by Cyndi Raye
When Maggie came along, he realized with her help he didn’t need to carry the burden any longer. It was something his brother Jon tried to tell him for many years. But Maggie’s love gave him the strength to forgive himself and move on. Yet he always had that fear in the back of his head and it was the reason he had a hard time with marriage. He was afraid to ask her, scared he would destroy her like he thought he destroyed his Mother’s life. A bad omen.
Until their road trip, the best time of his life, ever. He stood at the window as the rain pelted against the glass. The ocean looked angry as the waves swirled and hurled toward the shore. Jake looked up to the heavens and sent out a sincere prayer. If Maggie were to live through this and come back to him, he’d whisk her away and make their relationship legal. He knew he always put things off, but never again.
He leaned his head against the glass of the window. First she was kidnapped by a drug dealer and secret agent on their road trip. He wound up in the hospital and couldn’t get to her. Jake thought his nerves were tested then, but now, with Mother Nature at the helm, his deepest fears once again rose to the surface. Would he ever be free from the doom he felt when Maggie was out of his arms?
The elder man’s hand rested on his shoulder. “The BKH is holed up at Dry Tortega. I heard it on the radio a second ago. They have a bad connection, but we were able to hear most of the message. Engine trouble, it sounds like. They’re hunkering down there for the night and will return at first light when the boat is fixed. Those boys know what they’re doing, she’s in good hands.”
Jake let out a deep sigh. He called the pilot he used when he needed a chopper at a moment’s notice and made arrangements to meet him at the break of dawn. He would go to Dry Tortegas himself in the morning and pick up his love. “Where do you want to meet?” he asked the pilot. Jake got the directions where the chopper would land and thanked the couple.
“Son, you can’t go out in this. At least have some dinner and wait until the storm dies down. We’d love to have some company.”
Jake nodded. “I’m sorry, yes. I’ll stay.” He didn’t know if he could eat anything but since this couple did give him shelter from the storm, he would try. He answered the kind couples questions, but his heart wasn’t in it. He pushed the food around on his plate and then after much effort, he excused himself. “I apologize. I’m not good company tonight. Thank you for your hospitality.”
The older woman got up. “Nonsense. You go sit right in there on that chair and get some rest. You look exhausted. Jake didn’t have the energy to argue. These people were like grandparents. The older captain grinned at his wife’s attempts to mother Jake. He shook his head.
“You’ll have to let her, son. She’s missing her boys. We have three grown sons who moved away from the area. When they do come home, which is only a few times a year, she dotes on them. Always has. Best thing is to let her ‘til the storm passes, then you can be on your way.”
Jake agreed. The two talked for some time about the captain’s own charter business. He had been in the Keys for thirty years. He started when he was in his twenties, fishing back then and selling the fish to wholesalers. “It was a good living son. I’m semi-retired now so I take fishermen out a few times a week. It’s all I need any more to get by. Great life here in the Keys, right baby?”
His wife sat in a recliner by the window reading. She looked up. “Oh yes, love, it’s a great life.” He listened to them as they talked about their dreams and how they made most of them come true, no matter what the circumstances.
Jake wondered how Maggie and him would be years from now? His heart ached for her. He needed to see her, feel her and know she was safe but he couldn’t let the fear rise up again. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“We still have some romance left in us, don’t we love?”
The captain nodded. “You bet baby. One of these days I’m going to take you on one of those cruises you’ve been asking for. You wait and see.” He winked at his woman and she blushed. He looked at Jake. “She wants to take a Mediterranean cruise. See Paris and all those European countries.”
Jake looked at the captain. He was good at reading people and knew the man didn’t have the money to make his love’s dreams come true, even though he promised he would do it someday. Would they ever get to go? By the time the older man saved enough money for a cruise that expensive, their health could take a toll. Jake knew life was too short.
They were a kind couple who took him in out of a bad storm. He could afford to give them a trip of a lifetime. Jake could tell the captain was a proud man so he wouldn’t offer him the means to pay for the trip in front of his wife. He’d surprise them later. He listened to the lull of the couple’s voices as they spoke to each other and his eyes began to droop.
<><>
The charter boat rocked and bobbed in the water as Maggie held her head between her knees. She didn’t realize how sea sick she could be until this happened. At least she could breathe easier now. The men had the ship under control and began to steer it towards the Dry Tortegas. She wanted to visit the old fort but not like this.
The charter boat began to settle a bit as the storm became weaker. Maggie got up and looked out the window as a steady rain fell. The deck was dark since the lights didn’t work. Back-up batteries kept the marine radio on and she was glad to hear Ben tell someone on land they made it through the storm. Two oil lanterns were lit now that the rocky waters settled down. One of the guys hung a lamp on each side of the bridge. Maggie could see much better. She felt a bit safer.
Ben stood beside her. “Hang in for a bit longer. We’ll land on Garden Key with in minutes.” His voice was gentle and soothed some of her fears.
