Love and Fire (9 page)

Jake
closed the door quietly behind the doctor.  Tammy was watching him from under
the covers. 

“I
love how he talked to you about me, but not to me directly.” 

Jake
laughed.  “Yeah, it was a little strange.  He acted like you were a five year
old and I was the parent.”  He sat gently on the edge of the bed and smoothed
some hair away from her forehead.  “I’ll go get you some stuff to drink, then
we can see what movies they have on pay per view.” 

Tammy
shook her head.  “I want you to go ashore.”

“Why?”

“I
don’t want you to miss out on the fun just because I’m sick.  You don’t owe me
anything you know.” 

Jake
couldn’t understand why she was suddenly trying to distance herself from him. 
What had he done wrong? 
You told her about Paola, you fool.
  “I’d
rather just stay here with you.”

Tammy
sighed in frustration.  “Bring the pad of paper from the desk, please.” 

When
Jake handed it to her she wrote her number on one sheet and gave it to him. 
“Write your cell too.  If I need anything, I’ll call.”

Jake
opened his mouth to argue, but changed his mind after seeing such a   determined
look in her tired eyes.  “You better call if you need anything.”  He warned.

“Or
what?”

“Or…I’ll…never
mind.  Okay, I’ll check on you later.” 

“She
nodded and burrowed further under the covers.”

Jake
had been to Saint Maarten before and knew of the best places to shop and eat. 
As with most Caribbean port cities there was a lot of white and splashes of
color.  Voices could be heard constantly yelling about what could be
bargained.  He found a cute kiosk style store that had bright costume jewelry. 
He chose a bracelet made of finely woven thread and beads for Tammy.  He also
picked up several postcards for her.  She had mentioned post cards in Saint
Thomas, but they had forgotten to buy some.  He wandered the streets aimlessly. 
The beauty of the city seemed dull.  He had just wanted to share it with
Tammy.  There wouldn’t be any Valentine’s surprises today. 

He
passed a shop that had paintings on display.  Brightly colored pictures on
canvas displaying various tropical themes.  An idea hit him suddenly, and he
went in to talk to the owner. 

“Girl,
you look terrible!”  Mia said taking a step backwards in the hall.  “I hadn’t
seen you or heard from you, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re little
romance was shaping up.” 

“It
was going fine until I got sick.  I’m actually starting to feel better.”  She
tried to laugh, but coughed instead. 

“I’m
not going to come in now, but I’ll bring you something if you need it.” 

Tammy
shook her head.  “Thanks, Mia, but I’ll be fine.  I’ll stop by the store or
call you as soon as I’m up and around again.” 

“You
better!  I want to hear all about the fun in the sun you’ve had with Jake
Butler!”  She laughed and began walking away. 

Tammy
closed the door, deciding a hot shower would be just the ticket.  Maybe she
would come out feeling like a new woman. 

She
had stood under the hot water for over twenty minutes.  She did feel better and
was just about ready to leave her steamy bathroom when another knock sounded at
her door. 
Popular today! 
She was still a little unsteady and the
person knocked two more times before she could make it to the door. 

Jake
was looking irritated as she opened the door.  He had several large bags in his
hands.  He walked past her and placed them on the bed, returning to the hallway
to retrieve one more. 

“What’s
all this?” she asked weakly. 

“Why
aren’t you in bed?” 

Anger
flashed through her hot and bright.  “Because I’m a grown woman, and I can take
a shower if I want!” 

“Sorry.”
He murmured.  “I bought you a few presents.

“Jake
you were supposed to be out enjoying yourself, not shopping for me!”

He
stopped and looked at her.  “Do you know what today is?” 

“Yes,
it’s Valentine’s Day.  I’m not a big fan.”

“Neither
am I, but I had wanted
this
one to be different for both of us.”

“I
hope there’s not a teddy bear in there.”  She said dryly, indicating the bags
on the bed. 

“Nope,
no teddy bears.  Here sit down and open your presents.  You still look
ghastly.” 

