The irish blessing, p.6
The Irish Blessing, page 6
“Liz, how do you get your hips to move that way?” Margaret was watching me from a few feet away.
“It’s not hard. It just takes practice. Here, I’ll show you. Start by moving your hips to the right, to the back, to the left, and then to the front. See? It’s easy. You can go the other direction too.” I demonstrated the movement for Margaret, going in both directions. “Now, do it smoother and faster in combination with the steps. Just shift your weight from your left foot to your right foot. Barely lift your foot off the ground and bend at the knees. Move your hips as you do the steps.” I did another demonstration for Margaret. “Now, you try it.”
Margaret stood next to me, and we danced side by side. She wasn’t half-bad for her first try. Dylan gave her a high five as she moved, pleased with her performance. Shane and Anna stood off to the side, watching us, while Mel and Steve danced together a few yards away.
“Now try it with side steps. Step to the side with your right foot, then step in place with your left foot and bring your right foot back to join your left. Then go the other direction and do it with the hip movement.” I glanced at Shane while I showed Margaret how to dance the steps to the music, catching him staring at my hips. I winced as Anna suddenly hit him in the ribs with her elbow and appeared to scold him.
Shane looked upset as he leaned over and said something in Anna’s ear. Then he walked away, leaving her standing there, staring at his back.
Anna stormed over to my side and glared at me. “I told you to stay away from Shane. Next time, I won’t be giving you a warning.” She hit me with her shoulder before marching off.
Shocked, I stood there as she flounced away.
Mel must have seen what happened because she was suddenly in front of Anna, blocking her path. Mel looked livid as she pointed her finger at her and then pushed her shoulder. I was about to rush over to the two of them to intervene when Anna suddenly swung around and disappeared into the crowd.
“She must feel threatened by you. Are you okay?” Rick said from his vantage point behind me.
“I’m fine. Anna caught me off guard, that’s all.” I turned to Margaret and Dylan, finding them frozen in place. “What was that all about?”
Dylan slowly turned his head toward me. “I have no idea. I didn’t see you do anything wrong. All I know is Anna’s been difficult since they got here, and Shane wishes he hadn’t let her come.”
The music started up again. But this time, it was a different beat and coming from the opposite direction. There was cheering from the crowd, and then a costumed dance troupe appeared, weaving through the onlookers. Dylan and Margaret came over and stood next to me, and Rick moved to my other side. We watched the troupe perform in front of the stage. A small group of them beat on drums while the others danced. It was vibrant, rhythmic, and colorful, the costumes festive and in bright tones.
The music stopped, and Margaret leaned toward me. “I remember your friend from the water volleyball game. His name is Rick, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. Have you met?”
“We introduced ourselves when we played against each other at the net. He seems like a nice guy. Are you two together?”
“Oh, no. We’re not together. We’re just keeping each other company while Mel and his friend, Steve, seem to be hitting it off.”
Rick turned to face me. “Steve’s motioning to me that he and Mel are heading back to the hotel. It sounds like they have plans. Do you want to stay here or head back to the hotel with them? I’ll keep you company either way.”
“I don’t mind heading back. But I’ll warn you. I’m not ready to call it a night, so you’re going to be stuck having a drink and dancing with me at the poolside bar when we get there.”
“It’s a deal. We’ll go to the bar.” Rick swung his attention to Margaret. “Hi, I’m Rick. I played against you in the volleyball game. You’re Margaret, and your husband is Dylan. Am I right?”
“You are. I’m surprised you remembered.” Margaret let out a little laugh. “I guess I’ll see you two later since you’re taking off.”
Shane was suddenly next to me. “You’re leaving? I wish you’d stay. I was hoping we could talk and dance a little bit.”
I turned, Shane’s nearness and the scent of his cologne causing me to catch my breath. “We’re heading back to the hotel.” I forced myself to speak, my voice sounding strained. I wasn’t sure if the rhythmic dancing under the streetlights or the balminess of the Caribbean evening caused it, but I wanted him. My gaze strayed to his lips, and I had the urge to kiss them. I looked away and rubbed the back of my neck. I needed to stop having these thoughts about him. I turned back to Shane. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay.” I briskly walked away.
