A little later, Callie joined them. “I was planning to make this a special evening for you, Amanda. I see Sam has already decided to make it informal.”
“We like informal, Sis.” She smiled. “Besides, anytime we get to eat on a plate and use a fork and knife, we feel it’s formal, don’t we honey?”
“That we do.”
Diane and her family joined them as Sam was finishing the steaks for dinner. To please Callie, they did eat in the formal dinning room. By the time the meal was over, Steve had completely won the twins’ hearts. Kenny wanted to come to the farm and meet Phoenix and go riding with him and Kristy couldn’t wait to meet Candy and Robin so they could spend the day shopping.
“When our house is finished, you’ll have to come spend some time this summer,” Steve said to them.
“When will it be ready, Steve?” Noah asked.
“In a few weeks, but we’ve already spent a couple of nights there.”
“But I thought you said there was no electricity,” Callie said.
“We lived...”
“Don’t say it, Mom. We understand.” Diane laughed. “We know you lived for twenty-seven months without any of what we consider the necessities of life.”
“I guess I do say that a lot, don’t I?”
“I do the same thing to my family.” Steve smiled. “I guess I’m getting spoiled already, thought. I find I sleep in the bed most of the nights now.”
“What do you mean, most of the nights, Steve?” Noah looked at him.
“The first few nights I was home, I couldn’t get to sleep until I climbed out of bed with a blanket and slept on the floor.”
Amanda laughed. “I’ve done the same thing.”
“Really, Mom?”
“Oh, yes. Of course, I’m used to waking up at sunrise, so I’d get up and get back in bed just in case you came into the room in the morning.”
“But we’re getting used to beds now, aren’t we Amanda?”
“Yes.”
“Did you sleep on the floor on the Island, Nana?” Kristy asked.
“Honey, we slept on the ground. Our hut had a dirt floor.”
“How big was your hut?” Kenny looked at his grandmother.
“Probably about eight or nine feet square, wouldn’t you say, Steve?”
“That’s pretty close.”
“Nana, Mama said you got married on the island. Will you tell me about it?”
“Maybe your grandmother doesn’t want to talk about it, Kristy,” Callie said.
“I don’t mind, Callie.” Amanda turned toward Kristy. “It was a beautiful day. The women had gathered flowers and washed all my clothes. They fixed my hair in a braid and made beautiful orchid leis for both of us.”
“Nobody would let me see your grandmother all day,” Steve said. “The guys had me doing odd jobs, but most of the time they kept me fishing.”
“Why did they do that?” Kenny looked at him.
“It’s because it’s bad luck to see your bride before the ceremony, son. When I married your mother they wouldn’t let me see her either.” Noah glanced at his son.
“That’s dumb.”
“I agree with you, Kenny,” Steve said. “Because I couldn’t see Amanda, there were a dozen things I wanted to talk to her about that day.”
“Did you ever get to talk to her?”
“After the ceremony.”
“Did you have a wedding dress, Nana?”
“No, Kristy. I got married in my shorts and shirt. The women had washed them all for me so they were clean. I did have lots and lots of beautiful flowers.”
“What kind?”
“I don’t know what kind many of them were. They were tropical beauties though. I did have a variety of orchids. As I said, the women made leis for Steve and me. They also made a beautiful wreath for my hair.”
Steve took Amanda’s hand. “She didn’t need a wedding dress, Kristy. She looked beautiful just the way she was.”
Kristy grinned at him. “I wish I could’ve been there.”
“We wish you could have been too, darling.” Amanda smiled. “You would’ve thought it beautiful. The makeshift altar was completely covered with flowers and Tony was a preacher. He conducted the nuptials. Steve and I had decided to say our own vows to each other. Afterward we had a big celebration with food.”
Steve chuckled. “Of course we had lots and lots of fish.”
“Yes we did. There were even lobsters.”
“It sounds wonderful, Amanda,” Noah said. “I’m sure it was special to both of you, especially saying your own vows.”
“Do you remember the vows you said to each other, Mom?” Diane broke into the conversation.
“Oh, yes.” She glanced at Steve. “At least I remember what I vowed to Steve.”
“I remember too.”
“Tell us, please. We couldn’t be there, but we can hear you say them now.” Kristy was excited.
Callie broke in. “Maybe they want to keep them private.”
“No, we don’t mind. This is what I said to Steve.” Amanda repeated her personal vows to him.
Still holding her hand, Steve repeated his.
When they finished, Diane said, “That was beautiful.” Tears filled her eyes. “It’s wonderful to see my mother so happy.”
“I feel like I just got to see part of the wedding.” Kristy got up and came to stand behind Amanda and Steve. With an arm around each of their shoulders she said, “I love you, Nana.” She kissed Amanda’s cheek and turned to Steve. She kissed him quickly and said, “I know I’m going to love you too, but I don’t know what to call you.”
Steve smiled at her. “You can call me Steve or if you feel comfortable I’d be pleased if you’d call me Grandpa. That’s what my grandkids call me.”
Kenny said, “It might be fun to have a Grandpa. We’ve never had one.”
“Okay,” Kristy said. “We’ll call you Grandpa. I think it’ll be fun to have one, too.”
