Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53081 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
“I’d love a cup of coffee and some water.”
“You’ve got it. I’ll be right back with your coffee.”
Her phone buzzed with a message, and she grinned at the name identified. Daddy. She opened it and read:
Hey, Little girl. I hope you slept well. I’m missing you today. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?
Yes.
I can’t wait.
How can I feel so strongly about him already? Isla set her phone down and scooted it away. She knew he was busy and needed to pay attention to the passengers. She wouldn’t distract him by messaging back again.
A short time later, the waiter returned with a cup of the hot beverage. Isla sat looking over the water as she sipped delicious, hot coffee that helped disperse the last of her sleepiness. This was a gorgeous place. Totally worth the long trip, even if the map turned out to be a wild goose chase.
“Hey…Isla, right?”
A friendly voice made her turn. Sadie, the front desk manager, stood by the table. “Hi, Sadie.” On a whim, Isla asked, “Do you have time to join me for coffee?”
“Of course. Let me grab a cup.”
Sadie bustled off to grab a cup for herself and returned with the coffee carafe to fill her empty cup and Isla’s.
“Thanks,” Isla said with a smile.
“Of course. I have to take care of special people.”
After watching Sadie return the carafe to the server’s station and settle in a seat, Isla asked, “Special people?”
“Caesar was all smiles as he went to work this morning. He enjoyed your date last night.”
Blushing furiously, Isla rushed to say, “We didn’t sleep together.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Caesar doesn’t sleep around, and I expect neither do you. He just looked happier than I’ve ever seen him this morning. I knew you were the reason.”
“Oh. That makes me happy. I enjoyed our date last night, too. He’s definitely different from any other man I’ve met,” Isla shared.
“Your burger, Miss,” the waiter said, setting a plate in front of Isla. “Want anything, Sadie?”
“I didn’t until I smelled that. Could I have the same thing?” Sadie asked with a smile.
“I’ll put your order in.”
When the server left, Sadie waved at Isla’s plate. “Please eat while it’s hot. Mine will be here fast.”
On a whim, Isla cut her burger in half. “Why don’t we split mine and then we can share yours?”
“Deal,” Sadie agreed and pulled over a bread plate to use as her plate. Helping herself to one half, she took a big bite. “Thank you. I missed breakfast. I was supposed to grab something after I got to work, but it was crazy this morning. Just don’t tell my Daddy.” Sadie’s mouth rounded in an O as she realized what she’d said. “Oh.”
“You have a Daddy?” Isla asked, knowing instinctively that Sadie wasn’t talking about her father.
“I shouldn’t have said that. Some people don’t understand,” Sadie whispered, dropping her hamburger onto the small plate.
“It’s all right. I’ve never met anyone who lives that lifestyle, but I’ve heard of it. Eat. Really, you’re fine.”
“You’ve met other people,” Sadie assured her, appearing to relax. “It’s more common than you think.” She picked up the burger half and took another bite.
“Truly?” Isla looked around at the families and couples who had streamed in after her for lunch.
“I don’t know about the guests. There are a few, I suspect, as they come to the front desk. There are definitely some Dominant/submissive couples.”
“I bet you see all sorts of things at the front desk,” Isla said quietly.
“I do. I love my job. There are a few unpleasant people, but I’ve met so many amazing ones.”
Isla leaned in to whisper, “Does your Daddy work here?”
“He does. Rocco is mine. He’s our rock-climbing instructor,” Sadie said with a soft smile.
“Rocco? And he’s the rock-climbing expert?”
“I know. He also leads the hikes around the grounds and takes people on picnics.”
“That’s great. I need to get a list of all the activities available. I love the water, but a hike around Danger Bluff sounds great. It’s so pretty here.”
“It is. I don’t ever want to leave,” Sadie said.
“I can understand that. It’s going to be tough to head back to the airport.”
“Who knows? Maybe you’ll stay here.” Sadie popped the last bite of the shared hamburger into her mouth as the waiter set a fresh one in front of her. “Here! Choose your half.”
“I probably only need a half,” Isla said as she followed directions.
“Next time, we’ll just split one and ask for extra fries,” Sadie suggested easily.
“Sounds good,” Isla said, wondering when that could even happen. The thought was nice. She liked knowing that Sadie enjoyed her company.
By the time they finished and each lady had signed their bills, Isla noticed the Danger Bluff boat returning to the dock. “There’s the boat.”
“Want to take the guys’ lunches down to them?” Sadie asked with a twinkle in her eye.