by Eboni Snoe
“I thought I heard you talking to someone, Cay,” Sherry said as she descended the stairs.
“I was. Sasha Townsend was here.”
“Why?” Sherry’s voice was blank.
“Someone poured bleach inside her house. She thought I was responsible.” He continued to stare out the window.
“That goes to show what kind of person she is.” She stepped down onto the Italian tile floor. “Thinking that you would stoop to something like that. You’re above that kind of trickery. It sounds like some island foolishness to me. Olive and Baltron will be claiming the chiccharnie did it.”
“Island foolishness?” He turned to her. “Be careful, Sherry. My roots are in the islands. I’m not going to stand here and allow you to belittle my people’s beliefs.”
“You know that’s not my intention, Cay.” She stood beside him. “I love the Bahamian culture. There are many things about it that I find fascinating. I wish I had been born to it.”
“Did Wally know that?” His eyes became hooded.
“I-I guess so,” she stammered. “If he didn’t, it wasn’t my fault.”
“He was your husband. You could have reassured him just like you reassured me,” Cay said quietly.
“I’m sure I did.” Sherry touched his arm. “I just haven’t been right since Wally died. You know, in a way I’m still grieving for him.”
“No…I didn’t know.” Cay looked at her hand on his arm.
“Why are you so distant?” Sherry’s laugh was brittle. “Did you allow that Townsend woman to upset you?” She turned toward the window with a flounce. “Anyone who would be stupid enough to come out in this storm isn’t worth the bother.”
Cay studied the jagged lines of lightning in the sky as an image of Sasha’s frightened face surfaced. Somehow he knew she was in trouble. “Once again, Sherry, I disagree with you.” He walked over to the front door and opened it, leaving water and wind in his wake.
Chapter 4
Cay was grateful the man had talked him into buying an SUV. The vehicle was heavy enough to stand up to the wind, and because of its height the rising water on the road only reached the middle of the tires. He leaned toward the windshield as he drove, his lights on high beam. The familiar road seemed longer than usual. Cay knew it was because he was anxious.
The land began to slope, and the water began to move faster. He hoped Sasha Townsend had made it past the main flood point, but with the way things looked, her chances were slim. Cay rounded a bend and thought he saw red in the distance. As he advanced his heart quickened. It was the Mazda. And if his vision served him right through the heavy rain, the car had stopped with the water just below the windows.
Sasha couldn’t believe how fast the water was rising both inside and outside of the car. There was at least six inches of water on the floor, and she could see the water lapping at the window on the driver’s side.
Everything had happened so quickly. In the beginning, the Mazda had been able to navigate the water pretty well. The water was deep, but not too deep, and Sasha believed she could make it home. Then the landscape must have changed, because the water grew steadily deeper before the car cut off. She had only been sitting there for mere seconds before the water starting coming inside. The next thing Sasha knew she could hear it lapping against the car door, and now it was clearly at the base of the windows.
Sasha was scared. She could feel the force of the water rocking the small vehicle, and she knew the car could be swept away. She put her feet up on the seat. She needed to get out and get out fast. Sasha tried to think the situation through, but the water was beginning to soak the car seat. Panic-stricken, she reached for the door handle, and that’s when she noticed the steady beam of light. She looked out the rear window and saw headlights.
Cay Ellis stopped before he reached the point where the water would be considerably deeper. Before he climbed out of the vehicle, he secured one end of the heavy rope he had with him around his waist and then tied the other end to the luggage rack on top of the SUV. He couldn’t help but think how luck had to have been with them, as he was not a man to believe in the positive forces of the spirits. Normally, he would not have had a rope. He only had one now because the captain of his new cabin cruiser had overstocked his craft. Cay had brought the rope back with him from the marina that morning.
He knew he didn’t have much time, so he worked quickly and steadily. There would not be a second chance, and the sailor’s knot had to hold. Cay jumped down into the water and prayed Sasha Townsend would have the fortitude to stay inside the vehicle until he reached her. The way the water was rushing, if she climbed out, she would probably be swept away.
