FOURTEEN

“Pay attention, Ms. Carter. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

That was all the warning Sadie had before she saw a two-foot long machete slice through the air just to the left of her feet.

“Je-sus Christ,” Sadie swallowed the shout as she slammed her hand to her chest. She instinctively ducked and squeezed her eyes shut as shards of green coconut shell flew past her face. When she re-opened them, Marcus Baker was giving her a scolding look, as if he was the teacher and she’d just failed a pop-quiz.

“You aren’t paying attention.” There was a little whine in his voice.

“I think you’ll find, Mr. Baker,” Sadie shot back at him, “that I am most definitely paying attention – to the fact that you almost tried to kill me. In broad daylight. With that.” Sadie pointed an accusatory finger at the blade he was haphazardly holding.

“I assure you that you were – are – in no danger. I am an expert at this.” Despite his confidence, Sadie had a hard time reconciling the gangly man in his too-big suit in front of her with the idea that he had any skill wielding large, sharp blades. At fruit or anything else.

Glancing down at her bare legs to make sure she hadn’t been pierced by any coconut shrapnel, Sadie countered, “And, what, exactly is this?”

“This,” Marcus pointed the machete at the mangled coconut at his feet, “is a young coconut and I’m showing you how we peel back the outer skin so we can get to the water inside.”

Satisfied that she wasn’t bleeding, Sadie returned her attention to the coconut that Marcus had attacked. He had gotten to the water, alright. But instead of chipping away at one end to create a small opening into which they’d insert a straw, he had cleaved it more or less in two. The shell had split into jagged halves – a feat Sadie thought was particularly difficult given how sharp the blade looked – and the liquid center had disappeared into the ground beneath.

“I thought, Mr. Baker, that the point was to drink the water once you’ve sliced the coconut open. Not to irrigate the ground with it.”

“Ah, well….” Marcus had the grace to blush even as he swung his arm, the machete still in hand, in an awkward arc between them. Sadie jumped back again, glancing around to see if there would be anyone to witness her untimely demise by incompetent hotel manager.

Not to be deterred, Marcus went to the base of the nearby palm tree where hotel staff had stacked coconuts after picking them earlier in the day. They were destined for the tiny bar on the catamaran that D&A International had rented for a sunset sail. But before the bartenders had had a chance to collect them, Marcus had commandeered one so he could show Sadie how to access the sweet water inside. The first subject of his demonstration sat sadly abandoned on the ground as he returned with another one gripped tightly in his hand.

Sadie frowned as she saw the inventory of her clients’ coconuts fall prey to Marcus, and she waved him off as he started to lift the machete again.

“Mr. Baker. Marcus!” Sadie shouted in an attempt to distract him before he attacked his next victim. A miscalculation, she realized, because instead of stopping altogether he simply shifted in the direction of her voice. Stumbling backwards, Sadie managed to escape the arc of his machete just as it dipped in front of her knees.

“Aggggg-eeeee,” Sadie’s strangled cry was cut off by a chorus of shouts coming from over her shoulder. Just as Marcus lodged the blade into the grass a few inches from where her toes had been, Peter, Jasper and a hotel porter came racing up behind her. Jasper caught Sadie’s elbow just as she was righting herself – damn heels, stupid grass – while Peter clasped one hand around Marcus’ upper arm and the other man yanked the machete from where it was lodged in the ground. Sadie glowered at that, preferring it stuck in a stationary position rather than floating around ready to be swung at unsuspecting guests.

“Davy,” Peter muttered to the young man, “get that back inside.” Davy, his grip on the blade practiced, tucked it tight to his side before disappearing quickly into the main building.

Peter released Marcus as the manager muttered something under his breath while brushing an imaginary stain from his sleeve.

“You ok, Ms. Carter?” Peter looked at Sadie over his shoulder, concern clear in his eyes, even as he kept his body between her and Marcus.

“Yes. Fine.” Sadie breathed out the words on a nervous laugh. As she looked between Peter and Marcus she couldn’t stop the anxious giggles that were bubbling up in place of the panic that had gripped her seconds before. Marcus looked like a petulant toddler whose favorite toy had just been confiscated, and Peter was glaring at him like a parent who’d just discovered how all of the toy dolls had lost their hair. As a particularly high-pitch squeak broke from Sadie’s mouth, Peter released Marcus and turned to face her. His eyebrows shot up as he saw the tears dripping down her face and he stepped towards her before Sadie stopped him with a wave.

