by Ewing, A. B.
He refused to entertain the thought of Neela with another man. Bastard he may be but Neela was still his wife and that was not going to change anytime soon. “Kevin whatever” had better be prepared for a fight because Caleb Wilder now had a daughter to consider.
Focusing on his daughter’s sleeping form, he thought about what Kaylee had said. Melody….Kaylee had asked if Melody was alright. His daughter’s name was Melody.
His little girl was so beautiful, just like her mother. Her sun-kissed skin was a softer tone to her mother’s and a darker one to his. Her hair was a mop of black curls like her mother’s but he could see streaks of blonde hair like his, in between. She had her mother’s long lashes and full lips. Her nose, a little nub still, was as straight as his and he awed at what a perfect combination of him and Neela God had created. Unconsciously he chuckled at the thought that twenty years from now, men would be falling at her feet just as he did at her mother’s.
He shuddered when he realized that if fate had not intervened, he may have never known for sure if he was a father.
He gathered her once more into his arm kissing the top of her head.
“Daddy’s got you, Melody,” he whispered, “and I’m never gonna let you go again.”
****
“Caleb….”
He jumped to the sound of someone calling his name. Wiping a hand over his weary, unshaven face he focused on his sister sitting next to him.
“Are you alright?” she had that concerned look in her eyes again.
“I’m fine. How is Neela?”
“Nothing was broken but there seems to be some internal bleeding. We managed to get to it before it was too late but we still need to wait to see the outcome. Caleb, I want you to understand, this doesn’t mean that there won’t be any complications. She took a hard hit. The wound to her head could cause several things, including blindness or memory loss but we won’t be able to tell until she wakes.”
Caleb listened intently to everything his sister was saying. Neela was fine for now but be prepared for anything. Whatever the end results, he would be here for her. He nodded, acknowledging his understanding.
Daphne studied the little girl in his hand.
“She’s beautiful. She looks just like Neela.”
Caleb followed her gaze.
“Her name’s Melody,” he offered.
She smiled. “That’s a beautiful name. KC’s bringing you a change of clothes. She’s also going to get some stuff for her… for Melody.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Daphne. Can I see Neela now?”
“Sure, but just for a little while. You need to get this little one home and you need to get some rest.”
He opened his mouth to protest but she cut him off.
“Caleb, I know what you’re going to say, but you need some rest. We don’t know what to expect when Neela wakes and you will need your strength.”
He knew she was making sense, but he wanted to be here when she did wake up. He wouldn’t argue with her but he wasn’t leaving.
Melody stirred in his arm causing Caleb to hold his breath. He didn’t know what to expect. Would she start crying again? God, he felt irritated at the fact that he did not know how to care for his own daughter. He had no one to blame but himself. He had been the one to mess up.
He observed as her eyelids fluttered open. Those beautiful blue eyes were staring straight at him and he felt his own eyes well up with tears.
Her little forehead crinkled and the corners of her mouth turned down. She started to whimper but Daphne quickly stepped in.
“Hi Melody.” The little girl turned at the sound of her name.
“I’m Dr. O’Connor and this is my brother Caleb. I know you are scared but you don’t need to be. We are at the hospital. You and your mummy were in an accident. Caleb saved you. Do you remember?”
She looked at Caleb and then back at Daphne then nodded shyly.
“Good. Your mummy is sleeping but Caleb will take you to see her, okay?”
She nodded again.
Caleb sat quietly observing the way in which Daphne handled the fragile child with such concern and care. There was no doubt that she would make a great mother. Melody had caught him off guard when she looked him straight in the eyes and for those few seconds he was lost for words. He mouthed a silent thank you to his sister.
Melody was looking at him again, her round little eyes boring into his.
“Hi.” he choked out.
She didn’t answer.
“What do you say we go see your mummy?” at least this time she responded by nodding in agreement.
She clasped her chubby little hand around his neck and together they headed for Neela’s room.
****
At her bedside, Caleb looked on silently as Melody touched her mother’s arm.
“Mummy, it’s me, Melody. Wake up! I want to go home.”
It was the first time she had spoken since he rescued her. He marveled in the new sound of his daughter’s tiny voice.
“Honey, remember I told you she’s asleep,” Daphne interrupted from behind. Mummy’s tired, she needs to rest. What do you say we go get a soda from the machine and let Caleb say hello too?”
Melody went straight into Daphne’s outstretched arms. Silently, she stepped out of the room and left Caleb alone with his wife.
She was here. Neela was actually here. Seeing her after five years was like beholding a sliver of heaven. Gently, he stroked her face, pushing a few strands of wayward hair away from her bruised face.
“Oh, baby, why did you leave me? Why didn’t you just wait for me? I would have done anything to keep you with me,” his broken whisper was the only sound other than her soft breathing that could be heard in the room.
Lowering himself, he kissed her cheek, inhaling the unique scent that had always been Neela.
“I met our daughter. She’s so beautiful. She looks just like us. Guess I did something right,” he chuckled nervously.
He took her hand where it rested at her side and laid his forehead on it, desperately needing to be close to her.
