Chapter 19
Saturday slipped into existence without any fanfare, and as the smallhours of the morningticked by without any work to occupy my mind, my brain hit frenzy mode, skipping from one crazy thought to the next.
It had been six days since my raunchy sexcapade in the elevator with the fireman, and my emotions had been all over the place ever since. I just couldn’t get it out of my head how lucky I was that I hadn’tbeen caught. I’d never done anything like that. Until this year, that was.
Was Memphis corrupting me that much?
The answer was a resounding yes.
Did that upset me? That was where my dilemma came in.
Maybe Memphis had been in me my whole life, yet she’dbeen stifled.
Bloody hell! I’m referring to Memphis as if she’s another person.
I really should be admitted to the loony bin.
Needledick arrived twenty minutes late, and after the handover, I took the elevator to my room.I showered, dressed in my bathrobe,andmade myself peanut butter on toast for breakfast, matched it with a strong coffee, and strodeoutto my balcony to eat.
A bunch ofyoung kids were doing a surfing school at the edge of the breaking waves. Their surfboards were as big as they were, yet theyhandled them with ease. I guessed they were no older than ten. A group of adults hovering nearby faced the kids, and I assumed they were the parents. My thoughts drifted to Clayton and Telitha.
He’d said he sat back and watched while his daughter played with the dog on the beach. Maybe that was what parents did.The only other couple I knew with kids was Calvin and Lolita, and theyweren’t the sit-back-and-watch kind of people.Not with anything.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was a golden ball high off the horizon, and there was barely a whisper of a breeze. It looked like thousands of people were already enjoying the fabulous last-of-winter weather. I finished my toast and held my warm mugin my handas I reflected on the boring week I’d just had. Maybe my week was boring because I didn’t spend the entire week searching for my next passion partner.
Henry had kindly filled that role when he’d phoned me two weeks ago to invite me on a date today.
And that was when my next mental debatecame barrelinginto my tumultuous thoughts. Henry had called it a date. What would he think if he found out about my other ‘dates’ on this year-long challenge?
I shook my head, trying to free my mind of the unanswerable question, but my brain just wouldn’t switch off. It was a wonder I was even functioning.
This double-identity thing was winding me up.I just hopedthatwhen this year was over, I’d still recognize myself.
At eight o’clock, I strolled back inside, washed up my dishes, andas Ibrushed my teeth, I stood in front of my closet and tried toworkout what to wear for this date.
Henry said to wear something comfortable, and whilst jeans instantly sprang to mind, I rememberedthat was what I’d worn the last time I’d seen him. A hot flush coursed through me at the memory of what he’d done to me in my jeans. Maybe he planned on more of the same. I diverted from the jeans and flipped past one dress after another in an attempt to make a choice.By the timeI’d decided, my mouth was full of toothpaste foam, and I raced to the bathroom to rinse off.
The dress I chose was a long maxi with a simple line of elastic that secured it below my bust.The sleeves were fitted,three-quarter length, and the dress was an interesting color—not quite olive, not quite steel grey. After I put it on, I went to my jewelry collection and chose a chunky set of wooden beadsthat wasweighed down with a large orange crystal.
When the beads fell between my breasts, Iwas remindedof the last time Henry had played with the pearls I’d worn.Thiscemented my decision on the necklace.
I slipped into a pair of flat sandals that were decorated with hundreds of colorful beads. As I recalled how sunny it was outside, I reached up onto my toes, pulled down my large floppy white hat, and put it on. I checked the mirror.
It amazed me how often I was happy with my reflection these days. Maybe Memphis was putting a positive spin on my opinion of myself. When she wasn’t getting me into trouble, that was.
I grabbed my caramel leather tote and shoved in a colorful pashmina, along withall my other essentials.With five minutes to spare, I headed downstairs.
Once again, Henry waited beside a sleek black car in the drop-off zone, and I just about tripped over my skirt over his casual yet confident stance. Henry looked like a man on top of the world. Maybe that came with his age.
I felt a sense of relief as I moseyed down the steps toward him, and he walked toward me. Of all the men I’d met this year, Henry was the one who could help me through the tumbling doubts that gripped me this week.
