Skinnydipping
by DaniJo Avia
Copyright © 2010 by DaniJo Avia
All Rights Reserved. Worldwide.
Published by
Harmon Press
with
Vertical Current Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-935959-01-4
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010935916
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidence either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved solely by the author. The author guarantees all contents are original and do not infringe upon the legal rights of any other person or work. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from author except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Published by DaniJo Avia at Smashwords
Cover design by: DaniJo Avia
This book is dedicated to my husband.
Without you, your encouragement and your love, I wouldn’t be who I am today or have the gumption to chase after my dreams.
Thank you for your unconditional love and support. In everything and in every way.
You are truly the Ben to my Erin.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A little bit about the way this book came about, acknowledgements and Thank yous…
This book came about because a childhood friend sent me one of those “Place an “X” beside anything you have done” bucket lists. One of the questions was “Have you ever gone skinnydipping in the ocean”. My answer was “I’ve never been brave enough.” Without Cory’s catalyst, I never would have asked “How could…” As you say Cory, it’s amazing what you hear when you are listening to what the Universe has to say.
After sending off the email with my answers I jumped in the shower to get ready to visit my friends Alice and Carolyn. In the shower I began wondering how could someone overcome that shyness and go skinnydipping in the ocean. The story “downloaded” in a heartbeat. Jumping out of the shower, not even toweling off, I ran to my computer and began writing. An hour later most of the first chapter was written.
I was now late for our visit, but my friends were gracious.
Our plan for the day was to visit and to spend some creative time together. While we visited my mind was still wrapped up in the story, I felt as if I have begun reading a book that I couldn’t put down until I finished reading it. Sitting on the back porch in the sun, Alice painted and my friends allowed me to continue writing. Five hours later Carolyn sent me home with her laptop. Their support, prayers and encouragement have been invaluable. Thank you isn’t strong enough. I am honored and enriched to call you friends.
Over the next two weeks I spent 10-12 hours a day writing. I had to get down “on paper” the rest of the download as it came. My husband feed me at appropriate intervals, didn’t panic when the house wasn’t cleaned or when I didn’t come to bed till 2 in the morning. He was a champ. Two weeks after I began, I had the first rough draft of almost 60,000 words. There was a great sense of satisfaction, as well as an understanding that I now needed to publish.
As often as the sun came out you could find me on the deck writing. Those two weeks held the best weather of the Spring and I was on the deck most of the time. Drinking Yoli Truth and Yoli Fun kept me hydrated and not distracted by being a on a sugar or caffeine high. To learn more about these amazing all natural sugar free and chemical free beverages, and/or purchase, visit www.Thirst.Goyoli.com.
In addition to listening to the birds visiting the bird feeder, I listened to the Awake album from Morningstar and Misty Edwards Relentless album, specifically the song Garden, both are available at Amazon.com. The Awake album created an intimate setting that wrapped me in a cocoon and allowed me to “hear” the story as it unfolded. Garden inspired the conversation Erin has with her mother.
The 3rd album that was the wind under my writing was JoAnn McFatters Grace Grace album, available from her website. Step into me laid the groundwork and was the invitation to write. Thank you Rob and Katie for the gift of that CD, as well as providing me with the venue to ask “Why aren’t we?” To have Skinnydipping be an answer to the question asked in Leavenworth has been amazing, and an honor. We are privileged to call you friends.
And finally, thank you H.S. Without you talking to me through the whole process, opening the right doors and bringing the right people into my life at the right time, I never could have even dreamed of or envisioned writing. Thank you. May you receive 1000 x 1000 what you have poured into me.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
She looked at the ocean, the sun was almost down. The night was soft, warm and romantic. She’d come to Hawaii for her honeymoon. She’d dreamed of exploring the Island, and of spending a great deal of their time exploring each other, but that dream had been shattered when she’d found her fiancé in bed with her best friend the day before the wedding.
She’d called off the wedding. And come to Hawaii. She needed time away after having her life turned upside down, so she’d come on her honeymoon alone.
A lone bird flew across the water and brought her back from the past.
The light breeze felt good on her skin. Late in the afternoon she’d found this beach. Mindlessly she had sat on the sand looking out over the water. She’d arrived anxious and in a turmoil. Even though her life with Rick was now a thing of the past, uncertainty swirled around her. Her ability to come to grips with her future eluded her and threatened to overwhelm her.
As she stared out over the water, her spirit and her soul had followed the soothing motion of the waves and slipped into a peaceful rhythm. Her body followed suit, the muscles relaxing. Now she was peaceful, still inside, in a way that she hadn’t been for quiet sometime.
She’d had her doubts about marrying Rick, but felt she was committed once she accepted his engagement ring. She’d convinced herself that things would change once they were married. She’d ignored every character flaw and red flag that had popped up in their entire relationship, until the day before the wedding when she’d returned home unexpectedly.
Shaking her head, she made herself leave that train of thought. Nothing more could be done.
Staring out at the water she thought longingly of a swim, but she hadn’t brought her swimsuit. When she’d left her hotel this morning, she’d left with no destination in mind, just the need to drive.
Looking around, she saw that she was alone and realized that she had been for some time. Making up her mind, she rose and swiftly undressed. Leaving her clothes in an untidy pile, she turned, walked to the water, and waded into the calm turquoise waves until she was waist deep.
She sighed as her body relaxed further. This was exactly what she needed.
Standing in the water, she thought over the decisions she’d made while she dwelt in that peaceful place.
