“Maybe not right now, but I’m sure he would have eventually.”
“Perhaps. I’m just glad that I never have to find out.”
“You are taking this unbelievably well. I’m sure that in a few days it’s going to hit you hard. I wish I could be around.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
“You’re leaving?” The idea was a different kind of pain. Yet she had no right to ask him to stay. She was in no place to make promises.
“I can hang here for a few more days, if you want. I have vacation days coming.”
“Do you like your job? Why didn’t you go back to the Coast Guard?” She remembered that he’d liked his duties there. Selfishly, he’d be in Baltimore again. Where did he live now?
“I was burned out with the military. Anyway, I like what I do. The guys are like family—I’ve even learned to cook a decent red sauce from scratch for twenty. It’s cool.”
“That’s good.” She was so grateful that he’d done the self-work to be happy. “I used to love flying, but with all the restrictions nowadays and stress with long security checks, tempers are too hot. It’s just not fun anymore.” She sighed and picked at her nails. “Not sure want I want to do now.” She’d imagined being a newly wed, house hunting, shopping for linen and draperies, and choosing floor tiles. Ridiculous fantasies that would never have made her happy.
“You’ll figure it out. Take some time for yourself. A leave of absence if you can. Hell, you deserve it.” He leaned forward and looked into her eyes. “You could come visit me.”
“I don’t even know where you live.”
“I didn’t tell you?”
“No. And I didn’t ask.” Her pulse raced as she bantered with this man from her past.
“I’m in Delaware. Not that far from you. Few hours drive at most. Got a pretty place next to a river.”
“That does sound nice.” She would like to visit him, and probably would. But if she really wasn’t happy with her work any longer, she needed to think about her future and learn a new trade. She did enjoy cooking, perhaps she could go to a culinary school.
“Think about it.”
“I will.” They looked at each other for a few moments, and her heart picked up pace. She smiled. “I might enroll in a culinary school. What do you think?”
“I think you’d make an excellent chef. You’d be good at anything you put your head and heart into.”
“How come you’re always so kind to me, and say the nicest things?”
His eyes turned serious and he moved his face closer–inches from hers. “You know how I feel about you.”
“Please, not now.” She licked her lips and moved a fraction back. “It’s too soon.”
“I’m a patient man. I can wait.”
“I know you are. Thank you—and especially for today. It was a great idea. Being so busy, it kept my mind from dwelling on things. I really enjoyed myself. We all did.” She looked around. “I’m loving all this too. The noise, the people, the good food. And the lively music.” She looked at his face, that trustworthy, handsome face that showed the character of the man he was. Maybe she wouldn’t have to make him wait too long. “Let’s dance.”
“Okay.” He stood and pulled her up and into his arms for a quick hug. “Damn. I’ve wanted to do that all day.”
She lifted her head and gazed into his dark chocolate eyes and the warmth she saw there melted the chill in her heart. “So what do you make of Cameron and Jordon? Think he likes her?”
“By the way he’s holding her, I’d say yeah. There’s a very good chance.” His eyes twinkled and she turned to see her brother put his hands on Jordon’s bottom, tugging her in close. Petite, shapely, and spunky Jordon had her arms around his neck and was swaying to the music.
“She’s older than him, by at last three years.” Nadine bet that Jordan wasn’t thinking about the long-ago summers when Cam had dropped caterpillars down her shirt.
“I don’t think it matters to either of them, do you?” He swung her around, and danced with her on a small stretch of sand between tables. He kept it lively, and made her laugh.
Nadine was surprised by herself. How she could laugh and feel light-hearted after yesterday’s nightmarish wedding ceremony, she didn’t know. And didn’t care. Michael could screw his brains out, if he had any. She would be much better off without him—and find a man who loved her as she should be loved. It was possible she’d already found it. Again.
They returned to the cottages around seven thirty and were met by Anna and Nadine’s father. Juanita and Miguel stood behind them, looking grim.
“What is it?” Nadine asked, glancing from one face to another. “Dad?”
