God he did what he did. Talk about a silver lining, you hit the jackpot, Richelle. The love jackpot. Roy’s the real deal.”
“How did I get so lucky?” Richelle asked. “I keep pinching myself. A part of me wonders if this is all a dream, but everything that man does shows me he adores me.”
“He’s the one,” Melanie said.
“God, can you imagine if I’d married Vern?” Richelle shuddered.
“Sometimes something beautiful comes out of the ashes of disaster,” Melanie advised.
A smiling woman approached them with a tray of frothy drinks, garnished with a slice of papaya. Melanie and Richelle took them, and after thanking the woman, sipped them at the same time.
“Oh, wow,” Richelle said. “This is delicious.”
“I don’t think I want to leave,” Melanie chimed.
Richelle took another sip, and then said, “There’s only one thing that would make me happier than I already am.” Richelle ran a hand over Melanie’s shoulder. “Knowing that you’ve found the guy you’re destined to be with.”
Melanie waved a dismissive hand. “As I said, this trip isn’t about me. Soon, you are going to be marrying the man you are meant to be with. One I feel confident will cherish you for a lifetime. I’m thrilled for you. And here he comes now.”
Richelle turned, and her eyes lit up. “Room keys,” he said, presenting them to Richelle. “For you and Melanie.”
“Who are you rooming with?” Melanie asked.
“I’m with Edward until the big day. We’re all staying in the bungalows on the water, or, as they say here, the bures.”
Melanie looked toward their rooms in the distance and sighed. It was a far walk. And she was desperate to hit the bed.
“And don’t worry. Hotel staff is coming with golf carts to take us there. All we have to do is head to the edge of the path outside the lobby.”
Relief washing over her, Melanie looked at Richelle. “He’s a keeper.”
Richelle grinned. “No doubt.”
* * *
A short while later, Melanie and Richelle were in their room, where the sense of awe continued. The room was elegantly decorated, and boasted a large bathroom with a spa tub that was situated so that you could see the ocean while you bathed. The words Bula and Welcome were written in colorful rose petals on the king bed they would be sharing. There was a living room area with a sofa and a coffee table. And outside, there was a large patio with lounge chairs and steps literally walking down into the ocean.
But the focal point of the room was the floor. Amid the wood, there were two giant panes of glass enabling people to see into the water below the room.
“Oh, my God, I could stay in this room forever,” Richelle said, sighing happily as she sank into the sofa before one of the panes of glass. “Seriously—there are fish beneath our feet. Look!”
Melanie quickly hurried over to look, and sure enough, a school of fish was swimming among the coral beneath the room. “Breathtaking.” Then she faced Richelle. “As I remember telling you, sure the Caribbean is lovely, but why not do something different for your wedding? You only do it once, after all.”
Richelle grabbed a cushion off the sofa and hurled it at her. “You told me to do something different? Yeah, right! Remember your Jamaica solution? I’m lucky I even got you here!”
The two friends shared a laugh. “What I’m really saying,” Melanie began, “is that you made the best choice. We came halfway across the world, and it took forever, and I’m totally a nervous traveler, but this is absolutely the best spot for your wedding.”
“Mel, you’re going to make me cry.”
Melanie sat beside Richelle and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I’m happy for you, Richelle. I really am.”
“Thanks, Mel. And thank you for being here. You know I couldn’t get married without you.”
“And you know there’s nowhere else I would rather be right now. If I had to walk over hot coals to get here, I would.”
“Now I’m crying,” Richelle announced, and raised her hands to wipe her tears.
Melanie hugged her. “I love you, Richelle. You’re the sister I never had.”
“I love you, too. And I know you don’t want me to say it, but I don’t want you to give up on love. You’re going to have your own happy ending. And I still think Lawren—”
“Eh, eh,” Melanie chastised as she pulled apart from Richelle. “No talk about him, remember?” Melanie got to her feet. “Now as beautiful as this room is, I have got to get some sleep if I’m going to enjoy any part of this day. Don’t wake me up for at least four hours.”
Chapter 2
It was shortly after noon when Melanie woke up. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the sunlight streaming into the room. Then, upon coming alert and remembering where she was, she turned to her right to see if Richelle was still asleep.
But Richelle wasn’t there. Instead, there was a slip of paper beside her.
I’ll be on the beach at the island bar.
Call for a shuttle. It’s a long walk.
See you soon.
Love, Richelle
Melanie sat up, noticing that their luggage was now in the room.
She got out of bed, showered and dressed, and did as Richelle suggested. The shuttle arrived at her bure within five minutes.
As she rode on the back of the golf cart, she surveyed the resort. Fully awake now, she was even more dazzled by the impressive view of the lush foliage and beach. There were a number of rooms situated among the trees beyond the shore on the beach, which were lovely. But Melanie was glad that she was staying in an over-the-water bure. She could stay in a room on the beach anywhere. How often could she stay in a room that was actually on the water?
“How do you like the resort?” the driver asked.
“What’s not to like?” she countered. It was lovely. She saw people walking along the golden sand or resting on lounge chairs. All couples. This resort catered to adults, and clearly was a choice for men and women in love.
The beach was extensive, and she didn’t see Richelle or Roy on the portion that was visible. The driver continued on to the island bar, which was where they had originally arrived by boat.
She could hear the sounds of a live band before she saw the performers, and as the cart came to a stop, she looked around the small intimate bar with comfy cushioned seats and saw Richelle at the same time that she saw her.
“You’re awake,” Richelle said,
