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Chapter One

ISLAND SUNRISE

Excuse me, but where are you going? This isn't the right way!"

    The drums from an island jingle blaring through the radio rattled Ashley Simmons's brain. Tension filled the muscles of her neck and shoulders. "Hello? Are you listening to me?" She tapped the man on the arm. "Hey, do you speak English? Where are you going?"

    Through the rearview mirror, the cab driver grinned at her with a set of teeth that appeared not to have seen a toothbrush in months. She fought off the chill racing through her. "This isn't the right way," she complained again, scanning the map before her. "You're taking some coastal road and not the most direct route to the resort."

    At that moment, the cab veered around a sharp bend in the road. She slammed against the door, knocking her head into the window. A bag fell to the floor, dumping possessions onto the soiled carpeting. The tension in her muscles now turned into a full-blown headache.

    "Sorry." He grinned again before erupting into a song native to the island.

    Ashley righted herself before picking up magazines, a cosmetic bag, a hairbrush, and camera and stuffing them back inside the bag. "Obviously this guy thinks he can take advantage of a tourist," she mumbled, shaking back her shoulder-length blond hair. "I've got news for him." She inhaled and announced, "I guess I'm going to have to report you to your boss."

    The grin grew evenwider, spreading from one side of the rearview mirror to the other. "George the boss." He patted the dashboard. "This is George's cab."

    "Then I'll complain to this George and tell him how you rip off visitors by taking them on some out-of-the-way route." Ashley gritted her teeth and stared out the window. She had not been on this island more than an hour, and she already had mixed feelings. Nothing had gone right since that morning when the phone jarred her awake from a sound sleep. It was her sales manager, Todd Alderman, calling from an inflight phone, inquiring of her whereabouts. Ashley dashed to the itinerary lying on the kitchen table, only to discover that she'd missed the early morning flight to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    "How could I have done this?" she groaned. "I've never been late for anything in my life!" As a successful businesswoman in the area of sales, Ashley prided herself in her accomplishments that stemmed from an orderly life. Everything had to be just right, including her clothes, her hair, and her schedule for the day. The car was always neatly packed for a day of sales, with brochures and samples stored away in crates and bags. To Ashley, missing the flight was like dropping an expensive crystal goblet on a cement floor. It shattered her image.

    Her manager, Todd, had taken it all in stride, joking that Ashley must already be in vacation mode to have overslept. He booked her on another flight and called back with the new schedule, promising to meet up with her at the resort when she arrived.

    "If there's a penalty with the airlines, just dock it from my pay," she'd told him.

    "No way. You earned this trip, Ash. I promised everyone in the sales force that if they exceeded their sales goal, I would foot the bill for this vacation. That's what you did. You, Sylvia, Troy, and Mac made our group number one in the company."

    "We should really thank all those sweet kids in the schools for selling like they did," Ashley had mused. "And the teachers for signing me on to help with their fund-raising. Too bad they can't get the free trip to St. Thomas."

    "Someone had to be behind their success. You motivated them to sell once you had the contract in hand. You did it all. At this rate, you'll make President's Club by the national meeting for sure. You know how prestigious that is."

    Ashley twisted a thin strand of blond hair around one finger, pondering Todd's words, which made her glow with confidence, She enjoyed her job as a sales representative, initiating fund-raising programs in which students sold items off slick sales brochures to earn money for trips, scholarships, equipment, and necessities the teachers required. The kids and teachers were great to work with, and their enthusiasm showed in the vast amounts of money they raised. Ashley owed much of her success to the knowledge that Todd imparted to her. She thought for a moment about tall, dark-haired Todd and his winning smile. She'd learned a great deal since the company chose him to be her sales manager two years ago. Without him, she wouldn't be enjoying the success that helped her purchase her own home with the proceeds from last year's bonus. Many times, Todd had left his own sales territory to attend fund-raising kickoffs with her. He'd stood with her during the presentations before teachers and students, helping her initiate the programs. Not only was he a valuable teacher, but a selfless friend.

    A bump in the road jarred her back into the reality of the never-ending cab ride. She breathed a sigh of relief when the cab finally turned into the long drive of the resort hotel. It was lined with waving palm trees and tropical flowers. A fountain sprayed water high into the air. The cab pulled to a stop before the lobby doors. The man turned in his seat, displaying a grin that reminded her of a ripe banana.

    "We're here," he said in glee.

    "It's about time," Ashley muttered, sliding out of her seat to fetch her bags from the trunk. Golden rays of bright Caribbean sunlight pierced through the sunshades she wore. She already felt her skin reacting to the intense heat and made a mental note to slather on the suntan lotion as soon as she could find it in her bag.

    The cabbie held out his grimy hand. "Thirty dolla, lady. Thirty dolla, please."

    Ashley gaped at him. "Thirty dollars for a cab ride? Are you crazy?"

    "Thirty dolla," he repeated.

    "Look, that so-called ride wasn't worth a dollar. A trip from the airport is only supposed to take twenty minutes. It's been nearly an hour. Not only that, but you hit every pothole and flew around the curves." Ashley flipped her hair with a huff. "If I'd wanted a roller coaster ride, I would've taken my vacation at an amusement park. I'll give you ten bucks. That's it."

