Love Draws Near Read online

  Love Draws Near

  By Cynthia Hickey

  Contains:

  Maui Magic

  Suddenly

  Hillbilly Cinderella

  I’d Rather Kiss My Horse

  Suspicious Minds

  MAUI MAGIC

  A Paradise Romance Novella

  By Cynthia Hickey

  1

  “Are you an idiot?”

  Amanda Samson turned from the top rung of the ladder and flew. Not so much as flew, but fell, on top of the handsomest man she’d ever seen.

  He grunted and closed eyes the color of the ocean. “While I don’t usually complain when wrestling a female, I think you need to get off me.”

  “I don’t think I can.” Pain shot up her ankle, stealing her breath. Or maybe her loss of breath came from the stormy look the stranger gave her. Either way, she panted.

  Mr. Handsome rolled her over sideways and struggled to his feet. He bent at the waist and drew in several deep breaths. “I’ve had pretty women knock the breath from me before but they’ve never fallen from the sky.”

  He thought her pretty? She held up a hand. “Help me up.”

  Yanking her to her feet, then sweeping her into his arms when she yelped and sagged against him, he marched into Samson’s Surf and Sandwiches. He deposited her rather roughly onto one of the bar stools. “Do I need to call a doctor?”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “What were you doing standing on the very top of a ladder and stretching to…were you actually washing an outdoor sign?” He crossed his arms. Biceps strained the white tee-shirt he wore. “It rains every day.”

  She glared and propped her aching ankle on a nearby stool. “I believe in keeping things sparkling.”

  “I hope the new owner has good liability insurance with you working here.”

  “I am the owner, and we have very good insurance.” She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Amanda Samson, at your service.”

  He held out his hand. “Drake Thomas. Looks like you’re my boss. I’m captain of the Island Princess.”

  This wonderful specimen worked for her? She ran her eyes over his muscled frame, blue eyes, and sun-bleached hair. He definitely looked like a man who spent most of his time on the sea. With as good as he looked, she dreaded the drama when her sisters, Bethany and Cassidy, got a look at him.

  “As you can tell, we’re remodeling.” Amanda waved a hand toward the boxes and cans of paint. “We won’t be open for business or snorkeling tours for another three days.”

  “I’m here to help speed things along.” He shed his shirt. “I’ll paint.”

  Amanda gasped and bit her lip. My, he looked sinful. “I’ll, uh, get you a cover-up.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Why? Paint washes off my skin much better than fabric.”

  Mouth drier than the dessert she’d left less than a month ago, Amanda hopped off the stool, taking care to not put weight on her ankle. “I’ve work to do in the back.” She hobbled as fast as she could to her office. She’d planned on putting her sisters to work painting and unpacking once they returned from the grocery store, but Drake could probably get it done in half the time. Time was money, as Dad used to say.

  She flipped open the accounts book. They’d have to curb expenses until money started coming in. Dearly departed Uncle Luke’s area of expertise hadn’t been in keeping track of his finances. Now, that job fell to Amanda, and it was a job she’d relish.

  Leave customer service and sandwich making to her sisters. Numbers made more sense. Amanda vowed from the first day to make a success of the Surf and Sandwiches by the end of six months. If not, they’d have to sell and move back to Arizona. They’d be out of money, and Uncle Luke would haunt them from his grave.

  She glanced out the small office window. She could barely make out the ocean, but it was enough of a view to make her want to stay.

  Paint fumes drifted on an island breeze masking the scent of the ocean. For too many years, Amanda fought and struggled to rise to a certain standard of living, and then her and her sisters had inherited a rundown beachfront business. There went the luxury apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Amanda’s career as a law accountant.

  She flipped open the ledger book. But, she’d promised her sisters to at least try, so here she was, in denim shorts and flip flops instead of a suit, and with her curly red mane stuck back in a ponytail most of the time instead of straightened and pinned up in a bun.

