As the door closed behind me, I pressed a hand over my mouth to hold back a sob. My eyes darted around for the bathroom sign, and I hurried to the women’s room. Locking the stall behind me, I sank down on the toilet. Tears obscured my vision and tumbled down my cheeks. What is happening to me? Why is everything going wrong? How am I going to get back on track now?
When the tears were spent, I splashed water on my still puffy face and scuffled back to my office. My head was down, all of my bravado gone.
“Oh, no, what happened?” Tina asked. The concern in her voice nearly broke the dam holding back another flood of tears.
I swallowed and bit my lip. “I missed filing an injunction yesterday.”
“Are you . . .?” Tina averted her eyes and wrung her hands together.
My head shook back and forth, “No, I’ve been given a one month suspension.” The words tasted dirty in my mouth. Suspension? I would have never thought the words would be applied to me, the girl at the top of her class who had her whole life planned out. I swallowed the vile words to dislodge them from my throat.
“Well, that’s not so bad,” Tina said, touching my arm.
“It could be worse,” I agreed, “but what am I going to do for a month?” The thought of sitting around my empty apartment that long chilled me to the bone. I had never been one to sit at home. In fact, in the time I had been at the firm, I had taken only one sick day.
Tina’s eyes lit up, and she snapped her fingers. “Do you still have your honeymoon tickets?”
“Yes, I think the information is on my computer. Why?”
“Send it to me. I have a friend who’s a travel agent. I bet he can work something out and send you to a nice place for most of that time.”
A spark flickered in my dark heart. “Really? That would be great.” I pulled Tina into a hug, turning her in a circle before realizing what I had done. I never hugged people and especially not people at work. Dropping my arms, I mumbled an apology.
Tina laughed, ignoring my apology. Her eyes sparkled. “I’ll call him right away. Go home and rest, but be sure to have your phone on.”
I didn’t know how to thank Tina. Even after all the years we had worked together, I barely knew anything about her, but that was going to change. An escape to a tropical island sounded like just the thing to help me forget Daniel and focus on rebuilding my self-esteem, and I couldn’t believe Tina was willing to help me. As I gathered up my things, I promised myself that I would be different when I came back and that I would pay more attention to others around me, especially Tina.
As I entered my apartment, the silence seemed almost palpable. Rubbing my neck, I looked around for some way to pass the time. A book on the coffee table garnered my attention, and I scooped it up and reclined on the brown, leather couch.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had read this book, and as I had no idea what was happening in it any longer, I flipped back to the beginning. I read the first page, then read it again, and again. Sighing, I closed the book and glanced at the clock. I’d managed to kill a whopping five minutes.
Setting the book back on the small coffee table, I grabbed the remote. Maybe some mindless TV would help pass the time. A click of the power button brought the screen to life and the news filled the screen. Election coverage, ugh, I was so over the presidential race this year. Politics had never held my attention anyway. I clicked the channel up button: soap opera, talk shows, game shows. There was nothing worth watching on TV in the middle of the day. A rerun of Friends was the only thing that seemed remotely interesting, and I soon got lost in the friendly banter of the characters.
The shrill ring of the phone broke my trance, and I snatched it up before the end of the first ring. “Hello?”
Tina laughed on the other end. “Hello? Callie? Wow, it didn’t even ring on my end.”
“Sorry, I seem to have no life right now,” I replied, sitting forward on the couch and fingering the gold chain around my neck. It held no special appeal or sentimental value, but touching the chain often brought comfort when I was nervous.
“Well, you will soon. Can you catch a plane tomorrow?”
“Of course I can.” I listened in rapt attention as Tina rattled off the details of the vacation. Twenty-one days in the Caribbean, a hotel on the beach, and all-inclusive; it sounded like heaven. I’d have to come up with a special way to thank her.
After hanging up the phone, I danced a little jig to the hall closet and opened the door, pulling out my red suitcase. It was nice to be feeling something other than dread and despair.
