Posted by hummingbird on 9/18/2014, 8:02 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Chapter Three
Bo, forgetting he was buck naked, scrambled to stand and exit the hot tub. He sank back into the water quickly as Nora whirled around to face away from him.
“BO!” she exclaimed.
“I need a towel! Do you mind?!” he questioned angrily with brows furrowed.
Nora went back inside to retrieve a towel for her ex-husband who was completely at her mercy. She returned to the porch and tossed it at his disgruntled face. She went back into the bungalow leaving him alone to towel off and dress. The sight of his shimmering wet physique rising out of that hot tub was still blazing in her mind. It was a little...unsettling...to say the least. It had been a long time and it brought back a lot of memories… She fanned her face with her hand.
Moments later, an angry, dressed-but-still-drippy Bo entered the bungalow. He pushed his dripping hair out of his face.
“I asked you a question, Nora! Just what are you doing here?!”
“I was invited! Asa offered the place to me for a few days, and I finally took him up on it…”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you did...once you found out I was going to be here!” Bo interrupted.
Nora was astounded at his insinuation.
“Now wait just a minute! I did NOT know that you were going to be here! Asa offered the place to me because he wanted to spend some time with Matthew...he also told me work was making me look ‘ragged’ and he thought I needed…”
“ ‘to get away from it all...relax and forget the cares of this world...enjoy the sun and surf...’” Bo quoted the spiel Asa had spoken to him.
“Yes...exactly…” Nora said softly as she began to realize Asa had used the same words to convince them both. They had been snookered.
“That old WEASEL!” Nora exclaimed vehemently. “I can’t BELIEVE him!”
“Believe it! Looks like another attempt by Asa Buchanan to get us back together! He offers us both a trip to paradise at the same time thinking it will tug the romantic heartstrings! Well, it isn’t going to work! I’m sorry, Nora. I’m sorry Pa pulled this stunt. I’ll just have Vince take me back, and I’ll make my trip another time. You stay and enjoy yourself.”
Nora’s face took on a concerned look. She knew Vince had already gone back to the mainland with the yacht...
“Uhm...Bo,” Nora began as Bo started out the door.
“What?” he said turning to her.
“Well…uh...the yacht is gone…”
“What do you mean it’s ‘gone’?”
“I mean...it wasn’t there when I looked a little while ago…” Nora said hesitantly.
Bo went out the door and walked to the end of the dock. The yacht was indeed gone. He tried to call Vince...no answer. He tried Asa...no answer. Bo walked slowly back up the dock where he found Nora waiting by the bungalow door.
“Looks like we’ve been abandoned...together. Sorry, Nora. So much for a stress-free vacation.”
* * * * * * *
Bo tried several more times to contact Asa and Vince throughout the evening to no avail. He should have known there would be no coverage from this remote island. He finally gave up. Asa knew exactly what he was doing when he planned this, the old coot.
Bo sighed. He spotted Nora out on the deck overlooking the water. He felt guilty. He had spoken so harshly with her, and it wasn’t her fault...she was a victim of Asa’s plot also. He made his way out to her.
Leaning on the deck rail beside her, he apologized, “I’m sorry, Nora. I had no right to accuse you of being in on Pa’s plot...and I’m sorry I was so nasty with you…”
“It’s ok.” She remained quiet for a few moments then, “I’m sorry that I’ve interfered with your getaway…” she said glancing at him.
“And I’m sorry I’ve interfered with yours.” He sighed, then he chuckled quietly.
“What’s funny?” she asked. “I find no humor in this situation,” she said looking at him.
“Oh...me neither. I was just thinking...How are you going to explain this one to Daniel. He’ll no doubt think we planned to get stuck here together.”
Nora rolled her eyes. “I’ll figure something out. I’ll have to tell him though...if I don’t, I have an eight-year-old that will.”
Bo laughed. “True...can’t keep a secret when you have a kid.”
They watched the sea roll in a few more minutes before she spoke again.
“Well,” she said, “It’s too beautiful here not to enjoy it. How about if we just... stay out of each other’s way and enjoy our time here anyway. I mean, surely this island is big enough for the both of us, right? And, who knows...maybe Vince will come back…”
“I wouldn’t count on that, but...you’re right,” Bo replied, “this island is big enough for the both of us. I’ll just stay out of your way and you stay out of mine and...we’ll just make the best of it.”
