To her discomfort, she also remembered the strength with which he had held her.
She spun around, striding for the trail.
He caught her arm, swinging her back. She didnt open her mouth to protest, only narrowed her eyes at him in serious warning, arching her brows slowly as she gazed from his eyes to the place where his hand rested on her arm.
I was serious. Keep your mouth shut.
You know something, so youd better be planning on talking to the police, she warned him.
If I knew something, I wouldnt need to eavesdrop on other peoples conversations.
I think we should call the police.
And tell them what? he demanded.
She faltered. Thatthat
That there might have been a skull on the island? That a young couple was scrounging around, looking for something? So far, they havent done a thing thats illegal. And so far, you havent got anything at all to tell the police. Guess what? You need to get your nose out of it. You need to keep your mouth shut and pretend that you havent seen a single thing on this island.
You are threatening me.
Im not the threat! he protested angrily. But just maybe there is a threat out there.
Then we need to stop them. Now.
Theres this little thing called the law. You think you can just tie up Sandy and Brad and call the Coast Guard, and theyll arrest them for acting in what youve decided is a suspicious manner?
She felt herself flush. He was still holding her. She swallowed, strangely far more afraid now than she had been at any time before. Odd, it felt far too good, especially under the circumstances. She wanted to close her eyes. Lean against him. Let the moment go on. She loathed the concept of basic instinct, but she realized that she was feeling one right then. There was something so right about feeling his touch. She told herself it was just because she hadnt so much as dated in a very long time, but inside she knew it was because she had simply never felt anything so right.
He released her suddenly. All right, you dont trust me. Stick with your brother. Tight. And keep your mouth shut.
He wasnt touching her anymore. That should mean that sanity would return. Instead she felt startled, like a doe caught in the headlights.
She stiffened, determined to follow a course based on sense and reason.
He started to walk past her, but she wasnt done with him.
She found herself running to catch up with him, then caught his arm, swinging him back to face her.
What does all this have to do with you? she demanded.
Nothing. I came to this island to camp, just the same as you, he told her.
Then why were you searching the clearing?
I told you. It seemed obvious you had hidden something. He had been impatient, almost ready to pull away. But suddenly he became the one determined to carry on the conversation. He moved toward her. There was a tree behind her, and she backed up against it. He set a palm on the trunk to trap her, leaning close.
What were you hiding? he demanded.
Nothing.
A skull? he queried.
Of course not!
He pushed away from the tree and once again started back toward the beach. She followed him, irritated and uneasy.
And oddly determined to keep up with him.
To remain close.
They reached the trail. For a moment Beth was afraid they would run straight into Sandy and Brad, but the couple was nowhere to be seen.
Amber and Kimberly were lying on the beach, exactly where they had been when she had left them. Roger, too, seemed not to have stirred from the hammock.
Hey, girls! Keith called out.
Amber rolled over and looked back, seeing Keith. Hi, she called, smiling.
Hey, guys, Kimberly said.
The girls looked at him, then Beth, then one another. They smiled.
No, she thought. They smirked.
Did you find any good coconuts? Amber asked him.
It was Beths turn to look from him to the girls and back again. Obviously the girls had known that he hadnt gone on the boat. Where the hell had she been?
Not paying attention. A mistake she didnt intend to repeat.
Heythat looks like a decent coconut right over there. He pointed in the direction of the hammock where Roger lay sleeping.
Ill get it, Amber volunteered.
Beth bit her lip, not allowing herself to protest. The girls liked Keith. Trying to draw them away and tell them to be wary would only send them flying to his defense.
Kim jumped up to run after Amber.
Beths pepper spray lay forgotten on Ambers beach towel.
Staring at Keith, she went and picked it up. He smiled, shaking his head.
Whats that smile for? she demanded, moving closer to him so the girls wouldnt hear her.
Pepper spraymachete. Hmm.
Dont kid yourself, this stuff can blind a man.
I wouldnt dream of mocking your strength, Ms. Anderson, he told her.
