One Way Ticket

by Tricia O'Malley

  “I’m not your peep show, you know.”

  “I was just coming to offer you a coconut for some fresh juice this morning.” Jack shrugged. “I believe I mentioned pulling the shades yesterday?”

  “You did. But I didn’t expect anyone to be creeping around this early.”

  The grin on Jack’s face widened. It didn’t help that he was back to just wearing a low-slung pair of board shorts, and his tanned chest rippled with muscles. It was hard to be mad at him when her mind immediately slipped to other more interesting pursuits.

  “It’s hardly creeping when there are dozens of other cottages around you. You’ll learn most island people are up early as it helps to get things done before the heat of the day settles in.”

  “Is that why people siesta in the afternoon?” Paige asked.

  “Yes, you’ll find most places close for a longer lunch here as well. Typically an hour and a half to two hours.”

  “Were you really bringing me a coconut?” Paige leaned against the door frame and narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I was. Maybe I can charm you into staying around longer than the last coordinator.”

  “The one who stole from you?” Paige crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against her doorway.

  “Ah, yes. That one.”

  “I thought you kicked her out.” Paige wandered closer to him and tilted her head to look up at his face. His eyes weren’t shaded by sunglasses today and the bright blue popped in his tanned face. “Which I do not blame you for at all, by the way. I just hope you don’t hold me accountable for her past mistakes.”

  Jack grimaced and crouched at her feet, motioning for her to step back as he swung the machete down onto the coconut’s shell.

  “I have no problem letting someone prove themselves. But CeCe’s track record in hiring people is less than stellar.” Thwack! Another cut into the hull.

  “Is that so?”

  “It is.” Thwack! “And I’m the one who ends up cleaning up the messes.”

  “I’m sorry. That has to be annoying.”

  “Frustrating.” Thwack! A splinter of the hull went flying and Paige stepped back uneasily. “But I’m used to it by now. It just sometimes takes me a minute to recalibrate.”

  “So… you think I’m a bad decision,” Paige said.

  Jack stood and turned, handing her the coconut that had now been cut open so she could drink from the core.

  “Drink and I’ll cut the meat out once you are finished.”

  “Thank you.” Paige accepted the coconut and brought it to her lips, enjoying the simple flavor of fresh coconut water. She’d always bought the little packaged cartons of coconut water sold at the yoga studio, but it was much better straight from the source.

  “I don’t know that you’re a bad decision as of yet,” Jack said, standing and tossing the machete back and forth lightly in his hands. Paige wondered if he had any idea how intimidating he looked. “We will need a point person for the retreats, and I’ve been told my customer service skills are lacking.”

  “Shocking,” Paige murmured and was rewarded with a laugh.

  “I can be good with the guests. I just prefer to interact with them in small doses. Plus, there’s always a million things to get done around here so my time is limited.”

  “What exactly is it you do?” Paige asked and then drained the coconut of its juice. Handing it back to him, she watched as he crouched and brought the machete up into the air again.

  “A little bit of everything. I guess you could say I’m the manager. I look over the accounts, help with orders, meet with the cleaning staff, maintenance…that kind of thing.”

  “You’re a one-man show, it sounds like.”

  “I have to be. That’s one thing you’ll learn about island life – that you have to be adaptable.”

  “I can adapt.” Paige did a little curtsy in her sarong. “I am here to serve, good sir.”

  “Thank god. We need the help. As you can see, it’s a bit of a skeleton staff and retreats can be…demanding.”

  “Trust me, I know. Try running retreats for rich Californian’s who’d rather take influencer photos than meditate and be quiet. Why in the world would you sign up for a silent meditation retreat if you were just going to sneak out and smoke weed and chatter on your phone all day?”

  “Ah…” Jack shook his head. “I can’t answer that question. It sounds like people who have disposable income and don’t follow directions well.”