He swallowed hard and stepped forward. “It’s Michael. We don’t know anything for sure but…” Her dad averted his gaze. “It’s not looking good.”
“Don’t know what?” Panic choked her. “Did something happen?”
Anna stepped forward, her manner calm and competent. “We didn’t know until this afternoon, but Michael and his friends took a boat out late last night. The video cameras showed it to be around three this morning.”
“He stole a boat?” Nadine shrugged, wondering why everyone was looking so tense. Michael was a prankster. “Did something happen to it?”
Jeremy put an arm around her shoulders. “Where’s the boat?” His tone was solemn, understanding before she did the severity of the situation.
“We don’t know,” Anna said. “It’s gone missing.”
Juanita moved around Anna. “I went in to clean this morning and the three men were out, but their bags and belongings were still in the rooms. I waited until noon and they still hadn’t returned. That was when Colt came searching for Michael.”
She stopped speaking, and put her hand to her mouth. Miguel explained further. “He was most upset. Shouting. Said a boat was stolen…”
Anna finished the sentence. “And he had video from the surveillance cameras of the three men, drinking out of bottles, staggering down to a boat. Seems they had a crazy idea to take it out for a spin, but they never returned. Colt didn’t know it was stolen until the owner of the boat called the marina and said he wanted to take it out this afternoon and could Colt get it ready?”
Her father jumped in to finish the explanation for Nadine. “Colt manages the marina on weekends and took the call. He went to the boat slip and it wasn’t there. He called the owner back after viewing the video, then phoned the police.”
Ashley slung her backpack over one shoulder. “What idiots. Drunker than skunks and they decide to steal a boat? They’re probably moored someplace, sleeping it off.”
Jordon, eyes wide with worry, said, “Maybe they crashed the boat or went aground.”
“The Coast Guard has been searching and they haven’t found the boat or any sign of the men.” Anna gave Kevin a concerned look. “It was a stupid thing to do but I hope they’ll be found soon.”
Nadine slumped against Jeremy. “How could it disappear? The weather was clear. It has to be somewhere.”
“It’ll be found. There’s still enough light for the search to continue for a few hours.” Jeremy let out a long and weary sigh. “Better call my parents and let them know. They left first thing this morning for Orlando.”
Anna nodded. “Yes, but not before stopping by the office. They paid for the wedding.” She glanced at Kevin, then Nadine.
“That was decent of them,” her dad responded.
John and Mary had always been kind to her, and it was a thoughtful thing to do. She glanced at Jeremy. “Be sure to thank them for their generosity.” Then her mind went to a dark place again. “What if the boat isn’t recovered?” Nadine asked in a hollow voice. “They might be dead for all we know. I thought I wanted that, but I don’t.”
“Nobody wants that, dear.” Anna gave her a comforting smile. “Jeremy, make that call to your parents, and then we might as well gather around the pool. I’m sure we’ll all want to be together when they’re fo
und.”
“That’s a good idea.” Kevin drew Nadine to his chest. “It’ll be all right. I’m sure of it. Why don’t you run and shower, and Anna and I will get some refreshments and see you back at the pool. Hopefully we’ll get some good news soon.”
Less than an hour later, the group had gathered near the pool. Ashley, Cameron and Jordon wore swimsuits under a pair of shorts, looking for a late night swim. The stars were out and a big clear half moon had appeared. The weather was warm and muggy, with a slight breeze from the ocean to make them comfortable.
Anna, dressed in black and white striped Palazzo pants and a white cotton top, offered the women mango daiquiris or wine, while Kevin had taken over the role of host, giving the men a shot of scotch with a beer chaser.
Nadine sat with Jeremy, her brother and friends at one of the large round tables. She sipped her daiquiri, hardly tasting the fruity beverage. The topic was of course all about the missing boat, and everyone had an opinion.
Ashley figured they were safely moored somewhere, sleeping it off, or trying to figure out where they were and how to get back.
Jordon guessed they were swimming with the fishes, and Cameron thought they had run into something, sunk the boat and were likely on a raft waiting for rescue.
