No, no. Nowhere else. Swiping the back of his hand over his sweating upper lip, Rodriguez looked over at the bartender, then at the new diners again, then shook his head. Here is fine. Here is better. Come back later.
Okay...
The restaurant closes at 1:00 a.m., but the bar is still open. Meet me then.
For the first time, Lila hesitated. Traveling around the world to chase down unique employees for eccentric clients might not be considered the safest career ever heard of. But meeting anyone in a strange town in a foreign country in the middle of the night was pure stupidity.
How about tomorrow morning instead? Perhaps before the restaurant opens, around 8:00 a.m.?
His jaw worked, the grinding making his mustache flutter. Finally, Rodriguez gave a jerky nod.
Make it six. We open early. Go to the office, though. Not the kitchen.
There was something in his voice that sent a shiver up and down her spine. Which was silly. Lila had been travelingand doing damn near everything else in her lifealone for a decade without any problems.
But spine shivers werent to be discounted, so shed take precautions, she decided. And everything would be fine.
Tomorrow at six, then. Heres my number. Please, call my cell if you need to change anything, she requested, folding the receipt and putting it and her credit card in her bag before handing him an embossed ivory business card.
Yes, yes, fine. His face creased with worry, he made a shooing motion with his hands. Go, now. Go.
Okay, then.
Lila went.
Right down to the beach in search of Mr. Muscles, the hottie shed like to get up close and personal with.
Lila wasnt sure if it was still lingering irritation over word of her fathers nagging, or if it was frustration over Rodriguez playing hard to get.
But she suddenly wanted a drink. And having it with a sexy hard body would have made that all better.
But while there were plenty of hard bodies and bare skin lounging on the sand, riding on the surf, the hottie was nowhere to be found.
Figured.
Chapter 2
Stars scattered over the night sky like buckshot against black velvet. Music rolled out of Casa de Ricos doors, blending with the crickets serenade to the fall of night.
Another day over and done with, and not a damned thing to show for it. He hadnt even come up with a freaking hint of an idea of what to do with the rest of his damned life.
A beer tucked between his thighs, the braided cotton strands of the hammock digging into his flesh, Travis waited for the tension to leave his body. Hed been waiting so long, he considered it a miracle that he still believed it could happen.
Maybe he should have tried a little harder with the blonde on the beach earlier. A bout or three of hot, sweaty sex would have relaxed him a little.
Maybe it was time to give up the beach and head somewhere else. He just couldnt quite work up the enthusiasm to figure out where.
Yo, Hawk.
Yo, Manny, Travis returned laconically, lifting a hand to greet the beanpole of a man so dark that he blended with the night. All but the brilliant white of that smile he was always flashing.
You had phone calls. I took messages.
Thanks, man, Travis said, taking the scraps of paper he didnt want.
One is from Paulo. Others are your SEAL friends. I know their names from times they visited, fished here. But nothing from family, Manny said in sad tones, as if not having a family calling to add their nagging to his teammates was something to mourn.
No family to be calling, Travis said, tucking the messages into the front pocket of his cutoffs. Only child, parents gone before I was twenty.
Thats a bummer, man.
Itd been a decade, but the sympathy hit him hard. Hed thought he was long over the loss. But being around people like Manny, with an extended family so big that he had cousins in every other house in town, really brought it home how alone he was. For years, hed had his SEAL team for family. But while they werent dead like his parents, they werent there anymore either.
But all Travis could do was shrug. Nothing else to do, and absolutely nada to say.
You didnt have to deliver the messages. I would have come by your place tomorrow.
Manny ran a small produce market with his brothers. Not quite a store, not quite a stall, it did brisk business with the locals and tourists alike.
Nows fine, the skinny man said before lifting a covered plate. You want fish? I caught it this morning. Glory cooked it nice.
Rich spices escaped the dish, its foil glinting in the moonlight as Manny plopped it onto Traviss bare belly.
Travis grunted. He really didnt want the fish. Just like he hadnt wanted the gallo pinto Boon had brought by an hour ago or the cacao fresco that Senora Miguel had forced on him at breakfast. But the upsideor downside in his opinionof crashing at a friends place was the friends friends.
