The Summer of Us: A Romance Anthology

by AJ Matthews

  Dana peeked at the picture of her then thirty-something husband with thick, sun-bleached hair – a startling contrast to the man with thinning hair and graying temples standing next to her. Shot eight years ago, his license photo documented the toll movie producing had taken while he searched for another great script. Another blockbuster. Another major award.

  Standing on tiptoes, Dana whispered in his ear. “I’ve got a bad feeling, Vince. Maybe we should—”

  “Should what? Fend for ourselves in a strange country? You worry too much.” He gave Dana a patronizing smile and signed on the dotted line.

  The deal done, Lena handed over the paperwork. “The lot attendant is waiting right outside with the keys.” She pointed to the door with Car Rentals emblazoned on the glass.

  “Thanks for your help, Lena,” Vince said with a smile.

  “You are very welcome. Enjoy your vacation, Mr. and Mrs. King.”

  “We will,” Dana said, relieved to finally be leaving the airport terminal…and Lena. “Vince, can you get our luggage?”

  With a bounce in his step, Vince retrieved their Louis Vuitton suitcases from the only baggage claim turnstile in the terminal.

  Filled with a sense of pride, Dana watched her celebrity husband wheel two large pieces of luggage past the growing number of onlookers who spoke in hushed tones and pointed. Many took pictures with their phones.

  With his shoulder, he pushed open the door leading to the lot and held it for Dana.

  She grabbed his briefcase, her carry-on and handbag, and headed in his direction. Once she passed through—and into the heat—he let the door close.

  “Sw-eet!” Vince hurried to the only car in the lot—a silver Bentley.

  Wearing a cap and dressed in all white the lanky lot attendant—who looked more like a high school student than an employee—stood next to the vehicle and greeted them with a smile. He jingled the keys in his left hand before popping the trunk and loading it with their luggage. T

  The task finished, he opened both front doors and turned over the keys to Vince, who handed the attendant a generous tip.

  “This beautiful car comes equipped with the Smart Alec. You’re going to enjoy it. Allow me to show you how it works.”

  “No need, Lena already explained everything,” Vince said.

  Dana wasn’t as sure about Lena’s instructions as Vince. She glanced at the attendant.

  “If you need it,” the attendant said, “the instruction manual is in the glove box.”

  Relieved, she smiled. “Thank you.”

  The young man tipped his hat. “You are very welcome, ma’am. Have a pleasant and safe vacation on our beautiful island.” The attendant disappeared inside the terminal.

  With a wide grin plastered on his face, Vince did a fancy little jig around the Bentley. But he wasn't quite as nimble at hanging onto the ignition keys. They slipped through his fingers and clattered on the pavement.

  “I'll take those.” Dana crouched to retrieve the dropped keys. “I want to make sure we get to the hotel in one piece.”

  Vince plucked them up before she could. “Back off, Dana,” he grumbled. “I’m driving.”

  Fighting for car keys had grown tiresome. She wanted to scream. To cry out in frustration. But for their safety, and the wellbeing of everyone else on the road, she couldn’t allow him to get behind the wheel. She grabbed for the keys in his hand.

  He held them over his head and out of her reach.

  Considering the number of free drinks Vince had consumed on the plane, he still had enough alcohol in his system to fail any sobriety test. Allowing him to drive an unfamiliar car on roads he’d never been on before would be a disaster. She marched toward him, palms up, wiggling her fingers. “Do you really want another DUI? I can think of better ways to spend my vacation than visiting you in some foreign jail. Now, give me the damn keys.” She narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice to a growl so he’d know she meant business. “Dammit, Vince. Quit fooling around.”

  “You want to fool around?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  Backing down and letting him drive was not an option. Her heart raced as she stood in front of him and rested a hand on her hip. “This is getting old. Give me the damn keys. Now.”

  He must have thought better of getting behind the wheel because he finally yielded, dropping the keys into her open palm.

  “Thanks.” Not one to press her luck, Dana closed her fingers around the keys and watched him settle into the shotgun seat and pulled the door closed. She slid in behind the steering wheel and was hit by the expensive aroma of fine leather. She drew the scent into her lungs and started the engine.

