Up to No Good: The Siren Island Series, Book Two

by Tricia O'Malley

  Mermaid tarot cards.

  Siren Island.

  Prince’s mermaid comb.

  Mermaid mirror.

  She needed to know more. Lola decided then and there she’d have a new project while on the island. Quite simply, she had to find a mermaid.

  And hopefully, in the process, she’d find the answers to what she’d come here for.

  Chapter 10

  Lola spent the next hour devouring all the information she could find in the museum, but aside from a few of the mermaid myths and the artifacts, the rest of the information focused largely on the colonization of the island and its history of trade and produce. Luckily, the woman behind the desk had been able to point her toward a small gift shop and book store on-island, indicating they might have more information. Lola left, a thrum of excitement racing through her as she considered all the angles to her new project.

  First, prove mermaids are real.

  Second, find mermaids.

  “No,” Lola said out loud, half-laughing to herself as she stopped to examine some earrings in a window. She couldn’t prove mermaids were real. It was more likely she just had to believe in them, and then they would show up. They had evaded any sort of true documentation for centuries, so it wasn’t as though Lola was going to be the one to prove their existence to the world. Plus, did she really want that? She knew what it was like to have all eyes on her, judging her for being outside the norm, and could only imagine what the world would do to mermaids.

  Scratch that, then.

  First, believe in mermaids.

  Second, find mermaids and what they mean to you.

  There, Lola, thought, that’s a little more focused. Plus, even if she never found a mermaid, god, they were gorgeous! To think of the art alone, the things she could create around a mermaid-themed show! Lola stopped in her tracks.

  Could I curate that? Would it be worthwhile? What if I created art based solely on the lessons that mermaids are meant to teach us?

  There was so much she wanted to do, Lola realized as she strolled the little cobblestone street with its brightly colored buildings lining both sides, people rolling by on bicycles and scooters. It was something she’d always struggled with, she supposed, focusing on just doing one thing when there were so many things a person could do. She never worried about money, because her needs were simple, and she was confident in her own ability to make money when she needed it, but she had never landed on one particular career path that could fully keep her invested.

  Maybe it was time to bring all her interests under one roof, Lola mused, as she found the small bookstore, tucked inside a brilliant turquoise building with a mural of an underwater scene painted on the side. Lola smiled as she studied it, and it wasn’t until she took a step back that she saw that all the fish, reef, and coral pieces actually formed the face of a smiling woman, her hair twisting wildly behind her.

  “Clever,” Lola said, and automatically took a photo of it. Then she crossed the street to get out of the relentless sun, and ducked inside the cool bookstore. Taking a moment for her eyes to adjust, she smiled at a woman who greeted her from a chair in the corner, where she was adding beads to a colorful crochet project.

  “Good day, may I help you?”

  “I was pointed in your direction from the museum. She mentioned you might have books on mermaid mythology here?”

  “That I do. An entire shelf full of them. You like mermaids?”

  “It’s hard not to, right? So beautiful and confident in their own right – masters of their domain.”

  “You’ll find stories from all over the world, but if you’re seeking out our mermaids, I suggest you read a few of the local books and some of the Caribbean-themed stories.” The woman fluffed out her project in front of her, and despite herself, Lola walked closer to see.

  “What are you working on?”

  “It’s a bikini top. I crochet them, just for fun, and then add a few beads.” She held it up, a brilliant red bikini top with turquoise beads sewn in a floral pattern. Lola was immediately smitten.

  * * *

  “I’ll buy it from you, if it’s for sale.”

  “Child, it’s not finished yet.”

  “When will it be?”

  “Mmm, not long now. You go look for your books and I’ll see what I can do. You just passing through or will you be here a while?”

  “I’m not sure,” Lola said with a shrug as she crossed to a small bookshelf painted the same turquoise color as the outside of the building. “But then I never really am. I like to take my time in places – if I need to stay longer, I do, or I leave when I need to go. It all depends.”

  “A wanderer.” The woman hummed.

