by Cyndi Raye
As she cleaned up the kitchen, an angry Art Shepherd stomped through the kitchen and out the front door. Sara looked up to find Josh standing at the French door, eyes on the back of Art’s head as the man left.
“What’s all that about,” she asked.
He shook his head and helped clean up in silence. Sara wanted to run gentle fingers over his white knuckles, knowing he tried to keep his temper in check. All of a sudden he stopped and turned. “It’s important that you don’t see anger right now. I don’t know what happened in your past, but I know it wasn’t a good thing. I don’t want to cause you any distress, so let’s forget this incident ever happened.” He ran a hand through dark hair and rubbed the back of his neck.
She wanted to reach up and sooth his weary soul. “It’s none of my business, however, Jake put me in charge so here’s a warning. Behavior like that comes with consequences. Don’t let it happen again or I may have to ask you to leave.”
His head flew up in surprise when she said it, until he saw her grin. He smiled, the lines fading from around his eyes and took a step closer. “Forgive me and let me make it up to you.”
“Nothing to forgive, but if you insist, how do you want to make it up to me?” Sara dried off wet hands and glanced outside to see the older couples leaving the gardens.
“I have an idea. Let’s get out of here for a while, go on an adventure. I’ll meet you out front in twenty minutes.” With those words, Josh dug in his pocket and pulled out a cell phone as he left the room.
“I thought we’re going to talk?” she called after, but he didn’t hear. She wondered what he had in mind and went back to the bedroom room to freshen up. She gazed at herself in the mirror and then discarded the leather skirt and top. An adventure called for something carefree and fun and flat shoes.
She began pulling clothes from the drawers until she found her deep open back halter top, matching it with a white denim skort. Throwing on a pair of flat rope sandals, Sara once again did a little dance in front of the long door length mirror. She grabbed a small black purse with a long gold chain and headed to the front door.
Josh was nowhere to be found, so she sat on the wooden swing, rocking back and forth. Just then Art Shepherd opened the white gate. When he noticed Sara on the porch swing, he hesitated for a brief second, but then nodded and went inside.
What ever went on between the two of them had Art walking a chalk line. She didn’t think Josh just got that angry out of the blue, not like-no, she wasn’t going to think about the ex, not any more!
She would think of the good things in life. The past needed to be put to rest, that’s why she came here. This new life would be full of promise by surrounding herself with positive people. That’s what drew her to Josh, Sara knew. The man seemed so gentle and fun and exciting. She may be falling fast. She couldn’t believe it could happen so quick. That happened in fairy tales and on television, neither which were true life.
Of course, she knew nothing about this man. He could be some kind of government spy or secret agent. Sara threw her head back and laughed aloud. She couldn’t wait for Morgan to get back. He’d get a kick out of that one. His sister, hanging out with a secret agent man! What an adventure that would be!
She opened her eyes to find Josh leaning against the post, dark eyes staring in amusement. She jumped up off the swing and started down the steps.
“Which way,” she asked, her steps a bit lighter. She turned with a bright smile.
“This way.” He took her elbow as they crossed the street. and walked a few blocks until the Butterfly Conservatory came in to view. Sara thought they were just walking by until Josh steered them towards the entrance.
“We’re going in? Lovely!”
Sara had a blast as she walked along the beautiful gardens and foliage filled with many species of butterflies. The domed ceiling let in natural light as they strolled through the foliage, careful not to step on butterflies resting on the ground in front of them at times. She didn’t think Josh seemed very impressed, but every time she looked up, his eyes crinkled a bit at her excitement. Colorful birds also lived in the habitat as they walked through the tropical paradise. She squeezed his arm. “Thank you.”
He led her in to the gift shop and that’s when a grand idea began to form. The Inn needed major improvement and she may know just how to help. Sara excused herself and met with the proprietor, keeping Josh waiting for over twenty minutes. He leaned up against a display case and she glanced over in surprise when she realized he didn’t look annoyed because she took so long.
