Masquerade by the Sea

by Traci Hall

  Sure, he missed the mountains. He was in great shape, and Sabina even hinted at him being able to ski, properly braced, again. But no matter how much he exercised, he would not regain the mobility that had allowed him to be a super star on the slopes.

  That avalanche had come from nowhere, killing skiers out for a run down the slopes. He accepted that he was not responsible, even though he’d been teaching a small class that day. Just like there was nothing that could have prevented his parents dying in a car crash.

  He remembered Jolie saying that paradise came with a price. So did living on the mountains.

  Maybe Jolie was right, and the cost was too high.

  His gut was telling him that if he went back to Utah, he would regret it for the rest of his life. But he had to—this was a borrowed space. Not his own.

  Jolie raced down the stairs, two at a time.

  She took his breath away. Her wide rose-colored smile, her brown, shoulder-length curls, her hazel eyes.

  “Hey!”

  “What?” He stuffed his phone in his back pocket. “Why are you smiling like the cat that ate the canary?”

  “Ew,” she said, coming to an abrupt halt at the bottom step. Feet bare, dressed in coral shorts and a bright blue tank top, she threw her arms out the sides. “Yuck. Too many feathers.”

  Heath washed his hands, drying them on a bar towel. Would Jolie be interested in hiring him full time? In keeping him on, past the summer expiration date? He’d accept less pay in order to be with her.

  “What’s up?” he asked again, not sure that Jolie would be ecstatic about his change of mind. She was a free spirit, though practical too. She’d forgiven him for not telling his brother and Kendra about them—in light of the short time they had left.

  “Heath! Did you even hear what I just said?”

  “No,” he admitted.

  She exhaled and stomped over to the counter between them, the slap of her bare feet against the floor stating her displeasure. “I said, I just got a text from Benedict. He’ll be here in three weeks exactly. I hadn’t heard anything, so I admit I was starting to get worried that he wasn’t going to come back.”

  Most people would have stressed out before now. Her easy-going nature was one of the things he liked best about her. She was loyal, and funny, and so beautiful she made his heart ache.

  “You can go back to Salt Lake City with a clear conscience,” she said, touching his arm gently. “I already called Rajah.”

  “Rajah?” Why not me?

  “Well, yeah. He’s been wondering how Benedict is doing.”

  “They’re friends,” Heath said. He and Rajah, while they got along, were not friends. Jolie’s First Mate had let him know in no uncertain terms that Jolie was the boss, period.

  Didn’t matter if they shared the same mattress, Jolie was Captain, Rajah was First Mate, and Heath was the boy-toy bartender. So long as Heath remembered that, they would get along well enough to make it through the summer.

  Heath hadn’t mentioned that conversation to Jolie because he appreciated Rajah looking out for her. Besides, Heath had no intention of changing the status quo. Then. Now?

  “Yes,” Jolie agreed, reaching around him for a bottle of water on the counter. “They’d double date sometimes. Sometimes out with Jamison too, if he was seeing someone.”

  “When is Rajah coming in?” Maybe Heath could feel him out, first. See if he’d be amenable to having a spare set of hands on board.

  Jolie checked the clock on the wall. Shaped like a starfish, it went with the nautical motif. “He’ll be here in an hour. We’ve got the sunset cruise with the Catelli people again.”

  Heath nodded. He’d liked their cigars and the laid-back attitude. “We’ve got enough brandy leftover from their last event. And the port.”

  “I’m glad that they’ve used us three times now.”

  “The ten percent discount for repeat business you came up with was smart, Jolie.”

  She grinned, her teeth flashing white. “Thanks.” Jolie sauntered around the counter to stand next to him by the sink. “A kiss for the brainy boss?”

  Heath knew she was expecting a quick peck on the lips but he was at a place where that wasn’t enough.

  Pushing the bowl of flour to the side, he slid his arms around her, brought her in close, then swept her back in a deep lip lock. She tasted of coffee and mints and Jolie.

  She pushed against him for a second, sighed and relaxed, returning his kiss with sultry passion.

  As if she had all the time in the world for Heath Hamilton, instead of just three weeks.