  “Guess it’s best if you drive. I need to check my messages, anyway.” He pulled his cell out of his shirt pocket.

  “Good idea.”

  On the plane, he’d turned off his cell phone and spent most of the flight—when he wasn’t reading scripts—complaining about missed calls that would be waiting. Now settled in his seat, he turned his phone back on. “Out of range,” he mumbled before pocketing his cell. With his phone temporarily out of commission, he started fiddling with the GPS. “I hope Smart Alec sends us to someplace quiet where I can relax and read some scripts.”

  “Whoa. Hold on a minute. We’re supposed to be on vacation. Remember? You promised me you'd forget about work so we could have some alone time.”

  “Just a couple of scripts. Then we'll do the alone time thing. Promise.”

  Dana reluctantly agreed. This was the first chance they’d had in months to get away by themselves, to relax, to resurrect their long-lost passion. She needed it. Needed him. When she rubbed his thigh, he grabbed her hand and brought it higher.

  The screen on the GPS lit up. “Hello, Vince King. How are you feeling today? Do you like the Bentley?” The automated voice was female, hypnotic, and seductive.

  “Hot damn! We’re doing just fine,” Vince answered.

  “Wonderful. Let us begin. Exit the parking lot and turn right onto the access road.”

  “Did you hear that, babe?” He slapped the dash.

  “Loud and clear.” An uneasy feeling caused her stomach to churn. Here goes nothing. Dana tapped her foot on the accelerator, pulled out of the parking lot, and waited for more directions from the Smart Alec. She swallowed hard, drew in several deep breaths, and blew them out slowly. What had they gotten themselves into? They’d just put their lives in the hands of a sophisticated GPS and had no idea where they were heading.

  Chapter Two

  The Smart Alec guided Dana along a two-lane, winding mountain road that climbed higher and higher. At the top of the hill, her breath caught as she savored the beautiful sapphire skies, sprinkled with delicate, puffy clouds. Needing to take in more of the magnificent view, she pulled off the road and onto the loose gravel. She glanced at Vince, asleep in the passenger seat. She set the handbrake, killed the engine, and stepped out of the car.

  Sounds of waves crashing below lured her to the edge of the cliff. The warm tropical breeze whipped her long hair across her face and the full skirt of the dress around her legs. As if pulled by a magnetic force, she was powerless to stop herself from leaning over just far enough to see the jutted and jagged rocks below. Her racing pulse thundered in her ears. She grew dizzy and her legs trembled as she tried backing up.

  “You all right, ma'am?”

  Dana gasped—startled by the unfamiliar male voice behind her. Her footing faltered, threatening to send her to certain death.

  Strong arms encircled her waist and pulled her away.

  The man’s white cap fell to the sandy ground. Her young, dark-skinned savior released his hold once he’d led her a safe distance from the edge. He stooped to retrieve his cap and dusted it off.

  A weak giggle escaped from Dana when she noticed the stranger wore a badge over the left pocket of his white uniform shirt. Though the danger had passed, her heartbeat still hammered in her chest as she struggled to speak. “I. Wasn't. Going. To
jump. I was. Enjoying the view.” As she hugged herself, her hands trembled. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough for saving my life.”

  He fingered the rim of his cap. “No need to, ma’am. I’m just glad I happened along when I did. Seein’ you perched on the edge of the cliff, I just thought…He grimaced and stroked his chin. Unfortunately, this is a very popular site for suicides.”

  Had she nearly become a statistic, as he implied? “I can see why.” She rubbed her arms. Her goosebumps had less to do with the temperature outside than the chill running down her spine.

  The man’s brows drew together. “You sure you’re okay, Mrs…?”

  “King. Dana King. And, yes…everything's fine…now,” she answered, trying to reassure him, and herself, that all was well.

  “So, I'll be leavin’ you, then.” The policeman pulled his cap over his dark hair. As he turned toward the police car parked across the narrow road, he paused and scrutinized Vince. “Is he all right, Mrs. King?”

