Aboard the Wishing Star (10 page)

Obviously Daryl was bad news. Any man who could cause that look on Kara's face ought to be shot.

Her hands clenched the rail as she looked down at the man.

Who is he? And why is Kara reacting this way?

Nate looked from Kara to Viv and waited but neither of the women attempted to explain.

He looked down at the man. "Who is he? Ex boyfriend?"

"He's just a friend." Kara bristled. "From work."

Her friend from work was anxious to catch her attention.

Nate raised an eyebrow.

"He's her boss." Viv said. "Her very demanding boss."

"Demanding?"

"He wanted to come on this trip with her. Can you believe that? Cheeky bloke."

"Viv, what he said was if you couldn't go he'd take your place."

Nate gazed at Kara and it struck him how naïve she was. He watched her, remembering she'd told him she married young.

"I'll just bet he would," Viv said.

"It isn't like that," Kara shook her head. "He's just a friend. And he's my boss. I'm not going on vacation with him."

"Sure looks like he's determined to go on yours." Viv snorted and shook her head.

"Security won't let him on board," Nate slipped an arm around Kara, who had a bewildered expression on her face.

Daryl's red face and the way his hands were gesturing indicated he was having a heated discussion below with the security guards. Then he looked up and shouted, "Kara," waving one arm.

She frowned slightly and raised her hand instead of waving.

"Guess I'll have to go see what he wants." Kara sighed.

"I knew you were going to say that," Viv crossed her arms.

"Do you want me to tag along?" Nate asked.

"No, it's no big deal. Really." Kara squared her shoulders and walked toward the stairs.

He had a bad feeling about this guy and when he got a bad feeling, it was always right.

Viv shot him a look. "Daryl calls her way more than a boss should."

"Is it work related?"

"Stupid stuff. Any excuse to call her."

"Sounds like he has a crush on Kara."

"He does. But why the hell is he here? This is supposed to be her vacation." Viv frowned. "I don't like it."

That's one thing we agree on.

Nate nodded. "Thanks for giving me a heads up."

"Yeah. Well, see you on the dock. Looking forward to the excursion. I'd better catch up with her now."

"Yes. See you on the pier."

Good. Viv would look after Kara. She won't be alone with that guy.

Nate turned to look back down at Daryl and frowned. It was good Viv was going with her. His gut told him Daryl showing up on the island wasn't a good situation.

Kara barely reached the bottom of the gangplank before Daryl leaned forward waving. "Kara!"

The uniformed guard standing on the pier just below the gangplank held out his hand and said, "Step back, sir."

Kara forced a smile. "Hello, Daryl. What a surprise."

"Hello, gorgeous. Look at you! The cruise is agreeing with you. But you can tell me all about it soon. I have a surprise for you. Go change. I'm taking you to brunch now, and then we'll tour around the island. Make a day of it."

"No can do," Viv who'd hurried to catch up with Kara, interrupted before Kara could reply. "We're signed up for a Rhino Rider Boat Tour at twelve thirty."

"So cancel it."

"It's too late for refunds," Viv said.

He frowned, his dislike for Viv evident. "I'll reimburse you both."

"You can't. We didn't pay for it, someone else did." Viv smirked.

He scowled deeper. "Who?"

"It doesn't matter. It's what we're going to do today."

"Okay," Kara said, wishing they wouldn't fight. "I'll go to brunch as long as I'm back in time for the boat tour."

Viv rolled her eyes. "Whatever, Kara. Just be back in time."

"I will be."

"Go change. I'll wait here for you." Daryl gestured to the guard. "They won't let me board."

"They don't let anyone on board without a room card," Kara said. "It's not just you." She looked down at her shorts and T-shirt. Her tee shirt had a palm tree and monkeys on it. Daryl was wearing a shirt, tie, and dress slacks.

"Hurry up," he said, "We have reservations."

If she'd been wearing something other than this silly tee shirt, she'd go as she was. But she could see he wouldn't want to go somewhere nice with her wearing this.

"All right."

