Chasing Glory (13 page)

Tal held up a menu. “Just found this. Would you go ahead and order for me? Any fish and fruit would be fine.”

The shower felt great; pounding out some of the stress in his back from sitting all day. Glory was poring over a map when he came out.

“This was in the desk,” she said. “The island’s bigger than I remember. Over a hundred and eight square miles. Glad you thought of getting a rental car. Maybe we should expand our search; see what we’re up against. Start with some of the other major resorts and shops to see if they carry the non-legitimate products.”

He’d been so focused on Hotel
Deux
, the extent of the possible damage to his company’s reputation hadn’t fully registered. Kingston Limited’s future was slipping out of his control. He clenched his jaw and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he opened them, Glory’s dusk-softened gaze regarded him. “Sorry,” she said, “just babbling conjecture.”

“No,” he said. “That’s all right. We need to think bigger if we’re going to get a handle on this. The map’s a great idea. Let’s order some food and work on it after.” He wrinkled his nose. “
What
is that smell?”

“I lit the outside torches,” she said. “According to the room information card, they double as insect repellent. I guess the unobstructed view is supposed to be more romantic, but there’s a screen you can pull into place if you want.”

“This is fine.”

She nodded at the menu on the desk. “I ordered a shellfish salad for me and blackened fresh tuna with grilled papaya for you. And some white wine.”

The juices in his mouth started flowing. “Sounds good. Want something from the fridge while we wait?”

Glory had put on a short jumper of a soft green material. Her long, slender legs stretched under the table as she yawned. “I already had some water. Let me know what my part of the tab is for extras. I don’t want to take advantage.”

A soft knock at the door saved Tal from responding to Glory’s verbal opening. He crossed the cool tile floor to the door. A waiter announced room service and wheeled in a cart. He set the table and beamed at Tal’s tip. “I’ll be back in a half hour with the ice cream.”

Tal glanced at Glory.

She held up her glass of wine. “We can always scrape it off if it’s that bad.”

Dinner was delicious and Tal was toying with the idea of using papaya in a new sauce, when the waiter returned. Tal scooped a small dollop of the topping on each dish. “Here goes.”

He sucked it to the back of his tongue, but the subtle technique wasn’t necessary. Its thin consistency and poor quality due to immature berries was evident. His spoon clattered to the dish.

Chapter Seventeen

Glory licked her lips and
punctuated her words with her empty spoon. “It’s not awful, awful.”

Tal thought she was nuts. “It’s terrible.”

“To you, yes,” she said. “And that woman who wrote the letter could taste the difference. So could I.” She held up her hand to stop his protest. “But, to people who aren’t used to top-grade makings and the richness of Kingston products, it’s not awful, awful.”

Tal stared at her. The woman whose letter had started this whole investigation had said she used Kingston products for years. Hope for their mission and admiration for Glory untied the knot that had formed in his stomach. “Right. Okay. At least we know what we’re up against.”

Glory had scraped the topping off her ice cream. “No use wasting the good stuff.” She took a big bite.

Tal followed suit. “I think we should start with the hotel purchasing agent, or somebody who works in the kitchen.”

“Agreed,” Glory said as she stood and walked to answer the tap at the door. It was their waiter.

“May I clear the dishes?”

“Come in,” she said. “We’re done.” She glanced at his nametag. “Um, Pierre, as long as you’re here, could you tell me where I can go to get one of these darling baskets made up to ship home?”

His smile widened. “Yes, ma’am. Just speak to the concierge. The baskets are made locally and I’m sure she can arrange for whatever you wish.”

“Thank you,” Glory said. “That’s good to know.”

He collected their dishes and left.

• •

Tal padded barefoot across the room and locked the door. Talking to him in his office or meeting in a public place was way different than sleeping in the same room with him, Glory thought. They were alone again with a beautiful view, just as they had been in his apartment. A memory flash of the kiss she’d started warmed her face. With even fewer clothes on he looked incredibly sexy in the room’s dim light.