She was done with Rick. He’d been calling every hour since she’d walked in on them, but she hadn’t answered his calls and simply deleted his messages. She wasn’t interested in someone who was interested in another woman, or other women. There would be no reconciliation. It was an issue of trust. It might have been overcome, but this was not the first time she’d caught him in a very compromising position. He’d promised to change, but finding him with Andrea had shown her what her heart had known, he wasn’t willing to change for her.
She’d decided to accept the job with a new client. She smiled at the timing of the call. He’d called just a few days before the wedding, before she’d found Rick and Andrea in her bed. In her apartment. She and Rick hadn’t even shared her bed. She shook her head, clearing away the memory. No need to revisit that scene.
Taking a deep breath she submerged, swam out a little further, and rose from the water.
As she broke through the surface, she was conscious that something had shifted. She felt alive, fresh, clean, new. A feeling of rebirth came over her. This was a new beginning.
She was aware of the possibilities that lay open before her. Hope broke through, grew and unfurled, its fragrance intoxicating.
Her life wasn’t ending, it was just beginning.
She’d picked up a new client, she’d have to find a new place to live; she’d given up her apartment as she had planned on moving into Rick’s house. Maybe she’d move back to Sacramento to be close to her mom. She could do her job anywhere she had an internet connection and phone reception. She’d make new friends, at least a new best friend. A new man... she wasn’t ready to even explore that possibility. But that would come. In time.
Turning she half swam, half walked back to the beach. The sun had gone down, the water sliding to a cold steel blue as the weather changed and the sun set. The wind had come up pushing clouds from the ocean that promised a shower in the near future. She was beginning to be chilled. The moon hung full and high in the sky. As she walked out of the water, it lit the way to her beach towel.
Halfway there she realized she was no longer alone.
Looking up she saw a man in the shadows of the palms that separated the beach from the parking area.
He’d come to the beach to be alone with his thoughts. He’d left his friends at the bar. It was a popular spot with the single tourists, and the crew was celebrating the completion of their job.
Three months ago they had arrived to build out the new Apple stores on the Islands. It had been the height of the tourist season, and rather than stay at a hotel, he had chosen to stay somewhere quieter than the downtown hotels. He’d been able to rent a yurt on the beach with a public shower. When he needed to do laundry, he dropped it off at the Laundromat. While he worked, he charged his phone and computer so that he was never far from being connected, if he chose.
With his car allowance, he’d chosen to purchase a used Jeep. It had given him freedom and he had explored the Island, spending his free time outdoors. Most of the guys didn’t understand why he didn’t like hitting the bar after work. Those that didn’t were single, as was he, he thought with a grunt. The difference was that they liked to chase the women who were free from their inhibitions; they were on vacation after all. Tonight he’d slipped away unseen. Angel beach was one of his favorite beaches and he stopped here often on the way home.
Walking through the trees, he had taken a seat on his favorite spot to watch the ocean, a palm tree bent horizontal by the wind. It offered front row seating to rest and watch the endless soothing rhythm of the sea.
Movement and a splash caught his attention. There was someone in the water, but they were far away enough that the peace he was immersed in wasn’t disturbed.
He’d been alone with his thoughts long enough that he’d forgotten he was sharing the beach with anyone. Motion caught his eye. The person, with a start he realized it was a woman, was walking out of the water. The moon was bright enough that she was illuminated fully.
Realization hit him like an electric shock, she was naked. The water twinkled like a million stars on her skin. He forgot to breath as he took in her graceful walk, there was a freedom and an unconscious sensuality to her steps that made him catch his breath.
Something snapped to awareness in him. In his college days, he had been no stranger to the beauty of a naked woman’s body, and the pleasures to be shared and enjoyed. But there was something about this woman, vulnerability, under-girded by a strength that staggered him. The tension of vulnerability and strength over road his appreciation of her nudity and brought an overwhelming desire to know and be known, to protect and be protected, roaring to the forefront.
Without realizing it he rose from his seat.
Somehow he comprehended she’d seen him, and was embarrassed to have been caught naked. He stood still, uncertain of what to do. As he watched her, she bent down and snatched a towel from the sand and quickly wrapped it around herself.
Great. Just what she needed, some perverted peeping tom interrupting her peace and quiet. Witnessing what she’d always been afraid to do because she didn’t want to be caught. Looking around she quickly gathered her clothes, and slipping into her sandals she headed towards the parking lot.
Thankfully she wouldn’t have to pass him, he was to the left of the path she’d come down. Looking straight ahead she headed between the palm trees.
He watched her gather her things, and begin to hurry toward the parking lot. Should he intercept her? What would he say? He hadn’t come to meet anyone, he’d wanted to be alone, but there was something about her that made him want to know her, to defend her vulnerability, and appreciate her strengths. And he couldn’t argue with his body’s response to seeing her walk out of the water.
Before he knew it, he was walking towards her.
He could see that she wasn’t looking at him. With a start he remembered that she was embarrassed. She hadn’t realized he was there, and he’d intruded on her.
He stepped towards her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.”
She stopped and looked at him. There was no wariness, she carried herself regally, but this close her embarrassment at been caught skinnydipping rolled off her in waves.
“No. That’s fine, it was time for me to leave.”
He noticed that she didn’t mention that she was standing in front of him wrapped in nothing but a towel. There was a fierce pride about her.
He looked at her closely. He couldn’t tell how long she’d been in the Hawaiian sun, it was too dark, the wind was already drying her hair and it fluttered around her face. Was it brown? No… more red he thought. He couldn’t see her eyes to tell what color they were.
