Only Emma

by Rc Bonitz

  "Hey Lissey. Who's your friend?" MG said as they entered the shop.

  A trio of women with carefully permed gray locks sat at one of the tables delicately sipping tea and nibbling politely at mango rotis. Batting their eyes at equally gray haired MG, they were clearly his customers for one of his guided tours of the island. English by the look of them, Lissey thought. Another eight or ten people were either waiting for service or browsing the store.

  She gave MG a smile and introduced Emma.

  He gravely shook Emma's hand and raised a questioning eyebrow at Lissey.

  "Her father is the man Peter attacked the other night," Lissey said.

  MG nodded. "I heard about that. The guy okay?"

  "He will be."

  "I heard somebody was looking for him too. Passing out business cards and offering money."

  Lissey felt light headed for a second. "When? Where?"

  "He was here last week, all over the island. He left on the ferry, but everybody has his mobile number."

  Which meant anyone could ring him up for the reward money or bribe or whatever it was called. She had to warn Jake. He might leave the island again this time. Her heart sank.

  "Lissey, can you help out here?" Lavinia called from the kitchen.

  She served and cooked and took cash for an hour before the customers eased away. Emma cleared tables like a regular busgirl and Lissey's heart warmed at the child's enthusiasm and charm with the customers. That did it, she made a decision.

  No longer needed in the shop, Lissey dashed back into the house and into the bedroom.

  "Wake up Jake. Wake up."

  He rolled over and cast an unhappy eye in her direction. "What the devil's got into you?"

  "We're getting married."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Jake stared at her. "You are kidding, aren't you?"

  "That detective, he's offering a reward. And everybody's got his mobile number," Lissey said breathlessly.

  "So? What else is new?"

  "Someone will report you."

  He nodded then blinked and smiled. "That's great."

  "What? Why? You'll have to run away again."

  "No, I meant my head didn't hurt. Not much anyway."

  She frowned. "It didn't?"

  He grinned. "Looks like I'm functional again."

  "That's good. We can sail over to Great Casque and get married then."

  "I thought you hated me."

  "Where did you get that idea?"

  He studied her face, his eyes serious, then responded softly, as if measuring his words, "I exaggerated. You don't hate me, but I thought you weren't sure about marrying me."

  Lissey caught her breath. She hadn't been particularly enthusiastic on the subject in their previous conversations. "I changed my mind."

  "No you didn't. You panicked over Emma."

  "Well, if that Terrio guy comes back, she'll have to go live with her grandparents and they're not very nice people. If you're married they'll have a harder time taking Emma away from you."

  He gave her a solemn smile. "I love you, Miss Lissey and you know what? I don't even know your last name."

  "Hartnet."

  "Of course, daughter of Sam. I guess I had a little brain lapse from the concussion."

  "Are you going to marry me?"

  "Nope."

  "Why not?"

  "You don't love me. Romance and all that, remember?"

  "That's so silly. What about Emma?"

  "We'll be fine."

  At a loss for words, Lissey turned away. He was right, they'd manage. They'd leave the island, go off somewhere else and keep running. Without her. He loved her, he'd said as much a half a dozen times, a half a dozen different ways. But Emma came first. Of course she did, she was his blood.

  Her heart ached suddenly and not for Emma. He couldn't leave the island. Couldn't leave her. She turned back to face him. "Take me with you."

  "What?"

  "When you leave. I love you, you big goof. Take me with you.

  He got to his feet and wrapped his arms around her then touched his forehead to hers. "Anybody ever tell you, you are an amazing woman, Lissey Hartnet."

  "I'm just me."

  He leaned in until his lips met hers in a fiery kiss.

  "Oh," she said when they broke apart.

  He squeezed her hand. "Now we have to make plans."

  "For what?"

  "The courtship first of all. And other stuff."

  "The courtship?"

  "Yeah, we gotta have a little more romance around here. Starting with dinner tonight. And a walk in the moonlight. Where can I buy candy and flowers?"

  She laughed. "Candy in my shop. Flowers we can pick any old time."

