White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(58)

“Who cares about football,” Diane said. “They’re still showing It’s a Wonderful Life. I’ll make some snacks.”

Steve glanced at Ian, sending a silent plea.

“Oh, you want the plumber to do it?” He walked over to the TV and looked at the back. After finding the correct cable and plugging it in to his laptop, he typed a series of commands and the game appeared on the TV a few minutes later as if by magic.

“How’d you do that?” Steve asked.

Kate smiled as Ian explained it to her dad, walking him through the steps.

“Well, isn’t that the greatest thing. Thank you, Ian,” Steve said, settling back in his chair. He reached for his beer and grabbed a handful of popcorn from the holiday tin on the coffee table.

Ian sat down and Kate put her feet back in his lap, anticipating a nice long nap because nothing put her to sleep quite like football.



Zionsville had almost managed to dig itself out by the time Kate’s parents drove Kate and Ian to the airport two days later. They could see their breath in the bitterly cold air when they got out of the car and said their good-byes.

Diane hugged Kate. “I love you, honey. Stay warm.”

Her dad pulled her into his warm embrace. “Come back soon, Katydid. Bring that husband of yours with you.”

“Sure, Dad. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

Diane hugged Ian, and when Steve shook his hand, Kate couldn’t help but notice they both smiled.



“Shouldn’t we be descending by now?” Kate asked after they’d been in the air for a couple of hours. The plane came equipped with a comfy leather couch, and they’d been lounging on it for the better part of the trip.

“We would if we were going home, but we’re flying to Costa Rica.”

She sat up. “What? Really?” She threw her arms around him.

“Surprise,” he said with a big grin. “I told you I’d be ready to go someplace tropical by January.”

“I’ve always wanted to visit Costa Rica. But I don’t have the right clothes. Winter in Indiana is sort of the polar opposite of what one should bring to the jungles of South America.”

“I packed for you.”

She inhaled sharply. “Oh God.”

He waved his hand in the air. “I call it Kate’s Costa Rica wardrobe!”

“Did you pack actual clothes? A pair of shorts, maybe a sundress or two?”

“It’s very hot and humid there, so I mostly chose lingerie and swimsuits. We have our own private pool, so I almost didn’t bother with the bikinis. But then at the last minute I thought, better throw them in just to be safe.”

She kissed him long and hard. “You think of everything, don’t you?”

“Always.”



A car was waiting for them when they landed at the Tambor Airport, and from there it was a little over an hour’s drive to Santa Teresa and their accommodations for the next seven days. Nestled inside a lush, tropical jungle, the five-star resort offered luxury amenities and close proximity to the pristine beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula.

A uniformed bellhop opened the door. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. We’ve been awaiting your arrival.”

Staff members quickly retrieved their luggage from the trunk as they stepped out of the car. Birdsong and the low, deep trill of tree frogs filled the air. A monkey howled intermittently in the distance as the concierge led them to their private beachfront lodgings.

“Welcome to your villa.”

Kate looked around in amazement. A perfect blend of outdoor and indoor living, the main open-air room led to a terrace upon which sat a hammock big enough for two.

“You will find an assortment of cold drinks and sliced fresh fruit in the refrigerator,” he said as they passed through the kitchen.

The opulent bathroom was also open-air and included a deep tub and outdoor shower that would make it feel as if they were standing in the rain in the jungle. The luxurious bedroom included a king-size four-poster bed with a flowing white canopy and curtains tied back with ribbons. Just off the bedroom sat a small pool and hot tub completely surrounded by flowers and jungle foliage.

“This is absolutely beautiful,” Kate said.

“Please let us know if there’s anything you need,” the concierge said. “Enjoy your stay.”

Another member of the staff had placed their luggage in the bedroom while they were touring the villa.

“I think I’ll go put on one of those bikinis,” Kate said.

Ian grinned and helped himself to a beer from the fridge. “Or not. That pool looks very private.”

When Kate returned wearing a bikini, she was laughing and twirling a pair of underwear around on her finger. “What are these?”

“Vacation underwear.”

She held on to the sides, stretching them out in order to get a better look. “Why’s the crotch missing?”

He grinned. “Because they’re awesome.”

“I’m pretty sure you didn’t buy these at La Perla.”

“Nah. They’re special. You should go put them on.”



They spent the next seven days enjoying their utopian paradise. Phillip had promised not to call unless something extremely earth-shattering transpired, and Ian’s laptop remained in its case. He only checked his phone a few times throughout the day; otherwise it remained locked in the safe in their bedroom.