Scarlett Bride (The Scarletts

by Brenda Barrett

  "I am nervous for you too." Ashaki squeezed his arm. "Do you know where it is? The place?"

  "Yes." Oliver nodded. "I got specific directions from the place itself. Of course, they said that they didn't know of any Peter Scarlett. So maybe it was just a place to meet with Ricky, and not significant otherwise. Zack's detective has been there since early this morning. There has been no sign of him so far."

  Oliver drove toward Southern Potteries, while she concentrated on looking through the window at all the hotels and eateries. This Montego Bay was a very different pace from Treasure Beach, obviously.

  She was still deciding which one she liked best when Oliver pulled up in front of an obviously weathered building with peeling paint and a faint sign on it that read Southern Pots. A whole lot of stone pots were displayed at the front.

  She got out of the car with Oliver and looked around with him. She had no idea who she was looking for. And neither did Oliver.

  He looked at her and grinned sheepishly. "We would make poor detectives."

  "We only just got here." Ashaki looked around again and there was a man coming toward them, a young man actually. Maybe too young to be Peter Scarlett. When he came closer to them he grinned and held out his hand.

  "Oliver Scarlett? I am John Sauce. I have been here all day on Zack's orders."

  "Oh." Oliver pumped his hand in greeting. "No luck yet?"

  "No," John said sadly. "Sorry about that. I set up the perimeters with cameras too. I am thorough like that."

  He looked at Ashaki meaningfully. "Hello."

  "Hello." Ashaki nodded.

  "My wife Ashaki," Oliver said pointedly when John stood there ogling her.

  "You Scarlett men are so lucky," John mumbled. "You are not Jamaican, are you?"

  "No," Ashaki smiled, "I am from the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

  John sighed. "Bet if I went to the Congo I wouln't return with a looker like you. I wouldn't even find one. But there goes a Scarlett to the DRC and he finds you. I think y'all got it at birth, women magnets."

  Oliver frowned at him and John dragged his eyes from Ashaki and cleared his throat. "Er, I have something here for you."

  He slapped his leg unnecessarily loudly and reached into one of the pockets in his pants. He pulled out a piece of paper and pressed it on his chest to straighten it out.

  "This is an artist’s mock up from some computer program of how Peter Scarlett might look now."

  John flicked out the paper and handed it to Oliver. "You can have that one. I got plenty."

  Ashaki moved closer to the paper and peered down on the face of the reclusive Peter Scarlett. He was still handsome and looked like an older version of Reuben. All his children had his eyes; no matter the shape or the color they inherited his eyes and nose area.

  "You resemble him," Ashaki said after a long silence where Oliver studied the picture for what seemed like an interminable amount of time.

  "Maybe." Oliver finally looked up. "Maybe a little, not much."

  "If he comes here, I'll let you know," John said. "I'll be here till closing time. You don't have to stay. As soon as he shows up I'll inform Zack and he'll give you a call."

  "You sure?" Oliver asked, reluctant to move.

  "Yep, sure. This is what I do. Your brother lives up that hill." He pointed to a hill in the distance. "You better head there now before the five o'clock traffic."

  "Okay." Oliver nodded. "Thanks."

  John wasn't listening to him really; he was busy winking at Ashaki.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Noah Scarlett lived some distance out of the town. The place was exclusive. Ashaki was the first one to exclaim what was in both of their minds when they were let through by the security guard. "Your brother is really rich!"

  "Yep." Oliver slowed down in front of a low stone wall with the numbers 1254 in brass at the front. "This is it."

  It was a charming house with a well-kept garden. Oliver drove around the circular driveway and stopped at the front door. It opened before he shut off the car and a smiling lady with salt and pepper grey hair introduced her self as Dotty Mullen, Mr. Noah's housekeeper.

  "It's like the hotel except nicer," Ashaki whispered loudly to him when Dotty led them to where Noah was.

  The housekeeper turned to them and nodded. "Actually, Mr. Harlem, Mr. Noah's stepfather, had the house decorated to look like his favorite five star hotels."