  "Nuts, that's no good."

  "What's all this about?"

  He shook his head and winced. "Not Emma, us. You need a dress, a cake, invitations, a band, all that stuff. We need a real wedding"

  "Your head still hurts."

  "Only when I shake it hard enough to bash my brain. I'm much better."

  "You said we needed a courtship. Now you're talking about a wedding."

  A grin spread across his face. "Think a week is long enough? There are only so many flowers on this island.""

  Lissey studied him for a moment. Handsome, even though his dark roots were showing in that awful red hair he sported. His eyes were clear, thank goodness. Clear and blue and kind. He wasn't as big as Peter, but she suddenly knew he could give Peter a rough time if they ever met again. He wasn't Ramon either, not even close. Jake kept his word. He meant what he said. He was a man comfortable in his own skin. She liked that about him. And he wanted a wedding, a real one. Warmth surged up from her toes all the way to her heart. Cupid had found her with an arrow. Emma had nothing to do with it either.

  Emma, how in the world were they going to be romantic with that sweet child around? Dinner out and a moonlight walk, they couldn't leave her on the boat the whole time. Lavinia would babysit for that, but sex on the beach was another matter. Hey Mama, babysit the little one will you while Jake and I do the deed again? Oh sure, right.

  ****

  All those things he said, a dress, invitations, he wanted a big wedding, didn't he? The man was unpredictable to be sure. Lissey sighed as they ambled down the road in the moonlight.

  "What's wrong?" Jake asked.

  "There are so many things to deal with."

  He reached out and took her hand, sending streams of fire through her fingers, up her arm. God, who knew holding hands could be so sexy.

  "Shh, stop. Let's do one thing at a time. First of all, let's make this official." He went down to one knee, right there in the moonlight on the broken blacktop with one of Maria's goats looking on. "Lissey Hartnet, will you marry me?"

  She giggled, couldn't help herself. This was fairyland, a tale to tell her children. He looked so handsome there in the faint gray light of night, so handsome and so earnest and sincere.

  "You're not supposed to laugh at me," he said, sounding quite serious.

  She bent and kissed his mouth. "I'm not, and yes I'll marry you."

  He got to his feet and took her in his arms, giving her a sweet kiss to seal her lips. He held her there, just yards from Henri's Sea Horse Grill, his body pressed to hers, warm and tender, yet fired with a passion she could feel.

  Jake released her but kept his hand entwined with hers as he started down the road again. "Okay, now we have to make plans."

  "For the wedding?" she asked.

  "Yes. I've got my mom and brother to think about. You've got a sister too, right? Living in the States?"

  She quirked an eyebrow. Never had she thought about his family. Or anything beyond the question of living on the boat. Oh jeez, where would they live? "Do you want to keep living on the boat?"

  "No way. We're going to win this battle with my in-laws and settle down in Boston."

  "Boston?"

  "That's where my mother lives. That's where my office is."
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  "You have an office? What are you, a doctor?"

  He touched her cheek ever so softly. "Financial advisor and stockbroker."

  "Oh."

  "That's how I've been able to keep going. Most of my work is through the Internet. My staff handles the paperwork."

  "My sister lives near Baltimore."

  He shrugged. "So do my in-laws. That's not a good place for us."

  "My mother wants me to stay on the island. My parents need me to run the store. I can't—"

  "He squeezed her arm. " How old are they?"

  "My folks? In their mid-fifties. Why?"

  "It's very simple. You've been pulling their wagon for them for years. That ends now."

  "Jake, I can't just abandon them here."

  He shook his head. "You leave them to me. I won't have you putting in ninety hour weeks just so they can sit in their duffs all day long."

  "They don't. They help out."

  "Help is the operative word there, love. That leaves out a lot of what you do for them."

  "I can't just leave them."

  He wrapped his arms around her then and gave her a warm hug. "I'll fix it, Lissey. Trust me."