Then he walked over to her. “I’ll be outside waiting. I have to make a phone call.” Sara nodded, wondering why he always left to make calls. Maybe he was a secret agent man after all. She smiled again at those crazy thoughts and watched a hard, sexy body go through the exit.
<><>
Josh spoke in to the phone. “I’m not sure what you are doing and could care less, I’m not working right now, only helping out a fellow agent.” He couldn’t seem to make them understand that he didn’t want to go back under cover. Not any more. Those years were over and done.
Now that he met Sara. Josh ran a hand through thick hair, his other resting on the cell. He put some serious thought in to starting a detective service. Then he could come home every night and leave the undercover work to men like Morgan because he just didn’t have a taste for it any more.
Josh listened to the man on the other end of the phone but still refused to take any new cases. He couldn't mention what Morgan was doing and that he wanted to stay close to Sara, just in case. Even though Sophie went deep under with Morgan, there could be a chance whoever leaked information may blow their cover. Then all hell would break loose and he’d have to go in. But he couldn’t tell anyone. Not yet.
“Look, I appreciate the offer, but no thanks. Right now, I’m just living it up, getting Key West wild without interruptions.” He stuck his phone back in his pocket just as Sara came out of the conservatory holding two bags of stuff.
“You won’t believe what I’ve got,” she said, excited.
He loved her zest and excitement. He stuffed his hands back in his pockets and leaned back on his heels as she rummaged through the bags.
“Here are several books that we can display in the foyer. The guests will love them.” She picked up a pile of brochures. “I’m having discount coupons made for our guests. They’ll get a special rate that can be had by staying with us. Plus I’m going to offer wedding packages, along with anniversary and engagement surprise packages! By the time I get finished with all the plans I have for the Inn, it will be making a fortune.”
“You don’t want to drag those heavy bags along where we’re going,” Josh told her. “We’ll drop them off first because I have more surprises for you. Let me take them for now.”
He took the two bags and the smile he received was worth lugging the heavy gift bags to the Inn. After depositing them inside, they continued toward Duval street.
“We’re not doing the Duval crawl again, are we? I doubt I can keep up today.”
“No Sara, I have something much more fun in mind. Although it may involve at least a glass of champagne.” He folded her hand in his as they walked down several side streets towards the Key West Bight. “I want you to see some old Key West charm.”
They entered an open bar where sweet ocean breezes stirred the late evening air. Tall ships docked close by and Sara looked up in amazement at the giant vessels. “I’m going to take you on a sunset sail,” he whispered in her ear. Standing behind her, she shivered when he touched her shoulders.
She turned. “That’s on my itinerary,” she whispered back.
“I know it is.” Josh went to pay for their passage. When he came back, she was still looking up at the tall ships, arms wrapped around herself.
“Come on, time to have some fun.” They boarded the wooden schooner, built some time back in early 1900. When they set out to sea, he watched the excitement on Sara’s face as she to
ok in the captain and mate setting the sails. There were a few others on board, but it wasn’t crowded like some of the ships in the water. He wanted her to see an authentic ship, not some reproduction party boat.
It was a majestic ship, its towering masts and white sails billowing in the wind. He watched Sara as she took in the fresh sea air. She stood at the deck, clutching the wooden rails. “I can’t wait to see the sunset from here,” she said. “Thank you for this. I forgot that I read my itinerary to you.” She glanced at him with a heart beat away from heaven smile on her face.
He leaned over. “I’m going to help you with your itinerary,” he said in a low voice. She gazed up, blue eyes filled with excitement. The lull of the crystal aqua water and the soothing ocean waves drew them in closer. “We’re going to cross off every single item on that list until there’s none left.”
Her eyes widened. She parted her lips and her tongue came out, striking the side of her mouth. It was all he could do not to take her right there. “Even the one thing on the list I didn’t know if I accomplished when we got drunk?” she said, her voice just above a whisper.
He nodded.
She blushed.
“It could take me a year to do every single thing on the list.”
“Two weeks.” At the most, if he could last that long.
