Carol stepped close to the wall. The hallway was carpeted, all the doors closed and locked, and several had do-not-disturb signs. A couple of doorknobs, she was surprised to see, had breakfast menus dangling from them.
Maybe I should have looked through the brochures more carefully. I wouldn’t have to go down to breakfast.
“Mornin’.”
Carol started and slapped a hand to her chest.
“Sorry, honey. Didn’t mean to startle ya.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention.” Actually I was paying too much attention to the wall and missed the human walking toward me.
“What you doin’ up so early?”
Carol stiffened. “I, uh, couldn’t sleep. So I was, uh, exploring.”
The softly rounded, middle-aged woman with mahogany colored skin and a Caribbean accent, looked intimidating with her hands on her hips and a feather duster sticking out behind her. The woman tipped her head.
“That’s the best way to find out about a place. Walk around. I’m Poppy. I’m the housekeeper.”
“Uh, Carol. I’m Carol.”
“Carol Lee? Checked in yesterday, one duffel.”
Carol’s eyebrows rose.
“Don’t be impressed, Miss Carol. This here may not be a small building but I do know my guests. You need anything, you ask for Poppy.”
“Thank you.”
“Where’s your dog?”
“My dog?” She was dumbfounded but quickly realized if anyone would be notified about a dog staying in a room, it would be the housekeeper. “He’s at a kennel.”
“Oh, honey. Bring him on over. He’ll be happier stayin’ with his mama,” she said with a big grin. And walked away. Without turning she added, “Room service starts at six so you have ’bout an hour and a half to wander before you get back to your room. Don’t miss the beach at sunrise. It’s somethin’ else.” And she disappeared around a corner.
Thrown a bit off balance by the woman and her endearing personality, Carol continued down the hall to the elevator. She rode down to the lobby and stepped out without consciously choosing to head for the beach. That’s okay. I could use a quiet sunrise for a change.
She pulled a lounger from the neat stack on the terrace. Dragging it through the dark, she contemplated how she wanted to view the sunrise. It wasn’t the first she’d seen in a while but at least she wouldn’t be staring out a window in her sleep shirt and shorts, sweating like she was back in Afghanistan. The terror she lived with was tucked deep inside. She felt relaxed and secure.
“Less than twenty-four hours on this island and I’m relaxed and happy.” Pleasantly surprised with herself, she set up the chair facing east and settled in to see the start of a new, and happier day. She drifted off with a small smile on her face.
And came awake reaching for the weapon that wasn’t there, searching for the threat. Panting, sweating and crouching next to the lounge chair, she finally realized she was deep in failure mode. First, she’d slept through sunrise. Second, she took the rattle of a pile of lounge chairs being set up on the beach as an enemy approaching. She startled the cabin boy who was distributing the chaise lounges. He started toward her. Swallowing a sob, she fled. She didn’t stop until she was inside her room with the door closed and locked. Her head against the door, she slowed her breathing and tried to recall her desperate flight.
The cabin boy—or whatever they called him—tried to help her. There were a couple of people at the check-in desk who raised their heads and watched her run through the lobby. She may have caught a glimpse of Poppy, which dismayed her. She wanted the friendly woman to like her. But, other than that, no one saw her.
Her breathing calmed and her heart rate steadied. She dragged herself over to the mussed bed and assumed the lotus position. Taking her form, she worked at regaining her center and tucking the terror away. She’d been at it for a time when there was a knock on the door. Carol jumped but didn’t panic. She rose and looked through the peep hole. It was Poppy. Carol opened the door.
“Poppy. What can I do for you?”
“Honey, it’s what I can do for you.”
The woman held a tray with two silver covers and a steaming carafe. She walked in the room and set the tray on the table by the window. Then she opened the curtains. A view of the Gulf of Mexico appeared. Carol stood holding the door open. Poppy turned and waved her over.
“Come on. Don’t let your breakfast get cold.”
“I didn’t order breakfast.”
“Well, it’s your first morning and you didn’t sleep well so…here’s your breakfast.” She bustled around fixing things here and there then lifted the carafe and a coffee cup.
“I don’t drink coffee.”
Poppy looked at her. “I know. This is a tea blend for strengthening the heart and calming the nerves.”
