Island Stars

by Elin Wyn

  What did this guy think he was doing? People don't grill each other about families, or speech patterns within the first five minutes of meeting. Elissa might have turned into a hermit for the last few months, but she was sure that hadn’t changed.

  She fidgeted with her fork. Maybe she should just leave and go back to the cottage and try to find Krys later. She really wished she’d found out if he was staying at the hotel or not. But as it was there was no way to leave him a message.

  Finally she caught a glimpse of dark hair.

  “Elissa,” Krys said, his voice like dark silk. “I’m so sorry I'm late. I started analyzing some readings this morning, and the time just got away from me.”

  She should be so aggravated with him. But his smile was warm and easy, and the regret in his eyes was clear.

  “No problem,” she smiled. “I know exactly what that can be like.” She thought about long nights in labs and for the first time in a long time the memory didn’t seem to hurt quite so much.

  Krys turned towards Brad. Elissa thought she could detect a flicker of surprise and, could that be jealousy in his posture? She wasn’t sure, she’d never had someone act jealous about her.

  It might be a tiny bit fun.

  “I apologize, I didn’t realize that we were having breakfast for three.” Krys’ voice was flat but technically civil.

  Brad shrugged. “No worries, man. Just hanging out with the lovely lady while she was left alone.”

  That decided it. Manners or no Elissa couldn’t stand that slightly predatory tone in Brad’s voice. Lovely lady my Aunt Fanny, she thought. The best excuse she could make for him was he was hung over.

  She stood up and stepped towards Krys. “I’ve probably had too much coffee already,” she darted her eyes towards Brad still seated at the table, hoping Krys got the message. “Would you mind if we skipped breakfast?”

  Krys didn’t even pause. “My tardiness is my own fault, and the rest of the day is yours to command.” He bowed with an extravagant flourish.

  Brad stood up, still watching them. “Where you guys off to for the day?”

  Elissa tried to think of a way to signal her unease to Krys but he must have already picked up on her body language. “We had a great time biking some of the trails yesterday. I thought we should go do it again today, maybe head out to Hangman’s Point and then a bit further inland.”

  Elissa sighed with relief. “I think you’re right, inland is exactly where we want to be headed today. There’s a lot of the island we still haven’t seen.”

  They waved goodbye to Brad and headed out of the Blue Moon. Krys stopped to speak with the hostess at the front desk, then met Elissa outside.

  “Fast thinking,” Elissa said. “I’m assuming you don’t really want to go off for another bicycle tour today.”

  Krys shuddered. “Of course, if that’s what you’d like, I will be happy to.” He looked as if he’d had to steel himself to force the words from his mouth.

  Elissa leaned in to him lightly. “Unless that’s the only way we can get away from that guy, no. It was kind of funny though.”

  “I refuse to see anything funny about it,” Krys grumbled.

  They rested against the railing and looked out into the clear water sparkling in the midmorning light.

  “What results were you working on this morning?”

  “I had some geologic samples that I thought would be useful, but it turned out otherwise. I’m looking at changes in ocean currents based on temperature change and geologic activity and how that might affect the location of ancient wreckage.”

  Elissa frowned. “By ancient, do you mean the old pirate ships that were based in Barbados?” She wouldn’t have used the word ancient, but maybe it was just a mistranslated word. She still hadn’t figured out where his accent was from, but whatever his native tongue, his English was excellent. A few minor slips was better than she’d manage, trying to hold a conversation in a second language.

  He shrugged. “I’m not looking for wreckage here, but using water and geologic sampling for my comparative research. Less than a hundred miles from here the temperature variation is enough to have caused massive coral bleaching. What did that do to the local currents?”

  Elissa’s interest flared. “Coral bleaching. Now we’re right into my field.” She caught herself. “But if I get started I’ll go on for the rest of the morning and we won’t get anything else done.”