“What do you think, Jer?” Nadine asked softly, gazing into his serious face. He’d been in the Coast Guard, and she respected his opinion better than anyone’s.
“I think they’re in trouble, but what kind, I don’t know. Stupid idiots were so damn drunk they had no right to be out in the dark in a damn boat. They coulda capsized or run into pirates for all I know. I’m pissed at Michael too, but I sure don’t want to see any of them hurt.”
“Exactly. I’m going with the raft idea. They might not be found tonight, but at daybreak.” She gave a half-hearted smile. “Probably fried from the sun, dying of thirst, scared shitless, but fine. That’s what I think. Might be all playing the blame game right about now.”
“Serve them right,” her father said, coming up to the table. “Can’t imagine what they were thinking taking a boat out at that time of night.”
“A mad getaway?” Cameron suggested, taking a drink of beer. “Whatever. Stupid-ass idea that led to trouble.”
After they’d finished the first round of drinks, Anna called the Coast Guard for the latest report—no word. Jeremy and Nadine went for a walk on the beach and Cameron and the girls swam in the pool.
Anna and Kevin watched the moon, sitting with their feet up at the railing. “It’s beautiful here,” Kevin said, looking at her.
“The view?”
“You.” He glanced away, listening to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore—watching the twinkling fairy lights as the heavy ponds on the palm trees swayed. “I’m not in any hurry to leave.”
“Then stay. I’m not going to chase you away. And I know a nice cabin with free rent.”
“Hmm. That does sound appealing. And affordable.”
“It comes with a price.” She leaned toward him and whispered, “Your freedom.”
He shot her a look. “My freedom?”
“Yes.” She lowered her voice and gave him a sly smile. “You’d be my sex slave.”
“Oh!” He laughed and grabbed hold of her, pulling her in for a kiss. “I like that idea.”
“So do I.”
They watched Jeremy and Nadine down at the beach. He was holding her hand as they walked bare-footed on the edge of the shore. Waves lapped at her ankles, and her laughter echoed back to them.
“He’s good for her,” Anna observed softly.
“Yes. If he wasn’t here, I’m not sure how she’d have handled this mess.”
“Agreed. What Michael did was unforgivable. But still, I do hope those boys are safe.”
“Me too.” He ran a hand over his unshaven jaw. “Although if they’re suffering a little discomfort, I wouldn’t shed any tears.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Michael rattled the metal bars of his disgusting cage. Nothing but a stained toilet in the corner, and a bare plank to sit or lie upon. His friends were in their own cells, next to his. “Let me make my call.” Hoots of laughter and gibberish that sounded like Mexican came from the room next door.
“I’m not kidding. We’re American, and we are allowed a call. I know my rights,” he shouted, banging on the steel bars. He heard Jay and Devon shout too.
How long they’d been there he had no idea. Could be hours, or a day, maybe more. It felt like eternity.
When they’d woken up, Michael and his friends had washed up on shore, half in the water, half out. Warm waves kept slapping at him, and the sand was rough on his bloodied skin. The boat was wrecked, slammed into a pile of rocks. He’d dragged himself up, then kicked his friends awake and helped them out of the water. Their clothes had been shredded and he guessed when they hit the rocks, the three of them had been tossed about pretty badly. They were all battered and bruised, that’s for sure.
They were just regrouping, trying to piece things together when a bunch of men in uniforms surrounded the three of them. When he got back into the states, he intended to sue the pricks for the rough treatment they’d received. The beefy coarse-faced men had smacked them around, wanting to see their wallets, asking about drugs.
They had neither, and didn’t understand much of what was being said.
Apparently, they’d shipwrecked in Cuba. Shit happens. Luckily, or so he thought, Cubans were friendly to Americans now and they would be safely and quickly escorted back to the Keys once they realized they weren’t drug dealers and this was all a misunderstanding.
