Love and Fire (5 page)

Jake
lifted his eyebrows and spoke around his dumpling.  “What
did
you do?” 

“I
was a boring secretary.” 

“That’s
not boring.  Look I have to ask, because I can’t figure it out.”  He paused and
laughed.  “How old
are
you?” 

“How
rude!”  She teased.

Jake
put his hangs up in surrender.  “It’s just that you look younger than I think
you actually are.” 

“Thank
you.  I’m forty eight.  I’ll be forty nine in July.” 

“Yes,
you are older than I thought.  I wasn’t even sure if you were my age.” 

The
moment of truth. 
“And you are how old?” 

“Forty
five.” 

Not
too bad. 
Tammy lifted her cup towards him.  “To single people
in their forties!” 

He
lifted his as well and touched it to hers.  “To single people in their forties
finding each other on stupid cruises!” 

They
both laughed until tears came to their eyes. 

Jake
touched Tammy lightly on the elbow as they stepped to the railing to look out
at the sea.  The moon had just risen over the water, and the outline of clouds
could still be seen.  It was the same deck and part of the railing that Jake
had been brooding at the night before.  His mood was exceptionally better this
night. 

“Tomorrow
we take port at San Juan.” 

“Yes. 
I’m looking forward to it.” 

He
eyed her suspiciously.  “You don’t seem very excited.” 

A
sigh escaped her lips before she could stop it.  “I am, it’s just that I
haven’t traveled much, and what little I did was with my husband.”  She glanced
at him shyly before continuing.  “I guess I’m a little nervous.” 

“Then
why don’t we explore together?” 

Tammy
pursed her lips and tried to formulate what she wanted to ask.  She didn’t want
to offend him, and she certainly didn’t want to seem as if she had an
inferiority complex. 
But don’t you? 
She turned her body slightly so
she was facing him.  “Why do you have this interest in me?” 

Jake
nodded his head slightly and looked down at his feet.  “I get it.” 

“You
get what?”

“You
see these younger beautiful woman vying for my attention.  You see me as
something glamorous; something unattainable, right?” 

“Honestly,
yes.” 

Jake
turned towards the sea and pointed into the sky.  “Look the first stars are
appearing.” 

Tammy
followed his pointing finger with her eyes, but didn’t understand the sudden
change of subject.  Maybe she had offended him. 

Jake
turned his head and looked at Tammy’s profile.  Her head was tilted upward, her
eyes scanning the sky.  She was beautiful.  His heart ached for her.  She had
been hurt.  Deeply hurt. 
And it’s no different than what you’ve done to
women in the past.  Especially Paola. 
“Tammy, I noticed you last night
right away.  I think you’re a beautiful woman.  I’m tired of the type of women
I usually attract.  I prefer someone more…real I guess.” 

Tammy
let her head drop, but she didn’t look at him.  “We can tour San Juan
tomorrow…together…but understand that I’m not looking for a one night stand, or
some silly cruise fling.  We will just be two new friends out seeing the
sights.” 

Jake
smiled.  “I think that’s a fine start.” 

The
next morning was hot.  The sun was a blazing ball of fire in the sky.  Tammy
was sure they had entered the doldrums the way the air remained so still.  “I
thought tropical places almost always had at least a light breeze.”  Her mouth
formed a puckered frown.  

Jake
could only laugh.  “Not always.”  He appreciated the outfit Tammy had on.  It
was a blue tank top and matching shorts.  She had worn her Nikes again.  What
he liked best was her hair pinned up and the oversized sunglasses she wore. 
She looked like a movie star trying to hide her identity from the paparazzi. 

The
tour guide called from a bullhorn for all those taking the tour to follow her. 
Jake looked at Tammy quizzically.  “Shall we do the tour?” 

Tammy
shrugged.  “Might as well.  Have you ever been here?” 

“Once.”

“Of
course you have.” 

