survival of Smiling Moon and all the kids the foundation helped.
And what about his family? They needed him, too. His dad acted happy enough with wife number six, but Cade’s mother was between marriages again and his sister, Kelsey, was a newlywed. His brother-in-law, Will, seemed like a good guy, but what if a problem arose and Cade was unable to help?
The throbbing turned into a full-blown headache. He massaged his temples.
Henry joined him at the railing. “Did you finish making your arrangements?”
Cade nodded.
“I know this is more than you agreed to.”
He nodded again. Cade didn’t trust what words might come out of his mouth. Damn, he hated the walking-on-eggshells-kissing-up part of donor wooing.
“Are you going to stay for the entire two weeks?”
Cade nearly laughed. “Do I have a choice?”
Henry’s carefree smile contradicted the slyness in his eyes. “You always have a choice.”
Not always. “I finish what I start.” Cade would make it to the end of the adventure. He’d only walked away from one thing in his life. And he’d lived to regret it.
“Good, because if you do I’ll increase my donation…significantly.”
Leave it to Henry to dangle the right carrot. “What about—”
“Cynthia?”
Cade nodded. “She doesn’t look like the outdoors type.”
“There’s more to her than meets the eye,” Henry said. “I hope you give her a chance.”
“We won’t have a problem.” As long as she stays out of the way. Cade could survive whatever Henry threw at him. Surviving Cynthia Sterling, however, was another story.
The more Cade saw of her, the more he realized his first impression had been correct. She was the polar opposite of Maggie, and the kind of woman Cade avoided like the plague.
He realized Cynthia’s last name fit her better than her first name. She was Sterling—sterling silver to be exact. She needed to be taken care of, polished and buffed or she would tarnish. He hoped she could do it herself for the next two weeks because he didn’t have the time.
“I forgot one thing.” Henry’s gaze met his. “Cynthia has to make it to the end with you or you won’t get any donation.”
“What?”
“Both you and Cynthia have to remain on the island for two weeks. Or you lose. Everything.”
Cade’s heart plummeted to his feet. The socialite wouldn’t last two hours, let alone two weeks. “That’s not fair.”
Henry shrugged.
“She’ll never make it.”
“You’ll have to see that she does.”
“That’s—”
“My prerogative,” Henry interrupted. “My birthday, my adventure, my rules.”
Your money.
Cade had no options. What could he do? Sue Henry for the original donation? That wasn’t going to happen because he only had an oral agreement. They hadn’t shook on it, either. This wasn’t looking good. Until Cade got an idea. “Fine, we’ll both make it to the end, but I not only want a significant donation, I want you to agree to become a patron of the Smiling Moon foundation and make an annual pledge. And I want it all in writing before I step foot off this ship.”
Henry drew his brows together. “Five.”
“Five what?”
“Five million a year. And I will put it in writing. Though we won’t be able to have it notarized.” Henry looked at Cade. “Will that do?”
He stood speechless and swallowed around a lump the size of Fort Knox lodged in his throat. “That’ll do.”
Cade spoke calmly, more rationally than he thought possible, given the way he fought not to pump his fists, jump up and down and yell. Hell, he wanted to hug Henry.
Five million dollars a year exceeded Cade’s wildest dreams, every expectation he’d had. His foundation operated on a shoestring budget thanks to his Uncle Alan curtailing Cade’s access to his trust fund so he couldn’t give all his money away. But the foundation had survived. And with Henry’s donation, would thrive. The taste of sweet success filled Cade.
“Just remember Cynthia has to be there at the end.”
Nothing, especially a pampered socialite, would keep the foundation from receiving the bigger donation. “She will be.”
Cade was going to make sure of it.
Time was running out for Cade. The stakes for winning the adventure had gone way up. He had to find Sterling and make plans while they had the chance.
As Henry prepared for their arrival at the island down in his cabin, Cade made his way to the stern. She had to be here somewhere. Sunlight gleamed off the pool water, but she wasn’t there. All the lounge chairs were empty. She couldn’t have fallen overboard. He didn’t have that kind of luck.
He found her lying under the protective shade of a giant umbrella. No doubt she wanted to keep her fair skin away from the tropical sun. Or maybe she was just lounging around. He gritted his teeth.
An omen of things to come? Cade hoped not, but he wouldn’t be surprised if she expected him to do all the work. And that might not be so bad. He had experience backpacking in wilderness areas and knew what needed to be done. She didn’t. It might be easier this way. Too bad he couldn’t vote her off the island, but he knew Henry wouldn’t go for that suggestion.
Cade walked toward her. She wore a white cap-sleeve blouse that buttoned up the front and pink Capri pants with a pair of the most uncomfortable looking sandals he’d ever seen. No wonder she was lying down. Those shoes with the narrow straps and high heels must be murder on the feet.
She wore sunglasses even in the shade. She probably wore a silky eye mask when she slept, too. He didn’t know if she was asleep or awake now, but he didn’t care. They needed to talk without Henry around.
“Are you awake?” Cade wasn’t sure what their upcoming adventure entailed, but the key to survival and success was preparation. He didn’t expect much from Sterling, but a little help was better than nothing. And for better or worse, they were in this together.
No answer.
He nudged the chaise with his foot. “Sterling?”
No movement.
“You need to wake up.” He touched her knee. “Now.”
Raising her hands above her head, she stretched slowly like a cat waking from an afternoon nap. Cade watched with a mixture of fascination and horror. He felt like a peeping Tom yet he couldn’t look away as the bottom of her shirt rose. Above her pants, above her belly button, above the bottom of her rib cage. Sweat dripped down his back.
Damn, the sun was hot in the tropics.
He brushed his hand through his hair and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
She sat up. “Hello, Cade.”
Her voice sounded deeper, almost husky. Especially when she said his name. Cade wondered why he noticed the difference. He also wondered why he missed the sight of her bare midriff.
No matter. They had more important issues to worry about. “We need to talk.”
She scooted over and patted the small space next to her. “Why don’t you join me?”
The collar of his T-shirt seemed to tighten. “I’ll stand.”
She removed her sunglasses.