    The cheerful face of the cabbie deteriorated into a snarl. "Thirty dolla," he repeated.

    "And I told you that—"

    "Trouble?" asked a friendly voice behind Ashley. She whirled to find a tall man standing behind her, decked out in shorts, a baby blue polo shirt, and sunglasses. He gripped an overnight bag. Ashley exhaled a sigh of relief, thankful the inquirer was only a fellow vacationer, until he walked up and peered into the cab window. "Hey, George, I thought that was you. What's up?"

    The grin appeared once more. "They send you back again, Rick?"

    "Back again, into the deep blue sea. Didn't get enough of it the last time I was here. I tried to hire your cab at the airport, but they said you'd already left. So what's the problem, George?"

    He pointed a finger of accusation at Ashley. "Lady won't pay the fare."

    "How much did you tell her, George?"

    "She's a classy lady of the mainland. First time here. Thought she'd like the nice route by the ocean and the nice views, so ..."

    "How much, George?"

    The cabbie blinked. "Thirty dolla."

    The man smiled. "Now, George, you know it's not more than twenty from the airport to the resort."

    "But I got a family to feed."

    "I know all the stories, George, and I know you. You'll hand over the twenty to your boss and keep the ten for yourself. But if you insist, let the young lady pay you twenty and I'll give you the ten." The man named Rick reached into a back pocket for his wallet and pulled out a ten-dollar bill. "Make sure you spend it on something decent and not a bottle of island rum."

    Ashley watched the exchange in bewilderment, unable to believe what was happening until both men focused on her. She opened her purse and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, keeping one eye trained on Rick, who was now removing her luggage from the trunk of the cab.

    The cabbie cheerfully waved the bills before starting the engine. "Bye, Rick."

    Rick slammed the trunk closed. "Take care, George. And I'm leaving Friday. Flight's at two in the afternoon, so pick me up at twelve noon."

    "Okay. Twelve o'clock, Friday." The cab sped away, leaving an incredulous Ashley staring in disbelief, first at the cab disappearing down the palm-lined drive, then at the man named Rick, who held her luggage in tow.

    "Hey, look, I can take it from here," she said, "unless you want a huge tip like everyone else."

"No tip necessary." Warm ocean breezes ruffled his light brown hair. His tanned skin displayed the many hours he had basked in the island sun.

    "Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. Glad you knew that guy was trying to rip me off."

    "No problem."

    He continued to stare at her, his bag in one hand, as if frozen in place. Ashley wondered if he expected her to pay him back the ten dollars. With a sigh, she picked up the handle to her luggage only to find an eager bellhop ready to whisk her luggage into the lobby. A spacious room, decorated with overstuffed chairs and indoor plants, met her curious gaze. The room opened up to a view of the ocean. Ashley walked over for a glimpse at the waters. Never before had she seen such a sight, as if green and aqua paint had been poured into various parts of the ocean. Waves lapped at the beach sprinkled with vacationers playing in the sand. She inhaled a breath of delight.

    "I'm about ready to dive right in there," acknowledged a familiar voice.

    Ashley whirled to find Rick behind her. His shades were propped on top of his head, revealing a pair of stark green eyes that focused intently on the ocean view.

    "You dive?"

    He nodded. "Scuba dive, that is. This is the place for it. I've done many Pacific dives, especially in Hawaii. I only started diving here in the last year or so. The species of fish and coral found in the Atlantic are quite different from the Pacific."

    "I've never been diving," Ashley commented.

    "What about snorkeling?"

"Once, when I was a kid. Not a pleasant experience. My goggles fogged up and my feet cramped in the fins. I didn't see a thing."

    Rick nodded, plopping his bag into an overstuffed chair. "There are a few tricks to it, but snorkeling is a great way to be introduced to the ocean." He propped a foot on the cushion and rested his arms on one knee. "The first time I looked beneath the ocean, I thought I was visiting an alien world. The spectacular color of the fish, the living coral and plant life ... I couldn't help but thank God for making such a beautiful place. Few people get the opportunity to see it unless they put on the right gear and go."

    Ashley fiddled with the strap to her purse before sidestepping her way to the hotel desk. "Uh, excuse me, but I'd better check in. Nice meeting you." She made her way to the front desk, casting a quick glance over her shoulder at the man who remained where she had left him, drinking in the ocean scenery.

    "A bellhop will take you to your room," the clerk informed her, handing over a plastic card key once Ashley checked in. "Wait by the front doors and he will be by momentarily. Enjoy your stay at the Grand Beach Resort."

    "Thanks," Ashley said, walking toward the revolving doors. Out of the corner of her eye, she scanned the lobby for the man named Rick, but he had vanished. She sighed and headed outdoors to await the transport vehicle, when she noticed Rick walking toward her with a travel bag in his hand.

    "You waiting for transportation?" he asked.

    She nodded. "I guess this is a big place. I didn't realize I would need a lift to my hotel room."

    "It is quite spread out, with three restaurants, two pools, and an exercise area. They rent boats here and even have their own dive shop on the premises."