  “I’ve gotten used to managing all personalities.” Paige put on her customer service smile and affected a cheerful but soothing tone. “So nice of you to join us today, Mrs. Phillips. I must say, that shade of coral really does flattering things for your skin tone. Would you like me to take a photo of you? Perhaps over by the palm? The lighting is just fantastic at this time of the morning. After that, might I suggest a meditative swim in the ocean? There’s nothing like connecting with nature to really open the flow of energy to your chakras.”

  Jack threw back his head and laughed, and Paige grinned.

  “Okay, I’m feeling much more confident in having you on board. That’s just the amount of handholding we want here.”

  “I’m used to dealing with everything from fragile egos to earth mamas to influencer models. It’s all part of the package when you are working in the health and wellness world.”

  “It sounds complicated. Why did you get involved if you don’t believe in it?”

  “Oh, I do believe in it.” Paige looked at him in surprise. “I think the basic core tenets of the wellness world are incredibly beneficial. But for me that boils down to move your body more and try to meditate or at the very least be mindful in your approach to things.”

  “I can get behind that. Move your body more and spend time not talking.”

  Paige laughed and took a bite of the chewy coconut as she leaned back against a palm tree.

  “Is that your way of describing meditating? Spending time not talking?”

  “It’s one and the same, right?”

  “I mean…in theory, yes. But there’s a bit more to the practice.”

  “Maybe you can teach me someday. I guess I find my own meditation in some of the repetitive work I do around here. Helping Luis in the gardens or going for a swim, that kind of thing.”

  “I’m sure anything that lets your mind rest for a moment can be considered meditation. I believe it’s a personal thing – so I’m not one to scold you for not properly meditating.”

  “Thank goodness. There’s nothing like a good scolding to bring out the bad boy in me.” Jack grinned at her and Paige felt a little heat wash over her. She really needed to get control of her hormones if she was going to be around Jack while he had no shirt on. It wasn’t like she wasn’t used to seeing muscular men where she came from. It was just that there was something so decidedly masculine about Jack. He was just someone who looked like he could handle anything that came his way and that would extend to the bedroom as well.

  “Rest assured, I won’t be walking around here with a whip.”

  “More’s the pity,” Jack mumbled and handed her more coconut before she could reply. Scrambling for something else to say, Paige chewed for a moment to buy time.

  “And despite my disheveled appearance yesterday, I am actually quite organized. In fact, if you can lead me to coffee, I’d love to dive right into the books and get an idea of the upcoming season,” Paige said.

  “I have no problem doing that. It’s best you get started.” Jack motioned her to follow and Paige looked down at her sarong.

  “Wait, don’t I need to change?”

  “No bother. It’s just our little crew at the hotel today. Plus, island life is much more casual. I suspect you’ll want to get a handle on things as the next retreat starts in three days.”

  “Wait…what?” Paige raced forward and grabbed Jack’s arms to stall him in his tracks. “I thought Yoga Soulone was the next retreat. I cancelled that retreat specifically when I c
alled CeCe.”

  “I don’t know the studio name, but I can tell you the retreat has not been cancelled. From my understanding, they arrive in three days.”

  A piece of coconut dropped from Paige’s hands as dread filled her.

  Horatio was coming to Poco Poco Island.

  Chapter Eight

  “How can this be?” Paige muttered, shuffling through papers on the desk. She had barely blinked at the chaos that greeted her when Jack had let her into the office. Disorder had been the norm for Horatio as he preferred to let someone else clean up the messes he made. She’d gotten to the point of wondering if he was even capable of seeing the confusion he created or if he simply didn’t care? Either way, her new office felt familiar to her. A large desk had been positioned beneath a window with a view to the reception hall, and a long bookshelf and a set of filing cabinets lined another wall. Paige could only guess at the state of the filing cabinets, but based on the mounds of paper strewn across her desk, she could imagine it wasn’t pretty.

  “What seems to be the problem? This is a three-week retreat from my understanding. I know it’s quick for you to jump in and learn the lay of the land, but we’ll all help you,” Jack said. He leaned against the door jamb, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, a faint hint of worry in his eyes. “If this throws you already, I’ll admit I’m a bit worried about your qualifications.”