  She nodded, but couldn’t help wondering how long it would have taken Vince to realize she was gone if she’d toppled over the edge. “Just tired after a long flight. Everything will be fine once we get to the hotel.” An uncomfortable silence followed. Dana turned to stare out over the ocean.

  “You know, ma'am, sometimes travelers can get themselves into quite a stew when they don't understand our culture. Or the customs of our people. Some locals take advantage of foreigners when they appear too trustin’. This is a beautiful, serene-looking island, but be careful. Things aren't always what they seem.”

  Was that a warning? Her heart dropped to the pit of her stomach like a boulder. “What do you mean?”

  He hesitated, and stroked his chin. “Nothin’ at all. Just remember my words to be careful, Mrs. King.”

  “I will. Officer? I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

  “DeWayne. Thomas DeWayne.” He tipped his cap. “Good day to you, ma'am.” The officer hurried across the street to his vehicle. He stopped to stroke his chin before entering. Then he got in behind the wheel and gave her a quick wave. As he drove off, tires kicked up gravel and dust. By the time the cloud cleared, he’d already disappeared around a curve.

  Dana’s pulse raced as she slid into the driver’s seat of their luxury rental. Instead of driving off, she closed her eyes, waiting for her heartbeat to return to normal and her hands to stop trembling. A few minutes later, after drawing in and releasing several deep, calming breaths, she turned on the ignition and slowly pulled onto the road.

  “Welcome back,” the Smart Alec said.

  Surprised by the robotic voice, Dana swerved into the oncoming lane—into the path of an oncoming sports car.

  The driver of the yellow Ferrari laid on the horn and swerved out of her way.

  “My God!” Dana gasped and veered back into her own lane. Regaining control of the Bentley, she pulled off the road and onto the shoulder. Her body shook. Her hands trembled. She rested her forehead on the steering wheel and swallowed the lump in her throat. Waiting for the pounding in her head to stop, she reminded herself to disengage the Smart Alec at the first opportunity.

  “Let us proceed. For now, continue on this road. You will receive further directions when you reach the bottom of the hill.”

  To block out the Smart Alec, Dana turned on the radio. But no sound came. She pushed buttons. Still nothing.

  “It’s safer to drive without music to distract you. Keep your eyes on the road.”

  “What are you?” Dana’s voice quavered.

  “Who are you? You’re not Vince King.”

  Why should she have to identify herself? But, considering the GPS was providing directions to the hotel, Dana relented. “His wife.” Dana peeked over her shoulder at her husband—still asleep in the shotgun seat—not unusual after he’d been drinking.

  Time seemed to drag as she carefully navigated the Bentley down another steep hill—past hikers and motorcyclists. The only vehicles she either passed or met along the way were taxicabs and police cars. She searched for, but didn’t spot, Officer DeWayne among them.

  “Hello, His Wife, when you reach the bottom of the hill,” the GPS said, “turn right at the first opportunity, and you will be at your destination—Gateway to Paradise—the most beautiful and private resort on the island of Caribes.”

  “Okay, Smart Alec.” When she realized she was actually speaking to and trusting the silly contraption with their romantic getaway, she chuckled. Once again, she followed its directions and, before long, was at their appointed destination. She pulled over to the side of the road, hit the brake and shifted into Park. “Wake up. We’re here.” When Vince didn’t respond, she reached over and gave his shoulder a not-so-gentle shake.

  “Huh?” He half-opened his bloodshot eyes and scanned the area. “Where are we?” he mumbled.

  “A resort called Gateway to Paradise.”

  He snapped his eyes shut and rubbed his temples. “Never heard of it.”

  “Neither have I, but this is where the Smart Alec led us.” As hard as she tried to respond civilly, she couldn’t hide the sarcasm in her voice. She shifted into Drive and proceeded slowly toward a tall, engraved silver gate, taking special care to avoid a couple dozen protestors who lined both sides of the narrow cobblestone driveway.

  The men and women waved crudely hand-painted signs and shouted, “Repent, the end is near!”

