Ava

by Denise Devine

  “Jeff,” Ava said, sounding astonished, “isn’t that the—”

  “Yeah, I think it is.”

  He started to walk toward the man, but Ava clutched his arm and pulled him back.

  “Don’t approach him! Get out your phone and take a photo for the Sheriff.”

  Jeff pulled out his phone and quickly opened up the camera, snapping a couple pictures, including one of the license plate. The driver saw him and quickly turned around, speeding away. Jeff pulled out his wallet and searched for the business card of Sheriff Hall. After a quick call, they waited in the parking lot for the officer to arrive.

  Fifteen minutes later, Sheriff Hall pulled into the parking area in his old jeep and got out of the vehicle, striding toward them.

  “So, you got pictures of the da suspect?” His sentences always ended on an up-note. “Good job. Let’s have a look.”

  He viewed the images and made notes regarding their encounter. Jeff emailed the pictures to Sheriff Hall’s official email account then slipped his phone back into the pocket of his cargo shorts and connected the Velcro under the flap.

  The Sheriff received a call on his radio about an unrelated incident and tore out of the parking lot.

  Jeff and Ava made their way to the restaurant for a soda. They sat by the window and watched people diving from the cliffs.

  “Those people are crazy,” Ava said as she sipped her cola. “How far down is it?”

  Jeff shrugged. “It’s not that bad. We should walk over there and take a look.”

  Ava gave him a skeptical frown. “There isn’t anything to hang onto at the edge.”

  He chuckled. “No one seems to be falling off.”

  She shook her head at his lame joke. “No, they’re jumping off like crazy people.”

  After they finished their beverages, they climbed the well-worn pathway up to the cliffs. People were congregating in small groups, laughing and talking, many of them soaking wet. Others went straight to the edge and jumped off, whooping all the way down to the water.

  Jeff took Ava’s hand as they walked toward the edge. “It’s beautiful down there, isn’t it?” The water truly looked turquoise and as clear as a windowpane.

  She moved closer to the edge of the cliff and gingerly stared down at the cove. “It must be at least a twenty-five-foot jump.”

  “Do you know how to swim?”

  She snorted. “Ah, yeah. I was a lifeguard all through senior high and college.”

  “Really? Me, too.” He tightened his fingers around her slender hand. “Do you like to swim in the ocean?”

  “Oh, yes, I love it. I’ve already gone swimming several times at the resort.”

  “Great!” He grinned. “Then let’s do it.” He leaped off the cliff and pulled her with him.

  At first, she gasped from sheer surprise then she screamed. “I’m going to kill you for this, Jeff Thom-a-a-a-s!”

  Down they went, feet first.

  Splash!

  They plunged into the cove, but quickly swam upward, breaking through the water at nearly the same time.

  As soon as she bobbed to the surface, Ava blew out a lungful of air and shook the water from her eyes. Without a word, she took off like a shot and swam toward the beach. Jeff quickly caught up to her and followed her out of the water. She ignored him and stomped away.

  “Come on, Ava. Don’t be mad—”

  “Oh, I’m not mad,” she said, whirling around, getting in his face. “I’m furious! How dare you pull me over the edge like that?” The last pin fell out of her hair and her thick mane tumbled down her back in Rapunzel-like fashion. “I’m soaking wet. Look at my shoes!”

  He smiled sheepishly. “Hey, I am too, but you have to admit, that was quite a rush.” The only thing that wasn’t wet was his phone. It had an expensive waterproof case he’d purchased at the resort gift shop and he’d made sure it was tucked securely, along with his sunglasses, in the button-down pocket of his army green cargo shorts.

  She swung her fist. “I’ll give you a rush!” Turning away, she angrily marched toward the parking area.

  “Look, I wouldn’t have done it if you’d said you didn’t know how to swim. I checked with you on that. Remember? I knew you’d be okay.” He took her by the arm and gently turned her around. “I would never have left your side.”

  “You should have asked me first!”