  “More or less. I like to think I’m more like a connoisseur of the world. It’s all so interesting to me that I’m constantly fascinated by learning about new places and cultures, the art, their stories… all of it.”

  “You’re a photographer then?”

  “I am, at times. I’m also a curator of art, I create jewelry when the mood strikes, and I’m an interior designer – depending on a client’s needs.”

  “That’s an interesting job. I bet you’ve had fun traveling the world.”

  “I have, though I’ve grown restless of late.” Lola shook her head and darted a glance at the woman over her shoulder. “Sorry, I have no idea why I’m telling you that.”

  “People talk to me. It’s what we do – sharing stories. I wouldn’t run a bookstore if I didn’t like to hear people’s stories. But you take your time, look at a few of those books. I need to focus on finishing this up for you.”

  Dismissed, Lola realized, and smiled to herself as she scanned the shelf. The woman hadn’t lied; there were numerous books from all over the world about mermaids, but she decided to take the woman’s advice and focus on the local and regional books. Slim little volumes in ring binders, more likely made at home than from an actual printing press. Tugging a few out, she was happy to see they carried different sightings, as well as a variety of historical myths and interpretations of mermaid meanings.

  “There now, I was closer than I thought. Try it on, just to be safe.” The woman held the bikini up and gestured to a curtained corner of the room.

  “I’m sure it’s fine. It’s adjustable, isn’t it?”

  “Try it on anyway. It’s my work being advertised, and I like to make sure all my girls look good when they wear it.”

  It wasn’t really an option, Lola realized. She placed her book selections on the counter by the register and took the swimming suit to the tiny dressing room in the corner. Hanging her camera on a hook in the wall, she closed the curtain around her and quickly undressed. She pulled the simple crocheted bottom on, thankful for its turquoise blue lining, and then tied the top around her breasts. Hoping everything was tucked in, as there were no mirrors in the fitting room, Lola stepped out into the bookstore.

  “Well? What do you think?” Lola asked just as the door opened. Sunlight spilled into the bookstore from outside, casting the man who stepped inside as a shadow for a moment.

  “I’ll take it,” Gage said, grinning at Lola from across the room, his eyes still hidden behind the mirrored glasses. Despite herself, Lola realized she really wanted to know what color his eyes were.

  “It’s not for sale to you,” Lola said, allowing the double meaning to come through before shooting him a cheeky grin. “But I’m sure she can make you a male version.”

  Both women turned and eyed Gage appreciatively. Lola was delighted to see him actually squirm under their gazes.

  “Mmmhmm. There’s a few things I wouldn’t mind seeing this boy in, but I don’t think a crochet Speedo is one of them, and that’s the honest truth of it.” The woman chuckled and kissed Gage on both cheeks.

  “I’m going to be shuddering over the imagery of a crochet Speedo the rest of the day,” Gage promised, laughing with the woman. “Miss Maureen, you get lovelier every day.”

  “Of course I do.�
� Miss Maureen chuckled at him and Lola would’ve rolled her eyes if Miss Maureen didn’t easily have twenty years on Gage.

  “That’s a real lovely swimming suit you’ve made this time,” Gage said, turning back to scan Lola, and she could swear she felt heat rush through her under his appraisal. “I particularly like the peek-a-boo bits of turquoise you’ve worked in with the red. You’d be a fool not to buy it, Lola.”

  “Oh, I certainly plan to. It’s surprisingly comfortable,” Lola said, and beamed at Miss Maureen before tucking herself back behind the curtain and fanning her face for a moment. So much for playing it cool around Gage, she thought; the man had just seen her in about the skimpiest bikini she’d ever worn. Not much left to the imagination on that one, Lola mused. She quickly dressed again, unwinding her hair from its braid as it had all but come undone anyway. Shaking her waves out, she tucked the camera over her neck and stepped back out.

  Gage glanced at her once more and paused, seeming as if he were about to speak. Then he shook his head and turned back to kiss Miss Maureen goodbye, his arms loaded with sodas and pamphlets.