  “Oh, shut it,” Paige muttered, digging deeper into the piles of paper. Sure, it was rude of her to speak to a co-worker like that – or perhaps maybe her boss for all she knew – but since the man had just seen her naked, she figured they were past any formalities. “I can run a retreat in my sleep. It’s the fact that it’s Yoga Soulone.”

  “And?”

  “Were you not there for…” Paige trailed off as she glanced up at him. That’s right, he had dumped her at the bar last night and left, so he’d missed out on her story about Horatio. “Ah, that’s right. You missed story time last night. Short version – this is the studio that I used to work for and run. I was also involved with the owner. The Ex that I mentioned to you? Unbeknownst to me, his open-door policy included not just his studio hours but also his bedroom.”

  “Ah. And this is the man who is arriving here in…” Jack glanced at the calendar tacked to the wall that showcased a bright photo of an angel fish. “Three days time?”

  “Correct. Though I cancelled the retreat and CeCe knew that. She hired me when I called to cancel.”

  “Listen…” Jack edged his way into the office. “CeCe talks. A lot. She’s flighty on her best days. Her heart is generally always in a good place, but reliable is not the word to describe our dear CeCe. It’s quite likely the studio reinstated the retreat and she didn’t think a thing of it.”

  “That’s a terrifying way to run a business,” Paige decided.

  “It is. Which is why we need a coordinator. Not only to run the retreats, but to run interference with CeCe.”

  “What does Whit do, exactly?” Paige wondered. From her estimation, he’d seemed fairly on-the-ball if not slightly overzealous when it came to flirtations.

  “That’s an excellent question, Paige. I’ll let you know when I find out.” Jack sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “Listen, I’m sorry your cheating scum of an ex-boyfriend is coming down here. But we really need the money and we need good reviews of Tranquila Inn. Yoga Soulone is a studio that has wealthy clientele and we need them to go home and brag to their equally-as-wealthy friends. Is there any chance you can consider ignoring Horatio for the duration and just do a kick-ass job for us?”

  Paige plopped down in the seat behind the desk and considered his words.

  “I don’t like him. I really don’t. In fact, over the days since I’ve left, I’ve allowed all the things that annoyed me about him to finally rise to the surface. He’s a guru-type guy in the worst possible way. He feeds on lonely women and believes his own hype. There isn’t a bribe that Horatio has ever turned down – he always says it’s rude not to accept gifts. He lures these women, and some men, too, into gifting him all sorts of ridiculous things and sells them on the belief that his classes will heal the darkness inside of them. It’s a con – a long con – and one that he does incredibly well. His ego is larger than this hotel and he won’t take well to not being in control, let alone exalted. We’d have to basically bow to him and his every whim.”

  “And? Isn’t that what customer service is based on? Making the customer feel like they walk on water?”

  “Ugh.” Paige felt her stomach twist. It was no use. She could run, she could hide, but one way or another, it looked like she was going to have to face her past head-on. Considering she didn’t currently have the funds for another ticket to fly off the island, it looked like Paige was going to have to put her big girl pants on and deal with Horatio.

  “What kind of name is Horatio?”

  “A self-given one. His real name is Paul, but he’d kill me if I let people know that.”

  “Why in the world would anyone choose Horatio over Paul? What’s wrong with Paul?”

  “Horatio had more mystique to it.”

  “Wasn’t Horatio the only one who survived in Hamlet?”

  Surprised, Paige glanced at Jack. “You read Shakespeare?”

  “I mean, didn’t we all have to read Hamlet at some point in school?”

  “I guess. But yes, Horatio survives after watching everything fall apart. It’s certainly appropriate for my…this Horatio. He leaves tragedy in his wake with casual aplomb,” Paige said morosely.

  “Well, buck up, buttercup. You’ve got work to do. I was able to pull most of the information together and put it on your desk. I trust you’ll remain professional through this retreat.”