She brushed her hair out of her eyes. She wasn’t about to let him know she was uncomfortable, embarrassed, no mortified was a better description of how she felt, to be standing in front of a total stranger who had seen her skinnydipping and was now clad only in a towel.
“If you’ll excuse me.” She moved past him.
He turned to watch her go. There was a definite grace about her walk. And a pride as well. He smiled to himself and turned back towards the water. He’d give her a few minutes to herself so that she could dress. Anyway, it was time to return to his campsite. He had left the bar before dinner had been ordered and he was getting hungry.
Looking up he saw the clouds coming inland fast. They played with the light the moon illuminated the beach with. It would be raining soon.
Figuring he’d given her enough time, he turned towards the parking lot, only to find her hurrying back toward the beach. He caught her face in the moonlight. She was worried.
“Is everything OK?”
She looked up startled.
“I dropped my keys somewhere. I hope it was where I was sitting.”
He made a decision, “I’ll help you look for them.”
“No. You don’t need to bother.”
She didn’t know how much he’d seen, but looking for her keys in the dark with a strange guy wasn’t high on her priority list.
“No bother. In fact, it would make me feel better since I disturbed you earlier. Besides, I have a flashlight.”
He pulled the mini mag out of his pocket and turned it on.
She stood still for a moment, indecision flooding her thoughts. Making her decision she smiled, “In that case, I’d appreciate the help.”
Figuring he needed to break the ice, he introduced himself. “I’m Ben.”
She smiled again, this time more at ease with her decision. “Hi Ben, I’m Erin.”
Together they headed back to where she’d been sitting.
They joined their efforts. Erin looked on her hands and knees, alternately raking then sifting the sand through her fingers, Ben standing above her shining the light where she searched.
The wind had picked up. It caught her skirt and blew her hair in her eyes hampering her efforts. Ben looked up and saw that the clouds had arrived, and that they would be around for awhile.
Exasperated she sat back on her heels. Her fists were bunched up on her thighs. Even in the dark Ben could tell she was frustrated.
“I can’t find them.”
“Do you have an extra key?”
“No, and the Rental car agency is closed for the day. I guess I’ll have to call a locksmith.” She pushed her hair out of her face again. “My cell phone is in the car, as is my purse.”
She was disgusted. It had been nice not to have her cell phone ringing every hour. But at the moment she wished she’d brought it with her.
“You can use mine, but I doubt you’ll get someone to help you before morning. May I give you a ride home?”
She looked at him, appraising him. He didn’t look like a pervert, but then Rick hadn’t either. But she didn’t get the vibe from Ben that she’d picked up, and ignored, from Rick. Again she trusted her gut feeling of him.
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I’m on the other side of the Island.”
“No. It’s not a problem.” His stomach growled. “Listen, my campsite is just a few miles down the beach. I was on my way home to cook dinner when I stopped here for a few minutes. Would you like to join me for dinner before I run you home.”
She looked at him. Again her intuition told her she didn’t have to worry about him. Surprised by that understanding, she looked at the revelation a little deeper.
She wasn’t second guessing herself anymore. It felt good to be able to trust and to follow her intuition again. That simple fact, that she was again listening to and could follow her intuition, made up her mind. Smiling at the revival of her ability to trust herself again, she accepted his invitation.
He rose from the sand and held out his hand to her, wordlessly helping her to her feet.
The gesture stunned her. There was nothing wrong with his gesture; it had just been too long since a man had shown her such kindness. Since a man had treated her with respect, and deemed her worthy of manners.
Overcome by this new revelation she accepted his hand. Needing to gather her thoughts as she stood upright, she took her time as she shook the sand from her skirt.
As she had placed her hand in his, for the second time that evening he had to remind himself to breath.
She was slender, he’d seen that as she’d walked out of the water, but she was also slightly built. He could tell that she wasn’t one of those women who was always on a diet to maintain her figure. She wasn’t built to carry a lot a weight.
Watching as she shook the sand off, he was captivated. She was real. She didn’t effect or pose the way most women he met did. He realized that she didn’t play games. What you saw is what you got. His smile broadened. He liked that. A lot.
The first rain drops fell. Looking up he saw the heavy clouds were right over head. If they hurried, they’d make it back to his place before they were soaked.
Turning to her he said “We should make a run for it.”
She looked up, and smiled. “I think your right. I’ll race you to your car.” She turned and ran up the beach, away from him.
“Hey!” It wasn’t often that he was caught off guard, but she had definitely caught him flatfooted.
Laughing, she led the way. He almost caught up with her when they hit the parking lot, but she was fast and crashed into his Jeep a second before he did. They were both out of breath and laughing, but they had beaten the rain.
Still breathing heavily, not entirely due to the race they’d just run, he opened the passenger door for her, helped her in, and wearing a silly smile, walked around and climbed behind the wheel.
Pulling onto the highway, he looked at her profile. She was smiling, breathing a little easier. His heart was still pounding. The wind was whipping her hair around. She was having a tough time holding it down.
Turning to him she said, “Thank you. It’s been far too long since I laughed, I needed that laugh.”
Curiosity flared. Why had it been a long time since she laughed? Somehow he knew that laughter was a basic part of who she was. What had caused her to not laugh?
Or was it who?
“Glad I could help. Feel free to call anytime you need a good laugh.”
She smiled again and looked out the window to the Coastline they were traveling along.
Looking at the sky he realized that they had beaten the rain to the car, but they’d be really lucky to make it under cover before it began to pour.