  “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He slid his arms around her in an effort to calm her, but her closeness sent a shock through his body so fast it stalled his thoughts, distracting him and he nearly forgot what he wanted to say next. “I promise I’ll never...” He blinked. “...do it again.”

  “I’m soaking wet, my hair is a sticky, salty mess and—”

  “You’ve never looked so beautiful to me.”

  “Jeff! You’re not listening—”

  He cut off her protest with a kiss. At first, he’d simply meant to distract her, but the moment their mouths came together, he knew he’d stepped over a line he should never have crossed. His heart began to slam in his chest. His arms, though securely curved around her slender waist, trembled with uncertainty. Did she truly want this or was he once again pushing her into something without her permission?

  She hesitated and he took it as a clear signal to stop. He didn’t know whether he’d upset her again or if his impulsive action had stunned her as much as it had affected him. Her answer came loud and clear as she slid her hands up his chest and began to press into him, her lips eagerly embracing his.

  He pulled her close and kissed her deeply, knowing he shouldn’t be going down this path, but his desire to take her in his arms overrode his common sense. He’d been tempted to kiss her ever since they stood in that romantic garden on his first night at the hotel. He wanted to know what it would be like to hold her close, to breathe in the scent of her, to taste the sweetness of her mouth.

  Several people began to whistle as they passed by, distracting them and destroying the magic of the moment.

  Ava pulled away and glanced around. “I think we should go.”

  He tried to take her hand as they began walking toward the parking lot but she shook it off and charged ahead of him. She reached the bike before he did and walked around to the other side, waiting for him to unlock their helmets so they could go on their way.

  Her reaction proved he shouldn’t have made such a public spectacle of his attraction to her. It was inappropriate and it only served to make their situation more awkward. Given the fact that she was already upset with him for making her jump off the cliff, kissing her in public just made it that much worse between them. Realizing his error sobered him, reinforcing the necessity to stick to business and stop playing around with Ava Godfrey.

  They didn’t speak again until they arrived at the hotel. Jeff roared into the parking lot and parked the bike. He got off first and offered her a hand, but she refused.

  “I’m sorry about what happened at Turquoise Cove,” he said softly as she slid off the bike. “All of it. You have my word, it won’t happen again.”

  She removed her helmet and handed it to him then turned and walked into the hotel, never looking back.

  Chapter Nine

  Monday, September 7th

  The Perfect Day

  The next morning Ava walked into the Starfish Café at nine o’clock and quietly slid into the booth, facing Jeff.

  He sat reading the paper and didn’t react at first, as though mulling over how to react to her presence. Slowly, he lowered the paper just enough to reveal his eyes. His golden brows shot up at the sight of her sitting quietly with her hands folded.

  She stared at what little she could see of him, trying to gauge his mood. “I’m sorry I got upset with you yesterday. I overreacted about jumping off the cliff at Turquoise Cove. I was never in any danger. I’m an excellent swimmer and that jump was a piece of cake, really.”

  But that kiss was amazing…

  He didn’t move. Instead he sat motionless and un
blinking.

  “I’m over it, okay?” She pursed her lips together, wondering why he didn’t have anything to say. Had her refusal yesterday to accept his apology jeopardized their friendship? “No harm done. My shoes are dry…I even washed the salt out of my hair.” She pulled at the elastic band holding her hair in a ponytail, letting her silky, thick mane fall past her shoulders. “See?”

  He still didn’t react.

  “I mean, I’ve been on roller coasters that went up higher than that…” She held up her hands in frustration. “What?!”

  “Are you saying you’re ready to try it again?”

  She countered with a wry chortle. “No, I’m saying I thought it was interesting and an exciting experience, but next time you get a crazy idea like that, ask me first, okay?”

  He lowered the paper. “Do you want coffee?” At her nod, he signaled their server to come to their booth.

  The server appeared immediately with an empty mug and a breakfast menu. She filled Ava’s mug and left the thermal pot on the table.

  Ava accepted the menu and perused the items as she sipped her steaming coffee. “What’s on the agenda today?”