  Gathering said hair, she wrapped a tie around it, having lost hers during her tumble and tried to concentrate. Instead of rows of numbers, she saw Drake’s tanned face. A tuneless whistling came from the front of the store.

  Amanda slapped the book closed. They needed a computer immediately. Uncle Luke may have lived in the dark ages, but she refused to. She grabbed her purse and stormed from the office.

  “Where’s the nearest electronics store?” She tried not to watch as Drake’s muscles rippled with each roll of the paint brush. She failed. It wasn’t her fault, really. If the guy didn’t want to be ogled, he wouldn’t be working in nothing but board shorts and sandals.

  “A couple of miles.” He turned. A swatch of sunshine yellow paint slashed across his chest. “I can take you.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  He wiped his hands on a rag. “Really. Come on.” He slipped his shirt back on, paint and all, and grabbed her hand. “It’ll be faster than giving you directions.”

  “Fine.” She sighed and followed him outside. “What is that?”

  “That’s my scooter.”

  “It looks more like a motorcycle.”

  “It’s only a small one. He grinned and handed her a red helmet. “Hop on. It’s the easiest way to get around the city.” He slung one leg over and scooted up to give her room.

  Riding on the bike with him, meant holding on and leaning against his back. She bit her bottom lip. In one day, a handsome boat captain had managed to turn her well-ordered life upside down. She wasn’t sure whether to be happy or upset.

  *

  Drake grinned as Amanda rested her hands lightly on his waist. When he’d first caught a glimpse of her on the ladder, he’d thought someone was negligent in letting a child up there, but the closer he got, the more he realized the person with a rag and a death wish was actually a very pretty woman. Then, to find out she was his boss was icing on the cake.

  Since he’d arrived on Maui a little over a year ago, he hadn’t had a lot of time to get acquainted with any of the island’s beauties. Getting his boat charter business running took all of his time. But now, he looked forward to spending some time with the lovely Amanda Samson.

  “Hold on.” He gunned the bike and laughed as she pressed closer and held on tighter. He took the long way to the electronics store. Why rush a good thing?

  Once they arrived, he slid off and helped Amanda to her feet. “You okay?”

  “Legs are a bit wobbly, but I’m fine.” She lifted her chin and marched ahead of him.

  Ah, so she was the independent type. Well, he could live with that, maybe. So was his mother, but he wasn’t sure he wanted a girl like good old mom.

  Amanda made a beeline for the computers, and immediately set one of the associates into a tailspin with her demands. She wanted a top of the line desk top loaded with programs and she wanted it at a bargain price. Drake crossed his arms and watched the show.

  The more she finagled, the more his spirits sank. She was more like his mother than he’d like. She might look island girl on the outside, but inside…she was New York City savvy and sharp. He shook his head. He’d fled that life like his heels were on fire, now his new boss was the same thing he’d left, only nicer packaging. He shoved through the doors back outside. He�
��d wait on his bike until she was finished cutting the legs off the poor salesman.

  Thirty minutes later, Amanda exited the store with a grin on her face. “They’ll deliver the computer this afternoon.” She rubbed her hands together. “What can I do in the meantime?”

  “Be nicer?” Drake shrugged. “This is Maui. Not the big city.”

  Her brow drew together. “Did I do something to you?”

  “Not to me, but you harassed that poor guy in there until he didn’t know which end was up.” He handed her the helmet.

  “I was making a deal. Funds are tight, and I need to make them stretch.” She plopped the helmet on her head and fastened the chin strap.

  “You were rude.” Drake gunned the bike to drown out her protests. Maybe the way she treated other people wasn’t any of his business, but Maui was a laid back kind of place. His kind of place. They didn’t need any city sharks frothing up the waters.

  He took the shortest way possible back to the shop and groaned. Two women, who looked remarkably similar to Amanda except for hair color, stood with eyes wide and simpering smiles in front of the store.

  “Mandy!” The blonde said. “Where have you been? We’re out working and you’re playing?”

