Temptation Island (2 page)

Kate peaked an eye open, “Tassels, feathers and all.”

Carm snorted again and covered her mouth with her hand.  Shaking with silent laughter, Carm looked at her sister and caught a glimmer of amusement in her eyes and faintly turned up lips. 
Now that’s more like it.  There’s my sister.

“All joking aside—which Mark as a showgirl is actually pretty darned hilarious—what can I do to help?”

And that’s when it had happened.  That precise moment when her sanity had taken a flying leap out the window on a permanent vacation.  Ok, so maybe she really
had
given it away. 

Kate then proceeded to beg Carm to take a trip down to Blue Mist Coffees in her place to stop the owner from bailing and renegotiate the terms of the agreement.  Never mind that Carm knew nothing about business.  She knew plenty about Elmer’s glue, rubber cement and the ABC’s.  If Kate had said someone wanted a Santa made on red construction paper with a cotton ball beard, she had them covered, but Carm knew nothing about negotiating terms with high-powered businessmen. 

Especially when her sister’s life—and the life of her unborn child—depended upon it.  But, before she knew it, all good sense had disappeared in the wake of a pair of watery blue eyes and a swollen belly. 

And the clincher?  The one thing that tipped the scale?  Beside Kate informing her that the ticket had already been purchased and arrangements made on her behalf? 

One word: please.

Just that simple. And Carm was in way over her head, pretending to be a savvy businesswoman when she was really a first grade teacher; making or breaking a deal that determined the fate of her beloved sister’s livelihood and all who worked for her.

Just another average day in the life of Carmen Hogue. No big deal.  No sweat, nothing to it. 

Yeah right.

How could she say no?  Kate certainly couldn’t do it. She couldn’t even get off the couch for longer than it took to go pee, much less hop on a plane bound for the British Virgin Islands to placate a cold, unsympathetic businessman.

No, the health of her unborn baby was Kate’s first—and only—priority in Carm’s mind.  And Kate didn’t trust anyone else to do it.  She didn’t even trust any of her employees.  Kate had no way of knowing who her loser ex had talked to at the café and coerced with false promises into sabotaging her.

When it came right down to it Carm was the only option.  That’s why common sense had packed a bag, pulled on a travelin’ hat and hit the road.

Which explained why Carm found herself sitting aboard a plane bound for the beautiful tropical island of Tortola on a sunny Friday afternoon.  It also explained how she was forced into playing hardball with a man she’d never met, over a bit of business she knew nothing about. 

Well, almost nothing. Next to nothing. No more than the little bit of knowledge she’d gained during her brief cram session with Kate.

Shaking her head to clear her mind, Carm stretched her long, linen clad legs out in front of her and shifted to find a more comfortable position.  Plane seats were definitely not made for tall women. 

Finally finding a relatively comfortable spot perched on her left hip with her body facing the window, Carm startled at the voice that came over the speakers.  Nerves jumped to life in her stomach as the pilot announced arrival time loomed a mere ten minutes away. 

After a long, exhausting day of plane hopping she should have been thrilled to be at her destination.  However, Carm felt a faint prickle of fear tingle the back of her neck as she gazed down at the island slowly coming in to view below.

She was in way over her head.

As the plane started the final decent all Carm could do was pray that someone down below would be kind enough to throw her a life jacket when she started to drown.

                ***********************

Tortola was stunning.  Shielding her eyes against the brilliant glare of the late afternoon sun, Carm surveyed her surroundings as she waited outside the airport for a taxi.  There wasn’t a car rental at the airport and she needed one to take her across the bridge onto the main island and her hotel.  Once there she would call Kate to let her know she had arrived safely and go over the details for the meeting one last time. 

Kate was relying on Carm to straighten the mess out and Carm wanted to be as prepared as she could be, considering she’d learned this bit of news only yesterday morning. 

