Secrets And Tea

Chapter 14

Rionna felt giddy as she saw where Damien was taking her.

"No way. Did you book the Clariot?" she asked as she saw the small ship that gave tours around the cove. She had always wanted to take an ocean tour around the island. There had been many reasons why she hadn't been able to in years prior. Her business, tourist season, and then winter storms that could make even a seasoned sailor hunker down into a cozy living room with the fireplace.

"I did. Abigail suggested it. She said that you have always wanted to take an ocean tour before Thomas died," he said, "So I called and it turned out they had a cancellation so i grabbed the spot."

"Oh my god, oh my god," She said practically jerking the door open when he parked and rushing out. Her hair flew behind her as she ran towards the boat.

The Clariot was a steam ship. It held tours only during the summer months. Closing during the winter months. Since the summer months were also her busiest months and the Clariot was always booked through the whole three months of summer. Now she was getting her dream of taking the slow cruise around the island.

She bounded on the ship and smiled when one of the men approached with a flute of champagne.

"Welcome to the Clariot," the waiter said, "We will be departing from the port in a few minutes. Would you like anything?"

"Strawberries and Champagne," Rionna said, as she sank into one of the lounge chairs.

"Very well ma'am I will be back with your order," the man said, before sauntering off. Moving naturally with the rocking of the boat.

"Excited?" Damien asked as he sank beside her on the deck.

"Excited? I'm floored. Thomas always said he'd bring me here, we never did do it."

Damien could hear the sadness behind the excitement of her words. A promise that his friend made and was never fulfilled.

"Have whatever you want. I managed to get the deluxe package," Damien said, with the help of her friends he had gotten the package for this tour.

The blare of the horn was the last warning for passengers to board the ship. Then the anchor was pulled and the ship left the port to make its way around the island.

The tour masters voice pointed out the various sights from the island. The lighthouses. He told legends of the various places.

Rionna just soaked it all up pointing things out to Damien as they slowly went around the island.

By the time the tour was ending Rionna was smiling happily and yanking him along. As they docked again.

"What else is in store?" Rionna asked.

"Pottery."

"Oh sounds fun." Rionna said as she eagerly climbed into the truck and they were off again.

By the time Damien pulled into the parking lot of the tea shop dusk was coming and Rionna felt her heart drop.

Today had been a perfect day of pampering and she didn't want it to end.

Damien noticed her sad eyes gaze at the store.

"Come to my place when you are done here. We can have an outdoor cookout." He suggested.

Rionna smiled widely, "I'd like that. I'll see you in an hour then?"

"Looking forward to it," Damien said. He watched as she hopped out of the truck and headed into the store.

Abigail had greeted her at the door. He waved to the woman then drove home.

He prepared for his first visitor to come over for a visit. An hour later he greeted Rionna at the front gate. Seeing she had tea and muffins in hand he helped her by taking the box of muffins.