"If you're going to change, I'll go back with you and find Adam," Viv said.

"Okay." Kara waved at Daryl, who was now on his cell phone, scowling. She walked with Viv back up the gangplank.

Once they reached the room, Viv went to spin the dial on the room safe. "Take your watch and keep an eye on the time. And keep your cell phone on. I'll take mine. I don't trust him to get you back here before we leave."

"Maybe you don't, but I doubt he'd deliberately make me miss our excursion."

"If I were you, I'd make sure I had enough cab fare to get back. He'll conveniently forget the time."

"I'll be there on time."

"You'd better be." Viv called Adam. "Hey, glad I caught you. There's been a small change in plans."

Kara jerked the closet door open. It hit the wall with a thud.

Okay, settle down. It's just brunch. I'll go, thank him, and then meet up with Viv and the guys. Daryl and I go to lunch all the time. It's no big deal to have lunch with him.

Her stomach twisted.

That's different from him showing up on my vacation.

Oh my God. Can I not even go on vacation without work following? I need a new job. Have to create a resume. The minute I get back. Why is he here? It must be a last minute trip. He didn't say anything about it before.

He'd said he wanted to see St. Martin. Getting a last minute ticket to the island must have cost dearly. Or was this trip business?

And what made him think she'd drop her plans because he showed up and wanted to do something?

Her stomach flipped again.

In case she was late, Kara left her red bikini on and pulled a cotton sundress over it. She put on her watch, and grabbed her wallet. She rolled up one of the beach towels the cruise line provided to use while ashore and put it in her bag. If she had to, she'd go straight from brunch to the pier to catch the boat.

What will Nate think of me going off with Daryl?

On the way down in the elevator, Kara turned on her phone. Her stomach flipped again. Thirteen phone calls from Daryl. Text after text. She deleted everything. Whatever he wanted, he'd tell her at brunch.

If it's work related, I really don't want to hear about work on my vacation. My God, can I not get a break? And if it isn't work related, well, that would be too weird. It has been nice to get a break from him. Being away from the phone is so freeing. Why can't he leave me alone when I'm on vacation?

Daryl stood waiting with a smile. Kara tried to relax and smile back.

There has to be a logical reason for him being here on the island. Daryl isn't the sort to do things on a whim.

"You look very pretty, Kara."

"Thank you. How did you get here?"

"I flew. Tiny plane. Bumpy ride."

That had to be expensive.

"It was worth it."

Had she spoken out loud or had he read her mind?

"I'm glad you made time for me. I wanted to surprise you." He reached for her hand.

"Well, you certainly did." She pulled her hand loose. He was her boss. They didn't hold hands. Her stomach twisted again.

Kara wanted brunch over with so she could escape and go snorkeling with Nate. She wished Nate was here now and had wished for him by her side ever since walking away with Daryl.

But wishing didn't work. Because here she sat across the table from Daryl feeling decidedly uncomfortable. Nate was probably having fun and thinking about the excursion he seemed so excited to take her on. She just had to get past this brunch and then she'd be on the boat with Nate.

"I had breakfast on the ship. I'm not really hungry." She ordered the small fresh fruit plate to have something to nibble.

"Bring her the quiche and fruit combo," Daryl told the waiter.

"Oh no, that's too much food."

He ignored her and shooed the waiter away.

"If you insist on going on that crazy excursion, you need to do more than nibble on fruit."

"It's not crazy."

God, he was pushy.

They weren't at work now. There was no reason to boss her around here. And he'd insisted on ordering champagne.

"Drink up."

She frowned but sipped from her glass.

What a fiasco. I should have said, 'No Daryl, I can't go. I made other plans.' He took me off guard. This is what's crazy. He might be my boss and a work friend, but this is my vacation. He shouldn't be here.

Daryl kept talking but hadn't gotten around to the reason he showed up on her vacation and she was tired of dancing around the subject and tired of answering questions about her cruise as he grilled her.

With the glass of champagne her courage amplified and she interrupted him. "Daryl, what brings you to the island on such short notice? Why are you here?"