  “Hush, Cassie. I was buying a computer.” Amanda slipped from the bike. “This is our charter captain, Drake Thomas.”

  Cassie winked. “My pleasure.”

  Amanda shook her head. “This is my middle sister, Bethany. But we call her Bethie. She’s the sandwich maker, Cassie runs the counter, and I keep the books.”

  Drake pursed his lips. Not in a million years would he have guessed Amanda went by Mandy. That nickname was too casual for her. “Pleased to meet you, ladies.”

  Cassie hefted the box she carried. “Mind being a gentleman and empty the rest of the van?”

  “Not at all.” He’d do just about anything if it kept the hungry looks from the two younger women from devouring him. He’d stepped off his boat that morning into a school of barracudas.

  He peered into the van. What in the world had they purchased? He loaded his arms and shuffled through the back door. “Where do you want these?”

  A yelp made him pause. He looked around the tower in his arms at the sight of Amanda holding her side. “Did I hit you?”

  She glared. “You shoved me into the counter. Just put the boxes over there.” She waved toward the opposite wall. “My sisters will unload them into the fridge. You’re a menace, you know that? This is the second time today you’ve caused me to be injured.”

  “Both of those times were because you weren’t paying attention.” He set the boxes on the floor. “How could you not see me coming with these boxes?”

  “I was busy!”

  “And I was working.” He whirled to fetch more boxes. He’d unload the van then head to his boat. Time away from confusing women was what he needed. After all, he wasn’t an hourly employee. Most of the time he only worked when there was a dive scheduled or lessons to be given. That’s what he got for being nice. He stacked the last of the boxes and turned to leave.

  Amanda handed him a hundred dollar bill. “I’m not sure how Uncle Luke paid you. There’s nothing in the ledger. Here’s today’s pay for painting and unloading.”

  He eyed her as if she had horns. “I normally get paid fifty percent of the lessons and boat bookings, but I’ll take this.” He’d definitely earned it.

  “All right. Did my uncle always pay in cash? I’d prefer to pay you by check or direct deposit so I have a proper accounting for your salary.”

  He shook his head. “Whatever is easier, Boss.” After pocketing the money, he gave her a thin-lipped smile. “Anything you need me to do tomorrow?” After all, if she wanted to pay him for his labor, he’d work.

  As long as she left him to the work and didn’t lord over him.

  2

  “That is one good-looking surfer dude.” Bethie leaned her elbows on the counter. “When is he coming back?”

  Amanda sighed and bumped her out of the way. “Tomorrow. We still have a lot of work to do to get this place ready to open, and he can do most of it faster than we can.” A truck pulled up in front of the store. “Oh, good. The computer is here.”

  “You’re such a nerd.” Bethie shook her head, looking and acting like an eighteen year old instead of twenty-three. “Oh, he’s cute, too. This island makes the best men. We should’ve left Arizona a long time ago.” She tilted her head and smiled.

  The delivery boy, who looked like an island native with his dark hair and skin, hoisted a box on his shoulders and pushed through the front door. “When are you going to be open again? Me and my pals like to rent our equipment here.”

  “Two more days. Monday at seven a.m.” Amanda opened the office door. “Set that next to the desk, please.”

  “My boss said you asked us to install.” He pulled a box cutter from the pocket of his tropical flowered shorts.

  “So, I did. Thanks.” Amanda wanted to clap. Finally, she could do her job properly. If a person wanted a business to be successful, they needed to act professional. She’d ordered uniforms for the three Samson sisters. Khaki slacks and tropical shirts. A bit cliché maybe, but she liked them.

  “Hey, Mandy.” Bethie came in with her arm full of plastic leis. “I bought a crate of these this morning. I figured with three women working here, we could hand each one out to customers with a kiss.” She grinned.

  “Awesome.” The computer boy straightened. “You’ll be swamped for business with three lookers like you ladies.” He winked.

  Amanda rolled her eyes. “Definitely not.” She would not kiss a stranger just to increase her business, except for maybe Drake.