She watched as he picked up a quarter from the table. He flipped it in the air and slapped it on the back of his hand. “Call it.”

Pulling herself from her wandering lustful thoughts, Glory frowned. “What are we deciding?”

“Who gets the bed first.”

“Oh. Tails.”

He peeked at the coin. “You win.”

She wasn’t convinced. “I could take the couch. I fell asleep on my folk’s couch a lot when my mother was ill. I wouldn’t mind.”

Tal slipped the coin back to the table top. “Nope. You won. I read that your mother was deceased on your application. I’m sorry. That must be tough.”

He’d gone through her file. Why?
“I thought that information was private to HR,” she said.

Tal looked sheepish. “I don’t make it a habit. It’s a small privilege of being a department head. When we request someone’s file, they assume it’s because we’re interested in filling a position.” He ducked his head. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t married before I, you know, offered you the extra-curricular job.”

That made sense. “Oh. Yes, losing my mother was, and still is, hard to think about. We were close.”

The look on his face was compassion, not pity. She had only told her ex-fiancé Ethan and Catherine about how her mother’s death had affected her and was surprised at how easy it was to confide in Tal.

“What about you and your brother?” she asked.

He started making up the couch. “I was adopted by Steven Kingston when I was nine,” he said. “He married my mother. They’re very happy.”

Glory stayed quiet. He was sharing himself with her. Maybe because she had shared with him, maybe not.

Tal sat and continued. “My biological father is still alive. Living in Montana. He had what’s called a clinical obsession for my mother. An overwhelming jealousy that eventually drove her away.

“He’d pop home at odd times of the day. Sometimes twenty minutes after he left. My mother would stand in the kitchen with her arms crossed while he ran from room to room, looking in closets and under beds. He never found anyone. When he was done, he would try to explain. ‘There’s a white Honda parked in front of the Alden’s house,’ he would say. ‘A strange man drives it.’ Or ‘A man gets off the bus and walks to the park down the street twice a week. All by himself.’ My mother packed our suitcases one day when I was seven. We never went back. My father didn’t object to my adoption. I was just someone who took Mother’s attention away from him.”

“It’s considered a mental illness,” Tal said. “Luckily, it’s not genetic and can be helped on meds.” He smiled. “Steve is a great guy.”

Glory couldn’t think of anything to say. It explained a lot about his choice of Alyssia. It was sad in a way, too, although he didn’t show any signs of self-pity. Maybe someday she’d tell Tal about Ethan and her sham of an engagement.

She finally found her voice and tried to keep it light. “I’m glad things turned out well for you.”

Tal stood and pulled the screens closed, latching them. “Thanks. I’m tired, so I think I’ll call it a day.”

The bed was draped in tropical netting. More as a fashion statement than a necessity since the torches and the screen kept the insects away. The netting gave the bed a romantic flair, as the room designer no doubt intended. Glory realized she was staring at it and jumped up. “I’m ready to turn in, too.”

She walked straight into the bathroom. When she came out, Tal sat on the couch making notes.

“Just a few more things. Will the light bother you?”

Glory scooted through the net opening backward. “Not at all. ‘Night.”

“Good night.”

• •

Glory woke to the sound of the shower. She opened an eye and peered at the couch. The pillow and neatly-folded sheet were on the end. She got up and put them on the big bed, making it appear that it had been occupied by two people. Their west-facing patio was shaded with plants and trees, but beyond was bright sunshine. She unlatched the screen and stepped outside to a fragrant breeze.

When she came back in, Tal walked into the room smiling. “How about a light breakfast, then we can go snorkeling for an hour before most of the shops open and we begin sleuthing?”

She couldn’t hold back a grin. “Now you’re talking. I can use that as part of my blog piece on the island, although I’ve only been snorkeling once. By the way, how was the couch? Do I have something to look forward to?”

Tal bobbed his head. “Premature back pain.”

