Chapter Nine
Monday morning, both Justin and Stevie stopped by during her class. She excused herself and stepped out into the hall. Justin moved over to stand beside her. Stevie reached out as if to take her hand, but Justin frowned at him. “You’ve done enough. Do I have to beat the tar out of you to get you to behave?”
“Hey, man. I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt her, and I didn’t realize that would cause a problem.”
Lisa frowned. “It was more than a problem. I had to suffer through it.”
Stevie shoved his hand into his pocket. “Lisa, I’m really sorry for what happened to you, and I want to make it up to you. I’ve got great plans for this afternoon. We’ll pick up lunch at South of the Border, and then we’ll rent a motor boat, my treat, and ride out into the Gulf. I brought my rod and reel, and we can fish. I’ll let you and Justin take a turn or two.” He glanced at Lisa. “Bring some sunscreen, and I’ll help you rub it on.”
Justin scowled and stared at his stepbrother as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “A gentleman doesn’t suggest that to another man’s date.”
“Look,” Lisa said, “I need to get back to my class. They are painting their paper mâché projects and might spill paint. You two just go on without me. You can rub sunscreen on each other.” She hurried inside, with only a glance back at the two men.
“If that’s the way it’s going to be,” Stevie said, “Guess I’ll live with it.”
“You’re damn right, you will,” Justin said. As they walked away, she heard more angry tones, but couldn’t make out any words. For all she knew, they might give up on the idea of a boat trip. She hoped Stevie wouldn’t stay in Barefoot Bay very long.
After her class was over, Lisa walked to her cottage and found Justin at her door waiting for her. “I talked to Stevie, and I think he’ll behave. I’d really like you to come with us.” He took hold of her hand, imparting a pleasant warmth and a delightful tiny tingle. “Please say you will.”
She couldn’t resist. “Okay. Come on in and wait until I change into a bathing suit.” Expecting Stevie to ogle her, she put on a one-piece and her pale green cover-up. Hoping the two brothers wouldn’t be difficult, she stepped out to meet Justin.
Later, the three of them gathered at the boat rental store. Stevie paid for the boat and insisted on the most expensive walk-around fishing boat. About twenty-five feet long, it had a roof, a microwave and a mini-refrigerator and a bathroom below deck. Lisa said, “Wow, that’s some boat. Must cost a bundle to rent.”
Stevie carried a cooler. “It’s my treat. I’ve got soft drinks and beer and ice. We can heat the quesadillas up after we get underway.” He loaded fishing poles and a pail to hold any fish they caught.
Justin held out his hand to help Lisa on board.
Stevie smiled. “The weather report said it would be sunny and warm. Maybe we’ll want to take a dip in the Gulf.”
After they’d eaten the quesadillas and ridden on the Gulf for an hour, neither Stevie nor Justin had caught any fish. Justin pulled out a box of chocolates and passed it around.
Stevie bit into one and grimaced. “I don’t feel well. I’d better not finish this.” He threw the other half overboard and clutched his stomach. “Justin, please drive the boat back to shore. All this rocking on the waves makes me feel worse.”
That seemed strange. Although a dark cloud was forming in the west, the boat wasn’t rocking any more than it had for the past hour, but Stevie was groaning. “I feel bad. Why don’t I drive your rental car to your cottage? I think I’ll just lie down. If I feel better by the time you get back, perhaps Chenille and I and you two can take in a movie tonight.”
Justin took the wheel and headed back to shore. As Stevie stepped off, he said, “You two go on without me. I rented it for six hours, and I don’t want to ruin your fun. Just take some pictures for Mom.”
“I hope you feel better soon,” Lisa said.
“Thanks,” Stevie said, his voice barely audible.
Justin looked at the gas tank level. “Do you think we should get more gas?”
Stevie shook his head. “There’s no need. The clerk at the boat rental filled up the tank. I’m sure you have plenty.”
As they pulled away from the dock, Stevie stood and watched. Lisa waved, feeling as if Stevie’s gaze was focused on her alone.
Justin offered her another candy and took one for himself.
She enjoyed biting into the chocolate shell and chewing the chocolate inside. “Too bad Stevie couldn’t enjoy these. They’re mouth-watering.”
Justin picked up the fishing rod. “Want to try your hand at this?”
“Sure. Why not?”
Justin edged behind her, his body warm against her back. He took hold of her hand. “Now, you hold it like this. Sort of loose so the bait will be swung by the waves. You don’t hold it tight until you feel a definite pull.”
