“Where are you going?” Kimberly asked, getting into her car. She was soon on her way.
“I’ll spend a week on your island, but I’m thinking of Africa and China. I’ll be away August and September…” Her mother continued to describe all the wonderful trips she’d planned.
Kimberly wondered if she and Jack would ever be able to get away to travel the way her mother did. So far, it had only been a week here and there. With jobs and children, taking vacations alone together had been impossible. Kimberly could schedule a leave, but Jack hated to stay away from the brewpubs for any length of time. They were doing very well to get away for this vacation.
“Who are you going with?” Kimberly asked.
She paused. “A friend.”
“Do I know her?” Kimberly didn’t miss the hesitation in her mother’s voice. “What’s her name?”
“His name is Frank.”
A wry smile curved Kimberly’s lips. “Is this a significant other?”
“Yes.”
“When do I meet him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is he a secret?” Kimberly asked suspiciously, wondering why her mother was so furtive. Pulling information was like pulling teeth.
Nona’s sigh was drawn out. “He’s white. And I don’t know how you’ll feel about that.”
“Is he nice to you?”
“Very.”
“And you like him?” Kimberly asked, already knowing the answer. Her mother wouldn’t give the time of day to a man who didn’t appeal to her.
“Yes.”
“Of course I’m okay. I don’t want you to be alone, when you can find someone nice to spend your time with.”
“Your open-mindedness is a load off my chest.”
“Mom, I worried about you being alone.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“My concern is more than financial. You need someone special in your life, too.”
“I can’t deny I’ve missed the intimacy. You wouldn’t believe the losers I’ve dated. It’s not easy. I thought I’d never find someone who would click with me. If I hadn’t gone through all the drama, I don’t think my heart would have been open to Frank. I would have preferred a black man. But we fell for each other, and I wasn’t about to let the fact that he was a different race interfere.”
“I’m glad.”
Kimberly was ecstatic for her mother. Her father had left Nona soon after Kimberly and Jack married. The new woman was fifteen years younger than he, and he married her soon after the divorce was final. Her mother had been single and alone all these years. Part of the problem was that her mother had loved her husband. But Nona was proof positive that love didn’t always stop the ceiling from caving in on you.
“I’ll see you soon. Have a wonderful trip.”
“Love you, Mom,” Kimberly said. They disconnected just as she drove up to the apartment building where her hair salon was located.
After her appointment, Kimberly picked up her daughter from school. Minutes later, she entered their quiet Potomac, Maryland, neighborhood of stately homes, manicured lawns, pristine pools and luxury cars.
It wasn’t uncommon for children to have an entire floor to themselves, and although they had the space, Kimberly drew the line at living separately from her children. With four bedroom suites on their floor, the kids didn’t need to be on the third floor. It sat empty, except when April or Byron had sleepovers.
Kimberly didn’t see the sense in having a house that large, but Jack was determined to acquire the best. There were three bedrooms on the third floor and a home office on the first floor.
At least it kept the cleaning service happy.
April was tapping her fingers to the beat of her music as Kimberly wheeled into the driveway and activated the remote for the garage door. April seemed much happier lately.
“Your grandmother should be here soon,” Kimberly said, meaning Jack’s mother, not hers.
“I know. I talked to her yesterday,” April said, twisting in the seat. “I wanted to make sure she fixed all my favorite foods.”
“April…”
“I’m her only granddaughter. She doesn’t mind.”
Kimberly shook her head. “You make sure you follow the rules while we’re away. And don’t work your grandmother so hard.”
“Mom, you worry about everything. I’m not a baby anymore.”
“That’s what worries me,” Kimberly said as her cell phone chimed.
It was Jack this time.
“I’m running a little late. The bags are already by the front door. Have the driver pick me up here.”
“You aren’t going to be late leaving, are you?” Kimberly asked suspiciously. The last time they planned a trip, Jack was so late they missed the flight.
“No. I’ll be on time.”
“What about your car?”
“I’ll make arrangements to have it driven to the house.”
“I’m leaving here in an hour,” Kimberly said, making a mental note of last-minute chores.
“See you soon, honey.”
Truth be told, Kimberly was looking forward to this vacation. She hated leaving her children, but they’d be in good hands with Jack’s mother.
And Kimberly desperately wanted to reconnect with her husband.
As soon as they were in the air, Jack pulled out his business papers. But this was supposed to be an anniversary trip—not an off-site meeting. Unwilling to start the trip with a fight, Kimberly felt okay with napping instead of trying to stir up a conversation. At least they were in first class and not scrunched up like cattle being herded to market. It had been so long since Kimberly had had one-on-one time with her husband that she didn’t know what they’d do together, except for the obvious. Perhaps they could use this as an opportunity to bond.
Sex was never the problem.
It was outside the bedroom that they didn’t mesh anymore.
When they landed at the minuscule island airport, they took a water taxi to Canter Island. Lights shimmered on the aquamarine water. Sailboats skipped along the surface of the water, while speedboats bobbed. The vegetation was lush and green, the fragrant flowers colorful.
When they reached the island, the night lights illuminated the profusion of flowers everywhere. A few of the workers lived on the island, but most of them came in from larger islands. The hotel was surrounded by ten cabanas situated among lush plants.