He turned off the highway and into the campground. Charlie had told him about the place. He’d been lucky, a yurt was opening up a few days after he’d arrived and he’d moved in.
Pulling up to his parking spot he turned to her and said, “Welcome home.”
Whoa. Where did that come from? To hide his discomfort at this unexpected welcome, he quickly he turned to his door and got out.
Reaching into the back of the Jeep he pulled out a large tote, then another one, and finally the bag full of the groceries he’d picked up. He’d gotten into the Island rhythm of buying his groceries almost daily. He had a small refrigerator, almost no storage space, and two hungry young men who’d eat him out of house and home if he stocked up. He was glad he’d picked up a nice bottle of wine. He looked forward to sharing it with her.
Another odd thought. Where did that come from? He liked his own company, enjoyed many friendships, but being in Erin’s company felt different. More intimate somehow. And right, as if he’d been waiting for her arrival.
He shook his head. “Do you mind carrying the groceries? I can carry the totes but it’s gonna pour in a minute and I’d rather not have to hang my laundry to dry.”
Smiling she picked up the bag, “The least I can do as you are driving me home.”
He picked up the totes and began walking over the dune in front of them. As they passed a small two man tent the occupants called out, “Hey Ben.”
“Hi guys. Rain’s coming in. Do you need anything?”
“No. We’ll be fine.”
“Well, come on down if it gets too wet.”
Secretly he hoped they wouldn’t. Most nights they came and hung out with him on the deck. Since moving in he’d kind of adopted the young men, he thought of himself as their big brother. The majority of the nights they came to visit he was glad of their company.
Tonight he hoped they were smart enough to stay around their own campfire.
Remembering his manners, pointing left then right, he made the introductions, “Erin, this is Jeff and Jerry. Guys, meet a friend of mine, Erin.”
Throwing a “See you later.” to the boys, he pointed the way down the path with his chin.
“We’re just around that dune.”
Leading the way, Erin went forward. She stopped so abruptly he almost crashed into her. Catching himself, he sidestepped into the grass. Looking at her face to see why she’d stopped so abruptly he saw that she was mesmerized. He followed her eyes.
The ocean had kicked up with the wind. The sea was wild, fierce, it’s dark waves crested with white. Rolling in, they pounded the beach with a loud crash and then receded only to thunder against the shore again. As he watched, the rain marched across the water and up the shore leaving the sand dark where it struck.
“It’s beautiful.” She said with a sigh.
He thought so as well. He counted himself lucky to get the yurt for the three months they were on the Island, even more so to have this as his front yard. The rain hit them and stirred her into motion.
Hurrying now, they raced to the front porch. Laughing, she put the grocery bag down on the outdoor dining table.
“Well we didn’t quiet make it.”
“Yeah, but the laundry stayed dry!”
Letting himself in he took the totes to the bedroom section of the yurt.
Erin stayed outside watching the storm roll in.
Picking up the battery operated lamp, Ben swung by the tiny kitchen, grabbed a corkscrew and two glasses. As he stepped onto the deck he saw Erin leaning up against the railing, looking out over the water. He recognized the look on her face. The ocean had the same effect on him. He could get lost for hours just staring at the water.
Reaching into the grocery bag he asked “Would you like a glass of wine?”
Turning at his question, he saw that she had a smile on her face. In the light he had his first real look at her face. He immediately liked what he saw.
Her hair framed her face, falling past her shoulders in heavy waves. It was full, curly without being kinky. He’d been right, it was red. Not red from a bottle, but a natural red.
Her eyes were green, a dark ocean green in the feeble light from the lamp, and her skin was fair. He imagined that if he had enough light he’d see freckles across the bridge of her nose. He smiled at the thought. He’d never paid attention to freckles before, but the idea of playing connect the dots had a new appeal.
With difficulty Erin focused on him and said yes.
He put the lamp on the table and began working on the bottle.
“Do you like mahi mahi?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had it. What is it?”
“It’s a local fish. I picked up a piece at the outdoor market on the way home.”
He was glad Charlie had convinced him to buy the larger piece. Mentally he went through the rest of the pantry putting together a menu. Grilled mahi mahi with a fresh mango salsa, there was just enough red onion for the salsa, and a small salad with lemon and flax seed oil for the dressing. It would take a bit to get the grill hot, they’d need an appetizer. He remembered he had smoked oysters and crackers. And there was some cheese in the fridge. Not a bad throw together meal.
“Sounds interesting. Can I help?”
“How are your knife skills?”
“I can dice an onion if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Let me start the grill and we’ll go in and make dinner.”
Moving to the small grill that had come with the yurt, he turned on the propane tank and hit the ignition switch. He’d let it warm up then scrape it. Jerry and Jeff had used it last, and as usual, hadn’t cleaned it when they were done. He smiled to himself. He was going to miss them. Hopefully they’d stay in touch when he returned to the mainland in a few weeks.
“All set. Shall we?”
Picking up the lantern he led the way inside.
As she entered she looked around her. It was small, comfortable. And neat. Somehow that surprised her. With a start, she realized that she was comparing him to Rick. Rick had needed a house cleaning service to come in twice a week to keep his place clean. But there was something different about Ben’s place. It was subtle... and then she saw it.
It wasn’t cluttered with stuff. Rick had need stuff around him to give his life meaning. Ben on the other hand, didn’t. Looking around, she could tell that he had the things that made him happy around him. The difference was marked. And spoke volumes about the differences in the two men.
