AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yep. I’m guessing we’ve got another thirty minutes or so until we get to the islet.”
Once he closed in on the north shore of St. Croix, Alex turned the boat west and eventually left the large island behind. The ocean steadily became calmer, and he was able to increase speed. After another twenty minutes, Alex throttled back somewhat as he skirted a small land mass and turned the boat south.
“We’re here,” he said with a smile.
CHAPTER 38
The tiny island was a glorified sand bar with shrubs and stunted trees dotting the interior. It formed a horseshoe shape with the open ends pointing south and creating a protected bay, complete with a sparkling white sand beach. Hope brightened. “Wow, I didn’t think much of it when we first got here, but this part is really pretty. It’s super small, though.”
“That’s why it’s called an islet, Hope, not an island.”
“Very funny.”
Alex slowed further, watching the depth gauge closely. “Ok, this is good.” He pushed a button, and the anchor clanged as it was freed. “We’re on bare sand here, so it’s safe to drop anchor. We can’t get any closer without risking grounding her.”
He turned to her with a broad smile, both arms held out from his sides. “Welcome to Horseshoe Key! You up for a swim to shore and then lunch?”
“Sure. Wait—how are we going to get the picnic stuff to shore?”
He opened his backpack. “This is a dry bag. We’ll put all the picnic supplies in here along with anything else you don’t want to get wet.”
Hope peeked inside. “You brought a first aid kit? Really?”
“I’m a good Boy Scout. It’s easy to fall and crash into something when the boat’s in rough water. Much better to have the kit and not need it than the reverse.” Alex stacked the food on top of a blanket, adding the chilled champagne and two plastic glasses. He grinned. “The guy thought of everything.”
Hope reapplied her sunscreen, collecting her towel and placing it in the dry bag before removing her cover-up and adding that too. Alex shrugged into the backpack, and they set off, swimming at an easy pace.
The sandy beach rose at an angle from the water before flattening out. Alex chose a spot framed by some shady trees, then kneeled and opened the bag. He removed the blanket and spread it out, handing Hope her towel. She dried off and thought about replacing her cover-up, but the sun on her shoulders felt so good she decided to go without.
Alex spread out the food. There were two lavish turkey sandwiches, a salad, rolls, fresh fruit, and the champagne. Alex popped the cork on the bottle after Hope firmly declined opening it, handing her a full glass. “Here’s to new beginnings.”
“I will certainly drink to that.”
They clinked their glasses together and drank, eyes locked on each other.
Forty-five minutes later, it looked like they’d hardly made a dent in the food. Alex became pensive at times, but then he would make a quip, making her think she was imagining things. Alex poured the rest of the champagne into their glasses as Hope refused his proffered mango. “I can’t eat any more.”
After returning the food to Alex’s backpack, they lay on the blanket, watching the ocean as they finished the champagne. Hope couldn’t help anticipating where things might go next, smiling as a current ran through her body.
“Are the waves getting bigger?” Hope asked.
“A bit, I think. They usually do in the afternoons.”
“I’m going to hit the water. I feel sticky and want to rinse off.”
With his eyes closed, Alex replied, “You shouldn’t swim so soon after eating. Your stomach will cramp, and you’ll drown.”
Hope threw back her head and laughed. “Well, I’m sure you can prevent that. I know from personal experience your rescue skills are first rate.” She stood.
Alex rose too. “Ok, but you saw what happened when you ignored my first warning about the rough crossing. Who knows what might happen now?”
“I’ll risk it,” she said, walking into the warm water as sand stirred up around her feet. “How did you know about this place, anyway?”
“It’s a great dive site. See that arm of the horseshoe?” He pointed to the west. “You can see the reef there. It slopes down to a hundred feet. We don’t come here often because of how long the trip is, but maybe with the bigger boat we can start doing longer three-tank dive trips.”
A wave washed over Hope’s head. She wiped her face after surfacing again. “That’s a good idea. We can start all sorts of stuff now. The bookings are really picking up, and more guests mean more money to do things.”
Alex swam to her as another wave washed over them. He shook the water droplets off his head. “You’re doing a great job with the resort. It’s like a new place.”
