PARADISE COVE (PARADISE SERIES Book 1) by Patrice Wilton Page A

your entire family is delightful. I'll give you that."
    "Which reminds me. We have a cooler in the back of the Honda. Taylor made us a bunch of sandwiches, and we have cold bottled water, and fruit. Grapes and peaches."
    "I love Taylor," he said in a serious manner.
    "I do too."  
    They sat in comfortable silence until the man from Homeland Security came over and asked them a few questions. Kayla let Sean do most of the talking since he'd found the family, but stated that she ran a resort with twelve cabins, and would be able to accommodate the family for the first month.
    He took down all their information and said he'd be in touch.
    Meanwhile the other gentleman from the refugee program was filling out forms and giving them to Miguel and his wife to sign. Sean stepped up, read what was being written down, then returned to the chair next to hers.
    "Seems like they have a cousin who lives somewhere in Miami. Miguel and his family lost touch years ago. They don't have a current address but Mr. Perez will try to learn their latest whereabouts. Oh, and by the way, Miguel's last name is Hernandez. I never thought to ask."
    "Neither did I." She studied her fingernails. "So, they do have family nearby." Kayla had no idea why the idea disappointed her. "I hope they don't have to leave until after the baby is born." She was too embarrassed to share with him how she wanted to welcome the baby home, into the cabin that her family was getting ready right now. She'd been looking forward to toys and rattles and talcum powder—and burrowing her nose in baby-fresh skin.
    "You might not feel that way for long. It could be days or it could be months. Babies come when they're good and ready.”
    "You sound like you might have experience in that department." She glanced at his face. "You have any kids?" Kayla held her breath, wondering if the personal question would bring back the prickly Sean.  
    His expression closed. Sean removed his arm from behind her chair and stared at an ocean painting on the opposite wall. She'd touched on something all right. Her stomach rumbled, but not from hunger. She wanted to know about Sean's life back in Boston. Who and what had he left behind?
    "I'm sorry," she said quietly, touching his armrest next to hers. "I know so little about you. Whether you want me to be or not, I'm interested in you. As a friend," she added quickly to reassure him, or herself, she wasn't sure.
    "I'm going to go get some coffee. Want one?"
    Kayla nodded, wishing she hadn’t asked the question. "Cream, no sugar," she told him and watched his back as he went in search of a coffee shop. She knew he didn't want coffee anymore than she did, but he wasn't ready to open up to her just yet.  One day at a time, she hoped he would trust her enough to reveal himself.
    As much as this family he'd saved, Dr. Sean needed care and time to heal his emotional wounds, and he'd come to the right place. Paradise Cove was a soothing balm for a troubled soul.
    Sean returned about ten minutes later, handing her a coffee and a glazed donut. He stretched his legs out next to her, looking relaxed again. "Sorry. I think I owe you a couple of apologies, actually.”
    “No, you don’t,” Kayla said. “We’re even.”
    He sipped his coffee. “I'm not in the mood for talking, but I wouldn't mind if you did. What's your story? How did you end up here?"
    She told him about losing her dad during the terrorist attack, and how he had meant the world to her. They had been buddies, and as the eldest girl, he'd taken her out fishing and to the golf links with him. They'd gone to school dances, and he'd given her her first carnation and practiced their first waltz. "I loved him so much," her voice broke. Embarrassed, she covered her mouth and turned away.
    Sean took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'm sorry, Kayla. You don't have to tell me anymore. It's okay."
    "No. I want to." She gave him an abbreviated explanation of the following years, then concluded by