For several seconds they both were silent until Simeon cleared his throat. Dabbing at the corners of his mouth, he laid his linen napkin next to his plate. “Well, since you’re dressed so pretty today, I thought maybe we could go for a sail. You don’t have a problem getting your hair wet do you?”
“Oh, no and if I do, I know how to fix it.”
“I’ll have to remember that,” Simeon said in response.
“What time is the boat ride?”
“It’s later this afternoon, so I thought we’d take a look at some of the shops around here. Then go on the boat ride and come back for a late lunch.”
“You’ve got everything all planned out.”
“No, I’m taking my cue from you. I just want the chance to be around you.”
Jennifer was speechless. Honestly, if he had been any other man she would have sworn that he was trying to hit on her, but for some reason she believed him.
Simeon reached out and touched her hand. “Jennifer, I hope you didn’t take my comment as me being too forward with you.”
“Well, what was it then?”
“When you work practically three hundred and sixty days out of the year, you don’t have much of a social calendar. Since I’ve met you, I’ve really enjoyed hanging out and we’ve got good chemistry. If we are going to get to know each other, we’ll have to spend time together. I’m just saying, I enjoy your company.”
Jennifer appreciated his explanation, but she didn’t think the comment was inappropriate. She was happy not to be alone on the island.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked.
“Sure, if you are.” Simeon pushed his plate forward, chair back.
Standing, he went around to assist her. Jennifer noticed that he’d done the same thing the night before and the gesture impressed her. She thought only men her father’s age offered their arm, pulled out chairs and opened doors for women because she hadn’t seen it much. But Simeon was a gentleman and that thought made her smile as she stood.
Excited about the prospects of what the day might bring, Jennifer waited for Simeon to pay the check, then held on to his arm as they walked out of the restaurant and then the hotel together.
Chapter Four
Several cabs sat outside the hotel, ready to take passengers to explore other parts of Anguilla. Simeon opened the rear door to the white taxi for Jennifer first, then he climbed in after. He gave the driver their destination and they headed out.
Ten minutes later, the cab pulled over, Simeon paid the fare, got out of the taxi and assisted Jennifer out as well. They walked toward the cobblestone streets, which were lined with palm trees swaying to the summer breeze.
Simeon was happy that Jennifer wore comfortable sandals.
Holding on to Simeon’s arm she said, “Look back there.” She pointed at the colorful buildings tucked back from the street.
“I see. Let’s go find out what they are,” Simeon suggested, pleased that everything was working out well for them so far.
As they approached the first shop, painted yellow and green, Jennifer pointed to the bathing suits, colorful pants-and-tops on the mannequins in the window display. The chime from the bell when they walked into the quaint little store brought someone out to assist them.
After insisting that they didn’t need any help, they browsed the store to see if there was anything they wanted to purchase.
Simeon walked over to Jennifer, who was scanning the dress rack. “Do you see anything you like?”
She scrunched her nose up and shook her head. “No, let’s go.” She walked away from the steel rack and headed for the door.
After they peeped into the other shops, they walked past an outdoor café. Simeon looked over at Jennifer. “Would you like to stop and get a coffee or something?”
Jennifer flicked her wrist and checked the time. “Do we have time? I don’t want to be nauseous on the water.”
“I see your point, so why don’t we just take a seat and chat a bit and then head back.” Simeon pulled out the wrought iron chair from the small round table and waited for Jennifer to be seated before doing the same.
Crossing his right leg over the other and leaning back in his chair, he watched Jennifer and noticed that she hadn’t frowned one time today. He was happy about that because even though he didn’t know her story, he felt that their spending time together was having a positive effect on her.
“So, Jenn, can I ask you a personal question?”
“Depends on how personal,” Jennifer said.
Simeon chuckled, then saw that she wasn’t smiling so he stopped. “No, I mean seriously.”
“Me, too,” Jennifer said, her face void of emotion.
Just when Simeon opened his mouth to speak, a couple came out from the inside of the café. The woman seemed to be upset and it showed on her face while her companion tried to grab her hand.
“I don’t want to see you ever again,” she screamed at the man before running away from him. He tried to follow as swiftly as he could, but the woman didn’t show any signs of slowing down.
Simeon’s eyes moved to Jennifer, who seemed engaged watching the scene unfold.
“Wow,” he whispered, after the couple had gone farther down the road.
Jennifer turned back around. “Now, you were going to ask me something.”
Simeon didn’t know if he should or not because of what they’d just witnessed. He didn’t want her to blow up like the lady had done. But if he was going to find out her story, he had to ask.
“Well?” she said, waving her hand. He knew she wanted him to hurry.
“Are you running from something or someone?” he asked, hoping his question didn’t upset her.
Jennifer sat straight up in her chair, pressing her arms against the table and crossing her hands.
“No, but I haven’t had the best of luck with men.”
“Women always talk about a good man being hard to find. Finding a good woman isn’t easy for a man either. So, men have more in common with women than you guys think.” He checked the time. “Let’s get back so that we can go sailing.”
