Barefoot Bay: Just the Two of Us (Kindle Worlds) Read online

  Early next morning, Justin knocked on Chenille’s door. She let him in, then said, “Please give me a moment.” She headed for the bathroom, then turned to face him. “You manage a jewelry store. While I finish getting ready, would you look at my three-carat pink diamond ring. I’d like to know if it’s authentic. It’s in my jewelry box in the bedroom.”

  He strolled into her bedroom. Bright orange, golden yellow, and neon green pillows adorned her bed. A light shone in her closet, and she’d left her dresser drawer open. He studied the photo of her in a majorette costume sitting on her bureau. Justin glanced over her jewelry once more. She’d left the adjoining bathroom door open. Did she seem nervous while he looked at her jewelry? He couldn’t tell.

  She wasn’t on his list of suspects, but here was an opportunity to check her out. Of course, if she were the thief, she might hide the loot somewhere else. He opened the case. She had costume jewelry, a tanzanite ring, and one with a large pink stone ring. He studied it through his jeweler’s loupe, which he had in his pocket. Sure enough, it was cubic zirconia. Should he tell her?

  When she stepped out of the bathroom, he held the ring out. “Did someone give you this or did you buy it?”

  She hesitated a moment. “It’s my old engagement ring. Joel said he saved up to buy this ring and was lucky to get it on sale. I figured he loved me a lot to get a ring this large.”

  She took it from Justin. “Joel has a steady job, but well, I’m a city girl, and he’s a country boy. I could tell it just wouldn’t work out, so eventually I broke up with him. I wanted to return the ring, but he said he wanted me to have it. Now I want to know. Is it a real diamond?”

  Justin hesitated. “Well, it definitely sparkles in the light.”

  She looked anxious. “Come on, tell me.”

  “I’m sorry, but no. I believe it’s cubic zirconia.”

  “I should have known. The only thing he ever wanted to spend money on was his truck.”

  After he drove to the balloon launching site, and they climbed aboard, Zoe flew the balloon over much of the island. Chenille clung to his arm every time they neared the shore, but Zoe managed to avoid drifting out to sea. He’d expected nothing less from the proficient pilot.

  Chenille chatted on and on about the new clothes she’d ordered. “I’m meeting my sorority sisters in Paris on the Fourth of July. I want to buy something really nice to wow them. The four of us signed up for a tour of France, Switzerland, and Germany.

  “Just think,” Chenille said. “We’ll even go to Maxim’s. I want to look stunning that night, but if I manage my monthly allotment from my trust fund, I can afford it.”

  Justin listened politely, but couldn’t get interested. She didn’t seem to have any goals in life other than partying and clothes. He glanced at his watch, wondering how long this balloon ride would take.

  Later while waiting for their pickup after landing, she mentioned the symphony concert next week on the mainland and hinted she’d like him to take her.

  “Sorry, but I’m not much for classical music.”

  After taking her home, he left with a wave and said, “I’ll see you later.” However, he planned to be busy whenever he ran into her around town.

  But he could hardly wait to see Lisa again. Except he had business to take care of for Luke first.

  The first woman on his list was Ashley Armstrong. Luke had said she was nineteen and perhaps adventurous and naïve enough to think she could get away with climbing through open windows. After learning she was scheduled to take a Taekwondo class this afternoon, Justin had met the teacher and arranged to be in that class.

  At the class, he pretended to be a tad slow in keeping up with the form movements the class did together, which he knew by heart. Already a black belt, he had continued to attend sessions to keep in shape and keep his muscles strong and ready. It wasn’t hard to make friends with Ashley and talk her into going with him for supper at South of the Border. She was a nice kid.

  After they’d eaten, he took her home. On the way she asked if he could tell the difference between a real diamond and a cubic zirconia. She said she had a cubic zirconia ring, but maybe her mother would let him examine her diamond and show her the difference.

  Inside her house, Ashley pulled the ring from her jewelry box. She pointed to a colorful array of necklaces and earrings. “I usually buy costume jewelry. That way I can afford lots of pretty things, and I don’t have to worry about losing anything valuable.”