  He went on talking, about photographers and flowers and flying to New York to get a dress but she only half listened. She'd thought about leaving the island, had even planned to, but never really gotten down to the nitty-gritty. Now it had become a reality. Mother would have to take over the shop. And her father would have to go back to the early morning baking. Sam would have to give up his carefree days and do some real work.

  "You're not listening," Jake said in the darkness.

  "I'm sorry. I was thinking about my mother after we get married."

  He squeezed her hand. "We'll deal with that later. Tonight's a night for fun. For celebration."

  "I know, but—"

  "Smell the flowers. What is that, bougainvillea?"

  She nodded, then realized he might not be able to see the movement. "Yes."

  "Full moon ducking behind wisps of cloud occasionally, little houses full of friendly people spread out along the road. A beautiful woman at my side, what could be better?"

  Lissey laughed. "You sound like a romantic."

  "I feel like one at the moment."

  A devilish thought popped into her mind. "Where are you going to sleep tonight?"

  Giving her a squeeze, he said, "I'll share your bed with Emma again. Tomorrow we'll move out to the boat."

  Her stomach clenched. He missed the hint, what a bummer. They could sneak out to his boat instead of going to Henri's. Lavinia wouldn't know. Except she probably would; she didn't miss a trick. "You'll come in for breakfast though? After you move back to the boat?"

  He planted a kiss on her cheek. "An army couldn't keep me away."

  ****

  Lissey was in the shop, the day's baking done, when Lavinia came in a little after seven fifteen.

  "You're early, Mama," she said.

  "Jake woke me up. What is going on with that man?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "He's packing his bag. Is he pulling out like Ramon did?"

  Lissey's knees buckled for a second. Could it be… no way, he wouldn't, not after last night.

  "Well?"

  "He's just going back on his boat, Mama." She smiled. "We're getting married."

  A frown creased Lavinia's brow. "You are, are you? You've known him how long, and you're going to run off with him?"

  "No, Mama, we're having a big wedding."

  "Where? In the States?"

  "Mama, stop this. You should be happy."

  Lavinia snorted. "You were supposed to marry someone from the island."

  "You know I don't like any of the local men."

  "Your sister left us and now you will too," Lavinia muttered.

  Confusion gave way to a burst of anger in Lissey's belly. Lydia had been free for years and now this? "When we move to the States, you can come too," she snapped.

  "There's nothing for us there anymore."

  "Then tell Daddy to start baking again."

  Twenty minutes later, Lavinia sat at one of the tables, diddling with a cup of coffee, a mango roti untouched in front of her while Lissey stocked the display cases.

  "Good morning ladies," Jake said as he breezed into the shop.

  Lavinia ignored him.

  Lissey frowned. "Morning."

  He followed her into the kitchen. "What's going on?"

  "Where's Emma?"

  "Still sleeping. Don't duck my question. What's wrong here?"

  "My mother wants me to marry someone from the island so nothing will change."

  "Oh. Well, we expected something like this."

  "Right. My sister can go live in the States, but I have to stay put." A tear ran down her cheek.

  Jake wrapped her in his arms. "I'll talk to her."

  "What can you say?"

  "Right now, probably nothing. When she calms down I'll think of something. She's had her Cinderella girl for a long time. That's over now."

  "She's my mother, Jake."

  He kissed her. "I'll fix it, don't worry. Where did you say your sister lives?"

  "Near Baltimore. Why?"

  "Then that's where we'll move to. Your mom can have both of her daughters nearby."

  "How will they make a living?"

  "Like I said, we'll buy them a restaurant or a bakery. Don't worry sweetie, we'll work it out."

  ****

  Tension permeated the shop all morning. Emma and Jake enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes and jelly under Lavinia's baleful eye, then headed out to the boat, promising to return for a beach picnic with Lissey later in the day. Lissey had no idea whether her mother would fill in at the shop, but yes or no, she was going to the beach.

  One o'clock came and went. She expected Jake back at two. Quiet reigned in the shop and she took a break. A cup of java in her hand, she was standing at the door when it appeared again- the Handy's golf cart trundling down the road.

