The Island Villa_The perfect feel good summer read by Lily Graham

Author:Lily Graham [Graham, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786815675
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2018-06-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Formentera, present day

I found Big Jim at the Blues Bar later that night. I’d found myself pacing the house, turning over the things that the woman in the market had said, wondering if I should be worried about having Emmanuel in my home. He didn’t seem dangerous. But looks, I supposed, could be deceptive. I sighed. It could also be about something else… perhaps she had been simply warning me about a philandering husband. Well, that presented no harm to me. I was nowhere near thinking about getting involved in a relationship yet.

But I wanted an answer, or at least to put my mind at rest, about the man who was spending so much time in my home. Particularly if we were going to be friends. I’d had enough drama over the past year, and I didn’t need to welcome someone into my life who would cause me harm.

Big Jim was sitting at the bar, his hands dipping into a bowl of salted nuts, his jaw working while his grey head bobbed along to the sound of Bob Marley. He paused his chewing and gave me his big, Texan grin when he saw me, opening his arms wide for a hug.

I stepped into it. I needed one.

‘Well, hello kiddo, what brings you here this fine evening? Can I get you a drink?’

‘That’ll be great,’ I said, taking a seat on a bar stool, ‘Just a vodka and tonic for me.’

‘Sure thing.’

‘Sue not here tonight?’ I asked.

He shook his head. ‘Flying solo. Art group,’ he explained.

I nodded, gave him a half grin and then took a sip of the drink the bartender handed me.

‘Something on your mind?’ he asked, watching me, his blue eyes locked on to mine and his long grey ponytail swung over his shoulder.

‘Yes, actually. I was hoping I’d run into you tonight. There’s something I need to ask you about the renovator you sent me, Emmanuel.’

‘Oh yes,’ he said, his face brightening. ‘Good guy, ain’t he? Your place coming along, I hope?’

I bit my lip. ‘Yes, he’s a great worker, and I’m happy you say that – that he’s a good guy, but…’

He looked at me with a frown and I explained what had happened to me, about the woman who’d come over to warn me.

To my surprise, Big Jim waved a hand in dismissal. ‘Oh that? Tall girl, long brown hair, kind of athletic-looking?’

If that was code for drop-dead-gorgeous body, then yes. Athletic. ‘Yeah?’

He shook his head, dipped his hand into the bowl for more nuts and gave me a grin. ‘Yeah, don’t worry about that.’

‘Why not?’ I asked in surprise.

‘Well,’ he sighed, pausing his chewing as he considered his words. ‘To tell you the truth, kiddo, it’s just like some people won’t let a man be the better man, you know? Won’t see it when someone’s trying… and well, Em’s trying. No one who knows him and has seen him these past few years can deny that.’

‘What do you mean?’ I asked.

He sighed. ‘Look, it’s his story to tell.

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