Vaughn watched Kalista Rosi drive away, and the slight smile turned into a grin as he reached down and picked up one of the boxes of food.

Was she wishing him good luck in surviving the island and Fredrick May, or good luck in their fight to come?

Kalista Rosi was something he hadn't expected to encounter on this small island. He knew that Rosi had a daughter, but he had guessed that she had left the island after her father's death.

He couldn't tell much about her physically. Not what color her hair or eyes were, or if she was fat or thin. She was covered from head to toe in baggy clothing, dark sunglasses, and a large hat. The way she drove the jeep was impressive, though. It had amused him that Fredrick had been scared that she was going to hit him or the house, and the vibe she was giving off toward her stepbrother made Vaughn sure she was not a woman he wanted to cross, and he could appreciate that.

It was evident that there was no lost love between the two; if anything, Fredrick's hatred of her bordered on the obsessive. Since Vaughn had arrived a few hours earlier, he had heard about nothing other than how morally compromised Fredrick's stepsister was. He didn't know what he was expecting, but it wasn't how she appeared.

Vaughn didn't like the idea of kicking anyone out of their home, and had he known that was the plan, he wouldn't have come for a visit. Still, the survivalist in him knew he had nowhere to go and didn't know the lay of the land, so he didn't know where to camp safely.

But Kalista had quickly determined where she was headed; still, he would seek her out soon and ensure she had suitable accommodations.

He had considered suggesting that he use only the spare room, but he didn't think that it would fly with either her or her brother.

Once again, Vaughn's mind turned to Fredrick as he determined he was a man he didn't like. It would be a pleasure to make a deal that left him with almost nothing because that is what he would get, nothing.

He delivered the first box of groceries to the kitchen and began to put them away.

Vaughn had met Gerard Rosi two years previously, and the men had hit it off. Gerard had been in Boston for doctors' visits, to square away his financial dealings, and make a will. Vaughn's father always handled the Rosi account, but since his father's recent retirement, it had fallen to his desk rather than to one of his sisters, who also worked for the firm.

After a day spent reviewing Gerard's financial records, it was evident that there was no money. If he didn't come up with some quickly, he wouldn't be able to get the medical treatment he needed or continue paying the salaries of those who worked for him.

Vaughn had been intrigued by his description of the island, and Gerard had arranged for him to visit for a few days. Gerard had told him all about his beautiful daughter, Kalista, in Boston, but he hadn't mentioned that she still lived on the island. However, Vaughn had met Fredrick and his mother, Alma.

He had even stayed at the empty cottage, which is why he was under the impression that it was where he would be staying again, and he was, only he was kicking Kalista out of it.

After a day spent on the island, Vaughn was sold. He couldn't leverage Cavanaugh Investments' holdings, but he could leverage his own, and that was what he did.

He made a private loan to Gerard with the understanding that if he defaulted, the island would be his, and if he died before he could pay it back, the island would be sold with Vaughn having the right of first refusal, and the money owed would come from the sale price.

The only thing Vaughn wasn't sure of was what was in the will. Who had the right to sell it? Fredrick was sure he did, and Kalista wasn't fighting him about it, so perhaps he did. Why would Gerard give the island to his second wife and stepson? Why not his daughter, unless he didn't want her to have to deal with the legal ramifications of what would happen when the island was sold?

The moment Vaughn reached out to Fredrick with condolences, that man offered to sell him the island, recalling his interest from their previous visit. It had stunned Vaughn, but knowing he had to keep an eye on his investment, he flew to the Caribbean to make a deal that would be very favorable for him.

But he needed to see the will before the deal was done, to make sure that there weren't any surprises.

He moved to the porch to retrieve the second box of groceries, thinking once again of Kalista. At least she had proven that she wasn't as cold-hearted as her stepbrother because she had made sure he wouldn't starve.

She had arrived home to find herself evicted and without a job, but she had still thought of someone besides herself. Her father would have been proud of that, and he would be sure to tell her he felt so before their goodbyes were said.

Vaughn finished putting up the groceries, then reacquainted himself with the cottage. He knew which room was Kalista's even though there were no signs of her belongings, because it smelled feminine, like vanilla and something floral.

Vaughn carried his bag into the other room and unpacked, then decided to explore the island a bit. Fredrick had said there was an old truck parked behind the cottage that he could use.

He spent the remainder of the evening driving down dusty roads, visiting the sugarcane fields, and finally enjoying some solitude on a beautiful, pristine beach. As he listened to the waves on the shore, he was reminded once again of why he had fallen in love with the island. Then, just as quickly as he had that thought, he thought of Kalista and how gut-wrenching it must be to lose such a magical place as well as her father.

Eventually, he made his way back to the quiet cottage and cooked himself an omelet for dinner before turning in early.

Fredrick had promised him a tour of the island in the morning, and Vaughn already had a list of questions, but somehow he had a feeling that Fredrick wouldn't be able to answer any of them.