Looking at the bedroom area, she saw a full size bed, stripped, the pillow sitting on top of a folded blanket, waiting to be made. There was a small chest with three drawers and a night stand that held several books. In the living area there was a futon and a chair. The chair looked like it could fold out into a bed as well. Made sense to have multiple beds in a camping yurt she thought.
In the middle of the yurt was an open fireplace. The living room furniture was arranged around it. There was also a rocking chair with an end table beside it. The chair looked out of place and she figured Ben had added that piece of furniture. It looked inviting, and standing behind it she realized that it was positioned so that it looked out the door to the ocean.
Ben was in the kitchen pulling a knife and a cutting board from the rack.
“If you’ll dice this onion and jalapeno I’ll prep the fish.”
“How small do you want the dices?”
“Small. We’re making a fruit salsa for the fish.
“A fruit salsa huh?”
She took the knife and onion. Moving closer to the lamp she bent to her task.
Ben grabbed one of the larger plates and a small wooden bowl he’d picked up at the swap meet. Pouring the oysters into the bowl he asked “Do you like smoked oysters?”
“Don’t know. I’ve never had them. But I do like raw oysters. The smaller the better the flavor.”
“Well you are in for a treat. They are one of my favorite appetizers. Put one on a cracker, a nice bit of cheese and your in heaven.”
“They sound interesting. I’ve made it a point to try anything at least once.”
Opening the small propane refrigerator he pulled out the cheese, and saw the last of the olives. Perfect, he added them to the appetizer plate. Placing the platter in front of her he put an oyster on a cracker and held it up to her mouth.
“Here, try this.”
Looking up she saw a cracker with a brown blob close to her mouth. This was the smoked oyster she’d agreed to eat? Her eyes flicked to his face. He was smiling. Anticipation rolling off him in waves.
Again, trusting her instincts that he could be trusted, she leaned in and accepted the cracker.
He watched her response; fascinated by the attention she was giving the previously unknown taste.
Her eyes half closed in concentration, Erin chewed, swallowed and opening her eyes fully, smiled at Ben.
“Not bad. I think I like smoked oysters!”
He smiled his response, her approval allowing him to breathe again. He took a sip of his wine.
Pushing the pile of red onion into the green jalapeno pile, Erin looked up at him, “All done. Anything else?”
Looking over at the cutting board he saw that she’d done a nice job.
“Have you ever cut a mango?”
“I’ve eaten mango but I haven’t cut one myself.”
He picked up one of the mangos and stepped around the island next to her.
“Do you know what a mango seed looks like?”
”No. I’ve never seen one.”
Holding the football shaped fruit he traced a line from one tip to the other. “The seed is long and flat. It runs long ways through the fruit.”
Taking the knife from her he showed her how to cut the fruit into three pieces with the seed in the middle piece.
With the pairing knife he peeled the skin from the meat of the center piece in one long unbroken length.
Holding the seed firmly between his thumb and index finger he continued his lesson “The bonus for cutting a mango is that you get to eat the fruit off the seed.” He stuck the seed in his mouth and scrapped the flesh off.
Handing her the knife he said “Your turn.”
She took the knife from him and cut the fruit as he’d shown her. Peeling the rind off the center piece, she lifted the seed to her mouth and scraped the flesh from the seed. Juice from the ripe fruit trickled down her chin. Laughing she wiped it away.
He smiled and picked up the cilantro and cucumber.
“Once you dice the mango, the cucumber needs to be cut in a large dice and the cilantro needs to be chopped.”
Putting down the seed she’d been sucking on, she picked up her knife and a mango crescent. “I’m not sure how to dice this.” Her face was scrunched into a frown as she pondered the yellow orange flesh.
Smiling he picked up a half and holding it in the palm of his hand he carefully scored it with long lines from top to bottom, turning it he made horizontal slashes. Putting the knife down, he pushed on the skin turning the fruit inside out. Taking up his knife again he cut the squares away from the rind and dropped them into the bowl he’d pulled out for the salsa.
“Now that’s interesting.”
She reached for the knife and quickly scored and cut away the fruit.
Smiling, he turned away to prepare the fish.
With a final cut separating the fruit from the last crescent, she picked up the cucumber and asked “Do you want the peel left on the cucumber?”
“No, let’s peel most of it off.”
He carried the platter with the fish outside, as well as the appetizer plate. Setting them both on the table he looked at the sky and realized the rain was going to last most of the night. That suited him just fine. He turned back into the enclosure.
Returning to the kitchen he picked up a lime and quickly sliced it in half and squeezed the juice over the mango, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro in the bowl. Grabbing a wooden spoon he stuck it in the salsa.
“When you’re done with that, stir it all together and toss it in the fridge.”
With quick movements, he sliced a small lemon in half, dividing it between the plates he’d already placed a small salad on.
He took the plates, cutlery and a spatula out to the table. Entering the yurt, he realized that she might be cold eating on the deck.
“The breeze has kicked up. Would you like a sweatshirt?”
She looked down at her light weight skirt and short sleeve tee shirt. “Probably a good idea.”
Moving to the hanging hooks that served as his closet, he took down two sweatshirts. He was still wearing the tank and board shorts he’d changed into after work. The light weight sweatshirt would be fine for him.
Walking back to the kitchen area he handed her the heaver sweatshirt and picked up his glass of wine and the bottle. She pulled the shirt on and pulled her hair free. As he watched her heavy curls bounce, the feeling of protectiveness flared up again. A satisfied pride followed close behind. He liked the sight of her in his shirt.
He gave her a small smile and gestured towards the door. Smiling in response, she picked up her glass and led the way.