A hint of spice stirred the balmy air turning Carm’s attention.  She closed her eyes a moment and took a deep breath in appreciation.  Wanting to locate the wonderful smell Carm opened her eyes and turned to the side.  She smiled broadly at the sight before her.  A small dark island girl in a bright pink dress held a woven basket full of brightly colored tropical flowers. 

Smiling down at the young girl, Carm said in greeting, “Hello, what’s your name?  Those are beautiful flowers you have there.  Can I buy one from you?”

Nodding her curly dark head, the girl smiled shyly back, “My name is Rashumba, miss. An’ dis is my favorite flower.  Da Plumeria.”

Charmed by the lilting sound of the Caribbean in the girl’s voice, Carm reached for the deep red flower.  “It’s beautiful Rashumba.  Thank you.”  Handing the girl some money, Carm laughed at the surprised look on her face.  “I want you to keep it all.  It is such a beautiful flower, after all.”

Dark brown eyes stared wide-eyed at her shimmering with excitement.  “Really? Tis all mine?”

Carm nodded, “It is all yours, truly.  Buy something pretty with it.”

The girl gripped the money tight in her little fist and smiled brilliantly, her dark face alight with happiness.  “Tank ya, miss.  And welcome to da Caribbean.”

“Thank you, Rashumba!” Carm called to the back of the quickly disappearing girl.  Lifting the large flower to her nose Carm inhaled the rich scent.  Heady aroma enveloped her senses, surrounding her in a haze of sultry exoticness.

Catching sight of a taxi, Carm quickly tucked the flower behind her ear, picked up her bags and hurried toward it. Jostling her shoulder bag, Carm made her way to the parked car.

“Pardon me?  Hi, can you take me to my hotel?”

The driver opened his door and stepped out, instantly lifting Carm’s lips into a grin with his tropical shirt and white pant apparel. Everything appeared so bright and sunny on Tortola, even the local clothing. 

Carm was amazed at the lush foliage surrounding her and enchanting clear turquoise water.  She’d never seen such abundance of greenery in her life.  Tortola was a far cry from her home in the hot, dry high desert of Eastern Washington, that’s for sure.

Smiling at the man as he took her luggage and placed it in the trunk Carm remarked, “It is beautiful here. I’m in love already and I haven’t left the airport.”

The man nodded his head and displayed a set of strong white teeth against his deep brown skin with an engaging smile.  “Ah, dat it is, miss.  She’s a magical place, she is.  Da only place on earth worth livin’ if ya ask me now.  Could be ya come ta agree with me soon, no?  Ya might not leave.  Da island might not be da only ting ya fall in love with on da visit.”

Good gravy let’s hope not.  To fall in love with some dumb man is the last thing I need right now.

Shaking her head, Carm slipped past the door he held open for her and slid across the bench seat.  “I sincerely doubt it, but thanks anyway.  Love is not on my agenda of things to do on this visit.”

“A shame dat is.  Might be it finds ya anyway.  Where ya be staying at now on your visit?”

Carm watched in silence as the driver climbed behind the wheel, the bright print of his shirt momentarily distracting her.  It really was stunning.  All bright aquas, pinks, purples and greens.  Carm felt an overwhelming urge while staring at it to break out singing “Kokomo.”  In fact, she swore she could actually
hear
the Beach Boys singing.

Carm startled when the driver twisted in his seat to look back at her.  Appalled to realize she’d been humming the tune out loud, Carm cleared her throat and sat back against the warm seat.  “Sorry.  I’m staying at the Green Island Inn.”

“Ah, dat be a good place ta stay now.  Close to da beach.”

The car started to move and slipped easily into the flow of light traffic leaving the airport.  Shifting her gaze out the window, Carm delighted in the rich landscape they drove past.  She’d always had a real fondness for plants, especially tropical ones.  In fact, she currently had a rather large banana plant residing in her living room.  It hadn’t produced fruit as of yet, but she was still hopeful.

