Island of Deceit

by Candice Poarch

  His mother’s eyes veered to his. She was actually listening instead of staring blankly into space.

  “I’m trying to be the son you always wanted me to be. So when I get back, I’m going to ask for her advice. She’s real smart. Between the two of us, we’re going to get your money back.”

  His mother squeezed his hand.

  “So, Mama, I want you to get out of that bed and enjoy the holiday with us. You’re the one who always pushed us forward. You’re just sixty. Your life’s not over. Money doesn’t define who you are. Regardless of what that lowlife did to you, you’re still a great woman. That hasn’t changed.”

  “But…” Her lips trembled.

  Trent sighed. “The one thing I’ve learned from all this is there’s always going to be people who want to take things that don’t belong to them, thinking it’s the easy way. I guess I’ve leaned what you’ve been trying to teach me all along. There’s no easy way. Only the right way. But you’ve got to hang on and let me and Sis help you get through this.”

  “But…”

  Trent wasn’t listening to any of her arguments any longer. He was getting mad. She didn’t let him stay home and sulk when he was growing up. He had to get moving no matter what happened. “You’re still going to be able to buy your medicine and pay the bills.”

  “I don’t like depending on anybody. I’ve always made my own way.”

  “Why can’t you depend on others? Sis and I have depended on you. What’s wrong with us helping you out for a change? You’re not by yourself in this. The only reason I haven’t killed that SOB…”

  “Don’t even think of taking a life, son. Not even for money. Especially for money.”

  “…is because of you. He’s still alive because of you. So he’s depending on you to get better so he can continue to live. And I mean that.”

  Shaking her head, she squeezed his hand again. “Don’t talk like that, Trent. I don’t like that. And neither does the Lord.”

  “Well, then, you better get yourself outta that bed and get pretty so he can stay healthy. ’Cause if I don’t enjoy my holiday, and let me tell you, so far I’m not, I’m taking it out on his behind once I get back to that island. Trust me,” he said, and he could tell by the look in her eyes that she believed him. Trent slid his chair back. “Me and Sis are gonna start the Thanksgiving cooking. We shoulda started days ago.”

  His mother’s eyes widened. “You cook? This is Thanksgiving, son. We’ve got to have a proper dinner. I could never tie you down long enough for you to learn to cook properly.”

  “Then I guess you’re gonna have to come in the kitchen and give me some instructions. Never too late to learn.”

  Trent held his breath until his mother shifted the covers back and sat up without assistance.

  He started toward the door. “Holler if you need help.”

  Breakfast Thanksgiving morning was quiet at Harper’s house.

  “Are you going to work today?” Barbara asked.

  “I have to meet with Alyssa for a while. It shouldn’t take long.”

  Before he left Barbara gave him a sweet kiss.

  “I’m always leaving you, when I actually want to be right here with you,” Harper said.

  “I understand. Your job is important. We’ll spend this evening together. Let’s see if we can make up for lost time.”

  Harper groaned. “I’m going to hold you to that,” he said.

  While Harper worked, Barbara thought of their conversation the night before. But what would she do if she stayed on the island? She was serious about selling the shop. And she couldn’t really use her investment skills here. She was considering returning to Wall Street, although she really didn’t want that hectic life again. At least it gave her purpose. But what kind of purpose? The truth was, it kept her busy. It did not give her life purpose or meaning. If she decided to work in her career, she could be a broker in Norfolk.

  Barbara cleaned the kitchen, then went to the B&B and visited with Liane, eventually bringing her back to Harper’s house. They spent time in the hot tub, which Liane just loved, and then talked before they dressed for dinner.

  Most of Barbara’s days were spent with Liane. They toured in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Liane had liked Harper from first sight.

  By the time the three of them made it to Cornell’s restaurant Thursday afternoon, the parking lot was filled with cars. Lots of the younger people and men were hanging outside. Cornell had arranged several fire pits outside, actually a collection of old tin bathtubs stacked with wood and set ablaze.