Glory made a wry face and laughed, pulling her change of clothes from the dresser. “Would you order me a light breakfast, but with lots of coffee? Cream and sugar, too?”

She hummed as she brushed her hair, glad that he had talked her into coming. This would be a good boost to her blog pieces and hopefully she and Tal would find a lead to his bootlegging problem. She put on her tankini under shorts and a t-shirt. Tal was pouring coffee as she emerged from the bathroom. “That smells delicious.”

He looked at her and smiled. Boy, she could get used to that smile.

“Should keep us going until lunch. Dig in.”

Glory sat down to fresh fruit and a variety of small muffins.
Here less than 24 hours and they were already spot on when it came to each other’s food
preferences
.

She circled back to their main topic. “I’ve been thinking. Fussing over food is kind of a girl thing. So, when we get to the lobby, you could ask the concierge about renting snorkel gear and I’ll ask about the baskets.”

Tal pressed his lips together, his eyes sparkling. “Are you calling me girly?”

“What?”

“You said fussing over food is kind of a girl thing.”

She felt her face warm. “Not at all. I meant …” She saw that he was teasing her and arched an eyebrow. “Oh. Were you fishing for a compliment on your manliness?”

He shook his head. “Gotta get up early to stay ahead of you.” His face turned serious. “The deal was, you got me into the hotel as my better half so I could poke around. If you want to wander around doing touristy stuff, that’s okay.”

Glory set down her cup. “I appreciate your concern, but I thought this was settled. I came with the full understanding of what were here for and I want to help. If that changes, I’ll let you know.”

His smile came back. “Just checking. Wouldn’t want to alienate one of Kingston’s best.”

She held up her juice glass in a toast. “To our success.”

The meal was delicious and Glory was tempted to linger, but they had left behind gloomy skies in Seattle and she was anxious to enjoy as much of the Caribbean weather as possible. “Ready whenever you are,” she said, standing.

“Got your suit?”

“I’m wearing it.”

“One more thing,” he said, taking a large red flower from the food cart. “This is the Hibiscus Suite and the waiter said it’s for your hair.”

Glory looked at the flower. “It’s a bit much.”

Tal slipped it over her ear and stepped back. “Pretend you’re a carefree island woman.”

“In that case, sure,” she said.

They stepped onto the shaded entryway, squinting through the brassy heat beyond. Samson was waiting for them.

“How fortunate I’ve caught you early. Is now a good time for your first picture?”

The small photographer was tenacious.

Tal looked at Glory and shrugged. “How’s this?” He placed his arm around her casually.

Samson wrinkled his nose. “Like you are at a motel in the Midwest of your country.” He shuddered. “I have been there. No, Hotel
Deux
is tropical and romantic. I want to see passion. How about standing in the doorway, kissing?”

Glory laughed, trying not to sound nervous. “We’re an old married couple taking a delayed honeymoon.”

“Ah, but I see how he looks at you,” Samson chided. “One kiss and I will preserve it for posterity.” He pouted. “You would not want to see me fired for not doing my job?”

Before she could wonder what Samson meant by the remark about Tal looking at her, Tal turned her in his arms and whispered, “It’s all part of the act.”

Glory gazed into deep hazel eyes and closed her own as he dipped his head to kiss her.

Chapter Eighteen

Glory brought her arms up
to hold him close as Tal deepened the kiss. The same feeling that had sent her head spinning in his apartment came back full force. When he pulled away, she swayed and blinked. He was actually blushing.

“Now that was passion,” Samson said triumphantly. “Never be afraid to show your mate how you feel.” He grinned and started to walk away. “You have five pictures left, but I guarantee they will not be as good as this one.”

She took a step back and smoothed her clothing, her gaze not meeting Tal’s. “No sense denying there’s a spark.”

“More like a conflagration,” he said softly.

“What?” she asked, knowing full well what he had said.

“Nothing. Thinking out loud again. Ready to go?”