Sara threw her head back and laughed out loud, blonde hair blowing in the salty ocean breeze. She leaned back a bit and then became enthralled when the crew released the homing doves. She turned all of a sudden. “I want to see the captain.” As if she just thought up something new, Josh followed along through the small crowd to the helm. He loved how she embraced every little adventure.
“Can I steer the wheel?” he heard her say to the Captain. Josh stood back as she enjoyed being at the wheel, steering the ship. He stuck his hands deep in his pockets, because he wanted to grab a hold of the man whose arms draped around Sara’s shoulder, teaching her how to navigate. He hated the jealousy that rose up and tried hard not to show it because she looked like she enjoyed every bit of the lesson.
“Want some conch chowder?” he asked. What a stupid thing to say. At the bar, the crew served it to the guests, along with complimentary drinks.
She looked up. He stared at the arm positioned across her shoulder. His hands were deep in his pockets, clenched. He followed the arm up to the captain, whose sun-kissed face knew Josh seethed with jealousy. He wanted to wipe the smirk off the man’s face but he shoved his hands deeper in his pockets. As an expert in self control, Josh knew when to adjust a wrong train of thought. It seemed harder to do with Sara.
“Chowder?” she questioned. Sara looked at the captain and then back at Josh and nodded. “Oh yes, we should have some.” She ducked out from under the other man’s arm and reached out her hand to Josh. He let out a deep breath and took her hand as they made their way to the galley. Josh couldn’t help a look back at the captain who was staring after them. His brow shot up in victory right before the other man looked away.
Josh grinned. He was going to enjoy that bowl of conch chowder.
Just as promised, the vessel crept through the water as the soothing ocean waves slapped against its wooden exterior. The two stood at the rail once again as the fiery sun disappeared from view. “It takes my breath away,” she said, reaching out to touch Josh’s hand. He draped an arm around her, enjoying the tranquil waters of the Atlantic ocean. Everyone on the ship became solemn as they watched the sun make its dramatic departure. Then a loud cheer went up. It echoed from the depths of the waters as passengers on other sail boats cheered to the mighty sun.
“We have to kiss again,” Sara told him and then lifted her face up to his. He wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her against him, his mouth over hers in a gentle kiss. She clung on to his neck and when he pulled back, she smiled up at him. “A perfect kiss.”
“The perfect end to a romantic sail,” he told her.
“You know how to drop me to my knees.”
Josh smiled. “My pleasure. One more item off that list.”
She laughed out loud and he realized he waited once again in anticipation for the giggle and sigh at the end.
The mood began to change as music filled the air and wine and champagne flowed. The soul music had most people dancing away as the ship headed back to the dock. Sara’s hips began to sway to the music and then joined in with a few other women who were dancing together. She turned to smile his way several times, her face glowing and he patted himself on the back for a successful night out.
What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt a bit. The reason he got so angry when he saw Art Shepherd couldn’t be helped. He knew the moment he laid eyes on Shepherd the agency had become involved. After talking with Shepherd he learned that the man who sat in the garden with a book reader worked for Darian Lane.
Josh’s sister was smack in the middle of Darian Lane’s operations, along with Sara’s brother. How did Lane manage to plant a man at the Inn With No Name? Which just happened to be smack dab in the middle of Duval street. Close to the docks and a major festival going on in town. He’d been in this business too long and could smell a major operation taking place.
He took Sara away from the Inn tonight for a reason. When he found out the agency planted Shepherd to keep an eye on Darian Lane’s man, Josh insisted they bring more surveillance equipment in. The installation took place while they were out. He wanted to know what the man was doing there and wanted to protect the guests as well, but most of all Sara.
Josh had a gut wrenching feeling he was being pulled back in to undercover work once again. The agency knew he’d do anything for Sophie. They didn’t know about Sara and he wanted to keep it that way.
