"Thank you," he said.
He glanced around the living room, looking for a seat, and for the first time since moving in, Claire considered the Villa Tanaïsis décor from a masculine perspective. She concluded the whole place must seem typically feminine to Jack Hogan. He chose a rattan armchair covered in pastel-striped fabric and settled his imposing frame into it.
Claire took a seat on a loveseat draped in floral cotton.
Hogan got straight to the point.
"I need a room."
Was he asking to stay with her? Claire panicked at the idea of a man sleeping under her roof. Aside from Carlos, Roman's son, Villa Tanaïsis hadn't housed a man since her husband died. Claire had lost all interest in romantic relationships. Jack Hogan was probably speaking to her in her role as mayor, likely just asking about accommodations on the island. That's what she told herself before replying:
"This time of year, many hotels are closed. However, there are plenty of guesthouses on the island. You'll easily find a room for tonight."
"For tonight only—because it's Thursday," he added. "Tomorrow marks the start of the weekend, and everything's fully booked."
"Oh… you planned to stay more than one night?"
Jack smiled again, showing his perfect white teeth, which—at five in the afternoon—made an intriguing contrast with the dark stubble beginning to shadow his jaw, Claire thought, fleetingly.
"Sorry to disappoint you. I'll be staying on the island for a month."
At that moment, a surprised exclamation came from the hallway. Claire pretended not to hear it, but it was impossible to ignore Petula entering the living room, preceded by the wide legs of her red silk loungewear and a cloud of incense.
"A month, did I hear that right?" the new arrival said, clearly delighted.
Jack promptly stood up to shake the hand she extended toward him.
"Nice to see you again," he said. "A month—you heard correctly. Unfortunately, I've found out that guesthouses can accommodate me during the week, but not on weekends," he explained.
"Our population doubles every Friday," Claire added. "Our restaurants and their famous seafood dishes attract Americans from all over the country. Plus, we have the most beautiful coastline in Florida."
"You sound like a walking travel brochure, Mrs. Betancourt," Hogan said, sitting back down. "I can already tell I'm going to love this island…"
"It's a fantastic island!" Petula agreed right away. "Hard not to love it."
"That's why I need to find lodging urgently so I can fully enjoy the charms of island life."
Turning again to Claire, Jack continued:
"Given your position as mayor, I thought you might be able to recommend me to one of your citizens. I'd really rather not sleep in the back seat of my car this weekend."
"Who's that?"
The unexpected question made Claire jump. She turned to find her daughter in the doorway.
"That's Mr. Hogan, Chise," she explained. "He'll be staying on the island for a while."
Jack stood up again. Polite, Claire observed, before noting—with some irony—that he seemed unsure how to greet a person who barely came up to his waist. But Chise, acting spontaneously, held out her small hand, and he enveloped it in his own, which looked giant by comparison.
"Nice to meet you, Chise," he said like a perfect gentleman.
"Are you staying for dinner?" she asked. "Aunt Petula thinks yes. That way, you can try my cookies."
This wasn't the first time Chise's impulsiveness had placed her mother in an awkward situation. Claire thought of the three chicken breasts roasting in the oven... She could always slice them and serve them with pasta to feed three women and a man who, given his build, likely had a hearty appetite. Except she didn't exactly want Jack Hogan eating at her table...
But his response put her mind at ease.
"No," Jack replied to the child. "I just came to ask your mom for a favor. I'm looking for somewhere to sleep."
"You can sleep in the guest room," the little girl offered.
Claire froze, while Petula let out a small giggle.
"That's very sweet of you," Jack said with a smile. "But I'd prefer to stay in town."
Pulling her daughter away from the loveseat, Claire said affectionately:
"Classic Chise behavior! She's definitely headed for a career in human relations."
"I don't want to bother you any further," said Hogan. "If you could recommend me to a guesthouse, I'd be very grateful. I'm sure your husband—"
"Nobody has a husband!" Chise interrupted, with a tragic air. "We're all single."
Petula's bracelets jingled happily as she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. She immediately added:
"The Pink Haven! Hester always keeps a room available for emergencies. And you, Mr. Hogan, are clearly an emergency."
Still reeling from her daughter's revelation, Claire managed to mumble:
"Of course. I'll call her right away."
"You'll love the place," Petula predicted as her niece rushed out of the room. "Each bungalow has a porch and a little kitchenette. Very cozy."
"All set," Claire said as she returned. "Hester Poole is expecting you."
She gave Jack directions to the Pink Haven. He'd need to take a few right turns to reach the coast, where Hester Poole's property extended. He couldn't miss it—there was a sign out front.
"Thank you," said Jack Hogan.
Then he took his leave.
Claire watched him go and get into his SUV, looking thoughtful. When she returned to the living room, Petula had taken Hogan's seat in the wicker armchair and was shaking with near-convulsive laughter.
"It's the only vacancy on the island," she said between fits of giggles. "But still… can you imagine that hunk of a man in our dear Hester's Victorian frills?"
Giving in to her aunt's hilarity, Claire admitted:
"Not really! But I can already picture Hester's face when she sees him step out of that massive SUV. I just hope she doesn't reach for her old Winchester!"
"Oh no!" Petula cried. "We can't have her kill him. Thanks to Chise, he now knows you're available!"
At that, Claire shot her aunt a scathing look and returned to the kitchen to check on dinner. Despite her irritation at Petula and her matchmaking tendencies, she couldn't help feeling a bit of compassion for Jack Hogan. Bringing this island to heel might just be the greatest change of his life.