Chapter 11

 

River sighed in frustration. He’d been so close to kissing her before she dashed for the ladies’ room. He wasn’t sure whether he was relieved or frustrated. Or both.

All day long his brain and his body had been fighting whether to make a move on her or stay away. He was clearly smitten. Despite the fact that he now knew more about her background, that woman was still a mystery, which only served to send his libido flying higher.

Why did she insist on working for him, if she seemed to be afraid – of what exactly? He had no idea. River had enough headaches running his business; he didn’t need more trouble. He liked his women plain and simple, since solving mysteries wasn’t his forte.

When Pippa returned, looking even more appetizing with her rosy cheeks shimmering, it didn’t escape him that she purposefully sat farther away from him. So far away, he could no longer smell her unique scent, or run his fingers down her cheek – not that he wanted to.

She finished her drink in record time and then declined his offer of another. River took her unspoken cues and finished his own in two swallows.

“Ready to get to work?” he said after paying for the drinks.

Pippa gave him a confused look. “Tonight?”

“Yes. We need to stock up before the guests arrive in the morning.” River looked at her tired face and added, “But since it’s your first day…if you’re too tired you can return to the boat.”

She seemed to weigh her options, but then nodded. “Then I’m game for a little grocery shopping.”

“It’ll be anything but little.” He chuckled. “We’ll have to buy groceries for twelve people to last for a week.”

“Twelve people? I only saw bookings for eight guests.” Pippa did the calculations in her head and gave him a confused look.

“Yep. But I have two more crew coming onboard tomorrow. Maria and Willem have been lifesavers for me. Maria does all of the cooking and cleaning, while her husband is basically my ‘man for everything’. If something breaks, he fixes it. If the guests need help with their gear or just want to fish for an afternoon, he’s the man to make it all happen.”

They walked a few blocks and then stopped in front of a tiny house. River rapped his knuckles on a wooden door, announcing his arrival. A woman in her fifties with short black curls and dangling earrings hugged him against her huge bosom. Despite having known the couple for several years, River still hadn’t gotten fully used to the exuberant way they showed affection.

Maria gave Pippa a short glance and then broke out into a huge smile, showing her white teeth. “So who are you, my dear?”

“This is Pippa Kensington, my new assistant.” River hurried to make the introduction and then gave Willem a strong handshake, while Maria engulfed Pippa into one of her bear hugs.

The four of them headed for the big supermarket located a few blocks away and loaded cart after cart with pasta, rice, canned food, fresh vegetables and fruits, several types of bread, eggs, milk, cheese and an equal assortment of meats.

River secretly observed how Pippa’s eyes became bigger by the minute, as they loaded more and more food into the carts.

“I think we’re done here,” Maria announced, meticulously scratching items from her shopping list.

“Will we really use this much food?” Pippa pointed at the two shopping carts overflowing with groceries.

“Definitely. And we’re not finished either,” River chuckled and pointed Pippa toward the shelves with drinks, where Willem already loaded another cart to the brim with water, juices, and soft drinks. When he finished he cheekily glanced at River and put two six-packs of beer on top.

“Only two six-packs?” Pippa asked.

“They are for Willem. The guests aren’t allowed alcohol or there’s no diving for them.”

“Oh yes, I forgot,” Pippa answered and once again River had to think about the mystery she presented. She seemed to know an awful lot about boats and diving when she’d been so afraid to even board the Moana this morning.

After they’d loaded yet another shopping cart with everything else that was needed for their trip, including paper towels, toilet paper, soap, and dish soap, it was finally to time head for the cashier.

River smiled at the way Pippa stared in wonder at the piles and piles of plastic bags accumulating in the shopping carts.

“How on earth will we get everything to the boat?” she asked him.

“Wait and see…” he said, grinning.

Outside the supermarket several tiny three-wheeled trucks were already waiting for customers.

“The people here have adapted well to the needs of boat crews.” River waved at one of the young local men, leaning against his truck a cigarette in the corner of his mouth.

The young man came forward and Willem negotiated his fee in their local language. Then they loaded the vehicle and gave him direction to the berth were the Moana was moored.

Pippa had been watching the scene with big eyes and now turned her head to give River a smile. His heart melted and he felt the sudden need to wrap her into his arms. But, of course, he didn’t. He wouldn’t go there.