“He did say something funny last night.” She took the slice of orange Amanda offered her. “He declares Steve died and the natives brought him back with some kind of Voodoo. He told us to wait and see. When Steve finally walks out of this hut, he’ll be walking like a Zombie.”
Steve chuckled, surprising both of them.
Amanda sat her fruit aside and knelt beside him. “Are you awake, Sweetheart?”
“A little.”
“Good.” She leaned over and kissed his forehead.
“No,” he said.
“What do you mean, no. Don’t you want me to kiss you?”
“Kiss here.” He pointed to his mouth.
Amanda leaned over and kissed his lips.
“Good,” he whispered.
“Well, I can see you two don’t need me. I’ll see you later.” Phyllis got up.
“Good-bye, Phyllis,” Amanda said without looking up. All her attention was on Steve. And he was only concentrating on her.
* * * *
June 4—6:30 PM
Atlanta, GA
Steve went to the men’s room for the second time. He knew he was nervous. Though he talked to Amanda often, he wondered if her fame was pulling her away from him. He didn’t think so, yet he was afraid. She was becoming a celebrity. Everyone wanted to interview her. She’d been on some of the national talk shows and was on the morning talk show from New York yesterday. She’d assured everyone she was working on the book she’d just signed a contract to write and made the announcement it’d been bought for the movies, sight unseen. She also reiterated that yes there was a person who hadn’t made it off the island, Wilma Fox’s husband, Joey. She said the other eleventh person was the baby, Bobby.
From her sweet and honest sounding manner, nobody would guess the secrets they were determined to hide. She hadn’t mentioned any of the romances which had taken place. She said that would all be in the book.
Now here he was waiting to take the woman who’d signed a three and a half million dollar contract with a publisher and been wined and dined in New York back to his cattle farm in his pickup truck. Well at least, the Ford F-150 was new.
The announcement came over the intercom the flight from New York was landing and disembarking at gate nine. He was at gate seven so it was a short walk. He wondered if he had time to go to the bathroom again, but decided against it.
He stood close to the seat area as people began coming through the passageway from the plane. His heart began to thump and he wondered if he was going to lose it. Then he saw her and his nervousness was replaced with excitement. Her white hair bounced as she walked and the orange, yellow and red peasant skirt swirled around her legs as she took one step after another. The low-cut yellow blouse defined her breast. The gold dangle earrings caught the light as she turned her head, looking for him. She had her laptop on one shoulder and she carried a small suitcase in the opposite hand. She spotted him. Her face lit up and a wide smile crossed her lips. She quickened her pace.
He hurried to meet her and held out his arms. In an instant they were pressed together. “It’s been much too long,” he whispered in her ear. “You look wonderful.”
“I’m so glad to see you,” she said responding to his hungry lips. “I didn’t have to check any luggage. This is all I have.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here.”
As they neared the door, they heard someone shout, “Hey, ain’t you that survivor woman?”
“Don’t look back,” he whispered. “Pretend you didn’t hear them and just keep going.”
She did.
When they were in the privacy of his truck he took her in his arms and kissed her long and passionately. When he let her go he said, “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time.”
“And I’ve wanted to be in your arms more times than you can count.”
“Let’s go home.”
She nodded and fumbled for the seatbelt. Her hands closed on it and she snapped it in place. As soon as he was out of the parking lot, he reached for her shoulder with his right hand. She reached up and covered his hand with hers.
“Ah, that feels so right. I’ve sure missed touching you.”
“I’ve missed you so much, Steve. I was afraid you’d forget me.”
“Forget you. There’s no way in the world I could ever forget you. Don’t you know you’re the love of my life?”
“I know that, but I...”she laughed. “I know it’s silly, but I could envision you saying, well it was a nice fling, but she’s in Charlotte and I’m here.”
“And I could envision you being swept off your feet by some of those sophisticated guys in New York. The kind who would be more your style than this old worn-out farmer.”
She punched his stomach gently. “This farmer is nowhere near worn out and he’s the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, doesn’t he know that?”
He squeezed her shoulders. “I don’t doubt you, darling. It’s just that this old world scares me. There are so many distractions. I don’t want you to forget what we had on the island.”
“I’ll never forget the island, Steve.” She wished she could snuggle close to him. “Can I tell you something?” Before he could answer she went on. “I don’t want you to think I don’t love my family and that I’m not delighted to see them again because I am. It’s just that once in a while when I’m alone in the bed and thinking about you I can’t help wishing we were back there in our little hut lying in each other’s arms.” She sighed. “You think I’m nuts, don’t you?”
“If you’re nuts, I’m right there with you. Now and then I’ve thought the same thing.”
“Oh, Steve, I know you probably get tired of me saying it, but I love you so much.”
“I might get tired of a lot of things, but I’ll never tire of hearing you say that. Every time I hear the words ‘I love you’ from you I melt inside because I feel the same way.”
“You’re wonderful.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.
He grinned at her and squeezed her shoulder again.
They rode in silence for a little while. She broke it. “Are you going to prepare me, Steve?”
“Prepare you for what?”
