know when that will happen. I would like to see her lit up.”

“Sure.” Eva took a sip of her drink. “Are you really from Australia?”

“Born and bred. Came here for a vacation and met a local gal. End of story.”

“Except that every day is still a vacation?”

“Exactly,” Jack grinned. “No complaints here.”

Eva returned his smile. “How much do I owe for the drink?”

“On the house, as you are a fellow business owner.”

“That is very sweet. Does that mean you own this restaurant?”

Jack put his finger up to his lips. “Don’t let anybody know. They won’t give me tips then.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

Jack winked and then hurried to the other end of the bar where a customer was signaling for him.

Eva ordered an appetizer and was sipping on her drink when she spied Mike in the dining room. She was about to wave and catch his attention when she saw that a woman was sharing his table . . . a hot looking woman who was much younger than Mike.

Eva picked up a menu and hid behind it. Slowly she pulled the menu down so she could see into the restaurant. The young woman was definitely flirting with Mike, who did not seem to be resisting her charms. Mike’s companion was rubbing his hand and leaning toward him. That was code for “want to stay the night?” Mike was laughing and looking down the woman’s low-cut blouse.

Eva’s heart sank.

“What’s the matter, Luv?” asked Aussie Jack, suddenly concerned after seeing Eva’s expression.

“I’ll tell you what the matter is. A woman might as well cut her wrists after the age of thirty-five.” Eva reached into her purse and fled the premises, after throwing a twenty on the bar.

U
sually Mike was entranced with these hot little Miami cuties that wandered to Key Largo looking for a little R and R, but he felt different tonight.

He had made a firm date with his lady friend a week ago and hadn’t cancelled. But after what had happened with Eva, Mike wasn’t interested anymore. The problem was that Mike was bad about letting women down. He hadn’t figured out a good excuse to get out of this date or his pattern of behavior with available ladies.

And it was clear that this young lady expected more than just dinner and was very upfront about it. It was all he could do to keep her hands where he could see them, as they kept wandering below the table.

Since his wife died, he had welcomed the no-strings-attached sex, but it just wasn’t enough now. Not since Eva had entered his life.

Mike begged off dancing, explaining that he had to get up early. He took the disappointed young lady to her hotel. When he tried to explain why he wasn’t going to join her for the night, Mike couldn’t really give a good reason.

The young woman listened patiently and then said, “You don’t have to explain. You’re in love with someone else.” She pressed his hand. “Happy for you. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

“You’re a class act, Babe. They don’t make many like you anymore.”

The young woman kissed Mike goodbye on the cheek and sashayed into the hotel.