“I’m fine,” she gasped between fits. “I promise. Hale and whole. No damage done.” All three men were staring at her now, their eyes searching her body for a wound, as if that might explain her sudden hysteria. But when they couldn’t find anything Peter returned his attention to Marcus.

“We discussed this, sir. You are to leave that job to me and Davy. You agreed.” Marcus hung his head but wasn’t able to hide the red flush that spread up his neck, patently displeased at being reprimanded in front of a guest. By a member of staff, no less.

“I was simply giving Ms. Carter a demonstration.” Marcus wouldn’t look any of them in the eyes, but he tugged at his cuffs and straightened himself to his full height. “And it was going quite well until you interrupted.”

Peter huffed, perfectly aware that he wasn’t going to get Marcus to accept he’d made a mistake. Not to him or Jasper. And certainly not in front of Sadie. “Ms. Carter,” Peter stood between them, glancing back and forth between her and Marcus as he spoke, “how was the demonstration going?”

Sadie, the giggles finally subsiding, was prepared to lay into Marcus when she saw a pleading glance pass over his face. She didn’t think Peter or Jasper caught it; they were both looking at her, waiting for her to respond. But she knew that, for better or worse, Marcus was the boss and shaming him in front of his employees would get them nowhere. Regardless of how much he deserved it.

Clearing her throat, Sadie met Marcus’s eyes. “Mr. Baker was kind enough to show me how to open a coconut. And it was a particularly special demonstration because he said it was his last. That after today he must hang up his machete due to an injury. Isn’t that right, Marcus?” Sadie cocked a challenging eyebrow. “Tennis elbow, isn’t it?” She heard Jasper choke back a laugh, but didn’t look away from Marcus. “And he told me that, after today, all of the coconut opening will be left to you,” Sadie looked at Peter, “and Davy.”

Sadie turned back to Marcus, forcing a small smile to her face. “It was a very educational demonstration, Marcus. Truly. Thank you so much for taking the time.”

Marcus bobbed his head at her, some of the flush retreating beneath his now-wrinkled shirt. “You are very welcome, Ms. Carter. A pleasure.” To Sadie he sounded genuine, as if he had no clue that he’d almost relieved one of her feet of all its toes, but she was distracted by another half-laugh from Jasper and decided it was well past time to leave.

“Well, as much fun as this has been, I have to get back to work.” She gave Peter and Jasper pointed looks. “As I’m sure we all do. Gentlemen.” Sadie nodded at the trio surrounding her before heading towards the path. Jasper was still holding her elbow and he fell into step next to her as she heard him mutter something to Peter about seeing her safely back to her room.

They were around the bend before Jasper released her arm. Her heart rate back to its regular pace, Sadie cast him a sideways look. “You don’t have to walk me back. I’m fine.”

“You might be,” Jasper muttered next to her, “but this is entirely for my own benefit. Trust me. I think my heart stopped completely when I saw him swing that bloody thing at you.” Jasper ran his eyes up and down her body as if to make sure she really was in one piece. “I’m just giving myself a chance to make sure that you’re really alright.”

Sadie smiled, but shook her head all the same. “That’s very sweet of you, Jasper. And I appreciate it. But don’t you have a catamaran to stock? And a whole bunch of fruity drinks to mix?”

Jasper slammed a hand over his heart, a mock frown of insult on his lips. “Here I come to your rescue, save you from a marauding idiot, and you brush me off like a common….”

“Bartender?” Sadie flashed him a wicked grin before giving Jasper’s arm a quick squeeze. “That’s not it and you know it. I’ve just had enough surprises for one day. First my two VIPs bail on the awards lunch we had planned for their top performers. Then I’m threatened with dismemberment by the hotel’s manager. I just want to keep tonight’s surprises to a minimum. Or, better yet, non-existent. And the best way to do that is to keep our little sailors happy. Which means you,” she touched a finger to Jasper’s chest, “out there,” she gestured to the white catamaran bobbing at the end of the dock, “doing what you do best.”