  Jeff folded the paper and set it beside him on the seat. His blue eyes twinkled. “Well, since you don’t want to go back to Turquoise Cove, I’m thinking we could do some snorkeling around a coral reef. How does that sound?”

  “Yeah.” Ava set down her menu. “That sounds safe, educational and exciting. What time do you want to leave?”

  “Right after we eat our banana pancakes.”

  She laughed. “You mean, banana pancakes for you and strawberry crepes for me.”

  She finally got a grin out of him.

  “Whatever makes you happy.”

  Later, while eating their breakfast, Ava suddenly remembered something very important. “Oh, by the way, my passport should be delivered today.”

  On Saturday night, she’d gone up to her room to find the message light blinking on her phone. Her mother had called to say that her father had found her Bible, sitting on a stack of books on the top shelf of her bookcase. Georgette had put it there a couple weeks ago while cleaning and forgotten about it. According to the message, her father had immediately taken the passport to the Fed Ex office and shipped it, just making the cutoff for guaranteed two-day delivery to the island by Monday. Ava had no idea if Fed Ex had overnight delivery to Enchanted Island, but it didn’t matter anyway; her father was much too…thrifty…to spend that kind of money mailing a mere envelope on the super-speedy plan, especially since Perfect Match was footing the bill for her all-inclusive room.

  “Great,” Jeff said, but as he spoke, his expression went blank. He didn’t need to stay now that her passport was on its way. Once her Am Ex card arrived, which she hoped would be today as well, she would have everything she needed to get home. She wondered if the same thought had just crossed his mind, too.

  After breakfast, Ava went up to her room to put on her swimsuit and found the message light blinking again on her phone.

  “Now, what?” She went to her phone, worried that something had happened to the shipment of her passport. Perhaps her father had made a mistake on the address. Highly unlikely with him, but Georgette could have given him a faulty address by mistake.

  The message wasn’t from home at all. It was from Lisa…

  “Hey, Ava,” Lisa said, sounding somewhat tired but happy. “I’ve had the baby! Emma Jo was born last night weighing seven pounds and one ounce. We’re both doing fine. I was hoping you’d have another phone by now but your number is still disconnected.”

  Stunned, Ava sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. She’d been so pre-occupied with her own situation she’d forgotten to call Lisa for the past two days.

  That’s what I get for paying more attention to a guy I’ll never see again than my best friend.

  “I’ll be at the hospital for another day,” Lisa continued, “so why don’t you come and see us? If you’d rather wait until we get home, that’s fine, but I don’t know how much longer you’re going to be on the island so I thought I’d give you a ring and update you on the news. Give me a call and let me know what your plans are. And let me know what the scoop is with your phone! Talk to you soon. Bye.”

  Her plans for the day had just changed.

  She put on a pair of white leggings and a gold blouse with three-quarter-length sleeves and a layered, chevron-style hem. She met Jeff in the lobby a little later than she’d planned on and found him waiting for her in the reception area, as they’d agreed. He frowned at her outfit.

  “Is that what you’re wearing to go snorkeling? It looks really nice on you, but it might be a little hot to wear on the beach.”

  She held up her clear beach bag. “I’ve got everything I need in here, but there’s been a slight change of plans. I hope you don’t mind. Lisa had her baby and I want to visit her in the hospital before we go to the beach. I’m so happy for her and I can’t wait to see Emma!”

  He did a double-take. “Is the baby okay? And Lisa?”

  Ava laughed. “Of course, they are. Do you mind driving me to the hospital?”

  “Not at all. If it’s in Morganville, it’s on the way to where we’re going anyway. Let’s go.”

  Jeff asked the concierge the name of the island’s only hospital and brought up driving directions on his phone. They hit the coastal highway and headed for Morganville. They found St. George’s Hospital on the west side. The small, two-story building had stucco walls in bright yellow with aqua trim. They went up to the maternity ward, a small area with only two double-occupancy rooms.