Thanks, to Glory too, he said as he lifted the plate and, bending at the waist, leaned over to set it on the battered crate that served as his table.
So what you doing for a job now? Ill bet you get bored recreating, right?
Right. There was no appeal in forced recreating. But Travis only shrugged.
I know the perfect job for you. You should be a private investigator. Or the police. But joining the police means you follow a bunch of rigid rules, thats no way to get the job done.
Debating whether to point out the plethora of rules hed lived by in the military, Travis opted to keep silent. Hed learned in his first week in town that Manny and logic werent real close pals.
You become a PI and solve all the crimes around here. Like I heard yesterday, that a bunch of turistas, they were hit on by two hookers.
Not surprising. Since it was legal, prostitution was a way of life in some parts of Costa Rica.
The men, they do the grab and feel, but didnt like the merchandise. Happens all the time in my market. Everyone squeeze the melons but not everyone want to buy. But these men? When they dont want a guy, some big bruiser come out and rough them up. Says, You touch, you buy. He put one in the hospital.
Travis frowned. Prostitution might be legal, but pimping wasnt. Neither were prostitution rings, which was what it sounded like Manny was describing.
My cousin Luis, he says that a bruiser was the one who came around his store last week. He said Luis pay for protection or there will be trouble. Next day, Luiss little girl Lupe got lost.
Shes missing?
Was missing until nighttime. The whole family, we went looking, but nobody could find her. She turned up at the market after dark. Said a big man stole her, tied her up and said she had to give a message. If her papa didnt pay, shed get hurt.
Damn.
Travis grimaced.
Helpless women and children, theyd always been his hot buttons. He was tempted to offer his services. But the reality was that he had no services to offer. Who needed a cripple slowing them down? So Travis forced himself to unclench his jaw and relax instead.
Sounds like a job for the cops. He leaned back in his hammock again.
The cops, they are no good here. Thats why we need you, Hawk. You can be a PI, you can help with the crimes.
Thanks for the food, he made himself say.
Mannys face fell, but he didnt push the subject.
You eat. Its good. Then you go have fun.
Travis grunted, hoping Manny would take that as an affirmative and go.
No such luck.
Instead, the other guy squatted in the sand next to the hammock and grinned.
You gonna party like a wild thing, yes? Lots to choose from tonight, Hawk. Theres a bonfire at the big hotel, a band tuning at Lolos and the dancing is already kicking over at the Catfish bar.
Not too long ago, hed have hit all three party spots in a single night. All three and more.
But that was then.
No, thanks.
You really should have some fun. Loosen up and have a good time.
Im close enough to Lolos to hear the music, Travis pointed out, gesturing to the bar on the other side of the small dune. Ill join in if I feel like it.
You always say that, but you dont look so good. With an assessing look somewhere between doubt and pity, Manny shook his head. My instructions, theyre to watch out for you. Youre healing okay. Good food, good rest, it helps. But good spirits, thatd turn the tide.
My spirits are fine, Travis said somberly.
Paulo, hes gonna call me tomorrow. What am I supposed to say to him when he asks how youre doing? Ill tell him you wont party, you barely eat, hes gonna be peeved.
Peeved, Travis rolled his eyes, but had to admitif only to himselfthat peeved was the perfect word for Paulo. The chief petty officer didnt get pissed, he never threw fits, he was the perfect gentleman. Some would say a goody-goody, but only if those some hadnt ever watched him eviscerate an enemy combatant.
Still...
I dont need a babysitter.
No? Then you need a friend. A lady friend, maybe.
The sexy blondes face flashed through Traviss mind. She was definitely the kind of friend hed like to show a good time. For a night, or in her case, two or three.
Im fine. Im gonna eat this good fish, then get some rest.
You want me to hang out? Visit and keep you company while you eat. Save you cleaning the dish afterward, cuz Ill just take it back to Glory to wash.
Its a paper plate, Travis pointed out. Then, because he knew the man wasnt going to budge off his damned babysitting duties, Travis made a show of snapping up the plate. He uncovered it, and using his fingers, he snagged a chunk of fish. Spices exploded on his tongue, the flavor reminding his stomach of the good ole days, when hed liked to eat.
