Chapter 17
As Julie and Dan approached the western shore of Castle Cay, the first thing they noticed was a high ridge of limestone rock that bisected the island from north to south like a spine. They could see a small wooden building on the beach facing them, and a long dock reaching out, welcoming Wave Dancer.
There was a road behind the little building that went to the left, and disappeared from sight. To the right, the road led to a large house. It sat back into the lush greenery, about halfway up the hill, nestled right up against the ridge. Directly in front of the house, down the hillside, was the prettiest beach Julie had ever seen, ringed all around with coconut palms.
John Drum explained to them that his farm was at the other end of the road around to the left. He also said that the two houses had their own large generators for electricity, and that each had fresh running water.
“We have a jeep, if you want to use it, but this here’s the only road, and it don’t go far…just between the houses,” he said. “There’s paths going around and up over the ridge to the other side of the island. We got three horses, and that’s how we usually get around. You’re welcome to borrow ‘em.”
Once the boat was secured, they piled into the jeep and John drove them to the ridge house. After unloading their luggage and groceries, he headed for the door.
“Well, I’ll leave you to your unpacking. We’d sure like to have you over to dinner tomorrow night…if you’d like to come? “
“Oh, we’d love to!” Julie said, catching Dan’s eye.
“Good enough, then. I’ll be by to pick you up at six o’clock. Good night.”
They wandered around, from one room to the next. The house appeared to be constructed of heavy wood, save for the stone fireplace in the living room. The floors were a darker type of wood, covered with large, tightly woven mats. Big, colorful cushions graced oversized rattan furniture. Ceiling fans hung from a high roof, which rose on solid beams to a point in the center of the house. Outside, the roof extended well beyond the house in the front and on the sides, and covered a wide veranda.
They stood there, overlooking the beach, gazing out to the sea.
“Julie, this is so beautiful. I don’t think I’m going to want to leave.”
“Me, either,” said Julie, putting her arms around his neck, reaching up into his dark, curly hair. She kissed him, and said, “Let’s go try out the bedroom.”
The master bedroom was to the right of the living room on the corner of the house. It was a large room with triple sliding-glass doors on both sides opening onto the veranda. On the inside of the doors were white louvered panels, folded all the way to the sides, accordion-style. A telescope on a tripod stood positioned to watch the panorama of sea and sky.
They slid back the glass doors all the way to let in the balmy trade winds, and flopped on the big white bed. Despite their best intentions, in minutes they were sound asleep, lulled by the whoosh, whoosh, of the sea.
* * * * *