I threw the suitcase on the bed and began rummaging through my drawers for swimwear, tank tops, and skirts. With the bag packed, I phoned my mother for a ride to the airport the next morning and then turned to the task I was not looking forward to – gathering all of Daniel’s things.
I wandered around the apartment picking up books, ties, socks – anything that was Daniel’s or reminded me of Daniel – and shoving it in a box. The coat was the last item. I snatched it off the coat rack and flung it on the top of the pile to take out in the morning.
Chapter 4
The next morning, I glanced around the apartment for anything I had missed as I waited for my mother to arrive. The list on the coffee table had been checked off – the clothes were packed, the major appliances unplugged, the mail was taken care of. My eyes landed on the box of Daniel’s things, and a new surge of anger flooded my body. Snatching the box up, I flung open the front door and stomped around the corner to the communal trash dumpster. I threw the whole thing in, box and all, and then wiped my hands together, feeling a smug sense of satisfaction.
The deed done, I retraced my steps and found my mother standing at my front door.
“Dare I ask?” she said, one eyebrow raised.
“Just taking out the trash,” I said sweetly and stepped past her into the apartment.
“Okay,” she said slowly, drawing the two syllables out in an exaggerated effect. She followed me into the apartment and tried another tactic to get me to open up. “Do you want to tell me why you’re running away then? It’s not as if that is going to soothe your grief.”
I pulled the handle out of the rolling suitcase and rolled my eyes as I answered her. “I’m on suspension, Mom; I was told to go on vacation.”
“You were told to take a break and clear your head—which isn’t the same thing. You know, honey, I’ve started praying again and that has helped clear my head.”
My muscles tensed at the mention of God. I’d had no use for him before, but I certainly didn’t want to hear how loving He was now, after being left at the altar. “That’s great mom. I’m glad it works for you, but I am not praying to anybody, especially to a God who cared so little about me that He let my life get so far off track. After all, if He really cared about me He could have stopped Daniel from leaving me on my wedding day or from sleeping with Shaina in the first place.”
My mother’s lips pursed as she shook her head. “Well, at least let me pray for you and your safety.”
I checked my watch and sighed. “Fine, Mom, as long as it’s quick.”
A look of reproach crossed her features, and she opened her mouth as if to scold me, but deciding against it, she sighed and closed her eyes. Her prayer was short, a prayer of safety, but I couldn’t resist tapping my foot against the carpet. I couldn’t wait to get out of Texas and go somewhere where no one knew my shameful secret, either of them.
Sighing, I collapsed on the king size bed in the hotel room and flung my arms out. What a long flight! It had been just my luck lately to be seated next to an elderly man who wouldn’t stop talking and didn’t seem to know how to read body language. I had thought if I stuck my nose in a book or plugged in my headphones that he might get the message I wasn’t interested in a conversation, but he had kept prattling away until he had finally talked himself to sleep.
Rolling over, I enjoyed the feel of the soft comforter on my skin. It wasn’t a tacky flower comfo
rter like most hotels. Instead it was some soft material in a light blue color.
The salty, fresh air wafting in the slightly open window relaxed my muscles, and the stress began to peel off my shoulders in layers. This was exactly what I had needed. I glanced up at the peach colored walls and stifled a laugh at the picture of the ocean hanging on the wall I was facing. Though it was pretty, I could hear the real thing seeping in the window.
Sitting up, I grabbed the suitcase and hefted it onto the bed, unzipping it. My current clothes lay sticky and molded to my skin from the long plane ride, and a sniff revealed they needed a wash. A pink maxi dress and matching sandals seemed appropriate for the beach, and I slipped them on after removing my other clothes.
My hair was also flatter than I would have liked, but a few shakes gave it some body. I touched up my makeup and pulled the sliding glass door open.
The warm night air caressed my face much like Daniel’s fingertips used to, and I breathed in a deep breath. This was perfect; I’d have to buy Tina lunch when I got back to Texas. Maybe Tina wasn’t so bad after all.