  “I’d say I hope the next time I see you is even more pleasant, but I’m not sure anything can top the joy of seeing you in one of Miss Maureen’s creations.”

  “Go on with you now, Gage,” Miss Maureen said before Lola could respond. “If you’re going to flirt with the girl, you’d better do it properly and ask her on a real date.”

  “I tried, but she turned me down.” Gage smiled.

  Lola rolled her eyes. “It must be tough for your ego, I know.”

  “Try harder then.” Miss Maureen shook her head sadly at the state of all men and moved behind the counter. “In the meantime, those sodas are getting warm and I need to make my sale.”

  “I’m gone,” Gage said, shooting Lola one more smile before leaving the room.

  “You sure about turning that fine man down?” Miss Maureen eyed Lola over the counter.

  “I think so.” Lola shrugged.

  “Make him work for it, if you want it. Women come easily to him. Don’t be one of those.”

  “Trust me, I read that loud and clear from the moment I got off the airplane and saw him surrounded by a gaggle of women.”

  “Mmm. I think you wear that bikini out, you’ll find yourself a gaggle of men. I did a great job with that one, if I do say so myself.” Miss Maureen chuckled and rang up Lola’s purchases, tucking them into a reusable canvas bag.

  “Saves the reefs, you know. Plastic bags are bad for our turtles. They think they’re jellyfish and eat them.” Miss Maureen made a sad noise as she pursed her lips.

  “You’re smart to offer the reusable ones, then,” Lola said, hoisting her bag in thanks. “I’ll be back after I get through these books.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll make you something else. Now that I’ve seen how my work looks on you, I’ve a mind for another project.”

  “The mind of an artist…” Lola smiled from the door doorway. “It’s always busy.”

  “That it is, my dear, that it is.” Lola could tell that Miss Maureen was pleased at being called an artist, and she made a note to stop back in at the end of the week.

  Chapter 11

  Armed with her books, her new bikini, and a large Tervis tumbler filled with the makings for a Dark & Stormy, Lola headed toward the beach at the Laughing Mermaid. She’d found a small place to rent a scooter and had made a few rounds of the little downtown before the thought of her lovely B&B called to her, making her itch to get in the water.

  The beach at the Laughing Mermaid was quiet, though she’d heard the voices of other guests earlier that day. They must all be out on excursions, Lola thought, before taking a quick sip of her drink and eyeing the ocean. Yup, she definitely needed to take a dip before she settled in to read.

  Leaving her stuff on a lounge chair, Lola sauntered down to the ocean, enjoying the feel of the sand under her feet. It was almost too hot to walk on, seeming to push her to get to the water faster. Once at the waves, Lola looked around, admiring the crystal-clear water, and how the blue seemed to change from turquoise to cobalt and back again. The ocean was a moody one, as Lola well knew – it was one of the reasons she was always drawn to water wherever she went.

  Sighing in pure joy, Lola slipped beneath the surface, closing her eyes as the water enveloped her, seeming to welcome her home. It was one of the reasons she’d gotten her scuba certification years before. There was something about floating in the ocean, where no one could talk to her, that heightened her senses and made her feel at peace with the world. Being in the ocean was like meditation for Lola, and she always craved it when she was away from water for too long. She’d have to stop by a dive shop while she was here, Lola thought as she surfaced, pushing her hair from her face and floating lightly in the buoyant water.

  What would it be like to call the sea your home? Lola wondered as she paddled about. The water was the perfect temperature – just refreshing enough, not so cold as to send her scurrying out. She wondered how weird it would be to look out onto land but not be able to join in that world. Indulging herself in the fantasy of being a mermaid, Lola floated for a while before she turned to see two women walk into the garden and stop under a palm tree, waving out at her in the water.

  Lola waved back and floated for a few more moments before the sunshine and her cocktail beckoned. Getting out of the water, she shook her hair out and strolled up the beach to where the two women – gorgeous women at that – chattered to each other in the garden. These must be the infamous Mirra and Jolie. She’d heard about them from Sam, and Lola had to conclude that Sam was right. These women were seriously stunning. Even as confident as she was in her looks and her body, Lola found herself drawn to these two. Something special seemed to shimmer around them, an effervescent sparkle in the air, and Lola imagined that every eye in the room would be on these two wherever they went.

