Holiday in Jamaica

by Tracy Sinclair

  "I think we all need some breakfast," Jason remarked smoothly. As though on cue, Manolo and Rosa wheeled out carts with orange juice and melon and steaming dishes under silver covers.

  For a while conversation stopped as they all busied themselves eating—Brad gingerly, the rest heartily. When the dishes were cleared away, Jason turned to Bibi.

  "I'm a little worried about Erin," he told her in a low voice. "Would you mind going in and checking on her?"

  She laid a hand briefly on his arm and looked at him understandingly. "Of course. Be back in a flash."

  "What would everyone like to do today?" Tommy asked.

  "I don't know about the rest of you, but I planned to lie here and think beautiful thoughts," Brad answered.

  "Nonsense! What you need is a couple of fast games of handball to sweat all that alcohol out of your system," Tommy told him.

  Brad groaned. "You physical types are incredible. Never happy unless you're working up a sweat."

  "You might try it some time," Veronica said in a pinched voice. "It's better for you than just lifting your elbow."

  Brad's eyes narrowed as he looked Veronica over insolently. "My, aren't we a bundle of charm this morning? What's the matter? Jealous because you're not the prettiest girl at the party this time?"

  Veronica's long scarlet nails bit into her palms as she clenched her fists and jumped to her feet. Tommy and Jason exchanged meaningful glances, and before the irate girl could explode, Tommy said, "Hey, Veronica, how about going over to the club for some tennis? Bibi and I will stand you and Jason."

  Jason put his arm lightly around her shoulders. "Sounds good to me. How about it?"

  Veronica wavered for just an instant, her fury at Brad warring with Jason's powerful attraction. Predictably, Jason won out. Looking seductively up at him, she said, "I'd like that—just the four of us the way it's always been."

  His eyes were expressionless, but he gave her a friendly smile and said, "You go in and change. We'll be ready when you are."

  Veronica left, all smiles, pointedly ignoring Brad, who shook his head in disbelief.

  "Jason, you're a wonder! How you can turn that man-eating tiger into a kitty-cat is amazing. Even when you foul up and find yourself with two dates at the same time, you manage to avert bloodshed. I thought I was slick, but I have to award you the laurel wreath. Lucky I was here this week, though, to take Erin off your hands. Even you couldn't keep up this balancing act forever."

  Jason frowned. "I've been meaning to talk to you about all this attention you've been dancing on Erin—"

  "No need to thank me," Brad interrupted. "Glad to do it, pal." A faint smile played around his mouth. "Now there's a really toothsome wench."

  "She's a nice woman," Tommy said sharply. "She's not used to playing in your league, so leave her alone. If Jason doesn't warn her about you, I'm going to."

  Brad looked from Tommy's angry face to Jason's stern one. "Why are you guys picking on me? I assure you, my intentions are strictly honorable."

  Tommy snorted. "That would make it one in a row."

  "No, honestly, I mean it. She's a living doll, and I think this time I'm really in love. And, what's more, I think she's fallen for me, too."

  Before anyone could comment on this astounding news, Bibi returned and said to Jason, "I looked in on Erin and she's sleeping like a baby. She didn't even stir when I opened the door, and I don't think we should disturb her. Poor little kid is all tuckered out."

  "Are you certain she's all right?" Jason asked with instant concern.

  "Oh, sure. She just isn't used to the hectic pace you clowns insist on."

  "Speaking of which, my love, we're going over to the club this morning for some tennis," Tommy told his wife. "And maybe this afternoon we'll go sailing."

  In a few minutes the pool area was deserted as they all went to get their rackets. Brad changed his mind and decided to join them. His recuperative powers were enormous, but, more than that, he never wanted to be left out of anything.

  The sun was already high in the heavens before Erin awoke, curiously unrefreshed. Usually she greeted each new day as a gift, so why did she feel so languid this morning? Suddenly her eyes flew open and the events of the previous day—and night— came tumbling down on her.