  Oliver glanced at a sculpture of two hands clasped in prayer, it was done out of some clear material—maybe crystal?

  He could honestly say that he had never been in a place that screamed different class as much as this one did; he was just as wide-eyed as Ashaki.

  They were shown to the patio area in front of an infinity pool where Noah was lounging. He was dressed in black, silky pajama pants and a top.

  He waved to them when the housekeeper indicated with her hand to go farther. When Oliver drew closer, he relaxed. Noah looked familiar. He was thin, maybe too thin, but his eyes were hazel, and his hair was red and curly. He felt familiar. Like a younger version of Pops. This brother was a stranger, yet not really.

  He stretched out his hand when they came near. Oliver clasped his hand in his and then placed his other hand over it.

  "Oliver." Noah smiled; he was busy looking him over too.

  "Noah." Oliver did the same, both of them examining each other.

  Who knew how long they were like that? Dotty was the one who broke up their tableau.

  "Would you like some refreshments?"

  "No thanks," Oliver said as Noah released his hand.

  "None for me either," Ashaki piped up. She had stood by silently and watched as the brothers greeted each other.

  Oliver introduced her quickly and Noah shook her hand.

  "Sorry I am not able to get up," Noah apologized. "I really taxed myself this morning and I sort of injured my right leg."

  Oliver nodded. "So you are back to exercising and stuff?"

  "Yes." Noah nodded. "I am fighting fit. My body is quite accepting of this new heart. My only beef with the whole process is the amount of immunodepressants I have to take.

  "They are necessary for your body not to reject your new heart." Oliver smiled. "And I know you know that."

  "Yes, I know." Noah sighed. "But I still complain."

  "I heard that one side effect of a heart transplant was that you gained weight." Noah grinned at Oliver. "How is it that I haven’t been fortunate enough to benefit from this side effect?"

  Oliver chuckled. "Maybe you have to eat more?"

  "I try," Noah shrugged, "but the medications messed with my stomach. I am just now getting back into a groove." He paused. "Will you and Ashaki sit down?"

  Oliver nodded and he and Ashaki sat down across from him.

  They chatted some more. Oliver watched Noah in a sort of daze. It was like watching a younger Pops.

  Noah was enjoying their company. Oliver could see that. He quizzed Ashaki about the Congo. He was complimentary to Oliver for actually going to another country and giving his services.

  "I would do something like that,” he said wistfully, “but I was born with heart issues. For a good part of my life I had to watch myself with sports and all of that." He grinned. "That's why I became a librarian and a writer. I spent most of my time inside with books, had a love affair with them. Why did you become a doctor, Oliver?"

  "Because my mother wished it," Oliver said simply, "and I happen to like it, of course. When I was eighteen, I had dreams of being a footballer or something in sports."

  "Me too." Noah chuckled. "Tell me," he said suddenly serious, "have you ever heard of heart transplant cases in which the person who receives the new heart starts doing things that are not like them?"

  Oliver nodded. "Well, yes..."

  "Remembering places that he has never gone and seeing things in their dreams?"

  Oliver raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

  "Like a name." Noah sighed. "I keep thinking
of a name, Cassandra Green. And I think I am seeing snippets of her face. I have to know who she is or I am going to drive myself crazy."

  "Oh," Oliver frowned, "your medications could be causing..."

  "No," Noah said tiredly, "my doctor already suggested that it's the medications but I am telling you, it’s since I got this new heart. I am doing some weird things, craving some foods I never liked..."

  "The heart provides sensory feedback to our brains," Oliver said, "as does the rest of the body like the autonomic nervous system and yes, it can affect our emotions—when something physical is happening to our body we can feel anxious or depressed. I have heard the theory that the heart has memory and a mind of its own so to speak but..." he held up his hand, "I am not sold on it."

  Noah shrugged. "My doctor said something similar. I'll wait for this to pass. As you said, maybe my mind is reacting to some medication."

  He changed the subject and they found so much in common with each other that Oliver and Ashaki were reluctant to leave.

