Twenty-four-year-old Storm Darlington, wealthy mogul of Darlington Securities, decides to remove himself from his heavy workload in New York City and spend a month in Barefoot Beach, Florida. In Barefoot Beach, Trent Long is happy with his lifeguarding duties. He enjoys the sun, taking photos, and saving lives. But his world is turned upside down when Storm enters it. Sparks ignite the moment their two worlds collide. The only fly in the sunscreen ointment is Storm’s best friend, and retired Wall Street stock broker, Barbara Mullen. Storm is forced to rethink his romantic feelings for the sexy lifeguard when Barbara reveals some of Trent’s secrets. But there’s very little time to think because Barefoot Beach is threatened by hurricane Edwin. Threats also come from Barbara, who insists she’ll end her friendship with Storm if he doesn’t dump Trent. During the hurricane’s fury, Storm questions his relationship with Barbara, his busy life of finances in New York City, and the secrets he’s learned about Trent. Can Storm come to terms with all three? Will he be able to navigate the stormy waters of love, loss, and a possible future in Barefoot Beach?

Barefoot Storm

I fork lo mein noodles out of a red-and-white paper container, drop them on a ceramic plate, and insist, “Barbara doesn’t hate you.”


“She does. I can see it in her venomous eyes. That woman loathes me inside and out.”


I watch him take a bite of a shrimp egg roll. “I’ve known her for years and she’s really likable. You’ve just rubbed her the wrong way because of Jessica.”


“I tend to do that with people. A black cloud lingers over me wherever I go.”


“That’s not true. Look at your photographs at The Mural House. Strangers loved your work the other night. You sold all but three. How discouraging is that?”


“I’m a lifeguard,” he whispers, taking another bite of his egg roll. He chews the bite up, swallows it down, and adds, “People see a twenty-three year old lifeguard as a waste to society. I’m sure this is really why Barbara doesn’t like me. A career means status. Money is power. You know all this bullshit.”


Chapter 19