  It had been almost dawn before she had closed her eyes in utter exhaustion, but that was no excuse for sleeping so sinfully late. Would Jason be furious? Fearfully, she looked at the clock and gasped. It was almost noon! Grabbing her robe, she raced into the bathroom and turned the shower head to a fine needle spray. After a quick shower, she toweled herself swiftly dry and ran a comb through her thick hair, trying to avoid her image in the mirror as much as possible. Those dark smudges under the eyes were a dead giveaway, and she didn't want to give Jason the satisfaction of knowing he could keep her up all night—one way or another.

  Throwing her clothes on hurriedly, she grabbed up a large pair of sunglasses and rushed out to the pool area, only to find it deserted.

  At first it was a letdown, keyed up as she was for a possible confrontation with Jason; but then relief set in. Rosa had told her where they had gone and relayed a message from Jason that she was to take one of the cars and join them when she got up, but she shrank from the thought. He was only being polite. He didn't really want her, and she felt too weary today to parry his barbed remarks and Veronica's spitefulness.

  After declining Rosa's offer of breakfast, she decided to take a walk along the beach. It was a beautiful day, and the cool water lapping around her slim ankles felt delicious. A breeze played with her hair, unfurling it behind her like a dark red flag, and the gulls swooped overhead with raucous cries.

  Erin walked along the wet sand for miles, stopping now and then to pick up an oddly shaped shell or watch a tiny crab scramble frantically back into his hole. The peace and quiet smoothed out her crumpled soul, and it was with great reluctance that she finally turned back. But something told her that she had better be there when Jason returned.

  She was floating languidly in the pool when voices heralded the arrival of the house party. Erin sighed, realizing that her brief respite was over.

  They straggled onto the patio, arguing noisily about a disputed call in their recent match; but Jason wasn't taking part in the discussion. He looked preoccupied until he spotted Erin in the pool. Immediately detaching himself from the others, he strolled over to the edge and stood looking down at her, his brows faintly puckered in a slight frown.

  Was he angry because she had slept late? Erin looked up at him wide-eyed with apprehension. Her long hair was pinned on top of her head and the sun glinted on the tumbled curls, gilding their rich auburn with touches of copper.

  "Are you all right?" he asked finally.

  She nodded her head. "I'm sorry I didn't get up this morning. I… guess I was tired."

  A smile touched his eyes, lightening his stern expression. "I understand. Did you have anything to eat?"

  "I didn't want anything."

  "You should have ordered a tray. You don't eat enough," he told her disapprovingly. "I didn't bring you here to starve you."

  He reached out a long forefinger and made a circle on her shoulder, tracing the pattern of crystal droplets on her golden skin. His touch was feather light yet unbearably sensuous, and Erin shivered.

  "Why did you bring me, Jason?" she whispered, the words forced out against her will.

  "Don't you know?" he smiled, his compelling gray eyes holding hers. Erin felt shy and confused but was powerless to break their spell. In a strange way it was like lovemaking, and she didn't want him to stop.

  Brad's voice brought a rude awakening, and suddenly the gates of heaven swung shut. "Hello, lazybones. It's about time you joined the party," he said, sprawling out next to them on the edge of the pool.

  Erin drew a shaky breath and turned to him with a relieved smile, grateful to him for releasing her from Jason's sorcery.

  "You've missed half the day," Brad told her r
ighteously.

  Erin was still unnerved, but she managed a light tone of voice. "I know, isn't it terrible? But just think how rested I'll be for tonight."

  Jason straightened up abruptly and turned toward the house. Watching him go, Erin was surprised at her feeling of disappointment. It was as though a cloud had passed over the sun. What on earth was the matter with her? Why did she let this man disturb her so powerfully?

  Brad was asking her a question, and she dutifully tried to focus on his trivial conversation. But part of her mind registered the fact that Veronica had come out of the house and she and Jason were laughing together near the door. Today was evidently going to be a replay of yesterday.

  Erin signed and stepped out of the pool, and Brad wrapped her in a giant beach towel, patting her dry with one end of it. He was only trying to be helpful, but she was uncomfortably aware of his hands on her body. She glanced nervously over at Jason, who seemed oblivious to both of them. Naturally, Erin thought bitterly. That bit of byplay in the pool just now was only a warmup until Veronica appeared. Tossing her head coquettishly, she looked up and smiled at Brad, who didn't notice that her teeth were clenched.