“You saw me.”
“I saw you returning to your room in a rush and figured you had something to do quick and would probably forget to order breakfast.”
“I thought you said it was because I didn’t sleep well.”
Poppy laughed. “That, too. Now come on, sit and eat.” She pulled a chair out.
Obediently, Carol shut the door and sat down. Poppy lifted the first cover to reveal a golden omelet filled with cheese and crab meat. The second one uncovered toast, an English muffin, a cup of whipped butter and a neatly skinned and separated orange.
“This looks wonderful but it’s too much.”
“Eat what you can, honey. You’re tall enough to carry a few extra pounds.”
Poppy wiped her hands on a towel and went to the door. “Just call room service when you’re done and put the tray in the hall. Enjoy!”
And she was gone before Carol could say thank you. She looked at the repast and picked up her fork.
* * *
“So Carol’s staying at the Bianca Resort?”
“It’s the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa.”
“Oh. Okay. Is she?”
“Why?”
“Just thought I’d go over and say hello.”
“Mason. Do not bother Carol. She’s here to—get acquainted with her new dog, not fend off a greasy mechanic.”
“Oh, sure. I’m a greasy mechanic when I want to see your friend but let your car stutter or make a funny noise when you’re going twenty-two miles an hour and I’m your hero.”
Dixie didn’t answer right away. She got up and refilled both of their coffee cups. “You’re right, Mason. I’m sorry. It’s just that Carol is a very special case and I’m asking you not to bother her.”
“A special case? What do you mean by that?”
Dixie sighed and put her head on the table. “It’s too early. Forget I said that.”
Mason was coming to the realization that this wasn’t Dixie not wanting him to date a friend of hers. It was way more than that. His right leg jiggled under the table. He reached for his coffee and felt his stitches pull. “Damn.”
“You okay?” Dixie’s voice was muffled against the table and her arm.
“I’m fine.” He jiggled his leg some more. “What are your plans for today?”
She lifted her head. “I have two dogs in training and three are kenneled. I have to feed and walk them then spend some time on the training. Why?”
“Just curious, is all.”
“Hmm.”
“Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Brand’s out of town picking up some equipment for his shop.”
“The beach bunny shop.”
Dixie grinned. “Yeah. He’s due back this afternoon. And he’s my fiancé, not my boyfriend.”
Mason shook his head. “My little sis gettin’ married. Who’d a thunk it.”
“Me. Mom and Dad. Raeanne. Brand.”
Mason lifted a hand. “I get it.” He looked her in the eye. “But I still don’t get it.”
“You’ll meet him tonight and then you’ll understand.”
“You making dinner for all of us?”
Dixie got up and put her empty cup in the sink. “Tonight is Brand’s night to cook.”
With her back turned to him she didn’t see his eyes bug out and his jaw drop. He pulled himself together just before she turned back to him.
“Does he, uh, spend the night?”
Dixie leaned back against the sink with a wry grin. “He lives here, Mason.”
“What? Does Mom know?”
“Take it easy, brother. All the parents and sibs know. You would too if you kept in touch more. You really should stop and see the family before you go back to work.”
Feeling a bit lost, he rubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll think about it. But now I have to look for a place to stay.”
“You can stay—oh, yeah. A couch isn’t a good choice when you have extensive stitches and bruises. I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about when Brand got home.”
Mason stood and stretched slowly. “At least I knocked thoughts of your boyfriend out of your head.”
“Ha ha.”
“I’ll look for a hotel or something.”
Dixie thought fast. “Well, you have a choice.”
“What’s my choice?”
“Reasonably priced or the one with a masseuse on the premises.”
Mason considered. “How much is the one with the masseuse?”
“It’s the Casa Blanca Resort & Spa. You could use a massage with your sore shoulders and back.”
“Is it as tony as it sounds?”
“Pretty much. It’s not cheap, either.”
He figured he had enough credit on his card to stay a couple of days at a resort. A couple of massages would keep him loose and flexible. Maybe I’ll splurge for once.
Then all dismay at having this obstacle thrown in his path dissipated. He grinned.
Dixie groaned.
“So, you want me to say hi to Carol for you?”