He pulled a pen and paper out of his pocket. "Give me your address and phone number."
She gave them. He wrote them down and stuck them in his pocket. "We spent our first evening together standing by the deck, watching the waves."
She smiled. "I remember."
"Why don't we go have another cappuccino?"
She took the hand he offered her. "That sounds nice."
Kara's heart leapt. She wanted to dance and jump and shout.
He wants to keep in touch. To see me again.
Joy bubbled in her soul. Her emotions had taken a roller coaster ride and the sadness she'd felt only made her joy that much greater.
They entered the bar and sat, waiting for their drinks. Nate took her hand in his and rubbed his thumb across it in a slow soothing motion. "So, sweetheart, you'll be back to work on Monday."
"Yes, and I dread it."
"Because of the job or because of Daryl?"
"Both. I realized just before I came on this cruise it wasn't what I really wanted to be doing. That was before Daryl showed up. But I'm just not sure what I want to do instead."
"How are you going to handle Daryl?"
"I've told him we can only be friends. Since I only see him at work it should be okay. Awkward though. I need to find a new job and sell my house. There's a lot to do when I get home."
He looked so serious as he sat listening. "He's already stepped over the line. Showing up on the island. And he's probably the one who sent you those panties. You could charge him with sexual harassment right now."
"I was planning to leave the job anyway, but I don't even have a resume yet."
"You're my girlfriend and no one messes with my girlfriend. If he so much as touches you, if threatens you, I'll kill him." The look in his eyes and the expression on his face told her he was serious. "If he gives you any trouble, any trouble at all, I want you to call me."
"I will."
"Good." He squeezed her hand. "If you get scared for any reason, or you just want to talk, call me."
"I will."
Just hearing him say these words made her feel safer.
His girlfriend. Her heart wanted to sing.
An announcement came and they were quiet, listening to directions for leaving their bags outside the rooms tonight.
"We have to go and pack." She sighed with regret. "We're out of time. I wish we had more time."
"I'll walk you back to your cabin. We have a little time yet. I pack fast." He winked.
He walked her back to her cabin and she turned to look up at him, knowing this would be their goodbye kiss.
As he bent down she rose up on her toes to reach him, her arms sliding around him as he pulled her close. Their lips met with a sweet harmony in a dance they'd done many times and knew well.
His kiss was slow, thoughtful, his tongue exploring the recesses of her mouth. She kissed him back, lingering, savoring each moment, and not wanting it to end. And yet there was a barely contained hunger within each of them that demanded more.
Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. They stood in silence, drinking each other up.
He touched his fingertip to her lips. "Good night, sweetheart."
"Good night, Nate." With reluctance she opened her door. She turned to him one last time. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too." He ran his finger across her lips. "I will call you soon, sweetheart. This isn't goodbye."
How could he read her? How did he know it was what she most needed to hear?
"Sweet dreams," he said.
"You too. Good night."
"Night." He turned and went down the hall.
She closed the door and leaned against it. The cabin was quiet and empty.
Kara packed her suitcase and set it outside the door for the cabin steward. The bags had to clear customs before they could re-enter the United States. She laid out winter clothes for tomorrow and packed her carry on.
Viv came in as Kara zipped it.
"So," Viv plopped on her bed, "Are you ready to go back to the real world?"
"No. Not really."
It was like waking up from a dream to face the real world. Her shrunken world where nothing ever changed. But she'd grown and no longer fit into that world. She had to go back to her job and her boss. God help her. She dreaded seeing Daryl.
If only the captain could sail her away, anywhere far away from Ohio. For the first time in her life, she didn't want to go home. But she had no other choice.
They went to bed and set an early wakeup call to be sure to have breakfast before they disembarked. Kara slept though restlessly and dreamed about her job going wrong.
*****
As they disembarked, Kara suddenly sensed Nate wasn't far behind her. Even in a crowd his presence was compelling. She turned as she heard his laugh, and her gaze flew to where he stood, their eyes meeting across the crowd.
He waved and she waved back. She wanted to go to him, but the crowd wedged them in like sardines, and the large family behind her kept pushing.
"Come on, Kara, we have to keep moving," Viv said.
Kara sent Nate a look of regret.
"You're pining like a love sick puppy," Viv said. "It's over, let it go."
"It's not over. He's going to call me," Kara said.
"They all say that. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that one, I could take us both on another cruise."
"Well, that would be nice, seeing as I took you on this one."
Here was the opening for a thank you. As Kara waited for it, with no response from Viv, it became clear that a thank you was not going to come.
Good thing you don't have those dollars because I wouldn't want to go on another cruise with you. Once is enough. Right now I just want distance.
They made their way down the exit ramps and into the room that held luggage. It didn't take long to find theirs.
Kara looked about for Nate but he'd already gone. How long would it be until she saw him again? Maybe Viv was right. Maybe he would forget all about her.