Its great, man. Tell Glory thanks for me.
Youll eat it all?
As much to assure the guy as to get him to leave, Travis tossed back the rest and handed back the plate.
Yum.
It took a few more prods to convince Manny that he was fine, he was full, he was comfortable and yes, he would get some sleep. But finally, the guy took his paper plate and left.
Leaving Travis alone with the sound of partyers in the distance, and the ocean nearby. As the moon climbed higher in the sky, he watched the waves with eyes that must have been as empty as his soul felt. For what seemed like the hundredth time in the last month, he wondered if recovery at the beach had been a mistake. Hed had friends offer him their cabins in the mountains, a trip to a ranch in Colorado, a condo in Vegas and a high-rise in Manhattan. He could haveshould havecrashed at any of them. Instead, here he was watching the one true love of his life.
The ocean, the sea.
For all her fickle whims, all her changeable moods, she was power. She was life.
Some might say that shed tried to kill him, but Travis figured that just proved she had a dark side.
And watching her from a hammock on a sunset beach was as good a way to heal as any, he supposed.
* * *
Lila loved the job shed created. She really did.
Here she sat in a deeply cushioned lounge chair, her hair loose, a tray on her lap to hold her computer and a frothy drink, complete with pink umbrella at her elbow. Despite the setting sun, the air was warm and the beach quiet as the sun worshippers had gone in for dinner and the partyers hadnt yet gathered.
It really was a great job, she reminded herself as she sucked up more Caribbean Punch through an icy straw.
But, holy cow, where was she going to find a female blacksmith? Specifically one with public speaking skills, an affinity for children and a desire to travel with an educational troupe for a year. Scrolling through the database on her laptop, she scanned for any name thatd spark an idea.
But blacksmiths werent exactly plentiful in the circles Lila traveled in. So shed expand them, she decided.
Still, maybe Corinne was right. Matchmaking might be easier. But Lila had less faith in the longevity of love than she did in her ability to track down a buff chick that liked to beat fire and steel.
Ms. Adrian?
Her fingers pausing on the keys of her laptop, Lila looked up with a smile. Yes?
Phone for you, maam, the young concierge said, holding out a cordless phone on a bamboo tray.
For me?
Corinne would use her cell number. So would any clients, friends or prospects trying to reach her.
There was only one person whod make a point of tracking her down and calling the hotel to ensure she knew shed been tracked.
Lips pressed tight, Lila gently closed her laptop. She gave herself an extra few seconds to gather her thoughts, to push away the initial rush of emotions that dealing with her father always incited.
Strongest was the heavy weight of regret that shed never, not once in her life, lived up to her fathers expectations. Shed like to blame it on her brother. It wasnt easy to live up to a guy like Lucas. Prep school prince, Annapolis grad, Navy SEAL. Not even leaving the Navy against their fathers express wishes had knocked him off his golden pedestal.
Instead of a pedestal, Lila had a gilded cage.
Id prefer to take this in my room, she stated. He was probably calling to lecture, would likely round that out with a few unreasonable demands. Whatever her father wanted, she knew shed rather deal with it in private. Would you transfer it there, please?
Lila took her time. She took the stairs. Once in her room, she even took a bottle of water from the small refrigerator. Tequila would be better, but she knew shed want her wits about her.
She didnt sit on the bed. Thatd be too casual, too relaxed. Instead, she pulled out the stiff wooden chair from the small desk and perched on the edge.
One deep breath, and she lifted the phone receiver.
Hello, Father. How are you?
Lila. Your help is required to organize and act as hostess for an event of great import. Im honoring dignitaries and notable Navy personnel, including your brother.
Pointing out that Lucas wasnt in the Navy anymore would have as much impact as her hello had. So Lila didnt waste her breath.
It does sound like a worthy event, and honoring our troops even the ones who didnt serve in Special Ops, the ones her father pretended didnt exist is important. But as commendable as Im sure it will be, I am not available to hostess or attend.