Destination Wedding ~ A Novel (6 page)

"That's great," Glen said. "And what about Steven? Are you still seeing him?"

"Oh, yeah, we're still together," Claire said without much enthusiasm. She hadn't told anyone about the engagement yet and still didn't know if she was going to accept his offer of marriage or not.

"But?" Glen asked.

Claire stopped walking and stared up at him. "But what?"

"It just sounded like everything was fine, but…"

Claire shook her head. "No buts. Everything is fine with Steven."

"Hmmm. Okay. If you say so," Glen said, moving off again down the beach.

Claire stared after him, wondering what he'd meant. Did her voice reflect the hesitation she felt about her relationship with Steven? She shook it off and ran to catch up with him. She didn't want to talk about Steven this week with anyone, and she was bound and determined to keep it that way. When she made her decision about the proposal, it would be hers alone.

Glen looked over at Claire mischievously. "Did you really suggest that Jim sleep out in a hammock the entire time we're here, or was Mandy exaggerating?"

Claire laughed out loud. "Yep. I really did."

Glen chuckled. "Wicked."

Claire and Glen walked back to the resort and met up with the rest of the group and they all decided to go to dinner at a casual eating place that Sandra recommended. It was just a short walk downtown from the lodge, so they all took off on foot. Tomorrow, they had several golf carts lined up for the entire week that they could use to explore the island. Tonight, they'd have to hoof it.

Walking downtown was another fun experience for the group of tourists. There were businesses and houses all along the narrow street, each one painted bright colors with yards separated by colorful flowering bushes, palm trees and other lush vegetation. White picket fences or vine covered archways sat in front of several homes. Even though the lovely loyalist-style cottages were close together, they each had the feel of a private yard because of the greenery. It was like walking through a village from a hundred years ago with children playing happily in yards or riding bikes down the streets and adults all waving hello to everyone they passed. Claire loved how friendly everyone was, and how small town this little gem of an island felt.

The group entered the Lighthouse View Restaurant and stepped out onto the large, covered patio dining area that was open all around and jutted out onto the water in the harbor. True to its name, from any table in the place you could view the candy cane striped lighthouse across the way.

The hostess quickly set up a table large enough to accommodate their group of twelve and everyone sat down in pairs. Claire maneuvered herself next to Mandy and across from Glen and Lisa, but since everyone was sitting as couples, she once again found herself next to Jim. Claire sighed. It was inevitable. They were going to be linked throughout this entire vacation.

Menus were passed out and everyone started talking about the local food and what they wanted to try while they were there. Of course, fish and other seafood dominated the menu, but Claire didn’t mind. She enjoyed seafood, and fresh seafood was going to be a delight.

"Do they ever smile?" Jim whispered in Claire's ear as he discretely pointed his menu toward Janice and Carl Fisher.

Claire looked in their direction. Both Fishers frowned at their menus. It was Claire's guess that they weren't adventurous eaters and were trying to find something familiar to eat. She had to admit, they both looked uptight. While everyone else had worn their beach clothes and flip flops to dinner, Janice and Carl had actually dressed up. They not only looked out of place at their table, but also in the entire restaurant. The other diners were wearing what they'd worn to the beach or on their boats for the day. Everyone except the Fishers.

Claire pursed her lips. She wasn't really a fan of Craig's parents, but she wasn't going to be unkind about them, either. They could do whatever made them feel comfortable. "Don't be mean," she whispered back to Jim. "They just don't seem very comfortable here. This wasn't their idea of the perfect wedding. They wanted to have a church wedding at home and a reception at the country club."

Jim nodded. "Country club? As in golfing or tennis?"

Claire turned to him. "Golfing. Why?"

Jim winked at her in reply, which infuriated her.

After everyone had ordered, Claire watched Jim put on his most winning smile and speak up toward Carl at the other end of the table. "So, Carl. You're a golfer, I hear."

Carl looked up, surprised at being called upon. "Um. Yes, I am. Do you golf, Jim?"

Jim nodded. "I've been known to hit a ball or two around a course."

