Page 61 of Wild Idol

If I didn’t know better, I was beginning to think thiswasparadise.

“What are your plans for the day?“ I asked the girls.

They frowned.

Whisper said, “We have to attend to our duties. But we’ll be available this evening,” she said with a hopeful smile, doting on Jack.

“You should go see the volcano,” Sunshine said. “It’s a nice hike. On a clear day, you can see the entire island and the vast ocean. It will make you realize just how isolated we are.” Then she added, “Just don’t fall in.”

I laughed. “Trust me, I won’t.”

“But don’t venture to the other side of the volcano without a guide. We have an understanding with the tribal natives,” Whisper said. “We respect their territory, and they respect ours.”

Solomon approached our table with a cheery smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you had a good night’s sleep?”

“Indeed,” Jack said.

I certainly felt rested, but there wasn’t a whole lot of sleep happening last night.

“If you’d like, I can have Star guide you across the island to show you some of the humanitarian work we are doing here.”

“I think that would be delightful,” Jack said.

Sunshine forced a smile, but there was a hint of jealousy in her eyes. “I can take them.”

“Star has business with the tribe. It’s best if she leads them.”

“Of course,” Sunshine said, putting on a good face.

We finished breakfast, bussed our plates, then the girls bid us farewell.

“Until this evening,” Sunshine said in a sultry tone. She kissed my cheek and sauntered away with Whisper, giggling.

We watched their hips sway, still mesmerized by the sight.

“Are you starting to see the virtues of our way of life?” Solomon asked.

“It certainly has its merits,” I said.

“Everyone has a function here. A purpose,” Solomon said. “We have fishermen that wake before sunrise to catch snapper, mahi-mahi, and lobster. We have forgers that pick wild fruits. They harvest mangoes, papayas, coconuts, plantains, and roots for medicinal herbs. We have farmers and butchers, carpenters, and cooks. Everyone here has a defined role and does their share.”

“Don’t forget armed security guards.”

“A necessary fact of life. I don’t need to tell you of the dangers that exist out there. We’d like to keep our little sanctuary just that, a sanctuary.” A grim frown tugged his face. “I fear that one day evil doers will find our fair paradise and take pleasures that do not belong to them.”

It was a valid concern.

Star joined us.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Good morning,” she replied without a hint of awkwardness, as though last night had never happened.

“Gentlemen, I will leave you in Star’s capable hands. I thinkyou’ll be impressed with what you see. It may change your whole perspective.”

“Are you ready for a hike?” she asked.

“I can’t think of a better way to start the day.” It was already off to a pretty good start.