“Hey. Wait up.” Rick caught up to me. “What was that quick departure all about?”
“Don’t you dare laugh or make fun of me, or I swear I’ll punch you. I get all googly-eyed when Shane’s near me. I had the strongest urge to kiss him right now. I had to leave.”
“I knew that guy got to you. I could see it in your face.” Rick busted out laughing and playfully bumped me while we walked toward the exit.
Mel and Steve joined us when we reached the street. Taxis were dropping people off and picking others up at the curb.
Steve walked up to one of the taxis and talked to the driver. Then he motioned for the three of us to get in the car. “He’ll take us back to the hotel.”
I climbed in the back seat with Steve and Mel, and Rick took the front seat. I looked back at the parking lot as we drove away. I wanted to stay with Shane more than anything, but I knew I couldn’t. Frustrated, I leaned my head against the window and closed my eyes.
“Thank you,” Rick said as he paid the taxi driver and climbed out of the car, shutting my door after I got out of the back seat. He looked at Steve and Mel when they came around the back of the car and joined us. “So, you two are taking off?”
“Yeah. Mel and I are going back to my room. I’ll catch you in the morning.” Steve slipped his arm around Mel’s shoulder and looked down at her, his height a foot taller. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yep, let’s go.” Mel peeked at me, a grin on her face as the two of them walked away.
“Well, I guess it’s off to the bar for us. Cheer up. You look like someone died.” Rick gave me a playful little nudge.
“I’m just frustrated. You have no idea how much I wanted to stay with Shane. Damn, that man has gotten under my skin, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Why are the good guys always taken?” I shook my head at my bad luck.
“I’m telling you, Barbie isn’t going to be around for much longer. You’re a keeper, she’s not, and I doubt their relationship is serious anyway.”
“I’m not so sure. I ran into Anna at dinner the other night. She told me Shane was going to propose to her, so their relationship has to be much more serious than you think.”
“She lied to you. She had to. I’m telling you, there’s no way Irish would marry her.” We had reached the poolside bar, and Rick pointed toward the deck area near the band. “How about a table instead of sitting at the bar?”
“I’d like that.” I followed Rick to a table and sat down when he pulled my chair out.
“What can I get you? I’ll go up to the bar and get our drinks.”
“I should stick with beer. How about another amber ale?”
“You got it. I’ll be right back.”
I let my mind wander while I sat there listening to the band. The situation with Shane was becoming complicated. I liked him and found myself immensely attracted to him. Based on his actions, I assumed he cared for me too. Anna was the barrier between us, and I had to respect their relationship. The best thing I could do for all involved was to stay away from Shane. I didn’t want to, but I had to.
“How about a spin on the dance floor? You look so gloomy. It might cheer you up.” Rick set my beer down on the table and stood over me, studying my face.
“Sorry. I can’t help it.” I took Rick’s hand as he escorted me to the dance floor. I was going to have fun and put Shane out of my mind. I only had to avoid him for one more day. Mel and I were flying home the day after tomorrow.
CHAPTER 5
AN AFTERNOON EXCURSION
Mel shifted her attention to the yellow-and-white catamaran anchored in the surf. “We’re not late, are we?”
“We’re on time. The snorkeling tour starts at one o’clock, and we still have five minutes. The hut we’re supposed to check in at is up ahead.” I was looking forward to our afternoon of sailing and snorkeling, having a love of water sports and the ocean. I scanned the beach as we hurried toward the hut, surprised to spot Shane, Caitlin, and the others waiting in line to board the boat. There was something different about Shane. He stood by himself with Anna near him but not too close, and they didn’t appear to be talking to each other. Anna kept glancing at Shane over her shoulder and then looking away. Something had to be going on between them.