  He lifted her after a few moments, his lips numb, her eyes dazed. “What was that for?” she asked, fanning her face.

  “No reason,” he said. He’d play it by ear this week. He had until Friday to call about that job. He’d wanted it so badly. It was the thing he’d pushed for during physical therapy. Now? The event for Randall Wallace was Saturday. No matter what, he’d help her with that.

  “I liked it,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him as she walked away, uncapping her water bottle. “Any time, Heath.”

  If only she meant it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  In the reflection of the microwave, Jolie adjusted the sheer orange jacket she wore over her orange silk dress. Fun heels and chunky gold jewelry completed her ensemble. “How do I look?”

  Heath whistled low. “Amazing.”

  “You look pretty fabulous yourself.” She gave a nod to his black pants, white silk pirate shirt and tiny gold hoop in his ear.

  He stalked over toward with a growl. “Do I have permission to come aboard, milady?”

  Jolie giggled as he swept her backward over his arm and kissed her. She didn’t mind that he ruined her lip gloss.

  “That guy can’t leave you alone for two seconds,” Rajah complained as he entered the galley.

  Jolie pushed up from Heath and laughed, once again adjusting her jacket. “I would apologize, but...”

  “You aren’t sorry.” Rajah stroked his black goatee thoughtfully. “I might have to come up with a punishment of some sort.”

  “Punishment?” Jolie turned around, still wearing her smile. Was Rajah kidding, or not kidding? He’d been moody lately, his witty remarks cutting rather than playful.

  “Just give the single guy a break, that’s all I’m asking,” he conceded.

  Kidding, she decided. He probably missed his partner in crime. He and Benedict used to go out together sometimes after work while Heath always stayed with her. God, she was going to miss him.

  She blinked away the sting of tears and walked to the refrigerator. “Heath made strawberry shortcake. Your favorite, Rajah.”

  Jolie busied herself setting out a few plates of pre-event food for them to eat. It would be small enough that Heath would bartend and clear tables. Jolie would help with that too.

  A knock sounded from above and Jolie heard Jamison shout down. “Anybody home?”

  “In the galley,” she answered. Rajah sat on one of the kitchen stools at the counter, and Heath took a seat at the small table beneath the pelican picture.

  Jamison walked in, a look of concern on his freckled face.

  “What’s wrong?” Jolie asked. Jamison was like a magician when it came to finding the best, even if it was out of season. And the big party coming up was for Randall Wallace. “Please tell me this isn’t about the mahi-mahi.”

  Nothing could go wrong at this event. Not a damn thing. She needed his money to buy an engine before this one, babied though it was, blew.

  Jamison nodded to Rajah and Heath before looking back at Jolie. “The mahi is not a problem.” He shuffled from one foot to the other.

  “What then?”

  “The stone crabs,” he said. “The ones I ordered for you suck. They’re too small and chewy. I know how important this is for you.”

  “I need stone crabs.” She curled her fingers over the counter. “Randall specifically requested them.” In fact, she hadn
’t even told Randall she could get them until she’d talked to Jamison first. And now they sucked? Her knees buckled.

  “Season is October to May with those things,” Jamison said with a shrug. “This guy had them in an aquarium but like I said, they were no good.” He walked over and cradled her back with his hand.

  “Okay.” Jolie took a deep breath and balanced against the kitchen sink. “I told Randall that, about the specific season, but he knows. He was raised in Florida. He’s asking for something risky on purpose to see what I can do.”

  Jolie exhaled and closed her eyes. This just couldn’t happen. It would be the worst thing possible. He would tell other people that she couldn’t deliver, ruin her reputation, keep her from saving the Masquerade.

  “Are you all right, Jolie?” Rajah asked.

  “It’s okay, Jolie. We’ll handle it.” Jamison gave her an awkward pat.

  When she looked up, she saw Heath standing next to Rajah on the opposite side of the counter, staring hard at her, next to Jamison.

  “We will,” Heath said.

  Jamison cleared his throat and lifted his hand, backing away.

