Rosita snorted from beneath the palapa.
“You don’t know anything,” Rafe shouted at her.
“I know that my girls loved having you as an appointment because they could just take a nap instead of perform.”
“It’s because I want a woman to want me,” Rafe thundered, darting across the pool at Rosita. “I didn’t want to pay for them to come to me.”
“Then why were you at my brothel?” Rosita threw up her hands in exasperation.
“Because I was lonely,” Rafe shouted.
“It’s okay, Rafe.” Miss Elva called him back. “We all get lonely sometimes. Those ladies didn’t know what they were missing out on.”
I couldn’t believe our murderous lecherous pirate ghost was really a softie inside. Reserving commentary for later, I sipped my margarita and kept my mouth shut.
“So you liked this princess?”
“I did. She had gumption. You know I like a woman with a strong backbone.”
“I do.”
“I went back to see her, once they were on land and in camp. I stashed my treasures in a cave I’d found here, which was perfect – there was only one way in or out that I know of. I shouldn’t have gone to see her; I knew they would have a scout watching the camp. But something compelled me to. And they surrounded me. I never did tell them where my cave was…”
“Did you get to see the girl?” I couldn’t help asking.
“I did. The night before they took me away… she came to see me. Kissed me with her sweet lips and talked to me for hours. It was the nicest night I’d had in a long time. I felt like I mattered, you know? And the next day… well, that was it for me.”
“I’m sorry, Rafe,” Luna said.
“It’s fine, Luna. I remember now that I left this world with a contented heart. For even just a night, I felt like I mattered to someone. For me, that was enough.”
“You matter to me, baby,” Miss Elva promised.
“So do you, my lovemountain.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Would somebody please come dress me?” I called down the hallway, having finally thrown in the towel on making my own outfit choices. I just was not in the mood for another slew of comments on my fashion sense this evening.
“Finally!” Beau called as Miss Elva and Luna both emerged from their rooms. They all trudged toward me like they were going to battle.
“Seriously? Is this necessary?”
“Let’s just see what we’re working with, honey.” Miss Elva muscled me aside and scanned my closet where I’d hung my supply of maxi-dresses for the weekend.
“I just would like some input on what to wear for tonight is all,” I said, forcing myself not to pout.
“Something that shows your breasts would be nice,” Rafe commented, then ducked when Rosita lunged at him.
“Althea’s not that kind of girl, Rafe. Show some respect.”
“I am… I’m respecting her nice boobs. See? That’s a compliment.” Rafe dodged out of Rosita’s way again.
“You don’t speak to a lady like that.”
“Althea is not a lady,” Rafe scoffed. I could see we were back on normal terms.
“He’s just jealous that he doesn’t get to see boobs anymore,” I said.
Rafe snarled at me. “I can see them whenever I want, wench. Remember? Nobody can see me.”
“That’s creepy. You go and watch people undress without their permission?”
“No, I didn’t say that. I’m just saying I could if I wanted to.”
“Children, that’s enough.” Miss Elva pulled a simple blue tank maxi-dress from the closet. “This one is fine, and we’ll add some spice. As a basic, it will do.”
“Gee, thanks,” I grumbled.
“You asked for help, honey. Now just hold on a minute.” Miss Elva and Beau disappeared, and Luna turned to smile at me.
“Don’t let them get to you, Althea. You can wear whatever you want and own it. It’s confidence that makes you beautiful, not what you wear.”
“She’s right,” Rosita mused from her corner. “I had girls who were heavier, not the prettiest to look at, but they carried themselves like they were a delectable sweet that a man would trade his life for. As if they were water after weeks of wandering in the desert. Like they held all the secrets, and the man only had to turn the key. It was never the looks, it was that special something that made a man sit up and take notice. Wear what you want, Althea. Just walk like you have the knowledge to everything. The men, they will follow.”
“And let’s be honest, Althea. You kind of do have the knowledge. Not only are you beautiful, but you’re mysterious – you actually know things. You can glimpse the future. You have actual power. Own that,” Luna said.
“But it’s not my sole purpose in life to attract a man,” I pointed out.
“Even better. It’s when you care less that men like you more,” Rosita said. “I never needed a man in my life, which is why I had the pick of them when I wanted one. Men sense desperation. They want the one they can’t have. Or at the very least, the one who doesn’t make it too easy for them.”
“I hate to say this, Rosita, because I have the utmost respect for you as a businesswoman. But isn’t a brothel an easy place for a man to pick a woman up?”
“For money. But if he could get one of my girls to love him, that was the biggest prize. Giving money was the easy way. Plus, these men knew – the woman who had seen and been with all the men, if she chose him? Well, then he was extra special.”
“Here you go.” Miss Elva sailed into the room, her arms full of sequins, naturally. “Why aren’t you in the dress?”
“Oh, sorry,” I said. I pulled my cover-up off and tugged the dress over my bathing suit. Miss Elva just sighed.
“Please put on a nice bra under this.”
“I will, but I didn’t want to make it too easy for Rafe to see boobs again.”
“Ungrateful woman,” Rafe said.
