“Sort of. This side of the island isn't really known for its beaches but it's a beautiful drive and I wanted you to be able to relax for a little bit.”
“It was a beautiful drive. Thank you.” She graced him with a smile until her expression changed as she said, “However, now I'm hungry so either we find a nice beach to have our picnic or we find a restaurant because I am starving.”
“I have just the thing, it's not a beach but there's a beautiful meadow where we can spread our blankets and enjoy a little island picnic. Afterwards, we’ll clean up and head back into town for some beach time. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.”
They climbed back into the Jeep and Miles drove a short while before he pulled off road and parked. Off to the right was a small walking path that wound its way through the lush, dense undergrowth of what basically looked like a jungle and Julianna sent Miles a dubious look, saying, “Are you sure about this? What if we’re eaten by…whatever might lurk in jungles?”#p#分页标题#e#
He laughed. “Rest assured, nothing is going to eat us. This used to lead to a sugar plantation in the 1800s but now it’s just a pretty place to enjoy a picnic, I promise.”
“Okay, you’d better be right. If I die, I’ll never forgive you and I swear I will haunt your ass for the rest of your life.”
He mock saluted her. “Duly noted, now let’s get moving. I’m hungry,” he said, reaching out to grasp her hand and help her over a fallen tree. “When you see the meadow, you’ll thank me.”
“I didn’t know there were meadows in the jungle.”
“Perhaps meadow is a generous word. But it’s pretty and flat so we can lay the blanket down without a problem.”
Julianna nodded and decided to just go with it. She was fairly certain Miles wasn’t going to murder her and leave her body for the wild animals but she did feel a bit reckless traipsing about with a relative stranger into an area that looked as if human beings hadn’t visited since the early 19th century. But as they went deeper down the path, flanked by towering trees and big leafy plants, Julianna smiled in wonder at the wild beauty. “Boy, it’s easy to imagine what life was like before technology took over,” she said, her gaze roaming the landscape and breathing in the sweet, humid air. “This is gorgeous.”
“See? I told you you’d like it,” he said, pointing. “It’s just up over that bend. Can you make it?”
She scoffed at his concern. “I’m not made of China. I’m fine. Lead the way.”
He readjusted his pack with an approving grin and pushed on. Within a few minutes they’d crested the small hill and broke the clearing. Julianna sucked in a wild breath, amazed at the untamed lush jungle. True to his word, a small meadow broke the tangle of trees and plants, creating an oasis amid the chaos. “Oh man, you weren’t lying. This is amazing,” she breathed, allowing Miles to take her small backpack and set it down along with his. Julianna did a 360 and giggled with delight at this unexpected find. “You know, this island is nothing short of spectacular but this…wow. How’d you find this?”
“Just tromping around, looking for treasure,” he answered with a playful smile that would’ve melted a lesser woman’s heart.
“Treasure?”
“Hell yeah, St. Thomas used to be a major port of trade and pirates were everywhere in the Caribbean. It’s not as if they used banks to stash their booty. One Spanish medallion could set me up for the rest of my life.”
She laughed. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“As a heart attack,” he answered with mock seriousness until he couldn’t hide his grin, then amended, “Okay, maybe not quite that serious but hey, it could happen, right?”
“I suppose so. Well, even though you haven’t found treasure, this place is pretty damn cool.”
“I’m glad you agree, now let’s get this picnic started, shall we?”
“You read my mind,” she said, her heart light for the first time in weeks. Julianna helped Miles spread the soft blanket and while Miles pulled out their food, Julianna settled herself on the blanket, happy as a clam. This was so sweet of Miles, she thought with a flash of tenderness. He was such a good catch. For someone. What would he think if she told him about her arrangement with Boston? She worried her bottom lip as the black thought threatened to steal her light mood. No, she wasn’t going to let anything ruin this moment. It wasn’t fair to Miles if she kept allowing Boston to intrude on her thoughts when he wasn’t welcome anyway. “What’s on the menu?” she asked.