As she settled herself at the table, he turned to the grill and scrapped it clean. Placing the fish on the hot metal, a sizzle flared and faded out.
“This will only take a few minutes.”
He’d left the lamp in the kitchen and worked only by the light of the grill. As he ate, he preferred to sit in the dark and look out over the ocean.
Finished, he moved away from the grill and sat beside to her.
For the most part they had worked in a companionable silence as they had prepared the simple meal. Most women he knew had to talk constantly, about anything. About nothing. Erin hadn’t. He’d enjoyed the peaceful silence between them and her company. But now, he wanted to know more about her. Know what made her tick. Her thoughts, fears, joys. He wanted to know her.
“How long have you been in Hawaii?”
“I just arrived late yesterday afternoon.”
She’d arrived on Sunday. Moist tourists arrived on Saturday or Sunday. He’d been an Island resident long enough to get the feel of the tourist flow.
“How long are you staying?”
“I leave the following Saturday.”
Two weeks. Most tourists only came for a week. The honeymooners came for two weeks. Taking a sip of his wine he looked at her left hand. No ring.
“Did you come alone?”
“Yes.”
He felt like he was playing twenty questions. And loosing.
He rose and went to the BBQ. After turning the fish, he moved into the yurt and returned with the fruit salsa and the flax seed oil. The salt and pepper mill was tucked under his arm.
Placing everything on the table close to the grill, he divided the fish onto the plates, spooned a generous portion of the fruit salsa on top and placed a plate in front of her. All the while dying to ask more questions, learn more about her, but it was obvious that she didn’t want to talk about herself.
Closing the grill, he served them both and sat next to her.
“I hope you don’t mind, I enjoy looking out over the water as I eat.”
She smiled at him. “No. I completely understand. I lost myself on the beach this afternoon. I’m not sure how long I was there, but I know I missed lunch.”
Bending her face near the plate she inhaled.
“This smells wonderful.” With that she picked up her fork and tentatively pulled a piece of the fish away.
Placing the bite in her mouth, she chewed on it and turned to him with surprise on her face “This is delicious!”
She closed her eyes to better concentrate.
“I really like the fruit salsa; it balances the texture and flavor of the fish.”
He laughed and placed another forkful in his mouth.
“You did a great job on the salsa.”
Taking another bite, she gave a sigh, one that relaxed her whole body. Swallowing she turned to him, “So what about you? How long have you been on the island? How did you find this great location? Why a yurt?”
He laughed, “Whoa, one question at a time. I’ve been on the Island almost three months. I’m with a team building out the new Apple stores on the Islands. Everyone else is living conventionally in hotels and enjoying the nightlife. Me, I prefer this.”
Waving his fork in a circle, he continued “I used my living allowance to rent this place and my car allowance to buy the Jeep. I’ll sell it before I head home and be money ahead. Having the Jeep has allowed me to really explore the Island and go places a rental car couldn’t go.”
“And living here, well...” gesturing to the ocean with his glass he said, “You just can’t beat the view!”
“No you can’t.” she paused “So, how will you get your stuff back home?”
She’d traveled lightly, only bringing one checked bag with her. She hadn’t needed the second bag to bring all the fancy lingerie, dresses for going out and all the other fun stuff she’d planned to bring along. A shadow crossed her face, originally the trip was about other activities, but that all changed. She gave herself a little shake.
In the end, she’d opted for just one bag with a few pair of shorts, a pair of jeans, sandals and a weeks worth of tee shirts. She wasn’t coming to impress anyone so why go through the extra effort? Her toiletries took up most of the space.
She’d carried on her laptop and a few books she‘d wanted to read for a while. Now she’d have time to read them.
Again she pulled her mind from where it had strayed. Why ruin a nice evening with the past. With a start, she realized she was enjoying herself. Immensely. She couldn’t remember when she’d last enjoyed herself in a man’s company.
This afternoon she’d discovered that she was grateful, really grateful to Rick and Andrea. Walking in on them had saved her from making a huge mistake. She was over being mad and upset, which had stunned her, and told her a lot about how committed she had been to Rick. That revelation had led to a greater one; she had realized that she had been in love with the idea of being in love. She hadn’t been in love with Rick.
Saturday was to have been their wedding day, Instead, knowing she couldn’t marry Rick after finding he and Andrea together, she’d made a call to the wedding planner canceling the wedding and letting her notify everyone, as well as deal with Rick.
She’d spent a long time talking with her mother. Her mom hadn’t been surprised, she’d never liked Rick.
Her apartment was mostly packed; the mover had been scheduled to move her into Ricks place while they were on their honeymoon. She’d made new arrangements for everything to go into storage. She’d figure out where she’d be moving later. In the mean time, she’d move back to Sacramento and stay with her mom.
Because all of her clothes were packed, she’d had limited choices on clothing, she packed her favorite things for the trip to Hawaii.
She’d always wanted to come to Hawaii. The pictures of secluded white sand beaches, couples walking through the waves hand in hand had always appealed to her as the perfect honeymoon destination.
Rick had humored her when she had insisted on Hawaii as their honeymoon. He’d wanted a cruise, aboard the Fun ship.
Another red flag she’d ignored.
Ben’s answer brought her back to the present.
“I only have a few things I’ll be shipping home. My clothes I’ll take back on the plane, my tools the company will send by boat, along with everyone else’s. I have a few boxes that I’ll be adding to that, and the rocking chair. I found that at the swap meet. I really like it and it fits as if it were made for me so I think I’ll eat the expense of shipping it home.”