Tammy
gratefully sat back down.  She opened the two small bags first.  The little
bracelet made her smile.  “Wow, it’s beautiful!  Oh and you found me some
postcards!  Thank you!” 

Jake
sat at the desk chair and eagerly waited for her to open the two larger bags. 

Tammy’s
eyes grew big as she looked into the first one.  There was a small table top
easel and two different sized sketch pads.  There were pencil and charcoal
drawing sets as well as various erasers and a nice pen and ink box. 

“I
really wanted to buy paints and canvas, but I didn’t think that would go over
so well with airport security.” 

“Jake,
thank you so much.  I really don’t know what to say.”

“Just
say you will draw and paint again.  Draw now and paint when you go home.  There
are some brushes in there too for after you’re back in Orange.” 

She
nodded and touched the largest sketch pad reverently.  It was time.  “I
promise.”  

“Ok,
open the other bag.” 

She
looked inside and found various items.  There were seashell jewelry, a few
scarves, and surprisingly two boxed men’s watches, as well as an entire
assortment of little knick knacks and refrigerator magnets.  She laughed and
tilted her head to the side in confusion.  “These things are great, but I don’t
get it; men’s watches?” 

“Today
was our last chance at a port city.  We’ll be at sea for the next two days. 
You had mentioned before about shopping for your daughters.  I assumed they are
married, or at least have someone in their lives.  I just picked up a few
things for you.  Of course you get first pick on anything there.” 

Tammy
looked down at the assortment.  He had tried to do thoughtful things for her. 
She could feel emotion welling up in her.  She couldn’t remember a time in the
past ten years that Gleason had shown that kind of consideration.  She looked
into his brown eyes and smiled.  “Thank you.”

His
face registered alarm and he moved to the bed.  “Hey don’t cry!”

“Don’t
worry, it’s not sad tears.” 

“Oh.” 
Forty five years on the earth and Jake still couldn’t understand why women
cried at good situations as well as bad.  He began to feel uncomfortable.  “So,
some of the knick knacks are wrapped, but a few will need to be packed
carefully with your clothes.”

“I’m
not sure how I’m going to take all of the extra stuff home.  I just had the one
suitcase and carryon, and that was bulging when I arrived.” 

“The
gift shop carries small suitcases for just that problem.” 

“Okay.” 
She laid back on the bed.  Her energy was waning, but at least she didn’t feel
like she was going to throw up again.

“You
should rest some more.  Do you want something to drink?” 

“I’ll
just finish my water.”  She grabbed a half full bottle from the bedside table
and took a few tentative sips from it. 

She
did allow him to stay a while after, but insisted he go on to dinner without
her.  She still couldn’t shake the feeling that something very wrong was about
to happen. 

Jake
decided to go to the small casino that was onboard.  Under normal circumstances
he would have spent most of his time there, getting drunk and playing his
luck.  Now he just wanted a diversion from worrying about Tammy. 

The
casino was packed.  He wondered if it had been this way for the entire cruise. 
He took a seat at the roulette table and gave his drink order to a waiter that
appeared as soon as he sat down.  He noticed the blonde Christy across the room
hanging on some man that looked Middle Eastern. 
Well good for her, I hope
he’s an oil tycoon.  One out of my hair at least.
 Seeing Christy was a
portent of evil.  Before he could play his second round of Roulette, Sloan
appeared at his elbow. 

“Are
you winning?” 

“Just
started.”  He replied gruffly.  “What do you want?”

“I’m
here to bring you luck.”  She whispered in his ear. 

The
attendant for the table looked at the two of them and raised his eyebrows. 
Jake glared at him. 

“You
going to spin this thing or what?” 

“Yes,
sir.” 

Jake
watched the ball bounce and finally land on the number he had chosen. 
Good,
I’m a grand richer, maybe I can buy this annoyance a date.
 

“See? 
I am good luck!” 

Jake
reached for his glass of scotch only to find that it wasn’t there. 