A woman walking along side the road caught her attention as they drove past.  She wore a colorful sarong that tied on one shoulder and leather sandals that wrapped around her ankles.  Again Carm noticed the beautiful, vibrant print of her dress.  With all the sunshine, foliage and rich color Carm just knew that the people of Tortola must be happy people.  Who wouldn’t be with all that positive energy surrounding them?

The taxi slowed at the edge of town.  Leaning to the side to see around the driver Carm felt a small jolt of anticipation and excitement as she caught sight of the sun washed buildings and clay roofs.  Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea her sister’d had after all.  A few days in a place like this couldn’t hurt.

Up ahead Carm saw the sign to her hotel.  Smoothing her palms down the length of her thighs, Carm grinned and waited.  They slowed and pulled into the drive and Carm laughed aloud.  “Oh, it’s perfect.”

The driver braked in front of the large double doors under a pink and white striped awning. Carm opened the door as soon as they came to a stop.  She couldn’t wait to see the rest of the building.  Kate had failed to mention that the hotel she’d booked was actually a grand old mansion. 

Pale yellow with white window boxes overflowing with flowers, red tiled roof and a wide front porch, the mansion stood warm and welcoming.  Hanging baskets overflowing with purple petunias dangled from the front porch in invitation.  Suddenly Carm had to get inside and see her room.

Reaching for her purse to pay the tab, Carm asked, “Where do you recommend I eat dinner? Something like a nice little café with local atmosphere would be great.”

The man pocketed the money and handed Carm her luggage.  Pointing his finger down the road on the beach side, the man chuckled.  “On a Friday night now?  Der is only one place ta be.  Big Bubba’s.  Da best seafood and live music on da whole island.”

“Great.  Thank you.”

“No problem.  Enjoy your stay.”  The man climbed back in his car and sped out of the parking lot.

Carm picked up her luggage and headed for the front door.  The joy that Carm felt at the moment lifted her heart and almost convinced her that all her worry about the meeting might be for naught.  Good vibes radiated from the island. 

Everything had to work out for her because of that, right?

CHAPTER 2

Carm’s feeling of joy grew further as she stepped inside her room and looked around.  Bright light filtered through sheer curtains and fell across a large flower print bedspread to the bleached wood of the floor.  A white wicker headboard matched the dresser and bedside table giving the room an airy feel.  Noting a small TV armoire tucked back in a corner; Carm walked to it and sat her shoulder bag on top.

“Like I’m going to be watching television while I’m here.”

Kicking off her white sandals, Carm wiggled her pink painted toes in relief and groaned.  Closing her eyes for a moment, Carm breathed deep and mentally relaxed.  Such a grueling past two days it had been. 

Thank goodness she didn’t have the dreaded meeting until tomorrow because Carm desperately needed one night of calm and relaxation.  If she expected to be able to convince Mr. William Stokes to keep the existing agreement with her sister then she needed to be in top form. 

Opening her eyes, Carm walked to the open window across the cool wood floors and pulled back the curtains.  She smiled in delight at the patch of thick grass and trees below.  A hammock hung strung between two palm trees in the shade near a pink flowering bush.  A large, overfed grey cat lay curled up asleep in the middle of the hammock taking advantage of the peaceful resting spot. 

Leaning further out the window Carm spotted the barest glimpse of the ocean to her left.  Though her room faced the side of the mansion without a good view of the water Carm loved the side garden and sleeping furball.  She was amazed really that Kate had rented such a nice room in the first place.

Thinking of Kate, Carm inhaled one last breath of balmy salt air and backed away from the window.  Before she called Kate, Carm desperately wanted a shower to wash of the day’s traveling grime.  Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed and flopped back. 

She needed to be horizontal for a few minutes. 

At five feet ten inches Carm had a lot of body to fold into those tiny airline seats. After having her knees practically at her chin all day her body begged for a nice stretch to sooth and unwind bunched muscles.  Some yoga stretches would work well, but Carm wanted to do nothing more than lay back and relax for the time being.