Gloria's Inn

by Robin Alexander

  Gloria’s Inn

  By: Robin Alexander

  Copyrighted Material. All Rights Reserved.

  General Disclaimer: This story depicts a loving and sexual relationship between two adult women. Profanity is minimal. There are some acts of violence. Mainly against snakes

  Thanks and dedication to my Beta Readers Amy, Philip and Wanda. Your support means more to me than you will ever know. I love you all.

  I welcome all questions and comments. You may contact me at robinalex65@yahoo.com

  Chapter 1

  “Alright, Adrienne let me see the list.” She handed me the register as I stretched out on the chaise lounge. She shot me a nervous glance as I sipped my coffee and perused the list of guests.

  “What can you tell me about William Thomason and Christopher Tanner?” When her answer did not come readily I peered over the book. She was sitting there with a far off look in her eyes. Something about her behavior made me nervous.

  “I really really hate it when you do that you know.” I said, trying to get her to share what was going on in that head of hers. She grinned ear to ear at my admission. “Patience is a virtue dear one.”

  “I think we both know that I come up short in the patience department. Please humor me and tell me about Thomason.” I leaned back in the chair and lit my cigarette.

  “Thomason is a jackass.” She replied. I waited a patiently for a minute for her to elaborate. When she did not, I sighed and looked at the register again.” Richard and Jerri Burke what about these two?”

  “Married couple.” She pretended to clean the bar that she had nearly already polished the finish off of this very morning. “Despite my measures to remain calm I was on my way to blowing a gasket. Something was up and she was not sharing it with me.

  The Burke’s are cheats and liars. Nothing but trouble, I wish they would have chosen somewhere else to stay. I don’t care for their kind.”

  While I had her on a roll I threw the next two names at her. “What about Madyson Taylor and Emily Potter?

  “They are lovers.” She said without further comment.

  “Okay fine with me.” I scanned down to the next name. “How about Abigail Grigsby and Sandy Winters?”

  She grimaced. “Their relationship is on the rocks. They are hoping to rekindle what they once had on this trip.”

  I tried to soften my tone, because what I saw in her eyes scared me, and I felt helpless to do anything about it. “Annie Potter and Liz West, do you have anything on them?”

  She sighed. “They have only been together six months, and this is their first vacation together.”

  “Okay, we are down to the last one. Tell me about Brandon Fallon.” I said looking into her blue eyes.

  Again, she didn’t answer me. She said nothing, simply stared straight ahead. “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Nothing, I have nothing at all.” She uttered and then went back to polishing the bar.

  “What do you mean nothing? You have never come up with just nothing. Are you sick? Is there something wrong with you?” I was in shock. She never drew a blank like that.

  She sighed an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know what it is really. I can’t get anything on him. This has never happened to me before, and it gives me the worst feeling inside. Something is so wrong about this, and I cannot put my finger on it. Something so foreboding about this man it un-nerves me.”

  “We can refuse his business you know. We don’t have to let him stay here.” She was creeping me out! I didn’t want this guy staying at my Inn at all.

  “That thought has crossed my mind, but for some reason I think it would be wrong to refuse him. For some strange reason he is supposed to be here.” She shrugged her shoulders and headed toward the door.

  “Hey! Don’t just leave me hanging like this Adrienne. I jumped up spilling my coffee trying to run after her. To which she simply replied. “I am tired and I need to lay down now.”

  I knew it was futile to go after her. When Adrienne was finished talking she was finished. You could not persuade her otherwise. Her gift was sometimes a curse.

  I thought my aunt loved me when she left me this Inn in her will. Now I know it was a cruel repayment for the time I threw the cat on her when she was sleeping. Well hell! She was snoring.

  Ah, but I digress. I suppose I should stop right here and go back to the beginning. None of this strange tale will make sense unless I explain how the hell I got here in the first place. I am on one of the most beautiful Bahamian Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Sounds like heaven right? Not!