  "Next time you come to Montego Bay, you come and stay with me. I have loads of space. Come and spend a couple of weeks," Noah offered. "And come see me tomorrow before you leave."

  ****

  "The hotel seems so drab now," Ashaki said when they parked and she got out of the car.

  Oliver laughed. "You went to one luxurious mansion and already you are a snob?"

  Ashaki nodded and then giggled. "Sorry. I am just being honest. I feel as if I was in a dream there."

  "I know what you mean."

  They walked toward the lobby. Ashaki grabbed his hand. "Do you want to know my assessment now that I have seen your brother?"

  "Sure." Oliver grinned. "Why not?"

  "I like his reddish-orange hair and his eyes--they look almost like a cat's. He is quite good-looking but I still think you are the most gorgeous brother."

  "What a relief." Oliver leaned toward her and looked into her eyes. "For a moment there, I was thinking that you would pack up in the night and leave to go back to the luxury mansion. There you would seduce my brother, who is recovering from heart surgery and vulnerable."

  Ashaki laughed out loud. "Never. Leaving you is not an option I would willingly take, even for your rich, handsome brother."

  "Is that so?" Oliver grinned. "Well then, let's go eat. I wish I hadn't refused Dotty's refreshments when she offered them."

  "Me too." Ashaki tightened her hands around his. She just managed to prevent herself from skipping when they approached the bank of elevators that would take them downstairs to the dining hall.

  "Oliver! Ashaki!" It was David's voice. Ashaki froze. No, it couldn't be; David was in the Congo. He had a week left. He wasn't here.

  Oliver was a bit more composed. He swung around in curiosity. And then opened his eyes wide in disbelief.

  "David?"

  "Hey guys." David came forward dragging a suitcase behind him. "I got here like a minute ago. Now my surprise is spoiled."

  Ashaki spun around. It was really David. He looked a little haggard and gaunt in the face but it was him—same handsome features, sandy hair and green eyes. He was in jeans and a lavender shirt.

  Her heart began to race in dread. Not with attraction. He was here. The inevitable conclusion to her rescue mission.

  She stiffened in fright, almost expecting Oliver to shove her to him and say, "Here is Ashaki. Goodbye. Have a nice life."

  "How did you know we were here?" Oliver asked.

  "I didn't!" David was staring at Ashaki with a smile on his face. "But this is a wonderful surprise. I came this end of the island and booked a hotel. I intended to sleep overnight and then head to Mount Faith to say hi to you and to meet up with you of course, Oliver."

  He moved toward her to hug her and she pushed out her left hand instead, clutching Oliver with her right.

  "Hi David."

  He looked at her outstretched arm and then at her and took her hand in his. "Hello Ashaki, you look...amazing. I always knew that you would."

  Ashaki swallowed. "Thank you."

  "You changed your hair and you are in really nice clothes..." David smiled. "It's just like a dream, and the reality is even better."

  Ashaki clutched Oliver's hand tighter. "Oliver has been taking good care of me."

  "I can see that." David swung his gaze to Oliver. "Thank you for that, Oliver."

  It was said with a warning.

  "No thanks necessary." Oliver was the first to clear the tension-filled air. "We were going to eat. We'll be in the dining room. You can find us there when you check in."

  "Yes, good." David nodded and stepped back from the two of them. His eyes lingered on her hand on Oliver's arm but he didn't say anything else.

  They headed to the lift with her legs feeling trembly. When the lift doors closed Ashaki slumped on Oliver and pressed her face into his shirt.

  "Why this hotel?" she whispered. "Why now? I was so happy!"

  Oliver hugged her closer. "This was bound to happen some time or the other. We knew it, didn't we?"

  "Yes, but I..." Ashaki pushed away from Oliver and looked at him stubbornly. "I don't think...I am not ready!"

  Oliver nodded bleakly. "I know."

  "Why did he just show up?" Ashaki asked. She couldn't quite keep the stricken terror from her voice.

  "Because he can," Oliver said as they stepped out of the lift. "And we all agreed to this absurd arrangement."

  Ashaki nodded, feeling like a sacrificial lamb.