Glory risked a glance at his eyes. For an instant, the same overwhelming desire she had seen the first time they kissed, hovered there, then receded. She took another half step away to keep more air between herself and the ledge Tal represented. “Ready.”

Her breathing had calmed by the time they reached the lobby. Tal headed toward a rack with stacks of brochures. “I’ll be over here.”

The gift shop had a display of Kingston products on a small table behind t-shirts emblazoned with the hotel’s name. None of the jars Glory examined was legitimate. She sighed, concerned that more than one of Kingston’s products was being copied, but chose one to carry to the cash register. It was
Dark and Dangerous
Chocolate Sauce
. How bad could it be?

The girl behind the counter smiled. “Anything else?”

Glory nodded. “I’d love to have a case of this chocolate sauce shipped home. Could you tell me who I can talk to?”

The girl looked momentarily confused. “Oh, yes. Our parent chain supplies us. Talk to the concierge at the Royal Blue Majestic. It’s about a half mile northwest of
Deux
. Tell her Melani sent you.”

Glory thanked her, paid for the sauce, and left. Tal was holding two brochures. He looked up as she approached. “Any luck?”

“Yes. We start with the parent hotel, the Royal Blue Majestic.” She handed him the chocolate sauce. “Looks like the counterfeiters have expanded their product line.”

Tal worked two fingers up his forehead. “Great. Although I should’ve expected it. Know anything about the parent hotel?”

“Just that it’s the grand old dame of the island. I had lunch there years ago and she was really showing her age. I wonder if there’s been any renovation. I could use before and after photos. I still have some on file at home.”

Tal stood quietly listening.

Glory suddenly felt silly. “Sorry. I get carried away when I’m thinking about a blog post. So, we go snorkeling before it gets too hot, then on to the Majestic before meeting the Petrones for lunch.”

He grinned. “I wonder if it would be possible to mix your enthusiasm with, say, chocolate. We’d be rich.”

She felt the warmth of a blush claim her neck and cheeks. Why did he have to say such nice things to her all the time? He should save that for Alyssia.

Tal flapped the glossy brochures under her nose. “Earth to Glory. There are two places nearby to rent gear. One’s at Dickenson Bay, between the two hotels. Let’s go.”

• •

Tal stuffed the brochures in a receptacle on their way out. He’d committed the location to memory before the print smeared to illegibility from the sweat on his hands. Yes, there was, as Glory so inadequately put it, a spark. That certainly explained the physical attraction and waves of barely receding need when she left his arms.

Alyssia, on the other hand, evinced all the business and a few of the social qualities that would make a good life partner, but Tal doubted she had the capacity for even the tiniest spark. Had he gone too far in his search for
compatible
?

Set aside his strong physical appeal for Glory
. What about the rest of his emotions? Like the charge he got listening to her talk about her passions, hearing her laugh, or reveal a personal confidence?

He shook himself loose from romanticized emotions. His feelings were probably brought on by sun, surf, skimpy clothes and fragrant air. His original path was the most rational. In a few days they would be back in chilly wind, schedule-run days, and budget meetings. Things would return to normal.

Tal glanced at Glory, her shining hair swinging in the breeze. Nope. None of that rational crap was true. He was crazy about Glory Danvers; from her pretty hair all the way down to the ground. And every spreadsheet in the world wouldn’t change that. His heart pounded in a chest covered with tense muscles, as he tried to wrap his head around the large cracks in the plan he’d been so certain of just three weeks ago.

Now, what to do about it?

• •

The beachfront shop with the fanciful name
Island Water Sports Enterprises
was already doing a thriving business when they got there.

“S’okay,” a grinning young man assured Glory as she wrinkled her nose at the communal tub of snorkeling gear. “We dose the water with chlorinated bleach to kill the germs and change it every morning.”

Glory gamely took a fluorescent yellow mask and snorkel from the tub before picking some fins. Tal pulled out a set for himself and teased her. “You know how to keep the mask clear?”

She shot him a wry glance and flung off the excess water before spitting daintily into the mask and rubbing it across the surface.

