Full Circle (8 page)

Her melancholy must have shown, because Mark
reached across the console and closed his hand around hers.

“What’s wrong?” he said.

Mark could read her so damn easily. He’d
always been able to. An invisible link seemed to connect his mind
to hers. She’d never known anyone so attuned to her.

“I was just thinking about my dad.”

He squeezed her hand. “He’ll come
around.”

“I’m not so sure.” She sighed and dropped her
gaze to her lap. “Do you realize this is the first Christmas I
won’t spend with him and my family?”

Mark’s fingers wove more firmly around hers.
“I know. It’s one reason why I wanted to bring you here. To help
take your mind off what’s happening between you and your dad.” He
paused, shooting her a quick glance before turning his eyes back to
the road. “And . . . I remembered what you said
about that picture in your bedroom. The one of the seascape. You
told me that you often lie on your bed, looking at that picture,
and imagine yourself on a tropical beach somewhere.”

She smiled at their joined hands then admired
his profile. “And, now, here I am. You’ve brought my daydreams to
life.”

“Something like that.” He darted another
sideways glance toward her and smiled reassuringly.

He took such good care of her. She had never
complained about the coming holiday. Had never mentioned her
sadness over not being able to spend Christmas with her dad. But
Mark had known. Whatever connection his mind shared with hers had
warned him she needed extra TLC right now. And like a knight in
shining armor, Mark delivered above and beyond. What better way to
take her mind off her sadness than by whisking her away to a
tropical island?

When the hustle of Castries lay fifteen
minutes behind them and they’d entered a more isolated area, Mark
slowed and turned into the driveway of a large villa. Karma nearly
choked on her saliva at the enormous size.

“What’s this?”

Mark shut off the engine. “This is our home
for the next nine days.”

Her mouth fell open as she turned her gaze
back to the impressive home. “We’re not . . 
I . . . hold on a second.” She raised her hand,
feeling like a fairy princess in the middle of a fantasy. “We’re
not staying in a hotel?”

His eyebrows knotted over the bridge of his
nose as his mouth twisted in amusement. “No. Should we be staying
in a hotel?”

“I just assumed . . .” She
turned wide eyes back to the villa as words failed her.

He had rented them an entire house, complete
with an open view of the sea and a crystal blue sky dotted with
puffy white clouds. This was so much better than any beach-infused
daydream she’d ever conjured while staring at that picture on her
bedroom wall.

Mark chuckled and hopped out. “Come on,
Alice. Let’s explore the rabbit hole.”

She pushed open her door and slowly slid off
her seat until her feet struck ground. The
view . . . the villa. No fantasy did justice to the
reality. The air smelled of the sea, fresh and vibrant, and the
breeze kicked her hair away from her face in such a refreshing
way.

“So . . . do you like it?”
Mark glanced at her from across the hood of the SUV.

She took a deep breath and slowly blew it
out. “I love it.” She walked toward the villa like it was a mirage
and would evaporate. Instead, the closer she got, the more real it
seemed.

Lush vegetation consumed the landscape around
the large covered porch, and as she waited for Mark to unlock the
door, she smoothed her fingers down a palm frond the size of an
elephant’s ear.

Mark took her hand and led her inside, which
was just as magnificent as outside. Windows, windows everywhere,
letting in the sun and the view. A large, fully-stocked kitchen
waited for Mark’s culinary skills to breathe life into it, and a
high-ceilinged living room opened onto a massive, multi-level deck
and sun room.

But the bedroom was the grandest of all. A
stone floor cooled her feet after she kicked off her shoes and spun
a slow circle. Where to look first? One half of the room housed a
sitting area complete with large, cushioned chairs and a polished
stone table that felt like cold glass when she touched it. An
enormous bed situated in front of a huge picture window dominated
the other half of the room. It was covered with a plush, white
comforter that looked like a thick layer of pristine snow.
Gauze-like curtains hung from a circular runner on the ceiling over
the bed. The sheer curtains currently hung open, draping delicately
over the ornate, wooden headboard.