Jennifer stood as well. “I think I just want to hang out today. Maybe we can go sailing tomorrow.”
Simeon wondered if the disagreement between the other couple triggered Jennifer’s decision not to go on the boat or if it was something he’d said.
“We don’t have to go at all. Maybe we can just hang out by the pool.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jennifer said.
They walked to the cabstand and hopped into a waiting taxi. All the way back to the hotel, Jennifer wondered if there was a hidden agenda in Simeon’s question. She had to find out what he was really after with his query.
“I’m going to go change and meet you by the pool,” she said, walking to her door.
Simeon grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “I’ll see you in a bit. Don’t take long now, okay?” He kissed her cheek and walked away.
Jennifer smiled. “Okay,” she said, watching him until he was out of sight. She couldn’t help but wonder if he acted this way all the time, or if it was a facade. She reminded herself that she was still getting to know him.
Hurrying to change into something a little cooler, Jennifer put on a sapphire blue one-piece bathing suit with a plunging back. She donned a white crocheted cover-up, slipped her feet into some slides and walked out of the room.
At the pool, she saw Simeon sitting on one of the loungers, looking around. He’d changed into another pair of walking shorts, but this time he had on a white tank top. She saw his muscular shoulders and arms glistening in the sun.
He looked up just as she was approaching. “You look good in that bathing suit, Jenn. Are you going to let me see it without the cover-up?”
Jennifer swatted at him. “Maybe.”
“I’ll tak
e maybe,” Simeon responded.
Jennifer attempted to step past him to get to the other oversized lounger with a huge umbrella, but Simeon stopped her.
“I thought we’d share mine. They’re big enough for two,” he said.
Looking down at the wide chair with thick pinstriped mattress-like cushions, she saw a book lying on it. “Are you reading this?” Jennifer asked, picking it up.
“Yes, I tend to read a lot and I love a good mystery, so I thought today I’d read some of it to you.”
Jennifer didn’t have a response.
“That is, if you don’t mind,” Simeon added quickly.
She still didn’t answer because she didn’t know what to say. Should she be so close to him? Sharing the seat would be a very intimate act, but so far, they’d had a good time together. Simeon had been nothing but a gentleman, so it couldn’t hurt to share.
“Well, that’s very sweet of you, Simeon,” she said finally.
“We can relax by the pool and you can jump in whenever you’re ready,” he said, re-taking his seat.
Jennifer was careful not to sit too close to him. She was beginning to get comfortable around Simeon, like they’d known each other all their lives and he was such a sweetheart.
He leaned back, patted the gap between them, trying to encourage her to do the same. As she moved closer to him, she rested her back against the cushions, her shoulders touching his, but immediately she slammed on her mental brakes.
Simeon sat up and gently caressed her arms. “It’s okay, honey. All we’re going to do is lie here and read to each other. Nothing more, nothing less.” He released her. “I promise that I’m not trying to take advantage of you.”
Jennifer scooted off the cushion until her feet hit the ground. Turning to him, she touched his thigh. “I believe you.”
Simeon picked up his book and handed it to her. “Prove it. Lie here with me.”
Jennifer wanted to show Simeon that she trusted him, but she had some reservations, which had nothing to do with him. Her attraction to him was deepening. She wasn’t sure she wanted it, but it was happening anyway. Hearing him call her “honey” surprised her, but didn’t offend her at all. It actually sounded natural.
After a couple of seconds, she accepted the book, pushed herself back against the cushions and watched Simeon close the space between them. Now, he was no more than two breaths away from her and the heat that radiated from him prompted her to move closer. It was hot outside and inside for Jennifer.
“I really didn’t think this thing would be able to hold both of us, Simeon,” she said, looking into his eyes.
“Relax,” he said, slipping his hand behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. “Better?”
Jennifer answered without saying a word.
Simeon kissed her forehead. “Now, do you want to start first or should I?”
“I’m holding the book, so I’ll start first.”
For the next couple of hours, Jennifer and Simeon relaxed by the pool, reading and chit-chatting with each other. It had been one of the most intimate moments that Jennifer had ever shared with anyone. It actually endeared him to her more because of the caring way in which he respected her. And true to his word, nothing happened, at least not physically, but mentally and emotionally Jennifer was being drawn to Simeon.
Simeon glanced over at the attractive woman lying next to him. Her eyes were closed. He didn’t have to stare or take a mental picture of her because he’d done that yesterday when he’d met her. He just liked looking at how her flawless skin glowed, her perfect lips always looking as if they wanted to be kissed, and curves in all the right places. Oh, how he wanted to caress her, touch her tenderly, but he promised that she was safe with him. He could feel a connection to her that he’d never felt with anyone else.
At that moment, he’d made up his mind that if she allowed him, he would make the rest of the trip one that she’d never forget. When they got back to Chicago he’d court her, maybe see where the relationship would take them.
Lightly caressing her hand, which rested on top of the book they were reading, Simeon tried to get her attention.
Jennifer’s eyes fluttered open. “Did I fall asleep on you, Simeon?”
