Chapter Three

      What had he done to deserve Sterling?

      They were on an island and she didn’t want to get wet. She was more pampered than a Persian show cat. Forget about being here at the end of the two weeks. She’d be lucky to survive tonight.

      Cade watched her pick up her backpack, ease the strap onto her shoulder and straighten it. No doubt years of cruising malls and boutiques with shopping bags and a large purse had trained her well. Only her shopping expertise was worthless here. So were those high-heeled sandals. The thin straps made her ankles look so delicate. The heels accentuated her toned calves. At least they were good for something. They weren’t designed for walking or comfort or anything remotely practical. “You might want to take off your shoes,” he suggested.

      “The sand is hot.” She took a wobbly step in the hourglass-fine sand. And another. It was like watching a train wreck.

      One more step and her ankle gave way. She stumbled and plopped onto the sand with a delicate exclamation. A heap of legs, arms and backpack. She brushed the sand from her hands with a bit of impatience.

      He walked toward her. “You okay?”

      “Yes.” Frustration laced her words. As she undid the strap circling her thin ankle, she fumbled with the catches. Finally she removed the sandals. “I should have listened to you.”

      “The sand is hot.” Cade wanted to be charitable if not nice. No matter what he might think of Sterling, he was going to be the picture of restraint and politeness. That was the only way they would survive this ordeal together. Fourteen days with her? The thought made him grit his teeth. “Want a hand?”

      “Please.”

      He extended his arm, and his hand engulfed hers. Her skin felt soft and smooth against his. Warm, too. Her hand was so small, but she was no wispy flower about to wilt in the sun. He’d found that out when he carried her to shore. She was soft, but well toned. No doubt she worked out.

      As Cade pulled Sterling to her feet, he caught a whiff of her perfume. No light and airy fragrance for her, either. Her scent was exotic, yet subtle. The kind of perfume that left an imprint and made him want another smell. But that wasn’t an option. She wasn’t one, either.

      He let go of her hand. “I hope you brought other shoes.”

      “Of course, I did. They are the most beautiful pair of Manolo…” Her smile disappeared. “They have heels, too. No matter, I’ll simply buy another pair.”

      Cade glanced around. Palm trees, sand, shrubbery. Not a shoe store in sight. “Where?”

      “At the resort.”

      “What resort?”

      She stared at him as if he’d asked the stupidest question in the world. “The one we’re staying at for our adventure.”

      Uh-oh. Cade looked out to sea. A small dot sailed toward the horizon. He had one word for Henry. Chicken. Cade actually had several more, but he’d joined the kids at Smiling Moon’s challenge to stop swearing. Until now, he’d forgotten, but he needed to make an effort for the kids’ sake.

      “What’s wrong?” Sterling asked.

      Might as well tell her the truth. She’d figure it out for herself soon enough. “We’re on a deserted island, Sterling. There is no resort.”

      “There has to be a resort.”

      “Sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say.

      “If there’s no resort, where will we sleep?” She tilted her chin with an inquisitive look in her eyes. “A hotel?”

      He dug the toe of his shoe into the sand. “Right here.”

      Her forehead creased, but she still didn’t seem to get it.

      “Out here on the beach,” he added. “Or maybe back by the trees. We’ll have to scout out a good campsite. Among the trees would be the best.”

      Her eyes widened. “You mean we’ll sleep outside like…camping in a t-tent?”

      He nodded. “A tent would be a luxury. Remember this is a survival adventure. Henry wants us to use survival skills.”

      “Put me in a motel with poly-cotton blend sheets and no room service and I’ll show you survival skills. This…this is inhumane.” Her words held an edge of panic. She glanced around. “Where are the…facilities?”

      “Do you mean bathrooms?”

      She nodded.

      “Wherever you want them to be.”

      Her mouth gaped open. “You mean…in the wild?”

      The horror in her voice almost made Cade feel sorry for her. “This isn’t exactly the wild, but the answer is yes.”

      She pursed her lips. Yes, she had the perfect pout down pat. He was surprised she didn’t stomp her feet or toss her shoes to the ground. No doubt that’s what she would do next.

      “How could Henry do this to us? To me?” Her eyes glistened and Cade thought she might cry. “Henry’s supposed to be my friend. He’s like a brother to me.”

      Cade took a step toward her and stopped. He didn’t know what to do. Hug her? He didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. She wasn’t his friend. She was his responsibility for the next two weeks. Nothing more, nothing less.

      “Henry said this would be a fun adventure. I’m usually up for anything, but this…” She blinked. “What was he thinking? Henry knows I’ve never been camping.”

      Cade understood Sterling’s frustration. He didn’t want to be here any more than she did, but he could imagine this was a lot worse for her than him. She probably didn’t use public restrooms or know what a latrine was. “It’ll be okay.”

      “No, it won’t.” Her gaze, full of fear, locked on Cade. “I don’t want to die in the wild.”

      “No one is going to die.” Like her or not, he would have to cut her some slack. He squeezed her hand. “I’ve spent lots of time outdoors. Hiking, backpacking, climbing, camping.”

      “So you know what to do?”

      “I know what to do,” he assured her. “I’ll—we’ll be fine.”

      Her brilliant smile made him feel like her hero. A superhero to Henry’s treacherous villain? No, Cade wouldn’t go that far, but he enjoyed spending time outdoors and knew what he was doing. He’d chaperoned a group