by Sue Seabury
“I have a dishwasher for that.”
“Well, wipe down the tables then?” Kat picked up a fresh towel.
Hugo put his hand on hers. “Please. I need to be alone to think. If you stay, I will be too distracted.”
Kat released the towel, grabbed his arms and pulled him into a kiss. The connection contained so much electricity, Kat imagined they lit up spotlights and turned on the karoke machine. She must be crazy because she heard Anne Murray’s “You Needed Me” playing to a salsa beat.
The kiss was too brief. Hugo backed away, his eyes wide with distress. “I can’t. I can’t. Don’t you see?”
“I see an empty patio.” She leaned in on tiptoe again. “And a clock that says it’s my birthday.”
He stepped back. “Katherine, I could lose this place.”
Kat sank down on her heels. “Of course. How selfish of me.”
“It’s not selfish, it’s nothing you’ve done. I just . . . I need to think about how to handle this and I can’t with you here. I seriously can’t. All I can think about is how thin the fabric of your dress is, and how soft your skin . . . “ He swallowed hard.
Every fiber of Kat’s being told her to attack him like a tigress. Apparently even being stone cold sober didn’t fix that problem.
She took another step back to try to lessen the pull. It didn’t work. She turned sideways so she could only see a sliver of his body. That helped. “I understand. I’ll let you go. I’ll say a prayer tonight that this all works out.”
“You say prayers before bed?” His tone said he was charmed.
“Not often, but tonight calls for it.”
“Say one that the hurricane goes the right way too.” His adam’s apple bobbed. He took her hand and kissed it. She walked away, her arms feeling weightless. Knowing he still cared, and fantasizing about stolen kisses — and possibly more — almost made her forget about storms and prison sentences.
31
Kat awoke to a beautiful sunrise, birds chirping and Josie snoring next to her. It was her birthday and she wasn’t going to waste a single minute of it. She hadn’t done her morning exercises in days. Today was the perfect day for yoga on the beach.
She combed her hair into a ponytail, brushed her teeth and put on mascara, just in case. Then she threw on a white racer tee and her black running skort because it was sexier than shorts, and slipped out the door with the tiniest of clicks.
It was windy, and clouds were building. No matter. A breeze would help keep her cool and she wouldn’t have to squint into the sun.
Down on the beach, the wind was stronger. Grains of sand blew into her face when she did Down Dog pose. She went over to the pier and tried again, but the wooden slats hurt her hands. Then she got a splinter. She gave up and went back to her room to search for a pair of tweezers.
Josie was up. Surprising.
“Pete woke me.”
“Ah.” Kat flicked her eyes around the room. “He’s not here, is he?”
“No, he’s suiting up. Rainforest today,” Josie said between splashes of water on her puffy face. “We’ll be leaving soon.” She turned to give Kat the once-over. “That what you’re wearing?”
“It’s just what I put on to go stretch, but, sure. Why not?”
Josie turned back to the mirror. “No reason. Just trying to decide for myself.”
More high schoolish insecurity. Kat felt sorry for her friend, and better about herself. At least she could get dressed without stressing about what Hugo would think. But maybe that was because he rarely wore anything more than a rectangle of fabric around his waist.
“Just put on whatever to go get coffee, and you can ask Pete for his opinion. He’s sure to have one.”
Josie’s brow unfurrowed. “Great idea. C’mon.”
“You’re going inthat?”
Josie was braless under her ‘I’m not short I’m fun size’ t-shirt. It was so small, her belly button showed and her shorts were so short, they could have passed for underwear.
“Too casual?”
“To be seen by Pete? You don’t want him to have a heart attack before the hike, do you?”
Josie giggled. “Okay, okay.” She threw on a slightly longer tee shirt. Her nipples still showed clearly. “Ready.”
Kat refrained from further comment.