  After Ashley introduced him to her mother, Lacey Armstrong Walker, Justin showed them the difference between the diamond in her wedding ring and Ashley’s cubic zirconia. “Ashley, with your stone, you can see printing from a page in a book through it. However, when I hold the main stone of your mother’s ring over the printed page, you can’t read the words.” Both women studied each stone through his loupe.

  Ashley’s mother smiled and pushed her glasses back up over her strawberry blond hair. “Clay surprised me with that ring and a proposal at the groundbreaking of our Casa Blanca Resort and Spa. I’ve always been sure it’s real.”

  After leaving Ashley’s home, Justin used Luke’s connections to check credit references for her. Being young and just starting to work, she didn’t have a credit rating, but since she lived at home and didn’t appear to have a drug problem, she probably wasn’t desperate for money. However, her mother had a good credit rating.

  Next, he checked out Chenille. Luke had said she didn’t have a job, but lived off her trust fund. Her house was part of Luke’s property, so he probably didn’t charge her rent. Both the electric company and the phone company indicated her payments were current. Her clothes were a bit flashy, but she never mentioned them having designer labels. Knowing her penchant to show off, he figured she’d be sure to mention any designer items she had. He remembered her talking about a trip to Paris. Would she buy a dress with a designer label for that?

  * * * *

  Lisa plopped down on her white wicker couch and opened the box of quesadillas she’d picked up at South of the Border. Those damn test materials lay beside her, taunting her. While watching “Fifty Shades of Gray” last night, she’d kept thinking of Justin. Too sleepy to study, she’d taken a shower and slipped between the sheets, but couldn’t stop thinking about him.

  Earlier today at the restaurant, when she’d glanced back and seen Justin with another woman, a much younger one, she’d told her waitress to make her order to go. She stopped by the Super Min to pick up some groceries. The clerk, whose name tag said “Charity,” waited on her and asked how she liked staying at Barefoot Bay.

  Before ringing up Lisa’s supplies, Charity had asked her about her job back in Texas, if she had any steady boyfriend back there, and if she had any brothers or sisters.

  Boy, the woman sure was nosey. Lisa kept thinking about her food getting cold in the car while she answered all those questions.

  “By the way, Charity said, “have you heard about the burglary in the cottage next to yours? The lady staying there claimed she’s missing her diamond tennis bracelet.”

  “Did she have it insured?”

  “That’s what she told the clerk at Casa Blanca Resort when she reported it, but I’m sure she’s anxious about her safety. Be sure you keep your doors and windows locked.”

  Driving back to her place, Lisa couldn’t stop thinking about seeing Justin with a woman at the restaurant. That man sure got around, but what was he doing with a girl that looked like she’d just finished high school? Was she the one he’d gone balloon riding with, or had he gone with someone else? Lisa had thought she and Justin had really connected yesterday while playing at the beach and reviewing test materials. And their phone call last night had been as easy and free-flowing as any with her oldest friends. However, she didn’t have any claim on him, so why shouldn’t he date others?

  But what chance did she have with a Romeo, who was beginning to seem like Bill? According to Lucas, Justin had just arrived and would only be her
e for a short time. She shouldn’t let her heart be captured by such a flirt. After all, he’d be leaving soon.

  Now her quesadillas were lukewarm, the beans and rice were cold, and her Coke was flat. She rummaged in the kitchen cupboards for a dish to scoop her food onto and warmed it in the microwave. That filled the kitchen with the smell of cheese and chicken, but when she sat down to eat, her appetite had fled.

  Her phone rang. She’d only given the number to the clerk when she registered and to Justin.

  * * * *

  Waiting for Lisa to answer, Justin wondered if she’d seen him with Ashley. He’d looked forward to the prospect of dating several women on the island, but after meeting a woman who buoyed up his spirits and made him think he could succeed at anything, he wanted to keep his job for Luke deep under the radar. “Come on, pick up,” he muttered.

  Finally, she answered, her hello cheery and friendly. Was she expecting her date from the dance to call?

  He hoped not. “Hi, it’s Justin.”

  “How was your balloon trip?” she asked.