As she gaped over the bedroom, Mark meandered
to the sliding door facing the sea and slid it open. The breeze
wafted in, billowing the airy drapes hanging throughout the
room.

“Come here.” He waved for her to join him.
“Come and see this.”

She gasped as she stepped outside and the
wind lifted her hair away from her face. Off to one side hung a
massive hammock large enough for at least four people. Down one
level was a pool, which faced the sea. It was one of those infinity
pools that appeared to end against an invisible barrier or simply
fall away like a waterfall.

A place for lovers.

This villa was definitely a place for lovers,
designed specifically to encourage intimacy.

Only a small section of the deck was wood.
The rest was stone, including the steps that led from the upper
level to the lower. And beyond was another set of stone stairs that
led to the private beach a hundred feet below. Karma hadn’t even
realized how high up from sea level they were.

“So, what do you want to do first?” Mark
eased his arms around her waist from behind.

The question caused her brain to go into
lockdown. How could she decide? Everywhere she looked was another
wonder to explore.

The sudden rumble of her stomach broke the
quiet mood.

She slapped her hand against her abdomen with
a giggle. “Um, how about lunch?”

He chuckled and pulled her back inside. “I’ll
get the luggage if you want to see what’s available.”

In the kitchen, she found just about
everything they could ever want.

Fresh, colorful fruit filled a bowl on the
counter. Bananas, mangoes, limes, and a coconut. An actual coconut.
Not something you see in your everyday Indiana kitchen like an
apple. But here, coconuts were probably commonplace.

She smiled, set the coconut back in the bowl,
and started preparing lunch.

* * *

Mark made three trips to the SUV, but he eventually
hauled all their luggage into the bedroom while Karma busied
herself in the kitchen.

Kneeling beside his hunter-green suitcase, he
peered over his shoulder, making sure Karma hadn’t snuck in behind
him. Still alone, he unzipped the flap and dug his hand into his
folded clothes until he found the light-blue Tiffany box with the
white silk bow around it.

He pulled it out and checked over his
shoulder again. He’d made a promise to the universe that if Karma
came back to him, he’d fight for her and never leave her again. The
diamond engagement ring set in a filigreed, platinum band inside
the box was the culmination of that promise.

He grabbed the clothes from his suitcase and
piled them into the middle drawer of the dresser before tucking the
box underneath a folded stack of briefs. He slid the drawer closed,
exhaling a breath of finality.

He still wasn’t sure how he would propose,
but he knew in his heart that the perfect opportunity would present
itself sometime during their trip. By the time he and Karma
returned home, she would be wearing that ring. And for the second
time in his life—and hopefully the last—he’d be an engaged man.

But there was more to this trip than just
proposing. A lot more.

Quelling the sudden stir of panic in his
chest, he cleared his throat, took another deep breath, and left
the bedroom, ready to help his future wife make lunch.

This would be a vacation neither of them
would ever forget.

He just hoped it would be for all the right
reasons.

Chapter 4

Everyone comes with baggage. Find someone who loves
you enough to help you unpack.

-Author Unknown

They spent their first day in Saint Lucia lazing on
the deck, snuggling and dozing away the jet lag.

On Saturday, Karma woke with the sun to find
Mark already up. As much as she was a morning person, he was even
more-so.

He entered the bedroom with two mugs in his
hands. Using his elbow, he brushed aside the filmy curtain hanging
around the bed then sat on the edge.

“Good morning.” He extended one of the mugs
toward her. Tea, no doubt. He knew she didn’t drink coffee.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up, letting the
comforter fall into her lap. “Good morning.” She took the tea and
blew over the top before taking a tentative sip.

“Sleep well?” He sipped his coffee.

“Mm-hm.” She stretched and glanced out the
window. “It wasn’t a dream. We’re really here.”

He chuckled. “Yes, we’re really here.” He
brushed his fingers down her arm. “And we’re going to the Latille
Gardens today.”

“The Latille Gardens? What’s that?” She took
another drink.

Lifting his leg onto the bed, he shifted so
they faced one another. “Waterfalls, tropical flowers, breathtaking
scenery. You’ll love it.”