She felt his breath against her neck and caught a whiff of chocolate. He seemed calmer now that his brother had left. “Hang on now,” he said. He moved his face close to hers, his cheek a bit rough against her face, but pleasantly warm. She turned to kiss him.
Then something tugged on the line. “Oh, I’ve got a fish.” She gripped the line. “It must be a big one. It’s pulling hard.”
He pointed to the reel. “Turn that, and pull him in.”
She wound the handle. The pole bent and pulled in her hand. “Help me hold it steady.”
He wrapped his big hands around hers and helped hold it steady while she kept turning the handle.
“Now lift up the pole,” he directed.
She grabbed it with both hands and raised it. “Oh, look. It’s more than a foot long.”
He dragged the cooler nearby and quickly removed what was left of their food and drink. “Hold it over here. I’ll pour some water in after you land it.”
The fish wriggled so much she feared she’d lose it, but she finally got it inside the boat. Justin grabbed the line and lowered the fish into the cooler. He fiddled with the hook while the fish flapped its tail. “Are you going to cook it? It’s probably enough for four of us.”
Lisa frowned. She didn’t really want to be around Stevie any more. “I don’t even know how to clean a fish. Do you?”
“Of course. I’ll do that if you cook it.”
“Is there some way we can have a fish dinner for just the two of us? Maybe I could freeze the rest.”
Justin smiled. “That sounds great. You don’t have to entertain Stevie just because he’s my brother. Besides, he doesn’t like fish.”
“How much longer will he stay here?”
“I don’t know. I thought he was coming just for a long weekend, but he has an able assistant, who will take over his store, if and when he leaves to manage the new one.”
Lisa took a deep breath. She didn’t want to ask this, but she had to know. “When do you plan to head back to Dallas?”
“There’s no hurry. First I have to find who stole the jewels.”
“You remember that new desk clerk? Her name’s Rosa.”
“Yes, but I’ve ruled her out.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Last week I asked her where the next meeting of the book club was. When she told me, I said I might have a hard time finding it and persuaded her to go with me.”
“Whose house was it at?”
“Chenille’s. I saw Rosa admiring Chenille’s pink diamond ring. She asked if it was real, and Chenille said it was.”
“So?”
“Then Rosa excused herself to use the bathroom and didn’t come back for a long time. She may have been checking out Chenille’s jewelry box in her bedroom.”
“I doubt she’d find anything valuable. Chenille already asked me to check out that ring. It’s not a real diamond.”
“Oh. But maybe you’d better have another look at Rosa.”
“I will.”
The fish flopped again, splashing Lisa. “The bottom of my cover-up is wet. Let’s head back.”
Justin tried to start the engine. It sputtered and coughed. He tried once more. The motor barely turned over. He looked at the gas tank. “We’re not out of gas, but the motor won’t start.” He looked at the sky. “We’re too far away to swim, and it looks like a storm is coming.”
A huge black cloud edged closer and soon hung over them. Lightning split the heavens. Thunder rumbled, and rain slashed down. Justin grabbed her hand and pulled her under the roof. Wind and waves rocked the boat. He pulled out his cell phone.
“Are you calling someone to tow us?” Lisa asked.
He clicked it. “Damn. My phone’s dead.” He groaned. Bending his head, he supported it with his hands. His stomach churned. Someone he cared about was in serious danger because of him. Again.
Lisa took her phone from her purse. “Let me try.”
“You may not get a signal. We’re pretty far out.”
“Do I use 9-1-1 for the Coast Guard?”
“I don’t know. The only time I had to call for help, we were on a road, not on the ocean.”
She tried dialing, but couldn’t get a signal. “What happened then?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it.” He hated to be the one who put someone else in danger … again. His throat tightened. He didn’t want to relive the memory, but unbidden, it took over, almost overwhelming him. His girlfriend, Becky, hadn’t deserved to die, and it had been all his fault.
“Did someone get hurt?”
He nodded, the lump in his throat growing harder.
Lisa laid her hand on his shoulder, but her warm touch couldn’t comfort him.
“Dark clouds were massing in the sky, and I was driving my convertible. I swerved to avoid a dog, then took the curve too fast.”
“Did you crash the car?”
“Worse than that. I crashed and someone fell out. Someone I cared about – a lot.”
“Couldn’t you call for help?”
Tears welled up in his eyes. He thought he’d buried the pain, but it washed over him, almost as fresh as that awful day. “I did, but the paramedics couldn’t revive her. She was bleeding so badly by the time the ambulance got there, she’d lost too much blood to survive.”
