Kathleen Pickering - Where It Began

He gestured down the dock to an outdoor bar doing a lively business serving brunch. “We’ll get you a cola with no ice and an order of conch fritters. You’ll feel better.”

Surprise lit Maria’s face as he realized his blunder. How would he know that conch fritters were her favorite, or that she drank soda with no ice?

He was grateful when a local woman approached carrying woven palm hats and shell bracelets. Seeing Maria’s frown, she asked, “Been a long sail, has it?”

Maria waved a hand. “You can’t imagine. I wanted to kiss solid ground.”

The woman laughed. “That’d be why I’m here forever. Too long a stretch across that pretty water for my liking.”

Daniel patted Maria’s shoulder. “It won’t take long before she finds her sea legs.”

She shot Maria a laughing glance. “If I lost my sea legs with this captain, I’d have need of a lap to keep me safe.”

Again, to his surprise, Maria laughed. “Oh, I managed without a lap. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices.”

The woman appraised Daniel from head to foot as if inspecting goods to purchase, obviously liking what she saw. Her mouth twisted into a toothy smile. She winked at Maria.

“Well, you keep playing hard to get, sugar. He’ll be taffy in your hands in no time.”

Daniel and Maria groaned in harmony.

The woman chuckled, lifting her wares. “Would you like to buy a bracelet?”

Maria waved her away. “Perhaps on our way back.”

The woman retreated, pointing to a beach chair beneath a palm tree with a tiny table holding palm fronds and small plastic boxes. “I’ll be right over there, darlin’. Be sure to come see me.”

Maria took the few steps to the edge of the dock and looked down. “She hasn’t got a clue.”

Daniel leaned closer, her soft powdery scent filling his senses, tossing him back to memories of her—here. “Maybe she’s right.”

She peered up at him over the rim of her sunglasses. “I can’t imagine you soft enough for anyone to mold.”

He laughed. “Oh, I don’t know, Princess. I’m thinking your hands could drive a hard bargain with me.”

Her gaze wandered to the grinning woman. She was close enough to catch every word. “I think I’ve heard enough, Captain.”

Chuckling, he ushered her down the dock. “Let me treat you to that cola.”

“Fine.” Maria waved as they passed the woman. “I loved her island accent. Think I’ll paint it.”

Daniel fell into step next to her, welcoming the change in subject. “How do you paint an accent?”

“You give it color and form, of course. But you wouldn’t have learned that in your fancy college.”

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