But one thing was certain. She'd never forget him.
Chapter Sixteen
Kara waited at Viv's apartment for the taxi driver who was now fifteen minutes late. Her cell phone rang.
Oh, good. It's the cab company.
"Hello."
"Ma'am could you give us your address again? And the nearest cross street?"
Kara rattled off the number again.
"He'll be there in eight minutes."
"Thank you."
She waited and another text came through her phone from Nate. Wish you could stay a few more days.
She texted back, I do too.
Then stay.
I can't, I have to go back to work.
His third text came in just as she sent hers. Don't go.
Where was the damn taxi?
Maybe the fact it wasn't here was a sign she wasn't supposed to go. She certainly couldn't stay at Viv's apartment another night. One night had been enough, both of them tense and stepping around each other. They'd had pizza and watched a movie, which still hadn't been relaxing. Viv was ready for her to go and she was more than ready. They'd gone to sleep and Viv had headed off to work early in the morning after a quick goodbye.
The taxi service called again.
"Hello, is there a problem?"
"No problem, ma'am. He's just having trouble finding your apartment. Are you out front?"
"Yes, I've been out front for 45 minutes now, waiting, and I have a 12:30 flight."
"We'll have you there in plenty of time."
And if I miss my plane I'll know I'm supposed to stay.
Nate's words rang through her head again. Stay. Just a few more days. Don't go.
Maybe I shouldn't go. Not yet.
The taxi driver pulled up in front of her and she pushed the thought away as he got out to load her bags. She'd make her flight. It was a 45-minute drive to the airport, but she'd make it. This was just one of those
days when things went a bit bumpier than usual.
Inside the cab she leaned back against the seat after giving the driver her airline and flight time. Palm trees flashed by, blue sky and clouds and then they were on the highway, leaving it all behind, the driver losing no time as he cut across lanes and sped up.
They reached the airport, but he was going too fast and drove past the drop off point where she should've gotten out to check the bags with her airline. "Hey, my flight is North point, remember?"
"Sorry miss. It is back the other way now. I cannot back up."
The street was one way. Of course he couldn't.
"Well, you can circle back around."
"No, miss. I cannot."
Damn it.
This was making her later still and now she had to schlep her bags all the way to the other end.
Well, there goes your tip, buddy. Thanks a lot.
Kara paid him, collected her bags, and started walking. The hot, Florida sun beat down, and the jeans and top she'd worn because she'd be going back to a colder climate clung to her body as she pulled her carry on and the bag she would check, their wheels rolling along behind her.
She reached the counter and caught her breath. It was okay now; she was going to make the flight. All she had to do was check her bag and get inside where the A/C was, get something cold to drink, and everything would be fine.
"Your bag is over the limit by five pounds. It's a ninety dollar charge."
Oh, no. Her credit card was maxed. She couldn't pay it.
"I'll have to take some things out then."
"Maybe you can fit them into your carry on."
She opened her bag and started pulling things out. Books, souvenirs, seashells, and the edible panties.
Oh God. That needed to go into the trash.
She tossed them in the trash container.
"You're throwing that away?" The attendant rescued the edible panties. "My wife would like these."
"Keep them. I'm glad to be rid of them."
Maybe that's why she was having difficulties. Those things were bringing her bad luck. Once she was rid of them, everything would go smoothly again.
Now that the other bag could be checked, she busied herself with stuffing all she could into her carry on. The seams bulged.
Hope it doesn't break.
The attendant held out her ticket and ID. "You're all set. Gate seven."
"Thanks." She took the ticket and ID and stuffed them into the pocket of her jeans. The cool air of the airport felt good as she stepped inside and moved over to the line for security.
What I'd give for a nice cool drink right now.
But there was no point getting anything to drink before she went through security, because they'd just take it away the moment she got there. Everything seemed to go smoothly as she went through and she waited on the other side for her bag.
What's taking so long?
A female security officer went over to her bag. "Is this your bag?"
"Yes."
What now?
"Please follow me."
If things keep happening I'm never going to make my flight. Random searching happens. Of course it had to happen to me right now.
The officer opened the bag and pulled out three paperback books. "These won't scan."
Yep, got to worry about those folks who travel with books. You just never know about them.
"Well, they're just books."
"We still have to check." The officer ran the wand around, pulled more things out, until finally she was satisfied. "Hope you can get everything back in there."
"Me too." No thanks to you.
Kara stuffed the bag again, jamming things in until it closed, then hurried for the tram to take her to the terminal where gate seven was.
On the tram she exhaled and leaned against the wall. Oh, for a good cold drink. Once she reached her gate, she'd get a drink and something to eat. She hadn't eaten all day and it was lunchtime.
She exited the tram and hurried to gate seven, which was of course at the end of the terminal. The closer she got, the more a sense something was wrong grew.
It was the last gate in the terminal.
It was also the wrong airline, the wrong flight number and the wrong destination.