I slid the door shut behind me and stepped onto the cream-colored sand that appeared almost white at the base of the various palm trees dotting the landscape. The palm leaves stirred slightly with the gentle breeze which also lifted my hair, swirling strands about my face. Blue water licked the sand and called to me like an old friend. I’ll have to go swimming tomorrow. As I stepped closer to the water, I could see the colorful fish swimming back and forth in the clear, calm glass.
The soft sound of music to my right caught my attention, and I turned to see a small bar surrounded by tiki torches. A handful of people sat in the few barstools and tables and several more stood around sipping their drinks. The glow of the light pulled at me, daring me to come and join it, and since the beach area to the left was empty except for a few occupied lounge chairs, I accepted the invitation and set off to check out the scene at the bar.
Probably twenty people, who seemed close to my age, professionals at least, hovered around the bar. An iPod speaker system sat on the bar’s counter playing soft reggae music that my head began to bob to.
“What’ll you have?”
The voice was deep and masculine, and as I turned to find the man who owned it, a small gasp escaped my lips. Broad shoulders that had been tanned in the sun stood out against his cream tank top, and dark brown hair fell in waves to about his chin. He was probably the most handsome man I had ever seen, but it was his piercing green eyes that I couldn’t seem to look away from. He stared at me expectantly, an empty glass in his hand as he waited for my order.
“Uh, tequila sunrise,” I stammered as the blush climbed my cheeks. Had he heard my gasp? I tried to look away, but his gaze was a magnet drawing my eyes back to him.
“Tequila, huh?” His lips pulled into a smile revealing perfectly white teeth, and my heart fluttered in my chest.
“It’s my weakness.” My lips parted, and my tongue darted across my bottom lip. I wondered how his lips would feel against mine. Apparently, he was a weakness for me as well.
“In that case, how about a double shot?” The wink he flashed solidified the notion that he was flirting with me, but I couldn’t tell whether that was because he liked me or because it was part of the job description.
“Sure.” My heartbeat magnified in my ears, and despite his magnetic pull, I forced my attention away from the bartender and back to the crowd, hoping to hide the red on my face. Though the bartender was easily the most handsome man there, several other nice looking gentlemen filled the area. Most appeared to be chatting with women already, but one man sat alone, tapping at his laptop and nursing a beer.
“Here you go.” The bartender slid a colorful glass my way.
I grabbed the drink, smiling at the tiny blue umbrella attached to the side, and reached for my bag. I froze as I realized I didn’t have my bag or any cash on my person. My dress didn’t even have pockets. “Um . . . any way I can charge this to my room? I forgot my purse.”
“No need. It’s all inclusive here.” He tossed another wink at me and flashed a lopsided grin.
“Oh right. Thank you.” I raised the glass in a mock salute and headed to an empty table. Smoothing my dress, I sat in the wicker beach chair and glanced around. Why didn’t I think to at least bring a book?
The answer to my question appeared a moment later as a tall man approached the table and motioned to the empty chair across from me. “Mind if I sit down?”
I nodded once in agreement, checking him out as he folded his frame into the chair. He appeared about thirty with blond hair and blue eyes.
“So,” he took a sip of his beer and raised his eyebrows suggestively at me, “What do you do?”
I fought to keep my eyes from rolling. He came across like a frat boy who hadn’t quite realized he was no longer in college, but I was determined not to be judgmental and to have a good time, so I pasted a smile and answered, “I’m a lawyer, here on vacation, clearing my head.”
“Lawyer, huh? That must be interesting.” He leaned across the table bringing a whiff of alcohol with him. He had clearly had more than one beer already.
Forcing another smile, I leaned back, away from his breath. “Hah, that’s rarely the case. TV makes it look exciting, but I do a lot of paperwork and research right now.”
“Well, then I’d say you definitely deserve a break, huh?”
“You have no idea,” I agreed, taking a long drink of the tequila. I was not usually much of a drinker, but the alcohol felt good as it burned down my throat.