The whole gang was already there. They must’ve gotten the memo about the rainforest. Happy exclamations about the upcoming trip were interspersed with comments on the previous evening. Kat was greeted warmly by all. The camaraderie seemed real this time; it had to be due to the bonding experience of outwitting the cops. The PTAs were friendly, and the Cigarbellies weren’t smoking for once. Her birthday and the rest of the vacation were looking up.
Asking about Ramsey was a good excuse to talk to Hugo. He was nowhere to be seen. Paola and Esmeralda were doing the serving.
Ten minutes passed and still no Hugo. She stopped Paola. “Where’s Hugo?”
Paola’s thick ponytail swished as she bobbed her head. “In back, cooking.”
“I don’t want to be a bother. I just wanted to ask how things turned out with Ramsey.”
“I tell him you want him.”
“That’s okay—”
Paola went into the back room.
To get a little space from the others so Hugo felt freer to talk, Kat went to the coffee station to refill her cup. After pouring, she straightened up the stirrers and the sugar packets, then carefully wiped every grain of sugar off the table. Someone was strumming a ukelele behind her. She turned.
Hugo. The instrument looked especially tiny next to his huge frame. Now the tune registered: Happy Birthday. He sang softly, his gap teeth making an appearance at the end of the song. The rest of the gang whooped and clapped, Kat included. Behind him, Paola carried a gorgeous, humongous omelette decorated with flowers.
“I hope you don’t expect me to eat all that,” Kat said.
“It’s to share.” He held out a hand. “If you will take the seat of honor.”
A wicker chair decorated with fresh flowers sat at the center of one side of the big square table.
Kat felt her cheeks get brighter. “Oh my goodness.”
“Hey, no fair!” Josie said. “I demand a time rewind so I can have my b-day here too!”
The silliness got everyone to laugh and removed the focus from Kat, which was just fine by her.
“Get over here and cut into this thing or I will,” Josie called.
Kat happily took her place, slicing the omelette and handing out plates exactly like at a child’s birthday party. That was one role she had down pat.
“You should have gotten the first piece, no?” Hugo bent his head next to hers.
“Saving the best for last.” She had just put the fork into her piece. “Except, you must want some?” She extended the plate.
He held up a hand. “Thank you; I ate. I have been up for a while now.” He looked away. The wind gusted and knocked over some glasses.
Several people yelped.
“Excuse me.” Hugo went to clean up.
Kat sighed, but told herself she had no reason to. He’d already done a lot for her. She couldn’t expect his undivided attention. Good thing they’d be away from the resort today. It would give him a chance to deal with the Ramsey problem in peace.
The conversation turned to the weather.
“Should make for an interesting hike!” Josie said.
Pete’s expression was pained as he pulled out his phone. “I’ve been watching the storm, and I hate to say this, but I don’t think we should go today.”
A general cry of protests sprang up.
Holding the dustpan full of broken glass, Hugo turned. “I am afraid Mr. Pete is right.”
The protests grew louder.
Kat still had her eyes on Hugo. He was looking down, ostensibly at the dustpan, but the way he was biting his lip, his mind was clearly elsewhere. He went behind the bar to empty it, then returned, still with the serious exp
ression.
“If I can have your attention.” His brows were furrowed, resolve in his jaw.
“I wanted you to enjoy your breakfast.” He inclined his head at Kat. “But I have more information that will not be pleasant.”
More exclamations. Hugo waited patiently for them to subside before continuing. “The storm looks like it may turn. I believe an evacuation notice will be posted either tonight or tomorrow. If I call now, I think I can get all of you on flights to Miami today, but you will have to pack and leave right away. I will issue a credit or refund your remaining time here. Your safety is my first concern.”
Talk exploded. No one listened. Kat got up and walked to Hugo. “What about Ramsey?”
“There’s a hurricane pointed at the island and you’re worried about some drug dealer?”
“I’m really sad my vacation is over, but I can’t pretend I don’t care what happens to him. Plus, it matters to you.”