“Thanks Ben. This was one of the scarier events of my life. You have a good team of guys here.”
He grinned. “One of them? You’ve had scarier?”
“Yes, sure have. How about being kidnapped by a drug dealer, along with an undercover agent in your grandmother’s pink classic car?”
Ben roared. “Not sure I can beat that, I’m afraid.” He went out to help the others who were on deck to check for damage.
One of the crew spoke up before following Ben out the door. “Don’t let him fool you. My pal Ben’s been through things in Afghanistan most men would crumble up and die. He faced death in the face many times. The man is one of a kind.”
His words did make her feel safer. Even so, Maggie couldn’t wait until they landed and she could get off the water. Within minutes, as Ben promised, the charter boat slid in to the boat slip at the Dry Tortugas. Chaos began again as two of the men slipped down to the engine room to fix the damage. They took one of the lanterns along so Ben equipped them each with a large flash light and extra batteries. He dug out two tents from a storage cabinet.
“Let’s see if we can find some type of shelter. I’m sure the Fort is locked up, but there is a small camping area on the south side of Fort Jefferson,” he told the men. Maggie followed behind, the rain now a mist against her pale, cool skin. She shivered even though it wasn’t one bit cold. The night was dark tonight and she was getting weary. Since she didn’t go out to dinner as planned, Maggie’s stomach growled. Hungry, tired and lonely for Jake.
She stumbled a few times and before she realized, Ben was there with an arm over her shoulder to steady her. He brushed his mouth over hers in a quick kiss. She pulled away, uncertain what his intentions were. “I’m sorry, Ben, it’s awkward. I’m in love with someone.”
She heard Ben sigh. “I know, Jake. I get it Mag, I’m sorry, I knew that and still tried to win your heart. Let’s start all over as friends. I won’t hit on you unless you want me to.”
Maggie gave him a genuine smile. She giggled. “I think it’s adorable to be hit on and you’ve been doing your best. I agree. Let’s be friends. Since you call me Mag, should I call you B?”
Ben chuckled. “You can call me anything you like. B it is.” He gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder and place
d his hand on her arm to help steer her through the dark night. Maggie felt better now they understood each other. She doubted he would try to hit on her again. Ben seemed like an honest guy and she could get through the night much easier now.
They made it to the camp ground where one lone camper was already hunkered down in a small tent. They could see a glow inside the tent and decided to set up right beside it. Maggie watched in fascination as the five men put up two tents within minutes. They didn’t mess around, but worked together like a team of experts.
She stood there with her arms around herself and watched. When they were finished, Ben told her they didn’t have much in blankets but if she stayed put, some of the men would go back and get the two sleeping bags and supplies on board. Before she knew what happened the men were gone and back within minutes. “That was quick! Why did it seem like it took forever to get here before?’ she wondered out loud.
“Because you’re tired and need to eat something,” one of the guys told her. He handed her a lightweight blanket, and she covered her shoulders with it. It felt warm and took the chill away.
The camper came out and spoke to Ben. He started up the grill the park provided with his own charcoal and offered to cook something for them. “Name’s Johnny,” he told the others. “Staying here for three days. Wife’s gone on a berserker again and I ain’t going home until she calms down.”
Ben and Maggie looked at each other and almost laughed out loud. Johnny had long, blonde hair that hung down his back. He wore a pair of cut off jeans that had seen better days and a tank top with a rock band emblazoned across the front. He stood at the grill and poked the embers, stirring them up with a utensil. “She gets in these moods every now and again, wants me to stop smoking my hootie hoot. This here is the only thing that keeps me calm when she’s around.”
Maggie listened to the guy go on and on. There was a picnic table in the camp and she sat on the bench, the solar blanket warming up her chilled body. Johnny offered his hootie hoot cigarette to her but she shook her head. The others declined as well.
One of the guys working on the engine stumbled over to the site and when Johnny saw more men, he threw a few more hot dogs on the grill. “We don’t want to take your food,” Maggie told him.
His head nodded up and down in slow motion. A grin went from one ear to the other. “No problem. I bring plenty of food along each time, more than I ever need. I loaded up two coolers this time. I usually run in to someone who needs food and you are the lucky people this time.” He called for everyone to grab a dog off the grill.
Maggie was surprised when Ben got her a hot dog and brought it over to her. He sat down on the bench opposite her and watched as she ate. A resigned look came over his face. His elbow leaned against the table and he tilted his head. “If you ever dump Jake, look me up Maggie.”
“Ah Ben, you are a sweetheart but I’m lost on Jake. All I want is to be in his arms right now.”
“Hey, can’t blame a man for trying,” he joked in a serious way.
Maggie laughed. “I think it’s more like flirting, B. As I get to know you, I see the type of man who takes what he wants. You’re like the thunderstorm we went through. A cyclone that comes in and sweeps a lady off her feet.”
“I sense there’s more to this than what you are saying.”
She nodded. “Then when you get what you want, you slip away into the abyss and on to the next adventure.”