“Dang. I don’t believe this. You’ve tried so hard to stay away from Shane, and there he is. Now, you’re going to be stuck with him all afternoon. Ah, poor you,” Mel said, snickering.
“Please don’t start. Avoiding Shane the last few days was the best option, especially after Anna’s comment at Kiki’s and the fish fry. He’ll drag me into the middle of whatever is going on between them if I don’t stay away from him. Anna’s here. That should make keeping our distance from each other fairly easy.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.”
We reached the small wooden hut, and I stepped up to the counter. “Hi. We booked the snorkeling tour. The reservation is for Liz Whalen and Mel Bradley.”
A man with shoulder-length braids checked a list for our names. “Gotcha. I need you to read and sign the disclosure agreement.” The man placed a clipboard and a pen in front of me. “What size swim fins do you need? It’ll be whatever shoe size you normally wear.”
“I wear a size eight.” I scanned and signed the agreement as the man looked for swim fins in my size.
“Here’s a size eight. If the fins don’t fit, we can switch them for another size.” The man placed the fins on the counter. He reached into a bin and pulled a snorkel and mask from it, placing them next to the fins. Then he removed the paper I signed from the clipboard and put it in a plastic file box.
“Thank you.” I picked up my snorkeling equipment from the counter and stashed it in my canvas beach bag. Finished checking in, I moved off to the side and waited for Mel to sign the paperwork and get her equipment.
A man dressed in black swim trunks and a long-sleeved fluorescent green T-shirt with long braids pulled into a ponytail walked up to us. “Hi, I’m Marcus. It looks like you’re the last two. We’re about ready to leave, so I’ll take you to the boat.” Marcus led us to the catamaran, the front of its body resting in the sand. He helped us climb the ladder to the deck.
“Welcome. I’m Captain Frank.” A man of medium build wearing a straw hat addressed us when we climbed on board. He pointed to the man standing next to him in another fluorescent green T-shirt. “This is Ryan, and you’ve already met Marcus. Ben is assisting some passengers in the cabin. They’re members of my crew. Take a seat anywhere on the boat. We’ll open the bar once we get underway.”
“Thank you,” I said before turning away.
Mel and I stepped down onto a small sundeck framed with bench seating. Behind this section was the covered cabin. It had seating along both sides and a U-shaped bar in the middle. Cutouts in the fiberglass sides created large glassless windows that allowed the breeze to flow throughout the cabin. Stairs at the back of the boat led to a large upper deck, the captain’s chair, and several groups of people visible above us from where we stood. The third crew member, Ben, wore the same fluorescent green T-shirt and talked with several passengers near the bar.
“Dang, Liz. Check them out. The blond guy in blue swim trunks and the redhead next to him by the stairs are from our hotel. They were at the bar when we met Caitlin. Oh, this is cool. I’m going to have more fun on this tour than I thought.”
“Whatever you do, don’t drag me into it. You promised, remember?”
“Geez, you’re such a killjoy. Fine. I won’t try to push you into anything.” Mel watched the two guys disappear up the staircase. “I’m going upstairs. You’re welcome to come with me.”
“No, you go ahead. I’ll sit in the cabin with Caitlin and Patrick.”
“Suit yourself. I’ll come back down in a while.” Mel hurried off to the back of the catamaran and climbed the stairs to the upper deck.
I sidestepped a group of people standing in front of me and sat with Caitlin by the bar. Patrick was standing at the back of the boat, talking to Dylan and Margaret.
“Where have you been the last few days?” Caitlin leaned back, her fingers working her auburn hair into a bun on top of her head as a small gust of wind pushed a wayward strand across her cheek.
“Mel and I have been staying busy. Besides spending time at the beach, we’ve explored the downtown area, took an island jeep tour, and did some kayaking around Mangrove Cay.” I scanned the cabin, looking for Shane while I stashed my bag under the bench. He and Anna weren’t anywhere around.
“You have been busy. With all your excursions, it’s no wonder we haven’t had a chance to chat since dinner at Kiki’s earlier in the week. I did see you at the fish fry last night but never got a chance to talk to you. Shane told me you left early. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to avoid us.”
