Page 11 of Stolen Kiss

“This summer was crazy. I reckon it has a lot to do with your sister-in-law,” he said.

Jason looked at his profile. There was animosity in his tone, but there wasn’t glee either.

“Has Archer’s marriage become a problem for the island?”

“Not so far. I don’t expect there will be. There is a limit to how many people can book a bed-and-breakfast room or a hotel and there are limited flights to Copper Island. I think we hope that when people come to glimpse the movie star, they spend some money while they’re here.”

“So it’s good for business, then?”

“We’ll see.”

Keith picked up his pace along the rocks until they came to a sandy part that then opened up to a beach. Jason knew Copper Island like the back of his hand but the view still took his breath away. White sand, clear waters at the shore and open space as far as he could see. This side of the island had a view that was all water. Not a single small island or rock formation in sight. It was like the Atlantic wanted an uninterrupted way to batter the island in a storm. Very few came to sunbathe on this beach as the wind was too wild. Anyone would burn within ten minutes.

They waded into the water and then lay prone on the board to swim out into the swell. Neither of them spoke while Keith guided them to the spot he wanted. When they got there, both men straddled their boards and bobbed in the water.

“Why did you send me the message?” Jason asked.

“What message?” Keith asked, looking confused but Jason wasn’t buying it.

“The one that said I wasn’t welcome in your house any longer and Heidi never wanted to see me again.”

“It was for the best.” Anger laced his words, and that made Jason truly annoyed.

“Why?”

“Does it matter anymore? It was a fucking long time ago.”

“And it destroyed me. I’d like to know what the fuck I did?”

“Leave it.”

“I will not leave it. What you told me back then has had a massive impact on my life.”

“Then we’re going be arguing a lot of the time you’re here.”

“That’s the rest of my life.”

“Maybe you should think more of a short-term deal. You’ve been gone for so long. What’s here for you?”

Jason was stunned at the response. It then shocked him when Keith stood up on his board, caught a wave that took him to shore and he walked up the sand bank. Jason remained where he was swaying in the water, wondering what the hell happened eleven years ago to make his best friend so hostile.

Thinking better of it to stay in the water, Jason pushed his fingers through his hair and rode a wave to shore. He didn’t take the route back past the shack, his temper wouldn’t cope with Keith dismissing what a monumental effect he had sending the message.

At least he recognised he sent the message, and it was life altering.

Chapter Six

Heidi

Keith lived in a supped up caravan at the bottom of their parent’s garden. Keith and Heidi were the fourth generation of Shaws to be born on Copper Island. They were also fortunate to live in a large house that could afford to have a caravan at the bottom of the garden and it not intrude on the eye. The old generation of Copper Island had the biggest land, the larger houses and the biggest sway on council meetings.

The first two parts were obvious the last not so much. Heidi and Keith’s parents lived a simple life and didn’t want to get involved with Copper Island politics unless they could help it. Or when Heidi forced them to head down to the town hall and make a vote.

Mostly the council voted on who could buy a property on Copper Island on behalf of Cynthia Turner. Cynthia had the final say and could veto but rarely did.

“We ready?” Freya said from the living room downstairs in her home.

“When you say we, you mean me, right?”

---