He paused, his eyes searched hers. "Since you brought it up," he reached across the table to place his hand over hers. "You brought me here."

She froze.

Oh my God. This is not happening. He's my boss.

Daryl smiled. "We started out as friends, Kara. Many couples start out that way. When you left, I realized how much I missed you and I had to see you."

"So you flew here on a whim because you missed me?"

"Yes, and the ship's manifest is full. I couldn't obtain passage or I would be sailing with you tonight celebrating the New Year. But they won't let me."

The revelation stunned her. His hand pinned hers against the table as she sat frozen.

She spoke but didn't move, waiting for her words to sink in. "Daryl, we're just friends. That's all we can be."

"I know you've been in mourning since your husband died. So I've held back. But I couldn't wait any longer."

She pulled her hand out from beneath his and shook her head. "Daryl, no I can't."

He cut her off. "Don't tell me you can't. You're obviously going off on that excursion with some guy. Who is he?"

She regretted answering his previous questions about the cruise. She wasn't about to answer this one.

"That's none of your business."

His fist closed around his napkin, squeezing it. He took a deep inhale then let it out and spoke succinctly. "It is my business. You're going off with some strange man and God only knows what might happen. Who is he?"

"He's an ex-marine, so I'm sure I'll be fine."

Daryl leaned back in his chair and gave her an incredulous look. "A marine."

"Yes." Kara put her fork down.

His eyes narrowed. "You weren't dating before. Insisted you weren't ready for dating."

"That was before this cruise."

"You couldn't wait for me."

"This has nothing to do with you Daryl
."
The thought of being intimate with Daryl turned her stomach. "We work together."

He cut her off. "No one has to know. It will be our secret. I appreciate your dedication to the job, but if you were mine you wouldn't have to work unless it was what you wanted. Give me a chance, Kara."

"Daryl, I can't go out with you. We can only be friends."

"Do not give me that we can only be friends bullshit." His face turned stony and he called for the check.

"I value your friendship, Daryl."

"You need to reconsider." His voice raised and diners at other tables looked over.

She didn't answer. She didn't have anything else to say.

"One night, Kara. Let me wine and dine you tonight, treat you well. Give me tonight. Celebrate the New Year with me. You won't regret it."

Oh God. I shouldn't have come.

She couldn't wait to be back on the ship away from him, where he couldn't follow.

"No, Daryl. I can't."

He paid the bill and they walked back to the pier in silence. He was in no hurry and didn't hail a taxi. He scowled when she glanced at her watch.

Everything is awkward now. How can I work for this guy for even one more day?

Viv stood on the pier, holding their tickets and a blue and white "Dream Boat" beach towel that matched the one in Kara's bag. She was talking to Adam.

The tour guide began collecting tickets and directing passengers into van.

"We have to go," Viv gestured to her to come on, her protective side showing.

Thank you Viv.

Viv had never liked Daryl and for once, Kara was glad of it. Viv's assertiveness helped Kara to feel more confident without all the guilt saying no to Daryl usually created.

"Thank you for brunch," Kara said. "I'll see you back at the office.

"We need to talk, Kara," Daryl gripped her arm. "When will you be back from your tour? Have dinner with me and we can talk."

Kara pulled her arm away. "I don't know what time we'll get back, and we'll be sailing at dinnertime."

"You in line?" Nate asked Daryl, stepping up beside Kara and towering over her.

Where had he come from? He's so quiet I never heard him approach.
A sense of relief flooded over her.

Daryl refused to answer or step out of the way. "Kara, have dinner with me on the island tonight. I'll make it a New Year's Eve to remember. I've made excellent reservations as a fine restaurant. You can board the ship on the next island."

Kara shook her head again. "No."

"The lady said no. Now, unless you're going on this excursion get out of the way," Nate growled.

Daryl stepped aside but his eyes burned with dislike for Nate.

Viv and Adam had already stepped into the van, and the guide said, "Ticket please."

Kara felt flustered, wondering how she'd board when Viv had her ticket.