Stranded(54)

“Why didn’t you just catch fish?”

India’s eyes crossed. Why wasn’t she going away?

“We did eat fish, but we weren’t able to catch them every day. It’s much easier said than done.” Grants spoke tight-lipped.

The woman laughed. “I wouldn’t have left the water until I caught a fish.”

“Well, it’s too bad you weren’t on the island with us then, it would have saved us from eating bugs.” India’s patience was slowly starting to ebb away.

“I just might of, but I wouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with. I don’t fly. Just don’t trust those things, no siree. I’d prefer to have my feet planted firmly on the ground.”

“Good for you,” India muttered.

The redhead went on unperturbed, eyeing Rafe and Grant like they were slabs of meat at the delicatessen. “So how did the three of you spend your nights? I bet you guys had to get really cozy didn’t you? I sure wouldn’t have minded that part.”

India could tell both men were about to explode. But she shook her head at them. It took everything within her to bite back the scathing retort on her tongue, but she managed to keep it to herself. “It was nice meeting you,” she said instead, making it clear she wanted the woman to go away.

“I wanted to ask how you three went to the bath—”

“Rachael! Will you stop bugging these people?” A man appeared, saving them from being asked a way too personal question.

Rachael pouted. “I simply wanted to know if—”

The man had a look of long sufferance which told India this was probably her husband. The man should have been a candidate for sainthood. “I apologize for my wife harassing you.” He took the redhead firmly by the hand and marched her off.

“I think it’s time for us to get out of here,” Grant suggested.

India nodded. She’d lost her appetite.

Once they were in the car, she rested her head against the window with a sigh. That woman had rattled her. She thought people would have been tired of their story by now, but that wasn’t apparently so.

“If you hadn’t been there, I would have told that woman where to go,” Rafe said from the back seat.

“And what good would that have done? She probably would have gotten louder, drawing more attention to us and then she might have even caused a scene. Frankly, that’s something I could have done without.”

Grant maneuvered the car out of the parking lot. “You’re right, but I was very close to losing it myself.”

What bothered India the most was the innuendo Rachael had made about the three of them? It wasn’t the first time someone had intimated that something probably happened with the three of them. She could only imagine what other people were thinking who weren’t brazen enough to voice their opinion. Again she wondered how their relationship would look to the outside world. Before they’d been rudely interrupted in the restaurant, she was about to express her concerns about their plans. On the island, everything had sounded lovely and idealistic. But now they were back, she wondered how practical their arrangement would be.

They’d spoken of children, and raising them together as one big happy family, but what would it be like for their kids to go to school and possibly deal with being made fun of because their family was different. And they’d never be able to show affection for one another in public without someone giving them a funny stare, and what about the people like Rachael who would make their thoughts known, no matter whether their opinions were warranted or not.

So lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice that they’d pulled into the hotel. India waited in the car, while the men checked in. When they returned, Grant drove them to the back entrance.

When they finally made it to the room, she noted the king-sized bed dominating the room. It was big enough for all of them. She took a seat on the edge with a sigh. “I’m so glad we can be alone finally.”

Instead of joining her on the bed, Grant sat on the love seat adjacent to the bed, and Rafe on the chair in front of the desk. The mood had somehow changed and she wasn’t sure why.

“Is something the matter?” she wanted to know.

The men looked at each other as she waited for one of them to speak.

“Well, is one of you going to talk?”

Rafe shifted in his chair with a look of discomfort. “I think there’s something you should know.”

“What?” She didn’t like how this sounded and he hadn’t even begun yet. Had they changed their minds? Did the two have doubts about this relationship?

“My ex-wife is trying to make trouble for me.” Rafe balled his fists in his lap. His face went red in his anger.