Her sister's lips quirked down. "I guess I hadn't thought of the daughters I might have someday. I'm enjoying my life too much to even think about children now."

"All I'm saying is that whatever may come, I want my girls to have a place they can feel safe. A bit of land that belongs to them, where they can live in peace if they so choose."

Addison looked at her. "It's really important to you, isn't it?"

Tessa allowed a thin smile. "Important enough that I promise not to fire the handyman."

"Well, now I have to take it seriously. You think he'll last more than two weeks?"

Tessa considered. "He's had a rough time," she allowed.

"The name seems familiar . . . I'd swear I knew him."

Tessa pressed her lips together, wondering how much she should tell. Might as well spill. It wasn't like Addison couldn't Google him. "That's the guy I pulled out of the water last year."

Addison's brows shot up. "The nut who tried to drown himself?"

Tessa swallowed back her frustration. The question squeezed her heart. "He's not a nut. His wife had pa.s.sed away and he needed to work through some problems."

Hearing her own words, she almost had to stop and shake her head in wonder. How was it she found it so easy to rush to his defense? Kenneth Randall was, for all intents and purposes, a stranger.

Shadows of unease flitted through Addison's eyes. "You've got big problems if you try to f.u.c.king off yourself," she said quietly. Now that she had a few facts, her earlier enthusiasm quickly faded. She'd gone on the defensive. Though they might not always agree, when push came to shove, the Lonike girls always stuck together. "Are you sure he's stable?"

For a moment air wouldn't flow through Tessa's windpipe. She cleared her throat. "We actually talked about it. He's had some therapy, grief counseling. Right now he's kind of kicking around, looking for a new place to settle."

Addison's brows knitted. "Kind of funny he'd come back here, isn't it?"

"That kind of comes back around to the whole Mer thing."

"Oh?"

"He came back because he remembered being in the water. With me." She struggled to sound unruffled.

"But you only gave him the kiss of breath, right?"

She hesitated. "Yes."

Addison's brow puckered in confusion. "The spell's supposed to break once they come out of the water. They're not supposed to remember us."

"And we're not exactly experts in Mercraft," Tessa reminded her. "I'd just begun learning when Mom died. The bits and pieces I know don't even begin to reveal our talents."

Addison nodded her agreement. "This is definitely where we could use that handbook on how to be a Mer."

"Well, we didn't get one. Anyway, he didn't remember me clearly, or even know that I was a mermaid. But he did remember enough to want to come back and find me."

Addison eyed the robe Tessa had on. At the moment it was the only thing covering her body. "Looks like he found you, and then some."

Tessa's back stiffened. "I didn't mean for that to happen. It just . . ." She gestured helplessly. "Did."

Addison ruffled a hand through her short hair. "I still think you should give me all the details."

Tessa wouldn't budge. "My lips are sealed." Taking off her robe, she stepped into the shower and closed the gla.s.s door. Angling the faucet away from her body, she turned on the taps and adjusted the water to a bearable temperature. It took a few minutes for the wheezy old water heater in the bas.e.m.e.nt to kick in, but somehow it did the job. Steam soon billowed around her.

Her sister tapped on the gla.s.s. "Come on, please. I haven't gotten laid in months. The least you could do is let me live vicariously through you."

"Get a vibrator," Tessa called back. "It'll do wonders for you." Flipping open the lid on the shampoo bottle, she poured the pearlescent liquid into her hand. It smelled of coconut, her favorite scent. A moment later fragrant suds covered her from head to toe.

"You're going back to b.i.t.c.hy."

Giving herself a quick rinse, Tessa shut off the water ten minutes later. "The b.i.t.c.h would like a towel, please."

Addison tossed one over the top of the shower. "I should make you stand there until I get some of the juicier details."

Tessa dried off, then wrapped the towel around her damp body. It felt good to be squeaky clean. "You're getting to be a pain in my rear, Addie," she said, breezing past her sister and back into her bedroom. She dug a pair of faded jeans and a T-shirt out of the bureau.

Addison nipped at her heels like a bloodhound. "I still say-" Her words broke off abruptly. She sniffed the air. Her sister's elfin face curved in a wry grin "Hey, is that bacon I smell?"

Slipping into her clothes, Tessa gave the air a sniff. The potent aroma of frying bacon mingled with the distinct scent of freshly brewed coffee.

She exchanged an incredulous look with her sister. "I think so." Her stomach backed up the scintillating olfactory evidence, rumbling in response. She usually drank instant coffee and it had been years since she'd eaten more than a bowl of cold cereal for breakfast.

Addison clapped with delight. "Oh my G.o.d! A man who cooks!"