He stretched and flexed his muscles, on purpose, Maggie was certain. He couldn’t help be a flirt even if she didn’t want him.
“You are perceptive. What makes you think you know me?” he asked. He leaned across the table and stared in to her eyes.
Maggie sighed. “B, I’m a romance writer and I’ve written about guys like you many times.”
He grinned. “Then what’s in store for me Mag? Can I be helped? Will I ever have a love like I want with you?”
She put her hot dog down and leaned closer to him. “I’ve got news for you B. One of these days you will meet someone who will knock you to your knees and your flirting ways will come to an end. She’ll have your heart where you can’t take a breath without thoughts of her. Your heart will ache with wanting her in your arms and the world around you will cease to exist.”
B looked doubtful. “Like I am feeling towards you?” he said but she knew his words were shallow. He wanted her because she belonged to someone else.
“No B. I’m taken and you know this. Nice try.”
He grinned again. “I’m glad we met Mag. You tell me like it is. Your Jake is one lucky guy.”
“I hope he isn’t out in this storm. It would be like Jake to hunt me down.”
“I doubt he can. No one is fool enough to go out in this weather until the sea calms down. We got lucky and are now behind the storm, but we’re almost ninety miles from Key West. It’s still too strong to leave the island, although it could stop as fast as it started.”
Maggie shivered. She hoped B was right.
Chapter 4
Maggie woke to hear the sounds of birds as they chirped away and the ocean waves splashing against the sandy beach. She peeked out of the tent to see the men already awake, sharing a cup of coffee Johnny made. He was still in his blue jean shorts and now wore a colorful tie-died tank top. His hair hung down his back in a pulled back pony tail.
Johnny stood at the grill again, cooking up what smelled like fresh fish when she stumbled over to the picnic table. “Welcome to this beautiful morning,” Johnny shouted as he held the spatula up in the air and smiled at the sun. “It’s a great day to be alive!”
Maggie groaned. Her hair was a mess and certain muscles ached from head to toe. She spent an uncomfortable night in the tent as she tossed and turned until she fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. “Coffee, help.”
The other men laughed and before Maggie knew it, a fresh cup landed in front of her. She wrapped both hands around the tin cup and lifted it to her mouth. She closed her eyes to take the first sip. “Heaven,” she moaned.
When she opened her eyes, Ben stared at her, a pained look on his face. He shook his head. “Dam, he’s one lucky guy.” He turned away and headed towards the moat walls, where he could snorkel off the coaling docks. She noticed before he went in the water he put on snorkel equipment and plunged in to the water. “That looks like fun.”
“I have equipment here if you want to explore. It’s going to be another forty five minutes or so until we can leave,” one of the other crewmen told her. He was about to take down their tents from the night before.
Maggie placed the flippers on her feet and grabbed the mask and snorkel and ran to the moat walls. She stripped off her top and shorts to reveal a two piece bikini she wore underneath her clothes. She put it on as an after thought yesterday before heading out in case she wanted to get some sun in Key West. Glad now she thought to wear a suit, she adjusted the mask over her eyes and plunged in to the water.
B swam ahead of her, his muscular body close to the coral reefs. She swam down a bit more and came up behind him. Maggie thought he didn’t see her but realized this was a man who was aware of his surroundings.
He nodded to her and then pointed towards a school of grey snapper that whizzed by. Maggie swam among the brilliant display of fish around the coral reef. There were so many yellow small mouthed grunts and gravy angelfish that swam through the reefs ignoring the humans who watched.
After some time, B pointed to his watch. She nodded and headed back to the surface. The rush of morning air hit her in the face and the sun and sea breeze kissed her skin. Johnny was right, it was a great day to be alive. B surfaced and removed his mask.
“After the ordeal last night, this is heaven,” Maggie told him. She looked over to find Ben’s eyes on her. A chopper sounded in the distance but Maggie didn’t pay much attention.
“Seems as if the world is alive,” Ben mentioned. He let his eyes drift from Maggie’s face down to her toes.
“B, don’t even sta
rt your flirting ways with me,” she joked. She punched him on the arm, her playful mood catching. Ben grabbed her around the waist and swung her in circles in the water until she became dizzy. “Put me down, you fool!” she cried out.
When he let her go she flew through the air in to the ocean with a splash. As she came up out of the water, laughing and shouting, she noticed a helicopter land on the helipad a few hundred feet away. “We have visitors,” she shouted over the noise. In the back of her mind she knew it had to be Jake. He would come for her. A smile the size of the Mississippi River crossed her cheeks when she realized she was right. She pushed through the heavy water towards her love.
He stood on the moat wall, his feet planted inches apart, his arms at his sides. A gentle breeze whipped his white tee shirt as it rippled across those hard muscles she loved. “Jake!” she yelled, waving her arms back and forth as she tried to move faster through the water. He didn’t wave back and the closer she got to the coaling dock, she saw the angry look on his face.