    Ashley raised an eyebrow. "I guess you would know all about that, being a diving fanatic."

    "It helps having everything in one area. Besides the fact that just up the road there," he said, pointing beyond a row of palm trees to a narrow road that snaked up a hill, "is the best coral reef on this side of the island. Coki Beach. The fish and coral are fantastic."

    "I don't see what's so wonderful about coral," Ashley muttered, more to herself than to the man standing beside her. "The only coral I've ever seen is in my friend's saltwater aquarium. It looked like a hunk of yellow rock with holes in it. Ugly, if you ask me."

    His mouth curved upward into a faint smile. "There are many species of coral. Elkhorn and staghorn coral make formations that look like the antlers of a deer. Fire coral feels like a red-hot ember if you accidentally brush against it ... and then there's brain coral."

    "Brain coral!" Ashley repeated. "Don't tell me an animal left its brain behind."

    "No." He chuckled. "Coral is actually an animal made up of polyps that look like miniature jellyfish or sea anemones. They live together in colonies and secrete calcium carbonate—the same substance found in limestone. It builds up to make different types of coral. When a large amount of coral is deposited, it forms a reef where fish live."

    Ashley pondered this new information with interest until a vehicle, reminiscent of a golf cart but twice the size, zoomed to a stop before them. Ashley stared in amazement when Rick forged ahead and picked up her bags from the bellhop's cart, carefully placing them in the rear of the vehicle. "After you," he said, gesturing to a seat with a wave of his bronze-colored hand. He then occupied the seat directly in front of her, draping a long, muscular arm across the back of the seat. "By the way, I'm Rick Adams."

    "Ashley Simmons."

    "So are you here on vacation?"

    "Yes. A reward from my manager. I had a great year in sales. Fund-raising projects, like everything else, seem to be reaping the benefit of this great economic boom."

    "You like being in sales?"

    "Love it. I get to meet lots of fascinating people. The kids can be obnoxious at times, though."

    Rick raised an eyebrow. "Kids?"

    "I help organize fund-raising projects for area schools," she explained. "So that means traipsing into schoolrooms and getting kids to sell candles, candy, and wrapping paper."

    "Oh, that kind of sales. I've had a few kids knock on my apartment door in recent years."

    "I'm the one to blame. I'm guessing you're here to play with fish and brains, right?"

    He laughed with a heartiness that sent tingles shooting through Ashley. "Would you believe that I'm paid to play with fish? I'm a marine biologist. I study the oceanic environment, note the habitats, and examine aquatic behavior. Over the last year or so, I've come here to dive in the Caribbean. Most of my previous dives were in the Pacific."

    "So you dive to find out if the fish are good or bad—is that it?"

    "Right. Also to see if pollutants are affecting reproduction or the life span of the fish."

    "Sounds like a one-in-a-million job. At least you get to enjoy a tropical paradise while you're at it."

    "It does have its benefits."

    "Room 101," the driver announced, slipping out of his seat to help with the baggage.

    "That's me," Ashley said.

    "I got the bag," Rick told the driver. He leaped from the vehicle and offered Ashley his hand. Ashley was taken aback by the gesture, then placed her hand in his and jumped out of the vehicle.

    "Chivalry is not dead, even among fish lovers," she teased.

    He said nothing but took out all the bags, then tipped the driver. Ashley blinked when Rick picked up his own bags, wondering where he was going. "Well ... uh, thanks for your help."

    "Sure. Anytime. Have fun on your vacation."

    "Have fun with your fish and that brain ... whatever." Ashley headed for the door of her room. Rick followed before swerving to the right at the last minute and inserted his key card into Room 102. Ashley nearly lost her breath when they disappeared into their respective rooms. She hardly took the time to examine the amenities of the room before flopping down on the luxurious queen-size bed to mull over the encounter. "What a guy," she murmured, "and he's staying right next door to me!" At that moment, she imagined herself with Rick, skimming the ocean surface in snorkeling gear, examining the depths below. Fish would bob up from the deep to nibble at their fins. Rick would laugh heartily before sweeping her into his bronze arms and holding her close.

    Just then the phone in her room shrilled.

    "You made it, finally," came a hearty voice.

    "Oh, Todd. Yes, I made it, amazingly enough."

    "You're just in time for a welcome dinner. The five of us are meeting at the Smugglers' Grill in about half an hour. You up for it?"

    "Sure, I'll be ready." Ashley replaced the receiver, still thinking about Rick and wondering what it would be like to play tag in the ocean with the creatures of the deep. The mere thought of a gigantic brain coral, pulsating with life, sent chills racing up her spine. "No way would I ever be caught diving or snorkeling," she began out loud, "or maybe I would. Just how many brains does one get to see in a lifetime?"

Heirloom Brides
Four Romantic Novellas Linked by Family and Love

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By Kristin Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Gina Fields and Cathy Marie Hake
Illustrated by Maxi Goering

Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Copyright © 2001 Kristin Billerbeck (Bayside Bride), Colleen Coble (Wedding Quilt Bride), Gina Fields (The Persistent Bride), Cathy Marie Hake (Button String Bride). All rights reserved.