  Okay so life back home wasn’t that great either. I was living in New Orleans when my aunt passed away. A month after her passing I was informed that she had left me her half of the Inn. The other half was still owned by her business partner Adrienne. I was tickled pink to be the part owner of an Inn in the Bahamas. Mainly, because it got my buns out of the country before

  Well let me explain that part.

  I was the not so proud owner of a lawn and landscaping business. I did well, since it was nearly summer year round in Louisiana. Hell, even when it was cold there was yard work to be done. It paid the bills and kept me in shape. Simple and stress free, what more could a girl ask for?

  My love life however was a disaster. My ex-girlfriend had dumped me for a woman whom I thought looked like a line backer. I gave that woman the best year and a half of my life and she did this to me. Not to mention she took half my wardrobe and CD collection with her when she left. That part really hurt.

  So I cooked up a little scheme. I quietly sold my business to one of my employees. Terminated the lease on my apartment, and shipped all I owned to Cat Island in the Bahamas. Then I paid my ex a visit. Well not exactly.

  Carla and her linebacker girlfriend were both addicted to working out. It was no surprise to find her car at the gym any given night. That’s of course where she met the brute she left me for. What was especially sweet was that Carla always left her car unlocked. Something I continually fussed at her about to no avail.

  Two days before I departed for Cat Island, I dropped by the ole gym for one last visit. I had spent the entire day before going behind the neighbor’s cat with a zip loc. Yes, I know it was over the top but Carla deserved the best.

  With a baggie fully of cat terds I casually walked up to her car. When I was sure no one was around I gently emptied the contents of said baggie under the drivers seat of her car. The temp was already at ninety-eight degrees. Soon her car would be filled with the essence of kitty waste.

  Now I know this was disgusting and childish, but the woman broke my heart. Not to mention she was in possession of my entire Melissa Etheridge collection. That alone should be grounds enough.

  Needless to say as I waited for my plane to board I got a phone call. Her voice was so shrill that a dog in a pet carrier several feet from where I sat began to howl. I sat and listened to her tirade with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on my face. Then she put the ox on the phone that explained in graphic detail how she planned to pull my lungs out through my nose.

  Oh did I get cocky! I mouthed off so bad that half the airport stopped and stared. I ended the conversation by saying. “You know where I live.” They were probably going straight to my old apartment as I left the country with a smile on my face. Needless to say going home was not an option. I was in it for the long haul.

  My Aunt God rest her soul took a liking to me for some unknown reason. When I graduated high school she moved out to Cat Island and remained there till she died. My dad’s sister was her own woman, regardless of what anyone said she did her own thing. I suppose that’s why she liked me, she saw a little of herself in her only niece.

  I was rather fond of my headstrong aunt as well. Unbeknownst, to my dad
I corresponded with my her all through my high school years, writing letters and sending her pictures. When I went to college I would call her on the weekends, and I am ashamed to admit I didn’t do it nearly enough.

  At sixty-seven she died of a massive heart attack. Due to the strained relationship with my dear ole dad, she was buried on the island a month before I knew she had passed on. I supposed strained is an under-statement when it comes to describing her relationship with her brother. Dad out and out despised her and she did not give a rat’s ass that was his problem.

  The trouble started when she decided to come out and tell the family she was gay. My dad dropped her like a hot rock. Then to make matters worse, when their aunt passed away she left a very healthy sum of money to my aunt. Since dad was being a first class butt hole he never saw a cent of it. Besides every red penny had been left solely to my aunt, and now she passed it to her niece and that would be me the one on the airplane grinning like a Cheshire cat on her way to Cat Island.

  Now lets move on to the rest of the story. It seems that I will be paying for my harsh treatment of Carla and her bulbous headed girlfriend for a long time. Vengeance is a bad thing or so I am learning

  the hard way.

