Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
“I’ll just take this.” Scooting away from the table, I accepted the call and left Z to talk to his sister. “Lils, what the hell is going on?”
“I’m already in your kitchen. I can’t find your pesky cat, though. Has he escaped again?”
I glanced at Peng happily sprawled on the back door mat licking his paws. “He’s here. With us. At Zander’s.”
“Oh phew. I thought I’d already failed at this cat-sitting business.”
“Why are you all ganging up on us and shooing us away overseas?”
She giggled. “Just you wait.”
“So you know?”
“Oh yes, I know. I had a rather wonderful time over at Colin’s a few days after your wedding. If I wasn’t falling for Aubrey and Christina wasn’t giving off possessive vibes, I might’ve been tempted. He’s freaking hilarious, but…he’s also kind and cares a lot about Zander so…just go with the flow, Sailor Moon, and get on that damn plane.”
* * * * *
“This is crazy, right?” I asked for the millionth time.
I’d asked it as we’d packed and shed a few tears as I passed my wonderful cat into my best friend’s arms.
I’d asked it as we climbed out of the Uber at the airport.
I’d asked it as we took off and flew across the ocean and landed in hot and steamy Costa Rica.
And I asked it again as Zander took my hand and led me into the arrivals hall, scanning the mismatch of drivers, family members, and hotel clerks holding up plaques with people’s names on.
Spying a guy with North scribbled on a board, he dragged me over to him. “It’s nuts, and I’m legitimately worried about what they’re all up to, but…we’re here now, so I guess we’re doing this.”
I didn’t ask again as the driver shook our hands, helped with our hastily packed luggage, and guided us outside to an awaiting white sedan.
The journey from the airport wasn’t too long. He gave us facts about how the weather had been, what events were taking place on the island, and how he was madly in love with the place where we were staying and how wonderful it was that it would be used again.
Zander and I shared a worried look.
The longer we drove down streets that became progressively worse with potholes and overgrown vegetation, the more I clung to his fingers.
“Here we are.” The driver grinned, turning left at the top of a hill and bumping our way down a rutted driveway. Palm trees and tropical bushes blocked everything; banana fronds and mango trees gave me new ideas for face creams and lip balms, and when we finally broke through the wilderness, the most incredible house appeared.
A sprawling bungalow perched on the top of a small cliff; the ocean spilled out like sparkling aquamarine gemstones below. The mid-morning sun shimmered and played on the crystal sand, making everything ridiculously pretty.
Pulling our luggage out of the trunk, the driver passed us a rustic-looking key and grinned. “We’ve stocked the fridge and cleaned. The gardener hasn’t been well, hence the state of the jungle, but rest assured, he’ll pop by in a few days to tame it. There’s a motorcycle in the garage, and the nearest eateries are only five minutes away. If you need anything, my number is on the counter. Fresh linens are in the cupboards. Oh…and the pool has been filled, so if you fancy a swim to wash away your travels, go right ahead.”
“Pool?” Zander blinked. “W-What are you talking about?”
“It’s just down the hill a little. Can’t miss it.” Waving at our dumbfounded faces, the guy got back into his car. “Have a wonderful vacation, Mr and Mrs North. All of us in this tight-knit community are so happy your family is back to continue the tradition. I’m hosting our weekly barbecue at my place. Please join us. It will be like old times.”
“Old times?” I coughed.
But the driver closed his door, waved once more, and bounced his way back up the drive.
Zander and I shared yet another look.
Equally as lost as each other.
We opened our mouths to speak, but in the end, we just shrugged and dragged our luggage to the front door.
Inserting the key into the carved entry, Zander pushed it open and let me go ahead.
My mouth fell open.
The airy foyer spilled directly into a vast open-plan living room with huge sliding doors facing the ocean view. A pool glittered to the right, a green jungle surrounded us, and colourful birds flittered from tree to tree.
A large sandstone-coloured corridor wound like a snake to my left, while a massive granite-benched kitchen waited to the right. A large wicker basket sat beside the stove, full of fruits and vegetables, cheese and crackers.
“What on earth is this place?” Zander whispered. Propping our luggage against the wall, he drifted forward in a daze.
I followed him.