Tamiera rose stiffly and reached for the mesh, which flapped in the light breeze. “Help me refasten this to the wire, Manny.” He obeyed without a word, his gaze flicking from Tamiera to Joe and back. Betrayal shimmered in his dark eyes. She understood how he felt. She’d been duped. She could cross through one qualifier on her list of attributes— honest. Joe had misled her, using her knowledge as the springboard for his business venture. A venture he’d never bothered to explain. He wasn’t a visitor to the island, he was an intruder. He had no desire to protect her turtles, he wanted to exploit them for his own selfish gain. Her chest ached so badly it was agony to draw a breath.
She and Manny finished securing the mesh. She looped arms with the boy and turned toward the road without so much as glancing in Joe’s direction. Anger surged through her, carried on a wave of deep hurt. She’d trusted him, and he’d taken advantage of her.
“Let’s go.” Manny stayed next to her as they climbed the rise, occasionally glancing over his shoulder. Joe followed, and when they reached her car, he stretched his hand to her driver’s door.
She stepped in front of him and glowered. “Don’t.”
He lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Tamiera. I know I’ve disappointed you.” “Disappointed doesn’t even come close.” There was much more she needed to say, but not in front of Manny. She wished she could take off with Manny and leave Joe stranded along the road. The miles long walk to his hotel in the midday sun might burn the memory of this stretch of unblemished beach from his mind. But she couldn’t set such a poor example for Manny. “Please get in and I’ll take you to your hotel.”
He leaned close. “Take Manny home first so we can talk.”
She shook her head. “I’m done talking. Clearly you don’t listen to me.”
But he had listened. Attentively. Seemed to absorb her words as if each one was precious to him. How could she balance the Joe who’d seeped into the crevices of her heart with this cold businessman who’d shattered her? She shook her head hard, clearing her thoughts. “Manny, you ride shotgun, huh?”
No one spoke on the drive to Joe’s hotel. When she pulled up to the entrance, Joe leaned forward and put his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. He sighed and left the car without telling either her or Manny goodbye.
Manny folded his arms over his chest and sat with his lower lip pooched out while she drove to the little house he shared with his mother and several younger siblings. She parked, and half a dozen dogs charged the car, barking. They sounded ferocious, but she’d learned they backed off quickly if approached. Manny reached for the door handle.
“Hang on a minute, please.” She waited until the boy angled his gaze at her. “I’m sorry our day ended so abruptly, and I’m sorry I got so angry. I shouldn’t have acted that way. It was childish, and I set a very poor example. Will you forgive me?”
Th e youth sighed and turned to fully face her. “I’m not angry with you, Miss Tamiera. I know why you got mad. The turtles, they matter to me, too.” He squinted. “I liked Mr. Joe. And I thought…” He jerked his gaze to the side window.
“What is it?”
“Me and Mr. Joe and you talked about God’s will. That bad things sometimes happen so God’s will can be done.” He gulped. “Is it God’s will for Mr. Joe to build a hotel where the sea turtles nest, even though we think it is bad?”
Manny spoke so quietly, she had to strain to hear him over the muffled yips from the pack of dogs, but he might as well have screamed them directly in her ear for the pain they caused her.
“Oh, Manny…” She’d been neglectful in praying about her relationship with Joe. Then she’d spouted off without a thought about behaving in a manner pleasing to her Father. Now she floundered in answering a question that could very well impact Manny’s fledgling faith for the rest of his life.
She closed her eyes for a moment, seeking guidance. Then she took Manny’s hand. “Let’s pray together right now. Let’s pray for God’s will concerning Mr. Joe’s hotel, the turtles, and the beach, okay?”
They bowed their heads and prayed silently. A tear slipped free and slid down her cheek while she shared her burden and concerns with the One who knew best. She asked God to direct her future relationship with Joe, to open both of their hearts to His will over their own, and ended by placing the expanse of beach and her beloved sea turtles into God’s keeping. Even though neither of them spoke their prayers aloud, a calm settled around her—a peace in the middle of the storm. She opened her eyes and found Manny sitting quietly, his gaze pinned on her.