“I like this, but maybe this better?” Miss Elva was holding various items against my dress while Luna and Beau leaned together, shaking their heads yes or no. Finally, coming to a conclusion, Miss Elva handed me some pieces.
“Tie this at your waist, your natural waist, then wear this necklace. Leave your hair loose. Neutral sandals.”
I looked down at what she’d handed me: a sequined belt in an orange, red, and white hibiscus pattern; and a huge feather statement necklace dripping with silver beads.
“This isn’t too much?”
“Just try it.”
Pulling the belt around my waist, I cinched it and then secured the necklace around my neck. Turning to the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. I was like a Miss Elva with training wheels.
“I like it. You’ve kind of taken my dress and made it funky, but still me. I sparkle, but not over the top.”
“Right, and it lets your tattoo shine.”
I had a beautiful tattoo on the inside of my wrist – Celtic inspired with an evil eye in the center of the design. It was beautiful, and also offered me protection – which, if the last year had been any indication, I needed more of.
“Thank you, my personal consultants. You may go now,” I said. “It’s time for me to slug this iced coffee and get ready for our island party.”
“I kind of feel like tonight will be more fun than tomorrow,” Beau said.
“Right? Less pomp and circumstance and more realness.”
“Yup. We leave in thirty minutes, everyone. Calvin is picking us up at the door.”
“Does anyone need my help with their outfit choices?” I called down the hallway, only to hear three doors slam in response.
“I can’t be that bad,” I said to Rosita.
“You’re not. But it’s tough having friends who look like the three of them.” Rosita shrugged, her dark curls bouncing.
“Thank you. I have to say, Rosita, it’s been nice having you around. Aside from the near heart attacks you give me every time you appear over my sho
ulder.”
“Sorry. I’ll try to make a noise or something in the future.”
“Thanks. Okay, let’s get ready. Maybe I should do a red lip?” Usually I liked to highlight my eyes, if I wore any makeup at all.
“No. Eyes all the way.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
An hour later, I was glad I hadn’t put lipstick on, because I was tearing into the best BBQ chicken I think I’d ever had. A large crowd of us mingled on the street in front of an open-air bar and grill that had a thatched roof, large bamboo ceiling fans, and a small stage which currently looked like it was being set up for music. Two large grills sat outside the restaurant, where a man with a missing front tooth, a faded Kalik beer shirt, and a cheerful laugh manned the grilling of the meat. Reggae music pulsed from the speakers tucked into the thatched roof, and people had already begun to dance.
Nobody seemed to mind that we stood in the street, and any car that approached was coming to join the party anyway. This was the only building on the street, the only bar I’d seen since we left the estate, and I had this feeling like I’d come to the end of the world. I wasn’t surprised when I saw some people dance by me, clearly tourists here for the party, acting as if there were no phones around to record their crazy dance moves. It was just that kind of place – I suppose a little like ‘What happens in Eleuthera stays in Eleuthera.’
“They’re setting up for karaoke,” Beau informed me. Tonight he wore a relaxed linen shirt with a parrot print on it, and faded cargo shorts. He looked at ease, like he could hop behind the grill or mix up a drink at any time, and I supposed that was part of his appeal. Beau just fit in wherever he went, with a cool confidence that I wished I could pull off. We’d been friends since high school, and he’d seen me through my worst moments. I always felt calmer when Beau was around.
“What are you going to sing?”
“Bon Jovi, naturally,” Beau said.
“I thought you did Cher.” I raised an eyebrow at him.
“Shhh, that’s not this crowd,” Beau laughed at me.
“Fine, but I’m recording you.”
“You will most certainly not.”
“I don’t see a no phones policy here.” I laughed up at him.
“I think the more important question here is – what will Miss Elva and the Flamingo King sing?”
“Ohhh, you think they’ll do a duet?”
“Maybe they’ll do Sonny and Cher.”
“Oh!” I grasped Beau’s arm and squeezed it so hard he yelped. “Oh, please, please tell me you think we’ll be that lucky! I could die a happy woman if I was treated to that particular spectacle.”
“The night is young, my friend, and the rum is flowing. I think we’ll be treated to many a spectacle tonight. And if I play my cards right, I may be involved in a scandal or two,” Beau said, and I spotted Captain Woodley across the dance floor.
“He’s so dreamy,” I sighed.
“The best ones are,” Beau agreed. “Speaking of…”
I turned as Beau straightened.
“Oh,” I said, looking up into a pair of grey eyes that I knew very well.
“Althea, you are looking wonderful this evening,” Cash said, his teeth flashing white in his face.
“Erp,” I said as I swallowed a piece of orange from my rum punch.
Chapter Twenty
At least this time Beau was the one to pound me on my back while I choked, as if that really lessened my humiliation. Finally, when I could breathe again, I wiped my mouth with a napkin and looked sheepishly at Cash.
And damn if the man didn’t just start laughing. Despite myself, I did too.
“I’ll just see my way out of this,” Beau said. “Cash, tell that handsome brother of yours he can come visit any time.”
“He was just asking about you,” Cash said.
“Was he now? Isn’t that interesting.”
“I’m staying out of it,” Cash decided.
“Wise man,” Beau said and sauntered off, taking my lifeline with him.