Claire rolled her eyes. Jim was an excellent golfer, or at least he'd been one when they were married.

"Maybe we should see if there's a golf course here," Jim suggested. Claire realized he was trying to put Carl at ease, and she thought it was nice of him.

"Daddy," Mandy interrupted. "There are no golf courses on this island. I think there may be one over near Marsh Harbour, but I have no idea what it costs to golf there."

"We can ask Sandra at the lodge," Jim suggested. "I'm sure Craig and some of the other people here golf. Glen, you still golf, don't you?"

"Sometimes. Not as often as I'd like. But I could try to keep up," Glen said.

At the end of the table, Carl cleared his throat. "That sounds like a nice idea, but I don't have my clubs along. I never golf without my custom-made clubs."

Craig looked uncomfortable. Claire guessed that he knew Jim was trying to make his father feel comfortable with the group but that his father wasn't interested. "My dad has a wonderful set of custom-made clubs. He really doesn't enjoy playing without them. It was nice of you to suggest it, though, Jim."

Jim sat back in his chair, smiled, and nodded. Under his breath, he said loud enough for only Claire to hear, "Snob."

Claire had just sipped her iced tea when he said it and almost spit it out in a laugh. She grabbed her napkin and covered her mouth as she managed to swallow the liquid.

"Are you okay, Mom? Mandy asked, patting her on the back.

Claire slid her gaze to Jim, then turned back to Mandy. "Yes. I'm fine. It just went down the wrong way." When the attention was off her, Claire turned toward Jim and hissed, "Be nice!"

Their dinner was delicious. Claire had tried the fish of the day, which was red snapper that had been rolled in a crushed almond and bread crumb mixture and deep fried. It had tasted amazing. Jim had tried the fried conch, which he insisted Claire take a bite of, too. Everyone tasted a bite of each other's food since most of it was food no one had ever tried before. Everyone except Janice and Carl. They had stuck to plain chicken and rice.

It was late and the sky was inky black when the group walked back to the lodge. The town had quieted down and there were hardly any people on the streets. Up above, the sky glittered with stars. The couples began splitting off, saying goodnight, and going their own way, most likely toward the beach where they could hear the waves and look up at the stars. The Fishers headed up to their second floor room, and soon Claire and Jim were left on the patio in front of the lodge, alone.

"Want to go sit by the ocean for a while?" Jim asked.

Claire considered it, but then shook her head. "It's been a long day. I'm tired. I think I'll go up to bed."

"Yeah, that sounds good."

They walked up the flight of stairs until they were on their third floor landing. Both stood at the railing for a moment, looking across the dark harbor bay and up at the sky lit like diamonds.

"It's too bad Steven didn't come," Jim said, ruining the quiet moment for Claire.

"Yeah. And it's too bad Diane didn't come," she said, not really meaning it.

Jim looked at her with those teasing eyes, but didn't say a word.

Once inside, Claire took over the tiny bathroom and changed for bed. The long flight, the walk on the beach, and the delicious food had finally caught up with her. She was beat tired. She couldn't wait to crawl into bed. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and stepped out of the bathroom in a T-shirt and boxer shorts.

Jim had already opened up the cot and made it up with the sheets, blanket, and pillow they had provided. There was a small refrigerator in the room with complimentary water bottles in it which was now at the head of his bed. Above him was the air conditioner. Claire looked at it a moment, figuring he'd probably freeze being that close to the air, and she grinned. Better him than her.

Without a word, Jim went into the bathroom. Claire heard the water running. She moved her suitcase over to the chair by the patio window and dug through it. She pulled hangers from one of the small closets and hung up a few items so they wouldn't wrinkle. Earlier, she'd hung up the dress she was going to wear to the wedding to make sure it smoothed out before Saturday. She'd noticed that Jim had done the same with his light-colored suit and a few of his cotton shorts and casual shirts. She was pleasantly surprised and wondered when he'd learned to actually take care of himself. If they'd still been married, it would have been her job to hang up his clothes.

