by Giselle Fox
“It seems that way. The food was very good.”
“Yes, it is,” Lexi nodded.
“They’re all quite charming, though. It was a nice welcome.”
“Did you fly in through Panama City?”
Cate nodded. “Yes, and then I got the connecting flight to David. Alice picked me up this afternoon.”
“Have you met her partner?” Lexi asked.
“Todd? Yes. I’ve known him since they got together... before he got his great gig and started globe-trotting.” Cate shook her head. “To live that life, hey?”
Lexi shrugged. “I guess it seems pretty good.”
“Well, he’s always traveling, always off somewhere exotic, sailing, climbing, doing something incredibly - “
“Adventurous?” Lexi said with a smile.
“Yes!”
Lexi laughed.
“I think this winter just did me in at work,” Cate said sheepishly.
“What do you do?” Lexi asked.
“I work in insurance,” Cate said.
Lexi looked at her and nodded. “Things are beginning to make more sense.”
“I know, right? And it really is as monotonous as it sounds. Don’t let anyone try to convince you otherwise.”
“I’ll remember that.” Lexi looked up through her bangs again and then swept them behind her ear with her finger.
She was very pretty, Cate thought. Her eyes had an intensity to them. Her cheekbones were high and well-defined. Her lips were full and voluptuous. Her voice was smooth in the darkness.
“What do you do?” Cate asked.
“Contract work,” Lexi said as she played with the edge of a roof tile again. “I just finished building a site for an NGO in Nicaragua. Before that, I helped another set up a portal for their donations. Things like that.”
“Hmmm, that sounds alright,” Cate said. “Are you a programmer.”
Lexi laughed. “Of a sort. I did my undergrad in computer sciences. I probably should have kept going but... I don’t know. I could never imagine myself working in a tech park for the rest of my life, you know?”
“You came here instead?”
“Other places before here, but yeah, I’m here now.”
“Looking for adventure?” Cate laughed.
“I like a little adventure, sure,” Lexi grinned.
“So tell me, what is there for me to do around here? I expect I’ll be up a lot earlier than Alice.”
“There’s lots to do. You have beach, mountain, city, country, hot and humid or temperate. What do you like to do?”
“How about all of it?” Cate laughed.
Lexi smiled at her. “That’s possible too.”
Cate thought of her friend. She’d be sleeping in until the afternoon and nursing a swollen head with the amount she had to drink. She sighed heavily.
“Oh dear. Trouble already?” Lexi said as she watched her.
Cate lowered her voice. “Alice had a lot to drink tonight. If I know her, she’ll be sleeping it off until late.”
“Well, nothing is stopping you from checking things out on your own, right?”
“No, I suppose not,” Cate said.
Lexi played with the edge of the roof tile and seemed to assess her options for a moment. “I tell you what,” she said suddenly “I was going to take the boat out tomorrow...”
“You have a boat?” Cate asked excitedly.
Lexi smile back at her. “It’s nothing special, but it works. If you like, I can show you some of the islands around Boca Chica. It’s really pretty.”
“Really? You would do that? I mean, I don’t want to impose on your day.”
Lexi held up her hand. “Hey, I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want you to come along. It’s always fun to have some company.”
Cate thought about it for a second longer. She knew it was her best chance at seeing some sights and having a little fun. “Thank you. It sounds perfect. Should I meet you somewhere?”
“How about I pick you up downstairs tomorrow morning at nine. Is that too early?”
“No, nine is perfect,” Cate said. “Thank you, again.”
Lexi stood up and looked back up the sloping roof toward her rooftop apartment.
“Oh my God, I can’t watch! Please be careful, I really want to have my tour tomorrow,” Cate said.
“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll see you tomorrow, Cate.” Lexi smiled and ran up the roof and swung around the turret. She gave her a little wave from the top.
What a fascinating woman, Cate thought to herself. She went inside and laid down on her bed. With a smile on her face, she fell asleep.
