Destination Romance

by Barbara McMahon

  'I'm not one to beat a dead horse,' she said lightly, her heart thudding against the chill in his voice, the bleak look in his eyes. 'Cut my losses and move on, that's my motto. You're very forthright in your thoughts about me.' She shrugged.

  'If I can put in a word for you, experience and all,’ he drawled.

  'No thanks. I'll manage.' She met his look, her chin tilted, her eyes defiant, but the bravado was fleeting as, she looked away first, apprehension returning. 'I guess we should go down,' she said reluctantly.

  'Not cold feet, my dear? That will never do. Come, I want to watch a person of your caliber in action; I missed all the preliminary routine because of Joey's short cut to the truth. It should prove most interesting, most instructive.'

  Her heart felt the jab, but she kept her composure. She would like to ruffle him once or twice, see his composure slip. She sighed, not a hope of penetrating his shell.

  As Dominic turned, she preceded him down the hall to the stairs, faltering at the sight and sound of Patience's guests. More were joining the early arrivals, greetings being exchanged, drinks served.

  Dominic's hand at her waist propelled her down the stairs—there was no turning back now. It was easier after the first introduction. Patience was her friend and introduced her as such to her neighbors. They were kind and courteous, welcoming Lexy to Santa Theresa. First Paul Martin, gray-haired, stately, the new doctor.

  'New as you can see, only to Santa Theresa. I'm semi-retired, and this is an ideal place. Healthy lot, the people here.'

  She greeted Margaret Tremon like an old friend, liking her stout husband, Victor, on sight. She was introduced to the mayor and his wife. Soon she met Susan Hartford, the retired schoolteacher, and young Elaine Hartford, Susan's granddaughter, who already knew Dominic.

  'It seems odd to see you and not Robin with you, Dom, we'll have to have a quiet chat later and you can tell me how he and Sarah are getting along,' Elaine said.

  'I'd like that,' he replied.

  'Lexy.' Patience was at her elbow again, with two tall stocky men, Robert Preston and his son Evan. She made the introductions, and added, 'The Preston’s are our biggest cotton growers here on Santa Theresa.'

  'Welcome to Santa Theresa, visiting long?' Evan was immediately captivated by Lexy's sweet smile and sparkling gray eyes.

  'No,' Dominic turned from speaking to Elaine and held out his hand to grip Evan's.

  'Dominic! Didn't see you when we got here. How are you? Good to see you again. How's Robin? Seems funny not to have him along, too.'

  'I know. He's doing fine. Hello, Bob.'

  'Dominic. Good to see you. Miss Kent is a guest of your aunt's, too, I understand.'

  'Actually Lexy came with me.'

  Both Preston men's smiles froze, and they stared, first at Dominic, then at Lexy. Robert Preston remembered his manners first and looked away, but remained thoughtful. Evan was more vocal.

  'Came with you? Lucky dog,' he smiled at Dominic, his maneuver returning quickly to Lexy.

  'I crew for Dominic on the Marybeth.' Lexy was going to clear up the situation, then try to evade Dominic's presence. She didn't want a repetition of his comment aboard Bob Driscoll's yacht, not here, not tonight.

  'You working on another book, Dominic?' Bob Preston asked. Evan, seeing his chance, deftly cut Lexy away from them and walked her towards the makeshift bar at the end of the room.

  'Good old Dad, he can talk to Dom and I'll talk to you.'

  Lexy smiled at his adroit maneuver. How nice he wanted to escape Dominic's presence. She asked Evan exactly what he did for a living, and he launched into a greatly exaggerated tale of cotton growing. Soon Lexy was laughing merrily, happy for the first time in many weeks. He introduced her to various other people, in passing, only letting her chat for a few minutes with each before whisking her away. Finally he drew her aside, scanning the gathering.

  'There, I think that's all. Now you have met every body, Patience will be satisfied and you can devote the rest of the evening to me.'

  'That sounds like fun, but shouldn't I mingle more?' She was flattered he went to so much trouble to have a little time alone with her. What a wonderful change from Dominic's condemnation.

  'No, the party is for Dominic, too, let him do the mingling. I say, you did say you only crew for Dom, right?'

  'Yes. He hired me for this journey because Robin's not available anymore.'