  “You must be Lola,” the dark-haired one said, standing up and holding out her hand.

  “Of course it’s Lola. Sam’s told us enough about her.” The blonde woman rose and held out her arms. “I’m a hugger, sorry.”

  “I don’t mind,” Lola laughed, and embraced both women, making a mental note of the hum of energy she felt from them, similar to the one she had noticed from Irma. The blonde, Mirra, was wrapped in an airy white sarong, and Jolie, the dark-haired one, was in a screaming orange bikini. Both looked equally appealing, and Lola wondered why there wasn’t a line of men salivating at the door.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you both,” Lola said. “Sam’s spoken very highly of you both – well, and of Irma too. I really appreciate how you’ve stepped in and become like a family for her. She needs it.”

  Jolie eyed Lola as she wrapped a towel around her body and settled into her chair, sliding her sunglasses on again against the brightness of the Caribbean sun.

  “I’d say Lucas has provided that for her more than anyone has, but we love Sam and are happy to have her as a neighbor,” Jolie said. “It sounds like you’re really her main person in life. Are you coming down to make sure we’re good enough?”

  “Oh, stop it, Jolie, you can’t just assume the worst of everyone. I’m sure Lola’s protective of Sam, but also knows she’s a grown woman.” Mirra shot an apologetic look at Lola.

  “Actually, I’m here because a tarot card reader in Italy handed me a pack of mermaid tarot cards and basically told me to travel here. But, yes, I’ve been meaning to come visit Sam and make sure she’s doing okay down here. From the sounds of it, she’s flourishing.”

  “She really is, isn’t she?” Jolie beamed, attitude forgotten in their shared protectiveness over Sam.

  “From what I can tell, she’s over-the-moon happy. Which makes me happy. That’s all I need to know.” Lola shrugged and took a sip of her cocktail, enjoying the spiciness of the dark rum.

  “See? That’s a good friend,” Mirra pointed out.

  “I have to tell you both, I absolutely adore wh
at you did for decorations in my room. It’s truly delightful. I may have to get some ideas from you for clients of mine.”

  “Okay, I officially like you,” Jolie decided and settled back in her chair, causing Lola to laugh. “Tell me more about how much you like it.”

  “I really, truly do. I appreciate it when there’s a touch of whimsy or emotion added to a room. It’s nice when places take time to infuse some personality into their accommodations. Otherwise, you’d just be at any other chain hotel around the world.”

  “We do like to differentiate ourselves from some of the more basic hotels,” Mirra agreed.

  “You have a real gem here,” Lola said.

  “Sam tells us you’re an artist of some sort? Is that correct? She made it sound like you’re basically her complete opposite.” Mirra laughed and twirled a lock of long blonde hair around her finger. “Sort of a Bohemian globetrotter who does a little bit of everything.”

  “That’s a fairly accurate description, I suppose.” Lola laughed and took another sip of her drink, stretching her legs out in front of her and moving her books to the table beside her. “My mother is an art curator as well, and she’d pick me up and haul me all over the world with her. For which I’m grateful. It’s helped me in my career, and following my own interests, but I can’t say I’m as focused as some would like me to be.”

  “Do you care about those who say such things?” Jolie inquired.

  “Not particularly,” Lola said, and they all laughed.

  Jolie leaned over and picked up one of her books, flipping through the pages. “Are you interested in mermaids?” She shot Mirra a look and held up the book.

  “I mean, it’s kind of hard not to be, right? They’re so damn fascinating. I went to town today and stopped at the museum, took some time learning about the history here. The woman there sent me on to the bookstore.”

  “That’s Miss Maureen’s bikini!” Jolie exclaimed. “I was going to ask you where you got it; it looked familiar. She doesn’t sell those to just anyone, you know. You should be happy she did. It looks fantastic on you.”