  "Hi, Erin, did you have a good rest?" It was Bibi, who had gone directly to change clothes and was just now joining them.

  "Yes, thank you. I'm really sorry I didn't get up with the rest of you, though."

  "Don't be. All we did was play tennis, and you didn't miss anything. Brad cheats, and Tommy and Jason play for blood."

  "How about Veronica?" Erin couldn't help asking.

  Bibi and Brad laughed. "Veronica plays by her own rules—like she does everything else."

  Delicious odors were wafting in the breeze as Manolo set up a buffet table in the poolhouse, and Erin discovered that she was hungry. One look at the delectable food on display convinced her of the fact. There was a huge platter of crabmeat salad garnished with a big scarlet claw, and a silver tray of dark green artichokes with cold curried mayonnaise to dip the leaves in. Golden wedges of mango and papaya contrasted with big scarlet strawberries and slices of the strange kiwi fruit from Australia, looking like pale green flowers with tiny black speckles forming the center. There were also hot dishes and a large fresh coconut cake for dessert. Surveying the mountain of food prepared for just six people, Erin was impressed. Everyone else seemed to take it for granted.

  While they were finishing lunch, plans were discussed for the afternoon and evening, and Erin listened with growing amazement. These people worked as hard at having fun as most people did at making a living! Every detail had to be carefully orchestrated because they seemed terrified at the notion of having nothing to do. Without realizing it, Erin shook her head in disbelief, unaware that Jason was regarding her closely, a small smile playing around his mobile mouth and growing satisfaction in his eyes.

  "Okay, then it's decided. We'll go sailing this afternoon," Brad said.

  "But I want to get in at a reasonable hour," Veronica warned. "I have to have my hair done before the party tonight."

  Erin already knew about the party. It was to be here at the house for all their friends who happened to be in Jamaica at the time, which evidently encompassed a great number of people. She dreaded the thought, since she didn't know any of them and would have nothing in common even after she met them. They appeared to spend all their time in spots like Cannes and Ibiza, or Squaw Valley and Beverly Hills. Erin knew where those places were, of course, but they were merely names in a newspaper to her. Oh, well, it was just another night, and she would get through it somehow.

  They had finished eating when Manolo approached with a telephone in his hands and said a few words to Jason. But as he started to plug it into the poolhouse outlet, Jason stopped him and went into the house instead. None of the others seemed to notice, but Erin, watching his exit, wondered what girl it was this time. Her suspicions were unworthy, though. A few moments later, Manolo returned and asked if she would join Jason in the den.

  Wonderingly, she followed him and found Jason sitting behind a handsome mahogany desk, busily making notes on a pad of paper. She knew immediately that it was a business call and felt instantly better for some obscure reason.

  Putting his hand over the receiver, he said apologetically, "It's Dukakis in Athens, and the call is important. I meant this to be a complete vacation for you, but unfortunately this is urgent. Would you mind taking notes?"

  "I'd be happy to," she assured him, and a feeling of pleasure welled up in her. This was something the exquisite but useless Veronica couldn't do for him. Besides, it felt good to be working again. The endless pursuit of pleasure wasn't for Erin.

  Jason put the phone down and switched on the loudspeaker so they could both heat. She pulled a chair up to the desk. Although the den was comfortably and tastefully furnished with a printed sofa and many soft chairs, for the first time she saw that it also functioned as an office. A large filing cabinet was tucked so unobtrusively in a corner that it wasn't immediately noticeable, and she found out later that one of the deep drawers in the desk contained a pull-up typewriter.

  It was a long conference and the connection was only fair. Mr. Dukakis's voice faded in and out along the crackling wire, but she managed to get everything down. If she had difficulty with a word, Jason helped her out. When he finally hung up, Erin had a feeling of satisfaction. They made a good team.

  "Thanks, Erin. I really appreciate your help."

  "It was nothing, I was glad to do it," she told him, meaning it sincerely.

