Chapter 6
Gloria, along with Liz, who appeared much more cheerful than during the previous evening’s bingo debacle, dinged their keycards and joined the rest of the Garden Girls—Dot, Margaret, Lucy, and Ruth, who stood waiting next to Millie.
“You brought Scout.” Gloria greeted the small pup.
The miniature Yorkie wiggled and squirmed, eager for the attention.
“I figured he could use some fresh air, too.” Millie motioned skyward. “I hope you grabbed your umbrellas.”
“Got them all here.” Ruth patted her backpack. “I felt a sprinkle. You were right. This isn’t a good beach day.”
“I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in our substitute outing.” Millie motioned for them to follow her. “I have a driver on standby, ready to give us a lift.”
“Lift to where?” Gloria hurried to keep up with her cousin’s fast pace.
“You’ll see. It’s not far.” Millie signaled to a man seated in a golf cart a few feet away from the trolley stop. “I thought about taking the trolley, but am glad I arranged for a private driver instead.”
Margaret whistled loudly, noting the long line of people that snaked back and forth. “Those folks are gonna be waiting for hours.”
“I’m afraid most opted out of the beach day, meaning even more passengers are looking for something to do.
” Millie greeted the golf cart driver. Shifting her pup to her other arm, she took the seat next to him while the others filled the back and rear-facing seats. “Thanks for giving us a lift, Hugo.”
“You’re most welcome, Millie. How is the captain?”
“Working while I goof off with my family and friends.”
“Welcome back to Bimini.” He patted Scout’s head. “Who is this cute little fella?”
“Scout, the ship’s official mascot.”
“It ‘tis a good day to hitch a ride,” he said. “The weather? It is not so good.”
“Which is why I opted for Plan B.”
“Be mindful of the other drivers. Some of them need to take a refresher course in driver’s ed.”
Millie promised she would before asking Hugo about his family. With the pedal to the metal, the golf cart zipped along at a quick clip. They arrived at their destination a short time later.
Gloria peered over Dot’s shoulder. “We’re going to the hotel?”
“Yes and no.” Millie hopped out and handed Hugo some cash.
“I appreciate it.” He stuffed the bills into his pants pocket. “When would you like me to pick you up?”
“One o’clock.” Millie turned to the others. “I believe four hours cruising around Bimini will give us plenty of time to see the sights.”
“There is not much ground to cover,” Hugo said. “If you finish early, give me a call.”
“Will do.” Millie watched him drive off before strolling across the parking lot to a small booth. A large sign above the window read, Golf Carts for Rent.
“You rented a golf cart?” Gloria asked.
“It’s the easiest, most efficient way to get around the island, other than taking the trolley.”
“How much do we owe you?” Liz unzipped her designer handbag.
“Nothing. Captain Armati is friends with the rental shop owner. He offered us a complimentary cart to use.”
“You have it made,” Ruth said admiringly. “Life on board a luxury cruise ship, all your meals prepared, your laundry done, perks like designated drivers and complimentary golf carts.”
“Not to mention snagging the handsomest man on board the ship,” Margaret said. “Captain Armati is a hottie.”
“I sometimes have to pinch myself.” Millie took the keys from the attendant, who then escorted them to the golf cart parked a few feet away.
She placed Scout on her lap, and as soon as the others were seated, Millie hit the gas. Reaching the stop sign, she waited for the trolley, packed with passengers, to pass by. “Let’s head to the far end of the island and then backtrack toward Alice Town.”
“What about shopping?” Liz asked. “You mentioned a shopping plaza.”
“Fisherman’s Village. We’ll make it our last stop so we won’t have to worry about leaving packages in the cart while we explore.”
“Smart thinking.” Gloria tapped the side of her forehead. “You’ve thought of it all.”
Millie chuckled. “I’ve done this a time or two. Annette, Cat, Danielle and I rented golf carts last year, before Siren of the Seas left for Alaska.”
“How are your friends, Annette and Cat?”