Cup in hand, Kenneth measured out a level amount of dry mix, then dumped it in a mixing bowl. While he wasn't fond of instant batter mixes, he supposed it would do in a pinch. Adding in a few extras to improve the taste, he stirred the batter until all the lumps disappeared.

As he whisked, he c.o.c.ked an eye toward the coffeepot. The old machine grunted alarmingly, but the coffeepot was steadily beginning to fill. G.o.d, yes. He couldn't wait for a cup of fresh-brewed coffee. That instant c.r.a.p he'd found in Tessa's cupboard didn't cut it with him.

Bacon sizzled in a heavy cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Another sat nearby, warming on the opposite burner. He could start the pancakes now. And just as soon as the bacon was done, he'd crack some eggs and fry them in the leftover grease.

The breakfast he prepared was decadent, an artery-clogging meal with at least a bazillion calories. He didn't care. Last night he'd worked up an appet.i.te and he intended to eat.

Even though it might be the only meal I get to eat on this island.

After he'd left Tessa's bedroom, he'd hit the living room to claim his shirt and beat a hasty retreat back to the lighthouse. Even though her sister had given him two thumbs up as they'd pa.s.sed in the hallway, he wasn't so sure he should be hanging around. Tessa had already decided they'd made a mistake. The best thing to do was get out of her sight.

Twenty minutes later he'd showered, then changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a T-shirt. The list of repairs staring him in the face was a long one. The rumbling in his gut reminded him he'd need to get something in his stomach before going to work.

But the idea of eating breakfast alone bothered him. A lot.

He'd just slept with Tessa, and now he wasn't man enough to sit down at a table and eat with her. No matter that she was the one begging for distance. It still didn't feel right. Neither one of them had done anything to be ashamed of. They were both consenting adults. If Tessa had doubts or guilt or whatever, well, she'd just have to deal with it.

Part of the agreement he'd made with the sisters included meals. He wasn't going to slink off like a servant and find some corner to eat in.

Marching back to the main house, Kenneth had been surprised to find the kitchen empty. Voices drifted down from upstairs, along with the distant sound of running water. He figured the girls were doing what women did when they got together: gossiping like hens. In the back of his mind he hoped Addison was pleading his case.

Two thumbs up had to count for something.

Since the bargain had covered only food, but not service, Kenneth set to making breakfast himself. Hunting though the cabinets, he had familiarized himself with the whereabouts of the necessary staples. Gwen had made sure they'd eat well, loading up the kitchen with enough food to feed a small army.

The appliances were older models, but still functional. Since natural gas wasn't available on the island, everything was powered by electricity. As no power lines stretched from the mainland, he suspected everything was run off a generator, probably located in the shed ab.u.t.ting the house. If nothing else, the island seemed self-sufficient.

He was just about to pour the pancake batter on the hot skillet when two curious redheads peeked around the doorframe.

Addison took a deep breath and squealed, "Oh my G.o.d. I haven't smelled anything so heavenly since Mom was alive."

Tessa nodded her agreement. "It's been years since anyone cooked on that stove."

Addison's eyes settled on the wheezing coffeemaker. "And is that real brewed coffee I smell?"

Setting down the mixing bowl, Kenneth reached for the coffee cups he'd set out. "One hundred percent Colombian." He poured three cups. "I hope you're both hungry."

Addison's face split into a grin. "Oh, you are so frickin' right I am!"

He delivered the cups to the kitchen table. Instant creamer and sugar occupied a lazy Susan, along with a set of salt and pepper shakers and a napkin holder. "Sit down. I've almost got everything ready." Antic.i.p.ating that he wouldn't be eating alone, he'd set out enough silverware for three. It was purely a move of optimism. The women he knew freaked out at the thought of eating more than a piece of whole wheat toast and a half slice of grapefruit.

Addison zoomed to the table. "Bless you."

Tessa followed at a slower pace. Pulling out a chair, she plopped down on the farthest side. "If I'd have known you cooked," she said, wrapping her hands around a thick mug, "I'd have hired you faster."

Kenneth returned to the stove, poking the bacon with a fork. It was sizzling nicely. "Thought I'd treat you both to breakfast," he said casually, making sure to include Addison.

"It does smell good," Tessa allowed.

He reached for the bread, popping a few slices into the toaster. "I think I remember you saying you didn't cook much." He was going all out, missing no detail. Besides, nothing went better with fried eggs and bacon than slices of b.u.t.tery toast loaded with sweet jam. The kitchen was redolent with the aroma of cooking.

Loading her coffee with cream and tons of sugar, a hint of a smile touched Tessa's lips. He couldn't tell if she was genuinely amused or just tolerating him to be polite. Once Addison left, those claws of hers might come.

Be nice if she'd rake them down my back. The s.e.xually charged notion buzzed through his mind like a hornet heading in for the sting. It could be a problem if all he thought about was s.e.x every time he looked at Tessa.

