Page 15 of St. Lucia Escapades
“I take it you enjoyed the stew.” Amelia chuckled, shaking Moira’s hand.
“Aye, it was delicious. I can’t wait to try it when I get back home for my parents. We meet every Sunday for dinner. I know my Da will love it.” Moira nodded.
“What have you two been up to today?” Amelia questioned.
“We just got back from seeing the nature center. Now, we’re trying to decide where to have lunch.” Cord answered.
“Why don’t you two come home with me and I’ll fix you up something.” Amelia suggested.
“Oh Amelia, we don’t want to impose…” Moira began.
“It’s no imposition dear. I insist.” Amelia argued.
Just like that, Amelia led Cord and Moira away from the market toward her house. Cord hadn’t had the chance to really pay attention to the house the day before, but he did now. Amelia’s house was charming. It was an older style island bungalow. Open, airy, and well maintained. Amelia told Cord and Moira to have a seat at the breakfast nook in the kitchen as she set about preparing lunch.
“Now Moira, tell me a bit about yourself.” Amelia said.
“I’m an author. I write romance and romantic suspense.”
Amelia paused and studied Moira a bit more closely, “Wait, you’re Moira Donovan. Now I recognize you. I own several of your books. You are an exceptionally talented writer.”
Cord found it sweet when he saw Moira blush slightly at the older woman’s praise. It appeared that Moira wasn’t used to being recognized by her readers unless perhaps she was at some author event. This endeared her even more to him. Despite her success as a writer, she wasn’t jaded by it. As Moira and Amelia got to know each other, he just sat there beside Moira taking in the scene before him.
Moira
Moria felt blissfully exhausted as she exited her shower. After spending the day with Cord visiting the nature center and then lunch with Amelia, Cord had dropped her off at her condo and then headed to his own. She never would have imagined when she took this trip that she would meet someone like Cord, let alone the feelings that were beginning to develop for the bar owner. He checked off all her boxes in what she wanted in a man. He was smart, successful, caring, handsome, and unselfish.
She slipped on her cotton pajamas and headed for the kitchen for a glass of wine. After Cord dropped her off, she ordered take-out and did a bit more writing as she ate. Now, with a glass of wine she walked out onto the deck to enjoy the evening. In the far distance she saw flashes of light, indicating a storm rolling in. Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone. Glancing at the id, she saw it was her mom. Smiling, she answered.
“Hello mom.”
“Hello M'iníon. How are you enjoying St. Lucia?”
“Oh Ma, I’m so glad you, Da, Sean and Laura picked this place. It’s so beautiful and magical at the same time. The flowers here are amazing and then there’s the food. Speaking of food, I got a recipe from a local woman I’m going to cook for you and Da. It was delicious and I know you two will love it.”
Maureen laughed,“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I know you took your laptop, have you done any writing?”
“Aye, I’ve been working on that project I told you about a few months ago. This place has been such an inspiration.” Moira answered.
She opened her mouth but paused. She had almost told her mom about meeting Cord, but something inside her told her not to. It wasn’t like Moira to keep secrets from her mom, but for some reason she couldn’t quite bring herself to speak about Cord. She listened as her mother talked about what was going on back in DC, fighting the gnawing guilt that was trying to creep in. No, she would tell her mom about Cord, but not now. Maybe when she got home, she would.
“Have you and Da made anymore plans regarding your retirement?” Moira asked, changing the subject.
“No, not really. Your Da and I still have a few more weeks before we have to submit anything final. I promise you darlin’, once we decide we will tell ya’ and Seany.”Maureen laughed.
Moira and Maureen chatted for a few more minutes before Maureen said good night and hung up. Moira sat there sipping her wine thinking over her decision to not mention Cord O’Brien. Was she afraid her mother wouldn’t approve? No, it couldn’t be that. Her parents had always supported her choices, and this would be no different. The best Moira could figure, it was that more along the lines of fear of self-sabotage. Almost as if she spoke of the amazing time, she was having being with Cord would ruin it somehow.
When she heard the first rumblings of thunder, she decided it was better to head in. She picked up her phone and wineglass and walked inside. Not ten minutes after returning inside and closing the windows, the first drops of rain started. Standing at the deck doors, she watched the storm roll in. Since she was a child, Moira had loved watching storms. There was something magical about the lightning, thunder and rain swirling together. The anger, the violence and yes, the beauty of it was a perfect symphony. When the storm was done raging, the world always seemed cleaner and fresher somehow. Turning from the doors, Moira moved to the couch and picked up the book she had brought to read and was soon lost in the book as the storm raged outside.
Chapter 7
Cord
Cord stood outside the shop where he and Moira had agreed to meet the night before. For the last week now, he and Moira had spent it together. Either he went to her condo or she went to his for breakfast and coffee. After that, they would walk through the village just taking in the sites. A few days ago, Moira had told him about the list that her friend Roxi had given her of things to do and see on the island. So far, they had checked off six things from the list. They were planning on hiking through Pigeon National Park and exploring Fort Rodney.
Moira had told him she loved hiking. During college, she and Roxi had gone hiking whenever they had the chance. Cord had responded telling her that his family loved being outdoors. Hiking, camping, fishing, whatever they found time to do. He was looking forward to the hike. He had arranged for a picnic lunch to be delivered to the fort and it would be waiting for them after the hike. Today would be their third hike on the island.
“Cord.”