  “Interesting. I got a bird’s eye view of the island, and luckily, we didn’t land in the ocean. Zoe’s a good pilot.”

  He pondered what to say next. He wasn’t going to mention seeing her at South of the Border and hoped she wouldn’t ask who he’d gone on the balloon ride with. “Lisa, I enjoyed the afternoon at the beach. Would you like to try it again tomorrow after your class? I could help you study or we could just relax.”

  “I probably should be studying, but sure, I’d like that. What time will you pick me up?”

  He grinned. Now that was what he wanted to hear. “When is your class over? I want to spend the rest of the day with you.” He hoped he didn’t sound too pushy, but he’d picked up vibes from her, ones that said she was interested.

  “The parents pick up their kids at eleven-thirty.”

  “How about twelve-thirty?” he asked.

  “That’s fine. I look forward to seeing you again.”

  Boy, he did too. He could hardly wait until tomorrow. Would she think a kiss while they were sunbathing too forward? He’d watch carefully to sense her mood. He was usually good at that, but Lisa was a mystery.

  Unlike the women he’d dated here and in Dallas, he couldn’t imagine getting tired of her. Except, somehow, no woman had thrilled him for more than a few months. Lisa was exciting, warm, and friendly, but getting close—he didn’t do that, not anymore. He’d enjoy her company for as long as he stayed here.

  He’d worry about staying in the jewelry business in a few days. He wasn’t looking forward to the soul-searching that would require. If he left, both his parents and probably his sister would be disappointed. And trying something new, that could be interesting, but scary.

  * * * *

  Lisa tucked her phone back in her purse. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be one of many women he dated, but it was too soon to expect he’d only date her. She found herself wanting to capture his attention. Surely Ashley was too young and inexperienced to hold his interest, but Chenille was petite and cute. Lisa was much taller and not willowy by any means. Maybe personality was important to Justin. Perhaps she shouldn’t try to present an image, but just be herself and try to show him how much she liked him.

  She’d appreciate his help with preparing for the test. She’d made arrangements to take it in Naples in two weeks. Now if only she could cram enough facts in her head and remember them, she might pass with a good enough score to satisfy the University of North Texas so she could start grad school in September.

  The next morning Lisa laid out her clothes to wear for her date, but dressed in jeans and a paint smock. Today, she’d have her eight o’clock students painting with water colors, but even those were sometimes hard to get out of clothes. After class, she asked the two girls to help clean up. Evan and the other boy had been sloppy with the paper mâché and might be with paints, so she’d told them goodbye.

  As she watched the five kids paint, she kept thinking of Justin’s smile and the way his eyes twinkled. She had to help the new eleven-year-old boy mix paints to get just the color he wanted. She encouraged each one by finding something to compliment about their artwork. One girl seemed to have real talent.

  At the end of class, Lisa tacked each painting on the bulletin board and instructed the students to hurry and clean up.

  At ten, after her students in her nine o’clock class left after working on lanyards, she wound the different colors of gimp back on the rolls. Since no one else was coming in, she started to lock the door, but a thin woman with thick glasses, holding the hand of a seven-year-old girl with long blond hair, also wearing thick glasses, approached.

  “I’m Gladys Swenson, and this is my daughter, Dorothy. Her best friend is learning to knit, and Dottie wants to learn too. However, she’s afraid she might mess up and doesn’t want her friend to see her looking clumsy. Can you help her get started?”

  “Sure. I’d be glad to. Do you want to get started now or can she come back tomorrow at ten?”

  Dottie piped up. “I have swimming lessons every day at ten.”

  Her mother said, “We need to hurry, because she’s already going to be late, but could you fit her in at eleven today? I’ll go to the spa then and could pick her up at twelve.”

  “I have an appointment at twelve-thirty. How about eleven tomorrow?”

  Dottie looked crestfallen. “But I want to start today. I want to make a purple scarf.”

  Lisa patted Dottie’s shoulder. “Okay. I can do that., but I’ll need to have her picked up at twelve.

  “I promise I’ll pick her up on time,” her mother said, taking her daughter’s hand and leading her away. Dottie smiled and skipped along beside her.