“What did Steve’s grandchildren call you, Amanda?” Callie looked at her sister.
“I think Candy and Robin called me Grandpa’s wife, but Johnny had his own name for me. He called me Pamanda.”
They all laughed then Callie moved everyone to the porch for homemade ice cream and chocolate cake for dessert.
It was almost eleven-thirty when Amanda was snuggled in Steve’s arms in her bedroom. “I can’t believe my sister kissed us good-night and sent us to my room. I figured we’d have to rent a motel room to be together. You must have really charmed her.”
“I’ve got a way with women.”
“Oh, you have, have you?”
“I convinced you to marry me, didn’t I?”
“I’m so glad you did. I believe Callie’s happy for me, too. Of course, that won’t stop her from making sure I have a proper wedding.”
“I don’t mind that as long as I don’t have to wear one of those monkey suits.”
“I bet you’d be handsome in a tux.”
“Are you softening me up because that’s what I’ll have to wear?”
She laughed. “I don’t know. With Callie anything’s possible.”
There was a short silence. Amanda sighed.
“What’s the matter?”
“Do you ever think about that terrible thing on the island, Steve?”
“Once in a while, but I don’t let it linger in my mind for very long.”
“I do the same thing.”
“Let’s think happy thoughts tonight. I’m here with the woman I love. Her family seems to like me and I think they’re wonderful. What more could a man ask?”
“Oh, he might ask a little more if he were courageous enough.” Her hand was on his bare chest and she was playing with his nipples.
“My, dear, he’s more than courageous enough,” he whispered and pulled her to him.
Before she could answer, his mouth covered hers and almost instantly they were both swept away in their love for each other.
Chapter 21
Twenty-Two Months Earlier
The rains lasted for a week—it then turned sultry hot again. Occasionally, the natives still patrolled the perimeter of the jungle close to the beach, but they hadn’t had any contact with the survivors. No one knew what had happened to create their actions and everyone was still baffled. Regardless, life began to get back to the daily routine of survival.
Everyone now knew about Joanna’s baby. Though she’d learned to climb the coconut trees, nobody would allow her to continue the practice. Gene insisted she drink the liquid from the green coconuts and eat as close to a regular diet as possible. Ray wouldn’t let her take part in the hard labor and she was spending a lot of time with Amanda, learning to weave baskets. She also spent a lot of time helping Debbie take care of Bobby.
“I’ve got to learn what this is all about,” she’d say as she’d pick up the boy. “I didn’t think I was the mothering type, but I’m looking forward to having one of these of my own.”
It was late afternoon when Gene, Tony and Ray came out of the jungle calling for everyone to look. Mr. X came strolling out behind them. Steve was coming up the beach with the fish he’d caught for their evening meal. Curtis and Phyllis were swimming in the ocean and the rest of the women were sitting around under the shade of a palm doing more chatting than weaving.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the three men.
“Oh, no,” Amanda cried as she jumped up, dumping her reeds and grass to the ground.
“Lord have mercy guys, why in the world did you bring that snake here?” Wilma stood and put her arm around Amanda. “Honey, it’s dead. They’ve chopped its head off.”
The men came closer and Amanda turned away.
Ray said, “Joanna told us to cut off the head and bury it if we ever caught one of these bastards.”
“Why in the world would you do that?” Debbie asked.
“Because some of these snake heads can bite for up to twenty-four hours after you cut them off. The venom is still deadly,” Joanna said.
“Well, I still don’t see why you brought it here. Amanda is shaking like a leaf.” Wilma patted her shoulder.
“Wilma, we brought it to cook for supper,” Tony said. “They say they’re pretty tasty. It will be a change from the fish.”
Steve walked up and Gene said, “Think you can dress this thing, Steve?”
“I don’t see why not.” He handed the fish to Wilma. “Let me see it.”
Amanda grabbed his arm. “Don’t you dare go near that thing!”
“It’s okay, honey.” He put his arm around her. “It can’t hurt anyone.”
“How do you know?”
“Be logical, sweetheart. It has no head, therefore it has no fangs. It can’t bite anyone.”
“Well, I don’t like it. I don’t want you to touch it.”
He looked at her and cocked his eye. “Amanda,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you think I’d take a chance on doing something that would separate me from you?”
Finally she said, “Well, you be careful.” She turned to the others. “Don’t you dare let anything happen to him!”
Later as they were eating the roasted snake, Steve said, “Come on, honey. Give it a try. It’s really pretty good.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Okay, but only a little bite.”
Steve nodded and held out a small bite to her. When she had swallowed he said, “How was it?”
“Okay, I guess.”
He handed her another bite and she took it.
“Tastes like a tough old rooster to me,” Mr. X. mumbled. “You should have killed a younger one. Maybe it would be more like a nice tender hen.”
“Mr. X, why do you have to complain about everything?” Debbie looked at him and smiled.
“None of your damn business, missy.”
Gene turned toward him. “You don’t have to be rude to her. She was trying to be nice to you.”
“I don’t need none of you being nice to me. I do my share of the work for the food you give me. Other than giving me one of your women, there’s nothing else I want from you.”
