Their Festive Island Escape

Oh, yeah. This was much more up her alley than a jostling ride in an open-air vehicle as it straddled a cliff edge.

“Oh! It’s so beautiful, Reid. Just lovely.” This would be the easiest write-up she’d ever done.

A rotund woman who appeared to be in her early sixties appeared from behind a wooden gate and approached them. She was trailed by a young man and woman. Each had the same facial structure and eye shape. It was clear they were siblings.

“Mr. Reid. So nice to see you again,” the woman said, giving Reid a hug and a small peck on the cheek.

“Uma, the pleasure’s all mine,” Reid answered over her head.

“You remember my son and daughter, Rinna and Theo,” Uma added. The siblings nodded in acknowledgment.

“Of course.” Reid motioned to where Celeste stood behind them.

“And I’d like you all to meet Celeste. She’s a colleague of mine. She’s going to help us bring some more attention and visitors to this lovely slice of paradise you have here.”

Celeste reached out her hand but Uma ignored it and hugged her instead, as well. She mustered a smile as she returned the older woman’s embrace but it was forced.

The word colleague had never sounded so disappointing.

* * *

“I have a confession to make,” Reid said in a low voice as they trailed behind Rinna and Theo, their tour guides. Uma had left for the kitchen to start preparing the meal.

“What’s that?” Celeste asked, her curiosity peaked. What in the world could he be referring to?

“I was a little concerned you’d back out of coming along today. After you know...the last time.”

So he had been worried. Celeste felt a pang of regret. She had a stellar reputation as a competent and efficient businesswoman. To think that she’d given Reid the impression of unreliability would weigh heavily on her for some time to come.

Her professional reputation was a matter she took very seriously and an accomplishment she had worked very hard for over the years. Just made for another reason why she had to suppress whatever this attraction was between her and Reid. She had too much at stake. Theo stopped in front of a tree and turned to face them.

“This is Frangipani,” Theo explained, pointing to the small tree adorned with white flowers. Celeste could smell the rich perfume of the petals where she stood.

They moved on. Theo and Rinna took turns pointing out and naming various flowers, bushes, and trees. Celeste was fascinated by the hibiscus flowers, which she’d seen on countless tea bag label ingredients but now had a picture of what the plant looked like.

All in all, it was a fascinating stroll. The weather was perfect, warm yet not muggy. A gentle breeze fanned her skin. By the time their tour ended, she felt both entertained and educated. A perfect tagline to advertise the attraction.

They’d reached the banks of the river when Uma came out to summon them to lunch. In moments, they were seated at a wooden picnic table by the water enjoying a mouthwatering meal of fried fish, rice and plantain.

“You were right,” Celeste remarked between bites. “They are a delightful family. And Uma’s a wonderful cook.”

“Do you think you have a good idea of how to frame the description of this place?”

There it was again. Reid’s sole focus was on the mission at hand. She wanted to kick herself for feeling any disappointment at his remark. It wasn’t Reid’s fault that she kept forgetting the true objective here. If anything, she should be thanking him for leading her back on track.

She nodded in response to his question. “I think so. The delicious food will play a major role.”

Reid put his fork down and leaned toward her over the table. “Tell me something.”

“Yes?” Celeste was fully expecting a question about her thoughts on the Flower Forest and what sort of features she would highlight in any summary she put together for him. So, his next words threw her completely off guard.

“Have you moved on? From your engagement to Jack and how it ended?”

Whoa. She had definitely not seen that coming.

Reid had an almost uncanny knack for throwing her off her feet. She swallowed the last bite she’d taken quickly, before she risked having it lodged in her throat.