chapter 53
Friday morning and Dana was on her way to the Bahamas. Sharon, the promotions director for the station, picked Dana up at her apartment. Jonny was there to send her off.
“Be careful and have fun.”
“I will,” she said, kissing him lightly on the cheek. “Take care.”
Sharon, a pleasant, cherubic brunette, had only been working at the station for six months. She still had the glow of a radio newbie – so excited for the opportunity to work at a radio station that it compensated for the low wages.
They arrived at the seaport in Miami and boarded the small seaplane. The craft, which sat seventeen passengers, was full. Dana sat next to Sharon
“This is awesome,” Sharon said as they buckled up.
“It should be fun,” Dana agreed, absentmindedly looking out the window.
“I mean this is really cool to be going to Nassau like this...for work.”
“It’s a good perk.” Dana answered. But it won’t pay your bills.
“I’ll say.”
Dana settled into her seat and thought about Cody. They had grown so close so fast. Time, distance and mystery were a powerful elixir for love. Dana felt herself falling hard. She couldn’t wait to spend some real time with Cody to find out if this was real.
The propellers started to spin and the engine roared. The small plane rode quickly across the water and then up into the sky. They were just a hop, skip and a jump from Paradise Island, Nassau.
“Oooh we’re off!” Sharon’s innocent excitement was more contagious than annoying.
Dana decided to join in...she was going to the Bahamas, for work, as Jonny liked to say, but it was also going to be a nice vacation. “This’ll be terrific,” she confirmed.
Fifty minutes later they were making their descent. The plane dropped rapidly from the sky approaching the turquoise water at an alarming rate. They touched down smoothly on the ocean, sprays of water hit their windows.
“We made it,” Sharon exhaled.
Dana smiled ear to ear.
They exited the plane and took a taxi to the Paradise Island Resort and Casino. The giant pink hotel rose above the casino-lined skyline. The cab pulled up the driveway passing bright birds of paradise flowers fully in bloom and tall willowy palm trees. Paradise Island wasn’t false advertising.
They got out of the cab and let the bellman gather their luggage.
“Once you check in, we’ll bring it to your room,” he said, taking their names and handing them a claim ticket.
Inside, the hotel was a tropical fantasy. A huge waterfall was the centerpiece falling from the second floor into a large pond below. Bright golden Koi swam peacefully below the water, while perfectly white swans floated on the surface. Lush foliage framed the scene.
It was magnificent.
They approached the registration desk and received a hero’s welcome.
Sharon leaned up against the desk. “Sharon Foster and Dana Drew, WORR.”
The check in clerk smiled broadly, speaking in proper British English. “Yes, we’ve been expecting you. Welcome to Paradise Island Resort and Casino.” She typed quickly on her hidden keyboard. “We have lovely rooms for both of you on the top floor, fantastic suites with fabulous views.” She produced two key cards and handed them to Dana and Sharon. “You’re on the fifteenth floor. I’ll have your bags sent up immediately. If you have any questions feel free to call the concierge.” She smiled. “Enjoy your stay.”
Dana and Sharon giggled at their good fortune, marveling at their luck. They practically skipped across the marble floors to the glass elevator. The ride up to the fifteenth floor was spectacular. They rose above the lobby, the glass elevator revealing the tropical landscape surrounding the resort. A huge pool, complete with a water slide came into view, and behind it, the expansive clear blue Atlantic Ocean. It was breathtaking.
“I may not go back,” Sharon commented.
Dana nodded in agreement. “Why should we?”
Dana and Sharon’s rooms were equally exceptional. Dana entered her room and walked through a large foyer into a living room. Sumptuous white couches with giant pillows looked out toward a large picture window framing the sapphire blue ocean. Watercolors of palm trees and colorful beach scenes with large pastel umbrellas adorned the pale yellow walls. White crown molding bordered the ceiling, giving the room a majestic feel.
To the left of the living room was the master suite. A large bed draped in a white duvet sat on a giant dark wood frame in the center of the room, but the true focus of the room was a sliding glass door dressed in billowy white gauzy curtains, behind which was a large balcony with another incredible ocean view.
Dana had little time to enjoy her accommodations. She had just an hour and a half before her first broadcast. The station engineer, Liam, had flown down earlier to set up the connection. They’d be broadcasting from the pool area. Dana quickly unpacked her small travel bag and then took a brief shower. She dressed in khaki shorts and her black WORR T-shirt with a golden electric guitar emblazoned on the front of it. Strappy black wedge sandals, a quick brush of her long ebony hair and Dana was ready. She added one more coat of red lipstick and left to meet Sharon at the remote site.