Didn’t happen. They’d had no ID. No passports. A stolen boat and no right to be on Cuban soil. They would be deported once they paid a heavy fine. No problem. Except they didn’t have any money, just a few bills inside their pockets, and to make matters worse their phones were confiscated by the policia. They were intrigued by the smart phones, and baring ugly teeth had grinned with delight. Christmas came early for these men.
Michael and his buddies had been dragged yelling and kicking into an old van, and taken into town. He was thrown into his cell so hard he knocked his head on the brick wall. They’d pay for that too.
“We’re golfers. Famous!” Devon shouted. “On TV. We can pay you a lot to get out of here. Let us have the damn phone!”
“Golfers?” The guy who seemed to be in charge said, with a mocking grin. “You hit ball around and into hole. For that they pay you. Huh! I think you sell drugs too. Where are they? Did you toss them out of the boat?”
“No drugs,” Michael yelled. “How many frigging times do we have to tell you?”
“Look,” Jay said, sounding very pompous with his English accent. “We can give you all a hundred thousand American dollars. That’s a fortune. One hundred thousand each. If you give us a phone we can have it wired here, and then you let us go. Deal?”
“You wealthy Americans, no?” A fat bastard with his beer gut hanging over his cheap wrinkled pants came up to Jay’s cell. “A hundred thousand? Psst!” He spat on the floor. “A million is the price. A million for your freedom.”
Michael snarled, “You miserable bastard. You’re supposed to be police. Police don’t take bribes. Filthy commies, that’s what you are. A hundred thousand is all you get. Now get us a lawyer and a god-damn phone!”
The fellow walked toward him, unlocked the door and before Michael knew what was happening, the guy backhanded him and sent him reeling. He staggered to the corner, and the guy pulled down his fly, took his dick out and pissed all over him.
* * *
“How did your mom and dad take the news?” Anna asked Jeremy the next morning over breakfast. They were all hanging around Taylor’s Café.
“They weren’t too worried last night, but when I spoke to them this morning they were extremely concerned. They’re talking about hiring a local pilot and doing a private search.”
“It is odd that nothing has shown up. You’d think
if the boat capsized there’d be floating debris. Something which would catch the Coast Guard’s eye. Makes me think that they’re holed up somewhere,” Kevin said, setting down his mug of coffee. “Must admit, I’m getting anxious too. They should have been found by now.”
Juanita refilled their cups. “Si, si. They probably are in Cuba. Big problem for them. Their wallets are still in the room. Passports too.”
“They could be in the Keys,” Jeremy suggested. “Lots of reefs around here. Heck they could be partying in Key West for all we know.”
“Probably getting laid too, no doubt,” Ashley said, patting Nadine’s hand. “Especially if the women recognized them. Hard not to, three good-looking men like that.”
Taylor dropped off their breakfast plates, and stood with her hands on her hips. “Come to think of it, Jeremy, you’re probably right. There are 800 hundred islands in the Florida Keys—lots of places where they might be stranded.”
“Holy shit,” Cameron said. “I didn’t know there were so many! I figured a dozen or so. They could be anywhere.” He settled back in his chair and looked at all the grim faces. “We don’t know what kind of shape they’re in, whether they’re shipwrecked, or just having a blast. I can’t decide how to feel.”
“Agreed,” Taylor said. “Colt and I were talking last night, and the Bahia Honda Key is quite remote. It’s a state park with over 500 acres and it’s never crowded. They might not have landed on the beach, but wrecked the boat somewhere else, and could be in the woods, in trouble.” She shrugged. “It’s a thought—he’s put the word out to his buddies.”
Nadine looked up from her plate of French toast. “I’m sure they’re in trouble. Otherwise they’d have called. How can their boat not be found?”
“They will be. Probably today,” Jeremy said to soothe her fears.
“But their faces have been all over the news. They can’t just disappear! Where are they?” Her voice broke and tears filled her eyes. She pushed her uneaten breakfast away. “I might be angry with Michael, but that doesn’t stop me from caring about what happens to him.”
Right Man/ Wrong Groom: Paradise Cove Series - Destination Wedding Book 1 Page 14