“Where’s home?”
“Seattle.”
“Reeeally?” The word came out with more “e’s” than it was spelled with.
“That’s interesting. Tell me about Seattle? What part of Seattle do you live in? How long have you lived there? What do you like about living there?
She truly didn’t know how to ask one question at a time, did she?
He replied “I love Seattle. Lived there most of my life, when I wasn’t studying or working somewhere for an extended period of time that is. I live on Camano Island, about 90 minutes up I5, toward the Canadian boarder, from Seattle proper. I was able to rent out my place for the summer while I took this job.”
Taking a sip of his wine he asked “Have you ever been to Seattle?”
“No, but I just took on a new client in Seattle.”
“Really. Who?”
“A private individual. I’m a virtual Executive Assistant. He lives in Anacortes. I haven’t had a chance to look it up on a map, but I understand its North of Seattle as well. Do you know where it’s at?”
Huh, of all the gin joints...
“Anacortes is fairly close to Camano. How did you become a virtual Executive Assistant?”
“I was an Executive Administrative Assistant in Corporate America and decided to leave. I was done with the politics and wanted to be able to do my job, be paid what I was worth and work from home. It was a natural fit.” she finished with a shrug as she took another bite of the amazing fish.
“How do you find your clients?”
“There’s a whole network out there. I began with one client and word of mouth has brought me more. Mr. Jones called and left me a message on Friday. Today I decided to take the job. Before I left my hotel this morning I called and accepted the position, beginning after my vacation. I took a month off.”
Erin grew still, her eyes focused on something Ben couldn’t see.
“What changed? About accepting the job, I mean.”
She stiffened, unconsciously wrapping her arms around her as she continued to look at something Ben couldn’t see. An expression Ben couldn’t read flickered across her face, and then she took a deep breath as she reached a decision.
Straightening up she turned to him “I was to have been married on Saturday. Friday I returned to my place earlier than expected and found my fiancé in my bed, with my best friend.” There was a pause.
“I called off the wedding.”
Stunned, he could only look at her for several heartbeats. He felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach and understood why she had hunched in on herself at his question.
Taking a deep breath, he turned his body towards her more.
“That sucks. I’m sorry.” He placed his hand on her arm. The charge that passed between them made him sit up straighter.
Clearing his throat he refocused.
“And so you came to Hawaii alone?”
Rubbing her arm where he’d laid his hand on it, Erin shook her head to clear away the electrical charge of awareness that had pulled her thoughts to the present, and into the future.
“Yeah, I did. I’ve always dreamed of coming to Hawaii, thought it would be for my honeymoon, but now it’s a get away place. This afternoon, sitting on the beach, looking out at the water, I realized that I was actually thankful to both of them. They saved me from making a huge mistake.”
“Just like that?”
He stared at her trying to understand how she could have made the transition so quickly, and not be a tearful mess or revenge bent witch.
“Most women I know would take a long time to get over a betrayal like that.”
She shivered as the wind moved across the deck bringing the cold rain with it.
Seeing her huddled in on herself, Ben got up.
“Let’s move inside. I’ll build us a fire.”
Together they cleared the table and took everything inside.
With quick efficiency he scrapped the dishes, put the food away and filled the sink with water. She moved to the sink and began washing up. The ordinary task of washing dishes helped her to shake off the nightmare her life could have been had she married Rick.
Ben moved back to the deck and brought in a few logs and some kindling. As Erin finished rinsing the last dish, the room lit up with a warm light.
Returning to the kitchen Ben opened a cupboard. “We finished the bottle of wine, but I have a bottle of Godiva chocolate liqueur. Are you interested?”
Godiva was her favorite chocolate. When Rick was in the dog house he always brought her a box, knowing that she couldn’t resist it, and assumed that it also meant that she couldn’t resist him when he brought it.
Smiling at Ben, she put Rick out of her mind and nodded her agreement.
There were many changes that she’d be making to her life now that she wasn’t going to be Mrs. Richard Caine, giving up Godiva chocolate wasn’t one of them.
She settled into the big chair and tucked her feet under her. Since her time on the beach, really since she broke the surface of the water, the feeling of being reborn overwhelming her. She was at peace, not just with her decision not to marry Rick, but with her decision to create a new life for herself.
A life that didn’t include compromises.
The fragrance of hope swirled around her, strengthened her.
Her tummy was very happy, she’d just enjoyed a great dinner, better than any she could have planned for her first full day on the Island, and the company was very good, very peaceful as well.
She’d been with Rick for two years. He was never at peace. He was always complaining about something, or more often about someone. She hadn’t realized until now, just how draining it had been to be in his company. She really ought to thank him, but he wouldn’t understand.
Ben moved between her and the flames she’d been watching, as hypnotized by them as she’d been by the water this afternoon.
“Here you go.”
He handed her a hefty pour of a creamy tan beverage.
Bringing it to her nose she sniffed. It smelled wonderful. Taking a small sip, her taste buds sat up and did the happy dance.
“That’s delightful! I can’t believe I’ve never tried this before. Not that I’m a huge drinker, but I love Godivia’s.”
Taking another sip she leaned back in the chair and sighed, completely content.
“So what was your secret?”
“What secret?” she asked confused, trying to remember what they had been talking about.
“How did you get over the betrayal so quickly?”
“Oh, I’m not over it yet. There’s still some possessing to do, and stuff to be untangled.”
Her brow scrunched up.
“I think I knew all along that he wasn’t right for me, that we weren’t right together, but I ignored the red flags and hoped that he’d change once we were married.”