He smiled. “You no worry now, Miss Tamiera. Remember? We trust God knows best.”
Over the next several days, Tamiera paused often in her duties to send up a quick prayer. “We trust God knows best,” Manny had said, and she claimed the statement for her own. Whatever happened—whether Joe built a resort on the beach or not—she chose to trust God would bring something good from it. When she was not quite seven years old and was taken from everything familiar, she’d thought her world was falling apart. But growing up as Don and Carol’s foster daughter was a blessing beyond what her fractured home could have offered. God had proved Himself faithful in the past, why wouldn’t He be faithful in the future?
On the ninth of December, the eggs Vera had laid hatched in the incubation hut. Tamiera and one of the other marine biologists, Scott, witnessed the little hatchlings breaking from the shells and lurching clumsily over each other on the incubator floor. She and Scott hooted with joy and highfived and even hugged each other.
After counting the hatchlings—ninety-two in all—Tamiera darted to the door. “I’m going to go tell Vera.”
Scott laughed and shook his head. “All right. Congratulate her for me, too.”
She grinned and hurried off. Fewer tourists visited in early December, so she had a mostly clear pathway to the turtle enclosure. She caught hold of the edge of the cinderblock wall and pulled herself up on its ledge. Swinging her feet to the inside, she scanned the area for Vera. With so many turtles lounging in the sand or swimming in the simulated sea, it took awhile, but she finally located the turtle close to one of the palm trees at the far edge of the enclosure.
She hopped down and followed the wall to Vera. She crouched and cupped her hand under the turtle’s leathery chin. “Guess what, old girl? You’re a mama! Ninety-two babies.” A lump filled her throat. “Ninety-two turtles that wouldn’t have been born if we hadn’t found you and brought you here.” She scratched Vera’s chin, and the turtle raised her head and released a little grunt of pleasure. “You have such great perseverance. I’m so proud of you.”
“So am I.”
The male voice took her so by surprise, she jerked. She lost her balance and fell on her bottom. Palms planted in the sand beside her, she looked up and met the blue-green gaze of Joe Phelps.
CHAPTER 8
Joe stacked his arms on the warm ledge and peered over the wall at Tamiera. How had he managed to last five days without gazing upon her sweet face? For a few seconds, he just
looked, admired, enjoyed. Before he could stop it, a chuckle rumbled from his chest. She arched one eyebrow. “Is something funny?” The question could have been tart, but she ruined it by letting her lips quirk into a half grin.
“That wasn’t a you’re-funny chuckle. It was a I’m-happy-to-see-you chuckle.” He sighed and braved an honest confession. “I’ve missed you.”
She pushed herself upright and brushed off the seat of her knee-length shorts. He waited for her to make the same admission, but she pointed to the shortest part of the block wall. “If you want to talk, meet me over there.”
Her invitation heartened him. Maybe she’d gotten over her anger at him. He hoped so. He’d hated having such animosity between them. They walked on opposite sides of the barrier to the lowest section, and he held out his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she took hold, and he assisted her over the wall. She brushed herself off again then aimed an impassive look at him.
“Did you pay to get in?”
He blinked twice. “Well, yeah. I kinda had to. They don’t let you in without a ticket.”
“Did you buy a ticket for the lecture?”
He shook his head and glanced at his wristwatch. Two thirtyfive. He grimaced. “You’ve got the three o’clock lecture, don’t you?”
“Monday through Saturday, like clockwork.” She looked into the enclosure, and her expression softened when her gaze seemed to light on Vera. “It’ll be so fun to tell everybody about Vera’s hatchlings. It’s a success story deluxe.” She fixed her blue-eyed gaze on him. “If you want to come to the lecture, I’ll give you a ticket. It’ll probably be a small crowd today. December’s our slowest month.”
He wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to watch her in action again. “Thanks, I’d like that.”
Tamiera opened the theater at a quarter till three, but no one came to hear the lecture. He couldn’t determine from her expression if she was disappointed or not by the lack of attendance. At threefifteen, she turned out the lights and locked the door.