CHAPTER FOUR
Cate woke when the sun hit the windows of her bedroom. She stretched against the sheets and listened for signs of life from across the hall. Alice was probably dead to the world, she thought and decided to risk boiling some water for coffee. She remembered the instant packet she kept in her purse for emergencies.
She threw on some clothes and stepped out into the hallway. She heard no sounds from the room across the hall so she pressed her ear to the door. She imagined her friend on the other side with the same mask and earplugs she’d worn in college and decided that boiling water was probably safe.
With a cup of instant coffee steaming in her hand, she closed her bedroom door and sat out on her little balcony. The day was already heating up. She looked up at the turret where Lexi had sat the night before and realized just how terribly high and exposed it was. The slope of the clay roof that Lexi had nimbly walked up and down was steep enough to give her a twisting of sensation in her stomach. It was a strange way to have made a friend but she was glad it had happened the way it did. She wondered what it would be like spending the day with someone she’d just met. She thought briefly to Alice’s warnings about her. Cate had known Alice to be strange with people before, and even a little territorial. More likely, it was just the margaritas talking.
When her coffee was done, Cate went back inside and deposited her cup in the sink. There were still no signs of life from Alice’s room. She decided to risk a quick shower before her day out.
At nine am, she took the steps down and waited out front of the building. A minute later, Lexi pulled up in an old army issue Jeep. It was entirely open except for a small canvas canopy above the front seats that offered a little shade. Lexi pulled onto the sidewalk a little to leave some passing room while Cate climbed in.
“Good morning,” Lexi smiled. “Did you bring your bathing suit?”
“I did,” Cate grinned. “And sunscreen, bug spray, water, running shoes and a few other essentials.”
“Perfect. It’s going to be a great day. Clear skies until tonight.”
“That means it’ll be hot, I bet.”
Lexi grinned. “It’ll be nice out on the water.”
When Cate had finished buckling herself in, they were off. She looked around the inside of the Jeep. It was stripped down to the essentials. The old metal frame rattled over the bumpy roads. Lexi handled the temperamental transmission with finesse.
Behind her seat was strapped an old metal cooler that was missing most of its red paint. Lexi’s canvas backpack was also strapped behind it. There was some fishing gear beside that.
“Are you planning on doing some fishing?”
Lexi tucked some of her unruly dark hair behind her ear. “I was hoping to catch us some lunch. There are a few good spots I know.”
Cate was thrilled. “Fantastic.”
“I also have a few things in the cooler in case nothing bites. You never know.”
It was turning into a longer trip than she’d expected but Cate watched the tropical scenery go by with a satisfied smile.
They pulled into the marina and parked. Lexi threw her backpack around her shoulders and buckled it at her waist, then she hoisted the cooler from behind her seat.
“I can take a side if it’s heavy,” Cate offered as she slung her own backpack around her shoulders.
Lexi’
s fishing boat had as much vintage charm as her Jeep. It was as equally stripped down to the essentials. Cate could tell it had seen a lot of use. She sat back on one of the wood slat seats and stayed out of Lexi’s way as she prepared for their departure.
“You’ve done this a few times, I can tell,” Cate said as she watched her. Lexi moved smoothly and efficiently as if she could do it in her sleep.
Lexi smiled. “I bought this boat a little while after I moved here. I got a super deal and couldn’t resist. Some of the nicest beaches at this end of the country are out on the islands.”
“Where did you learn to fish?” Cate asked.
Lexi smiled again. “I’ve been fishing since I was a kid. My grandfather used to take me out almost every weekend in the summer.”
“That sounds nice,” Cate said.
Lexi smiled to herself as if she was remembering old times. “He made me do it all myself too. If I wanted to go out with him, I had to do the dirty part, same as him.”
Cate had never skinned a fish before but she was keen to learn how.
She pointed to the grill on the boat. “Is that how you plan to cook our lunch?”
