Page 52 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

Lucky flips the extra chair around backwards and straddles it. “Beautiful morning, wouldn’t you say? Lovely weather for a refreshing swim.”

I dig my fingernails into my thigh to prevent my teeth from grinding. Was she watching Landon and me this morning? Is that what she’s insinuating? We didn’t do anything wrong. Talking on a beach isn’t a crime.

But he cradled my face. The tension in our bodies can’t be interpreted as anything but longing and attraction.Shit, shit, shit.

If Lucky saw us, everyone in town will know, Dad will freak out, and they will investigate what else I’m not telling them—namely Dad’s health.

“Hey, there, Lucky. What brings you to Pine Ridge?” Dad chuckles, oblivious to the tension between Lucky and me.

She flutters her fingers. “Same as you. A delicious meal. Meeting my uncle to ask for advice about how to speed up the Reeves project.” Lucky clasps my hand. “You are so far behind. The council is starting to worry.” She flutters her eyelashes at my dad. “Unless…will you be back next week, Mayor? Zoe can’t quite pin those men down to do the job correctly, and we could really use your expertise.”

Dad preens under her false praise. “Doctors haven’t decided yet, but it won’t be too long now.” He rests his clasped hands on the table. “Tell me all about these delays. Zoe’s been so focused, she’s too busy to fill in her old man.”

“Dad, this is family breakfast.” I can’t call him out about his poor health with Lucky sitting between us. I try to telepathically remind him he needs to keep his stress levels down and that the estate is my problem not his, but his gaze is fixed on Lucky.

She leans in like she’s sharing secrets. “A little bird told me you didn’t like the idea of us building a resort in the first place, so let me start by calming those fears.” She pats his arm. “Mr. Prince is building a luxurious facility that will charm the socks right off our guests, so they’ll want to return year after year to our quaint little town. I’ve put out feelers about selling my mom and dad’s adjacent property. I’m thinking yoga retreats, health spa, back to nature kind of things. A kids’ camp would be amazing, don’t you think?”

“We do like giving back to the community.” Dad nods.

“See, Baby Girl? I told you he’d love the idea.”

I blink at her. She’s never shared any of this information with me. Kids’ camps? Health spa? What?

Dad shifts in his chair and narrows his gaze at me. “Baby Girl, why didn’t you tell me any of this?”

“I didn’t know. She’s never said anything about selling.”

Lucky’s mouth drops open, and she presses her hand to her chest. “We voted at the last town council meeting. Weren’t you paying attention? Or were you off daydreaming again?” She shakes her head. “Grandmama always said you were a flibbertigibbet.”

Dad tsks. “No need for name calling.”

“Not trying to insult, just worried. She’s seemed so distracted recently. If being your assistant is too much for her, I’m sure we can find someone else to take the position. I’d love to, but running the apothecary takes so much of my time.”

“I’m fine,” I grit out.

“I’m sure it was traumatic losing your car like that. Isn’t that like what happened to your mama?”

Dad’s face pales. “What’s she talking about, Baby Girl?”

“Nothing,” I say through gritted teeth. “I told you, I was in an accident, but everything’s fine.”

“An accident—that’s what you told him? Your car falling off the side of a cliff is no mere accident.” Lucky clasps my hands but leans into my dad’s shoulder like she’s seeking comfort. “She almost died. If Mr. Prince hadn’t rescued her, like a knight in shining armor, flags would be at half-staff.”

“Lucky, you can stop being overly dramatic now. I am fine. No reason to stress my dad out for—”

Dad smacks his hands on the table. “What else are you keeping from me?”

“Can we talk about this later, please? Your blood pressure.”

“This is why that house should be demolished. Nothing but heartache and tragedy.”

“I’m not Mom.”

“Don’t bring her into this.”

“She would want us to restore the house.”

“Just because you want something doesn’t mean you should have it.”