“What?” Jasper cocked a grin at her, “charming my way into the hearts of ladies young and old?”

“Exactly,” Sadie rewarded him with a wide smile. “That’s exactly it. Charming the ladies, befriending the men. And keeping them well lubricated in the process. So, as a favor to me, please, please utilize all of the hefty skills you have at your disposal and help all of our guests have a fabulous night. I, in all my frazzled glory, will be eternally grateful.”  

They had made it to Sadie’s patio door, the natural privacy screen of short palms hiding them from anyone passing by. They’d paused a few feet from each other but as Sadie finished speaking Jasper stepped closer.

“Hmmm, grateful. I like the sound of that.”

His comment didn’t surprise Sadie. Jasper was a dedicated flirt. That was an undeniable fact, one that he’d just happily confirmed. No, it was his tone that caught her off guard. Because instead of the teasing lilt she expected, Jasper’s voice was low and intent as he bent his head towards hers.

“I find, Sadie,” Jasper’s breath hitting her mouth as he spoke, “that I quite like the idea of you being grateful.”

Sadie tried to back up but felt the glass of her patio door against her back as Jasper dropped his mouth to hers. She gasped in surprise and Jasper took advantage of her open mouth to slip his tongue past her lips. As she tried to wiggle out from between him and the door, Sadie’s mind was hurling words at her. No. Jack. Grace. No, no. Not right. Not Jasper. No, no, no!

Sadie had to shove Jasper back with both hands before he finally broke the kiss. “No, Jasper!” Sadie was almost startled by how loud her voice was, but even then Jasper didn’t notice. He merely kept his attention on her lips and leaned forward as if she hadn’t just pushed him away.

Taking a more direct route, Sadie slapped her hand across Jasper’s mouth and left it there as she glared at him. “No. Jasper.” She shook her head vehemently, hoping to emphasize the point that he didn’t seem to be getting. “No. Not me. I’m not one of the ladies you should charm.”

It took another minute before Jasper fully understood what she was saying, but Sadie finally felt the pressure of his mouth against her hand ease as he backed away. This time there was nothing feigned in his insulted expression. His blue eyes had hardened to flint and a nerve was twitching at the corner of one lid. For a second, Sadie stared at the man in front of her like he was a complete stranger, all his humor and affection replaced by irritation and something far darker. Jasper must have sensed Sadie’s alarm, however, because suddenly he was looking down at her with the teasing warmth she’d come to expect from him. And it was only slightly cooler than it had been a few minutes ago.

“Aw, come on, Sadie. It was just a bit of fun. A little reward, for saving you back there.” Jasper reached forward and tried to tuck a strand of hair behind Sadie’s ear but she batted his hand away.

“Jasper. Give it a rest. I know about Grace. Come on.” She glared at him, trying to get him to focus. “I know you guys are seeing each other. And she’s my friend. So this,” she waved her hand in the small space between them, “is never going to happen.” Jasper was about to protest, but stopped when Sadie threatened to clamp her hand across his mouth again.

“Besides, you and I are friends. Nothing more. And where I come from, friends don’t make out with each other.”

Jasper cast her a hopeful glance, “Not even when they are grateful?”

Sadie shook her head. “Not even when they are grateful.” Sadie wanted Jasper to take a step back. To show her with his body that he understood what she was saying. But instead he stood and looked down at her in silence, as if weighing his options, waiting to see if she would change her mind.

Deciding that she’d had quite enough of waiting for him to take a hint, Sadie turned and reached to open the patio door. Catching Jasper’s expression in the reflection of the glass, Sadie thought for a split second that he was going to persist. That, even worse, he was going to follow her into her room. Turning back to him, Sadie squared her jaw and gave him a flat look.

“I have a conference call scheduled with the office, have to hop on the phone in just a minute. I can’t keep everyone waiting, Jasper.” Jasper’s mouth was slightly curved, his body relaxed. But Sadie couldn’t erase the uneasiness she felt looking into his eyes. The charming light in the blue flickered as easily as if he flipped a switch. And Sadie had no interest in waiting to see if he was about to turn it off again. “Thanks for earlier. With Marcus. I do really appreciate it. And good luck on the boat tonight. I know the guests will love you.” Sadie tried to keep her voice light and her breathing even as she waited for Jasper to give up.