  Krys laughed. “I recognize the look in your eyes. Let me guess. You have a theory and just need one more trip to gather evidence in order to prove it?”

  Elissa threw her hands into the air. “And I know I’m right,” she exclaimed. “If I could just get one more set of samples between both of my research sites than I’m sure that…” she broke off and flushed.

  “Passion is nothing to be ashamed of.” Krys looked confused at her embarrassment. “You should love your life’s work. You’re lucky that you do.”

  Elissa smoothed her hair back behind her ears while regaining her composure. “I don’t know if that’s what I’m going to be working on anymore. I guess I don’t know anything right now.”

  Krys didn’t say anything for a few long moments, just watched the tide roll in. “Then it’s a good thing that you don’t need to make any decisions today. Except,” his voice raised dramatically, “for what you would like to do for the rest of the day.”

  Caught off guard, Elissa’s mind blanked. “I don’t think we should actually go hiking inland, if that’s where that creep is heading. And I don’t really want to put you through another bike ride.”

  “Might I suggest a sail around the island? I overheard someone mention that Adair keeps a few small craft for qualified visitors.”

  Elissa frowned. “Why not just go out on your own boat?”

  “Because it’s a mess, and I don’t feel like cleaning up.” Krys looked sheepish. “It’s not particularly pretty and it would be nicer to take a little pleasure sail without tripping all over my gear, don’t you think? “

  Elissa shrugged. If it meant spending a day out on the water, she didn’t really care which boat they took to get there. “Sounds like a fine plan.”

  Krys offered her his elbow with exaggerated courtesy. She dropped a quick curtsy and tucked her hand inside the crook of his arm, giggling.

  They parted ways at the path to her cottage, and by the time she returned to the dock, sunscreen packed and hat firmly pulled over her hair he had almost finished preparing the small sailboat for their departure.

  He handed her to a bench seat by the tiller at the back and then with practiced ease caught the line Adair threw.

  * * *

  “Have a great day, you two. And Krys, remember what I said about that dock. Let me know what it’s looking like.”

  “Will do.”

  They waved at him, then Krys skillfully turned the prow until the sail billowed with the breeze and carried them out of the harbor.

  “What was that he asked you to take a look at?” Elissa asked, one hand keeping her wide-brimmed black hat firmly on her head.

  “On the north side of the island there’s an old dock in one of the bays. Nobody’s used it for a while and he was worried about how it was holding up since the last storm. Normally he would check on it himself, but he has been too busy lately.”

  Elissa smiled. She had heard the story about Adair and Evia. It seems like love could find anyone here. She glanced over at Krys, his eyes fixed on the horizon, mind obviously set on guiding the boat.

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  He looked at her, and his expression softened. “Not a thing. We’ve got a perfect wind for our destination. Why don’t you just enjoy being out?”

  Elissa felt a little guilty letting him do all the work, but he did seem to be enjoying himself. And she certainly was looking forward to a day of doing nothing but being surrounded by the sea and the salt air in the fresh wind across the water. She tucked her feet up next to her on the short
padded bench that ran down the side of the sailboat and rested her chin on her arms, nestled on the rail.

  The chop was light today, just enough rocking motion to combine with the sun to ease her onto the edge of sleep. Her mind drifted, fully relaxed for the first time since she couldn’t remember.

  The screech of a gull jolted her back to a sitting position. She looked around, disoriented. “I can’t believe I just dozed off like that. I’m being a terrible date.” Heat flushed her cheeks. “I mean I’m not assuming that this is a date actually.”

  Krys smiled. “You worry too much, do you know that? You looked happy gazing out over the water. I probably would’ve woken you in a few more moments just to make sure that you were not catching too much sun.”

  Elissa reached up to touch the rim of her hat. “I can’t believe it stayed on this whole time.”

  “Ah, well actually…” Krys looked a little flustered.

  She couldn’t imagine what his issue would be. She was the one who had been amazingly rude.

