Passion in Paradise (3 page)

The ferry chugged on toward the airport. Then, suddenly, the engine went silent and the boat came to a stop in the water. “Uh oh,” the guide said under his breath.

“
Uh oh? What do you mean, uh oh,” Penny snapped.

The ferry began to drift in the strong ocean currents as smoke billowed from the engine room.

Penny watched the smoke rise. “That can’t be good.”

She called out to a crewman. “Excuse me, sir? I hate to be a pest, but are we on fire?” she nervously asked.

“
The ferry is old. This happens sometimes. They have to call a mechanic from shore,” The guide answered her.

“
And how long will that take?”

“
He should be here in about five minutes.”

“
Well, that’s a relief.” Penny replied, checking her watch.

“
Then, it will take him at least an hour to fix it.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What?! You can’t do this to me! I’m supposed to be sitting in seat 3C in forty-five minutes!”

After what seemed like an eternity of floating adrift in the ocean, Penny had resigned herself to the fact that she was not getting on her flight. She had a great view of the airport runaway as her plane took off without her. “Bye-bye. Say hello to Iowa for me,” she said sarcastically with a dismissive wave.

“
Don’t worry. There is another British Airways flight tomorrow morning at ten.” The guide tried to reassure her.

“
That’s wonderful. I have nowhere to stay so I’ll just camp out at the airport for now.”

When Penny finally arrived at the airport, she went to the ticket counter to see if there was any way she could get on another flight. “I need to get home. Please. Isn’t there any other way?” she pleaded.

“
Miss, you might call the resort and see if they can accommodate you for another night.”

“
I know another way,” A familiar voice said.

Penny spun around. “Nick! Well, isn’t this convenient! She glared at him.

“
I thought you would be happy to see me.”

“
Happy!? You have a lot of nerve coming back here like this! What did you think; that I’d throw myself into your arms again?”

“
The thought had crossed my mind.”

“
You smug bastard!” I’m going home!”

“
Not today, you aren’t. A crowd of onlookers began to form around them. Nick and Penny were once again getting more attention than he wanted. “Why don’t we go somewhere a bit quieter and talk about this,” he suggested. We can go and have some coffee and a sandwich.”

“
You have got to be kidding. Been there…done that. I don’t enjoy eating alone.” Penny stood her ground .“ What are doing here? Are you planning to drag me back to your room again? Sorry! I’ve already been on that ride too!”

Nick composed himself and became serious. “Look. I’m sorry. I deserve everything you said about me. I’ve spent my life on the sea and I’ve never really been good at forming lasting relationships. But I came back for you now for the same reason I came to your room when the riot broke out. I care about you and I want to protect you for the rest of our lives.

“
I didn’t mean to fall in love. It doesn’t fit the lifestyle I planned for myself. But the further I got from you the emptier I felt. Please give me another chance, Penelope. Stay a little longer…I know we can work this out.”

Penny took Nick’s hand in hers. “Oh Nick. Now you really are the man I’ve been waiting for.” They turned to each other and kissed deeply. “How did you find me any way?”

“
It wasn’t too difficult. You told me how long you were staying and it’s not like there are flights out of here every ten minutes.”

“
I thought I would never see you again… I thought I never WANTED to see you again!””

“
I took off… but some things are worth coming back for.”

A warm feeling came over Penny. “I love you Nick.”

He smiled. “So you finally fell for me, did ya.”

“
Are you kidding? You had me at g’day!”

“
Let’s get your luggage and blow this joint, Darlin.”

“
Wait! Oh Nicolas…“I have responsibilities at home…a review that needs to be completed…a job waiting for me…my parents. I have to go back….”

We’ll go there together, Sweetheart. It will just take a bit longer than originally planned.

Nick put his arm around her and they headed back to his yacht. “You do realize it will take much longer to get you home by ship?”

Penny looked into Nick’s eyes and smiled devilishly, “I’m sure we can find some way to pass the time.”