Lisa took both his hands in hers. “That must have been awful to bear.”
“It was even worse when I had to tell her parents I’d killed their only daughter. Even now, I remember seeing their grief-stricken faces. I still hear her mother saying, ‘That can’t be. She can’t be dead.’ But she was, and it was my fault.”
“That was a freak accident. You can’t blame yourself. You need to forgive yourself. I bet her parents have.”
“They should hate me, but they have forgiven me. They understood I really liked her and wouldn’t want to hurt her. I lost my best friend. She was a sweet girl. That’s when I resolved not to get close to a woman again.” The pain seemed overwhelming. He felt empty and worthless. How could Lisa care about such a lost soul?
Lisa put her arms around him and hugged him. “I don’t know what to say to make you feel better. Now that I know what happened, I don’t think any less of you.”
Her arms felt good, but he wasn’t good enough for her. “I don’t deserve to be close to anyone. I’m toxic.”
“But it’s not like you’re an alcoholic.”
“I’m not, but that awful day hangs in my mind. That’s why I keep my relationships light and casual.”
“You’ve been a good friend to me, and I care about you. I won’t sit here and do nothing to save us.” She picked up her phone. “Maybe I can get a signal.” She tried. Nothing happened.
“It’s no use. We just have to weather the storm.”
Lisa studied the sky. “That huge cloud is awfully dark now. The waves are bigger.”
The boat swung to one side, and water gushed over the side. Sea spray chilled her arms. Lisa gasped. “I - don’t – like - this. I don’t like it one bit.”
Finally, the boat righted itself.
Justin fought nausea and a growing sense of desperation. “We’ll be soaked before long.”
“Or be blown overboard and get wetter.” Her face looked pale. “Can’t we paddle. Maybe we can get closer to shallow water.”
“Do you see any oars or paddles?”
She shook her head. “It’s worth looking.” She lifted up cushions to reveal a storage cabinet, but there was nothing underneath except life preservers. “At least, we can put these on so if we get blown overboard, we can keep afloat.”
“Good idea.”
She ducked back under the roof and handed one to him. After she finished buckling it, she stood on the cushions and bent over the back of the boat. “There are more compartments here.”
He grabbed hold of her legs. “Be careful you don’t fall. I don’t want to lose you to the waves.”
She shot him a look. “Don’t be so melodramatic.” A wave splashed her shoulder as she tugged at a knob and finally pulled a cover open, almost falling to one side. The boat rocked, even more so than before. He kept hold of one leg, but shoved at her hip to straighten her.
“Hey,” she shouted. “I found paddles.” She held up one.
“We’re not out of the woods. We have to fight wind and the current.”
She tossed him a paddle. “Let’s get started.”
He moved closer to the front of the boat. He had to get on his knees on the hard floor. They couldn’t do this under the roof because there the side was too high to reach over with the paddles.
She moved to the other side. The rain pelted his arm and shoulder. Soon his hair was plastered to his head, and his wet shirt clung to his chest.
Again and again, he dipped the paddle in and pulled. The current and the waves worked against them, impeding any progress.
“I can’t seem to make any headway,” Lisa claimed.
“Keep trying. That’s all we can do.”
He was cold, but kept paddling. Lisa must feel just as miserable as he did.
Rain slashed down, unrelenting. Had Luke been wrong about Florida showers being brief? Where was the sunshine he’d promised?
After half an hour fighting the waves, his arm ached, and the hard floor pushed against his knees. His wet pants legs clung to his skin.
“Are we getting any closer?” Lisa shouted over the wind.
He stared toward Mimosa Key. “Can’t tell. Keep paddling.”
“My arms are tired.”
“Mine too. We have to get near land to get reception.” His arms really ached. He must be stressing muscles he didn’t ordinarily use. He probably should have used a more extensive exercise program. He’d look into it after he got back to his cottage—if he got back that was. He couldn’t think like that. They would make it. They had to. He owed it to Lisa to keep her safe. Hell, he didn’t just owe it, he wanted her safe. Even if he didn’t make it, she must survive.
And he wanted to survive with her. He paddled harder, but they didn’t seem to get any closer to land. “Try your cell again, Lisa.”
“I dialed 9-1-1, but I’m getting static.”
“Keep talking. Maybe someone will hear.”
She held the phone to her ear. “We’re out in the Gulf, our boat motor won’t start, and we’re trapped in a storm.”
She listened for a moment. “We’re near Mimosa Key. I don’t want the Naples Police Department. We need the Coast Guard.”