He remembered all the little things he loved about her and how much he missed them. The feel of her hand, the smell of her skin, the taste of her lips, things he had been deprived of for so long.
The past five years felt like an eternity to be without the woman he loved but he had no one to blame but himself.
If he had only paid more attention to his wife and tried to be more understanding, things would have been so different. Instead he had played the role of dictator demanding she become the ideal wife.
In the end his need for dominance had hurt Neela and eventually driven her away. Memories from the past came in a flood threatening to drown him in the process.
Having Neela here was forcing him to come face to face with the mistakes of his past - a past he would give anything to erase, but Caleb had no choice. If he was to have any hope at all for the future he would have to face the past.
****
Chapter 3
FIVE YEARS TEN MONTHS EARLIER
The airplane touched down at the Piarco International Airport at 10:29AM. Caleb was definitely going to get some much-needed rest. That was the reason he had chosen these almost unheard of twin Caribbean islands nestled in the West Indies - Trinidad and Tobago! He hoped these islands were everything Blake described; otherwise there would be hell to pay.
Known in the business world as the home of the Pitch Lake, most countries bought asphalt from Trinidad for road paving. But to the average American it was just another third world country, somewhere in the West Indies. Blake had assured him that it was nothing but. He promised him all the sun, sand and sea he could imagine, and women so “sweet” he would not want to return home.
Blake Granger, an old high school friend, was always travelling and looking for places to invest. Trinidad and Tobago was his latest venture.
According to Blake, the women here were so beautiful one would even be tempted
to take a bride.
Yeah, right! Caleb could have his choice of beautiful women back home in Washington. This vacation was strictly for relaxing.
After clearing his luggage through customs, he exited the building only to be greeted by the scorching midday sun. God, was it always going to be this hot?
“Caleb!” Blake called out waving to Caleb.
“You made it. Great to see you man,” he embraced his old friend.
“Nothing was going to change my mind about this. I need this vacation more than you know.” Caleb returned the enthusiasm.
His friend was the same age as he was, and at twenty-nine Blake still looked like a teenage jock whereas Caleb had matured into a very masculine specimen. Blake’s red hair and freckled face made him the subject of attention almost anywhere he went. His skin, usually a milky tone, was now tanned from spending the last six months in the Caribbean.
“Come on; let’s get you out of this heat.” he was ushered to the waiting green Toyota Corolla.
While seated in the air-conditioned car speeding through the city, heading to the beach house, Caleb could not help but admire the old buildings that lined the streets. This was nothing like the hustle and bustle of Washington; not like the busy cab and bus-lined streets with loud city noises. He was immediately wrapped in a sense of tranquil. It felt like somewhere one could make a home.
“How was your flight?” Blake asked halfheartedly.
“Long!” he complained. “I need a bath and some sleep. Damn, Blake, is it always this hot here?” Caleb asked. He tried pulling his polo shirt from his sweat clad body.
“Most of the times,” he was answered with a chuckle, “but once you get accustomed to it, you barely even notice it.” with a wink, he added, “It helps if you wear less…um…uncomfortable clothes.”
Caleb snorted. “You could have at least warned me.”
“Don’t worry man. I promise once you get settled in, you’ll love it here.”
Caleb darted him an I-doubt-it-very-much look.
“Before we get to the beach house there is something I need to tell you.”
There was a long pause. Caleb waited for him to continue.
“I met someone. Her name is Adria; she’s from here — on the island.”
“Now why doesn’t that surprise me? You always had a way with the ladies. I don’t know what, but they always see something in you,” Caleb joked.
Blake didn’t return his smile.
“Hey man, I’m only joking. I’m happy for you. So when do I get to meet her?”
“Today! She’s waiting for us at the house. I think she’s the one, Caleb. I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
“What? Are you crazy, man? How long have you known this woman? A couple of months and you’re talking marriage? You have got to be kidding me.”
“Long enough to know she’s different. I know it may sound cliché but it’s the truth. Adria’s beautiful and smart. She makes me laugh and when I’m with her I feel as if nothing else in the world matters. Not the business, not the money…just being with her. I know it sounds crazy but I know what I feel. I love her and she loves me.”
Blake had met a beautiful island girl, fallen in love and was going to marry her. Blake - who in college swore he would never get married, and swore that he would be a bachelor for life? The heat of this sun must have made him mad.
“If you’re sure, man, and if she makes you happy then I’m happy for you,” Caleb responded halfheartedly. This woman probably only wanted him for his money. Maybe she wanted to get her US citizenship— lots of these local women hooked up with American men like them for that reason. He’d be damned if he allowed his best friend to make that mistake.
****
They arrived at the beach house what seemed like hours later. It was a part of Blake’s business venture here. He owned the resort, renting it out on a long term visit to tourists and local alike. The structure had seen better days and the design was similar to most of the houses that lined the beach. It was two stories high, with a huge porch that faced the ocean. Glass windows made up most of the top floor of the house. Caleb took the stairs two at a time, determined to get out of the heat. Inside, the floor was covered in large ceramic tiles and furniture made of bamboo. The large fan with blades shaped like leaves, which hung from the ceiling was being slowly propelled by the ocean breeze.
