Love's Paradise Read Online Free Page A

guess I haven’t had time to pay attention to all the new real estate developments and construction on the island.”
    â€œYeah, I guess you’re right,” said Genie. “So anyway the company is owned by three brothers. All are rich and too gorgeous. Their main office is in Northern Virginia somewhere near D.C., I think. Two of the brothers are single, but one of them just got married.”
    â€œWhich one?” she asked quickly, hoping not to sound like she had way too much interest for her own good.
    â€œI don’t know,” Genie said. “So, anyway they’re rich. I saw a picture of all three of them at this formal thing in D.C. Ohmygod! They are too gorgeous. They’re tall, dark and handsome and built like you wouldn’t believe.”
    Sheri wasn’t at all surprised by Genie’s wealth of information about their looks and dating habits. When it came to men, she was information central. “Didn’t you meet one of them before?” Genie asked.
    Sheri took a deep breath. Thinking about theirmeeting wasn’t something she liked doing. “It was a while ago and it was very brief,” she said truthfully.
    â€œWho was it? What was he like?” Genie asked.
    â€œI don’t remember,” she lied.
    â€œWell, if it was Jordan Hamilton you would have definitely remembered. Jamie said he was the worst of the three. And since they apparently all take turns being on-site, he should know. I’d love to meet him. But it’s Monday and he never comes in on Monday.”
    Sheri purposely didn’t respond. Thinking about him would mean remembering their encounter.
    â€œI think Jordan’s the bad boy of the three brothers,” Genie continued. “You know, the hard-ass who’s oh-so-hot.” She smiled then stopped at a traffic light and glanced at her cell phone. “Okay, my boyfriend just texted me and said half the water’s already out. There’s more wood from the hull of the ship showing. Can you believe it? The wooden planks of the hull—it’s sounding more and more like a ship to me.”
    Sheri felt a twinge of excitement begin to creep inside her. There were endless possibilities as to what it actually could be, but the remote chance that it was a hull was just too good to be true. “Okay, we can’t get too excited. We’re scientists—scholars,” Sheri said firmly. “Let’s not jump the gun here. Weneed to examine the site first before we draw any conclusions.”
    â€œYeah, yeah, I know all that. But, can you believe it? It’s so exciting. Just imagine. We’re right here at the start of something this amazing. I can’t wait to excavate.”
    â€œWe’ll have to wait and see. It may not even come to that,” Sheri said, dashing Genie’s hopes again. She hated doing it, but she needed Genie to be calm and rational.
    â€œI know, but still, can you imagine…?”
    Sheri didn’t have to imagine, she was already there. Finding the wreckage of the Crescent would be extraordinary. No, it would be monumental. It would also validate the research she’d been working on for years.
    Genie continued chattering as they drove across the island toward Crescent Point. Sheri was quiet throughout much of the ride. Too many things were on her mind. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the parking lot. Sheri looked up at the large sign, Hamilton Development Corporation. She shivered. Immediately the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
    They got out, grabbed their gear and headed to the front gate. A security guard watched them approach. He met them halfway shaking his head and pointing behind them. “I’m sorry, girls, this is a construction site. You gotta leave.”
    â€œWe’d like to speak to whoever is in charge, please.”
    â€œRegarding?” the guard asked.
    â€œWe’re from the Crescent Island Museum,” Sheri