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They walked along a shaded corridor and stopped at the entrance to a restaurant.Tables crowded with patrons flowed from the interior into the outdoor area, covered in umbrellas and lit by candlelight.Timba music played from inside.
But Austen’s gaze landed on a woman seated at a table at the edge of the crowd.She sat alone, nursing a glass of something dark, and wore a faraway look, as if she were out to sea.
That’s when it clicked.“Is that Captain Teresa?”He looked, and she jerked him back.“Don’t look!”
“My mistake.I’ll use the eyes on thebackof my head.”
She pulled him away from the restaurant, toward a pillar, and moved him around it, putting her back to the pillar.“Okay, stand here, pretend we’re talking, butnowlook.”
His mouth hitched up as he placed his hand over her shoulder against the pillar, as if he was going to lean in to kiss her, but at the last moment angled his face so he could see the woman.“That’s her,” he said, his mouth tightening into a grim line.
“Which means yourboatis here.”
“Hmm.”His gaze returned to hers.“I think we need to go back to the hotel.I suddenly have a bad feeling about all of this.”
“Do you think she followed us?”
“I don’t know how she could have, but it does feel suspicious that she’s here.And I don’t like it.”He sighed.“I hate to say good night, but I need to make some calls.”He leaned away from her, took her hand again.“I think it’s time to get off this island.”
“Are we in danger?”
“I don’t know yet.My gut says yes.”Then he leveled his gaze at her, put his hand on her cheek.“But I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Austen.No matter what.”
She met his eyes, barely visible in the darkness, the nearness of him sweeping over her.And then she couldn’t stop herself.She lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed him.She thought he might keep it short, given the impending danger, but he tightened his hold around her—his arms around her shoulders, hers circling his waist—and kissed her back.He was safety and strength and decisiveness, and somehow, in his embrace, she was braver.
Not at all wanting to run.
An hour later, in her hotel room, she opened the windows to the small balcony on the third floor.The harbor glittered against the starlight in the distance, a few ships’ lights waxing out against the dark water.She hadn’t stopped thinking about Steinbeck.But mostly, she thought about Declan, asleep in the adjoining room.It was too soon to say that she was in love with him, but she could—wasfalling for this man.Falling for his charm, his kindness, his ability to stay calm and make decisions—the sense of confidence that he exuded.
A partner.The problem with having a partner was that they could let you down and make decisions that broke your heart.
She changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and a T-shirt she’d picked up at the market.The wind collected the summer night smells and stirred them into her bedroom.With them came a verse, a memory from her grandmother.“The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.”
Maybe Austen didn’t have to have all the answers.She just needed to trust.Trust God, and maybe trust Declan.
She climbed into the king-size four-poster bed, watched the fan stir the air, and sank into sleep.
A movement startled her, and she rose a second before a hand clamped over her mouth.She jerked and nearly screamed?—
“Shh.It’s me—Phoenix.We gotta move.”
The light flicked on.Sure enough, the woman who had leaped off the edge of a boat stood beside the bed, dressed in all black, her dark hair tousled, probably from the sea, her gray-green eyes fierce.“Now.There are people coming for you.”
“What?”Austen scrambled up, reaching for her clothes.
“No time.Get your shoes on.”
“Seriously?I’m leaving in my pajamas?”But maybe it didn’t matter, because Phoenix had lit a fire under her with her tone.
“Where’s Steinbeck?”The night pressed in around her windows, and she guessed it was well into the wee hours.
“He’s fine.He’s safe.Come on.”Phoenix opened the door and looked out, gesturing for her to follow.
“What about Declan?Are you going to get him?”
“No,” Phoenix said, grabbing her hand as they edged out into the hall.“He’s already gone.”
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