  “I was worried it would blow off so I changed course just a bit, so the breeze wouldn’t catch the brim. We have all day and you looked so comfortable.”

  Elissa stared blankly at him. “You altered course because you were worried about my hat?”

  Chapter 6

  Krys seemed to find the rigging on the boom particularly interesting.

  “It’s a very nice hat, and you seemed fond of it.” He looked up at her with a boyish grin. “Besides, I didn’t think you were in a hurry to get anywhere.”

  “You’re unbelievable.” Elissa laughed and stretched her legs out in front of her. “When did you learn to sail? You seem a natural at it.”

  “Now you can keep laughing at me, but I don’t actually remember. I think I’ve been on boats since I was born.” He made a minor adjustment to the tiller. “Likely before that, knowing my mother and father.”

  “What are they like, your parents?” He was quiet for long enough that she pulled her attention back from the waves. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “No, it’s, it’s just still a little new. My father died not too long ago, and I’m afraid I’m still getting used to it.”

  Elissa’s heart jumped. “My parents died in a car crash when I was a baby. I never knew them and sometimes I think it’s easier that way. There’s a rough hole there, something that I know should have been a part of my life. But it’s not the ache of losing someone I loved.”

  The corner of Krys’ mouth quirked up. “I don’t know if there ever is an easier way. I suppose it’s different for everyone. My father was a good man. Not always the easiest to get along with but he tried to do what was right.”

  “How’s your mother hanging on?” Elissa asked softly, voice barely audible over the waves.

  Krys rolled his eyes. “That woman is made of fire and stone, I swear. I think if she hadn’t had so many responsibilities, the loss of my father would’ve killed her. But she does, so she won’t let it touch her, not in public at least.”

  “That sounds awful. And to be honest, she sounds a little terrifying.”

  “She’s more than a little terrifying,” Krys answered. “Once she has her mind set on something I’m not sure there’s any swaying her.”

  “She and my grandmother would have lots in common then.” Elissa smiled. “Teta looks as if a strong breeze would push her over, but I think she would just glare and it would move to the side.”

  And what would grandmother think of you? She thought. Her eyes grazed over his muscular form. Good-looking, good manners, close to his family, grandmother would definitely approve.

  “Watch out for the boom,” Krys said as he changed tack to come around the coastline into a small bay.

  Elissa gasped. Before her lay a pristine beach, with sparkling white sand stretching from gentle waves up to the thick trees lining the side of the hill. The island stretched out in a crescent around the bay as if sheltering it from prying eyes.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

  “Very,” Krys answered. But when she glanced over her shoulder at him he was looking at her, not the shore. Flustered she looked about for something to do.

  “What was it that Adair wanted us to check on?”

  “The old pier, off to the side there.”

  Elissa followed where he pointed and saw the aging structure. Gray weathered wood stretched from one of the arms embracing the coast line into the water.

  “If it’s still structurally sound we can tie up there and take a little picnic on shore,” he added.

  Elissa turned to look at him. “And where are we going to get a picnic?”

  Keeping a firm hand on the tiller he pointed to the hatch leading into the small hold below decks. “Take a look in there.”

  She did and was delighted by the sight of the perfect traditional picnic basket, wicker woven with a red gingham frill.

  “How on earth did you manage this?”

  “I took a chance when we left the blue moon to ask the hostess if she could fix something up for us.” He pulled the tiller gently, bringing them closer to the pier. “I got the feeling that I’m not the first person who made such a request.”

  Elissa laughed. Her grandmother would definitely approve.

  They glided next to the dock and Krys had her hold the rudder steady while he reached to poke and prod at the pilings. “They don’t seem to have come unmoored. We’ll tie up and then I want to test the planking.”

  He tossed the line over the cleat with practiced ease and snugged to them in to the side of the pier. He stood on the piling and gingerly put his weight on one plank, then another. “So far it seems safe. Grab the basket and I’ll be right back.” And he dashed down the length of the dock, testing each board as he went.