  On the plane ride over I imagined myself kicked back in a hammock sipping a fruity drink with a little umbrella. Matter of fact I had planned to spend most of my days doing just that. However, when I arrived on the island I learned quickly that was not to be. Cat Island is nothing like Nassau with its resorts and casinos. Apparently, my aunt loved solitude and being in the wilderness, because when I got off the stump jumper of a plane they flew me over in I stepped back in time.

  As I stood there all alone on the tarmac a dilapidated old Jeep roared up next to where I stood. A man that I swear was a pirate stepped out and approached me. I was reminded of Buckwheat from the Little Rascals and his most famous line. “Feets don’t fail me now!” I spun in a circle looking for a place to run and realized I was surrounded by

  well nothing.

  “Hayden Tate?” The pirate barked at me. Did I mention he came complete with an eye patch? I stood there like a dear caught in headlights. “Yes sir.” I responded in almost a whisper. Apparently my voice went into hiding without me.

  The big furry man simply walked up took my bag threw it in the Jeep and climbed in. My knees felt like jelly as I walked over and climbed in as well. This was a horror movie and apparently I was the star.

  “Names Hank. Adrienne sent me for you.” Was all the man said on the hour-long ride to the Inn. On that ride I learned something. Somewhere a there was a whole in the earth that went all the way to hell, and from that hole came insects who now resided on Cat Island. I came to understand quickly why he was so quiet, because if you opened your mouth on that trip dinner was served. Big icky green insects were not on my diet.

  I had been to Nassau a few times while in college, but this place was nothing like that. There were no high-rise resorts, no casinos and no freaking Starbucks! The terrain was beautiful though, and I was awed by the tropical plant life. Occasionally, there would be a clearing in the brush and I would get a view of the crystal clear waters that surrounded the island as we cruised down the coastline highway.

  When we arrived at the Inn the sun was just setting. I had to admit that the view was breath taking. Though, I did not dare to breathe through my mouth for fear of what might fly in. Hank grunted and I followed, he led me into an open-air bar. He took my bag and disappeared. I hoped that he was bringing it to my room, however if he showed up the following morning with a new Victoria’s Secret eye patch I wasn’t saying shit about it.

  I sat down in one of the chairs in the little bar and was amazed at how comfortable it was. If I had not been terrified of Hank the pirate, I may have drifted off to sleep in the tranquility of the place. Matter of fact I thought I had fallen asleep, because something out of a dream approached me.

  She was tall, at the very least maybe 5’10. She had the most beautiful clear blue eyes I had ever seen. Her long dark hair gently lifted in the Caribbean breeze and blew around her face in wisps. Her slender body was well toned and tanned. She wore a simple floral print dress that hugged her shapely figure, the color the same as her blue eyes, and no shoes or sandals. She made me want to purr.

  Now I have to admit this. I have a thing for tall women. I am 5’7”, which is really not all that tall, but it was rare to find a woman that I had to look up to. That hair! Oh I would have loved to run my fingers through those long silky locks. Blue eyes are also a weakness of mine. I had always wanted blue eyes, but alas I got tagged with a pair that couldn’t make up their mind. Some days they were grayish blue, some day’s greenish blue.

  “Welcome to Cat Island Hayden.” Her voice was as beautiful as she was. “How was your trip?”

  I simply sat and stared like a moron. I think there for a second I actually did purr. I couldn’t say a word, and I had begun to wonder if I really had drifted off the sleep. That is until a mosquito the size of a 747 bit me on the arm bringing me back to consciousness.

  “Forgive me.” I stammered. I stood and awkwardly thrust out a hand for her to shake. When she took my hand into hers I thought I would melt. My aunt really did love me!

  “I am Adrienne, and it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” I could literally hear my brain slamming on the brakes and skidding to a halt. This woman was my aunt’s business partner? I had always assumed that they were lovers as well. Suddenly, I had a newfound respect for my aunt, the little scamp!

  “Your aunt and I were never lovers. I thought of her as a mother, she was very dear to me.” She said.