He grazed her arm with his fingertips. “I’m sorry no one showed up.”
She shifted to squint up at him and shrugged. “It’s not so unusual for this month. I’m glad you didn’t waste your money on a ticket.” She glanced left and right, chewing her lower lip. “Joe, I’d really like to talk to you, but I’m on duty until five. So…”
He understood. “Would you meet me at six at the turtle nest?”
Her brows pinched. Indecision played in her expression.
“Please?” He gathered his courage. “And if possible, bring Manny, too. I’ll have everything we need for a picnic lunch.”
She tipped her head. “Lunch? At six in the evening?”
He grinned, recognizing the teasing glint in her eyes. “Picnic supper then. Will you come?” He held his breath.
She seemed to cease breathing, too. “All right,” she said with a whoosh of breath.
He blew out his held breath and smiled. “Thanks, Tamiera.”
Tamiera stopped at the top of the rise and gawked at the scene below. This was a picnic? From what planet had Joe descended?
Manny’s mouth hung open. He pointed mutely.
She nodded. “Yeah. Unbelievable.” She kicked off her flipflops and eased down the rise on bare feet. Manny followed close behind her.
Joe rose from the opposite side of the linen-draped table and smiled as they approached. “You’re right on time.” He took Tamiera’s hand and raised it to his mouth. His breath, as warm as the sand beneath her feet, met her skin. Then his lips touched her knuckles, sending tingles up her spine. He released her fingers as he straightened and gave Manny a light clop on the shoulder. “Glad you could make it, mon.”
Manny snickered. He glanced across the snow white china and polished silverware shining in the sun. “This is no picnic, mon.” He gestured to his ragged tank top, sagging athletic shorts, and laceless sneakers. “It’s too fancy for me. I better go home.”
“You sure?” Joe tapped one finger on the large silver dome covering a platter in the center of the table. “I’ve got jerk chicken, sweet potato wedges, grilled corn-on-the-cob, fresh pineapple, and—”
Manny licked his lips. “Okay, I stay.” He plopped onto the closest chair.
Joe laughed and rounded the table. He pulled out a chair for Tamiera. “Have a seat.”
Her knees went a little wobbly. His gentlemanly treatment always affected her. She’d tried to rein in her feelings during their days apart, but the flutter in her chest and the quiver in her knees proved she’d failed. She cautiously settled on the seat, concerned the legs would sink into the sand and spill her. Then she noticed the plywood platform supporting the table and chairs. He’d thought of everything.
She smoothed her hand over the chair’s linen slipcover and watched Joe take three long strides to the remaining chair across from hers. “Where did you get all this stuff?”
He shrugged. “Some of it from the hotel, some from an events caterer.”
Suspicion niggled. “You didn’t pull this all off between three o’clock and now.”
“No, which makes me really glad you didn’t turn me down.” His charming smile sent the tingles climbing her spine again. “Do you want to talk first or eat first?”
“I say eat,” Manny said.
Tamiera laughed softly. She fingered the edge of the cloth napkin. “I’m not sure I can take a bite until I know what your plans are.” Your will, Lord. Let us do Your will.
Joe aimed an apologetic look at Manny. “Sorry, mon, but she outranks you. If you want, you can eat while we talk. Is that an acceptable compromise?”
The boy nodded. Joe held out his hands, and she and Manny took hold, forming a circle. Joe bowed his head. “Dear God, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, and bless our hands to the betterment of Your kingdom. Amen.”
She’d never heard such a short prayer, but somehow it was sufficient. Joe lifted the dome, and a wonderful aroma rose with it. Her stomach growled. She grimaced. “Maybe you and I should eat while we talk, too.”
Joe threw back his head and laughed. “All right then. Dig in.”
Despite the linen and china, they tossed convention aside and ate picnic style, everyone reaching at once and mostly using their fingers instead of the forks.
Tamiera’s first bite of jerk chicken left sauce on her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. Part of her feared the answer, but she needed to know. “Joe, did you buy this plot of land?”