  Elissa shook her head. It wasn’t as if there was any real danger by a cracked board or a rusty nail. She had her tetanus shot and the worst thing that could happen would be an unexpected dunk in the sea. But by the time she had the picnic basket up to the stern he was back.

  “Looks like Adair was worried for nothing. But I’m glad he sent us on an errand so we had this lovely beach to ourselves.”

  He set the basket down on the pier beside him. Rather than taking her hand to steady her as she stepped out, he grasped her waist and lifted her clear from the boat, swinging her over and around next to him.

  “What are you doing?” she gasped.

  He grinned down at her. “Couldn’t risk you falling. I’d have to go in after you and our lunch would be even later.”

  “Really,” she huffed, but to be honest, that moment of being held in the air by him, completely in his hands had been a tiny bit thrilling.

  They strolled down the dock and onto the beach.

  “Hold on a moment,” Elissa said, bending down to unfasten her sandals. She wiggled her toes in the warm sand. “This is much better.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” he said.

  In the shade of a tall stand of trees he pulled the rolled up blanket from the handles of the picnic basket and together they spread it out, smoothing the wrinkles over the soft sand.

  Elissa looked around at the cove. “It seems like we could be the only people in the world right now. You can’t see anyone else, there are no other sounds, like everything is a whole world away.”

  “And that’s not such a bad thing,” Krys commented. “For an island, Catica seems to be pretty busy.”

  Elissa laughed. “When my friend told me she was getting married here, I had this mental image of a small rural rustic island, with maybe a quaint hotel and a few huts. I didn’t expect an actual vacation destination, not just for weddings and honeymoons but for so many tourists.”

  Krys slid the split of champagne from its chilled pack and gracefully twisted out the cork. She leaned forward, stretching her hand towards him while he filled both of their glasses.

  “Don’t forget wayward researchers,” he said, handing her a glass.

&
nbsp; She lifted her glass towards him and they clinked together. “To wayward researchers, every one.”

  Elissa sipped the champagne and then set her glass aside, nestling the stem into the sand. “Let’s see what else awaits us in this basket of delights.”

  Krys brought out container after elegant container, each arranged exquisitely, like plates fresh out of the kitchen at the Blue Moon.

  Elissa touched one with the tip of her fingertip. “They must’ve put an ice pack at the bottom,” she commented. “It’s still cold to the touch.”

  Krys arranged their banquet in the center of the blanket and they stretched out and nibbled on crab and cucumber canapés followed sweet potato and cheve miniature quiche and then tiny, exquisite key lime tartlets topped with local guava fruit.

  Krys rolled over onto his back, throwing one arm across his eyes. “I did plan to see if the water was as clear as it looked from up top. But I’m too stuffed to think about a swim right now.” He groaned.

  “You shouldn’t have had that last tartlet,” Elissa teased. Guiltily, she licked her fingers still stained with the last of the fruit. “You take a nap and rest up for the sail back. I’m going to take a walk down in the water, see if it’s as warm as it looks. Even if I don’t swim, it would be a shame not to at least get my feet wet.”

  Krys said nothing but waved his fingers at her in silent agreement.

  Elissa stood on the dark packed sand for a few moments watching the waves roll in. The cove was so sheltered that by the time they reached her even the fiercest of breakers had worn down to a gentle wavelet. White capped foam teased the tips of her toes, the warmth of the water coaxing her further in.

  “The temperature is fabulous,” she called over her shoulder. “You really should come try it.” Krys didn’t answer and she wondered if he’d fallen asleep in a post-picnic stupor.

  She grabbed the skirt of her dress with one hand to raise it above her knees. Nothing quite like salt drying in a skirt him and then rubbing against the back of your legs to spoil an otherwise lovely day. It had been a truly lovely day. And she knew just who to thank for it. With a start, she realized how long it’d been since she thought about Alexander and the entire mass of the lab.