Hugo gazed into her eyes for a long time. Two tiny Kats were reflected in the velvety black of his pupils. “He’s fine. His father got him released, although if I were Ramsey, I might prefer to stay in jail.”
Kat wrinkled her nose. “Is he mad at you?”
“Who? Ramsey?”
“Or his dad.”
Hugo shrugged.
“Oh, Hugo.” Kat took his hand. It felt natural, not at all like she was just making excuses to touch him. “I am so sorry.”
“I, too, am sorry to cut short our acquaintance.”
She was just an ‘acquaintance’?
“You did say a refund, right?” Sloane interrupted. After her brief time sounding like a regular human, her voice had regained its harsh edge. “Including today?”
Hugo’s blink was long. “Yes. Including today.”
Kat squeezed his hand again. “I want the credit,” she said. “Because I’m definitely coming back.”
* * * *
He was truly cursed. First with Coraly severing a tendon, then Ramsey getting arrested, and now the hurricane. He only had an hour to worry that he’d lose the resort when Ramsey’s father decided to pull his loan because he hadn’t done a good enough job keeping eye on his son. May not matter now. His beautiful resort, his perfect Retreat might be blown out to sea.
The storm also meant Katherine was leaving early. Of course, this was for the best. But he couldn’t help having selfish thoughts about her, and feeling angry about losing three days of her company.
It was pride that caused this. Someone was determined to teach him that he had no control. He turned his eyes heavenward.
32
In their room, Josie exclaimed about her bad luck while she threw things into her bags. Kat listened in silence. At least Josie’s guy was coming on the plane with them.
Speaking of. . .
Kat packed efficiently and went to find Hugo. He was at the front desk, wild hair wilder than ever as he talked into the phone.
He covered the receiver. “Yes?”
“Nothing. It can wait.” Kat wandered around the reception area, plucked a few wilted leaves from a vase of flowers and tried not to think about the last time she and Hugo had been alone at reception. It didn’t work.
She returned to the front desk, held up her dead leaves and mouthed the wordtrash. Hugo pointed behind the desk, right near him. He held out his hand which also held a pen. She shook her head, took a deep breath and went behind the desk. His musky scent was intoxicating. He moved to the side to make room for her. She put her free hand on his forearm to tell him he wasn’t in the way. The contact caused more intense feelings. Why did this have to end like this?
She let go but stayed behind the desk.
Hugo covered the receiver.
“What about you?” Kat asked. “Are you going to evacuate?”
“I must stay.”
“Why?” She slammed her hands down on the desktop. “You can’t hold the bungalows to the ground. Well, maybe one, but not all of them.”
“But I can nail up plywood on the windows and take other such measures.” He rested his free hand on hers.
Her anger changed to fear. “Hugo, it’s not safe. You shouldn’t—”
His hand slid off hers. “Excuse me.” He talked into the phone about flight details.
Her breath was short; tears threatened. She stayed a few moments longer to see if the phone conversation might be quick, but it didn’t seem that way. He didn’t look up either.
Embarrassed, Kat walked away. As soon as she was out of sight from reception, she ran. She was going to be sitting for most of the day; it was good to get some exercise in.
Back at her room, she blew past Josie and ran straight into the bathroom where she rinsed her face with cold water. Those weren’t tears on her face; it was sweat. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red. She splashed her face some more then looked up again. Better.
Until she focused on the empty space where Carver’s locket should have been. She dumped out her plastic bag of toiletries. “Hey, Josie, have you seen my locket?”
“No.”
Kat tried to breath out the rising panic. Where could it be?
“Did you bring it?” Josie called.
“Of course. I only took it off for surfing and stuff.”
What other stuff? Her memory was useless. When was the last time she’d worn it? It was stupid to be so sentimental, but that tiny locket contained so much love. If it was lost . . . She couldn’t bear to think about it.
“Think,” she said. “Use your brain.”
“My brain’s a little slow this morning,” Josie called.