“You look lovely.” He kissed my cheek, and I smiled at his now-familiar scent.
“Is this dress okay?”
“You’re supposed to say thank you.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
“That’s better.”
He opened the car door, and I scooped up my skirt to sit.
He sat in the driver’s seat, and once he’d pulled the car out into the busy weekend traffic, I asked, “Do I get to ask where we’re going?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, where are we going?”
He grinned his beautiful smile at me. “It’s a surprise.”
“I knew you’d say that.” I slapped his arm, and as I turned my attention to the surrounding scenery, I reflectedon the factthat Clayton had saidexactlythe same thing when he took me to lunch on my birthday. Other than their age, the two men were very similar in personality. I wondered what else they had in common.
“So, do you have children?” I couldn’t believe I’d blurted that out.
He looked at me, weird-like. “Yes, I do.Apigeon pair.My son is twenty-six, and my daughter is twenty-three.”
“Oh.” I had no idea whether this additional knowledge influenced my opinion of Henry. It certainly had with Clayton.
“No, they don’t know about you . . .” Henry said. “In case you were wondering.”
“Ummm . . . no, I wasn’t, actually.”
“What were you thinking then?”
Oh God, why do I always walk into thesedifficultquestions?
“Quick, answer, or I’ll think you’re making things up.”
“Really?”
“Yes, come on. Tell me.”
I let out a huge sigh. “I’m not sure youreallywant to hear it.”
“You’re wrong. I want to know everything about you.”
No, you don’t.
“Whatever it is, Jane, it won’t change my opinion of you.”
“This might.”
“Oooh, now youreallyhave me intrigued. I tell you what. Let’s have a marvelous day, and then, if you want, you can tell me this afternoon.”
His calmness washed from him over onto me and diffused the dark clouds that’d billowed across my mind. “That sounds like a good idea.”
He turned the car onto Seaworld Drive toward the marina, and once again my stomach curled into knots.Oneof the restaurants at the marinawas where I’d seen Dontrel, and at the end of this road was the beach where Clayton had taken me for lunch.I clenched my fists until my fingernails dug into my flesh as we approached the marina, but I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief when we carried on.
We drove past the marina, and just as I silently begged Henry not to take me near the dog beach Clayton had taken me to, he turned into the Sea World Resort parking lot.
“You’re taking me to another hotel?”
“Nope.” His quivering lip confirmed he was trying not to smile as he navigated the parking lot, looking for a spot.
As much as I liked surprises, the suspense was killing me. So far, every day with Henry had beenwonderful, and judging by the glint in his eyes, I had a feeling that todaywas going tobe just as enjoyable.
He pulled the car into a spot and touched my leg. “Ready?”
“Sure.”By the timeI’d grabbed my bag and hat, he was around my side with the door open and his hand held toward me to help me out.
The air was really still, not even a whisper of a breeze, and the sun was hot enough that I tuggedmy hat on.
“It’s my turn to be intrigued,” I said as we walked side by side into the resort.
“It’s exciting.”His enthusiasm was contagious, andit was impossible towipe the smile from my face.
I anticipated him walking toward reception, but he went the opposite way and led me through glass sliding doors, down a set of steps, and out to the enormous resort pool. Several people of all ages were in the water, and I assumed it was heated. Kids splashed about at one end, playing a game with a purple ball. Adults lounged at the other end on inflatable beds and despite it being just nine in the morning, several nursed cocktail glasses with fruit slices decorating the edges.
We skirted the poolandpassed through a glass gate and onto the sand.The front of my hat tilted up, and that’s when I saw where Henry was taking me, and my heart lurched.
A seaplane was bobbling in the shallow water.
Henry’s brilliant smile lit up his whole face, and he did a little jig with his shoulders. “Excited?”
Tears sprung to my eyes. “Oh my god, yes. Is this another one of your bucket list items?”
“It sure is.”
“Why didn’t you take Helen when you were together?” Jeez, I’m nosy.
“The bitch doesn’t like to fly.”
I frowned. “But I thoughtshewent to Vanuatu with your golf buddy.”
“See what I mean? She’s a bitch.”
I burst out laughing.