Everyone stared at him and he went on, “Don’t give it another thought, dear ladies. You don’t have to worry about me bothering any of you. I’m getting my pleasure elsewhere.”
“What do you mean by that?” Ray demanded.
He stood abruptly and ignored Ray’s question. He turned toward Steve. “Too bad you didn’t die from that snake bite. I could’ve had the old lady.” He nodded toward Amanda.
Steve also stood. “How dare you—”
“Don’t you, ‘how dare you’ me. You’re a married man. What gives you the right to sleep with her?” He turned to Amanda. “I got to admit, for an old woman, you’re good looking and I know you’re a good lover. I’ve stood outside your hut and listened a few times.”
Steve went for him, saying, “You dirty son—”
Curtis and Ray both came to their feet. They grabbed Steve and pulled him backward. “Don’t do it man, he’s not worth it.”
Mr. X smiled at Amanda. “When you get tired of him and want a younger man, come on over to my place, honey. I’ll show you a real good time.”
Tony grabbed Mr. X’s shoulder and shoved him backward. “Get away from here before we turn Steve loose on you. And I won’t object to helping him land a few punches myself.”
“To Hell with all of you idiots!” Mr. X stomped away.
“I want to beat the—” Steve said.
“I know, man, but calm down. You know he does these things to rile us.” Ray shook his head. “I almost let you go after him, because if he’d said those things about Joanna...”
“I think there’s something mentally unbalanced about that man,” Wilma said. “He bears watching.”
“He should learn to keep his mouth shut,” Tony said. “I might have to hit him if he messes with Wilma.”
“Why, Tony, would you really fight for me?”
“I sure would.”
“Thank you, preacher man.” She reached over and patted his knee.
“Amanda, I’m sorry you had to hear that.” Steve sat back beside her and slid his arm around his shoulder. “These guys won’t always be around to hold me back. I’ll get him yet.”
Before she could answer, a woman’s terror-filled scream came from the jungle. It echoed around the beach.
* * * *
June 25—9:00 AM
Wendover, GA
The door to Steve’s room opened and Johnny came through it. He looked at his grandfather who was buttoning his long-sleeved shirt. “I want to know something, Grandpa.”
“Sure, Johnny. What do you want to know?”
“You said you was done married so why are you and Pamanda getting married again?”
Steve reached out and tussled Johnny’s hair. “Because you didn’t get to see us get married the first time, we’re going to do it all again so both families can be there.”
“What am I supposed to do again?”
“You’re going to hold our wedding rings on a pillow and when the preacher tells us to put them on each other’s fingers, you’ll hold them up to us.”
“I been practicing. I hope I can do that right.”
“Of course you can.” Steve picked up the suitcase beside the bed and took the hanging luggage from the hook on the door. “Well, Johnny, let’s get this show on the road.”
Johnny followed him down the hall. “Will Kenny be there?”
“Sure, he will. So will Kristy and their parents.”
“Kenny’s nice to me. I wish I was big like him.”
“You’ll be big soon enough, Johnny. Besides, I like you just the way you are and so does Amanda.”
Claudia and Dave had the van packed and were waiting for Steve. “Well, Dad,” Steve said after placing the luggage in the vehicle. “I think this is everything. Are you ready to go?”
“I’m as ready as I can get.”
“Steve, would
you like to sit up front with Dave?” Claudia looked at him.
Before Steve could answer, Johnny said. “I want Grandpa to ride with me.”
“What about Robin and Candy?” Steve asked.
Yawning Candy said, “We’re going to ride on the third seat.”
“They have their CDs and earphones.” Claudia laughed. “They’ll probably be in their own world for most of the ride.”
“That settles it then. I’ll ride with my boy, Johnny.”
They had been on the road only twenty minutes when Johnny was fast asleep.
“Looks like your seatmate’s conked out on you, Steve.” Claudia glanced around at him. “Poor little tiger. He’s so excited about his part in this wedding he had a hard time going to sleep last night.”
Steve shook his head. “He’ll do fine. It’s really not going to be a big deal. As I’ve told you before, I’m already married to Amanda and she feels the same way.”
“Well, this will at least make it legal in this country, Dad.” Dave joined the conversation. “Tell us a little about Amanda’s sister.”
“When I first met Callie I was sure I wasn’t going to like her, but I changed my mine. She’s really a nice lady who doesn’t like to show her feelings. She’s very protective of Amanda because she feels responsible for her.”
“Why does she feel that way, Steve?”
“I’m not sure, but I have a feeling it’s because she encouraged Amanda to marry her first husband. When he turned out to be abusive, she felt it was her fault. She just doesn’t want Amanda to make another mistake.”
“And you convinced her you weren’t a mistake, didn’t you Dad?”
“Quicker than I thought I would. I figured Amanda and I would have to stay in a motel, but we ended up sleeping in Amanda’s room at Callie’s house. Of course, Callie still insists we get married legally.” He chuckled. “Neither of us mind doing so. It’ll probably be best in the long run.”
Claudia looked at him. “Why so?”
“Since we’re both getting older it never hurts to be prepared. It always makes things easier if something happens. There are no questions about legality.”
The Island Page 18