  Dana glanced at Vince, her heart pounding like a jackhammer. “Let's get out of here. There's got to be some other place we can stay.”

  “But the Smart Al—” He rubbed his eyes.

  “Screw the Smart Alec,” she snapped. Shifting into Reverse, she backed up. When she was far enough away from the protestors, she faced Vince. “Something must be going on inside the resort to attract all those…people.”

  “Babe.” He covered her white-knuckled hand on the steering wheel with his own. “Don't tell me you're afraid of a few Jesus freaks.”

  Downplaying her fear, she shrugged and gave a half smile. But she couldn’t help wondering what the protestors would do when she drove past them and entered the resort despite their protests. Were they a violent group? Or would she have to put up with the infernal chanting during their entire stay at the resort? “Maybe just a little.”

  “You’re joking! They’re harmless.”

  While they argued, the picketers moved in closer, blocking their path. Their chanting grew louder.

  Vince was probably right. In show business, he was familiar with protestors and picketers. Realizing this, the dread churning in her stomach eased a little and gave way to curiosity. “Why do you think they’re here?”

  At that moment, the gate rolled open and two tall, muscular security guards in gray uniforms jogged from inside the gate. Once the protestors saw them, they retreated in silence. Watching the protestors’ hasty retreat, Dana gasped. “Look at them scatter. They’re scared shitless of the guards. I wonder why.”

  When the road was clear, the tallest guard waved for them to come through.

  Dana and Vince remained outside the gate. “What kind of a place is this?” she asked.

  “Obviously, a very secure one,” Vince said. “And from the number of protestors who showed up, a resort can’t be too careful.”

  Dana watched the protestors form a tight huddle. What were they planning? “Doesn’t matter. We're leaving.”

  “We're staying. Drive!” Vince shouted and pointed at the open gate.

  Dana shook. “I swear to God, if anything bad happens to us“

  “Dammit, Dana. Nothing bad will happen. I keep telling you, you worry too much.”

  Vince was probably right. As a successful moviemaker who produced violent pictures, he was well acquainted with protestors. She nodded. “Let’s go.”

  After inching the Bentley inside the resort, Dana flinched when the metal gates clanged shut, reminding Dana of prison doors locking. She followed the narrow road lined with lush, well-manicured lawns.
Towering palm trees swayed overhead. Inside, everything was serene. A complete opposition to the chaos outside the gates.

  As they approached the white, three-story building ahead, Vince sat up in his seat. “Must be the hotel.”

  “Looks like it.” She turned into the driveway and stopped under the canopied entryway.

  “You are now at your destination. Enjoy your stay. Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye…and thank you.” Vince gave the GPS a light pat.

  A handsome young valet, dressed in white, approached the Bentley and opened Vince's door first before sprinting around the car to open Dana’s door, as well. “Good day, and welcome to Gateway to Paradise.”

  His warm smile comforted her, and the knot in her stomach loosened.

  Vince hurried to the driver’s side to assist Dana out of the car.

  Stepping outside, a gentle, tropical breeze kissed her face, and the sound of the sea soothed her soul. Even the chants of the protestors started to fade into a memory. Now Dana’s and Vince’s vacation was about to begin.

  “Come on, babe. Let’s check in.” Vince placed his hand at the small of her back and guided her past bushes of fragrant butterfly jasmine to the entrance of the luxury resort.

  Inside the marble-tiled lobby, large white planters filled with hibiscus, anthurium, lilies, orchids, and amaryllis lined the walls. The front desk was staffed by a stunning, dark-haired beauty wearing a turquoise floral print dress. As Dana and Vince approached, she looked up from her computer and welcomed them with a wide grin that showcased her deep dimples.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. King,” she chirped. “The honeymoon suite has been reserved for you.”

  As usual, Vince slipped into his 'Mr. Congeniality' persona and plastered a broad smile on his kisser. “The honeymoon suite? I'm impressed.” He whipped off his sunglasses and slid them into his shirt pocket. Leaning against the counter, he studied the desk clerk’s nametag. “Thank you, Kayla. We appreciate your efforts.”