He paused, holding a blackened corn cob beneath his chin. “Yes, I did. When we’re done eating, I’d like to walk the entire expanse with you and make sure I went far enough to encompass all of the areas where turtles might nest.”
Her appetite fled. She put the chicken on her plate and grabbed the napkin. She cleaned her hands in tense, jerky motions. “Oh.”
“Tourism is the number one industry on the island, and frankly I’m surprised this stretch of beach hadn’t already been purchased. I bought an entire mile of beachfront, but I’ll buy more if I have to.”
She wadded her napkin beside her plate and hung her head, battling tears and begging God to help her see the good in having the area taken over by a resort.
“Because if I don’t, someone else with less concern for preserving the environment will come along and buy it.”
Her head snapped up. Even Manny paused in eating and stared at Joe. Hope beat in her breast like a moth against a glass globe. “So…so you bought it, but you aren’t going to build on it?”
He stood and put his hand on Manny’s shoulder. “Do you mind eating by yourself for a little bit? I want to show Tamiera something.”
Manny shrugged, smiling. “Might not be nothing left when you get back.”
“We’ll take that chance.” He extended his hand to her. “Come with me, please.”
She took his hand and allowed him to guide her up the rise and to a large, flat piece of ground where the land dropped sharply to the water and waves crashed melodiously against the exposed ground.
He released her and held both arms wide. “This is where Green Turtle Haven, a Phelps family resort, will stand.” He took hold of her shoulders and turned her to face east. Roughly a quarter mile away, the lone wire cage stood sentinel, no bigger than a soda can from this distance. “On this side of the building on the upper level we’ll build an observation deck with telescopes so guests will have a view of the nesting grounds and maybe have the chance to watch the hatchlings make a dash to the sea.”
Her heart pounded so hard she could hardly draw a breath. “An observation deck?”
“Yes. I want people to be able to witness the wonder of the turtles’ activities but keep the area as undisturbed as possible. So I’ll protect it by constructing fencing, something like chain link so people can see past it but hopefully a little more attractive. I’m still exploring options.”
“But—”
“S
hh.” He angled her to the west, where the sun was beginning its descent to the ocean. “We’ll build a terraced staircase down to the beach on this side so guests can access the water, enjoy picnics, and have a clear view of the sunset.” He gently turned her once more, so she was looking straight out at the turquoise water. “This is the view people will enjoy from the lobby. Breathtaking, isn’t it?”
Was the view making her breath come in little spurts, or was it caused by his nearness—his hands resting lightly on her shoulders, his voice in her ear, the musky scent of his aftershave teasing her nostrils?
“Speaking of our lobby, it will have the requisite gift shop, but in addition to the typical island souvenirs, we’ll sell books about the green sea turtles and keep a video of one of your lectures playing at 30-minute intervals. People who come to Green Turtle Haven will experience the wonders of the island as well as receive an education about the turtles, and they’ll leave with a greater understanding of the importance of protecting our marine life for future generations.”
Delight wiggled through her, and she hugged herself to hold it in.
His hands slid from her shoulders to her forearms, and he pulled her against his length. His chin brushed the top of her head. “I don’t want to take you away from Vera and the other turtles at the turtle farm—that’s your place of service—but I hope you’ll have some spare time to spend with me. I’m going to need a friend on the island.”
She broke free of his hold and spun to face him. “You’re moving to Grand Cayman?”
His smile warmed her. “I still have to get approval for an extended stay, but I’ve submitted the paperwork. I want to oversee the construction, make sure we aren’t tearing up any more of this wonderful, unspoiled landscape than is absolutely necessary. And my dad wants me to manage the resort for at least the first year after it’s built.”
She gazed at him in amazement, her thoughts racing. Her lips opened and closed, but she couldn’t form words. It seemed as if God had chosen to answer her prayers about the beach and about continuing a relationship with Joe in one fell swoop.
Destination: Romance: Five Inspirational Love Stories Spanning the Globe Page 5