  “I don’t care if I have to strap on snorkel gear and find those buggers myself,” she said, ignoring Heath’s glare. “I can’t let Randall down.”

  “I figured you’d say that.” Jamison turned to go back up the stairs. “And how would that look on the Ocean Green council? I’ll keep looking. I’ve got the call out.”

  “Just kidding. Thank you, Jamison.” Jolie frowned at Heath as she followed Jamison to the stairwell.

  “Worst case, I can call down to a restaurant I know in Miami,” Jamison said, pausing between the stairs.

  “You are my hero,” she said. She felt Heath tense behind her. What was his problem?

  He had no right to be jealous when he was leaving in a few weeks. She hadn’t done anything wrong, and neither had Jamison.

  If Rajah wasn’t here she would be giving him a piece of her mind.

  Jamison disappeared with a wave and she turned to the two guys.

  “I don’t mind snorkeling, but if we get caught trapping stone crabs out of season, that might get you kicked out of the do-gooders club.” Rajah leaned forward and whispered, “But your secret is safe with me.”

  “Thanks, Rajah.” Jolie turned toward Heath.

  He held up his hands. “I’ve learned a lot this summer. Not sure that I want to dive and come face to teeth with a shark. And being a part of Ocean Green is important to you. We have to be able to buy some, somewhere! I’ll check the internet as soon as we are done tonight.”

  “Good idea. Thank you.” She gestured toward the small plates of food. “Grab a dish, guys. Eat a little. Rajah. I don’t want to get fined, but I’ve got to have those stone crabs. They taste best fresh. It looks like the aquarium isn’t even an option. That means frozen. If they were done right, they can be as good as fresh. I’ll need you to make them.”

  “I’ll do my best. I didn’t take all of those culinary classes for nothing,” he said, his brown eyes worried.

  “I want to help.” Heath looked from Rajah to Jolie.

  Rajah’s mouth thinned. “We can handle this.”

  Jolie shook her head. Where was this rivalry and male posturing coming from? “Heath, you can help me at the helm since we need Rajah making something fabulous.”

  Rajah stood so fast the bar stool tipped over. “What? I’m delegated to the kitchen while he plays First Mate?”

  Jolie took a deep, Zen-seeking breath. “Rajah, you are the only one that can cook. I burn water. Heath has taken boating classes. He can help me until you are done and resume your place as my First Mate. Okay?” What in the hell?

  Rajah bristled with indignation. “Captain,” he said. “I want to talk to you about your temporary employee.”

  “Rajah, please.” Jolie tried to imagine what they could have gotten into a fight about and ended up with a headache instead of answers. “Can this wait? We’ve got to get prepared for the cigar folks, all right? I want to hear what you have to say, but just not right now. We have to work together to get through the event.”

  Her First Mate clamped his mouth shut and nodded. He took the plate of food and dumped it into the trash before going upstairs.

  Heath, red-faced with anger and embarrassment, stalked off down the hall to his room. His room, not hers.

  “Heath,” Jolie called.

  A door slammed in response. She hadn’t seen Angry Heath in a long time. Truth told, she hadn’t missed him, either. She much preferred his smiles.

  Heath waited until he heard voices upstairs and then went to his position behind the bar. Dressed like a damn pirate, he wore a welcoming smile and greeted the men and women of Catelli Cigar Company as though he weren’t furious inside.

  Furious with himself for being jealous of Jamison, and furious with Rajah for being jealous of him.

  How childish to throw his food away, just because Heath had made it. And why hadn’t Jolie stood up for him?

  Maybe he didn’t want to stay on this damn boat, anyway.

  He’d foolishly allowed himself to hope, even briefly, for more.

  Most of the party was above on the deck around the boat. The sunset was beautiful on the ocean, he had to admit. A few men came downstairs to sit at the bar.

  “What can I get you?” Heath asked, recognizing one of the owners. “We have brandy, if you’d like.”

  The man smiled, obviously pleased that Heath had remembered his drink of choice. “Great. I’ll have that. You?” He looked to the guys with him. One ordered a beer, the other a Merlot. “Too bad about the smoking,” he said, his brow arched hopefully.