A small crowd had already gathered around the broadcast table by the pool, curious about the radio station. Some guests were from Miami and recognized the station’s call letters on the banner in front of the table. The winner of the contest, Tom Gantry had taken an earlier flight that day. He stopped by the desk and was talking to Liam when Dana arrived.
“Hi, I’m Dana Drew.” She extended her hand.
“Tom Gantry.” The heavyset man with a thick beard extended his hand. “Wow am I lucky.” The petite, full figured blonde woman next to him gave him a sharp elbow. “Oh, this is my wife, Janet.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” Dana shook her hand as well, ever the good hostess. “I was just telling Sharon the same thing.” She motioned to Sharon. “She’s the promotions director.”
Tom and Janet smiled in wide-eyed excitement...unable to decide which was more amazing, winning a trip to Paradise Island or spending the afternoon with Dana Drew.
“Well, I’ll leave the two of you to your vacation...we’re going on the air shortly so I just need to get my notes together. If you all could stop by a little later so I can interview you, that’d be great.”
“Sure,” they nodded in unison and took off for the huge pool.
“So Liam, how are ye?” Dana kidded the tall Scotsman. Liam the engineer endured endless ribbing, especially Star Trek teasing. ‘Beam me up Liam,’ was a familiar refrain, much to his chagrin.
“I’m fine Miss Drew and you?” His thick Scottish brogue was rather sexy.
“Wonderful. Do we have a connection?”
“Indeed we do. I’m talking to Miami now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she teased.
“Me too,” he winked.
Sharon approached Dana with a slim Bahamian woman. “Dana this is Charlotte, she’s with the Paradise Island Resort and Casino.”
“Dana we are so happy to have you here,” she said, prim British accent in full effect. Charlotte had flawless cocoa colored skin and large blue eyes. She was striking. She wore a light pink wrap dress that was perfectly pressed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you.”
“I’d like to give you some information about our hotel that we’d like you to mention, if possible.”
“Certainly,” Dana replied taking the stacks of promotional sheets, glancing over them briefly. “Anything in particular you want me to say?”
“Just tell them how fantastic it is here,” she said, motioning to their surroundings. “I’m sure you’ll agree.”
“It’s not hard to.”
“Good, and to make it even easier,” she snapped her fingers, summoning a waiter from the bar area, “Charles here will get you whatever island creation you desire...as well as some snacks.”
“Great,” Dana said, inspired by the island vibe. “I’ll have whatever you recommend.”
“At your service, Madame,” Charles took a small bow.
“Oh, I like him a lot.”
“If you have any questions or requests,” Charlotte continued, “let me know. Here’s my business card with all my numbers.” She shook Dana’s hand, “Thank you and enjoy.”
“Dana!” Liam’s voice rose, “Five minutes.”
Dana scurried around the table and put on her headphones. In her ears the loud rock music from the station conflicted greatly with the calypso band that was playing poolside. The song started to end and Dana was on.
“It’s Dana Drew live from paradise...the Paradise Island Resort and Casino on Paradise Island in Nassau. Let me tell you, this hotel is amazing. Beautiful, spacious and right on the crystal blue ocean. I’m out by their enormous pool right now sitting under sunny skies awaiting an amazing tropical libation...the only thing missing here is you. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You too can get to this glorious resort. Just call 1-800-555-PALM and make your reservation today. We’ve got more rock on the way from Beck...stay tuned.” And she was out.
Liam gave her the thumbs up, Charles came by and gave her a clear blue colored drink adorned with a bright orange flower.
“Looks good...what is it?”
“The Blue Bird of Paradise, a house specialty. I have some appetizers for you as well.” He set down a plate of conch fritters, coconut shrimp and a tray of fresh fruit. “If you need anything else, let me know.”
Dana tucked the flower behind her ear and sipped the blue drink. Fruity and sweet, she could barely taste the alcohol. “This is dangerous,” she said, pulling the maraschino cherry from the red plastic sword. “But a good kind of dangerous.”
“Don’t have too many of those,” Liam warned, “You are still working.”
“Oh, Liam, why don’t you take a drink?” That was Sharon. She was sipping the same drink as Dana, Charles had graciously brought three.
Liam, not one to turn down a drink, obliged.
They all laughed.
The calypso band began playing Yellowbird, a gentle breeze swept by and the warm sun bathed them. It was perfect. Dana put her feet up and waited for her next break.
“Madame?” Charles’ accent broke through the calm.
“Yes?”
“I have a drink for you compliments of a Mr. Martin Van Buren.” He put a piña colada down at her table.
“I don’t believe I know a Martin...” Then it hit her. She looked past his shoulder. Sitting at the bar she saw a gorgeous man.
Brown hair flecked with gold, tan skin and bright blue eyes.
It was Cody.