“No worries, love, I think we both closed our eyes for a bit.”
Jennifer pulled herself forward. “This was so relaxing. I’ve never just laid back, mind clear and no worries, like that before. I guess because Chicago is such a fast-paced city, there is always something to do. I don’t have a lot of time to rest.”
“I’m glad I was the one who could show you how to relax, then,” he said, swinging his legs off the lounger. Looking over his right shoulder, he said, “Do you want to get an early dinner and maybe walk the beach?”
“Sure, but I think we need to find another place to eat instead of the restaurant inside the hotel,” Jennifer said in response.
“I was actually thinking that we’d go to a place that is not far from here called the Mandarin.”
Jennifer put a finger to her mouth, trying to remember. “I saw it in the brochure.”
“We’ll have some crab legs, lobster and steak, whatever you want.”
“Are we walking to the restaurant?”
“Yes, it’s at the end of the road. It should take us about ten minutes if we hurry, but I’m not in a hurry, are you?”
“Well, no, I’m not,” Jennifer said, rising from the big chair. “I’m going to go and get changed then meet you in the front of the hotel.”
Simeon gave her an under-eyed look. “You know I’m not going to have you meet me. I’ll come by your room in twenty minutes. Will that give you enough time? You’re already beautiful to me.”
Jennifer blushed before turning to walk away.
“Jenn,” Simeon called out to her.
She turned around.
“You never did let me see what that bathing suit looked like under the cover-up.”
Jennifer laughed, shaking her head at him, smiling. “I’m not thinking about you, man.” She shook her head and continued toward the door.
“At least let me walk you to your room.”
“I can get there on my own, Simeon. We don’t have a lot of time,” she said before continuing through the glass door. Jenn, watch yourself with him. He’s being a gentleman, pulling out chairs, opening doors and always wanting to walk you to your room. All that is nice, but is this just a bunch of nice nothings?
As Jennifer placed the magnetic card into the reader to unlock her door, she thought to herself, At this point, what difference does it make because you need this. Whatever it is or isn’t, have a great time and then take your behind back home.
As she stepped inside her room, she placed her key card on the table and went straight into the closet. She couldn’t understand why she suddenly didn’t know what to wear to go to dinner with Simeon. She’d pulled out several outfits before settling on a short dress in her favorite color, royal blue, that she loved when she tried it on in the store. It was flirty and fun with an asymmetrical design, and the silver strappy sandals that she paired with it would show off her legs, making them appear longer.
Like clockwork, Simeon arrived exactly at the time he’d specified and was dressed in slacks and a short-sleeved shirt.
“Ready?”
Jennifer hurried out and they walked together to the elevator and then out the hotel. Jennifer was getting used to them being together and rather liked it.
As they strolled along the magical beach headed toward the restaurant, they came upon a beautiful setup that Jennifer could only describe as a wedding. White chairs lined up in several rows on each side with a long white carpet separating them. Just viewing the setup made Jennifer smile. A young man wearing dark slacks and a white short-sleeved shirt stood next to two tall floral displays. He greeted th
e people and handed them a slip of paper as they approached him. The women were dressed in nice summery dresses and the men in slacks and shirts. Jennifer loved weddings and what woman didn’t yearn for the enchanted love and feel of uniting two hearts.
Before she could stop herself, Jennifer grabbed Simeon’s arm, leaning into him.
“Wow, Simeon, this is so beautiful. The way they put things together along with the feel of the warm breeze, it’s so romantic with all the colorful flowers against the white chairs and stately columns,” she said scanning the area. “I wonder how long before they start?”
Simeon glanced at her. “You want to see the wedding, I take it.”
Jennifer smiled. “Don’t you?” she said, squeezing his arm.
Simeon glanced at his watch. “Well, we could hang around if you want.”
“So we would be wedding crashers, huh,” she said.
Jennifer always cracked up when she watched the Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn film where they crashed weddings and blended in with the guests. The movie was hilarious and she saw it every chance she got.
“Well, they’re having it outside, so everyone who wants to will be able to experience it,” Jennifer said. “If you don’t mind, I really would love to see the bride in her dress. As long as it doesn’t take too long.”
“We’ll fit right in,” Simeon said, pulling her in the direction of the young usher.
Simeon stood at the end of the last row, allowing Jennifer to precede him, and they sat in the last two chairs in the row.
Fifteen minutes later, a guy with a violin showed up and started playing a poignant piece. Since they didn’t know anyone, they followed the program assuming the people who were walking down the aisle were the mothers and grandmothers respectively. The bridesmaids made their way to the front wearing gorgeous short dresses in hot pink, pastel blue and orange, escorted by young men in white pants and coordinating shirts. Finally the bride appeared in a dress similar to the maids, but with sparkling lace. She couldn’t have been much older than Jennifer.
Watching the young woman walk down the white carpet holding on to her father’s arm touched Jennifer and unshed tears appeared in her eyes. She rested her head on Simeon’s shoulder, wrapping her hands around his arm. He caressed her cheek.
The Christmas Promise Page 4