  "I feel rotten about having to ask you this, but will you type up those notes immediately? I want to get a report on this to Stevens in New York as soon as possible."

  "I'll get right on it," she assured him.

  "It means giving up your afternoon, but I'll make it up to you, I promise."

  She had never seen him this considerate, not even with Veronica, and a warm glow suffused Erin.

  "Don't worry about it," she smiled. "I find I'm not cut out for a life of leisure. I'm really happier when I'm working."

  He put his hand gently on her cheek, an emotion in his eyes that she couldn't quite pinpoint. It made her feel happy and shy at the same time.

  He started to say something, then evidently thought better of it. Removing his hand, he said matter-of-factly, "Pull the Dukakis file for me, will you? I'll tell the others to go on without us."

  Erin looked up, startled. She hadn't expected him to work along with her. "You don't have to give up your sailing. I'll have everything typed up by the time you get back."

  He paused in the doorway. "We must be birds of a feather. Like you, I'm happiest when I'm working. Besides, I wouldn't leave you here all alone."

  Erin practically floated over to the file cabinet, her light steps muffled by the thick carpet. Opening one of the drawers, she riffled through the manila folders until she came to the D's.

  "Danbury, Demarest, Dillman," she murmured unconsciously to herself and then came to a sudden stop as a certain name registered. Yes, there it was: Demarest, Helen. He had a file on her!

  Erin stared at the innocent-looking name typed neatly on the paper tab affixed to the cream-colored cardboard. It would be a breach of confidence to look inside, as she very well knew. But what kind of man documented his tawdry affairs? Would he have a file on Erin after this week? The thought made her almost physically ill! All of her previous revulsion returned, and she hated herself almost as much as she hated him. She had known from the beginning how evil he was, and still he had almost succeeded in convincing her she was wrong. Erin's breathing was rapid as she realized that she had begun to fall under the spell of this virile, handsome… satyr. That's how dangerous he could be!

  He didn't deserve the rights of privacy accorded to decent people, and maybe there was something in the folder that would benefit Helen if she knew about it. Erin knew in her heart that that was the flimsiest of excuses, but she also knew that nothing in this world could prevent her from looking inside.

&nbs
p; With trembling fingers, she extracted the envelope and opened it. At sight of the first page, she drew in her breath sharply. It was an adoption paper. So Helen was going to take his advice and give up the baby.

  Her eyes skimmed rapidly over the legal jargon and skipped to the typed-in lines toward the bottom. Under "Mother's Name" it said Helen Demarest, but under "Father's Name" it said Harry Martin, not Jason Dimitriou!

  Erin felt as though all of the air had been suddenly forced out of her lungs. The room spun around and she reached to steady herself on a chair. Could she believe her eyes? Everything was topsy-turvy, and she no longer trusted her own senses. Jason wasn't the father! He hadn't behaved in this vile manner of which she had secretly accused him.

  How could she have been so wrong about him and why hadn't she guessed? That was the piece of the puzzle that had never made sense even while she was trying to force him into the villain's role. Instinctively, she had always known that Jason would never do anything unfair or dishonorable.

  But could she be blamed for jumping to conclusions? Wasn't it logical to suppose that he was the father after that scene with Helen in his office? Thinking back, Erin remembered his words perfectly, but now their true meaning sank in. When he advised her not to let this spoil her life, what Erin took for callousness was really concern for Helen. And when he said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," it was out of the goodness of his heart, not because he was in any way responsible. The depth of his concern was amply demonstrated by his raging anger at Harry Martin. The only thing she didn't understand was why he didn't fire the man. But even that answer fell into place. Helen must have asked him not to. She probably still loved the little weasel and maybe even felt that he might eventually marry her.

  Having witnessed Jason's contempt for Harry, Erin realized what it must have cost to keep him on when all of his instincts were to squash him like a bug instead. She was filled with compunction at having misjudged Jason. When she realized what he was doing for Helen, in deep secrecy with no thought of any credit for it, her heart swelled with love for this complex, frustrating, exhilarating man. It was at that moment that Erin admitted to herself that she was hopelessly in love with him.