  They entered the dining room and were escorted to their seats. The waitress took their drink ordesr.

  "It is buffet style. We should go to the serving stations," Oliver said after a moment of silence where they listened to the clattering of cutlery and plates and the buzz of conversations around them.

  "I am not hungry anymore." Ashaki swallowed. "I think I am going to my room."

  "But..." Oliver squinted at her, then he shrugged. "You sure?"

  "Yes." Ashaki got up. "I need some time to myself."

  Oliver nodded. She could feel his eyes on her as she walked to the door. The day that had started out so well was now crashing around her.

  ****

  Oliver was sitting at the table an hour later, staring into his wine glass. He had not eaten much. His appetite, like Ashaki's, had fled. He was sitting waiting on David and trying not to think. Ashaki was obviously in distress over the sudden arrival of David.

  The implications of him being there were weighing on him too. He wanted Ashaki to stay with him and yet he wanted her to be free to choose the pathway her life would take. He was toying with the idea of telling his friend, "Sorry the rules have changed" but at the same time, he wanted Ashaki to ultimately be the one to decide.

  What a dilemma he had gotten himself into. He could almost imagine his mother giving him the side eye and saying, Told you this wouldn't work. Told you this was the worst arrangement ever concocted.

  And Ricky Mills' cynical face. You are crazy. You are just going to watch the girl you have feelings for waltz off into the sunset with another man. You are pathetic.

  Imagine her with him in bed touching her in places you can only imagine and all with your blessing.

  Oliver took one last swig of his iced tea and grimaced. He had no idea that he would be so ill-prepared for this moment. Four months ran by so fast.

  If David's service had been eighteen months like his, then he wouldn't have gotten a chance to be this attached to Ashaki; instead, he found that he cared about her.

  David slid into the seat in front of him. "What are you looking so downcast about, Oliver? I feel distinctly unwelcome today by you and Ashaki. Can you believe you have yet to crack a smile?"

  "Sorry man." Oliver raised an eyebrow. "You kind of shocked us."

  "I can imagine so. You two were looking so chummy coming into the lobby." David raised an eyebrow. "Something you need to tell me?"

  "No." Oliver looked at him with a smirk.

  "I see I am going t
o have to work my way into Ashaki's affections." David shrugged. "No big deal, I think I can do that easily."

  Oliver laughed. "Really? By threatening her that you were the one who helped her."

  "No." David growled. "I will have her loving me fair and square in no time. We have all the time in the world now, don't we?"

  He looked behind him at the buffet line. "Where's Ashaki?"

  Went to her room to avoid you, Oliver felt like snarling. He moderated his tone instead and answered, "She said she wasn't hungry after all and went to rest."

  "Where's her room?" David asked. "I am on Block C. I could go make sure that she is all right."

  Oliver shook his head. "No, she's my wife. I'll go and check on her. Besides, she said that she wants to be left alone."

  "Oh," David raised a brow. "So that is how you are playing it? The possessive husband?"

  "She is my wife. I don't have to play at anything," Oliver said frankly. "And as far as I know you have your own wife."

  "Yes, for a little while longer," David growled. "I was in the States for a week before this sorting out my issues. Miranda is refusing to sign the divorce papers. She says she wants to be a family again."

  "That's a good plan." Oliver nodded. "Very good plan."

  "You are only saying that because you fell in love with Ashaki, didn't you?"

  Oliver didn't answer.

  David waved him off. "I knew you would. I am not stupid. If you were to be honest, you wanted her long before I even suggested marriage. That's why I even suggested you do it. You were partially motivated and you didn't even know it."

  "Shut up!" Oliver snapped.

  "Still denying it," David guffawed. "Anyway, Miranda had a kid when I was in the Congo. We stupidly had a one last goodbye kind of thing and now...voila...an honest-to-goodness baby! Can you believe it?"

  Oliver straightened up. "Your child?"

  "Yes, the kid looks just like me." David shrugged, "Two years and she couldn't have let me know. I thought I was coming home to an ending marriage; instead I find that I am not going to be totally free of her. Jeesh."