Page 4 of Escape to the Sun

“Nah. You’re okay. But Bocas Town can be a bit much the first time. But it’s just the town.”

That was an understatement. From the moment she left the serenity of Cass and Archer’s sailboat, all five senses had been assaulted to the point of complete overload.

“Whatever you put in that drink helped.”

“It always does. The rest of Bocas del Toro is…well, paradise,” Mick said. “Wait until you get a chance to see it.”

“I look forward to it.” She slid the glass around the bar top. “How did you know who I was? Is it so obvious that I don’t fit in?”

He laughed. “Sweetheart, you fit in just fine. Everyone fits in here. Look around.”

She did as she was told and for the first time noticed the mixture of those around her. There were men, women, and people who could only be described as both, all ages and colors in a variety of clothing or in a few cases, not much clothing at all, scattered around the room. The mix was eclectic to be sure, but no one looked out of place.

“Am I right?”

“You are.”

“Bocas Town is the Land of the Misfit Toys. Even if you don’t belong anywhere else, you will here.”

Land of the Misfit Toys.Perfect. She reached for her empty glass.

“How about a water?”

“Probably a better idea,” she agreed. Whatever he’d given her had been delicious, but she could see how it could be dangerous. She drank half the bottle of water he placed in front of her before she finally asked, “You seem to have a good handle on things around here. Why do you need me?”

“You?” His eyes danced under the frayed brim of his San Francisco Giants cap. “Oh no, chica. I don’t need you.”

A flicker of panic lit in her chest. No doubt it would have burst into flames had it not been for the two magic red drinks currently flowing through her. “You don’t need me?”

If this bed-and-breakfast deal didn’t work out, where was she supposed to go?No doubt, Archer and Cass had already moved their boat, Cassiopeia, to their next destination. They had paying guests aboard and had only been doing her a favor bringing her to Bocas Town. Without them, she’d have to—

“You’re thinking.” Mick’s friendly tenor interrupted the train of panic that was quickly picking up speed in her brain. “Another drink then?”

Heather shook her head. “No. But if you don’t need me, I will need a—”

“Chica. I don’t need you. But Sherri does.”

“Sherri?” The train in her brain slowed slightly. “Who’s Sherri?”

“The one who needs you.” He wasn’t helping. “At Casa del Sol. Chica, you didn’t think you’d be staying here, did you?”

She could lie. There was no point. “I did.”

“And you’re glad you’re not.”

“A little.” She laughed. The first real one in a long time. “Okay, a lot.”

Mick winked, and the train slowed even more. He had that effect. “Sherri’s place is a little piece of paradise. It’ll be exactly what you need.”

“And what is it I need?”

“I need to tell you?”

There was no point in answering him. He didn’t need to tell her anything. At the same time, there was nothing he could tell her. How could anyone else possibly see what she needed, when she herself was blind to it?

“Sherri,” she said the name again to clarify. “She needs my help?”

Mick nodded. “That’s why you’re here. I guess Josie wasn’t too clear with the details.”

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