Sasha couldn’t see anything but the two headlights. She waited for them to come closer, but they didn’t appear to be moving forward. She tried to calm her nerves as she judged the two orbs. Finally, Sasha determined the lights were not moving and the deep water had changed the driver’s mind.
Her shoes were covered by water, and outside the car water was splashing against the middle of the window. Panicked, Sasha decided to climb through it. She began to roll the window down but realized it would be impossible. The water was too high. “I’ve got to get out of here! If I wait any longer it may be too late!”
Sasha grabbed the passenger bar with one hand, then reached for the door handle with the other. With her adrenaline surging, she took a deep breath, turned the handle, and pushed. The water did the remainder of the work when it rushed inside the vehicle. Sasha could feel the car giving way when the door was forced open, but she continued to hold on to the passenger bar. Just as she thought she and the Mazda would be swept away, a strong pair of arms grabbed her around the middle.
“I’ve got you,” a voice yelled above the water. “Let go of the car.”
Sasha recognized Cay Ellis’s voice. He had come to help her. Her mind and emotions churned, but Sasha did as Cay instructed. “I’ve got you,” he repeated with his lips pressed reassuringly against her ear.
The force of the water pushed the car sideways, and Sasha and Cay followed behind it. Cay locked his arms around Sasha’s waist as they held their heads above the water. They were victims of the current until the rope ran out before they were jerked backward suddenly.
“Hold on,” he yelled. Sasha pressed against him, holding on to his arms. The whiplash was short but powerful. Once it was over and they were somewhat stable, all of Sasha’s energy seemed to drain away. Involuntarily, she closed her eyes. She could feel Cay’s breathing. It was as rapid as her own.
“We’re not done yet,” he told her.
“I never would have guessed,” Sasha quipped.
“What a time to find out there is a jokester beneath that fiery exterior. A chiccharnie,” he spoke in her ear. “But now I need you to help us out. You’ve got to turn and face me. I need you to hold on to me so I can pull us back to the SUV.”
“All right.” Sasha’s voice was shaky, but she began to maneuver herself within Cay’s arms right away. It was moments before she was staring into Cay’s rain-soaked face as he repeated, “Don’t worry. We’re going to be okay.”
Sasha nodded her head. “I know. I know.”
Sasha clung to Cay until they got to the SUV. Once it was in reach she grabbed hold of the door handle and climbed inside. Breathing hard, she watched Cay untie the rope from around his waist, remove it from the luggage rack, then toss it into the water. When he settled down beside her he dropped his chin to his chest and closed his eyes. Sasha sat beside him in silence. She didn’t know what to say. Cay had risked his life for her. No one had ever dared so much. The bad image she had of him tumbled with the weight of it.
“That was a close call, wasn’t it?” he said.
“Yes, it was,” Sasha said softly.
He gave her a sidelong look; a slight smile touched his lips just as Sasha began to shiver.
“Cold?”
“Yes.” Her teeth chattered.
Cay reached behind
them and grabbed a navy blazer off the backseat. He gave it to Sasha. “Why don’t you put this on.”
By now she was having the shakes from a combination of things: chill, relief, gratitude, and more. She followed his suggestion. “Thank you.” The two words seemed so inept, but at that moment Sasha was afraid to say more. She was on the verge of saying things she feared she might regret later.
They drove back to Guana Manor in silence as the storm continued to raise its voice in a combination of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning. When they arrived at the house Cay came around to open Sasha’s door. She waited and allowed him to assist her. Exhausted and soaked, they approached the stairs together.
Cay placed a protective arm around Sasha’s shoulder as they forced their way up the stairs.
“Cay! Are you all right?” Sherry ran to him as they entered the house.
“I’m fine.” He closed the door with difficulty.
Sherry rushed on. “You’re soaked to the skin! What happened? Where’s Ms. Townsend’s car?”
Sasha was aware that Sherry did not address her directly.
“It was swept away in the flood,” Cay replied.