The bare windows and doors were open wide with no drapes obstructing the wide expanse of white sandy beach and turquoise waters that seemed to go on forever. Tall coconut trees were scattered across the beach front and where the water lapped gently onto the shore, the sand was like millions of little golden gems. The afternoon sun had retreated behind the large patches of clouds and Caleb no longer had to strain his eyes to see. The view was breathtaking! The cool, salty sea air was refreshing, like a cool spring morning in Washington. This was a scene that only existed in books or movies.
Down below on the beach, he could see Blake calling out to a woman standing at the water’s edge. She turned and must have recognized him, because she went hurtling into his arms knocking him clear off his feet. Caleb watched as she proceeded to kiss the daylight out of his friend. That must be Adria. He would meet her soon enough. Giving them some privacy, he headed inside.
****
He was surprisingly cooler now from the ocean breeze that circulated through the house, so he opted to lounge on one of the living room chairs. Approaching laughter forewarned him of Blake and his female companion’s arrival.
When they both rounded the front door which led to the porch, Caleb began to understand why his friend wanted to marry this woman. It wasn’t the sun that had driven his friend mad; it was the intoxicating beauty of the woman that stood before him.
Adria looked like a princess from a children’s fairytale. Her complexion was a rich chocolate brown; her waist-length, silky, dark brown hair glistened in the afternoon sun.
“Caleb, close your mouth,” Blake said amused. “This is Adria Moses. Adria, the man with the drool at the corner of his mouth, is my dearest friend, Caleb Wilder.”
Quickly pulling himself together he rose to shake her outstretched hand.
Her lips though thin, curved in a seductive smile.
“I’m sorry, pleased to meet you,” he said. Caleb couldn’t believe any woman could be this beautiful.
“Same here, I’ve heard a lot about you. Let me get you something to drink. I’m sure you two have a lot of catching up to do,” she added, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She was obviously accustomed to this kind of reaction.
He stared at the disappearing, curvy hips of Blake’s girlfriend, swaying like coconut trees in the wind.
“Don’t take this the wrong way Blake, but your girlfriend is hot.”
“I know - just remember, she’s my girlfriend.”
“Now I see why you decided to stay here. You are certainly not going to leave her to come back to Washington. Hell, if she was my girl, I may not go back to home either.” Caleb still wasn’t sure about marriage though, but he had time. Who knew? Maybe he could help his friend to realize that marriage was optional.
****
If Caleb had any doubts about Adria, the next couple of days in her company, quickly cleared that up. She would often be caught staring at his friend, heart in her eyes when she thought no one was looking. She adored Blake and he seemed to be truly happy. That made Caleb quite content. It also made him wonder if there was an “Adria” out there for him too.
It was the middle of the tourist season, so Blake was pretty busy most of the time but that didn’t stop Caleb from making the most of his vacation.
His friend had arranged for him to have a driver who also served as a guide. Krishna was probably no older than twenty-two. He shared the same chocolate brown complexion as most of the locals.
As the days turned into weeks, Caleb learned so much about the heritage of the island people. Other than the Africans and East Indians, there was also a mix of th
e both. They were a unique race known as Douglas. Their hair texture varied from very curly, to almost straight. Their skin tone ranged from that familiar chocolate brown, to a tender sun-kissed one. Krishna said that because of the various ethnic backgrounds Trinidad and Tobago was often referred to as ‘The Rainbow Country.’ Africans, East Indians, Chinese, Syrian, Spanish, and even Caucasians made their homes here.
The islands were bewitching. They would be something he would take with him when he left. He had spent a weekend in Tobago with Blake and Adria and fallen in love with the little sister island. He visited Bucco Reef, where he walked on the coral bed and went diving. He saw the ‘Mystery Tomb’ and was fascinated by the history of the tomb that bore the words, 'Beneath these walls are deposited the body of Mrs. Betty Stiven and her child. She was the beloved wife of Alex B Stiven. To the end of his days will deplore her death, which happened upon the 25th November 1783 in the 23rd year of her age. What was remarkable of her, she was a mother without knowing it, and a wife without letting her husband know it, except by her kind indulgence to him.'
Adria took the time to explain the link between the words and the African heritage of the country.
Several cannons were stabilized around the compound, many facing the sea. One of the buildings at Fort King George, namely the former guardhouse, was transformed into a wonderful museum. The Fort rested at an altitude of 425 feet above sea level and the views from this vantage point were spectacular.
Blake had also chosen that time to propose to Adria. By the Monday of that week, she was planning her wedding.
One Saturday afternoon, about a month into his vacation Caleb opted for a walk along the shoreline. He had been meaning to explore the place behind the large rock that partially blocked off his view from the beach house. Now was a good time as ever.
Dressed in cut-off jeans, a sleeveless T-shirt, and flip flops, he headed down the beach. At the foot of the magnificent, protruding rock were smaller rocks and pools, creating homes for various species of small, colorful fishes. They were breathtaking.
