Page 72 of Hearts Aweigh
Another pothole jarred Spencer’s teeth. “I’m well aware of the circumstances that led to this torture,” he growled. “But why did it requiremypresence? I could have stayed on the ship and worked.”
Her eyes widened in exaggerated innocence. “And miss the fun? When’s the next time you’ll get to frolic with your daughter in a Mexican waterfall?”
“‘Frolic’?”
Two potholes in quick succession rocked the minivan from side to side.
“Woo-hoo!” Althea, seated in the middle row, raised her hands in the air. “This is better than a roller coaster.”
Maddie giggled in the car seat between Althea and Daisy. Emily was up front in the passenger seat, conversing with their local driver like he was an old friend. Gerry sat with Abby and Spencer in the last row, attempting to read her book. They hitan extra-large pothole, and her spectacles bounced on her thin nose.
Abby leaned her head close to Spencer’s and spoke softly. “Sometimes the Shippers require more supervision than Maddie. I remember once, Emily and Gerry took a trip to a lighthouse and missed the return boat. They almost didn’t make it back in time for sailing. We need to keep an eye on them.”
Her whispered words brushed Spencer’s ear. The gentle sensations blew all thoughts of work from his brain. In fact,everythought vanished. He swallowed and inched away.
The van rolled to a stop, and the driver silenced the asthmatic motor and announced in a chipper voice, “We are here.”
“Thank you, God.” Spencer slid open the rusty door and scrambled from the vehicle.
The other passengers climbed out and looked around. A weathered wooden sign reading Tacos pointed to a run-down convenience store. Beside it sat a booth with woven ponchos, sombreros, and souvenirs.
Madeleine pointed at the colorful display. “Can we go over there?”
“Shopping time,” Althea sang. She and Daisy took Spencer’s daughter to peruse the trinkets.
Spencer took stock of their surroundings with a wary eye. “Are you sure we’re at the right location?”
“One hundred percent.” Emily pointed at an overgrown path running alongside the store. “That trail will lead us to the waterfall. Few tourists venture this way because it’s so secluded, but our guide assured me it’s worth the walk. Right, Fernando?”
“Yes.” The young man winked at Emily. “You will see something amazing if you follow the trail.”
Abby observed the rutted track through the grass and motioned to Emily’s cane. “Can you handle the uneven ground?”
“Don’t worry about me.” She waved her stick in the air. “I just keep this with me to make Dr. Grant happy.”
“Here.” Abby moved closer and looped her arm around Emily’s. “Let’s walk together.”
“Daddy, look!” Madeleine ran up with a pink wooden step stool. Paintings of bright purple orchids adorned the top.
Daddy?
Spencer’s heart skipped a beat. Maybe two. It was the first time his daughter had called him that since the divorce.
He lowered himself to her level and examined the purchase with care. “How colorful. What’s it for?”
“To stand on.” She pouted like he should have already known.
Abby gave her a thumbs-up. “What a smart buy, Maddie. You can use it to reach the sink when you brush your teeth.”
His daughter hugged the stool tight. “And I can sit on it. And use it as a table for my doll.”
“I hope you don’t mind.” Daisy joined them. “I promised to buy her a gift, and that’s what she picked.”
“I don’t mind.” Spencer straightened. “Here, Madeleine.” He took the stool. “I’ll carry it for you.”
“I wish my grandson was here.” Althea walked over with a plastic bag swinging at her side. “I found something Jayshawn will love. His birthday’s in a few weeks.” She pulled an oval wooden mask from the bag and held it up.
Gerry yelped at the garish red disguise with black circles painted under the eyes and half-rotted teeth sticking from the bottom. “That thing is ugsome.”