“What red flags?”
“Little things really.” Lots of little things.
Thinking of the first time she had found Rick making out with another woman she amended “Well, not just little things. The time, early in our relationship when I found him making out with his Ex. He swore that she had come on to him, but deep down I knew that she wasn’t the only one to blame. And then there were the digs in public.”
Thinking back to how Ben had opened her car door for her she continued, “Not treating me with respect, or with common courtesies.”
Other scenes flipped through her mind, changing like the View Master her mother had allowed her to play with as a child.
“Serving himself ice cream but not offering me any.”
Gazing deep into the flames she remembered his anger.
“He was always angry, but it was never his fault, it was always someone else’s. Looking back now I can see that it would have been difficult to live with him 24/7. I didn’t like how I found out, but I’m glad I did. And it confirmed why... um never mind.”
She’d been about to tell him that it confirmed why she’d never slept with him. That in itself wasn’t newsworthy; she’d never slept with any man. Her honeymoon was to be the day she presented her husband with the ultimate gift, herself.
In Junior High she’d accepted a promise ring from her father. It had been a popular thing to do that year, and some of those who had accepted promise rings no longer wore them. But her father had died when she was a Senior in High school, and holding on to the promise ring, and the promise she’d made to her father that day, had been more important than any of the guys that had come knocking.
Rick included.
Why was she telling this guy she’d just met, on the beach, in the middle of nowhere, had accepted the offer of a ride and dinner, the most intimate details of her life?
Because he could be trusted. She just knew it, like she had known Rick couldn’t be trusted.
She’d stopped listening to her instincts when she’d begun dating Rick, but she was listening now.
The fire popped in the quiet. She snuggled deeper into the chair, her movements releasing Ben’s scent. It was fresh, clean, not cloying with some expensive cologne, but full of sun, sea and promise.
She was getting warm, sleepy. She was comfortable and the smooth chocolate liqueur had a worked its magic on her.
He had been watching her as she’d remembered and shared what came to mind. She wasn’t in shock, but she’d been shocked, and had adjusted quickly.
He marveled at her strength and ability to bounce back. She’d relaxed as she’d remembered, and released the poison. Now she was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open.
Ben broke the silence, “You’re half asleep. I can run you home, but it’s wet and it’ll take 45 minutes to an hour to get you back to your hotel. If you’d like, I can make up the bed for you and you can stay the night.”
The idea was really appealing. Her eyelids were heavy, making it hard to focus, and harder to think straight. She was missing something important....
Wait, there was only one bed.
“Where will you sleep?”
He smiled at her. He wasn’t the kind of guy to take advantage of her vulnerability, even if he did find her intriguing and very attractive.
“Don’t worry, you’ll be safe. I’ll crash on the futon.”
He rose and went to the totes he’d brought in. Reaching in, he pulled out folded sheets and bath towels. With quick movements he made up the bed, and pulled a folded tee shirt from the chest of drawers.
Walking back to where she sat watching him he held out his flashlight.
“The bathroom is right next door, you shouldn’t get too wet getting there. You head over; I’ll make up the futon then take my turn while you change and crawl into bed.”
She looked up at him. It was decision time. Was she really going to spend the night at the home, in the bed of a man she had just met today?
She looked into his face. Everything about him inspired confidence. She knew he could be trusted.
She reached her decision. Yes. Yes she was going to spend the night. And what’s more, it felt right. She smiled and pulled herself from the chair.
“Thank you, I appreciate all that you’ve done for me today.”
Taking the flashlight from his hand she turned toward the front door.
He watched her walk out the door. He was glad that it wouldn’t be the last time.
Moving around the room he put a few things away, made up the futon and placed a glass of water and the lamp on the night stand for her.
He looked up smiling as she walked back in.
“My turn.”
Taking the flashlight he walked into the night. The rain had slowed down. It would be a beautiful morning.
He still would have called it a beautiful morning if it had been a hurricane outside his front door. There was something about Erin staying the night that simply felt right. He’d have to move slowly. He wanted to get to know her, and he wouldn’t be anyone’s rebound, let alone Erin’s. He moved to the night.
Stepping back into the yurt, he closed the door softly. Looking across to his bed he could see her red hair fanned across the pillow. Her skirt and tee shirt were neatly folded at the foot of the bed. She opened her eyes as she heard him enter. Contentment radiated from her in waves that were almost tangible.
His heart skipped a beat.
Her lashes dropped, the lids too heavy to support any longer. She sighed.
“Good night. And thank you.” Between one breath and the next she was asleep.
Looking down on her, Ben turned off the light. He allowed himself a moment to stand above her, the firelight danced across her face and played with the smile that beckoned him.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Erin stretched and yawned deeply. She was refreshed, and feeling better than she had for a long time, too long she was just realizing. She knew the freedom she felt was directly related to not having to see Rick again, but there was something more, something that made her lighter, happier.
Hearing a noise in the kitchen she looked up and saw Ben coming in her direction.
“Coffee?”
It smelled heavenly, and he was serving her in bed.
Smiling she reached for the cup, and took a good look. She really hadn’t paid much attention last night. When they’d first met on the path she was more concerned by the fact that she had nothing on under the towel than in what he looked like. Over dinner she’d still been it the thrall of the ocean and the epiphanies that she had experienced as she’d sat on the sand all day. And after dinner, Ben had asked questions that had caused her to make some more adjustments. And then she had become just too content to pay attention.
Now she was fully alert, and found that she liked what she saw.