A friendly driver met them at the pier. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Canter. It’s a pleasure to have you with us.”
“I’m pleased to be back,” Jack said. “Is my brother around, or has he retired for the evening?”
“He’s off-island. He’s disappointed he couldn’t meet you, but he’ll return later tonight and will see you tomorrow. I’m sure you’re tired after your flight,” the driver said.
“That we are,” Jack said.
All of the employees knew Jack well, due to his bimonthly trips to check on things since the hotel first opened. Now his brother managed the hotel, and Jack had stopped his visits to concentrate on expanding his brewpubs.
Once their bags were stowed in the back of the Jeep, they climbed in and were driven directly to the largest cabana. The driver opened the door and handed two key cards to Jack. After delivering the luggage, he left, quite satisfied with the tip Jack handed him.
The light and breezy ambience of the cabana on the beach immediately lifted Kimberly’s spirits. The furniture was white, and there were pastel curtains.
“The first thing I want to do tomorrow is hit the beach.” Kimberly yawned and unpacked her suitcase. She’d been up since two that morning. Now it was close to midnight. All she wanted was sleep. Since Jack appeared equally as tired, they went to bed. It was late morning before either of them awakened.
“Maybe we should grab a bite to eat,” Jack said, after they showered and dressed.
“Let’s get something from the bar on the beach.” Kimberly smoothed sunblock over her b
ody and regarded herself critically in the mirror. Her swimsuit was new. She’d brought it specifically to tantalize Jack. She was still in shape, thanks to trips to the gym three times a week. With being on TV, she couldn’t afford to swell up. Not a woman.
Maybe she and Jack could find a way back to each other. The last time they’d made love had been hurried. And that had been a week ago. When had they done something simple, like holding hands while taking a leisurely walk? Or just cuddle the night away, watching old movies or listening to music? She even went to the theater with friends—but never with Jack. But he’d initiated this trip, so he must miss her as much as she missed him.
She gazed at herself again to make sure she looked sexy.
After tying a sarong around her waist, she joined Jack. He’d already changed into his trunks and was talking on the phone. She sighed. This was supposed to be their time together.
Okay, okay. She was going to put a positive spin on this. He owned businesses. He had to stay in touch.
He laughed, looking a lot more relaxed than he did before she went into the bathroom. Was she being paranoid?
“Okay, Lauren. See you when I get back.” Still smiling, he hung up the phone.
Hearing Lauren’s name immediately sapped Kimberly’s good mood. “Ready?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
Taking her cell phone out of her purse, she asked, “Did you call your mother?”
“No.”
Kimberly dialed their number and talked to her mother-in-law for a few minutes. April had perked up considerably before they left. Even tucked a bottle of scented lotion into Kimberly’s suitcase. After a brief conversation, Kimberly smiled and hung up.
When she turned around, Jack was stretched out on the bed sound asleep, even though they’d slept the night away. Kimberly started to awaken him, then changed her mind. Instead, she wrote a note telling him she was going to the beach. Disappointed, she grabbed her wide-brimmed hat and a thin, long-sleeve white cover-up and left the room. She worked mornings. Jack worked nights. She was accustomed to doing things on her own, but she hadn’t planned on spending her second honeymoon alone. He could have his nap. They had the rest of the trip to be together.
An hour later, Jack awakened, disoriented. He remembered they were in the tropics. And he was starving. He rubbed his hand over his face.
“Kim,” he called out to no response. Hefting himself off the bed, he went searching for her. She wasn’t in the bathroom. He used the facilities, then brushed his teeth before he went back to the main room and saw the note on the dresser. He quickly read the terse message. She’d gone to the beach.
She would have eaten. He might as well order something light. They’d have dinner together. By then she would have calmed down. He didn’t understand why she was so touchy lately. He couldn’t say two words without her getting bent out of shape.
While he waited for room service, Jack pulled out his cell phone and made several calls. By the time he finished, the food had arrived. The news had spoiled his appetite.
There was another buyer interested in the bar. He had to work fast if he wanted a running chance at getting it, and there was no question that he wanted it.
While he ate, he opened his briefcase and spread papers on the desk. He could get some work done while he waited for Kim to return.
He paused a moment, a smidgen of guilt dragging at him. What did she expect him to do? Sit around and drink bourbon every day and not work? Shoot the breeze with the guys? It wasn’t his nature. He couldn’t have his son watching him live a life of leisure. The boy would think work wasn’t a requirement, and for a man it was. He didn’t want his daughter marrying a man unwilling to work to provide for his family. Children watched their parents.
Kimberly was going through one of her phases. Suddenly his heartbeat quickened. Could she be pregnant? Was that the reason she was acting so strange? The reason she wanted him home more? If that was the case, he needed to work harder than ever—if he had another mouth to provide for.
He realized that he hoped she was pregnant. They’d wanted another child, but after so long, they had finally quit trying.
He began to weigh the pros and cons of opening a new brewpub. If he even mentioned the idea to Kimberly, he could kiss any kind of pleasant times on this trip goodbye. She’d spend the entire time nagging him to change his mind.