In the end it wasn’t anything she said that did it. Instead, it was a shout from the dock that drew Jasper’s attention away long enough for Sadie to slip through the door. He was still watching his co-workers haul supplies onto the catamaran when she slipped the lock closed. But he heard it; at the same time the metal bolt slipped into place Jasper clasped his hands into fists, the bones of his knuckles white against his skin.

***

The casualties of the day were piling up and Sadie was starting to feel the strain. First had been the call from Jack.

His parting kiss that morning had instilled a persistently pleasant hum in her blood and had left Sadie hungry for more. So much so, that she couldn’t stop wondering what would come next. Jack had been very clear that he wanted to see her later. And Sadie felt the same. But she realized several hours into her day that she hadn’t been as explicit with Jack as he’d been with her. Sadie was counting down the days they had left and she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible before they departed the island. But as much as that desire raced through her mind, over and over and over again, Sadie was pretty sure that she’d never actually said as much to Jack. And with that unnerving realization, the parade of questions started in her mind.

When he said ‘later’ did he mean this afternoon? Tonight? Tomorrow night?

Not until the last night?

Never again until we run into each other at the next event?

When Jack said ‘later’ did he mean another four months from now?

By the time she’d run through all of the possible implications of that one little word, Sadie was furious with herself for being so dramatic. Of course that’s not what he meant. Obviously. Right?

The more she scolded herself, the more she thought about it. And the more she thought about it, the twitchier her brain – and other body parts – became. So that by the time Jack called her late-morning Sadie was close to demanding the exact time and location at which they’d next see each other. Which, if she’d been thinking, would have been the lunch they had planned at the old sugar mill ruins. The lunch which, it turned out, Jack was calling to say he wouldn’t be able to attend.

Their conversation had been short. While his tone had been friendly, Sadie could tell from his hello that he was in business mode. He explained that something had come up. That he and Mark wouldn’t be able to make it. That Jacklyn should take over as MC of the awards portion of the program. And that he wasn’t sure if he and Mark would make it on the catamaran that evening. But that he would call back later to confirm one way or the other. And then he’d hung up. Forget “until later.” He hadn’t even managed a proper goodbye.

So by the time Sadie was standing on top of the hill equally covered by old stones and lunch tables, explaining to Jacklyn that not only would she be taking over for both Jack and Mark (no, she didn’t know why) but that yes, she would have to take a golf cart back down to the resort if she needed to go to the bathroom (and, yes, Sadie did know that was a serious design flaw in the overall experience and she was sorry she hadn’t been able to build a bathroom on the ancient ruins just for their use), Sadie was not only questioning her choice of profession, but quietly cursing Jack under her breath and willing her body to forget what his felt like. Because at that moment, Sadie was starting to think that it would be much better – much saner, much safer – to replace later with never.

Which was when Sadie experienced the first casualty of the day: the death of every exhilarating feeling that filled her at the thought of Jack. All of them sank beneath his casual dismissal, irritation at herself for allowing her feelings to distract her from her job, and general annoyance at having to speak more than five words to Jacklyn Simmons in a row.

Sadie’s belief in Marcus’s ability to go through the day without accidentally killing a guest was casualty two. Her good opinion of and trust in Jasper counted as three. For a day that had started off so well, Sadie was fervently ready to call it quits. And it was only four in the afternoon.

But she was hardly going to explain all of that to Lizzie when she called and the first thing out of her assistant’s mouth was “What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t even get a hello?”

“Not when you sound like that you don’t.”

“Sound like what?”

“Like you found out that instead of sending your pet cow off to a ‘farm’ to age gracefully, your parents actually sent it to the slaughter house and cooked it up for dinner.”

“That is incredibly specific. And incredibly gross.”

“I aim to please.” Lizzie paused for a second before sobering. “Seriously, what is up?”

“Nothing. Really.” Sadie pressed her palm into her eye socket as she fell back onto her bed, hoping Lizzie didn’t notice the sound of her will power crashing against the comforter. “It’s just been a really long day.”

