“Almost. We have to return to pick up the completed paperwork in three days. They have to run checks, make sure we’re who we say we are and all that jazz. But less about me. You need to explain that strange conversation earlier, because you wouldn’t believe the thoughts going through my head.”
“Mine too.” Tyler, his dark hair newly trimmed, cocked a brow as he joined them. “I’ve known Ben since we bunked together in the barracks. I’ve never seen him date a woman, not in all this time.”
“You never asked him why?”
“I figured it was personal.”
“Men. You live by a different set of rules to us.” Such a shame he didn’t know. Some insider information on her elusive bodyguard would have been helpful.
“Yes, but you and I don’t live by those rules.” Lydia nudged her. “Spill.”
“Not much to spill. Ben’s definitely not into relationships, so we’ve agreed to some fun.” The wind blew her hair across her face and she tucked it behind her ears.
“Fun is good.” Lydia nodded. “And Ben couldn’t be more trustworthy. So where are you off to?”
“The doctor’s office. Thought I’d get a quick checkup.”
“Did you want me to come?”
“I want to take a walk on my own and finish tossing those unnecessary fears of mine aside.”
“Great, then go forth, demolish and destroy.”
“Tyler is rubbing off on you. I’ll catch you later.” She chuckled and bit into her peach.
Foamy waves rolled in and beat against the thick round pillar posts as she walked on, a soothing swish that further settled her. Seagulls squawked overhead as they circled for fish and the delighted squeals of children playing in the surf rang in her ears. Her fears continued to settle. Yes, the Hyena brothers who’d been after her and Lydia had both been caught. Mia Taita, the orchestrator behind the contract to take Lydia out, was behind bars with them. This was a regular day, without any killers or maniacs in sight. Justice was being served. She and her sister were finally free to live again.
After marching up the beach, she followed the winding coral sandstone path through the resort’s tropical gardens. Dozens of holidaymakers swam in the three sprawling pools while others relaxed on the surrounding white canvas loungers.
Staff behind the pool bar counter served colorful drinks with cute little umbrellas, and a DJ played music from a nearby coconut frond-roofed shack. Perfect, and so relaxing. She tossed her peach pip into the waste bin then wandered toward the main four-story building ahead.
She trod across a bridged walkway spanning a pond of floating lily pads and croaking frogs. A boy, maybe six or seven, tossed scraps of bread into the water and a swarm of orange and yellow goldfish darted to the surface and gobbled the food.
Three girls darted past to watch the fish feeding and knocked her against the side rail in their haste. She clutched the wooden balustrade.
“Watch out.” A uniformed cleaner pushing a trolley of towels and mops ran into her from behind.
“Ouch.” She grabbed her ankle and hopped on one foot.
“Miss, I’m so sorry.” The woman raced around and gasped, one hand over her mouth. “Oh, you’re bleeding.”
“It’s okay.” And nothing close to having a murderer chasing her. Although her ankle stung along the jagged edge of the inch long cut. “Do you have a first aid kit?”
“Right here somewhere.” Tossing starched white linens, she foraged through her trolley.
“Are you all right? I’m Dr. Hika.” A middle-aged dark-skinned man in a crisp cream shirt and tailored beige shorts stopped and hunkered down to inspect her wound. His black springy hair flopped forward over his brow.
“I’m Saria Sands, and I’ll be fine once this gets covered up.” Great. Her first trip out and she’d gotten jittery and hurt herself.
“Here it is.” The cleaner pulled a small red plastic container out of her trolley and passed it to the doctor. “My first aid kit. This is all my fault.”
“No, it’s mine too,” she assured the woman. “It’s not like you were able to stop your cart in time. I’m a nurse. I can handle a little blood.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ll sort this.” The doctor nodded at the cleaner then caught Saria’s elbow. “Are you okay to walk to that bench over there? We need to clear the bridge so others can get by, then I can see to your injury.”
“Yes, and thank you.” Trying not to drip blood on the wooden planks, she hopped with his aid across to a slatted seat beside the pond and sat.
“Sorry, we do try not to harm the tourists visiting our fair land. I particularly don’t like seeing nurses in distress. Are you hurt anywhere else other than your ankle?” The doctor popped the lid on the kit, selected a cotton ball and smeared it with antiseptic cream. He wiped the wound then applied a thick plaster. “You were holding your hip.”
“I knocked into the railing.” She rubbed her side. “It’s fine. No harm done there.”
“You seem a little pale.”