Horizons

by Catherine Hart

  Becky made a face. “She’d be my stepmother, just like in Cinderella. She’d probably make me scrub floors and wear rags and watch Sydney all the time. And I’ll bet she’s real bossy, too. I heard her yelling at that guy on the bus, and that lady who wanted to take Sydney away.”

  “I was yelling at the lady, too,” Zach reminded her. “I’d yell just as loudly at anyone who wanted to take you away from me, too. You’re my princess, the best part of your mom and me all rolled into one special package and sprinkled with pure Becky sugar and spice.”

  “But you don’t love Mom anymore,” Becky choked out, her tears rising again. “You love that other wo—Kelly, now.”

  Zach dropped to the floor and tugged Becky into his arms. “Oh, baby! No! I’ll always love your mom, just like I’ll always love you. Nothing will ever change that. Only now I love Kelly, too, and little Sydney. Just like someday you’ll grow up and fall in love with some nice boy and have children of your own. You won’t stop loving me, just because you have them to love, will you?”

  Becky shook her head, which was still buried against his chest as she hugged him tightly. “No. I guess not.”

  “That’s the way love is, Beck,” Zach assured her. “It just grows and grows, enough to spread around to everyone, with plenty to spare.” He lifted her chin in his palm, tilting her head so he could look into her face. “Just promise me you’ll give Kelly a chance, all right?”

  Becky grimaced, relenting with reservations. “Okay, but if I really, really hate her, will you change your mind and not marry her?”

  Zach’s mother laughed outright.

  Zach groaned. “Oh, no, Miss Conniver, that’s not the way it works at all. Nice try, sweet pea, but no deal.”

  Chapter 25

  After having become accustomed to the leisurely pace of the island, it was something of a culture shock to be thrust once more into the hectic, high-tech, watch-the-clock pace of the modern world. Even the ringing of the phone nearly sent Kelly jumping out of her skin, and it definitely felt strange to be surrounded by four walls and a ceiling, nearly claustrophobic, in fact. This return to civilization was going to take some major readjustment.

  As she sat on the edge of the bed—an actual honest-to-God king-sized bed!—and watched the bellman pack up Brad’s clothes, Kelly wanted nothing more than to be able to lie back, wallow in the pillows and covers, and snuggle up for a nice long nap. That would have to wait, however, because she already had a dozen things to do before the press conference, which was scheduled for early afternoon. The first of which was to obtain a decent change of clothes. She certainly didn’t intend to appear dressed in the same tattered, soiled outfit she’d been obliged to wear for the past two months!

  Brad, the self-centered rat, had packed enough clothes for an army of executives, but had neglected to bring along so much as a pair of socks for her! She suspected he’d done so purposely, to make her all the more dependent on him and his benevolence. At this point, Kelly would have chewed ground glass before giving him that satisfaction.

  It was while she was watching the bellman transfer the contents of a dresser drawer into a suitcase that a wondrous thought came to her. Kelly could barely wait for the man to finish his task and depart. The minute the door shut behind him, she dashed to the dresser, yanked open the top drawer and began feeling along the backside of the front facing of the dresser, above the actual drawer opening.

  Her eyes widened with delight, and she had to squelch her immediate exclamation of triumph as she drew forth a plastic packet. “Brad, you big stupid idiot!” she declared softly. “If you hadn’t been so blasted mad at me, you wouldn’t have forgotten your hidden treasure.”

  Swiftly, she unfolded the packet and pulled out the bundle of traveler’s checks inside. Flipping through them, she estimated she held in her hand approximately three thousand dollars, or the equivalent thereof. Another quick glance revealed that Brad still hadn’t revised one of his principal bad habits. Each of the checks was already endorsed, with only the payee’s name left blank. Kelly couldn’t remember the number of times she’d warned him about doing exactly that.

  “One of these days, Brad,” she’d told him time and again, “you’re going to be very sorry. Someone is going to find the entire lot and cash them, and it will all be perfectly legal, simply because you insist on signing these darned things ahead of time. As smart a lawyer as you claim to be, you should know better. In fact, it surprises me, because you’re so methodical about everything else.”