“And you’re going to be my tour guide?”

He leaned toward her, softly brushing the
backs of his fingers down the curve of her shoulder. “Yes. I’ll be
your tour guide.”

“My sexy tour guide.” She dipped her face
into his hand as he cradled her cheek.

They stared at each other for a long moment,
and then he gingerly kissed her.

She melted just a little bit at his
tenderness.

He kissed her again then stood and slid the
white see-through curtains back, officially welcoming the new day.
“Make sure you wear a bathing suit under your clothes.” He grinned
before disappearing into the bathroom.

A moment later, the shower turned on.

As she’d unpacked yesterday, she’d been
surprised to find a dozen new bikinis and bathing suits he’d bought
for her. Some of the suits were appropriate to wear in public, but
a couple were definitely meant for Mark’s eyes only. As in, they
looked like they would barely cover her naughty bits.

She swung her legs off the bed, pattered
barefoot across the stone floor to the dresser, and selected a pair
of khaki capris, a T-shirt, and a full-coverage bikini in a
tropical print.

After Mark showered, she took over in the
bathroom while he fixed breakfast.

Once they’d eaten, they headed out for the
eastern side of the island, the sunroof open. Forty-eight hours
ago, she’d been huddled against the overcast cold. Now she was in
sunny paradise. Talk about surreal.

Mark slowed the SUV as they approached a
homemade, hand-painted sign made of what looked like driftwood and
stray branches. The word “WELCOME” was painted on flat, connected
slabs of wood that reminded Karma of the sticks paint stores gave
you to stir your paint, only these were all painted green. They
were mounted on straight branches bound together to form a panel.
Some of the slabs were thicker than others, some shorter. And the
lettering consisted of all hard angles, the
O
shaped like a
diamond instead of a circle.

But what did she expect? A big fancy marquee?
This was much more charming and fit the island’s tropical
personality.

Under the welcome sign hung a warped piece of
wood with the word “PARKING” stenciled in white. A haphazardly
painted green arrow pointed them toward the right.

“Fancy sign.” She pointed and giggled as they
passed into what looked more like a grassy picnic area than a
parking lot.

Mark shot her a humored glance as he pulled
to a stop. “Hey now, don’t make fun of the locals.”

“I’m not making fun. I think it’s quaint.”
The sign actually added to the feeling that they were on a tropical
adventure, away from civilized society and drawn into a simpler,
more romantic time and place. A place unfettered by commerce,
corporations, and the drive to achieve. A place where relaxation
and enjoyment reigned.

A dark-skinned attendant wearing a
rainbow-colored, hand-knitted slouch cap greeted them. While he and
Mark exchanged pleasantries, Karma took in her surroundings. Green.
Lots of lush, green vegetation. A few pink flowers scattered the
edges.

A dog that looked like a mix between a yellow
Lab and a retriever trotted into the opening from somewhere and
wagged its tail at Karma as it approached.

“Hi, you.” She knelt and raised her hand.

The dog sniffed her fingers, leaned its head
into her palm for a quick nuzzle, and then meandered toward Mark
and the attendant.

A moment later, the local and the dog headed
off, and Mark joined her, taking her hand. “We’re the only ones
here.”

That sounded ominous. “Should I be
worried?”

He led her toward a dirt path bordered by a
wooden railing that looked as fancy as the welcome sign. “Only if
you wore the silver bikini. If you did, I can’t make any
promises.”

She laughed. “Then I’m safe. I didn’t wear
the silver bikini.”

“Damn.” He snapped his fingers as they
entered the trail. “I guess it’s just going to be sightseeing
then.”

She hugged his arm against her side. “Don’t
worry. I have a feeling there will be plenty of time for the other
stuff.”

He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the
back as he glanced at her over the top of his sunglasses. “You bet
your ass there will be time for the other stuff. I didn’t bring you
all the way here just to read and play cards. I plan on taking full
advantage of having you to myself for nine days.” He dipped his
chin, drilling his over-the-sunglasses gaze into hers. “Full.
Advantage.”