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Granny straightened slowly, matching him glare for glare. “That is a mere estimation, James. The truth of the matter is that you will not leave this island until you come to your senses and agree to take over your father’s company.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but he couldn’t get a word in edgewise.
She was quick to add, “With Della by your side, I fully approve.”
He stared fiercely across the table. “I say this with love, Granny, but it’s really none of your business. I’m a grown man, and this is my life! I get to decide. I get to prioritize, to protect what I choose to protect, and if that means giving up the company to keep what I have with Della safe from the corporate firestorm, that’s my call!”
It was a powerful speech, delivered with a perfect blend of passion, frustration, and restraint, but not a stitch of that meant shit to Granny. She simply nodded patiently as he spoke the words, and then the table fell silent for a full minute as she stared down at her lap and turned over her napkin. I tensed automatically when I saw a thoughtful frown on her face, but when she finally raised her head, that had morphed into a gentle smile. “And as your grandmother, who loves you very much,” she said, “it’s my job to stop you. I, too, get to protect what I choose to protect, and that is you, even if I must protect you from yourself.”
There was nothing left to say. She couldn’t deny that James honestly believed he was doing the right thing, and he couldn’t deny that she was following her heart. He remained in his chair even as she stood from hers and circled around to kiss him on the forehead.
“So how long do you really plan to hold me prisoner in this little fortress of yours?” he demanded, but there was no fight left in his voice, no frustration or indignant rage. There was only a calm sort of acceptance as he gazed up at her from his seat.
She returned his gaze with an affectionate smile. “As long as it takes, my love.” She patted his cheek and nodded to bid us all goodnight before she swept out of the dining room. “As long as it takes!” she repeated as she waddled down the hall.
Chapter 17
“I’M REALLY SORRY, DELLA. I promise I’ll find some way to get us out of here.”
I sat on the bed, watching James pace the floor, one of his regular habits when he was upset. For the last ten minutes, he’d been apologizing and scheming, with equal vigor.
“The woman’s always been bat-shit crazy, but I can’t believe she’s gone this far, especially not with a vacant chair already on the board.”
I nodded silently, as it had become my custom to let him rant and rave. My eyes drifted wistfully to the glorious tropical paradise outside. Even from where I sat on the bed, I could hear the birds singing, smell the flowery salt breeze, and see the crystalline water crashing against the shore, and I didn’t feel like a prisoner at all.
“I know this guy who lives on Antigua. If I can just get a message to him, maybe he can send a plane and some crucifixes we can use to repel my grandmother. How does that sound?”
I looked up with a start, suddenly aware that he’d asked me a question. “Hmm?”
He paused mid-step, looking over at me for the first time. “I said I might know a way we can get off this island. Are you okay with that?”
“Uh, yeah, of course. It’s just...” My half-hearted enthusiasm died on the tip of my tongue as I gazed out once more toward the water. “Do you think... James, couldn’t we stay just long enough to go snorkeling? We could have a mai-tai and take a stroll on the beach. It’s so beautiful here. I’ve never been to a place like this before. And maybe you could calm down and have a civilized conversation with your granny, and really think about what she has to say. She shouldn’t have drugged you, but you’re here now. And I think the two of you have much to discuss and—
“So you want to stay?” he cut in, and all the plotting and scheming instantly washed away.
Even though he didn’t state it like a question, I backtracked at the speed of light and blurted, “No, not at all! Back to London, I say. Full speed ahead. I don’t care if we have to ride out of here in a cargo container—”
“Della, talk to me.” James perched beside me on the bed, gazing intently at me with those beautiful, dark eyes. “You want to stay, don’t you?”
My shoulders wilted as I looked down at my hands. “I’ve just... This is a new experience for me, like something out of a dream. I mean, I’ve seen pictures of paradise, but I’ve never...” I
trailed off as my eyes drifted longingly to the window before dropping with embarrassment to my lap. “I’ve never even swam in the ocean.”
James’s mouth fell open in absolute shock, as if he was unable to fathom such a thing.
“What?” I countered defensively. “Not all of us can run off to Grandma’s Fantasy Island in the summers. I lived in Kentucky, then New York, and now London, not exactly beachy tourist towns.” Another wave of embarrassment colored the tops of my cheeks, and I dropped my eyes to the bedspread once more. “We didn’t have money for those kinds of trips when I was younger, so I just figure that as long as we’re here, maybe I can do some of those things I’ve always wanted to try. We don’t have to stay long, but while we’re looking for a way to leave, I’d like to have some fun.”
James’s face softened tenderly as he stood from the bed and offered me his hand. “Come on.”
IT WAS DARK BY THE time we got to the beach, dark, fragrant, and magical.
Despite the way we were unexpectedly transported from the chilly streets of London, Granny’s closets were fully stocked, so it was easy enough for us to dress the part. He looked great in his tan slacks and white button-down, with the few top buttons undone. I opted for a simple beach dress, floral and breezy, the kind that allowed warm bits of sand to dance across my bare legs with every step.
We strolled leisurely across the white beach, watching the palm trees sway in the breeze as we gazed up at the stars. The world was quieter there, as most of the islanders had already turned in for the evening, and those who were still awake were no doubt cavorting in the boathouse, getting drunk off music and women and rum.
The moon shined brightly on the churning waves. My feet sank, and I loved the feeling of sand in between my toes. And then when the ocean first touched my feet... Wow!
“I love the smell of the salty ocean,” I said.