  Her heart stopped. It couldn't be. But it was. Terrio, the detective, straggly hair, dark suit and all.

  Lissey dashed back into the shop and grabbed the radio mic. "Jake, come in. Jake," she cried.

  No response.

  He had to have the radio on, had to. "Jake, come in, come in."

  "I'm here. What's up, Lis."

  He'd never called her by her nickname before. She choked, then cleared her throat. "He's back. The detective. Stay on the boat. Don't come in," she gasped.

  There was a brief silence, then one word reached her ears. "Gotcha."

  Terrio entered the shop as she turned back to face the door, a smug look on his face.

  "Hello again. Trying to warn your boyfriend?" he said.

  Flustered, she dropped the mic on the radio. "It's none of your business who I talk to."

  He gave out with a derisive laugh. "It don't matter none. You can say whatever. I know they're here."

  "Who?"

  Terrio sneered. "You know damn well who I mean."

  Lissey responded with the same sort of evil smile. "I'm afraid I don't."

  Clearly, Terrio wanted something from her, or he wouldn't be sparring with her like this. But what? The name of Jake's boat?

  "Hear the lad's been staying at your house. Shacking up with the old man are you?"

  Heat rose to her face. The bastard. The last time she had used a word like that was when Ramon took off and left her. But it fit this guy even better. Insults would get him nowhere. On the other hand maybe she could use the idea to discourage him. "You want to check out my house? I'll show you the way."

  A scowl creased his beady brow. "You're too willing. I'll find him on my own."

  He turned his back on her and stared out at the harbor.

  "If this man's a fugitive, I'll handle him," she said. "But I'll need to see some paperwork. A wanted poster or something."

  Terrio didn't even bother to turn around. "You gotta be kidding."

 
"I'm the law on this island." Semi-officially, but he didn't need to know that. The last time she had pulled rank on anybody was when Horace stole one of Maria's goats, and all she did then was call Kirby Wittingham over on Great Casque.

  Terrio guffawed. "Let's see your badge then."

  "We're a little informal around here. I don't have one."

  "Figures."

  Lissey's heart sank. He was ignoring her, scanning the boats on the moorings, obviously thinking Jake was on one of them.

  Without another word, Terrio strode off toward the docks. Louis was there, washing down his boat.

  She turned back to the radio and keyed the mic. "Jake, come in. He's heading down to the dock."

  "Looks like showdown time then. Thanks Lis. I'll take care of him."

  She almost said be careful, but Terrio had just about reached Louis's boat and he'd be able to hear everything on Louis's radio. Her stomach twisted into a knot. She had a bad feeling about this.

  Louis scrubbed away, quite the industrious yachtsman, ignoring Terrio. Then Terrio tapped him on the shoulder and Louis turned to face him. Lissey stood at the doorway of the shop and smiled. Louis was not cooperating, the man would have to swim if he wanted to check out the boats in the harbor. She watched as Louis shook his head, clearly refusing Terrio's offer of cash.

  A shudder racked her body as a gun appeared in Terrio's hand, clearly aimed at Louis. He had no choice. He dropped the mop he'd been wielding and untied his boat. Seconds later the engine came to life and he and Terrio headed for Jake's boat.

  As Lissey watched, Louis turned toward a tourist boat that had come in the day before, but Terrio waved the gun around and he returned to his original course.

  Emma appeared on deck, then seconds later Jake was there too, standing in the cockpit with a boat hook in his hand. Lissey gasped. Did he not realize Terrio had a gun?

  The launch approached Jake's boat. He waved the boat hook at Terrio and shouted something Lissey couldn't hear. Terrio raised the pistol. He fired. Jake crumpled to the deck.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  What followed Lissey saw through a veil of shock and tears. Louis slammed the launch into a hard right turn, Terrio staggered as the boat pitched to the right. The man reached out to regain his balance, but Louis kicked him in the backside and sent him careening overboard. Louis heaved a life jacket after the detective and then raced to Jake's boat, where he tied up alongside, climbed aboard, and dropped into the cockpit, only his head showing occasionally as he moved about.