Chapter 7

They talked over a few other things with Carmen then decided to watch the sunset on the beach after another swim. Carmen suggested they have dinner so they'd feel peachy in the morning. This brought on another round of giggles.

"Let's change for dinner," Isabella suggested. "Are you tired?"

"Nope. I feel great. Taking a swim after each drink was a good idea. I was a little tipsy and our fit of giggles would've probably happened no matter if we"d had one or no drinks." Kelsey chuckled.

"We did laugh a lot, but that's a good thing," Isabella said. "I love your laugh."

"We should try one of the other restaurants for dinner," Kelsey said. "I'll have my small purse again," she added as they made the short walk to their bungalows.

"Got it." Isabella chuckled. "What are you going to wear tomorrow?"

"Hmm, probably my board shorts with a swim top and shirt. They're comfortable and I can wear them all day. Oh, I'll also wear my hiking sandals. I'm glad I threw them in my bag at the last minute," Kelsey said.

"You're going to have to show me how you got all of that in one bag," Isabella said.

"I'm telling you, I'll be repeating outfits. Don't be judgy," Kelsey said with a laugh.

"Me? Surely you can tell by now that I'm not like that."

"You wouldn't judge me because now I'm your friend," Kelsey said. "I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll see you in a few."

"Okay," Isabella said, walking in her back door.

Kelsey threw her bag on the bed and took her swimsuit off before stepping into the shower. The water felt glorious, washing away all the sand and sweat that had accumulated over the afternoon. She washed her hair and thought about what Isabella had said earlier. Was she beautiful? Kelsey would never say that about herself. She knew her eyes were interesting because of the way they changed colors depending on what she was wearing or her surroundings, like being near the water today.

It was nice the way Isabella had said there was more to her than her looks. But to be called beautiful still made her feel good and it did make her heart skip a beat. She stepped out of the shower and towel-dried her hair. As she looked in the mirror she started to pull it up and away from her face, but decided to leave it free to curl at her shoulders.

Kelsey slipped into a pair of wide-legged pants and put on a sleeveless top. She decided to apply a little mascara and lipstick. Her phone pinged with a text message just as she slipped her feet into her sandals. Isabella was ready and waiting on her front deck.

Kelsey smiled, slipped her phone into her small purse, and took one more look in the mirror. She nodded and opened the front door.

"Hey," Isabella said. "Don't you look fresh and lovely. Your hair looks great like that."

"Thanks, so do you. Did that shower feel amazing or what?" Kelsey said, falling into step next to her.

"God, yes. I didn't think I tracked in that much sand, but it was everywhere." Isabella knocked her shoulder into Kelsey's.

"Oh, I know." Kelsey chuckled.

They had dinner in the casual restaurant and Kelsey tried the conch that Carmen had told her about that morning. When they finished eating, Kelsey reached for the ticket and signed it with her bungalow number then looked up at Isabella.

"I guess it doesn't matter who gets this because Carmen's paying our way." Kelsey shrugged.

"I know, but it's still fun to take turns," Isabella said. "Are we walking on the beach?"

"I think we should. It's a nice way to end the day," Kelsey said. She held out her arm and chuckled when Isabella looped her arm through it.

"We need to try the swimming pool while we're here," Isabella said as they walked past it.

"I'm hoping we can try the spa, too."

"That might be good after our big day tomorrow," Isabella suggested.

"Listen to us planning our time like we're experienced travelers," Kelsey said.

Isabella laughed. "I don't know about you, but I haven't really traveled that much."

"Me either. We took vacations, but they were during the summer and not that far away," Kelsey said.

They stepped onto the beach and walked along in silence. Kelsey didn't feel the need to say anything and she guessed Isabella didn't either.

"The breeze feels lovely," Isabella said as they neared their bungalows.

"It does," Kelsey agreed.

"I wonder if Luis will miss us tomorrow?" Isabella quipped.

Kelsey laughed. "Of course he will. How many different drinks did we sample? I can't imagine anyone being more fun than you and I."

As they stopped at Kelsey's back deck, Isabella turned to her. "Thank you for such a nice day, Kels." She surprised Kelsey by hugging her tightly.

"I don't have anyone that I can do this with back home" Isabella said after she pulled away. "The divorce made it awkward for our friends and most of them are busy with their own families anyway."

"I understand. I get together with my friends, but we usually end up talking about our kids. We don't laugh like we did today, that's for sure."

Isabella smiled. "I told you that you have a nice laugh. And I like hearing it."

"Isabella Burns, I don't think you give yourself enough credit. I only know a little about you so far, but what I know is wonderful. There is so much more to you that I get to find out in the coming days and months."

Isabella started to say something and Kelsey put her finger over her lips. "Don't do that. You're going to say something like, I hope you're not disappointed."

Isabella giggled. "You know me so well already."

Kelsey smiled. "Good night, Bella. See you in the morning."

"Night, Kels," Isabella said, walking the few steps to her back door.

Kelsey watched her close her back door and wondered how much laughter they'd share tomorrow.

A little later as Kelsey got ready for bed, her phone pinged with a text. It was a link and when she clicked on it, she saw that Isabella had written up a little summary of their day. Kelsey thought maybe she was getting ready for the daily blogs they would do on their monthly visits.