“Your son and his wife. Your grandchildren. Your ex-wife. Your friends. Whatever or whoever I’ll be facing when we get to your farm.”
“You won’t be facing anyone except me.”
She looked at him. “Just you?”
“Do you mind?”
“Mind, no. I’m delighted. There’s nothing I’d like more than to spend this night with you. Just the two of us.”
“That’s what’s going to happen.”
“How did you... I mean...”
“It wasn’t easy. You know I’m staying with my son and his wife.” She nodded and he continued. “Claudia planned to fix up my room for us. She’d said she was going to put satin sheets on the bed because she thought you’d like them. She’d already put a CD player in there with lots of soft music and she’d put candles everywhere. She said she was planning a special meal of things I’d told her you liked.” He smiled at her again. “I thanked her as graciously as I could, but I told her we were going to spend the evening at our house. I also made it clear we were going to stay there alone.”
“Oh, Steve, she’ll think I’m awful.”
“No she won’t. Dave backed me up. He told her to let us have at least one night then they’d pounce on us like fleas.”
Amanda laughed. “I don’t know if my kids would be as thoughtful.”
“Your kids do know we’re married, don’t they?”
“Yes. Noah and Diane say it’s fine, but Callie keeps saying it isn’t a real marriage. She wants to give us a wedding.”
He chuckled. “Well, you can tell Callie to bring it on. I don’t mind marrying you again.”
“I think I’ve told you this before, but you’re wonderful.”
“You have, but I don’t mind. Say it all you want to. It’s good for my ego.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek again. “You’re the most wonderful man on earth.”
“See what I mean. My ego’s soaring.” He pulled her over and kissed her quickly. “Would you like for this wonderful man to find a restaurant of some kind and buy this lovely lady some supper?”
“That’d be great. This lady hasn’t had anything to eat since she had a bagel and cream cheese at a hole-in-the-wall New York restaurant this morning.”
“Then we’ve got to do something about that. You’re going to need your strength. It might be a long, busy night.
Chapter 17
Twenty-Four Months and Three Weeks Earlier
Steve grew stronger each day, though it was slow going. On the fifth day, he sat up in bed and told Amanda he wanted to try to walk down the beach and join the group for breakfast. “They’ve been wonderful bringing us food and water, but I’ve got to start getting out sometime. I’ll never get my strength back if I don’t.”
“Okay, honey. I’m not sure I can support you by myself. Do you mind if I ask one of the men to come help me?”
He smiled at her. “If you think it’s best.”
Amanda stepped out of the hut and the first person she saw was Curtis. He was on his way up the beach from the latrine area. She waved to him. He broke into a run and was soon beside her. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine. Steve wants to go to the beach for breakfast. Will you help me get him there?”
Curtis grinned. “I’d be happy to. It’ll be great having the two of you with us again.”
As the three of them strode toward the group, Ray jumped up and ran to meet them. “Here Amanda, let me support him for you.” She moved aside.
Ray said, “It’s great to see you coming this way, Steve.”
“I’m glad we’re able to join everyone again.”
Joanna stood. “Here. You and Amanda can sit on this log.”
When they were seated Wilma got up from her spot on the ground. “Well, Steve. You’re a good sight to see. To prove it, I’m going to give you a big hug and kiss.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Phyllis came over and kissed him. Joanna and Debbie followed.
When they were all seated again, Steve looked at Amanda and winked. “You better take notice. I see these women appreciate me.”
“I appreciate you, my love. They all know it, too.”
“Boy, do we ever,” Joanna said. “I’d like to ask one question though.” They all looked at her and she said, “I know you wore the bra when you and Steve were in your hut, but now that you’re back with the group, where the hell’s your shirt, Amanda?”
Every body laughed and Amanda blushed.
“I can answer that,” Gene said. “The native woman used Amanda’s shirt to tie up Steve’s wound.”
“When she took the poultice off, she took my shirt away with it. So I guess what I’ve got on is my shirt from now on.”
“I don’t mind that,” Curtis said.
“You wouldn’t.” Laughing, Phyllis threw a sea shell at him. “You keep your eyes in your head, big boy.”
“Yes my dear.” He leaned over and kissed his wife. “You know there’s only girl for me.”
“I’d better be.”
They began passing fruit to Amanda and Steve.
Mr. X ambled up. He paused and looked directly in Steve’s eyes. “Well, maybe he’s not a Zombie, but I’m not positive yet. He couldn’t walk down here by himself,” he mumbled and walked off.
Ray changed the subject. “Amanda, I’m not sure if anyone’s mentioned it or not, but we appreciate you sharing your gifts from the natives with us.”
“Yes,” Debbie said with a smile. “Bobby’s stayed warm and comfortable at night with the blanket.”
“We’ve used some of the utensils in cooking. It gives us some variety,” Gene said. “We can actually boil some things. It’s great for shrimp and crab.”
“Steve, I prayed hard for you. It looks like you’re well on your way to a complete recovery. I’m sure glad my prayers were answered. ” Tony said.
“We all prayed in our own way, buster,” Wilma said. “And we’re all thankful Amanda had the guts to go looking for the natives. I don’t know if I’d have been that brave.”
