Tall, Dark and Texan. Annette Broadrick

relieved sigh from the other end winged its way to her ear. “Thank God. How is he?”

      Shannon smiled to herself. “He could best be summed up as having gone native. He might not have gone as far as the South Seas, but he looks like your typical beachcomber.”

      “Has he lost weight?”

      “Now that, I couldn’t tell you. Remember, I haven’t seen him in several years. I must say, he looks healthy enough to me.”

      “I’ve been so worried. I managed to get in touch with him earlier today and we had a horrible fight.”

      “Well, he didn’t give me any trouble. I found him at a local hangout and suggested we come back to his place.”

      “Oh, good. Did he recognize you?”

      “Are you kidding? He hasn’t a clue who I am or why I’m here. I have a hunch he won’t be nearly so happy to see me come morning.”

      Mandy sighed once more. “I really don’t know what to do anymore, Shannon. And Rafe’s no help. He says everyone at the plant is very understanding of the situation. Thank goodness there are good shift managers who can oversee what needs to be done without supervision.”

      “I can understand your concern. After all, I have a couple of big brothers, too. If either of them went off the deep end like this, I’d be worried sick as well.”

      “I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your volunteering to look after him for me.”

      Shannon laughed. “I have a hunch the job’s going to get much tougher when morning rolls around. But I can handle him. As I said, I’m used to dealing with my brothers.”

      “I hope you’ll be able to enjoy the island, as well.”

      “Oh, I certainly intend to do that. I haven’t been down here in more than five years. I have some serious sunbathing to do.”

      “I’m sure once Dan gets his act together, he’ll thank you for what you’re doing for him.”

      “I won’t hold my breath. Besides, I’m still hoping to fill one of the positions currently being offered at his company. So if he’s feeling all that appreciative, he can hire me.”

      “Ah,” Mandy replied with a chuckle. “Your ulterior motive reveals itself.”

      “Absolutely. Of course he may never want to lay eyes on me again after this little jaunt, but that doesn’t matter. I was unemployed when I offered to do this. He can’t fire me since he hasn’t hired me.”

      “He’ll be furious when he finds out I sent you down there.”

      “Oh, he won’t hear it from me. I’ll keep in touch. Take care. I’ll talk to you soon.”

      Shannon hung up, found the key to the apartment and went back downstairs to her car, where she got her luggage out of the trunk. The security man helped her with it, made certain she managed to get the pieces inside the elevator and waved her off.

      All the way up the elevator she couldn’t help but wonder what the guy must be thinking, since Dan hadn’t come back down to help her. Maybe she’d introduce herself as his sister. Not that it mattered what he thought. Unless, of course, Dan wanted to protect his own reputation.

      Back in the condo, she chose one of the guest bedrooms and unpacked before showering and getting ready for bed. First thing tomorrow she’d go to the grocery store. Well, maybe not first thing. Her favorite occupation whenever she was on the island was to get up at daylight and walk to the jetties to watch the sunrise.

      She had a hunch Dan wouldn’t be stirring that early. After that, however, she would be off and running, doing what she could to make Dan’s life on the island a living hell.

      What, after all, were real friends for?

       Three

      Ah, yes, this was the part of life on the island she had missed, Shannon thought the next morning as she strolled along the beach. A few early risers were also out—some jogging, others looking for shells. She took in a slow, deep breath of air, reveling in the fresh scent of the sea.

      Shannon had spent the past three years working in St. Louis, spending her winter vacations on the Colorado ski slopes. She’d missed the sensuous pleasure of walking barefoot over a damp, hard-packed, sandy beach.

      While on her shopping spree yesterday she’d indulged herself by purchasing a two-piece swimsuit with matching cover-up. Before leaving the apartment this morning, she’d taken the time to braid her hair into a single plait. The mirror had revealed that she was much too pale. She had every intention of soaking up some sun later today after she ran her errands.

      In the meantime, she was content to pick up unusual shells and slip them in her pockets. By the time she reached the jetties, she had a nice collection.

      She climbed up on the granite boulders so that she could see the channel that led to the seaport farther inland. There were large birds—she recognized pelicans and egrets, but others she wasn’t so sure about—fishing along the edges.

      There were also human fishermen with their rods and reels casting off of either side of the granite ledge. Shannon walked out a short distance and found a spot where she could sit and watch as the sun burst fully into view.

      She gave herself up to the moment.

      Eventually, the time came when she knew she had to get started with her day. With a great deal of reluctance, and a mental promise to return in time for sunset, Shannon focused on her reason for being on the island—Dan Crenshaw.

      She listened for him when she let herself into the apartment, but heard nothing. The door to his room was closed. She peeked inside the darkened interior and saw him still asleep.

      So. First things first. She quickly made up a grocery list and left for the store. After buying basic essentials and enough food for a few simple meals, she returned. Still no sign of his stirring.

      Shannon made coffee, began frying bacon, and mixed up an herbal concoction for Dan. She had a hunch he might have a bit of a headache this morning.

      The sun was now up in all its glory, flooding the large living room with light. She tapped softly on his door but when he didn’t answer she opened the door and stepped inside.

      Dan now lay on his back, his arms thrown wide. He looked very good to her from what she could see in the dim light.

      She sat the steaming cup beside the bed and walked over to the blinds. She got an immediate response as soon as she pulled the shades open.

      “Wha—? Shut the damn blinds! What do you think you’re doing?”

      She turned and found him sitting up in the middle of the bed, his elbows resting on his drawn-up knees, his face buried in his hands.

      “Good morning!” she said, brightly. “I brought you something to drink.”

      His head jerked up at the sound of her voice.

      “Who—what are you doing here?”

      Crossing her fingers behind her back, she grinned and said, “Why, you invited me to stay here with you...don’t you remember?”

      He groaned an answer.

      She picked up the cup. “Here. This should help.”

      He reached for it with a trembling hand. He sniffed, then made a face. Squinting into the cup, he asked, “What is it?”

      “Oh, my very special formula for late nights and overindulging.”

      “I never overindulge,” he stated