  'Fine. I only ask because he hasn't taken his eyes off us all evening and it's decidedly unnerving. Don't want to poach on another man's preserves.'

  She looked over her shoulder; her eyes meeting the dark blue brooding ones across the crowded room. Even in the midst of a group including Robert Preston and Elaine he was watching her. She glazed her eyes and passed him by, turning back to Evan with a wide smile, moving deliberately closer to him.

  'Don't worry, he probably feels some sort of guardianship for me.' She tucked her arm in his. 'Do you think we could go and eat? I've seen several people with plates, and I'll admit to being a little peckish.'

  'Thy wish is my command.' He bowed deftly, covering her hand with his and leading her to the buffet.

  They loaded their plates from the vast assortment Molly had spent all day preparing and found a secluded table set at the edge of the veranda. The hum of voices was a soft background murmur, the air was still but cooler, the night sky was sparkling with stars. Evan asked Lexy about her sailing experience and the talk moved naturally to skin-diving. Upon discovering Lexy had diving experience, he became enthusiastic.

  'I say, Lexy, we could do a little diving around here. I have scuba gear and a nice cruiser. What do you say?'

  'Oh, I'd like that. I haven't been in a couple of years, though I've been doing quite a bit of snorkeling in the lagoon where Dominic anchors.'

  'How is that place?'

  'It's lovely, peaceful, and so picturesque-pretty you almost think it's artificial.'

  'Robin used to dive a little, he said he'd like scuba gear in the lagoon.'

  'I've often thought that myself. I can only dive about ten feet at the most with the snorkel.' She sighed faintly. 'It was lovely, though.'

  'I'll tell you what. I'll follow you up, bring my gear and we can dive while old Dominic writes. How about it?'

  'Well,' Lexy hedged, if all went well, she would be gone from Santa Theresa before Dominic headed for the island again.

  She slid a glance at Evan. He could tell her the schedule of the supply boat. He would surely know. If it visited the island once a week, it might be expected any time, even tomorrow. But she couldn't risk telling him why she wanted the information.

  'That's a good idea,' she replied to his suggestion, her thoughts on how to find out the schedule.

  'Good, that's settled then. I'll get the coordinates from Dom and follow after I stock up my boat. We'll be all set.'

  She smiled faintly—wouldn't Dominic love that, if she were still going with him. She leaned closer to Evan, smiling into his eyes.

  'Tell me about living here on Santa Theresa,' she invited.

  'Yes, Evan, tell the little lady all about life on a cotton island.' Dominic hooked a foot over a nearby chair and drew it over. 'You don't mind if I join you?' He smiled sardonically at Lexy, pulling his chair near hers, sitting back, watchful and alert. 'Do go on.'

  She bit her lip in consternation, glaring at him beneath her lashes. Darn, he would appear just when she had a chance to find something out naturally, without causing any comment. Now she would have to hope Evan would mention the steamer of his own accord, she wouldn’t be able to question the schedule lest it alert Dominic to her plan. He was too astute not to suspect something was up. A small dart of disappointment and regret pierced her. If she succeeded in her plan she would never see the quiet island again, never swim in the silken waters of the lagoon, never walk along the white beach, follow the trail crisscrossing the island. Well, she would always have the memories, they would have to suffice. Memories of a paradise island a
nd the man who could have made it heaven.

  Evan saw nothing amiss with his friend's joining them and plunged into his stories of Santa Theresa. Lexy tried to forget Dominic's presence, laughed in all the right places, but her mind wasn't fully on Evan. She was too aware of Dominic, only inches away from her. Too afraid of what he might say or do. She flicked him a glance. He was watching her with that brooding concentration she was so familiar with. Why wouldn't he leave her alone? She had done him no harm.

  At a pause in Evan's recital, Dominic looked with feigned surprise at Lexy's glass. 'Why, Lexy, your drink's gone.'

  'Oh, I say, I didn't realize. I'll get you another.' Evan, eager to please, took her glass and disappeared towards the house.

  'You did that deliberately,' she complained, turning to face him. 'Why can't you go mingle with the other guests. Leave me alone!'

  'Now, Lexy, you know I'm trying to watch you in action, to get an idea of how femme fatales operate. While I don't need it for this book, I might sometime want a cheap little cheat work on the hero, what better opportunity to see firsthand how one does it? It'll make good copy.'