“But you’re more than half-way through the week. Just three more days to go.”

“Just three more days to go…,” Sadie’s words were a hollow echo of Lizzie’s.

“I expected you to sound more excited. Or has the peace and quiet of island life finally seduced you and you’re abandoning us crazy mainlanders and our high-stress ways? If so, I call dibs on your apartment.”

Sadie laughed. And she carried on laughing as Lizzie shouted, “And your shoe collection! I’m sure Nevis customs has something against importing so many shoes onto the island. It will throw their domestic market out of whack, for sure.”

“Even if it’s a private collection?”

“It’s only a private collection if the paperwork gets filled out correctly. And guess who’ll be in charge of that?” Sadie could hear Lizzie’s smile through the phone.

“Fine, you win. If I stay you can have my shoes. But I’m pretty sure my landlord will take back the apartment.”

“I suppose the shoes will have to do then,” Lizzie conceded on a sigh.

“As much as I needed a laugh – and I did, Lizzie, so thanks – is there a reason you called?”

“Yes. Actually…,” Lizzie’s voice dropped off and Sadie could almost hear her sit straighter in her chair. Which is what she always did just before she gave Sadie bad news.

“Lizzie, what’s going on?” Sadie sat up, waiting for her assistant to continue.

“I don’t know much. Not yet, anyway. But Trina mentioned something in our projections meeting. About D&A International. About how she’d heard through the grapevine that they’re restructuring. And they might be pulling back on events during the transition.”

Sadie frowned, her fingers tapping against her brow as she processed Lizzie’s news. Restructuring. Transition. It was the language they’d come to expect just before a client cut back on their services. Or canceled them all together. Which meant that if Lizzie was right – if Trina and her grapevine were right – then they might be on the verge of losing D&A International as a client. Which meant that Sadie was on the verge of suffering a major setback in her portfolio.

“Shit,” Sadie muttered into the phone.

“Exactly,” Lizzie responded. “I don’t have any other details. So it might be nothing. But I thought you’d want to know. Given that you are there. With them.” Lizzie hesitated for a second. “With him.”

Sadie waited for Lizzie to ask what she knew her assistant was dying to ask.

“Did he…? Have you...?”

“Spit it out, Lizzie.”

“Has Jack said anything to you? About this?”

That was not what Sadie was expecting her to say. She had been on the verge of spilling everything to Lizzie. To copping to the night in the cabana. To the night and the morning in her room. With the toll of the day weighing her down, Sadie had been ready to confess everything and beg for absolution.

But that’s not what Lizzie wanted to know. And the one very small upside to potentially losing D&A International as a client was that Sadie would never have to explain to her friend what she’d done. And with whom.

“No, Jack, Mr. Avery. He hasn’t said a word. At least, not to me.”

“And the letter…?”

Sadie squeezed her eyes shut. For a second she’d actually forgotten that the letter wasn’t a secret, not from Lizzie. “I haven’t opened it, Lizzie.” Sadie forced the words out, thankful that the distance between them might temper the lie she was sure Lizzie could hear in her voice.

“Okay.” Lizzie didn’t push. Maybe because she believed Sadie. Or maybe because she knew she was lying. Either way, Sadie held back a sigh of relief when her assistant let it go.

“But if he says anything, Lizzie, I’ll let you know. I doubt he will. But, you never know.”

“Thanks, Sadie. But I wasn’t worried for me. I just wanted to make sure you knew. So that if something happens while you’re out there with them, you aren’t blindsided.”

“I appreciate you looking out for me, Lizzie. As always, you are a rock star.”

“A rock star who gets all of your shoes.”

“Lizzie….,” Sadie voice dropped as she mock-scolded her assistant.

“Fine. Just five pairs. I’ll ship the rest to you, I promise.”

“If,” Sadie laughed back at her, “it comes to that, you can have ten. But,” she had to shout over Lizzie’s excited squeal, “not one pair more.”

***

So, make that four casualties for the day. And to Sadie, the last one – the possible loss of her biggest client, not to mention the man behind it – held the potential to be the most devastating. For more reasons than she cared to count.