  Obviously Thanksgiving was a huge affair with the Claxtons. There were so many people. My God, it was like a family reunion. Barbara had always spent Thanksgiving with her grandmother. She’d invite a couple of people over now and then, but her holidays were quiet. But she should have known. The Claxtons were a huge family.

  They passed many of the kids teasing each other around the fire pits.

  Liane hunched her in the side. “This isn’t just one family, is it?”

  “Yeah, and I just found out I’m a distant cousin.”

  “No kidding.”

  “I couldn’t believe it either. And I don’t know most of them. How is it going with your businessman?” Barbara asked.

  “Very good. He’s coming over later. Gabrielle invited all the B and B’s guests.”

  “Oh, well, I’m looking forward to meeting him, then.”

  “And scare the poor guy away? It’s too early to introduce him to the family, you know.”

  Barbara shook her head. “I see Naomi. Come on. I want to introduce you to her.”

  By the time they wended their way through the crowd, Mrs. Claxton had gone into the kitchen. When they caught up to her, she was instructing Lisa on something.

  “Where do you want me to put the cakes?” Barbara asked her.

  “Here, I’ll take them.” She called one of her grandchildren over. “Put these on the dessert table. They look wonderful, Barbara.”

  “This is my friend, Liane. Liane, meet my cousin, Naomi Claxton.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Claxton.”

  “Everybody calls me Naomi,” she said. “Are you enjoying our island?”

  “Yes, I am. I can’t wait for summer when I can get in the ocean.”

  “Oh, dear. You can’t stay away that long. At least come back for the crab fest in May. You haven’t tasted crabs until you’ve had my fried crabs. I cook bushels of them at the beginning of the season. And later that month we have our Founder’s Day. It’s huge.”

  Liane smiled. “Then I’ll have to come back.”

  “The B and B gets booked up a year in advance for that weekend, but we’ve got plenty of beds for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Someone approached them. “Excuse me. Grandma?”

  “Enjoy yourselves, darlings,” Naomi said, patting their hands. “And eat until you’re stuffed. Don’t forget to take plates home. Food will be ready in a few minutes and there’s plenty of it.”

  The tables were already set. Barbara noticed Alyssa, Harper, and John huddled together. That man could never get away from work. She and Liane made conversation with others until Liane’s businessman arrived and she introduced Barbara to him. They sat together when it was time to eat.

  “Did you enjoy yourself?” Harper asked around nine that evening. Liane was at the B&B spending the evening with her new businessman.

  “Very much.” Harper had lit a fire in the outside pit. They sat on a swing bench in front of it, snuggled up under a blanket, gently rocking. Harper’s arm was wrapped securely around her.

  She glanced up at the star-filled night. A zillion stars twinkled across the sky. She could hear the tides rush against the shore and the popping of the flames as they danced in the pit. And, more importantly, she felt the warmth of Harper beside her.

  She was content.

  “It’s so peaceful and beautiful here,” Barbara said, rubbing his arm. “I wish I could
bottle this moment and carry it with me for the rest of my life.”

  “Is that right?” He nuzzled her neck. “Maybe I can do something about that.”

  Barbara smiled. “Oh yeah? Do you have a magic formula for savoring special moments?”

  “Maybe something better.”

  “What could that possibly be?”

  Barbara felt him move. “Give me your hand,” he said.

  Since she was on his right side, she slipped her left hand from beneath the covers and offered it palm side up. He slid a diamond ring on her finger.

  Barbara’s smile faltered.

  “Will you marry me, Barbara Turner, so we can spend the rest of our lives together? I promise you many moments like this.” He kissed her cheek.

  Tears rushed to Barbara’s eyes as she shifted in his arms to look at him. “Harper?” Never in a million years had she expected this. There were no jewelry stores on the island. With all he had to do, he took time out of his schedule to shop for a ring.