“Oh,
sorry I moved it.”  Sloan said with a smile.  No one thought it odd, including
Jake the way she moved her hand over the top as she slid it to him and them
wiped her palm across the hip of her dress. 

Jake
downed the drink in one big gulp and motioned for the waiter to bring another. 
He played several more rounds before his vision became blurred.  Everything
began to tilt and sway.  Sloan leaned in to him, she was saying something but
he couldn’t understand. 

“I’ll
just take him to his room.”  She said to the attendant.  “Guess he can’t hold
his alcohol.” 

“My
money…”  Jake murmured. 

“Oh
yes, let’s not forget your precious money.”  She said and helped him to the
cash out booth.  Jake could barely collect.  People stared as they left the
casino. 

“Come
on now, Jake, you’ve got to help me a little.”  It was harder than Sloan
thought it was going to be to get him to his room.  She thought maybe she
shouldn’t have used an entire crushed roofie on him.  Once they were at his
room she dug in his pocket until she found his card.  She had to practically
drag him inside and into the bedroom part of his suite.  She pushed him onto
his bed and smiled down at him.  He groggily looked up at her as she slipped
the sleeves of her dress off of her shoulders.  Her dress fell to her ankles
exposing her full breasts. 

Jake
stared opened mouthed at her.  “You’re so…purty…”  He mumbled. 

“Yes,
I am.”  She smiled.  She took a camera from her purse and set it on the bedside
table. 

Tammy
ordered more chicken noodle soup and was feeling much better.  By nine o’clock
she just needed to get out of her room.  She felt like she had been a little
rude to Jake, but hoped he was somewhere on board having a good time.  She
wanted to see him but decided to wait until at least eleven to call him. 

She
tried several times to reach him, without an answer.  When she looked back on
it later, she couldn’t explain what made her decide to go to his cabin.  She
guessed she just missed him, which was dangerous all by itself. 

Tammy
found his room and knocked.  She could hear movement on the other side of the
door, and prepared a sweet smile on her face for him.  He would be so pleased
she was up and moving around. 

When
the door opened, Tammy’s smile faded. What she saw was like a slap to her face. 
The air was sucked out of her lungs.  Sloan answered the door with tousled
hair, wrapped in a sheet. 

“What?” 
She snapped.  When Tammy couldn’t answer, she continued on.  “Oh you want to
see Jake?  Well, he’s a little busy.  I imagine he’ll be busy for the rest of
the night.” 

Tammy
jumped slightly as the door slammed.  She turned numbly and started back for
her room.  Tears blurred her vision and she ran into a man that was walking ahead
of her. 

“Hey! 
Watch it!”  He saw fat tears running down her face, and softened his voice. 
“Are you okay?  Do you need anything?” 

Tammy
shook her head violently and pushed past him.  Once she was back in her room,
she stared open mouthed at everything there.  She snapped her mouth shut and
laid across her bed sobbing. 

Jake
awoke with a pounding headache, and no idea why he was in his bed naked.  He
could hear the shower was on in the bathroom.  He hoped Tammy was in there, but
the sickening feeling in his stomach said that she was not.  He found his
underwear and slipped them on before he entered the bathroom.  The shower
curtain slid aside to reveal Sloan. 

“Want
some more?” 

Rage
filled him, rage and embarrassment. 
What have I done? 
He wished he
knew for sure, but his last memory was her approaching him at the roulette
table the night before.  His hands were shaking as pointed at her.  “Get the
hell out of my room.”  She tried to give him an alluring smile and step out of
the shower towards him.  “
NOW!
” he screamed.  It was little consolation
when she nearly jumped out of her skin.  He followed her into the bedroom to
make sure she didn’t take his wallet or anything else of his with her.  She was
grabbing her clothes and putting them on as quickly as she could.  A clutch
hand bag was laying on the bedside table and Jake saw it the same time she
did.  He knocked her out of the way and dumped its contents on the bed.  All
that was in there was her room card a disposable camera, and some kind of pill.