“Good. Busy. We’ll meet up with them soon.
” Turning right out of the parking lot, they cruised along at a leisurely pace while Millie explained what the different buildings were.
The majority belonged to the island’s large resort, a sprawling complex of cottages and townhomes.
Up ahead and to the left was the beach club.
She slowed the golf cart and veered onto the gravel driveway. Mindful to stay out of the trolley’s path, she stopped near the drop-off area. Beyond the palapa were swaying palms and the most vivid turquoise water Gloria had ever seen. “It’s beautiful.”
“The water is even prettier on sunny days,” Millie said. “It’s a shame you’re missing out on what I consider the highlight of the island.”
“We haven’t seen the shopping area yet,” Liz said. “It might be the highlight.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to shop.” Millie swung the golf cart around and continued driving until the road dead-ended. Beyond the gravel parking lot was another beach. “This is rumored to be the best spot on the island for snorkeling.”
Dot shaded her eyes. “Better than the beach club?”
“So they say. I suppose because it’s not as busy.” Millie pocketed the key. “Let’s check it out. Hopefully, the rain will hold off.”
Zigzagging around chunks of driftwood and clumps of seaweed, the women made their way to the water’s edge.
Millie set Scout on the sandy shoreline. “Stretch those little legs, buddy.”
The pup, with his nose to the ground, trotted off to explore.
“We’re the only ship in port,” Lucy said.
“Bimini has only enough room for one cruise ship per day.” Millie kicked her sandals off and dipped her toes in the water. “We’re here. We might as well enjoy a little sand and sea.”
Following suit, the others removed their shoes and meandered along the shoreline, their toes sinking into the powdery white sand. A gentle breeze picked up and drops of rain started to fall.
Margaret warily eyed the dark clouds. “It looks like we might get wet.”
“We had better make a run for it.” Millie scooped her pup up and made a mad dash back to the golf cart with the others close behind.
The friends hopped in only seconds before the skies opened up. Scooching in close together, the golf cart’s roof protected the occupants from the torrential downpour.
“Good gravy,” Ruth gasped. “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
“Tropical rains,” Millie said. “It shouldn’t last long. I see brighter skies off in the distance.”
Sure enough, the rain stopped as suddenly as it started, leaving behind large puddles. “If you’re ready, we’ll head to Alice Town.” She checked to make sure everyone was safely seated before steering the golf cart back onto the road.
Moving at a steady pace, Millie expertly dodged the rain-filled potholes. The golf cart caught up with the trolley and trailed behind them until they turned off into the resort hotel’s parking lot.
“I see our ship again.” Lucy pointed to the cruise ship, anchored at the end of the pier.
Margaret grabbed her cell phone, intending to snap a photo. It was too late. A row of trees appeared, blocking their view. “Rats.”
“You’ll have another photo op when we reach town,” Millie promised. “Tomorrow we’ll be visiting South Seas Cay. If the weather forecast holds, you’ll get a full day of fun in the sun.”
Passing through Alice Town, she continued driving until they reached Radio Beach. Clear as a bell and pretty as a picture, Siren of the Seas sat majestically docked off in the distance. The women posed for several selfies and even managed a group photo after someone offered to take their picture.
Gloria scanned the horizon. “Curious minds want to know…where do the smaller boats like fishing boats dock?”
“At the Yacht Club, which is our next stop.” Returning to the golf cart, they took off, backtracking to Alice Town. Millie made a sharp right, bypassing the main drag.
Up ahead and slightly right was the Yacht Club, where the rich and famous anchored their private yachts.
“I’m not sure I would come to Bimini if I had big bucks,” Liz said. “What’s the appeal?”
“Big-game fishing,” Millie said. “It’s the Sport Fishing Capital of the World.”
“Boring,” she sing-songed. “Give me a well-stocked Dior store any day.”
“It’s a good thing Floyd is loaded,” Ruth said.
“Liz could run any man out of money,” Lucy laughed.