“To tell you the truth, I’ve been trying to stay away from Shane. Things started to get a little complicated, especially after the comments Anna made to me.”
“Anna? What in heaven’s name did she have to say? I know Shane likes you, but that’s none of her business.”
“I’m confused. Why would that be none of Anna’s business? I thought they were getting married.”
“Where on earth did you hear that?” Caitlin stared at me, her mouth gaping open.
“Anna told me. She caught me in the bathroom when we were at Kiki’s and told me that you had informed her Shane planned to propose to her. She warned me to stay away from him.”
“Well, isn’t she a bloody liar? I said no such thing to her, and it’s pretty far from the truth. Shane and Anna aren’t together. They were but broke up a month ago. They didn’t date that long, and it wasn’t serious. At least for Shane, it wasn’t. The two of them had this vacation already booked when they broke up. Since Anna had already paid her share of the trip, Shane agreed to let her come if they did it as friends only. They’re not even sharing a room at the hotel. So, she has no reason to say anything to you about Shane. Although I’m pretty sure Anna was using this trip as a way to get back together with him.”
Stunned, I stared at Caitlin. This revelation changed everything. Shane was single, and his relationship with Anna was strictly platonic, albeit her presence here and their agreement were a bit odd. It was no surprise she’d made those comments to me if she hoped to use this vacation to get Shane back, especially since I was messing up her plan. Not that I was going to throw myself at Shane, I wouldn’t do that for anyone, but I no longer needed to avoid him. I could gracefully express the feelings for him that I was trying so desperately to suppress and see where it took us. Since Alex’s death, no man had gained my interest or attention as Shane had. When he was near me, he invoked feelings I’d thought were long gone, and I couldn’t help thinking about him when he wasn’t around. He seemed intelligent, responsible, humorous, well-spoken, and kind, the type of man that could make me happy, and I wanted to try.
The engine started up, and a few minutes later, we were sailing along the coast to our first snorkeling stop at the barrier reef. The catamaran cut through the water in a rhythmic bobbing motion, a sea breeze blowing softly through the cabin.
Patrick took a seat next to Caitlin. “Marcus said they’ll open the bar in a few minutes. Are you going to want anything?”
“A bottle of water if you don’t mind.” Caitlin patted Patrick’s knee. “Thank you, love.”
“How about you, Liz? Can I get you something when Marcus opens the bar?”
“Thank you, Patrick. I’d love a rum punch.” I turned to look at him, catching sight of Anna storming toward us. I held my breath, waiting for her outburst, but she simply glared at me as she hurried past us. Surprised by her lack of commentary, I was glad she stayed silent.
“That woman is a piece of work.” Caitlin kept her eyes on Anna as she took a seat at the front of the boat. “I’ll be glad when she’s completely out of the picture. Besides being greedy and manipulative, she’s caused Shane countless moments of grief.”
Anna leaned back on the bench seat in a skimpy white bikini, pushing her chest out so any male watching her would get a good show. I wasn’t surprised by Caitlin’s comments. Anna seemed like the type of woman that attached herself to men of substance, using them until she got what she wanted, then moving on to the next victim. And sadly, Shane was still her target. I’d already observed Anna enough to conclude she had a need for attention, specifically from men. I was also sure she could be vicious, which meant I needed to be careful. It was best to be discreet in my interactions with Shane, at least for now.
Marcus went behind the bar and looked at the three of us. “Can I get any of you something to drink?”
“That you can. We’d like a beer, a rum punch, and a bottle of water.” Patrick jumped up and stood next to the bar while Marcus got our drinks.
Shane came down the stairs and headed toward us. He beamed when he saw me.
Suddenly nervous, my heart started pounding in my chest. Now that I understood the situation between Shane and Anna, everything was different.
“I’m glad you’re here. You’ve made my afternoon so much better,” Shane said, sitting next to me.
“I wondered when you were going to say hello. I was debating whether you were being rude or just ignoring me.”