  Brad had always pooh-poohed her admonitions. “It’s not as if I carry them all with me in my wallet. That’s why I hide most of them away, and only take what I think I’ll need for the day, in case some street punk decides to mug me. The rest, I stash away, and pretty well, if I do say so myself. Who would ever think to look for them there, taped inside the dresser frame? Even if someone ransacked the room, and pulled out all the drawers, they’d never find them, and I’d bet my law degree no maid has ever cleaned in that spot, or ever will.”

  Now, as Kelly thumbed through the folded stack, she grinned widely. “But your wife remembers all your bad habits, Brad old boy, and it’s finders keepers. Now, all I have to do is get down to the bank and cash these before you remember and come looking for them. Not that I’d give them back to you. You’ve stolen far more than this from me, so it’s only fair that I should get to keep this pittance for myself—and the great thing is, you can’t even prosecute. Since you’ve signed these, in your own handwriting, it’s all strictly within the bounds of the law.”

  Kelly took her purse from her canvas bag and stuffed the wad of traveler’s checks inside a zippered compartment. Though she hated waking Sydney from her nap, there was no help for it. She was ready to leave, her hand on the doorknob and Sydney riding on her hip, when someone rapped from the hall side. “Oh, crap!” she muttered, sure it had to be Brad on the opposite side of the door. “You couldn’t have given me five more minutes to make a clean get-away, could you?”

  “Kelly?”

  Kelly sighed in relief and yanked the door open. “Alita! You’re just in time to go shopping with me.” She thrust Sydney into singer’s arms and steered them toward the elevator at a trot.

  “Hey! Slow down!” Alita complained. “Where’s the fire?”

  “Under Brad’s butt, I hope,” Kelly retorted. Fortunately, when the elevator arrived, it was empty. On the way down, Kelly filled Alita in on Brad’s nefarious doings, and her recent fortuitous find. “That’s why I’m in such a rush. I want to get these cashed before Brad can do anything to prevent it.”

  “Can’t he still claim they were stolen?” Alita asked. “Like in all those commercials where people lose their traveler’s checks and get them reissued?”

  Kelly grinned. “He could if he had the serial numbers, or the slips listing them, that he’s supposed to keep separate from the checks.” She patted her purse. “Not only does the dumb jackass endorse the things prematurely, but he always keeps everything in one nice, tidy little place, receipts and all.”

  Alita laughed. “Boy, I’d like to see his face when he finds out what an imbecile he’s been, to leave all that right where you could find it!”

  For the convenience of the hotel guests, there was a branch bank attached to it, part of a small but elite shopping complex. Within minutes, Kelly had completed her transactions—cashing Brad’s checks, accepting a few hundred dollars in bills, and taking the remainder in traveler’s checks issued in her name.

  “Where to now?” Alita inquired. “Someplace we can buy a baby stroller, I hope.” She shifted Sydney to the other arm and tweaked the toddler’s chubby cheek, making her giggle. “This nina’s been eating too many bananas.”

  Instead, Kelly guided her toward a fashionable boutique. “This will do, for starters. I need some clothes, everything from undies on out. I hope they have something smart enough for that press conference, because I don’t have long to shop and get ready. And we still need to find so
meplace that sells toddlers’ apparel.”

  Alita glanced at her watch. “It’s scheduled for one o’clock, which only leaves you about an hour and a half.”

  “I know, and I still have to shower, fix my hair and makeup, and do my nails, and get Sydney cleaned up to boot. I’ll have to hustle like crazy.”

  “You should have made an appointment at the beauty salon,” Alita told her. “Not that they could do any better than you, but they could probably do it faster, with one person doing your nails while another works on your hair.”

  Kelly flashed her an annoyed look. “When did I have time to make an appointment, Alita? I was in my hotel room all of fifteen minutes before you arrived. Sydney barely got started on her nap.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot. Tell you what, you look here for what you need, and I’ll take Sydney and scout around for some clothes for her.”

