”
Breck’s laughing protests that he was sorely misunderstood—and a faithfully married man at that—faded into the music as he led Alice out through the dancers to a clear spot on the floor.
Graham ducked his head, hoping to avoid eye contact with any forward women who might think this meant he was available for a dance, and stalked over to where Tex was pouring drinks at the bar. Tex handed him a beer without being asked and Wrench, who was also clearly trying to dodge an arranged dance while Lydia glided around with one of the guests, clinked bottles with him.
Everything felt... practically perfect.
His mate was safe. His friends were safe.
The resort was solvent, and they were going to own it outright, forever. They never had to worry about having it sold out from under them again, or losing the lease.
There were no secrets on his shoulders save one, and that was not his burden. His demons were laid to rest at last, and he finally felt wholehearted. He couldn’t imagine loving anyone more than he loved Alice, or trusting anyone more completely.
“Who’s that dancing with Scarlet?” Travis asked curiously.
“Haven’t seen him before,” Tex said. Tex had a bartender’s memory for faces and stories.
Graham glanced towards the far entrance. There was a large suitcase and a fancy garment bag sitting by the door. “New guest,” he guessed with a shrug. Sometimes dragons or other shifters who could fly chose to come in under their own power rather than taking a boat or charter plane.
“Good dancer,” Wrench observed briefly.
Graham didn’t have the best view, between the dancers around them and the distance, but Scarlet and the stranger were talking intensely. He couldn’t gauge her mood from here, but it was clear that the new guest had all of her attention.
That generally wasn’t a comfortable position to be in, but the stranger didn’t seem to be the slightest bit intimidated, which was unexpected. He was actually smiling at her.
He looked... triumphant.
“Is he going to kiss her?” Jenny asked avidly, as the two came close together in a flashy dance pattern—much closer than Scarlet’s partner’s usually got—and paused longer than the music dictated.
“Does he have a deathwish?” Laura chuckled.
“Graham!” Alice hissed, breaking through the dancers with Breck in tow. “Graham, that’s him!” Her hand closed around his elbow and she pointed in alarm at the man they were discussing. “That’s the guy who gave me the business card! That’s N. Padrikanth Moore!”
“Here?” Graham balled up his fists. If the man had followed Alice with some idea of revenge...
“Did you say Padrikanth Moore?” Jenny exclaimed in alarm, nearly choking on her drink. “You’re telling me that’s Beehag’s lawyer? Here? Dancing with Scarlet?”
Note from Zoe Chant
I hope you enjoyed Alice and Graham’s story! I have been waiting a long time to tell Graham’s tale, and I was especially happy to have a chance to give Magnolia and Chef their own happy ending. I will be writing more of their backstory as a Christmas short – be sure to sign up for my mailing list or watch my Facebook page, as it will probably be available free on my webpage.
Read on for the exclusive short story, Reunion, in which Gizelle reconnects with Neal!
And yes, I have already started the epic final chapter of the Shifting Sands saga. I don’t have a concrete ETA for this book, but I have been loving hearing guesses of what Scarlet might be. You’ll find the answers to all the mysteries in the next book, Tropical Dragon’s Destiny.
I always appreciate knowing what you thought – you can leave a review at Amazon or Goodreads or Bookbub (I read them all, and they help other readers find me, too!) or email me at [email protected]
If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook, where I show off new covers first, and you can get sneak previews, chances at free books, and I’ll answer questions you might have.
The cover of Tropical Lion’s Legacy was designed by Ellen Million – visit her page to find coloring pages of some of my characters, including Gizelle, Hugh (from Fire and Rescue), and more!
Reunion
Neal gazed over the lawn, a slight smile at his mouth as he sat thoughtfully on the picnic table where he and Graham and Breck had shared so many meals.
It hadn’t changed a lot in the year he’d been gone; though the hotel was no longer staff housing, it didn’t look any different. The jungle still held proud sentry uphill, and the sun, high in the sky, beat down on the sunny lawn.
Neal closed his eyes. The air still had the same green taste and warmth, with just the slightest tang of salty seawater.