  “Oh I didn’t mean to

  ” I put my hand to my mouth. Often I stick my foot in there but I know that I didn’t say anything out loud! “Wait a minute. I didn’t say

  I mean I didn’t

  “

  “You didn’t have to.” She raised a single brow at me. Hell was I that easy to read? I’m tired that’s it. None of this is making sense right now.

  “Look I am sorry if I said something to offend you. Or did I? I suppose I was just expecting you to be my aunt’s age. Not to imply I think your old. You look to be in your thirties, which is a good thing

  I think I will shut up now.” I always rambled when I was nervous.

  “No need to apologize Hayden. You must be tired from the trip and I know you probably want to see your new home. I will show you to your cottage now if you like.”

  “Yes, I would like that very much. I said as I pulled one of the hell bugs from my blonde curly locks. “A shower and a change of clothes might make me feel human again.”

  “Very well then, please follow me.” Follow her I did. My eyes were glued to her butt for most of the walk, or I would have noticed the beautiful courtyard that was the centerpiece of the guest cottages. She led me down a narrow cobblestone path to two cottages that sat off secluded from the rest. I was especially happy to note that hers was next to mine.

  I was unable to tell exactly what the interior of my cottage looked like because it was filled with boxes of my belongings from floor to ceiling. I was able to locate the bathroom, and after a long refreshing shower I felt human again. I peered at my reflection in the mirror. I was such a stark contrast to Adrienne it was almost amusing. I was fair complexioned, blonde, blue-green eyes and much shorter, even though I was still well toned from my previous line of work. I did have one good thing going for me though; I had nice abs another benefit of manual labor.

  Once I was dressed I decided to go in search of two things. Miss tall, dark and mysterious, and food, I was famished. I found Adrienne in the little bar where we first met. She greeted me and led me to the dinning room, which I quickly decided that I did not like. The dinning room was a small intimate setting with a huge round table where I assumed all of the guests would dine together. Not being a people person I was not fond of the idea of sitting at a table full of strangers.

  Adrienne and I sat alone at the
big table as a heavyset woman brought out platter upon platter of food. Every single dish was made up of Conch. I have never been a lover of seafood. The smell grossed me out, not to mention the taste and texture. There was no way I was going to eat a Conch anything. Instead I ate my salad and filled my empty stomach with bread and fruit.

  After dinner the same woman emerged from the kitchen and cleared away the dishes. She returned with a steaming pot of coffee. This I could handle. Adrienne was mostly quiet during the meal. She answered all of my questions about the locals and the island itself, choosing to wait till after dinner to discuss the Inn.

  “Your aunt had a simple way of running things around here. Unlike the rest of the Inns and hotels we book all of her guests for a two-week stay. The following week there are no guests, which give us time to make any repairs that are needed. She wanted it to be similar to the way a cruise ship operated. In which a certain number of guests would stay for an all-inclusive two-week vacation.

  The Inn catered to gay and lesbian couples. However, they would not turn away anyone who wanted to stay there as long as they respected the other guests. Adrienne went on to explain that there were two porters that also functioned as tour guides.

  “So you mean to say that dear old Hank doesn’t greet the guests?” I inquired.

  “No he is our handy man. The porters are only here when we have guests. The cleaning and cooking staff works the same way with the exception of Iris who is the full time cook.” Adrienne explained as she sipped her coffee.

  “When you say repairs, what exactly does that entail? Do the guests get rowdy?” I asked with concern.

  “No not at all.” Adrienne replied. Each of the cottages has a thatched roof, as I am sure you must have noticed. They have to be maintained as well as the grounds.”

  “Hank does all of this by himself?” I asked.

  Adrienne smiled. It was a smile that said. “You’re not going to like this part.” I felt deep inside that I did not want to hear the rest.

  “You’re aunt and I along with Hank did most of the repairs. She told me that you are quite good with your hands and manual labor was something that you excelled at. Since you were in the landscaping business I am sure you will adapt very easily.”