“Very funny,” Liz huffed. “We all have our vices, even you.”
“Which is?” Millie asked.
“Guns,” Gloria and Lucy said in unison.
“I can’t resist a quality piece of weaponry.”
“Which is how Liz met her hubby…in a roundabout way,” Gloria said.
“How interesting. You’ll have to tell me the story.” Millie tapped the brakes. “After we’re done admiring the Yacht Club.”
Clearing the mangroves, a marina and upscale waterfront restaurant appeared. An array of vessels filled the slips, from bare bones fishing boats to lavish yachts.
“I might look into renting a yacht one day,” Liz said. “They seem quite luxurious.”
“Can we come with you?”
“You can, Dot. I’m not sure about the others.”
“Not even your own sister?” Gloria nudged her arm. “You better invite me.”
Millie stepped onto the dock, motioning to the larger slips and bigger ships. “Over there is where the money is.”
They turned left and began making their way along the pier.
Gloria rattled off the names. “License to Chill, Seas the Day.”
The women reached the end and noticed a similarly sized yacht with passengers on board.
Scout, who had scampered ahead to investigate, stopped in his tracks. His ears shot straight up, his button nose sniffing the air and curiously eyeing the group.
Recognizing the look on his face, Millie called him to her side. It was too late. He took off like a rocket, running right toward the yacht. She watched in horror as he boarded the vessel.
“Scout!” Millie chased after him.
A man, in his late twenties if she had to guess, snatched the pup up. “Mutt,” he growled in a loud voice.
For a fraction of a second, she thought he was going to toss her dog into the water. Millie stood near the ramp, her hands clasped. “I’m sorry about my dog. He’s just curious.”
“What an ugly ball of fur.” The man held Scout at arm’s length, nearly dropping the pup as he handed him to her. “Do a better job of controlling him.”
Millie bit back a snarky reply. “It won’t happen again.” Holding Scout close, she returned to the dock where her friends stood waiting.
Snorts of laughter echoed. It took all she had not to look back, certain the yacht passengers were making fun of her. “Jerk,” she muttered under her breath.
“I thought he was going to drop Scout in the water,” Gloria whispered.
“Me too. He’s not a nice person.”
“Let’s snap a selfie.” Gloria removed her cell phone from her bag.
“Over here.” Liz shifted, catching a corner of the yacht in the shot.
Millie, keeping a firm grip on her pup, scooched closer.
“Perfect,” Liz said. “I’ll send you all a copy.”
Millie could feel the hair on the back of her neck prickle. She turned to find the man who had returned Scout watching her. She met the man’s gaze. He flipped her off, uttering something she didn’t hear and probably didn’t want to.
The others standing near him laughed loudly, as if mocking the women.
“Did he just…” Liz made an unhappy sound.
“The pinhead flipped us off.” Ruth lifted her hand, preparing to return the gesture.
Gloria grabbed her arm. “Don’t sink to their level. Ignore them.”
“Clown,” she muttered under her breath. “Your yacht should be call Brat-nanigans, not Sea-nanigans.”
“They’re not worth our time. I have Scout. Let’s go.” Millie pivoted, making her way back to shore, certain they were still being watched.
The women returned to the golf cart and climbed in. The man who had flipped them off had moved to the top deck, hands on his hips as he stood watching them.
“What’s up with the dude? Has he never seen women or a dog before?” Lucy asked.
“Money doesn’t buy class,” Liz said.
“Oh look-ee,” Ruth crowed. “Did you see the guy who passed us carrying a toolbox? He boarded the boat of misfits. It looks like someone might be having engine trouble.”
“It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving group.” Margaret dusted her hands.
“At least they’re not passengers on board the Siren of the Seas.”
“Good point,” Gloria said. “They look like hoodlums.”
“Time to wrap up our Bimini tour,” Millie said.
“By doing some shopping,” Liz reminded them.
“I don’t know about you guys.” Ruth patted her stomach. “But I could sure go for my second meal of the day.”