  She wanted to marry him, God knew she did, but she’d held so much from him. She was an illusion. He didn’t really know her. And how could a man who’d been betrayed in the past possibly ever forgive her or trust her?

  She had no idea this relationship was going to implode this way.

  He wiped her tears away.

  Her grandmother always told her there was no cause or reason, but life happened when you least expected it. Especially the good things.

  She was torn between the people who needed the money and her desire for a future with Harper. But she knew it was already too late to gain his trust.

  Finally, she wrapped her arms around him, kissed him, and cried. She was forty-five and was acting like a teenager. She didn’t shed one tear at the end of her marriage.

  Alarmed, Harper held her tightly against him, his heart thumping in his chest. Of all the responses he expected, this wasn’t it. If it were just tears of joy, he’d be the happiest man in the world, but these were tears of distress.

  Detective Mosley hadn’t called him back yet. He hoped the problem wasn’t too big to solve.

  “What is it, Barbara? Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll help you. Did I ask too soon?”

  “That’s not it.”

  “What is it, then? You’ve already told me you love me. I won’t let you take it back.”

  She clasped her hands on both his cheeks. “I love you. I really do.”

  “Then what’s wrong? Talk to me, baby.”

  She leaned against him, unwilling to talk. Unease grew in Harper’s chest.

  “Tell you what. We’ll have a long engagement and we won’t set a date right now.”

  “But…”

  “I want you to wear the ring until you decide if you’re going to marry me.”

  “But after I wear it, you won’t be able to get your money back.”

  “I don’t care about that. I care about you.” He kissed a tear that slid unbidden down her cheek.

  She still didn’t speak, but she didn’t remove the ring either. So maybe she wanted to be with him. It gave him a smidgeon of hope.

  “May I have a kiss?”

  She turned her head to kiss him. Harper felt all her love pouring into him.

  “Baby, you keep this up and we won’t make it back inside.”

  Barbara wasn’t listening. She was tearing at his clothes as if she couldn’t get to him quickly enough. And Harper found himself tearing at hers.

  “Wait, baby, we’ve got to…”

  She unzipped his pants and took him in her hand.

  “Jesus. We can’t make love on the swing….” But they were. And further objections eluded him.

  He stripped her blouse off and suckled on a nipple. Kissed her neck, her stomach, and then back to her breasts, just waiting for him to feast on.

  Her hands explored his back, his thighs, they were all over him, driving him insane with need.

  “Baby…”

  “Hummm?” she said, but when she came up to kiss him again, plunging her tongue deep inside his mouth and sucking on his, she stole his breath away.

  She let him go, kissed his chin, his neck, grabbed his hips and ground hers against him.

  A deep moan tore from Harper’s throat. He parted her thighs and inserted a finger inside her. She was wet and more than ready for him. Her cry of pleasure nearly undid him.

  In one swift movement, he grabbed her pants and panties together and tugged them down her hips, her legs. He kissed his way up her legs, her thighs, kissed her intimately, stopping to caress her stomach, her breasts, and found her mouth again.

  He stepped out of his pants, leveled himself over her, and sank into her with one swift plunge. They moved together in a rhythmic beat that swayed with the tides.

  Cries of pleasure tore from Barbara’s throat and he answered them in turn. Pleasure built to unbearable limits and when release came, it was cataclysmic.

  Minutes later, Harper moved aside and pulled Barbara up beside him.

  “Did I crush you, baby?”

  She laughed. “Are you kidding?”

  “Out in the freaking open where anybody with a boat and binoculars could get a peek.”

  “They’d have had an eyeful.”

  Harper laughed. “You got that right.”

  There was no way on God’s green earth Harper was going to give all this goodness up.

  He stroked Barbara’s shoulder, then lifted her hand and rubbed the ring on her finger.

  He’d find a way to keep her.

