Page 76 of Escape to the Sun

“Of course I’m back.” Her mom straightened and attempted to smooth her blouse. “I’ve been back for hours. Ash fixed me a very nice drink and I’ve been in my hammock ever since. It was pure bliss.”

She tried not to grin. “I can tell. What was in the drink?”

“I beg your pardon?”

It was the wrong thing to say. Her mother instantly got her back up. She should have known better than to try to joke with her. Especially with how they’d left things the last time they were in the same room together.

“That’s not what I was trying to say, Mom,” Heather tried again. “I was just thinking how relaxed you looked and I know if Ash fixed you a drink, well, it might have been a bit strong. He has a habit of not measuring. Did you enjoy the hammock?”

Her mom looked as if she was going to say something harsh again, but instead she swallowed hard and nodded. “I did.” A small smile started at the corners of her lips. “Did you know I’d never been on one before?”

“No way?”

“It’s true.” She paused to pet the dog, who stood at her side. “And it could have been tricky, too. But this guy helped me out. I kind of used him so I didn’t swing off and into the water.”

Heather’s hand flew to her mouth in an effort to contain a giggle. “Thor stopped you from swinging into the water?”

“He did.” She nodded quite seriously. “He stood there like a little wall. I thumped into him quite hard, too. But he didn’t move.” She patted Thor again. “You’re a good dog, aren’t you?” The dog turned his face up and licked her mother’s hand, eating up the attention.

Heather couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “He is a good dog.” Maybe her time with Ash had done her some good? Or maybe it was the nap? Either way, they were both in better moods and Heather was going to take advantage of it. She was tired of fighting. “Are you hungry, Mom? I’m sure there’s something to eat. We could find Ash and have a little late lunch.”

“I am famished. Ash said something about a lobster salad before I went to lie down. Where is he?”

“I was going to ask you that same question.”

Her mother’s mouth dropped open. “Are you implying that I had a young man in my bungalow with me?”

“Oh, Mom! No. I would—” She stopped because her mother was laughing. Hard.

What was going on?Her mother was like a completely different person. She couldn’t remember her mom ever goofing around with her like that before. Ash must have gotten through to her. She’d have to thank him later.

“Okay, okay. Are you done?”

Her mother nodded.

“Good. And you don’t know where Ash is?”

Her mother shook her head, still obviously trying not to laugh. Maybe her mother was drunk? Maybe Ash had made her a really strong drink? She narrowed her eyes at her, and turned back to Camila, who was now pushing fresh blossoms into the icing on the cake. “Did Ash tell you where he was going?”

She shook her head but then quickly said, “Si.”

“He did?”

The girl turned, a worried look on her beautiful features. “He left.”

Left? “Where did he go?”

“To town.”

She was going to lose her patience if Camila didn’t come out with exactly what he’d said. “Anything else?”

She nodded.

“What?” She tried not to sound frustrated, but she was pretty sure she failed. “What else did he say? Is he coming back?”

“Something important.” Camila looked as though she was going to cry. “I’m so sorry, señorita. I didn’t hear. I was…the cake…Luis…lo sent mucho.”

Heather closed her eyes and took a breath. It didn’t matter. Except that she wanted to see him. But that wasn’t a reason to get upset at Camila.

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