Then he turned and went to accept the coconut Amber had picked up. Beth watched as he slammed it against a tree.
The coconut broke at his bidding. He didnt look back at her, just offered the pieces to the girls. Only then did he turn.
Sorryis it all right if they have fresh coconut?
Amber giggled. Silly. Aunt Beth doesnt have anything against coconuts.
Beth forced a smile.
She was relieved to see the first of the dinghies sliding smoothly onto the shore, just a hundred feet down on the beach.
The others were back.
Mahimahi tonight! Ben shouted. He jumped from the dinghy and dragged it farther up the shore, then reached back to give a hand to Amanda. She accepted it with her usual innate sensuality, managing to bring her whole body against Ben in her smooth effort to step to the sand.
My recipe tonight, Ben called to Beth.
He sounded so pleased. Their fishing expedition had clearly been a great success.
Once again, she forced a smile, then waved and slipped into her tent.
She hoped her brother was having a good time.
For herself, it felt as if she had taken the night train to hell.
And, she realized, it could only get worse. She was suddenly longing for something she shouldnt have.
Perhaps couldnt have
But the really scary thought was that he was feeling just the same.
5
BETH SAT ON THE BENT TRUNK of the palm tree, eating Doritos and watching.
It might have been a family reunion.
The light was gone, but three separate fires blazed, and the portable barbecue was working away, as well. The fires, she decided, were mainly for show, for warmth and light, though the moon was full, and the sky was clear, studded with stars. The fires were still nice, she thought.
Ben was talking to Keith and Matt by the barbecue, explaining the secret to his perfect mahimahi, she suspected. A coffeepot was set over one of the fires. Brad was the coffee brewer. Hank, Gerald and Matt were hanging out with him, probably talking about their day on the water.
As she watched, Amanda joined the group, giggling, laughing and, judging by her gestures, telling a story about the way someone had caught a fish. The men were laughing, obviously entertained, and equally obviously enthralled.
Beth was startled when Sandy sat down at her side.
She had a beer in her hand, and she was watching the group at the fire, as well.
Shes got a way with her, huh? Sandy said a little glumly.
Shes very pretty, Beth said judiciously.
Sandy turned to her, a half smile in place, a wry expression in her eyes. Youre much better looking. Actually, so am I. She just really knows how to turn it on and use everything she has.
Two of those guys are her cousins, Beth reminded her. Sandy seemed so normal at the moment, but Beth couldnt forget what she had seen and heard in the clearing.
And two arent, Sandy said flatly. She shrugged. I guess some women are just like that. They cant keep their hands off anything in pants.
She comes from aa world of privilege, Beth murmured, wondering why she was even attempting to excuse Amanda Mason, who tended to make her skin crawl. Still, shed made it a point to make sure she never talked badly about any member of the club. She offered Sandy the bag of Doritos.
The other woman sniffed. Think those boobs are real?
UmIve never asked.
Enhanced, Sandy assured her.
Well, lots of peopleenhance.
Sandy sighed. True. Its just thatI mean, she uses the damn things like business cards. And men are so easy.
Beth laughed. I guess sometimes they are.
She cant have many friends.
I dont really know, Beth murmured. She felt like she was ragging on the most popular girl in high school, and it felt more and more uncomfortable. She decided to change the topic. So how long have you and Brad been together?
Three years, Sandy said. A long time, huh? She paused. Im still madly in love with him. More or less.
Beth wasnt certain how madly in love and more or less could actually coincide, and again she felt shed gone back to high school.
Well, its great that youre together, then, she said.
Sandy chomped a Dorito. Amanda had her hand on Brads arm. Sandy shook her head unhappily and looked at Beth. You dont think its too long?
Too long for what?
Shouldnt we be getting married?
Oh. Um. Well, I dont know. I guess its good to really know a person first. Id much rather be with a person and know that hes the one I want to spend the rest of my life with than marry in a hurry and have it all fall apart. The divorce rate is so high today.
Is your brother divorced?
No. His wife passed away.