With a sigh, Claire stood at the patio window and looked out, but all she saw was darkness. She cracked open the window and heard the waves gently hitting against the shore. It was a nice, lulling sound, and she wanted to listen to it until she fell asleep so she left the window open. Closing the curtains, she turned and pulled the bedspread down and slipped in under the sheet and blanket.

Claire looked around the room again. There was no phone, no alarm clock, and no television. Nothing to distract from paradise. She liked that. She grabbed her purse from the floor beside the bed and pulled out her phone. There was service on the island, but she'd been warned before coming here that calls would cost a fortune. She set the phone on the nightstand to use as a clock, turned off the light on her side of the bed, and laid down with a content sigh.

"Wow, that speaks volumes," Jim said, coming out of the bathroom.

"What?" Claire asked.

"That sigh. Either you're very tired or that bed is very comfortable"

"Both," Claire said. She looked up at him. "Don't you have any pajamas to wear?"

Jim looked down at his white T-shirt and briefs. "You know I hate pajamas. I've always slept like this."

"Yeah, but we're not married anymore and I shouldn't have to look at you." Claire made a face at him, although she really shouldn't be complaining, because he actually looked pretty good for an old guy.

Jim grinned at her. "What about you? Got anything flannel to wear?"

"Oh, go to bed." Claire rolled over to face the window. Soon, she heard the light flick off and then the creaking of the cot as Jim laid down on it. It creaked, then creaked some more. When she thought he'd finally settled, it started creaking again.

"What the heck are you doing over there?" Claire asked, annoyed. "That creaking could wake the dead."

"I'm trying to get comfortable," Jim said. "This isn't exactly the softest bed on the planet."

The creaking continued, stopped, then started up again.

"Oh, for God's sake. Stop moving and go to sleep," Claire told him.

The creaking stopped. The room was quiet except for the hum of the air conditioner. After a few minutes, Jim said. "I hear the ocean. Did you leave the window open?"

Claire nodded in the dark room, even though Jim couldn't see her. "Yes. I wanted to fall asleep to the sound of the waves."

"It's nice," Jim said.

They both lay there a moment, listening to the ocean waves and the gentle evening breeze. Then Jim turned again on the bed and made another awful creaking noise.

Claire couldn't help it. She didn't know if it was the long day, the fact she was stuck with her ex-husband in a hotel room, or if insanity had finally hit her. She started giggling. The giggling turned into full-fledged laughter and her laughter turned into hysterical laughter. She was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down her face and her nose was running.

"What is so funny?" Jim asked, sounding amused. "You sound like you're losing it."

"I am," Claire said between howls of laughter. "I'm losing it entirely." She reached over to the nightstand and grabbed a handful of tissues from the box sitting there. Wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, she tried to calm herself down. But then Jim moved in the cot again and Claire burst out in crazy laughter again.

"You're losing it, lady," Jim told her. "You're finally cracking up."

"I'm finally on a beautiful island vacation and I'm sharing a room with my ex-husband who is sleeping on a bed that creaks every time he takes a breath. What isn't funny about that?" Claire asked.

"I'm glad you find it so funny," Jim said, but he couldn't help but laugh, too. It was, after all, a ridiculous situation and that horrible bed didn’t help. "You'd better watch out. You know you always get the hiccups when you laugh this hard."

Claire finally settled down after a few more swipes at her eyes and blowing her nose. The comment about the hiccups had sobered her up a bit. She was surprised he remembered it. But then, after twenty years of marriage, she guessed it would take more than four years apart to forget the small details every couple knows about each other.

"Okay. I'm done," she said, laying down again. "Goodnight."

Jim laid down on the cot again, and it creaked once more. Claire gave a little giggle. "Goodnight," Jim said. Claire couldn't see him, but he was smiling into his pillow.

Chapter Six

Claire was up and in the shower early the next morning. She, Mandy, Janice, and Kaylie were going to meet up with Sandra after breakfast to discuss the wedding plans and she wanted to be showered and cleaned up early enough so the women wouldn't have to wait for her.

Jim had still been sound asleep when she'd awoken. She couldn't even imagine how he'd slept on that cot. It was too narrow and too short for him. But it did make her laugh. At least he was suffering from having to share a room with her.