  Lisa had the room to herself. She sat up in bed, eating a cup of fruit and watching television as Ava and Jeff walked in.

  “Hi! I was just thinking about you,” Lisa said with a squeal.

  Ava exchanged hugs with Lisa and introduced her to Jeff, adding that he lived in Minnesota and worked for Perfect Match.

  “I’ve been waiting for my American Express card to arrive. I hope it comes today so I’ll be able to get another phone,” Ava said. “I promise, you’ll be the first person I call to try it out!”

  Ava started to ask about the baby when a nurse entered the room carrying a small bundle and handed it to Lisa. Ava waited until the nurse left before she rushed to the bed to get her first look at Emma.

  “She’s beautiful,” Ava said wistfully as Lisa pulled back the folds of the pink receiving blanket. Emma had a round face and an unusually thick crop of glistening dark hair.

  “She just had a bath. Would you like to hold her?” Lisa held out the small pink bundle.

  Ava took the baby in her arms and smiled down at the child’s sleeping face, wondering what it would be like to have one of her own. Her heart yearned to find out.

  A hospital volunteer came into the room to give Lisa a complimentary gift basket of baby items from the Island Women’s Club. While Lisa spoke to the woman, Ava sat down next to Jeff with Emma in her arms and showed him the infant.

  “I don’t know much about babies, but she’s a pretty little thing,” Jeff said, smiling down at Emma. “She’s got the same dark hair as her mother.”

  Ava looked up at him. “Do you have any children from a previous marriage or…”

  He frowned at the question and shook his head. “No. I’ve never been married or in a serious relationship that resulted in producing a kid.”

  “Would you like to some day?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe, if I found the right girl.”

  “I’ll bet you’d make a great dad.”

  Their gazes met and held. After a moment, he cleared his throat and looked away, obviously feeling out of his depth in such matters.

  Ava looked down at Emma once more and knew she’d never feel complete as a woman until she held a baby of her own. She didn’t regret not having children with Brian because their marriage had gone south so fast and she never wanted her children to grow up in a broken home. Divorce often happened to the nicest peo
ple, and she couldn’t be absolutely certain it wouldn’t happen to her again, but the next time she decided to get married, she planned to make sure the man in her life was her true soul mate in every sense of the word.

  Future intentions, however, didn’t fix the present hole in her heart; a hole that only a baby of her own could fill. Her eyes suddenly misted with unintended tears. Nothing in the world could take the place of having her own child—not a better job or a big house or all the money she could spend. She’d always known that, but her desire had never seemed urgent until now. As she held Lisa’s sweet-smelling little bundle close to her heart, she’d realized for the first time what she was truly missing.

  “Hey,” Jeff whispered as he slid his arm around her shoulders. “What’s with the long face?”

  She hugged the baby tighter and looked down at the sleeping child.

  “It’ll happen someday. Before you know it, you’ll have a couple of ‘em running around.” He pressed his temple against hers, and quietly held her close. His patience and understanding surprised her, giving her even more reason to think he’d be a great dad—and husband—to one lucky girl someday.

  Embarrassed by her emotional reaction, she wiped the moisture from her eyes and swallowed hard. This was Lisa’s happy moment and she didn’t need to see Ava casting a gloomy pall over her joyful event.

  Within a few minutes, more visitors arrived to see the new baby. Ava handed Emma back to Lisa and said goodbye but promised to visit them again before she left the island.

  Jeff drove her to Turtle Cove, a popular beach for swimming and renting snorkeling equipment. The shallow nature of the cove made it ideal for all level of snorkelers to swim out to Bluebeard’s Reef and enjoy the abundant variety of sea life.

  Ava pushed back her thoughts about wanting a baby as she changed into her swimming suit, stored her clothes in a rented locker and swam out to the reef with Jeff. She spent the afternoon observing the coral reef, teeming with sea life and the warm Caribbean water. She noted the different colors and sizes of tropical fish that populated the coral bed. Much to her delight, she also saw a couple stingrays, squid, barracuda and a half-dozen sea turtles grouped together.