Chapter 18

Suddenly Single—What a Trip!

Trip Tip: A special tip from the captain! Don't forget to hit up the ship's midnight buffet for a late-night snack—because nothing says vacation calories don't count like devouring a plate of nachos at two a.m. in your pajamas. I should know. I've done it many times myself.

The Emerald Queen has officially docked at our second tropical locale, an island owned by the cruise line itself, Sapphire Cay.

And you can bet as soon as the gangway opened up, Bess, Nettie, and I boot-scooted our tushes right down to the white sandy beach. Both Wes and Ransom have the day off and they said they'd be right behind us.

But honestly, I couldn't wait one more second to experience the bliss that the Caribbean has to offer.

Sapphire Cay is nothing but miles of pristine beaches dotted with swaying palm trees, even more miles of crystal blue swimming pools with all sorts of crazy colorful slides, a pirate-themed water park, and a couple dozen swim-up bars.

There are lemon-yellow lounge chairs and hammocks as far as the eye can see and lots of fruity cocktails in the hands of everyone in this bikini-clad kingdom.

The air is hot and humid, and the sun is threatening to boil us all alive, but there's a cool breeze that repeats on an interval and along with it brings the scent of fresh grilled burgers and just beneath that the scent of coconut perfumes us—most likely from all the suntan lotion but still, it works. And somewhere in the distance is the sound of a steel drum band that really kicks this tropical party up a notch.

"I've died and gone to heaven," I say, digging my toes into the sand as the turquoise waters lap gently over my feet.

Bess moans with approval as she scoots in next to me. "As much as I love living on the ship, I think I could set up shop right here on this island for the rest of my life."

"Eh, give me pirates or give me death," Nettie gravels it out with her eyes closed while holding out her arms as the warm breeze and crystal waters work their magic over us.

Bess shakes her head. "Well, I don't know what a man can give you that this view can't. And it doesn't hurt that the entire island is all-inclusive."

"Except for the gift shops," someone calls out from behind and we look to see Elodie making her way over in a teeny weenie bright red bikini. "And as for the men versus this view, I'll have to give you this one, Bess. Men come and go, but paradise is forever," Elodie quips with a wink as she settles in next to us. "And let's be honest, the only pirate treasure I'm interested in finding today is a cocktail with a tiny umbrella in it."

"You're not chasing men for an entire day?" I marvel at my bestie. "That's a first."

"You know what they say." She bumps her hip to mine. "Why chase when you can be chased? Especially when you're lying in paradise with the sun kissing your skin and the ocean whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Today, I'm letting the treasures come to me."

Nettie leans in. "Well, if treasures are coming to us, I hope mine comes with a sturdy ship and knows how to navigate rough waters."

Bess chuckles, shaking her head. "Nettie, the only rough waters you need to navigate today are the waves of people at the swim-up bar."

"Just try to stop me," Nettie says.

"I'll be right there with you," Elodie insists. "In fact, I'm headed there now." She turns and her mouth falls open as a group of tan, buff men stride by. "Well, would you look at that? This island just got a little hotter. I think I'll go buy them a drink."

"All of them?" Bess muses.

"Well, I am a giver." Elodie squares her shoulders in their direction as she starts to take off.

"Know your giving limits," I call out after her. "Because takers don't have any."

"So much for trading men for paradise," Bess says.

Nettie snorts. "For some of us, men are paradise." She whistles over at Elodie. "Save a spot for me, Toots!"

"How about saving a spot for us?" a deep voice calls out and we turn to find Wes and Ransom headed this way.

Wes is in a pair of board shorts and a T-shirt, but he's still sporting his captain's hat, something he clearly refuses to abandon even on dry land. And Ransom looks like he's ready for a GQ photoshoot in his swim trunks. That sight alone brings a whole new wave of energy in me.

"Ahoy, ladies," Wes teases. "Ready to brave the sandy shores?"

"Ignore him," Ransom says. "He's been waiting all day to use that line." He wraps his cool arms around me and lands a heated kiss on my lips.

"Hello to you, too." I can't help but bite down on a smile. "So what's on the agenda?"

"This doesn't look bad." He nods to the shore.

"I'll second that," Wes says, taking off his shirt and diving into the water.

"I'd better make sure he doesn't drown," Nettie says, running in after him. "Wait for me," she calls out. "I'll rescue you from any sea monsters, Captain!"

Bess nods my way. "I'd better make sure she doesn't drown." She shakes her head in Nettie's direction. "And for your information, you are the sea monster!"

Soon, Bess, Nettie, and Wes are swimming and splashing—sans any sea monsters, but then the afternoon is young.

"And then there were two," I say to Ransom. "Are you up for jumping in the deep end with me?"

"I'm already in the deep end with you, honey," he says, picking me up and charging the water.

I laugh and scream as we fall into the turquoise sea as warm as tears.

Ransom holds me as we float blissfully in this tropical paradise. I feel safe, whole, and happy as if I've waited all my life to land in this demigod's arms. And as if my heart wasn't already bursting with love for this man, my affection for him only seems to grow under the Caribbean sun.

This is perfect.

This is bliss.

After an hour of lolling in the waves, and after a couple of sea turtle and dolphin sightings, we make our way back to the sand.

"How about we hit the pool to cool off?" Nettie says as the humidity and the heat envelop us at once.

"I could use a refreshment," Bess says. "And the bar just so happens to be in the pool."

Ransom ticks his head to the side. "I couldn't think of a better setup."

We head that way, and no sooner do we enter the swimming pool, which seemingly has no beginning and no end, than Wes is mobbed by the masses asking for a selfie with the captain.

"Ooh, look," Nettie says as she starts her way to the bar. "There's Elodie, and she's surrounded by an entire swarm of scraggly dudes with eye patches."

I look that way and, sure enough, she is.

"Here I come, you pack of surly sea wolves," Nettie calls out, splashing her way in their direction. "You'd better gird yourselves because one of you rugged raiders is about to walk the plank all the way to my cabin."

"Oh, good grief," Bess says, wading in that direction as well. "And our resident pirate-hungry wench just might walk the plank right into a lawsuit for assault with a deadly cocktail."

She takes off and Ransom sighs my way. "Speaking of assault with a deadly cocktail, I spoke with the coroner before leaving the ship."

A breath hitches in my throat. "Was Roger poisoned?"

"With enough drugs to stock a pharmacy." He winces. "There were more than a few strange concoctions in the mix."

"Oh, wow." I glance back at Bess and Nettie and do a double take.

The bar seems to stretch out for miles, and yet under the palm fronds and awnings that offer the area some shade, I spot a buxom blonde that just so happens to be next on my suspect list.

"How about we wet our whistles?" I hitch my head in her direction. "We can shelve the coroner's report and that secret I've been trying to share with you for now. Maybe we'll save those for dessert." I frown because I doubt either of those topics will pair well with molten chocolate lava cake.

"I'm in," he says. "But let's keep Roger's cause of death to ourselves for now. This case just got kicked up a notch."

I nod. "And here's hoping Elsie James will kick it all the way home."