He wasn’t quite sure how to play this. He liked Sara a lot. Watching her dance on the wooden deck, upturned face in the wind, his chest tightened a bit. He had every intention of being honest. Earlier today when they shared that kiss in the kitchen, he pulled away because he couldn’t keep deceiving her. After a long walk, he decided to share the connection to Morgan.
It seemed like a great plan, until Art Shepherd showed up in the gardens.
Sara lifted her hands in the air and flung her head back. He pushed himself away from the rail and sauntered closer, unable to resist her any longer. His arms went around her from behind and swung her around. She kicked her heel up and shrieked, playful eyes daring him to dance. So he did.
<><>
Sara felt strong arms around her. It turned out to be the perfect end to a night of bliss. She began to pout when the ship returned dockside.
Arm in arm they left the sail boat. “I’m sorry it’s over,” she told Josh.
He twirled her around on the pier. “It doesn’t have to be over. Let’s get a drink.”
She laughed. “That’s what got us in trouble last night.” She tilted her head, considering his suggestion. “Sure, one drink won’t hurt.”
Sara followed behind to the open air bar on the wharf. “This is one of the last pieces of old Key West,” Josh mentioned. He tugged on her hand and led her over to the magician’s special corner adjacent to the main bar. By luck they got a bar stool in time for the next show. Sara found out a magician put on a hilarious show for the patrons every night.
So when the magician bartender insisted they needed a drink before the show, Sara ordered a margarita. She didn’t want anything heavy, not after the night before. Josh must not have been as bad off as because he ordered a whiskey drink. She grinned and raised the glass in the air. “Cheers.”
The toast must have drawn the magician’s attention, because for the whole show he stood right in front of Sara, pulling cards from behind her ear, making her laugh out loud so much the whole bar roared. All of a sudden, she raised up two hands. “Enough! I can’t take any more.”
Josh stood up to leave and led her away much to the bartender’s dismay. Sara giggled when the magician made a remark about the fair lady leaving right before the finale.
Josh t
urned. “She’s my fair lady,” he growled. Sara gasped at the intensity in his voice. Did she hear a bit of jealousy? No, it couldn’t be, he didn’t seem like that kind of guy. In fact, he wanted her to have a good time when she didn’t want the night to end.
She stopped in her tracks. “Josh, you okay?”
He ran his hand through disheveled hair. “Yeah, I’m fine. I didn’t mean to say what I did.”
“You didn’t mean it?”
“Well, I did mean it, but I, ah Sara!” He plunged hands deep in his pockets. Then turned and walked towards the docks.
Josh was always in control of himself, Sara took a step back when he began to walk away. His shoulders were back, but yet hunched in a way that made him seem uncertain. His casual stride had her walking fast to keep up as he headed to the end of the pier. He rocked back and forth, eyes staring out in to the darkness.
She stopped right behind him and when he didn’t turn to her, she slipped away and sat with legs dangling off the wooden pier.
She felt him sit down beside her. He didn’t say a word, just picked up her hand on her lap and entwined his fingers with hers. “I’m afraid in just this short time, my feelings for you are out of control.”
She smiled. “I know Josh. I feel the same way and I’m not too sure what to do.”
She heard his inhale. “I’m sorry about my reaction back there. I wanted to nail the magician for flirting with you.”
Sara laughed. “It’s okay. Makes a girl feel good, you know.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s not good. I know someone hurt you before. I’m sure you don’t need more chaos in your life and I won’t be the source.”
She placed her hand on his face. “Josh, you are nothing like my ex. I think it’s time we talked about him.”
The sea air whipped about her face, the wind gathering strength as the night wore on. Sara pushed her hair back and shivered. Josh pulled her to him.
“Tell me about your life before Key West.”
She sighed in his arms and drew in a deep breath. “I fell in love at twenty one, thinking he’s the one. He worked for the company where I was an administrative assistant. Cory seemed romantic and you know, I love to be romanced. We went dancing and drinking and little did I know it would become the worst nightmare ever.” She shivered thinking about their wedding. He got so drunk, he ruined the night for her when he took in a drunken state what he should have cherished.