Oh shit.
Kara reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the crumpled ticket.
Gate seventy-four. Oh shit.
Panic hit her. She was going to miss her flight.
Seventy-four was nowhere near seven.
She started to run back to the tram.
The tram only went one way. She turned to a security guard.
"I took a wrong turn. How do I get to gate seventy four?"
He pointed. "You have to go back through security."
She took off running again.
Oh shit. I'm not going to make my flight.
Waiting in line at security, the thought came again.
Maybe I'm not supposed to make this flight. Maybe I'm not supposed to be on that plane.
Again Nate's words rang through her mind.
Stay. Just a few more days. Don't go.
Then it was her turn to go through security again and her attention went to making it through. Once she through, she ran to the tram, which would take her to gate seventy-four. She reached it just as the doors closed and it pulled away.
Oh God. Just missed it.
Thirsty, hungry, sweaty, tired, she closed her eyes.
She felt as if she was in some movie that kept rolling, and she'd never get to the end or the credits.
What if it was a mistake to go?
She sent Nate a text. Having trouble. Might not make my flight.
He texted her right back. You could stay with me. I would come get you.
The next tram rolled in and the doors opened. She stepped inside. The doors closed.
Is this all our lives are? Step on the tram, step off the tram, move to the next spot, just keep moving? Why is there never time to sit still and think?
How could she think what to do when running?
There's no time.
The tram stopped and the doors opened. Out the door, she took off at a run, passing all the places where she could get a drink. At this point she'd be lucky to reach the gate and make her flight.
Her clothes clung to her as she ran, the carryon bumping along behind her as she wove in and out of the crowds moving both ways.
And then she reached it. Gate seventy-four. Right airline, right flight number, destination and time.
Ten minutes to be on board. She ran into the ladies room, hurrying as fast as she could to take care of things, then hurried out again.
Five minutes. She spotted a small stand with drinks and sandwiches at the end of the terminal.
No line. Maybe because no one wanted to eat that food. But her stomach growled and her tongue felt like sand paper it was so dry.
Kara bought a cola and a chicken salad sandwich and hurried to board, just in time.
She found her seat on the isle, the two seats next to her, empty. She heaved her carryon into the overhead bin and then sat.
Whew. Made it. On the plane.
A text came through from Nate. Did you make your flight?
She texted back. Yes.
She opened her cola and drank from it thirstily then opened her sandwich and took a few bites. Nothing to get excited about, but flying on an empty stomach wasn't a good idea. She got nervous enough.
The people who had seats next to her approached and she put the cap on her cola, thrust it into the bag and stood to let them in while she waited for them to stow their bags.
How silly. Of course she had to go home to her job, her bills, her house.
Even if she did want to start over somewhere else. Even if there was Nate and Florida seemed a nice place to live.
She had to go back to work and sell her house. She was doing the right thing. The sensible thing. Anyway, Nate had a life of his own.
Th
ey were seated and she sat again. The moment she sat, reaching for her seatbelt, the bag fell sideways and cola spilled all over her jeans and the new white sweater she'd bought to throw on if she got chilly.
Oh shit. Cap must have been loose.
She'd probably ruined the new sweater. There was no way to change now or to wash the sticky stuff off. As if she wasn't sticky enough after running through the airport, now she was sticky from cola and had a soggy sandwich. It was as if some invisible force had dumped the cola on her the minute she started thinking she belonged in Ohio. She looked down at her hands, wondering if this could be a message. A feeling crept in. A feeling she'd made a mistake.
The woman next to her handed her a napkin from her purse and Kara thanked her. As she wiped off what she could, one last text came through her phone before she had to shut it off.
Be safe.
She held the phone, thinking again what a wonderful man he was. Maybe she'd made a mistake. Maybe she really wasn't supposed to be on this plane.
She closed her eyes and sat back, suddenly exhausted. Completely exhausted and strangely sleepy.
For the first time in her life, she dozed off on a plane as it took off. Fear didn't enter her mind once.
It was the bumpiness that woke her. The man next to her commented the plane needed to get up higher to get out of this weather.
What's going on?
She frowned and looked out the window just as the plane hit another air pocket. The two men seated on the isle seats in front of her were talking about the rough ride, showing concern.
What if this plane is meant to crash and I'm not supposed to be on it? What if I never see Nate again? How fast we can be taken away. What am I doing here?
Her stomach clenched. She closed her eyes and sent up prayers for safety and protection.
They hit another bump and her stomach did a flip.
It's okay; it's going to be okay. It's like Nate says. Why be afraid of something that might happen? Fear is for things that are happening. Everything else is just you scaring yourself.
Every time they hit another bump she repeated the words in her head.
It's just a bump. Everything is fine.
After a while, the bumps smoothed out and the attendants were able to start beverage service. Kara got up to use the restroom.
Aboard the Wishing Star Page 15