  'No.'

  'Now don't blow your act. I know continence is wearing, but you...' His taunting glib look was too much.

  Crack! The sharp sound of the slap echoed around the terrace causing several heads to turn in their direction. Dominic reached out and yanked Lexy back to her chair, his hand tight at her wrist, the fingers biting into her flesh. She stared at the reddening mark on his face with horrified eyes. Trembling, she tried to speak.

  'I'm sorry.' It came out a whisper.

  She was appalled with her reaction to his words. What was happening to her? She’d tried so hard for years to remain cool, poised, in control. She had made a kind of life for herself, but lately she was losing that control. Why was Dominic so provoking? Why did he anger her so?

  In the past, when men had made disparaging remarks, either in her hearing or to her face, she ignored them with an icy disdain, cloaking the hurt she felt, maintaining her composure and serenity to all outward appearances. She had worked hard through the years to develop the technique to ignore such insults, found it effective and easy to assume. Why with Dominic did she lose control, let him under her guard, let him know he hurt, he hit home?

  He said not a word; his painful fingers transmitting his anger. Fearfully, Lexy glanced around the terrace. The guests had resumed their pursuits, no one was paying them any marked attention. They were alone. Alone at the edge of the dark velvet night. She was trembling slightly, stunned by her own savage behavior. Shocked that she had actually slapped Dominic in the face. Her eyes were drawn again to the red cheek; it must sting, be warm now. She ached to touch it lightly with her fingertips, her lips, to erase the memory of her hand. She swallowed hard, her eyes on Dominic.

  'Don't ever do such a thing again,' he gritted. 'Thank your lucky stars Aunt Patience has a houseful of neighbors, or I would retaliate!'

  'I am sorry, I shouldn't have done it. It was unforgivable,' she said, her voice low, sincere. Then, unable to stop she blurted out, 'But you caused it yourself. Stop antagonizing me. Stop calling me names and insulting me all the time. You know what I'm supposed to have done, if you don't like thinking of it when you look at me, stay away. Why do you throw it in my face all the time? What do you get out of denouncing me to everyone we meet? Even chance strangers like the Driscoll’s and Martin’s?'

  'I don't know if you are proud of what you are, of what power you can wield over besotted men; or ashamed of the way you live. Why don't you stop it, if you are ashamed?

  It's not a pretty way to live, it makes me sick,' he replied, his hand still a vice grip.

  'When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. May I have my wrist back, Evan is returning.'

  Dominic threw her arm away and rose, just as Evan joined them.

  'Excuse me, I'll see to our other guests.' He walked away, one cheek still decidedly redder than the other.

  Evan watched him, almost forgetting Lexy's drink.

  'Oh, I say, here's your drink. Was Dom mad?'

  'No. Tell me more about the way you live here. I've never lived on so small an island. How do you get your groceries and all? Surely not everything is grown on the island.'

  'We are on a regular routine shipping schedule. There’s a company in Granada that distributes and transports cargo from the larger ports to the smaller islands like ours. We get a delivery once a week in good weather, every Thursday.' He sat down, still looking after Dominic with a puzzled look on his pleasant face.

  Thursday–and tonight was Tuesday. Lexy sat back triumphant. Tomorrow she would see to gathering her things. Then Thursday somehow get to the town pier and beg or buy passage on the ship. She’d have all day tomorrow to think of a scheme to avoid Dominic and get to town with bag and baggage on Thursday. She’d plan it all out tomorrow, when she was alone and could think uninterrupted.

  She felt a small quake of conscience at leaving Dominic deserted without a crewman. He had come to her aid in Santa Inez when she had needed work and had offered her the job. And, while she had promised before landing in Bridgetown to work the voyage for him, that was before Joey Compton's damaging revelations. Circumstances had changed. Maybe there would be someone here on the island who could do the job, even Evan or that girl Elaine. She looked happy enough to see Dom. Or, for that matter, Lexy was sure Patience would be delighted to have Dominic stay here with her while he wrote. There was nothing that said he had to write on a boat.

  The party began breaking up. Gradually, sporadically, the people were leaving. Patience sought Lexy and had her standing by Dominic to help bid their guests goodnight. Evan was one of the last to leave, and he pulled Lexy a little aside from the others while his father was making his farewells, to tell her he would stop by the next afternoon to see if she would be free to dive. She agreed and they parted amiably.