“I’m talking to myself.”
“Well, I don’t think I saw you wearing it since I got here.”
Yesterday. What happened yesterday? So many things. Could she have lost it on the skinny dip? No, Josie just said she hadn’t seen it. But maybe she wasn’t paying attention. It was so much a part of Kat, she’d stopped noticing. If Carver’s locket was at the bottom of the ocean, she’d never forgive herself.
The room phone rang. Josie answered while Kat searched through her things again. She got down on her hands and knees and looked around the tile floor. Nothing.
“Sure. Got it,” Josie said. Kat heard the click of the receiver in the cradle. “The shuttles are here. We need to head out.”
Kat’s heart lurched. “Already?”
“That’s what Hugo said.”
Kat lifted her bags and trudged to the door as if it were a South American sex slave trader who had come for her.
“You sure brought a lot of stuff,” she said, taking one of Josie’s many bags.
“Well, I thought my vacation was going to last longer than a day.”
“Still.” Kat turned back just outside the door. The peacock bedspread seemed to glitter. “Adios, beautiful room.”
“Make thathasta luego,” Josie said. “’Cause we’re totally coming back.”
Kat’s cramped heart relaxed a little.
*
The reception area was a chaotic mass of baggage and people, Hugo on the far side of all of it. But she had to ask him to be on the lookout for her necklace. She hurtled bags and gave bodies gentle but firm pushes until she reached him.
“I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I lost my locket. It’s a heart, sort of cheap-looking, but it was a gift from my son and means a lot to me. So if, in between battening down the hatches, you happen to find it, please save it for me.”
Hugo nodded. “Okay—”
Loud, complaining voices cut him off.
“But it’s my favorite!” Sloane whined.
“I will keep my eyes peeled. I promise.” He took Kat’s hand and pressed something hard and smooth into it. Then he left her to deal with a more pressing tragedy: Sloane’s missing bikini bottom. Kat opened her hand. A shiny, brown-spotted cowrie shell. She slipped it into her pocket and walked outside so that he wouldn’t see her glassy eyes.
The strong wind blew fear back into her. She
wiped away the tears and, for something to do, passed luggage to the drivers.
Hugo somehow instilled order over the chaos. People were loaded into minivans. Kat found herself inside one, Josie next to her. She never even got a chance to give Hugo a hug.
She leaned forward to yell out the passenger’s side window, “Call me!”
She waved and Hugo waved back, but they were already moving, the gravel under the tires crunching. She couldn’t be sure if he’d heard.
She hadn’t said goodbye. It didn’t matter. One, because she’d be back. And two, because she didn’t want to.
Adrenaline and exclamations from the others about the weather kept her eyes dry and her attention focused on the present for the ride to the airport.
33
If the eleven of them leaving The Retreat had been chaotic, the airport teeming with thousands of panicked travelers was total mayhem. Kat helped both Queenie and Josie with their bags.
“Seriously, you two, you need to learn about the virtues of traveling light.”
She could barely hear her own voice above all the noise. Security went fast; the inspectors must have decided speed was preferable to rioting. Kat’s worry about getting hauled into an interrogation room for possession of Hugo’s shell passed.
Things were a little calmer at their gate. Josie huddled in a corner seat with Pete, so Kat kept her mind off Hugo by listening to Queenie, who always had something to say.
“I can’t believe it.” Queenie sucked her teeth.
“Me neither.”
“That chick’s out of her friggin’ mind to be wearing stripes with checks. And white after Labor Day. Unreal.”
Kat blinked, then followed Queenie’s gaze. The woman was indeed dressed in a clashy ensemble.
“Maybe she didn’t have time to spend getting dressed this morning,” Kat said.
Queenie conceded the point with an arched eyebrow, then ran a manicured hand down the tight knit black dress with square cutouts along the neckline that said she had her priorities straight. “So, what’re your plan?”
“What do you mean?” It came out rather rushed.