“It is,” Lexi grinned.
“Then I sure hope we’re lucky.”
Lexi untied the last of the lines and jumped onto the bow. She steered the craft through the narrow channel and out into open water. Cate sat on the bench next to her behind the windscreen as they powered through the calm blue waters.
Lexi looked over at her and smiled. Cate smiled back. The temperature out on the water was perfect and she felt instantly revived. Lexi pointed out to a small group of islands ahead and leaned closer so that she could hear. “That’s where we’re headed. We can drop a crab trap and then head over to my secret fishing spot.”
“It won’t be secret anymore,” Cate grinned.
“No,” Lexi laughed. “I suppose it won’t. Maybe I should blindfold you.” Her eyes sparkled in the sun. Then she tucked another loose strand of hair behind her ear.
When they got a bit closer, Lexi slowed the boat down. “Anywhere here is usually good,” she said. As The boat bobbed gently on the water, she prepared the trap.
“Crabs love a nice raw chicken thigh,” she said as she tucked the bait inside the trap. Then she tossed the cage over the side. “One trap should do it,” she said.
She bent over the side and washed her hands in the water. Her t-shirt ruffled in the breeze and revealed the tanned skin of her back.
“I should put some more sunscreen on,” Cate thought out loud.
“Better safe than fried,” Lexi laughed.
“You’re so brown. I guess that happens after awhile.”
“It doesn’t take long. You’ll be golden by the time you leave.”
“As long as I don’t turn pink first.”
Cate pulled her spray-on sunscreen from the pocket in her pack and applied some more to her legs.
“Want me to get your shoulders?” Lexi offered.
“If you wouldn’t mind. I’ll end up getting it all over my shirt otherwise.” She handed Lexi the bottle and turned her back.
“Um... want to lift your hair? I’ll get your neck too,” Lexi said behind her.
“Thanks,” Cate said. It all felt so suddenly intimate now that they were standing there alone on the water. Lexi’s hands were on her shoulders smoothing the spray under the straps of her tank top. She rubbed in long strokes over her shoulder blades and then up the length of her neck. Her hands felt warm and strong.
“Here you go,” Lexi said as she handed back the bottle. Her black waves blew gently in the breeze.
“Thank you,” Cate said and placed the bottle back in the front pocket of her bag.
Lexi rested one knee on the bench as she waited for Cate to sit down. “Okay,” she said.
They powered over to another island and then slowed as they drew nearer. Cate could see a barren stretch of yellow sandy beach ahead.
“That’s a nice spot. Hardly anyone ever comes to this side.”
“Perfect,” Cate said. If seclusion was what they were after, this was about as quiet as they would ever find. Cate hadn’t seen another boat or person since they’d left the marina.
“There’s a waterfall about ten minutes inland. Not a big one, but it’s still pretty nice. Want to check it out?”
“Sure,” Cate said.
“I’m just going to drop a line while we’re here. Let’s see if we can snag some lunch.”
Cate watched as Lexi fastened her lure and cast her line out into the water. Lexi sat back on her bench with her feet up on the side of the boat. Cate tucked herself along the padded bench at the back and laid down. The sun was warm above her but the cool ocean breeze took the intensity out of it. The lapping sounds against the boat and the gentle roll of the waves felt soothing enough to lull her to sleep. When she opened her eyes, Lexi was watching her from under her dark bangs.
“I could almost fall asleep,” Cate said as she sat up.
“It’s the water. It’s like being rocked in a hammock.” She pretended to nod off and fall asleep.
Cate smiled. “Do you come out here by yourself, usually?”
“Usually, yes. But I have brought other people out here too. Yolanda’s kids come out with me sometime. Her son showed me the waterfall.”
“Nice.”
“But yeah, mostly it’s just me.”
“Do you get lonely?”
Lexi laughed. “No, not usually. I see enough people at the restaurant. I like my alone time.”