“What’s this?” Steve popped a piece of mango into his mouth and looked at Amanda. “You didn’t tell me you went to the natives.”
“It was no big deal,” Amanda muttered as she nibbled a banana.
“No big deal, my eye-balls. It only saved Steve’s life.” Wilma looked at them. “Tell him, Amanda.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“Oh yes there is. Let me tell him,” Gene said. “Steve—you were half-dead when we dragged you out of the jungle after you were bitten. To tell the truth, I didn’t expect you to last the night. We’d done all we could for you, but it wasn’t enough to save your life. The poison had already gotten in your system.”
“That’s right,” Wilma put in. “I was there with you and expected you to kick the bucket at any time. Well, in the middle of all this, Amanda jumps up and tells me to stay with you till she gets back. I thought the girl had lost her mind.”
Ray took up the story. “Amanda lit out for the jungle like a crazy person. Curtis and I tried to stop her, but before we could catch up to her she was out of sight. We had no idea which way she went or why so there was no way we could follow her into the jungle.”
Gene continued, “She’d taken your impending death so hard I thought maybe she’d gone into the jungle to die. She kept saying if you died, she wanted to go with you and there was no doubt in any of our minds about you dying. Most snakes on a tropical island are deadly. Without injections of anti-venom for you there was nothing more we could do.”
“We were sad about both of you, and were sitting around here trying to eat, when Amanda appears out of the jungle with a couple of naked little natives,” Phyllis said. “We didn’t know what to do so we just sat here and watched. One of them kept running back and forth into the jungle and going into your hut. Finally they all left.”
“That’s when I came back to check you. I felt sure Amanda had foolishly risked her life for no reason. You were still in bad shape and again I didn’t think you’d make it through the night, but you did. And look at you now.” Gene shook his head. “If the truth be known, you should be a dead man.”
“Whatever gave you the idea to go get the natives anyway, Amanda?” Joanna asked. “We didn’t know anything about them.”
“I don’t really know.” Amanda tossed the banana peel into the pile of trash they’d later carry into the jungle. “I had a flashback to a movie I’d seen as a kid. Somebody in a jungle somewhere was bitten by a snake and the natives made up a concoction which saved his life. It occurred to me these people live with these snakes all the time so I thought they might know a way to save someone. I went on instinct.”
“It was a great instinct,” Gene said. “I never believed it could happen.”
Steve reached over and took her hand. “You shouldn’t have risked your life that way, honey.”
“I wouldn’t have you back with me if I hadn’t taken the chance.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Steve leaned over and kissed her.
“Okay, you two,” Wilma said. “You’re right out here in the open. Not in your hut. That stuff can come later.” She looked at Amanda. “Did you tell Steve we were planning a wedding?”
“Wilma, you’re the one planning the wedding. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Steve about it.” Amanda reached for an orange.
“Are you talking about the wedding for Amanda and me?”
“Yep.” Wilma frowned. “How did you know that?”
“I think I remember hearing you discussing it when I was out of it.”
“Whoa. You didn’t say anything you didn’t want him to know while he was out, di
d you Amanda?”
“No, Wilma. I didn’t.”
“About the wedding,” Steve said. “I’m all for it. But I’d appreciate it if you’d wait until I can walk up to my bride on my own. I’d hate for some of you guys to have to support me.”
“We’ll give you a week or two. How’s that?”
“That sounds fair, Wilma. I should be in good shape by then.”
Tony looked at him. “I thought you were married, Steve.”
Amanda bit her lip and everyone was silent, waiting for Steve to reply. Finally he said, “I was married, Tony, but I’m not anymore. I’m sure my former wife has moved on and I intend to do the same thing.” He took Amanda’s hand. “I’m just lucky that the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with was on the same plane.”
Wilma started to speak, but before she could Tony said, “I can understand moving on. I’m going to do that myself someday. We’re meant to be with someone we love. Besides,” he said looking around the group. “We may never get off this island. I say it’s time we grab what happiness we can find. We all know how much Amanda loves you, Steve. Her actions have proven that and we know how you fought falling in love with her because of your marriage. We also knew you lost the battle with yourself weeks ago. The two of you expel love everywhere you go. I think it’s time you got married.”
“Tony, honey, I’m so glad to hear you say that. I thought since you used to do a little preaching, you’d perform the ceremony.” Wilma patted him on the thigh.
“It’d be my honor to do so.”
“Thank you, Tony,” Steve closed the pocket knife he use to peel fruit and said. “Now if a couple of you guys will help me, I think I’ll go lay down for a while. I’m getting tired.”
Ray and Curtis were immediately at his side.
“I’m going to take a nap, but there’s one more thing,” Steve said as he stood. “If you guys go to the lagoon this afternoon, I’d like to go. I could sure use a bath.”
Amanda stood. “I’ll get one of the guys to stay with Steve and I’ll go with you women. Let me know when you’re ready to go.”
“We’ll do that, honey. Now you go rest a while with your man,” Wilma said. “We’ll call you.”
The Island Page 14