  His prickliness about her so-called rude behavior didn’t lessen his attractiveness. His eyes contrasted sharply with his tanned skin and his sun-bleached hair didn’t look as if it had seen any amount of hair product in quite a while. All natural, that one.

  She forced her thoughts back to the work at hand. As the new owner of a business, she didn’t have time for romantic feelings for anyone, no matter how muscular and good looking or how much they smelled like the sun and sea.

  Stepping outside, she took a deep breath. She should have visited Uncle Luke more as she grew. Maybe then she could have learned to relax more, not be so driven to have everything perfect.

  Speaking of perfect, she needed to get a look at Drake’s boat and make sure it was a proper reflection of their store. She grabbed her purse and set off toward the Lahaina Boat Harbor. She cast a glance at the old whaling ship moored next to the shore, wishing they had a tourist attraction such as that one.

  The sun shined warm on her shoulders, the breeze teasing at the strands of hair that had pulled free from its holder. Despite the paradise around her, she marched with a determined step. Beautiful surroundings or not, the day was still a working day and she wouldn’t toss it away recklessly.

  Boats of all shapes and sizes lined the harbor, and Amanda wandered the dock looking for the Island Princess. She should have thought to ask the berth number. None of the sailboats fit the name. Surely not. She glanced toward the yachts across a small strip of water. A man would need a chunk of change to run a yacht charter.

  She headed to the other pier. Halfway down, her steps faltered.

  Drake leaned over the bow, two beauties in bikinis and sarongs yelling up at him. He glanced up and spotted Amanda. His smile faded, and he waved the girls away.

  “What can I do you for, Boss Lady?” He opened a small swinging door and jumped to the pier, before padding barefoot in her direction. Wonderful. Now he wore nothing but shorts. Amazing how much … more nude he appeared without his sandals.

  “Is this yours?” She shaded her eyes with one hand.

  “Yes, ma’am. Bought and paid for.” He licked his thumb and rubbed a dirt spot on the hull.

  “Oh.” There was more to her employee than met the eye. “Okay, then, great.” She gave him a shaky smile. “I was checking to
make sure your boat would do the business proud. I can see I worried for nothing. This boat—”

  “Yacht.” His eyes narrowed before he pulled the sunglasses from the top of his head and slipped them over his eyes.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I prefer yacht over boat.”

  “Okay, your … yacht is bigger than my store. Well done.” Why in heaven’s name did he work in a beachside business as a charter boat captain? “I assume you also live here?”

  “Yep. This is my home. Would you like a tour?”

  “I’d rather hear about the business aspect, please.”

  “Might as well do both.” He held out a hand. “This way you can see firsthand that my boat won’t embarrass you.”

  She glanced at the setting sun. “If we hurry.” The last thing she needed, or wanted, was to be on a yacht, in the dark, with a half-dressed man who looked like Drake. Until that morning, she’d thought all boat captains were bearded, smelly old men.

  As Drake sauntered ahead of her, she thought how very wrong she’d been. She bit her lip and allowed him to help her onboard. “How many people do you take out at a time and do you do private charters?”

  The corner of his mouth quirked. “Are you asking for a private cruise? I wouldn’t charge you a penny.”

  *

  Drake didn’t know why he felt led to embarrass Amanda, but her high-and-mighty attitude was wearing on his nerves. Embarrass her? That two-bit shop she ran couldn’t come close to his baby.

  “I charge forty dollars a person for a five hour tour that includes Molokini and Turtle Town. I do a party of six maximum for snorkeling and split the profits with you, since you supply the equipment and now the food, as well. I will do private parties of six for fifty per person, again split with you.

  “I do parties at five hundred a night for twenty people for a maximum of six hours, which is my profit since I do it after hours.” He crossed his arms. “I make a very good living renting out my boat. When the shop is open, we have a trip every day.”

  She flinched. “I’m sorry I called it a boat. I’m not savvy about these things. Please tell me more about the yacht.”