Cate thought about her sitting up on her turret the night before and how calm she seemed in her own skin.
Lexi looked back over the water and then pointed to something further out. “Look, dolphins.”
Cate shielded her eyes from the sun and gazed out over the water. “I see them, there!” she pointed.
“That’s a good sign. They’ll drive the fish this way.” She sat up in her chair and readied herself. “Come on baby, take a bite.” As if she’d willed it to happen, a few minutes later something did bite. Lexi fought with it for a few minutes, letting out her line, then slowly reeling it in. Cate stood beside her and watched over the side until she could see the shimmering silvery form of a fish below the surface.
“It’s a sea bass!” Lexi said happily. “Grab the net over there.”
Cate pulled it from its hooks on the side of the boat and slid it into the water.
“Perfect. Okay, let’s pull her in.”
Cate watched with grim fascination as Lexi got to work on the messy bit of cleaning the fish. But in no time, the fish was gutted and masterfully filleted on ice inside the cooler. She felt compelled to help clean up since she’d done nothing more than hold the net but Lexi insisted that only one of them needed fish hands.
“Yech, got some on my shirt,” Lexi said as she inspected the bloody splotch on her tank top.
She pulled it over her head without another word. Cate was shocked to see just how muscular she was now that her body was exposed. Tiny tight muscles rippled along her ribs and down her abdomen. Beneath the thin straps of her turquoise bikini top was a cascade of lean muscles that ran from her shoulders down her back. Cate suddenly realized she was staring and looked away, shyly.
Lexi looked at her from under her bangs and grinned. “Good thing I brought another shirt,” she said and went to her bag.
“Good thing,” Cate agreed.
Lexi sat down on the bench at the back of the boat and began to rummage through her backpack. As she bent forward, Cate’s eyes were pulled the plump curves behind her bikini top. She stole a few glances but managed to look away before Lexi found what she was looking for and stood up again.
“So tell me, Cate. Got anyone special back home?” Lexi asked.
Cate was about to say no until she realized that wasn’t entirely true. “I sort of have a boyfriend,” she answered but it came out without a hint of excitement. “Funny. I’d almost forgot all about him.”
“No. He can never make it,” Cate said. “It’s not going anywhere. I may have experienced the last straw the night I booked my flight here.”
Lexi looked at her. Her eyes were kind and non-judgmental. “Well, if you’re not happy...”
“Truth is, I’m indifferent. It sounds awful and heartless, I know, but he’s the same. The only reason we’re together is because we haven’t bothered to break up yet. But it’s coming.” She looked at Lexi again and smiled. “You asked a simple question and now I’m over-sharing.”
“Do you live together?”
Cate laughed. “God, no! We wouldn’t last a week in the same apartment.” She looked back into Lexi’s eyes.
“Sounds like you know what you need to do,” she said.
Cate laughed again. “Does it? It’s easy to see the truth from a distance.”
Lexi nodded.
“Anyway, enough about that. I’m here to get away from all... that,” she said and waved it off. “How about you, Lexi. Is there anyone special in your life?”
Lexi shook her head. “Nope.”
Cate looked at her through squinted eyes. “You seem pretty fine with that.”
“Like I said, I don’t mind being on my own.”
“A man would probably cramp your style.”
Lexi laughed and gave Cate a funny look. “Can’t argue with you there.”
“It drives me bonkers, really. At my age, every woman around me is either talking about getting married or planning to get married or they’ve just gotten married or they are unhappy with their marriages. I sit there sometimes nodding and trying to feel sympathetic, or trying to get excited for them and I just… don’t get it.”
“Sounds like the whole marriage thing just isn’t for you.”
“No, I guess that’s it. I’m just feeling the pressure since my sister got married. My parents have been asking me for the last year whether Peter is going to make his move. As if it’s his move to make... I mean, gah! The whole thing is just so tediously predictable.”
“Some women like that sort of thing. We’re not all built the same.”