“My name is Owen.” He stuck out a large hand which I shook after only a moment’s hesitation. His hand was smooth and . . . manicured? He obviously did not do physical labor for his job.
“I’m Callie. Nice to meet you.”
Owen’s eyes roamed my face before beginning to slide south. Why was it that men couldn’t keep their eyes focused on women’s faces? “So . . . are you here with your boyfriend?”
Images of Daniel flashed into my mind, and I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking my head to clear the treacherous face. The last thing I wanted to do on this vacation was think about Daniel. “I most definitely am not.”
“I’m single too,” he hinted, tracing a circle around the top of his glass with his index finger. “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow? We could meet at the hotel restaurant here.”
I opened my mouth to decline and then closed it. While he wasn’t my normal type, it was just dinner. Besides, my normal type had ended up sleeping with my best friend. The fact that he seemed drunk already bothered me – I didn’t need any more drunken trysts, but maybe it was his first night, and he was just relaxing. I wasn’t here to psychoanalyze people, and I’d probably be enjoying more of these drinks while I was here. Besides, if dinner turned out to be a disaster, I wouldn’t have to see him again.
“Sure, that sounds nice.” With the words out of my mouth and unable to be recalled, I tilted back the last of my drink. Though not drunk, the jet lag, combined with the alcohol, created a soft buzzing in my head, and I excused myself before I ended up passing out on the table.
Waves of fatigue bombarded me as I opened the sliding glass door and closed it behind me. Kicking off my sandals, I crawled into the inviting bed, not bothering to change. My teeth felt fuzzy, and I knew I should get up and brush them, but the bed had wrapped its comfort around me, and I couldn’t lift my head, much less my body. I’ll brush them tomorrow was the last thought in my head before the darkness won.
Chapter 5
The sunlight peeking in my window woke me the next morning. Yawning, I stretched out my stiff muscles and did a double take at my watch. Nearly noon? I guess jet lag does mess you up. This trip was my first out of the continental United States, and I’d had no idea how tired the flight over would make me. I never slept past eight am unless I was sick or drunk. I cringed as the night with Brent blazed in my memory again.
Pushing it away, I plodded
out of bed and into the bathroom. After turning on the water in the tub, I slipped off my dress and stepped into the bathtub, letting the warm water energize me. When I felt thoroughly refreshed and washed, I toweled off and, wrapping the white fluffy towel like a sarong around my chest, traipsed back into the main room to pick today’s outfit.
I wanted something comfortable but also eye catching, so I grabbed a green tank that brought out my eyes and a pair of shorts. After slipping them on, I ran a quick brush through my dark hair and grabbed my sunglasses. It was time to check out the rest of what the island had to offer.
The hotel itself was gorgeous, but very much like other hotels I had been to: a spa, a gift shop, and a few small restaurants sat on the premises but not much else, so I headed out of the hotel to the village outside.
The sun beat down, sending small beads of sweat trickling down my back as I traversed the walkway. I needed a hat or a fan, something to keep the blazing sun off my head.
As small shops straddled the quaint street, I approached one that was laden with clothing and begin to search through the wares. Dresses, skirts, and tops filled the tiny shop, and a dark-skinned woman sat on a stool, eyeing me and fanning herself.
My hand landed on a beautiful green, blue, and red maxi skirt that called my name, and I handed it to the lady to wrap up for me. I added a straw hat before leaving and was just about to place the hat on my head when I saw a man braiding hair a few feet ahead. I’d often pictured a braid in my hair whenever I thought of myself lounging on a beach, so I tucked the hat in the bag for now and sidled up to his stand.
He was just finishing a braid on the current customer, his skilled hands deftly weaving the hair back and forth. “How much to do one small braid in the front of my hair?” I asked, pointing to the front right side.
The dark man smiled at me as he wrapped a small rubber band around the bottom of the woman’s braid. “For you, pretty lady, I take ten dollar.”
The Power of Prayer Page 3