  “Oh, Alita! You’re a life-saver, in more ways than one!” Kelly declared gratefully. “But first, let’s ask the saleslady if there’s someplace close to shop for Sydney. That way you won’t be running in all directions, and I’ll know where to meet you.”

  Kelly went through the boutique like a whirlwind, whipping items off the racks and tossing them into the waiting arms of the attending saleswoman. Fortunately, Kelly knew her sizes, and had an excellent eye for coordinating colors and fabrics. Even in her rush, she chose things she could mix and match, which would give her varied combinations with the fewest pieces. After all, she’d only be needing enough for a couple of days, and she had closets and drawers full of clothing back home.

  She found a chic, basic black sheath, perfect for dinner, dancing, or just about any occasion, depending on how it was accessorized. She paired it with a hip-length paisley-print jacket, in vibrant hues of blue, emerald, ivory, and lavender. She chose three solid-colored blouses to match. Then came two pairs of slacks, one gray and one in sapphire blue. On a sale rack, she discovered another dress that was made-to-order for the upcoming press conference. Just a modest teal-green shirtwaist adorned with a wide belt, stand-up collar, and gold buttons, it was nonetheless elegant in its simplicity. If the need arose, it could also be teamed with the paisley jacket.

  Heading for the lingerie section, Kelly selected a couple of bras, panties, and a slip. Then, with Zach in mind, she bypassed the pantyhose in lieu of a black lace garter belt and sheer stockings. Disregarding the price, she threw in a slinky full-length burgundy satin nightgown, which she knew she could have gotten through her usual distributor for a fraction of the cost.

  In a store just across the mall corridor, she found a black pair of sling-back heels and purse, which completed her list of personal purchases, at least for the moment. Time was running low, but with the complimentary kit in the hotel bathroom, and her remaining cosmetics, she could get by—and Kathy or her mother might have a necklace or a pair of earrings she could borrow.

  She met Alita and Sydney as they were departing the children’s store. “Grab Syd or a couple of these bags before I drop them,” Alita wheezed. “I can’t believe these places don’t have carts! I feel like a one-armed paper hanger!”

  Kelly relieved her of the parcels, juggling them with her own. “Good grief! What all did you buy?”

  “Everything, including a couple of toys. Now, follow me. You’re five minutes late for your beauty appointment.”

  “My what? How did you wrangle that?” Kelly exclaimed.

  “I browbeat them until they felt like worms!” Alita declared with a laugh. “By the time I was done, they were all but begging to perform their miracles on a celebrity such as you.”

  “Ha! In other words, you threw your weight and star status around until they gave in just to shut you up.”

  Alita attempted a shrug, which wasn’t easy while carrying Sydney. “Hey, whatever works! Don’t complain. Just remember to tip well.”

  “Which reminds me, how much do I owe you for Syd’s stuff?”

  “Nada. Nothing. It’s on the home.”

  “House. On the house,” Kelly corrected, “and you really should let me pay you back.”

  “Forget it. Save your money for a good lawyer, so you can rub Brad’s nose in his own dirt.”

  Alita must have impressed upon the trio of beauty operators that time was of the essence. They whisked Kelly into a chair almost before she could unload her packages and, working in tandem, proceeded to give her “the works” at record speed—hair, facial, make-up, manicure, pedicure. She emerged forty minutes later feeling like an entirely new and revived woman.

  They hurried back to her room, where Alita took charge again. “You take the shower, while I bathe Sydney in the sink.”

  “Bless you,” Kelly intoned reverently. “Take your dress off first, or she’ll have you soaked.”

  “Like it would matter!” Alita groused. “Carting her around already has me wrinkled from head to toe.”

  Kelly examined the fabric with a critical eye. “Put it on a hanger and hook it on the bathroom door. We’ll steam the wrinkles out.”