She listened. “Yes, I’ll hold while you transfer. Just don’t lose me.”
Justin put his ear near hers to listen. Nothing but static came through. This was terrible. His stomach roiled. He held his breath and listened. The line went dead. “Hang up and try again.
She dialed again. “Yes. We need the Coast Guard to come rescue us.”
Justin heard a man say, “Where are you?”
Justin grabbed the phone. “Hell, I don’t know. We’re west of Mimosa Key.” He couldn’t see the island. “Probably opposite Barefoot Bay. That’s where we left before the storm blew in.”
“I’m sorry for your predicament. How was the weather when you set out?”
“The weather looked fine then, but now the motor won’t work, and we’ve drifted farther out. How long before you can send a boat or a helicopter?”
“Thirty minutes max. Hold tight. As soon as I get an updated weather report, we’ll decide what to send. Do you want me to call you back?”
“Sure.” He rattled off her number. Justin listened, barely able to pick up background conversation over the static. Someone commented about “damn fools don’t check weather reports.” Another man said, “That’s what we’re here for, to rescue folks in trouble.” Then the line went dead. Justin dialed 9-1-1 again, and got nothing but static. “Now we don’t know whether to look for a boat or a helicopter.”
Lisa laid her paddle on the floor. “I suppose there’s no point in trying to get closer to shore.”
“We’ll just have to wait.” He pulled her under the roof. “You must be chilled to the bone. I know I am. Come closer, and let me warm you up.”
She scooted over and knelt beside him. He wrapped his arms around her. He held her tight and tried not to think what would happen if the Coast Guard didn’t find them. But he needed to keep her spirits up. He cradled her cheeks in his hands. “Let me warm your face.”
She inched closer, but kept shivering.
He studied her eyes, watching to be sure they didn’t become glassy. “I don’t want you to get hypothermia. Stay alert. Talk to me.”
“What about?”
“You joined the book club group for the summer. Have you seen anything suspicious, like jewelry in an unusual place?”
She shook her head. “I’ve looked. Once Chenille caught me in her bedroom. She was hosting the group that day.”
“What did you say to her?”
Lisa rubbed her hands together. “I told her I was hunting a nail file or an emery board.” Lisa remembered how nervous she’d been. She’d frantically rummaged through Chenille’s bureau drawers, hoping she’d replaced everything where it was. Lisa had looked through all of the dresser drawers on one side when she heard footsteps. Must be Chenille’s.
Lisa froze. How could she explain why she was here? She didn’t want to tell her the real reason. That would ruin everything for Justin.
She took a deep breath. Tried to think. She stared at her nails. She held out one hand. “Do you have an emery board or a nail file somewhere? One of my nails is rough. Rough.nails drive me crazy.”
Now, she looked up at Justin. “I told her I needed a nail file or an emery board and that I hated having rough nails. That’s true. Luckily, she believed me. She pulled open the top drawer on the other side and pulled out a nail file. I worked on my fingernail until it was almost too short, but she didn’t leave the room, so I gave up.”
“Does Chenille work part time for anyone?” Justin asked. “Luke said she has a trust fund her great aunt left her that’s enough for her regular needs.”
Charity at the Super Min said Chenille gets extra money by writing about society news for the local paper. She also has a regular column on beauty tips. Her clothing taste is eclectic, but she seems to have enough to wear different outfits for every book club meeting I’ve attended.”
Justin squeezed her hands. “You don’t feel as cold as you did.”
“I do feel a little warmer now. What about Ashley? You took her to South of the Border. Did you take a look at her apartment?”
“She lives with her mother and her stepfather. She asked how I could tell diamonds from cubic zirconia, and I showed her the difference between her mother’s diamond and her cubic zirconia. She said she prefers casual jewelry. From the looks of her jewelry box, she had plenty. I don’t think she wants more expensive jewels.”
“What about the new maid and the temporary employee?”
“I have yet to check their apartments. Someone else has been tempting me to spend all my time with her.” He grinned.
She shivered. “I love being with you, but I don’t want to stand in the way of your business here.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch whoever’s doing this and bring her to justice. If she’s one of the year-round residents, she’ll probably be banned from living here.”
A gust of wind rocked the boat, shoving Lisa against Justin. He held her tighter and kissed her. Thank goodness, her lips seemed warm. If only they were in a nice warm bed—he couldn’t stop thinking about squeezing her soft breasts and making love to her. He’d try to make that happen before his two weeks were up. And damn. He needed to figure out what to do about working for Father as an assistant in Stevie’s old store. Father hadn’t come right out and said Stevie would get the new store, but Justin was sure he would.