Thats terrible.
Yes.
Soyou dont think its a bad thing that I stay with Brad even though its been this long and were not married yet?
Beth hesitated. She hadnt begun to imagine that Sandy would come to her for advice on her relationship, certainly not after what she had seen and heard in the clearing earlier.
Im not qualified to give advice, she said. I dont think theres anything wrong with staying with someone, no matter how long, if thats what you feel is right.
Sandy stared at the group by the fire, eyes level on Amanda. Do you think hed cheat on me?
Beth was beginning to feel acutely uncomfortable. Sandy, I just met both of you. I have no idea.
Sandy didnt seem to hear her. Shes moving on. Who is she after, do you think? Your brother? Or Keith?
Amanda had moved on. Now she stood between Ben and Keith at the barbecue. She was still laughing, charming, flirtatious.
And once again, she seemed to have enthralled her conquests.
My brother is in his midthirties, Beth said. He has to take care of himself, make his own decisions.
Sandy sighed. Yeah, I guess Keith is all grown up, too. Hey, if Amanda is going to be all over Brad, maybe I should be making a few moves of my own. She stared steadily at Beth again, then shook her head. Youre so moral.
Beth laughed. How do you know that? Weve only just met.
Sandy shook her head. There are things you just know. Things you see. No matter how long youve known someone. She laughed softly. Like chemistry. Dont worry. If I make a play for someone, it wont be Keith.
What?
Theres chemistry going between you two, and if you say it isnt, well, then youre a liar.
Im too moral to be a liar, arent I? Beth queried lightly.
Sandy still seemed caustically amused. Well, he feels attracted to you. I see his eyes when you just walk by. And to be truthful, thats why Id never make a play for him. Why bother? Hes preoccupied. Actually, I dont play games. And I dont think Brad would, either. She just really pisses me off.
It seems as if you and Brad do have somethingspecial, Beth said, feeling a little lame but also really uncomfortable. When she looked at the woman, she wanted to shout, What the hell were you looking for today? A skull?
Both women turned to stare at Brad then. Apparently his coffee was perked, and he had gone to the trouble of making Irish coffee; he had a bottle of Jamesons out, as well.
Hey, Id actually like one of those, Beth said, ready to get up and end what was becoming too intimate a conversation with someone she didnt knowand didnt trust. She rose. Come on, well both head over there, and it wont look like youre worried in the least.
Sandy flashed her a quick glance, and she realized that the woman had been worried. But Brad hadnt done any instigating, and Amanda was being just as flirtatious with every available guy there.
Beth headed over to the fire and told Brad, Thats definitely a different drink for a night on an island. Id love one.
Sure. Sandy?
Sounds good to me, too. Id love one.
Brad mixed up two mugs. Club Med has nothing on us, huh? he teased, sliding an arm around Sandys shoulders.
No, were just a regular party, Beth agreed.
Foods ready! Ben called out. Someone grab some plates, please.
Roger was the first one to oblige, and he became the official hand-em-outer. Everyone found seats, in the hammock, on blankets or towels on the sand, or in the few folding chairs theyd brought out. For the next several minutes, compliments to the chef rang out.
Hey, how about me? Lee teased. I led the fishing expedition.
I know, and it was a hell of a good time, Ben told him.
Maybe we should have gone along, Sandy told Brad.
Yeah, maybe, Brad said, grimacing.
Theres always tomorrow, Matt offered.
Tomorrow. Sunday, Sandy said, and shivered. Just Monday and then back to the real world. Work on Monday.
What do you do? Beth asked her.
Do?
For a living, Beth said.
Oh, Im a consultant.
Maybe it was the fact that Sandy had brought up going back to work on Monday when Beth knew she didnt plan on doing any such thing, but Beth didnt believe her for a minute.
Back to work for you, too, Beth, right? Amanda asked sweetly.
Thankfully, I love my job, Beth replied pleasantly.
Im not always so fond of mine, Ben admitted.
Bens a lawyer, Roger explained.
What kind? Keith asked.