  “Don’t muss your hair or make-up,” Alita adjured. To Sydney, as she peeled the toddler out of her worn playsuit, she added, “And you, you ornery imp, keep your pudgy fingers out of my curls. You’ve wiped half my make-up off as it is.”

  They finished with three minutes to spare. Sydney was dressed, fluffed, powdered, and looking absolutely angelic in her “Pebbles Flintstone” hairdo, a frilly pink dress, lacy white tights and patent leather shoes. Alita’s dress was now wrinkle-free, her hair and make-up restored to their previous order. Kelly looked smart in her new shirtwaist, though she debated the wisdom of having let the beauticians talk her into leaving her hair flow free, with only a pair of clips holding it back from her face.

  “Oh, well, too late now,” she decided, transferring the last of her things into her new purse. “Let’s get this dog-and-pony show on the road.”

  “Only if I get to be the pony,” Alita quipped. “I’ll deck the first person who dares to call me a dog.”

  They ran for the first elevator, missing it by a hair. The second one looked as if it might take forever to get to them, so they decided to take the stairs down the four flights to the main floor. As the stairwell door was closing behind her, Kelly heard the elevator bell ding. She chanced a look, then did a double take and hurried after Alita, who was half a flight ahead of her by now. “I could swear that was Brad getting off and heading toward my room,” she panted. “Probably wanting his traveler’s checks.”

  “Screw him,” Alita retorted caustically.

  Kelly laughed. “Not on a million dollar bet!”

  The press conference kicked off as planned, though it lasted longer than anyone had anticipated. The media had numerous questions about how they had managed to survive for so long on the island, alluding to them as modern-day Robinson Crusoes. They were also impressed that such a diverse group, small as they were, had gotten along so well together.

  “We pooled our resources,” Zach told them. “Each of us, in his or her own way, had something valuable to contribute. Even Earl Roberts, who came up with the idea of a slingshot for shooting pigeons.”

  One reporter said, “I suppose it had one of those leather slings, like David had in biblical times.”

  Zach laughed and shook his head. “No, it had an elastic sling, believe it or not. Much easier to use.”

  “Where’d you get the elastic?” the man inquired curiously.

  Zach nodded toward Kelly, who, with a charming blush, took up the tale from there. “Actually, it came from the waistband of my pantyhose.”

  Everyone laughed. “Very ingenious,” someone called out.

  “We thought so,” Kelly admitted. “Zach also employed my dental floss in lieu of fishing line. It worked very well. And Blair, with her vast store of knowledge was a godsend. I don’t know what we’d have done without her. As Zach said, we all contributed something: Gavin, his army training, Zach’s leadership and engineering expertise, Alita her braver
y and Latin lore, and Frazer his familiarity with the islands and selfless heroism.”

  “And Kelly’s skill at popping bones back into place, and her sewing talent,” Alita put in. “Not to mention her endless optimism. She and Zach became our leaders from the start.”

  “Didn’t you argue, or get on each other’s nerves?” another reporter asked.

  “Did we ever!” Gavin confessed, as the others nodded in avid agreement. “But we learned to put up with each other, to make allowances for our differences, and to pull together for the good of all. In the end, we’ve become good friends. I’ll always be grateful for having the opportunity to get to know these people. I hope we’ll continue to stay in touch with each other.”

  “We’re like family now, regardless of race, religion, gender, or nationality,” Blair put in proudly. “I wish the world at large could learn to get along as well. It would certainly solve a host of problems and eliminate a lot of strife.”

  The next question was directed toward Alita. “Rumor has it one of the major movie studios wants to make a film about your experiences on the island and would like to have you star in it, Miss Gomez. Is that true?”

  Alita flashed her beautiful smile. “They have contacted me about it, but I told them I want Blair to write the script, or the book from which it is adapted. Nothing is settled yet, of course, but we are negotiating.”

  “Corporal Daniels, how did your fiancée react upon discovering you’d spent the past couple of months marooned with three lovely ladies, most particularly Miss Gomez?”