  Lisa could get ready in half an hour. All she had to do was put on her swim suit and freshen her lip-gloss.

  An hour later, Mrs. Swenson tapped on the door. Dottie stood fidgeting beside her mother. “Come on in. I’ve got some fat lavender yarn for you to use.”

  Dottie skipped inside without a backward look at her mother, who waved and said, “I’ll be back later to pick her up.”

  Lisa led Dottie to a bench. “I think the best way I can help is for you to sit here on the bench between my legs. That way I can help you cast on the stitches and show you how to knit.”

  After they got into position, Lisa leaned back against the table. “Here’s how you make a slip knot.” She did one, pulled it loose, then guided Dottie’s fingers to do it again. She placed some short needles in the girl’s hands. “I got you size eight needles because they are easy to use.”

  Lisa cast on a row of stiches, made one stitch, then guided Dottie’s hands as she did one. It was a bit loose, so Lisa showed her how to pull it taut, but not too tight. Lisa held her hands over Dottie’s until she got the hang of it.

  After nearing the end of the row, Dottie smiled. “I can do this. Look, I’ve almost finished the whole row.” When she reached the end, Lisa showed her how to turn it around and knit from the other end. Pretty soon the girl was doing it on her own.

  Lisa slid out from behind her. “You’re doing great. Keep it up. She looked at her watch. Twelve already. Where was the girl’s mother? Thank goodness, Lisa had taken a shower this morning, so she only had to change clothes.

  She walked to the hallway and stepped out. No sign of the mother. Damn. Lisa would be late getting ready. She tapped her foot, twisted her fingers, and checked her watch again. Five minutes after twelve. She really wanted to spend a little more time getting ready for Justin. Didn’t that woman believe in keeping promises?

  Finally, at ten after twelve, Mrs. Swenson showed up.

  Lisa led Dottie out the door. “She’s catching on very well. Can you bring her back at eleven tomorrow?”

  “Yes,” the woman said and bent down to look at the knitting in her daughter’s hands. “That looks good. I’ll have to get you a tote bag to keep this in.”

  A big smile wreathed Dottie’s
face “Run on to the car,” Mrs. Swenson said.

  As Dottie skipped off, her mother leaned close. “She’s legally blind, but you’ve done wonders with her.”

  Lisa locked the door. “Oh, I hadn’t really noticed.” She looked at her watch. “Oh, my gosh. I have to go.” She ran toward her cottage, her purse jiggling from her shoulder. She hoped Justin wouldn’t get there before she did.

  In her bungalow, hot and sweaty from hurrying, Lisa tore off her clothes and struggled to pull her bathing suit over damp skin. Finally, tying the straps behind her neck, she heard the doorbell. Damn. She hadn’t even freshened her makeup, and he was here already.

  She raced to the door, but didn’t open it. “Can you wait a moment? I’m not ready.”

  “As long as you’re decent, please let me in. It’s hot out here.”

  “Oh, all right.” She opened the door.

  He stepped inside. “Hey, you look great, but I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

  Smiling at the compliment, she hurried into the bathroom to do her makeup. After finishing that, she grabbed a tote bag and added a comb, sunscreen, and a towel. Donning her cover-up, she hurried into the living room.

  Justin rose from the white wicker couch. “Grab your study booklet, and a sweater in case you get chilly, and let’s go.”

  Why was he telling her what to do? Bill had been like that. What was it with men? Did they always think they had to control women? She picked up her things. She hardly knew him and might not see him after this summer. That wasn’t worth fussing about now, but she’d watch him in action. If he kept on like this, she’d tell him she didn’t like to be bossed.

  Outside, walking beside him, she admired his tanned legs and his smooth stride. His golden tan implied he’d done some sunbathing. His dark brown hair looked soft and touchable. When he focused his brown eyes her way, he seemed to be taking her all in. She hoped he liked what he saw. His appraising look and wide grin hinted he did. She hadn’t cared about looking good in a man’s eyes since she’d broken up with her fiancé, but Justin’s appraising looks warmed her, making her feel desirable. She’d forgotten how good that felt.