The voice froze me in my tracks. It was deep and younger than I’d expected. I’d pictured a man in his fifties or sixties, someone entering retirement and looking for a brand-new adventure. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I hadn’t even taken the time to run an internet search on my new boss. I’d been too focused on getting the estate in shape and running impeccably before his arrival.

Now, I stood gaping at the man who climbed over the side of the boat. As he moved towards me, I took in his height and broad shoulders, the stubble covering his angular jaw. But it was his eyes that held me captive. Dark and haunting as if they had secrets I desperately wanted to uncover.

His mouth moved into a frown. “You’re Shay?”

I gave myself a swift mental kick and straightened my spine. “Yes, sir. Welcome to Harbor Island.”

“How old are you?”

I could barely hear the question over the boat roaring to life and heading away from the dock. “How old am I?”

His frown deepened. “Yeah. You look like you might not even be old enough to buy beer.”

My cheeks heated. “I’m twenty-three. And I have your favorite ale in the refrigerator, along with a sampling of local brews.”

His gaze traveled over my face as if he thought I might be lying. Not a great start. I cleared my throat. “I assure you, I’m a complete professional. I’ve worked for the Dowds for over three years, and I’m good at my job. If you’ll give me a chance, Mr. James, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

The lines that bracketed his mouth softened the barest amount. “Fuck. I’m not going to fire you. It just took me by surprise, is all. I was expecting someone in her fifties or something.”

I nodded, my death grip on his bag loosening a fraction. I certainly hadn’t expected a man who looked to be in his mid-thirties. “Thank you. Because I really do love my job.”

Mr. James made a move to take the bag from my hand. “What does a caretaker of an island do anyway?”

“I’ve got this, sir.”

He scowled. “Call me Brody. And I can carry my own bag.”

I reluctantly handed it over. “All right. Well, I arrange for the cleaning staff to come whenever they’re needed. Coordinate maintenance of the buildings. I keep up the grounds—mow the lawn, tend the vegetable garden and greenhouse. I take care of the chickens. I purchase groceries and any necessities and retrieve them from Anchor. I watched the Dowds’ children when the couple needed. I’m pretty much a Jack of all trades. If you need something, I’ll figure out a way to make it happen.”