The post was titled "Our Day at Sapphire Beach." Isabella had included photos. Kelsey thought back and remembered them taking a few pictures of their drinks, the water, and each other, along with a few selfies.

But one photo caught her attention. It was a picture of her sitting in her lounge chair, gazing out over the water. Her face was relaxed and she looked pensive. Kelsey studied the photo. She didn't remember Isabella taking any pictures of her. As she stared at the photo, she was surprised because she realized she looked beautiful, just as Isabella had said.

Kelsey smiled because she knew what she'd been thinking when the photo was taken. She was thinking about Bella and how glad she was that they were on the beach together.

The next morning Isabella decided to wear her two-piece swimsuit and slipped on a pair of shorts with a long sleeve button down shirt over it. She would be comfortable hiking to the beach and could easily take them off for swimming and snorkeling. Next, she gathered her sunscreen, phone, and a towel. She paused, contemplating taking her laptop. Once they were at the bar they might want to add a few notes about their adventure.

She sighed as she looked at what all she wanted to take and thought that maybe she and Kelsey could take one bag packed with all of their stuff. They'd have to carry snorkeling gear as well as their lunch to the beach and she didn't want to add to their load.

Isabella grabbed her phone to text Kelsey and saw the pictures from yesterday still opened in a window. She scrolled through the selfies they'd taken and their happy faces made her smile. Then she stopped at the picture of Kelsey gazing at the water.

How could Kelsey not have a partner? They had so much fun yesterday and to be honest, Isabella thought Kelsey was interesting. She wondered if Kelsey didn't have time to date or maybe she wouldn't let herself. From their conversations Isabella could tell Kelsey was devoted to her daughters. Maybe this was Kelsey's chance to let go and enjoy herself for a change.

Isabella smiled and couldn't think of anyone she'd rather have fun with. She texted Kelsey and a few moments later there was a knock on her door.

"How much stuff do you want to take with you today? Please don't tell me you"re taking one of your suitcases," Kelsey teased when Isabella opened the door.

"Good morning to you, too." Isabella grinned.

Kelsey chuckled. "Good morning, Bella. I'm ready for adventure, are you?"

Isabella laughed. "I am, but I'm thinking ahead about all the stuff we have to carry today."

"Look at you learning to travel light," Kelsey teased.

"We'll see about that," Isabella mumbled.

They were able to combine their items into one bag and agreed to take turns carrying it along with the other things they'd have once they made it to St. John.

"I was afraid we'd lost this new job on the same day we got it after Carmen showed up on the beach yesterday," Kelsey said. "You wouldn't stop making me laugh."

"Me?" Isabella exclaimed. "You were the one with the giggles."

Kelsey chuckled. "Oh, God! I know. I haven't had that much fun in…"

"In?"

"I don't know! It's been a long time," Kelsey admitted.

"Hey," Isabella said, putting her hand on Kelsey's arm. "I want to apologize again for telling Carmen you're gay. I am so sorry."

"It's okay. I told you yesterday not to worry about it," Kelsey said.

"I know you did and I know you're proud of who you are, but I shouldn't have said anything. That's your story to tell," Isabella said.

"I'm not necessarily proud, Bella. It's who I am. It's just me." Kelsey shrugged.

"There's nothing ‘just' about you, Kelsey Kenny." Isabella smiled at her. "I'm glad we're doing this together."

Kelsey smiled. "You are good for my self-worth. Now, let's go have breakfast and please don't give what you said another thought. I'm not."

Isabella let out a relieved breath. "Oh wait," she said, widening her eyes. "What if you find someone at Peaches? Does that mean we're not a couple anymore?"

"Oh my God," Kelsey said under her breath. She put both her hands on Isabella's upper arms and stared into her eyes. "You are my ride or die on this trip, Bella. We're a couple."

Isabella smiled. "Good to know."

"For two people who came on this trip solo we have certainly latched onto each other," Kelsey said.

"I'm glad," Isabella replied.

"Me, too." Kelsey winked. "Now let's go eat breakfast. I'm starving."

"One more thing," Isabella said. "This isn't a job, Kelsey."

Kelsey grinned. "I know."

They stood on the top deck of the ferry, their arms resting on the railing as they gazed at their surroundings.

"My God, it is beautiful here. Everywhere I look it's just gorgeous," Isabella said with amazement in her voice.

"Do you ever think it gets old? I mean, do the people who live here ever think it's ordinary?" Kelsey mused.

"We'll find out. Ask me again in December," Isabella said. "Oh wait, it's December now. Ask me next December."

"It's still hard for me to believe we'll be coming back here every month or so for the next year," Kelsey said.

Isabella linked her arm through Kelsey's and looked into her eyes. "Oh wow, your eyes are green today."

Kelsey smiled.

Isabella shook her head. "You're not having second thoughts about this, are you? Do I need to give you my winning smile?"

Kelsey chuckled and leaned into Isabella. "No, I'm not having second thoughts. It's just hard to believe." She smiled at Isabella and narrowed her gaze. "Now let me see that winning smile."

Isabella gave Kelsey her cheesiest grin, but then it settled into a genuine smile.

"Yep, you've still got it," Kelsey said with a grin.