Love by Design

“Of course you didn’t, and Logan…he’s not here.”

“Not here? Where’d he go?”

“He said he had an appointment this morning in Montego Bay. He left hours ago.”

“I don’t remember him mentioning he was taking a trip anywhere. I’m surprised he didn’t wake me up to tell

me.”

“He asked that nobody disturb you, sweetie. He wanted you to get some rest. He did ask me to give you something, though.”

Norma Jean left the room, but returned moments later. She handed Dakota an envelope. Her name was on the front in bold handwriting.

“He wrote me a letter?”

Norma Jean leaned in to kiss Dakota on the cheek. “I’ll let you finish eating and read that. I’ve got to go check on Cliff. Earlier he was trying his hand at a boogie board. Lord, Cliff doesn’t even know what that is, let alone how to use one. He roped some poor little boy into showing him. I’d better go make sure he hasn’t been rolled out to sea on that darn thing.”

Dakota smiled. “Thanks, Ms. Jeannie, for breakfast. It was wonderful.”

She beamed at the praise. “You’re welcome. I’ll catch up to you later.”

With a wave and a smile, Norma Jean was gone. Dakota turned her attention back to the envelope in her hand. She opened it.

Koty,

I hope this letter finds you feeling much better. I should have warned you that those Jamaican punches have a kick. I have some things to sort out in my head. I’ll be back later today.

Logan.

Dakota read the letter twice. Her stomach twisted in nervous knots. Dakota’s cell phone was not on her nightstand. She got out of bed and went into the living room. Retrieving it from her purse, she called Logan. It rang a few times before voice mail picked up.

“Logan, it’s me. I just got your note. Call me, please. We need to talk.”

Dakota threw on some clothes and cleared away her breakfast dishes. While she worked, she tried in vain to remember what had transpired the night before. She recalled bits and pieces, but nothing that would lead to Logan disappearing on her.

Antsy, she grabbed her purse and went outside. She took the path directly to the Grande Belle. The door was open so she walked in. She knew he was gone, but still called out, “Hello? Is anybody here?”

It looked exactly like it had last night when she arrived. Still bedecked with candles, though unlit, and flowers. Except now it was eerily quiet. She went upstairs to his bedroom. She stood at the entryway, able to recall that they had almost made love in his bed, but then she had gotten upset and left. You ruined what could have been an extraordinary night.

Their conversation replaying in her head, she tried to recount the details of what they discussed at her place, but nothing came to mind. Distressed, she left and walked up to the main building.

She found Susan, Adrian and Milán heading to the beach.

“Hey,” she said, running up to them.

“There you are.” Susan hugged her. “I just knew you’d be sleeping in today—for one reason or another,” she said slyly.

“Not exactly. Logan made me some weird concoction—”

“The hangover drink,” Adrian supplied. “Boy, that thing has gotten me through many a rough morning.” He chuckled.

“It works,” Dakota agreed. “And Ms. Jeannie made me mango pancakes and—”

“Whoa, what?” Adrian interrupted again. “Mom made you pancakes this morning?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Exactly what I’d like to know. She didn’t offer to make me breakfast.”

Milán’s eyes went heavenward. “Sweetheart, this isn’t about you.”

“I’m just saying. Mom could’ve hooked us up with pancakes, too. Especially since she knows they’re one of my favorites, and—”

With a loud sigh, Milán switched to Spanish and had a very fast dialogue with her husband. Adrian replied back, and then turned to Dakota.

“I apologize for my outburst. You were saying?”

“Oh, I was just looking for Logan this morning, but he’s not here. He left a note…and Ms. Jeannie said he left early to go to Montego Bay.”

“Montego Bay?” Susan exclaimed. “Why?”

“Maybe it was to get something for the resort, or a meeting or something,” Milán reasoned.

“Or maybe it was to get away from me.”

Susan eyed Dakota more closely. “Why would he want that? You two were fine when he came to get you last night. He didn’t look upset about anything, Dakota. Even when you drunkenly cursed at him…in Patois.”

“You know Patois?”