“In the flood! My God! You could have been killed.” Sherry stroked his wet head.
“What’s going on down there?” a man’s voice called from the top of the stairs.
“Everything’s fine, Father. There’s been some flooding near the main entrance. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Well, if there isn’t, why is Sherry yelling like a banshee?”
“Cay almost drowned out there,” Sherry called up to her father-in-law.
“Why are you out of bed?” Olive Knowles scolded Mr. Ellis as she mounted the stairs. “You know the doctor said to get plenty of rest over the next few days.”
“I was resting until I heard the banshee down there.”
Sasha looked up and saw Cay Ellis Jr. pointing a shaky finger toward Sherry.
“Oh, Papa. Don’t call me that. Cay’s half dead and all you can do is call me names.”
Cay looked at Sasha. “We do have a guest,” he reminded the household. “She’s been through quite an ordeal. Olive, I want you to put Sasha in the guest bedroom on the second floor.”
“She’s going to be staying?” Sherry asked point-blank.
“Are you suggesting she leave in this weather?” Cay’s voice was low.
“No, I wasn’t suggesting that.” She pouted a little. “I just thought that she would be able to go home before the night was over. That’s all.” She looked at Sasha.
“Well, the way it’s looking out there it’s going to be a lo-ong night,” Olive said as she began to descend the stairs.
“We’ve got to get the hurricane shutters in place,” Cay advised.
“We started on that a short while ago,” Olive told him. “Baltron and I were in the middle of putting them up when you came in.”
“There are only a few left to do, Mr. Cay,” Baltron added.
“I’ll help you,” Mr. Ellis volunteered.
“You won’t do any such thing,” Olive reprimanded him. “You need to go back to bed.”
“I’m going to help them, Father,” Cay said. “I think you should do as the doctor said and get some rest.” He turned to Sasha. “Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” Sasha gave him a weak smile.
“Yes, she’ll be fine, Cay. We’ll take good care of her,” Sherry interjected, her smile too sweet. “I would offer you one of my outfits but I think you’re too big to fit my clothes. By the way, what size do you wear?”
Sasha thought it was one of the most insincere offers she’d ever had. “That’s okay.” Sasha shook her head. “I’ll—”
“Olive, find Sasha something to wear from the clothes in the Blue Room,” Cay announced.
“Sir?” Olive’s eyes widened.
“You heard me. I’m sure there’s something she can wear in there. There are some brand-new clothes in the cedar closet.”
Sherry lowered stiffened arms to her sides as she listened.
“All right, Mr. Cay,” Olive responded. “From what I recall she is about the right size. Would you like to come with me, Ms. Townsend?”
“Sure.” Sasha could feel the woman’s resistance, but she followed the housekeeper up the stairs. The entire household’s eyes were on her.
“So you’re the woman who is staying in the Bethel House now,” Cay Ellis Jr. commented as Sasha advanced.
“Yes, I am.”
He leaned forward and examined her. “You’re a Bethel, all right. You sort of favor Hazel, but she was a dark-skinned woman. Did you know you favored her?”
“No. No, I didn’t.” Sasha was uncomfortable beneath his gray-ringed stare. “I didn’t know her, or any of the Bethels. You could say our relationship was very distant.”
“That may be. But I hear it was close enough for you to think you inherited that land,” Mr. Ellis said, peering at her. “And you do look like Hazel when she was young.” He turned his back on her and headed for his bedroom. “She could be relentless, too, just like the Bethel that started this entire mess.”
Sasha didn’t know how Cay Ellis Jr. figured he knew so much about her. Perhaps he had been listening to the conversation she and Cay had before she went out into the storm. She wasn’t certain. But she had drawn one conclusion, Cay Ellis Jr. was a man to speak his mind, for good or for bad.
“Here you are right here, Ms. Townsend.” Olive opened the bedroom door. “You should be quite comfortable. I think you will find everything you need. I’ll have to bring you another bathrobe since it was necessary for you to use the first one earlier.”
