Love by Design

Dakota was just about to pay for everything when she spotted a silver bracelet with two green turtles dangling from it. She picked it up. “This is beautiful. I’ll get this, too.” She slipped it onto her wrist while Sophie rang up her purchases.

“Yuh look beautiful…jus wait til Mr. Montague see yuh! Him eye gwen pop outta him head.”

“Oh, I didn’t buy this for him,” Dakota explained. “He and I are just business associates.”

Sophie did not bother to reply. Instead, she gave Dakota a huge grin and told her to have a great day.

One thing Dakota loved about the resort was that she could take one of the tree-lined paths and get wherever she needed to go. She walked from the boutique back to her cottage to put away her purchases and change her clothes. She picked the white dress and surveyed herself in the mirror before she walked back up to meet Logan.

He was waiting for her out front with Miranda and Tandie.

“Aren’t you supposed to be off duty?” she teased him.

“Much improved,” was all Tandie said before he nodded his head and strolled away.

“I agree,” Logan replied. “And I didn’t even see what you had on before.”

“More suits.” Miranda smiled, and went back to work.

“They overruled me this morning,” Dakota explained. “Sophie was nice enough to help me find more suitable alternatives.”

“Sophie is a gem, and you look beautiful.”

Logan escorted her to his Mercedes coupe. He kept up constant chatter while he drove. Their first stop was to Wassi Art.

“It’s a pottery studio that has a full-time staff of artists. Everything is original, and very colorful,” Logan explained.

As they walked through the building, Dakota made notes in her book. She spoke with a few of the artisans, and inspected some of the pieces. From there, Logan drove her to Fern Gully.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a very scenic road with towering ferns on each side. It’s like driving through a tunnel. There are vendors on the roadside selling their wares. I should warn you, a few have life-size sculptures of men that are…extremely well-endowed.”

“Oh, really?” Her laughter filled the car’s interior. “Thanks for the warning, I’ll try not to stare.”

Logan parked the car and helped Dakota out.

As they headed for the stands, he said, “You know, some will even let you take pictures with them.”

“Uh, that’s quite all right. I think I’ll focus on the other attractions.”

Logan started to laugh, and Dakota joined in.

She glanced up at him. “You know, you’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Me?” He grinned mischievously. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

Strolling past the sculptures, they focused on other wooden carvings that were not so much of a conversation piece. When they were done, he took her to a local design studio featuring high-end furniture, textiles and fabrics. Dakota felt like she was in a candy store. She roamed around taking notes, checking prices and dimensions.

“Hey,” Logan said, coming up to her. “We’ve been here almost two hours, and I’m starving.”

Dakota was kneeling down eyeing a tile. She stood up and stretched. “Seriously? Wow, lost track of time. This place is amazing. I could stay in here all day.”

“How about a nice dinner out? I know a great place.”

“Sure. Now that you mention it, I am hungry.”

Dakota was following Logan out when several tiles caught her eye.

“Dakota,” Logan said, walking toward her.

“What?”

He took her by the arm. “Let’s go before they charge you rent,” he joked.

“I can’t believe all the great things they have here,” she said excitedly. “Some of these will be perfect for what I have in mind. I’m so glad you showed me this studio.”

“Me, too.”

He took Dakota to Miss T’s Kitchen on Main Street. It was on a quiet cul-de-sac in a garden setting. While they waited to be seated, Dakota looked around.

The restaurant was decorated in vivid red, yellow, blue and green. It was outside dining that was casual and eclectic. They were seated at a table near a tree strewn with orange lights. It was converted from barrels while other tables were hand painted with bright, bold designs. The waiter welcomed Logan back before telling them about the daily specials.

“I’m going to try something I’ve never had before,” Dakota announced. “I’ll have Miss T’s Curried Goat.”

Logan ordered the jerk chicken with ackee pockets.

“You’ll have to try them. I bet you’ll love it. Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica.”