Page 30 of Last Resort

Deno laughed. “Have a good night. I will play Saint Patrick.”

“Don’t drive them off the island, just away from me.”

“Will you sleep?”

“Yes, I had a chat with Win when she arrived. No surprises out of me.”

Deno sighed. “Good. Omegas are at a disadvantage if something more reliable isn’t worked out.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” She grinned. “Now, good night. I have to do morning instructions for diving and sailboarding.”

“Well, the snakes are gone for now. Do you think they will stay away?”

“Oh, no, but they are going to come at me from a different angle. At least I can brace for it.”

“Are they yours?”

Estrya smiled. “Two of them, yes. One of them was, but I wasn’t worth a little embarrassment. He is very locked in his dignity.”

“Well, good night. Is there any pastry you like for breakfast?”

“I like meats, breads, sandwiches. Something solid. It’s going to be a long day.”

“I will get you something and a basket. You can bring your picnic where you go. Hyperglycemic?”

“Yeah. Congenital vitamin deficiencies as well, so I bring my vitamins along while I stuff my face.” She chuckled. “I don’t unhinge my jaw, but it’s close some days. Good night, Deno. You are a wonderful host.”

He smiled and inclined his head. “Good night, Estrya. No more interruptions tonight.”

“Thank you, Deno. Good night.”

She closed the door softly and went to look at the moon from her private balcony. She curled into the suspended chair and wrapped herself in the silky, soft throw. It was a beautiful view on a beautiful island. The locals were lucky. She loved living out here, but she knew it wasn’t home. She just had to save enough to buy a small house on the outskirts of the town she once called home. She was halfway there.

She snuggled under the cool caress of the ocean breezes, the super soft blanket wrapped over her, and her alarms set for five in the morning.

Estrya rocked back and forth in the ocean breezes, closed her eyes, and went to sleep.

She was dressed and downstairs having coffee when her three contestants stumbled in. “Hey, are you ready for your adventures today? You are going to do as many events on the water as you can.”

Poppy yawned and said, “Good with me. So, snorkel, scuba, sailboarding, surfing, kayaking, and catamarans?”

Estrya chuckled. “Perhaps not all of them.”

“I want to get this over with. I hate having a list of tasks that I can’t complete.” Poppy grabbed a cup of coffee and a bagel.

Breen and Myro looked calm and up for whatever the day brought, but they were both staying close to Poppy. It was cute. They tended to line up with her in the middle, like piano keys.

Poppy looked at her and mumbled, “You wake early.”

“Didn’t get much sleep. I had an unexpected visit from an old friend and two of my guys.” She shrugged. “Thought I should warn you. They may be slithering around nearby as we work today.”

Poppy blinked. “Slither? Oh. Snakes. Got it.”

“Yup. Food will be prepared for you on the charters. If you catch something, you can eat it. No, Breen, it does not mean you can throw Poppy onto the boat.” She stopped the gleam in his eyes before it could start to glow.

Poppy blinked. “What? Ohhhh.”

Estrya smiled. “Yes. Oh.”

---