Sasha ignored Olive Knowles’s inference. “That will be fine,” she said.
Olive started to leave but stopped midway. “And by the way, please be careful when you use the containers in the bathroom down the hall. Some of those bottles are antiques. My niece, Precious” —she emphasized the relationship— “used to collect them. I’m sure Mr. Cay wouldn’t want them damaged or broken.” Olive’s eyes were downcast but her chin had a stubborn tilt.
It was obvious that neither Olive nor Sherry wanted her at Guana Manor. Sasha had news for them: she didn’t want to be there, either. “I can assure you that won’t be a problem,” Sasha replied.
Olive nodded and left the room. Moments later she returned with another bathrobe. “If you are in the bath when I come back I’ll lay the clothes on the bed.”
“Thank you.” Sasha watched Olive close the door.
The bath was refreshing. When Sasha was done she dried off and tightened her hair. Sasha didn’t realize how tired she was until she sat on the bed and found herself lying down beside the outfits Olive had brought her. A blue pants set caught her attention as the rain pelted against the window, but Sasha’s eyes closed before she could examine it closer.
Chapter 5
Sasha was awakened by a noise near her head. Her vision was fuzzy as she became aware of a yellow haze surrounding the bed. The remainder of the room was pitch-black.
“I thought you might need these.” It was Cay’s voice reaching out to her from the dark.
“Need what?” Sasha replied groggily.
“Candles. This is an old house. The storm blew out some of the circuits.”
“I see,” Sasha replied, sitting up.
“You don’t have to get up. I was trying to put them down without waking you.”
“No. I’ve probably slept too long as it is. What time is it?”
“About six-thirty,” Cay replied from the shadows.
Sasha couldn’t see Cay but she could smell his aftershave. “I want to thank you for coming after me.” Sasha peered into the darkness. “I don’t know—where are you?” she asked, frustrated.
“I’m right here.” Cay moved within the circle of light and stood over her.
Everything was out of sorts. Cay seemed so tall. “I’ve got to admit this is a little awkward.”
; “Is this better?” He knelt beside the bed.
“I wasn’t referring to where you were standing,” Sasha said nervously. “I was talking about after having bleach poured throughout my house…thanking you for anything. You have to admit we are on opposite sides of the fence, so to speak.”
“That could be taken literally. The Bethel property is surrounded by trees separating it from the Guana Estate. You’ve seen the beach-front directly in back of the Bethel House?”
“Yes. Isn’t that public property?”
“No, it’s part of the estate,” he said softly. “The Bethel property sits almost in the middle of my land.”
“How can that be?” Sasha squinted.
“Magic Key is essentially Guana Estate. The only part that’s public property is the beach near the bridge.”
Sasha looked down to gather herself. “So you know what I mean when I say we’re on opposite sides of the fence.”
“I understand clearly.” His eyes remained on her face.
“But I am grateful that you rescued me. I want you to know that, no matter what happens down the road.”
“How grateful are you?” Cay inquired softly.
“What?” Sasha looked into his eyes, her senses on edge.
“How grateful are you?” he repeated the question.
Sasha tried to figure out if he was kidding. His eyes were hooded, but she could feel their intensity. Cay Ellis had saved her life. Was he trying to use that as a bargaining tool in the Bethel property dispute? Just when she was beginning to believe there could be a warm heart beneath all his money and power Cay had disappointed her. “Not enough to give you the Bethel property,” Sasha declared.
“Is that what you think this is about?” Cay leaned closer.
“Isn’t it?” Sasha could feel his breath on her face but she refused to back away.
“No, not now,” he said huskily. “It’s about this.” He pressed his lips against hers.
Neither Cay nor Sasha closed their eyes. He watched her, wondering what her reaction would be. He could sense her body stiffen, but her lips were pliant with a hint of moistness. Cay did not feel her give in to the kiss, but she did not pull away. He believed she was surprised more than anything else. “You didn’t foresee that I wanted to kiss you?” he asked, his lips near hers.