  CHAPTER 13

  While most Americans went shopping on Black Friday, business owners on the island hustled to finish getting their Christmas decorations up. Paradise Island was fifty years behind most of the country. Naomi was also on the community planning committee and she’d deemed it sacrilegious to have Christmas lights up before Thanksgiving. It was a holiday that needed to be celebrated without the interference of another.

  Business owners were out in full force putting final touches on Christmas decorations, instead of heading to Norfolk and Virginia Beach to shop. And those who did escape to shop were sure to be back before sundown when the lights went on in the town square.

  Barbara was a business owner now. For the most part, her decorations were up, but they wouldn’t be lit until tonight. Trent had hung the lights before he left, but Liane helped with the last minute details.

  “Harper’s Santa?” Liane asked.

  Barbara nodded.

  “All that muscle and a washboard stomach? Guess he’ll be wearing a pillow.”

  “Guess so.”

  “He’s tall enough. I’d sit on his lap. God knows he’s handsome.”

  Barbara laughed. “We won’t see much of his face, though.”

  When dusk came, hundreds of people gathered in front of the courthouse waiting for the mayor to light the tree. Parents pointed out to their children the live reindeer in its pen.

  Even Santa’s chair was waiting for him, and “elves” served hot chocolate and apple cider, cookies, and brownies to raise money for Harper’s youth program.

  When the mayor lit the tree, the crowd erupted in cheers and lights began to go on all around. Even some of the boats in the harbor had lights strung on them.

  Children ran to the Santa line. One of Alyssa’s brother’s had been harangued into taking pictures.

  Barbara, Liane, and Liane’s friend, Steve, walked around.

  When the last child had sat on Harper’s lap, Barbara approached him.

  “Santa, I have a long list of things I want for Christmas.”

  “Oh, do you now? Come closer and whisper them all in Santa’s ear.”

  Barbara laughed but moved closer.

  Harper grabbed her and swung her onto his lap. She squealed, drawing everyone’s attention.

  “Harper!” She was so embarrassed. The crowd clapped and cheered around her.

  “So, what do you want Santa to bring you?” he asked with a wicked grin.

  “It’s
a long, long list,” she said, just as she heard the camera snap. She turned around and several people were snapping pictures. She also spotted Andrew at the edge of the crowd, scowling, before he turned and walked toward the ferry.

  Barbara debated what to do. It was Monday, and at seven she had breakfast with Liane at the B&B before Liane’s flight back to New York.

  Liane lifted Barbara’s hand for a better view of the ring. “Harper has very good taste.”

  “He’s very good at a lot of things, Liane.” She inhaled before saying, “I’ve decided to tell him everything. I might lose him, but that’s the chance I took from the beginning when I took this path. I never, not in a million years, expected to find a man like him to love me. And the wonderful thing is I love him, too.”

  Liane quirked an eyebrow. “What did your grandmother say about doubting Thomases?”

  “What she said was I didn’t trust in the Lord enough. That miracles happened when you least expect them. Liane, I hope I’m not too late for my miracle.”

  “There you go again with all the doubts. Who says you’ll lose him? He loves you, honey. You’re human. He can’t expect perfection.”

  “He’s been betrayed before and he’ll see this as another betrayal.”

  “Hey, he’s no spring chicken…”

  Barbara smiled. “You’ve never seen him in action.”

  Liane rolled her eyes. “What I’m saying is he’s old enough to know life isn’t perfect. If he’s expecting perfection from you, then he’s not the man for you. Because he’s going to make a few mistakes along the way, too, and he expects you to forgive him.”

  Barbara shook her head doubtfully. “Men are…” Barbara searched for a descriptor.

  “I know they can be asses, but some are good. And it looks like Harper’s a winner.”

  “Until you get on the wrong side of his ethics.”

  “Here,” Liane said, placing both of her hands palm up on the table. “Give me your hands.”

  Barbara clasped her hands.

  “I’ve spent so much time with your grandmother that I feel I know her.”