Jake
smirked and followed her to the back of the small crowd that was congregating. 
The tour guide was explaining that they would board a bus in the next ten
minutes that would begin their, “exciting and riveting adventure in sunny
Puerto Rico!”  Tammy had grabbed one of the brochures and fanned herself
lightly with it.  A sickening feeling came over her as a familiar voice called
from behind them.  She glanced at Jake.  His jaw tensed and he closed his eyes. 
Before he could even speak, Christy popped her head around his shoulder. 

“Hi,
Jake!  Are you taking the tour?”  Christy was wearing a hot pink bikini top and
shorts. 
Of course she’s wearing pink.
  Her hair had been braided in two
pigtails that clung to her scalp before falling to her shoulders.  Sloan
stepped up behind her in an identical outfit, except she wore black.  Her much
shorter hair was simply pulled back with a headband. 

“We
were considering it.”  Jake said and indicated Tammy with his hand.  I think
you ladies met at the Captain’s dinner. 

The
two women stared at Tammy for a moment before dismissing her without even
uttering a word.  Tammy had never seen young women as rude as the two of them. 

“Maybe
we should all go together then.”  Christy tried to pucker her lips in a perfect
pout.  It was probably the one she used to get her way with other men.  Tammy
held her breath and waited for Jake’s response.  “You know, we were considering
it, but I think
Tammy and I
will see some sights on our own.”  Jake
touched her lightly on the arm indicating that they were going to walk away. 
He turned his head slightly and spoke to them as they were walking away.  “But
you ladies have a nice tour on the bus!” 

Tammy
looked back at the women as she and Jake began walking away.  His hand was
still on her arm.  The two women were giving them scathing looks.  She wished
she hadn’t seen Sloan bend her head towards Christy and whisper without taking
her eyes off of Tammy. 

“So
what does it say?” 

“Well,
this cathedral is the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.  It’s the second oldest
cathedral in the Americas.  It holds the tomb of the conquistador Juan Ponce de
Leon.” 

Jake
stared up at the gleaming white building.  “Ok, let’s go in.” 

Tammy
was enthralled with the beauty of the cathedral.  The sanctuary was decorated
in gold and white with impossibly high vaulted ceilings.  Tammy felt an
immediate sense of peace when she entered.  Jake must have felt it too, because
they didn’t talk the entire time they were in the cathedral.  Not even when
they came to the tomb of Ponce de Leon. 

The
day was still bright and hot when they exited the cathedral.  Jake squinted
into the sky and looked at his watch.  “Where to now?” 

Tammy
shrugged and looked around.  “I wish we had of opted to go to the Rio Camuy
Caves Park.” 

“A
cool cave sounds good right about now.”  Jake smiled at her.  “So, let’s go.” 

She
consulted her map and frowned.  “Jake, it’s an hour away.” 

“So? 
We don’t have to be back to the ship until ten o’clock!  We have plenty of
time.”  Before Tammy could consent or protest, Jake was on his cell phone
calling someone called Maxwell. 

“Who
is that?” 

“At
the book signing did you see a nerd wearing a bowtie?” 

Tammy
nodded slowly.

“That’s
Maxwell, my agent.” 

“How
is he helping us get to the caves?” 

“He’s
still on the ship.  Touring is not his forte, anyway, he’ll make it happen.  We
just need to sit tight for a little bit.” 

Tammy
was not used to things happening that way.  She had never known anyone that was
famous enough to snap their fingers and just have whatever they requested
presented to them.  She glanced at Jake’s profile.  He seemed completely at
ease.  He didn’t seem impatient and testy.  He had made that phone call for
her.  Maybe she shouldn’t be so quick to judge. 

“Hey,
there’s a café.  Let’s sit at one of the tables and enjoy something cold.” 

The
little café was more outdoors than in, but it was shaded.  Jake and Tammy
enjoyed shaved ice with lime flavoring.  It was a tasty way to cool down.  Jake
glanced at her as he plunged his spoon into the ice again. 