But he'd promised her he'd keep his distance. If nothing else, he was a man of his word. No matter how d.a.m.n hard it might be to keep his hands off her luscious body, he'd be nothing but a perfect gentleman.

Unless she changed her mind . . .

Tessa sipped her drink, now a pale milky white liquid barely recognizable as good Colombian coffee. "I don't. And I'm not going to start now."

Kenneth cleared his throat. "Guess I'll just have to handle that for you." He winked. "I hope you don't mind a masculine touch."

A blush immediately rose to Tessa's cheeks. "I think we've had enough touching around here for one day," she mumbled into her mug. "I could have made do with a bowl of cereal."

Addison pretended not to be listening. "I'll take the freshly cooked hot food, thank you very much." She jabbed a finger his way. "Just let him handle things and you'll eat a lot better. All that junk food you eat is scary." She rolled her eyes. "Who seriously eats a box of Triscuits and calls it a meal?"

Tessa pounced on her sister. "Those crackers are made out of shredded wheat. Lots of fiber."

"Which makes you full of s.h.i.t," Addison retorted. "I hate to disillusion you, but potato chips and salsa isn't a meal either."

"I've got better things to do than cook," Tessa huffed. "So sue me."

The two set to bickering, going back and forth on the benefits of a healthful diet versus the convenience of junk food.

For the moment, Kenneth was content to let them argue.

He sipped his coffee, trying not to look at Tessa over the rim of his cup. Casually dressed in jeans and a faded goth-metal tee, she looked great. She'd braided her long hair into a rope stretching down her back. As an extra touch, she'd put on a bit of makeup: mascara, eye shadow, and gloss. Not enough to be showy, but subtle. Yesterday her face hadn't had a lick of cosmetics.

A little smile tweaked up one corner of his mouth. Maybe she's making that effort for me.

Maybe there was hope she'd give him a chance.

From what he'd seen of Gwen, and now the youngest, all three of the girls were real lookers. He couldn't imagine being attracted to either one of the other sisters, though. Tessa had a spark, a certain bristly manner that reminded him of a semi-wild cat. Half-eager to be stroked, but wary of human hands. She'd run if spooked, fast and hard.

So he wasn't going to chase. He'd just let things happen.

Addison rubbed her hands together. "So when's that food coming, bud?"

"Coming right up."

Setting down his cup, Kenneth flipped the pancakes over. Mooning over Tessa, he'd almost forgotten them. To his relief, they were a nice golden brown. Good. He'd hate to serve burnt food. He forked the bacon, laying it across paper towels he'd spread on a plate to soak up the excess grease.

Finishing the pancakes, he carried them to the table with a bottle of maple syrup. "Might as well get started while I get the rest done." He eyed the girls. "How do you like your eggs?"

Addison forked up a couple of pancakes, then slathered them with b.u.t.ter and at least half a cup of maple syrup. "Over easy, please." Taking a huge bite, she rolled her eyes. "Delicious. Did you make these from scratch?"

"It's just a mix," he admitted. "But I used milk instead of water, and added in some blueberries."

Addison paused long enough to swallow. "They're perfect." She wiped her syrupy chin with a napkin. "The best I've eaten."

"You flatter me, I'm sure." Kenneth looked to Tessa. "Want to try one?"

Tessa's brows puckered, and then she shrugged. "Sure." Adding a pancake to her plate, she was a little more cautious with the extras. "I usually don't eat much this early in the day." She took a bite, chewing slowly.

"It's almost eleven, so call it brunch." Kenneth watched her swallow. "Okay?"

"Good." She forked up another bite, tucking it in her mouth with a little more gusto. "In fact, they're better than I thought they'd be. I never could make that mix taste decent."

"It's all in the extras." He smiled. "You want eggs?"

Tessa visually took his measure, as if she didn't quite trust whatever he might be up to. He could tell by the look on her face that it had been a long time since anyone had waited on her. "Two, please. Over easy. And I like my bacon crisp."

"Hungrier than you thought you were?"

Relaxing a little, Tessa allowed a little smile. Her face immediately changed from merely pretty to beautiful. "Guess I am."

Kenneth headed back to the stove. "Then I'd better get those eggs going." Cracking a half dozen into the still-sizzling bacon grease, he set them to frying before popping more toast in.

Addison watched him with stars in her eyes. "Gwen said you're a mechanic, have worked in construction, and now we find out you can cook. If you want to move in with me, I think I could find a place for you."

Tessa cut another bite out of her pancake. "You have a one-room apartment so small you can't even turn around in it," she reminded after she'd swallowed her food. "Where would you possibly put him?"

Addison smiled and winked. "I bet I could find a place to tuck you in."