The roar of a motor sounded off to their right, between their boat and the island. A helicopter, barely visi1ble through the rain, was chugging toward them.
As it hovered above them, a basket lowered, bearing a man holding a harness.
Lisa drew in a quick breath. “He’s wearing flippers. Are we going to have to jump in the water and swim?”
“I don’t know. Let’s wait and see.”
Their rescuer kept trying to swing the basket toward their boat, but the wind hampered him. Finally, he grabbed two life-preserver rings and jumped in the water. He swam to their boat, which now rocked alarmingly. The rain still poured.
When he got close, he hollered, “Can you swim?”
Both Lisa and Justin nodded.
He held onto the life preserver ring. “I want the woman to jump in and swim toward me.”
Justin hurried to the front of the boat. “I’ll drop the anchor.”
* * * *
Lisa took a deep breath and jumped. The cold water filled her nose. She couldn’t hear anything under the water. Her eyes stung, and she couldn’t see. She grabbed at the water. Hoped she hadn’t gone very deep. The waves swayed her from side to side. With her arms, she pulled as hard as she could. She kicked. She had to reach the top.
Finally, she surfaced. Water ran down her face. She rubbed her nose. The helicopter rotors almost drowned out the sound of the wind.
Her rescuer swam closer and held out the life preserver. Feeling drained, she kicked and swam toward him. Reaching the ring at last, she clung to it.
“I’m Mark,” her rescuer said. “I’ll help you into the basket.”
She looked back at the boat. Justin was about to jump.
“No! Wait,” Mark yelled. “I need to secure her first.” He drew the net basket close. After helping her inside, he attached a thick fabric band around her and hooked her to the net. “This is called a rescue strop. It will keep you from falling out as you are hoisted up.”
He signaled the pilot and the basket rose. Sure enough, she felt the pull of the rescue strop as the wind shook the basket, shoving her legs across the floor. She twined her fingers in the net, hanging on for dear life. The cold breeze chilled her wet skin and the rain pelted her.
Finally, the basket reached the helicopter. She grabbed a support rope, ready to get on the aircraft.
“Stay put,” a man in the doorway yelled over the noise of the rotors. “Hi, I’m Don. I’m an aviation survival technician. Wait until the basket’s inside.”
She looked for Justin, but all she could see was a shadowed form on the rocking boat.
As soon as the basket was pulled inside the helicopter and Don unhooked her, she tried to climb out. The rotor noise was even louder inside the craft. Her legs shook so badly, she could hardly keep upright. Her teeth were chattering. She felt cold and weak. Half walking and half crawling, she made it out and collapsed on the floor. The next thing she knew Don had rolled her over and was rubbing her breastbone. “What – what are you doing?”
He pulled a blanket over her bottom half. “It’s called ‘noodling.’ I don’t want you to suffer from hypothermia. I need to keep you alert and warm. Will you be okay for a moment while I lower the basket?”
“Yes,” she managed to get out.
He used a winch to lower the basket again. The rain let up a bit. Mark yelled, “Jump.”
Watching, she held her breath. “I can’t see him. Did he come up?”
“Yes, he’s swimming toward Mark now.”
She sighed in relief. She tried to sit up, but felt too weak. “Tell me what’s happening.”
“He’s climbing inside the basket. Now Mark’s inside the basket hooking him up with the rescue strop. He’s signaling me to pull them up.”
Lisa held her breath, hoping nothing would go wrong. A lump grew in her throat. She couldn’t lose him now, not when they seemed to be getting closer together. She’d never felt this close with Bill.
Don worked the winch. “The wind’s making the basket sway back and forth. Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
Finally, the basket reached the floor of the helicopter. Don unfastened Justin and helped him climb out.
Mark collapsed the net basket. “Sorry, we don’t have any seats. There just isn’t room with all the equipment we need to carry.” Over to one side a stretcher was fastened to the wall. An oxygen tank was held in position with metal half-rings.
Lisa finally managed to sit up and lean her back against a bare space on the wall. “Are you trained in first aid too?”
Don nodded. “We have to be.” He checked Justin over and handed him a blanket. “I think you’ll be okay.”
Justin sat next to Lisa and took her hand. “Thank goodness you’re all right. I was so worried.”
“I’m fine,” she said, though she still felt a bit shaky. At least she was a little warmer now. She could see herself seeing more of Justin and enjoying his company.
Except, he didn’t seem to know where he was going with his life.