  “I shall do my best,” Paige said, flipping through a file.

  “How about…yes, Jack, I promise not to let Horatio get the best of me now that I am employed by Tranquila Inn.”

  “Am I, though? I’ve yet to sign a contract and I have no idea how I’ll be paid.”

  “Check the red folder. I put it together for you last night.”

  “Thank you.” Paige shot him a smile. “Listen, this…shook me a bit. But I can promise you that I’m a fairly steady person, and I will handle this retreat well for you. Now, if you can just point me in the direction of coffee, I’d be more than delighted to dig in.”

  “Coffee’s through to the kitchen. Chef doesn’t mind if you pop in during the mornings. He usually puts out fruit and some sort of food along with coffee and we all come through to graze when we feel like it.”

  “When should I expect CeCe and Whit?”

  “That’s anyone’s guess. Usually not before mid-day, I’d say.”

  “But…” Paige’s mouth dropped open. “That’s half the day gone. The yogis will be up with the sunrise for morning meditation.”

  “And I’m sure that CeCe and Whit will wish them well with their morning routines. But they, themselves, do not practice an early start to the day.”

  “So you’re saying I’ll need to be flexible with my expectations of them?” Paige nodded and stood. She quickly untied the sarong at her waist and wound it around her body to tie at her neck so as to form a makeshift dress. While Paige was comfortable in her body, she still felt better covering herself if she was going to be wandering into the kitchen for food.

  “I would highly suggest mastering the art of adaptability when it comes to living life on an island…in general.” Jack laughed. “Nothing ever proceeds smoothly and any task you hope to accomplish generally takes twice the amount of time. That being said, I’ve got to get on with my day.”

  “Yeah, yeah, go solve all the problems then while I sort this desk out.”

  “Of course, I will. That’s why they call me Jack.” Jack shot her that killer grin again before sliding out the door. “Jack of all trades.”

  Chapter Nine

  Paige all but forgot coffee as she returned to her office after a quick change of clot
hes and attacked the stack of papers on her desk. When she could no longer resist the siren song of caffeine, she stretched and stood – slipping her feet into the ballet flats under her desk. Paige let out a scream as pain shot up her leg. She dropped to the floor and pulled her shoe off, screaming once more as a yellow insect dropped from her shoe and scuttled across the floor.

  A knock sounded sharply at her door.

  “Come in,” Paige gasped. Tears sprung to her eyes, but she’d frozen in place, unsure of what to do.

  Luis poked his head inside.

  “You okay, mama? I heard you scream.”

  “I…that thing…stung…” Paige blinked as her vision blurred.

  “Scorpion.” Luis turned and whistled sharply. “Get the first aid kit.”

  “It really hurts. Be careful,” Paige said.

  “I’ve got my gardening gloves on. Gotta protect my manicure.” Luis held up his gloved hands and then bent, effortlessly scooping the scorpion between his palms and then disappearing outside. When a shadow fell across the floor, Paige assumed it was Luis returning.

  “Thank you for getting rid of it for me.”

  “I’ll tell Luis. He’s off to find it a safe spot away from the cabin.”

  “Oh.” Paige blinked up at Jack, as he crouched next to her with a first-aid kit. “Why doesn’t he kill it?”

  “Because it’s not the scorpion’s fault. He thought he’d found a safe spot. He was just protecting himself.”

  “Nasty little shit,” Paige grimaced as Jack took her foot in his hand. She wasn’t ready to view the little bug in a kind light.

  “Yeah, I can’t say I enjoy their stings either. Particularly if it happens when you’re sleeping.”

  “When you’re…please don’t tell me that.” Paige held up her hand. “Do not say another word. I will never sleep again if I think too much about it.”

  “It’s pretty rare that they end up there.”

  “And yet, you’re still talking…” Paige glared at Jack.

  He laughed, and cradled her foot in his lap. Cool blue eyes met hers.