“Come on.” He grabbed my hand and led me across the sand.
Our pilot was the epitome of what a pilot should look like—fit, tall, and handsome. A crisp white shirt, navy shorts, and mirrored glasses finishedoffthe look.
Henry held his hand forward, and the pilot took it. “Hi, I’m Henry, and this is Jane.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Steven Donovan, Steve, your pilot for today.”
Henry placed his palm on the small of my back and nudged me slightly in front of him.It wassucha familiar move that feltoh-so right.
“Okay, I’ll get you to take your shoes off, and Jane, you’ll have to lift your dress to get over the water,” Steve said.
“Unless you want me to carry you,” Henry whisperedin my ear.
“I’ll be fine.” I giggled as I removed my sandals.
The pilot indicated that we should come with him, and he led me through the ankle-deep water toward the plane.
He opened the door. “Now, watch your step. I’ll get you to situpin the front seat next to me.”
“Oh no, Henry should sit there.”
“It’s okay, I’ll sit there on the way back,” Henry said behind me.
I glanced at him over my shoulder. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Okay.” I climbed into the cockpit and ogled the hundreds of knobs and dials as the two men settled into their seats.
Steve handed each of us a headset, and as I settled the large, padded disks over my ears, they crackled to life.
“Okay, how’s that? Can you both hear me?” Steve’s voice sounded like he was miles away.
“Yes.” I nodded.
“Roger that, Captain.” I couldn’t decide if Henry’s slightly high-pitched voice was from excitement or the headphones. Either way, I giggled.
The pilot helped me with my seatbelt,and then started flicking switches and turning dials. The propeller out of the front windshield began to spin and the plane roared to life. I squealed as we left the safety of the shore and headed out to the middle of theseaway.Our speed picked up quickly, and the pilot turned the plane parallel to the beach.
The momentum increased as the water whizzed by, and it took me a few seconds to realize we’d lifted off. We rose quickly, and I squealed again as we flew over a couple of kids in kayaks and soared into the air.It was incredibly graceful, andwithin seconds,we were high in the sky.
Long golden beaches stretched as far as I could see and met with an intense ultramarine ocean. Vegetation-covered deserted islands dotted the landscape, and giant tankers and equally large cruise ships cruised along the horizon.
“Oh, wow. This’s incredible.”
“I know,” Henry said as if he was in a trance.
Of all thewonderfulthings I could see, I couldn’t see Henry. I wanted to hold his hand and squeeze my gratitude into his palm. As soon as I could, Iwas going toshow him just how grateful I was. Emotion gripped me as I realized how lucky I was, and in that moment, I was eternallygratefulthat I’d discovered Memphis.
We soared over dozens of tiny, deserted islands surrounded by sand and a series of sailboats with colorful billowing sails that skipped over the tiny whitecaps dotting the deep blue ocean. Ittrulywas a magical experience.
About fifty minutes into the flight, the engine noise changed.
“What’s happening?”
“It’s okay, love. We’re just coming into land.” Steve gave me a thumbs-up signal, and I repeated his move, showing him that I was okay.
We gradually lowered toward the water, and I was on the verge of screaming when sea spray kicked up as we ricocheted off the ocean. We bounced a second time, and I was nudged back in my seat when a wave announced we’d touched down completely. We glided along for acouple ofminutes before Steve twisted a dial, the engine noise dulled, and the propeller slowed.
The pilot angled the plane toward a sandy beach, and wepeacefully glided to a stopat the water’s edge.
“Here we are.” Steve unbuckled his seatbelt. “You twogo andstretch your legs, and I’ll get things set up.”
Before Ihad a chance toask any questions, Steve left his seat and walked, hunched over between the seats to open the door again.
Henry hopped out first, and I grabbed my shoes, bag, and hat and followed his lead. I stepped out onto one of the pontoons that kept the plane afloat.
Henry splashed into the shallow water and reached up to me. “Come on.”
I put my arms around his shoulders, and with one arm beneath my knees and one around my back, Henry lifted me into his arms. As he carried me to shore, I kissed his cheek. “That was wonderful. Thank you.”
He wriggled his eyebrows. “It’s not over yet.”