“Hi. You look nice,” I said to Cash. Of course, he always looked nice. He was one of those men who really wore clothes, if you get my meaning. A faded t-shirt or a tuxedo, the man just had it going on. Tonight he looked at ease in a loose button-down with a tropical print, shorts, and sandals. His skin was tanned, his hair a little longer and messier than usual, and a smile that could make a woman think of sinful sweaty nights completed the look.
“Thank you, as do you. But you always look nice,” Cash said, his smile slow as he scanned me, heat trailing through my body at his look.
“That’s sweet of you, but it has come to my attention recently that I do not, indeed, always look nice.” I could hear Rosita scoff over my shoulder and I remembered her words about always being confident.
“Really? How so?”
“It doesn’t matter. Actually, I’m feeling pretty great this evening. I love this dress, the food is delicious, and I think I may even dance a little,” I said, swaying to the beat of the music, which was increasing in volume as people moved from the eating portion of the night to the dancing portion. Was that Adam Levine who’d just bounced past me? Or perhaps another skinny white guy with tattoos. I craned my neck around and realized that there was more than one recognizable face mingling casually in the crowd of locals.
“Is that right? I always liked it when you loosened up…” Cash’s voice was warm at my ear as I scanned the crowd. If I turned, my lips would brush his.
“Did you? I thought that was what you didn’t like about me,” I said, stepping deliberately away.
“There wasn’t much I didn’t like about you, Althea,” Cash said, reaching out to run a hand down my arm. “But I do owe you an apology.”
“What for? Specifically, if I may ask?” I looked up at him, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t still have feelings for him. Yes, even though I was happy with Trace. Yes, even though he had hurt my heart when he’d chosen not to be with me. Yes, I’m a confusing person.
“I should have been more accepting of what you do. And who you are. You never hid that from me, and it was what attracted me to you from the beginning.”
“Then what changed? Your sister, right? Your family?”
Cash had the decency to look sheepish.
“Listen, they’re pretty overbearing. They think they know what’s best for me, but it’s what they want – not necessarily what’s actually right.”
“And what is actually right for you?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out.” Cash’s gaze dipped to my lips and then back up to my eyes. Despite myself, I almost leaned in. Almost…
“Wait, what happened to that beautiful girl you were with at Beau’s restaurant opening?”
“Hannah? We realized after a bit of dating that there just wasn’t any spark. She’s really nice, but not for me. I think she’s dating a banker in Miami now.”
Figures, I thought. She looked like the perfect banker’s wife, all polished and ready to throw a dinner party together at a moment’s notice.
“She seemed nice,” I offered. See? I can be an adult.
“She is. Just not for me.”
I desperately wanted to ask him who he thought was for him. Was it me? I glanced down at my glass to see my rum punch gone, and wondered if the alcohol was loosening my inhibitions too much. It shouldn’t matter what Cash thought of me. I was dating Trace. And Trace was… on the other side of the ocean with thirty co-eds.
“Well, thank you for the apology, Cash. I appreciate it.” Put your hands on me. Eeek! I really needed to tone down my inner slut.
“Is Trace here?”
“No, he’s on a dive charter.” With beautiful young women, I told myself.
“Are you guys still dating?” Was it just me or was it getting hotter outside? A trickle of sweat dripped down my back.
“Yes, we are.”
“Ah.” Cash had the decency to back off a bit. “That guy.”
/>
“Yes, that guy. He’s nice, if you get to know him.”
“Not my type,” Cash said, earning a laugh from me.
“No, I don’t suspect he is.”
“Are you guys official?”
“Erm… I don’t know.” I tilted my head as I thought about it. Were we? I was the one keeping him at arm’s length. But it wasn’t like Trace was pushing too hard for anything more. We were comfortable in our holding pattern.
“Does that mean I still have a chance?”
I quickly snapped back to attention.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m asking, Althea,” Cash said as he stepped closer. He bent so his lips brushed mine, just a whisper of a kiss. My insides melted. “Do I still have a chance with you?”
“Um…” Coherent thoughts had left my mind.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Cash decided. Scooping my glass from my hand, he sauntered away, whistling a merry tune.
I stood there, my mouth gaping open, likely looking like a poleaxed chicken, before Miss Elva rescued me.
“Didn’t I say that I should dress you more often?”
“I don’t think I can handle it if you dress me more,” I said.
“Sure you can, honeychild, just channel your inner Miss Elva.”
“And what would my inner Miss Elva say about that?”
We both turned and looked to where Cash was ordering a drink for me, most of the women surrounding the bar openly appraising him.
“I’d say ride that ride until you run out of tickets.”
“I’m pretty sure I bought tickets to another ride.”
“Child, there’s more than one ride at the amusement park.”
“I just might not be tall enough to ride this one.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Miss Elva,” Cash said, and handed her a drink. He was good like that, I thought, never missing a trick. Having worked in security before, Cash would have scanned the area, and not much would have missed his careful eye. I wondered if he picked up on anything out of sorts. My gut was telling me I needed to stay more alert this weekend – there was something not right about the Flamingo King and the recent murders. I just didn’t know where to start to figure it out.
A Sixer of Tequila Page 9