“Were
you offended that I made that call?” 

“Why
should I be?” 

“I
don’t know, a woman like you might find it pretentious.” 

Tammy
laughed.  “And what
kind
of woman am I?” 

“Down
to earth.” 

She
liked being called down to earth.  It didn’t mean boring, and it didn’t mean
“gold digger”.  She gave him an appreciative nod of the head. 

A
car cruised slowly towards them and stopped near the table they were sitting
at.  A tall man got out of the driver’s seat and called out to them.  “Mr.
Butler?” 

“Yeah!” 
He responded and stood.  “Do you want to finish your ice?” 

Tammy
shoved a final spoonful in her mouth quickly and handed him the near empty
container with a shake of the head. 

The
driver made pleasant conversation with them as they travelled to the cave
park.  Maxwell had made a few quick calls and had ordered the car and driver. 
Luckily he was a native Puerto Rican, and not a ship employee.  He definitely
knew the roads. 

When
they arrived, Jake handed him a folded bill.  “I’ll have another one of these
for you, if you wait here for us.” 

They
man palmed the bill and smiled.  “Of course.”  His English was impeccable. 

Tammy
waited for Jake to buy their tickets while the driver explained that they would
tour the park by trolley.  “You won’t be disappointed.”  

“I’m
sure I won’t.  Have you ever seen them?”

“Si,
many times.” 

Jake
returned and handed her a ticket.  “Next trolley leaves in fifteen minutes.” 

“We
were just in time!”  Tammy smiled. 

Tammy
wished she had brought her camera with her.  It was sitting in her suitcase
doing absolutely no good.  The things she saw in the caves were interesting and
beautiful.  Her favorite was the “fountain of youth”.  It was a fresh spring of
water that some people found good to drink.  Neither she nor Jake partook from
the water for fear of dysentery, but it was delightful to watch some of the
native children splashing the water in their faces with glee.  At that moment
Tammy missed her children being small.  She missed the innocence; the joy found
in such a small thing. 

By
the time they returned to the car, Tammy was exhausted.  It was only three
o’clock, but all she wanted was a nap. 

“Tired?” 

“Yes.”

“Take
a nap on the way back.  There’s still so much to see.”

“I
may sound like a stick in the mud, party pooper or whatever, but all I really
want to see right now is the inside of my cabin.” 

Jake’s
face went slack.  “I was hoping to take you to a place I know about for dinner.”

“I
thought we were just seeing the sights together.”

He
nodded.  “Yeah, and this place is one of the sights I would like you to see.” 

Tammy
couldn’t help but smile.  “Where is it?” 

“Close
to port.  I’m sure Jay here would be more than happy to drive us.”

“Si
senor.  More than happy.” 

Jake
discreetly handed him the promised bill with a sly smile.  “See, it’s all taken
care of.” 

“I…don’t
know.”

“Where
are you wanting to take her?” 

“
Casa
de Fuego.
”

Jay’s
eyes lit up and he began doing something that looked like steps from a salsa
dance.  “Ah!  Muy bien!  Great food and better dancing!” 

“See,
it has his stamp of approval.” 

Jay
grabbed Tammy by the hand and pulled her into him.  He began dancing
rhythmically and twirled her before letting her go. 

I
haven’t been dancing in years.
  “Okay, okay!”  She
laughed.  “I’ll go, but I need to find something suitable to wear, so I have to
go back for at least a little while.” 

“Sold!” 
Jake said and opened the car door for her.  “See, fun isn’t so hard now is
it?” 

Tammy
grimaced.  She had told Melissa that she would absolutely
not
be
dancing.  Melissa
and
Demetria thought it was ridiculous.  She needed
help and fast, but she would
not
call her daughters for it.  “I told you
so” was not a phrase she wanted to hear right then.  There would be time enough
for that when she returned home.