  “Out on deck only,” Heath reiterated Jolie’s rules. He might be mad at her, but he wouldn’t go behind her back.

  The men took their drinks and went upstairs but Heath didn’t have time to fume as a steady parade of drinkers came and went.

  About an hour into the ride, Jolie came downstairs. He just so happened to be talking to a blonde with great...hair...and looked up at his boss.

  “Captain,” he said in greeting.

  “Heath.” She looked from him, to the blonde woman’s assets, and back. “Anything I get for you? Orange juice? Olives?”

  “No, ma’am. I stocked up on the mixers before we left the dock.” He winked at the blonde, who giggled.

  Jolie’s mouth stayed shaped in a smile but Heath felt the temperature drop between them about twenty degrees.

  And he wasn’t even touching the girl, like Jamison had done to Jolie, practically petting her like a cat.

  “Anything else for you, sweetheart?” he asked the blonde.

  “Your number,” she said directly.

  Jolie took a step back, expression neutral, waiting for him to act.

  Heath decided his life was probably more important than pissing off his boss and ducked his head. “Can’t,” he said sadly. “Company policy.” He jerked his head toward Jolie, whose eyes widened just the slightest.

  The blonde laughed as if it were all just a big joke. “I’ll come back later,” she said. “When you’re off work.”

  Jolie laughed and joined him behind the bar to fill the nut dishes and olive trays. He stayed busy with customers, but liked the idea that she stayed close to keep the blonde away.

  Their relationship was on the last stretch. He didn’t want anybody else touching her, and it was good to see she felt the same way.

  After a while, Jolie wiped her hands on a towel. “Anything else?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Ma’am?” She whispered for his ears alone. “Captain would be better, Heath. Captain.”

  He grinned and greeted the next customer, a portly man with mutton chops and a bald head. “What can I get you, sir?”

  “Two beers,” he answered. He watched Captain Jolie walk up the stairs, her head held high. Heath did too but he tried not to be so obvious about it.

  “I’d let her drive my boat,” the
man said.

  His friend, the owner of Catelli, punched him in the arm. “Keep dreaming, pal. Women like that can have any guy they want.”

  Heath smiled but turned away from listening to the conversation. Jolie was really damn amazing. What did Heath have? A bum leg and a tan? Why on earth would Jolie choose to keep him on? His job at the ski place was a chance to make a decent living.

  The rest of the sunset cruise was torture as he went over why she might want him, and why she might not, but Heath made it through with that damn smile on his face. By the time they docked he was convinced that he’d be buying a ticket home. Why bother Jolie with his change of heart? She deserved better. More.

  Heath was sweeping the floor when Jolie and Rajah came down the stairs. Having made his decision, he’d been hoping to avoid the confrontation Rajah demanded, but no luck. The First Mate was green with envy over the fact that Heath would get to sit in his stupid chair.

  “Heath,” Jolie said. “Could you stop that for a second? Let’s go down to the galley and talk while we eat.”

  “Not hungry,” Heath quipped. “And Rajah will just dump his in the garbage.”

  “Don’t act like I’m the jerk here,” Rajah said, affronted.

  Jolie put her hands out to her sides. “What is going on? Rajah, I don’t know why you threw away the food. Because I said that Heath could help navigate?”

  Jolie’s hair was messed up from the Captain’s hat, but she still looked amazing. She shrugged out of the sheer orange jacket, looking expectantly from Heath to Rajah.

  “I am not a child,” Rajah said, stroking his goatee. “I just don’t like your boyfriend.”

  “My boyfriend?” Jolie scowled, her brows gathering in confusion. “Heath is…well, he’s not exactly a boyfriend. He’s going back to Utah once Benedict gets here. And who are you to judge my personal life?”

  Rajah’s eyes stayed dark. “What you do on your time is none of my business. But I work for you, aboard the Masquerade. I don’t feel like Heath, the bartender/ski bum, is qualified to run the boat. I worry about your safety, Captain.”

  She exhaled and looked up at the ceiling. “I’m perfectly safe. So are you.”