Chapter 21

River had been dreading their return to Aruba. Since their night on the beach in Bonaire, Pippa had been distant, elusive even. After leaving their guests and Maria and Willem in Curacao, he’d hoped to be able to talk to her, but she had avoided running into him.

It was with great trepidation that he docked in Aruba in the same marina where she’d first set foot on his boat. He’d become so accustomed to her presence, his throat tied up at the mere thought of not having her around.

Pippa stalked up to him with a serene expression on her face.

“Is something wrong?” he asked.

“No, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed working for you this last week.” She finished her sentence with the slightest tremble in her voice.

“But?” River asked, sensing there was more to come.

“But…you’ll be better off without me.”

River felt the blow as if she’d physically attacked him. “What are you talking about? You’re quitting?”

“It’s for the best,” Pippa said, worrying her upper lip between her teeth.

“No, it’s not. You’ve been a lot of help…” He was helpless to say what he really meant. Please stay. Give us a chance. I don’t want to live without you. I love you.

“You’ll find someone else…someone who’s better suited for you than I am.”

So it’s not really about work. “Pippa, can’t we discuss this? Please?”

She shook her head, refusing to look at him. “No. I’ve already made my decision. Trust me, this is the best thing for both of us. Have a good life, River.” Then she turned on her heel and a minute later she rushed past him with her backpack on her shoulders.

With disbelief, he watched her disappear up the pier, willing her to turn around. When it became clear she wasn’t coming back, he walked around the boat, putting things back and readying the boat for the next trip.

An intense sadness swept over him. For the first time in years he felt utterly alone, without anyone he could talk to. River was wallowing in self-pity when his cell phone rang.

“What now?” he answered gruffly.

“Is that how you always answer the phone?” his sister Vivian asked with a disgustingly chirpy voice. “If so, I can’t believe you’re as busy as Chuck says you are.”

“Hi, sis. Have you spoken to Chuck lately?”

“That’s why I’m calling. Chuck said you hired Pippa Kensington? How’s that working out for you?”

“It’s not. She just quit.” River sighed.

Vivian giggled. “What did you do? Ask her to take out the trash? She was raised with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth.”

“She’s nothing like that.” River had a hard time holding onto his temper.

“So what’s she like?”

“None of your damn business,” he bellowed at his sister.

The line went silent. After a minute, Vivian said, “Chuck was right. You like her. It’s about time for my baby brother to fall in love.”

“Don’t call me baby brother…” Vivian’s assertion of his own suspicions hadn’t helped to raise his mood.

“Does she like you?” Vivian insisted.

“I guess so.” Actually I know she does, but she’s too afraid to admit it.

“Okay, River. Now I’ll give you a lesson in understanding women. You can thank me later.” Vivian paused for effect and River braced himself for the lecture he knew would come.

“When she runs away from you this means she’s somehow afraid.”

No news here.

“Maybe she thinks you’re the wrong man for her, which given your reputation is not that unlikely…”

Actually she thinks she’s not the right woman for me. He tuned out Vivian’s speech until she asked, “River! Are you still listening?”

“Yes, ma’am, of course. I have no idea how Rock is able to endure you day in and day out.” He chuckled at her angry huff. 

“That’s because he loves me. But that’s beside the point. In any case, if you have feelings for the woman, you have to go after her.”

“Pippa made it clear that she doesn’t want me—“ River argued.

“Which only proves that you haven’t been listening to me. Trust me on this. Go after her. If you don’t, you’re an idiot!”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“You know I love you, bro. If you felt a connection to Pippa, don’t let her fear and the demons of the past determine your future.”

“Can I assume you’ve already researched her?” River asked.

“Of course. I totally get she’s afraid of commitment. Who wouldn’t after the divorce of the decade?”

Which only proves you have no idea about the real Pippa. She’s afraid of a lot more than commitment. “She made her decision and I’m going to respect that.”

“River Armstrong! Don’t make me take things into my own hands.”

“You wouldn’t dare to fly down here and butt into my love life.”

“Sure would. You know me,” Vivian said with a threatening laugh. River knew she was capable of such a thing – and she’d enjoy it.

“Love you, too, sis. And I’ll go after her, just to keep you out of my way,” he said, even though he had no intention of following her advice.

“Good boy. Talk to you soon.” Vivian disconnected the call.

He tossed the phone onto the desk and then entered his cabin, where he collapsed upon the bed. I want Pippa back on my boat and in my life.