  'Thank you, Aunt Patience, it was a nice gathering,' Dominic said as the last guests drove off, their taillights dwindling down the drive.

  'I had a nice evening, too, Patience. Thank you. And thanks too for urging me to get the dress,' Lexy murmured, glad it was all over. She pulled the skirt out, letting it fall. She wished briefly that they’d had dancing; it would be a nice dress to dance in. Involuntarily, she remembered the last time she had been dancing, on Driscoll's yacht, and her eyes flew to Dominic. He was studying his shoes, however, and not looking at her.

  'I'm glad you both enjoyed yourselves. It is a nice group, don't you think? I'm lucky to have nice friends.' She switched off lights as she talked. 'Well, off to bed now. I'm tired, I don't mind saying. Molly will cope with this mess in the morning. Go on up, go on up.' She shooed them before her like children.

  'Goodnight,' Lexy called as she slipped into her room.

  Despite the late hour, she was a long time falling asleep, her body craving the artificial inducement it was used to. She relived the party, especially her shameful behavior with Dominic. She winced again remembering the sound of her hand on his face, his eyes flashing surprise and pain before he clamped down and veiled them. She recalled, too, his words.

  She was ashamed of what she had done, so many years ago now, but recent events were a direct result of ugly gossip and jealous backbiting. What was she to do to expiate her sins? She was circumspect in her life, avoiding anything that would substantiate any part of the accusations about her, trying to avoid being put in similar circumstances again. Though, she supposed, crewing for Dominic could be misconstrued by some. Restlessly she tossed and turned on her bed, finally dropping off to an uneasy sleep.

  'Come on, Lexy, let's get going!' Dominic was pounding on her door. 'Hurry up.'

  'What do you want?' she called out sleepily, opening one eye. It was still gray outside, just dawn. 'Ohhh,' she rolled over and buried her head in her pillows. 'Go 'way,' she moaned. It was much too early to get up. It had been late when they’d retired, even later before she finally slept, and she ce
rtainly didn't want to get up early after all that, just to sight see around Santa Theresa, or visit, or whatever else Dominic had in mind.

  'Come on, girl, I'm ready to go. You're holding me up.' He smacked his hand hard against her door.

  'Dominic, what's going on?' Patience's voice boomed from across the hall.

  Lexy found herself growing awake with the effort to hear his reply. The door muffled his words, but they satisfied Patience, because Lexy heard her door close. Ah, silence again. Her eyes closed.

  The sudden click of her door opened them again. Dominic was standing in the frame, fully dressed in jeans and a cotton pullover. His hair still damp from his shower. 'Listen, Lexy, I can't keep yelling, it's annoying Aunt Patience. Get dressed and move it. I'm ready to sail and if you are not downstairs in ten minutes, I'll carry you to the boat as you are.'

  He closed the door before Lexy could gather her wits, before she realized he meant to leave Santa Theresa today, right now. Before she could tell him she wasn't going with him.

  She sat up, her thoughts in turmoil. Why was he leaving now? What about his computer? What about her chance for the island supply ship? She scrambled into a top and jeans. She would go down and tell him he would have to get somebody else. She pulled on her shoes. He wouldn’t welcome the news. In fact he’d probably be quite angry, but she’d stand firm. She didn't understand, though, because the computer couldn't be ready yet.

  He stood in the front doorway watching the sea when she appeared at the head of the stairs, turning when he heard her descending. He frowned, noting her appearance, minus her bag.

  'Get your things,' he reminded her impatiently.

  'I'm not going,' she faltered, stopping halfway down.

  'Not going?' he repeated perplexed. 'Not going where? I'm ready to sail.'

  'You'll have to get somebody else to crew,' she said, holding on to the railing tightly. 'I'm quitting. I'll catch a lift on the island supply ship when it calls and be out of your life.'

  'What the bloody hell are you talking about?' He crossed to the bottom step, glaring up at her, his hands on his hips, anger evident in his very stance, his look stony. 'You signed on for the whole trip, sweetheart, until the book is finished. This side-trip was unplanned, but doesn't alter our arrangement. Just because you've met a rich planter and find it more lucrative to chat him up, doesn't mean you’re leaving me hanging!'