Jack still hadn’t come out to the beach. Kimberly had washed down a small serving of fried conch with a margarita. Later, she went into the cool, crystal-clear water for an hour. Several guys had already tried to pick her up, but she made it clear she was married.
She was going in soon. Perhaps Jack would be finished with his nap. She pulled herself out of the ocean and grabbed a towel to wipe off.
She heard a low whistle, and it took a lot to stop an eye roll.
“Hey, baby. Mind if I join you?” A tall, potbellied, medium-complexioned guy came strutting her way. He had to be in his midfifties at least. And she definitely wasn’t his baby. “I’m with someone,” she said and amended to herself, she should be with her husband. She turned her back to the man and hoped he had the good sense to go about his business.
“I’ve been watching you for hours, and I haven’t seen anyone. If you were my woman, I wouldn’t let you outta my sight. Don’t play hard to get, baby. No sense in spending your vacation alone when Joe’s on the scene.”
She was about to give him a piece of her mind when she heard a familiar voice.
“Having a problem?” her brother-in-law asked, as he approached them. Devin and Jack were almost the same height. At thirty-six, Devin was two years younger.
“Am I?” she asked the man, quirking an eyebrow.
He shrugged and stalked off.
Devin eased his attractive form onto the lounger beside her and leaned back. “So where’s my brother? He’s got to be out of his mind to leave you alone on your second honeymoon.”
“He was sleeping when I left the room.”
“That’s what you get for marrying an old man. Have you had lunch?”
“I had a snack earlier, but I’m going to order something light.”
“Why don’t we eat together? Beachside? Or would you prefer the dining room?”
“Beachside, I think. I’d have to change for the dining room. But you don’t have to entertain me. I can take care of myself.”
“Haven’t seen you in a while. And I have to eat. I can’t think of better company. Over lunch, you can tell me all about my niece and nephew and what everybody back home is up to. I’m looking forward to spending a couple of weeks with them this summer.” There was a wistful look on his face.
Anytime someone spoke favorably about her children, Kimberly melted like butter. “You spoil them. They can’t wait to get here. And once they return home, they talk about their visit the rest of the year.”
“It’s my job to spoil them.”
“And your mother constantly complains that you don’t call home enough. Shame on you.”
Devin frowned. “Every time I call her we get into a conversation about marriage and her wanting to set me up with some friend’s daughter. ‘You know she’s a good girl, because she’s in church every Sunday,’” he mimicked. “She just won’t leave it alone. And I’m tired of talking about it.”
Devin had married three years ago. The wife he believed was so in love with him had actually married him for his money. He’d caught her with her true love when he came home from work early one day to surprise her. It was a surprise all right. She’d used the credit cards Devin had given her to buy the man expensive gifts. When he’d filed for divorce, she’d even tried to get half his assets, but Devin had a great attorney who hired a private investigator to do a background check. His wife got nothing.
Needless to say, Devin didn’t believe in love any longer. Which was sad. He’d turned from the carefree, happy, hardworking man that he was, to a more cynical player. They’d discussed his actions, but he said he always let his
dates know up front not to get serious about him, because he wasn’t going to ever get involved in a serious relationship.
After the divorce, he let his sister take over management of his company, while he came to the island to manage the family property and to get away from it all.
“Are you happy here?” Kimberly asked softly, studying his eyes for the truth.
“Who couldn’t be happy, with warm breezes and endless parties?” he said with finality. This topic was definitely off-limits. “As a matter of fact, we’re having a beach party tonight. Bring the old man.”
“We’ll be there.” She knew Devin was still hurting—still unable to trust.
Kimberly squeezed his hand, then settled back to sip her drink while they waited for their food. He needed a good woman. She shook her head. She was having problems with her own marriage. What right did she have, trying to fix up someone else?
After a sumptuous snack, Kimberly picked up her things and made her way to the cabana.
Deeply engrossed in his work, Jack didn’t even hear her enter.
“Why didn’t you join me at the beach?” she asked. “Why did you come here, if all you were going to do was work? We could have stayed home for that.”
“I didn’t come to work, but you were out, so I decided to get a few things done.”
“You knew where I was,” Kimberly said, annoyed that, while he was inside working, men were hitting on her.
“I knew you’d be back soon.” He sighed. “Let’s not start another fight, okay? I’m finished anyway. Let’s dress for dinner and have a lovely evening together.”
Kimberly sincerely wanted an evening without fighting—an evening getting close to each other again. The nap seemed to have revived him. He looked rested. “Did you have a good nap?”
“Oh, yeah.”
He worked much too hard. He needed some time off for himself.
“I’ll agree, if you forget about work for the rest of the vacation.”
He came over, gathered her into his arms. “Hmm. You smell warm and taste of salt.” He nipped her shoulder. “I love the way you taste, baby.”
Kimberly moaned and curved her arms around him, feeling his familiar strength before she kissed him full on the mouth. She loved him. She didn’t want to fight. Her heart skipped a beat. She loved him so very much. He was like a seductive drug in her veins. Her deepest worry had been what she would do if they couldn’t find a way back to each other.
Loving Spoonful Page 4