“We couldn’t do anything else,” Lydia said defensively.
Scarlet’s smile was unexpected, if a little exasperated. “You don’t generally get a lot of choice in the matter,” she said with amusement.
Lydia blinked at her in confusion. “I don’t mean to put you out,” she said apologetically. “And it’s only temporary.”
Scarlet’s smile cooled. “Temporary? Are the two of you planning to leave Shifting Sands, then? Or are you thinking of a honeymoon?” She looked as confused as Lydia felt.
“Honeymoon?” Lydia squeaked.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow at her. “With Wrench?”
Lydia stared, trying to put the pieces together. “Wrench,” she repeated.
“Your mate,” Scarlet reminded her.
She didn’t know about Ally, Lydia realized in a rush. She’d found out that Wrench and Lydia were mates, which, to Lydia’s astonishment, was so natural and perfect as to be unremarkable in her own head now.
She put a hand over her eyes and laughed weakly in relief. “It’s been a crazy week,” she admitted to Scarlet.
“I’m so happy for you,” Scarlet said warmly.
“We haven’t made long-term plans,” Lydia said faintly, remembering Wrench’s reluctant proposal.
Scarlet put a hand on her arm. “Are you happy?”
Lydia blinked at her in surprise. “So happy,” she blurted without thinking. “It’s been…” what word had Tex used? “Complicated.” The word failed to capture the nuance. “But I’m... really happy.” She laughed, and felt a little shocky. “Really happy,” she repeated, with emphasis.
And she was.
Wrench made her feel complete in ways that Lydia had never even known she was missing.
He hadn’t come with the romance that Lydia had expected, but she couldn’t imagine her life without him any longer. And the life she imagined for them together filled her with joy and contentment.
Scarlet gave her a swift, warm hug, a strangely familiar gesture for the resort owner.
“I’m glad,” she said simply.
“I’m sorry if it’s been any disruption,” Lydia said contritely, thinking of her several late classes.
Scarlet waved her off. “No one has complained. I’ll get this product ordered, and if you need time off, please give me some warning.”
“Of course,” Lydia agreed. “You’ll know my plans as soon as I do.”
As Scarlet left, Lydia heaved a sigh of relief.
A burly blonde man replaced her in the doorway. “I am here for a massage, yes?” Lydia recognized him as the Swedish hockey player, now tanned to a new shade of bronze.
“This way,” she said courteously.
Chapter 25
Wrench headed back to Lydia’s courtyard, drenched in sweat. Roof work was hot work, and it had been a sweltering morning of it. The pool, as he walked past, was as busy as he’d ever seen it, with many dozens of guests seeking relief in the cool water as the sun reached its peak. The conversation still buzzed with talk about the earthquake, which had apparently originated very near their little island.
“Another morning of roof repairs should do it,” Travis told Wrench cheerfully. “It goes pretty fast with two sets of hands.”
Wrench grunted.
“We’ll have new glass in next week and get the last two cottages back up and running. Scarlet says the boat she ordered should be ready by then, too, and we can start managing our own deliveries again. That’s a relief.”