They locked up their stuff and slathered on sun block, then made a dash for the water. Tal burst out laughing as she squeaked while hopping across the stretch of hot sand. Glory reached the water first and splashed him full in the face.

Tal shook it off and cupped some water back at her. Before she could retaliate, Tal turned and dove into the surf. He came up twenty feet away, sputtering to her giggles.

“Coward,” Glory shouted as she slipped on her mask and fins.

“Wait,” he said, wading toward her. “We need to agree on a few things. There aren’t dangerous undertows or marine life here, but we still need to use the buddy system to keep tabs on each other, okay?”

Glory popped out her mouthpiece. “Good idea. Never let the other person out of your sight. Thumbs up to surface and get our bearing or point if there’s something you want to explore. Right?”

“Yes. I’m a strong swimmer, so grab my ankle if I start going too fast.”

“Deal,” she said. “Which direction?”

“How about a loop past the big hotel, then over to the beach by
Deux
before we come back to the rental place? Should take about an hour.”

• •

Glory was having a great time. Her blog destinations usually dealt with out-of-the-way places that people had to take a little extra time and energy to find. It was nice being pampered.

They were swimming near
Deux
when Glory slowed, spying some amazing flame-colored vegetation. She touched Tal’s flipper and pointed down. The plant would make a gorgeous picture to accompany her text. Her small, waterproof camera hung around her neck, so she took a deep breath, then swam down to take a closer look. When she touched one of the fronds, a school of tiny, brightly-colored fish burst toward her face. Startled, Glory aspirated water. She kicked upward where she ripped off her gear, coughing and gasping for air. Getting a full breath was impossible and her lungs burned. She headed for shore and staggered to the water’s edge on rubbery legs to collapse on her knees.

The next thing she knew, Tal had dropped to his knees in front of her. He grabbed her in a hug. “You scared the life out of me. I thought you were right behind me.”

He smoothed back her hair with shaking fingers and held her face to kiss each cheek before wrapping her in his arms.

As her coughing subsided, Glory saw a crowd gathering. “I’m okay,” she said into Tal’s collarbone between coughs. “I aspirated some water and couldn’t get my breath.”

He eased her back to study her, but her eyes were still tearing, so all she saw was a blur of his outline.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I scared you and about the fuss.”

He stood and helped her up. “As long as you’re all right. Let’s turn in the gear and call it a day for water sports.”

Glory nodded, suddenly tired.

As they walked toward the hotel, Tal was quiet and stayed close, his hand brushing the small of her back.

By the time they reached the room, Glory had a thumping headache. She took some ibuprofen, showered and shampooed to get rid of the suntan oil and seawater, then changed to her green jumper. How lovely, she thought, glancing at herself in the bathroom mirror. Bloodshot eyes.

Tal was sitting on the bed, shoulders hunched inward, when she came out. “Better?”

He was very subdued. She hoped he wasn’t angry with her. “Yes, thanks.”

“What happened back there?”

“I am so sorry. I saw some beautiful underwater vegetation I wanted to photograph. I tapped your fin and pointed down, thinking you were with me. When I got close, a school of tiny fish burst into my face. I gasped and …” She shrugged. “Again, I am so sorry.”

Tal stood. “Enough apologizing. You’re okay. That’s all that counts. I can talk to the concierge at the Royal Blue Majestic if you’d like to stay here and rest until lunch.”

He wasn’t angry. She couldn’t tell what his mood was. Maybe he’d decided he should’ve come alone in the first place. Well, she was here and going to help. “Not necessary. I’m fine.”

He still looked pale and on edge. “Hey,” she poked him in the arm. “Sorry you brought me already? You aren’t supposed to get sick of me until the last day.”

Tal raked fingers through his hair, not looking at her. “Yeah, that’s it. Can’t stop thinking what a pest you are.”

Glory could tell he was kidding, but there was a residual tenseness in his stance as he turned toward the bathroom to shower.