Barefoot Bay: Castle in the Sand (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Free

You need to lighten up.”
    “Lighten up? This is my life that’s being upended!” Walking to the other side of the kitchen island so she could put some distance between her and the prince, Josie shook her head. “I don’t like it.”
    Nick glanced at his friend. Her brother had obviously thought convincing her was going to be easy.
    “What would Grandma do if somebody showed up on her doorstep and asked for help?” her brother asked.
    That bastard. “That’s not fair! You’re using Grandma to manipulate me!”
    “No, I’m trying to get you to think about the legacy of this house. How Grandma always had room for people.” Nick trained his eyes on hers, working every angle to get her to give in.
    “Did they teach you manipulation at spy school?” she snapped.
    “As a matter of fact, they did.” Nick didn’t move toward her, he just stared. He nailed her with his coal black eyes and didn’t let up.
    “Oh, please. Is that all you have, Nick? The menacing stare?”
    “Josie, come on!”
    “Did you think you could just dump a problem like this in my lap? You’re nuts.”
    “Hey, he is a prince. A little respect.”
    Stopping long enough to eye Tony and his obvious discomfort, Josie felt a twinge of pity. Just a twinge. “Here’s a question for you, Tony. Why aren’t you behind the walls of your embassy in Washington if this is such an issue? I’m sure they could offer you first-rate accommodations.”
    “Your house is very nice,” Tony said. “But I don’t want to be a problem. If you really would like me to leave, just say so.”
    Nick was still staring. Tony was being so damned considerate. “All right! Fine. Show him the guest room.”
    “You’re the best, sis. And if he gets in trouble, just let me know. I’ll take care of it.”
    Somehow, as innocently as he meant it, when Nick said he would “take care of it” she believed him.
    “Thank you, Josie,” Tony said. “I’ll stay out of your hair as best I can.”
    “Hmmpf. Right. I’m going to change and take a swim. You two figure out dinner. Let me know what we’re doing.”
    Taking her arm as she walked by, Tony smiled and her heart did a little flutter. Stupid heart. “Thank you again,” he said.
    “Don’t touch me.” She jerked her arm away. “I could still change my mind. Remember that.”
    Like it or not, the man was charming, and gorgeous, and he was going to drive Josie crazy. If she didn’t establish boundaries now, she’d be in real trouble.
     
    The house was deceiving, bigger than it looked from the outside. Tony sat on the bed in his room, feeling the peace of the island starting to take hold. The entire stretch of beach was lined with bungalows similar to this one. There were small yards that ended with a sea wall before transitioning to the beach.
    Taking out his cell, he composed a text to his sister.
    In Florida at a friend’s house. Tell Mother and Father I’ll call in a day or so.
    Good idea. Let things settle down a bit, she wrote back. I still can’t believe Astrid did such a thing.
    Neither did I, but I know better now. It won’t happen again.
    I hope not. Father can’t take another shock like that. Not your fault, but still. Talk soon. Xo
    Placing his phone on the side table, he relaxed back into the pillows, close to falling asleep when he heard a door open and close.
    He picked his head up and glanced out at the gulf, where he caught sight of Josie walking along the shore.
    She was upset. He could see it in her shoulders, in the way she held her head. She was so lovely. The years had almost helped him forget how pretty she was, how she wore every emotion on her face, how her big brown eyes gave up all her secrets.
    Opening the French doors that led right to the beach, Tony stepped out and wondered if he hadn’t been handed a second chance. His response to Josie was more than physical. Yes, his body warmed just thinking about touching her, but it was everything else he really missed—her laugh,