Sammy in Bali (Single Wide Female Travels #7) Page 3

  It warmed my heart to know that he still savored our time together. No matter what stresses we faced, he never let me think for a second that he didn’t value me.

  Chapter 7

  After we unpacked our things we took a stroll around the small island. There was a small strip of beach area that could be used for sunbathing or swimming. A nearby shed contained beach umbrellas, floats, chairs, and blankets.

  “Want to go for a swim?” Max picked up one of the floats that resembled a giant flip-flop.

  “Yes. Yes, I do.” I grinned back at him. “Let’s go change.”

  We raced one another back to the cottage. It felt good to be silly, and it was easy to be, as there was no one else on the island with us.

  I tagged the door first and Max crashed into it right behind me.

  He gasped for air as he laughed. “I don’t think you’re the one that’s out of shape. That would be me.”

  “You’re not out of shape, love.” I kissed his cheek. “You just like to watch me run.”

  “This is true.” He grinned.

  We changed and walked back to the beach.

  I didn’t mention to Max that I’d barely caught my breath after the run or that my heart was still racing. I was very out of shape, but I was determined to turn that around while we were in Bali—and to continue my new healthy behavior patterns during our upcoming trip to Japan.

  We dug through the shed and pulled out the flip-flop float and a large blanket. Before getting into the water I slathered myself with sunscreen, then helped Max cover his skin as well.

  “Don’t you think that’s enough?” He sighed as I applied another coat to his back.

  “Do you want to be a lobster?” I smiled and ran my fingers along the muscles of his back. Maybe it was a little too much, but it was a good excuse to touch him. I applied another coat to myself as well, then we took the float out to the water.

  Max climbed onto it while I swam in the sun-warmed water. The liquid against my skin was delicious.

  “This is big enough for both of us.” Max splashed the water beside the float. “Come up here with me.”

  “I don’t know, Max. Don’t those things have weight limits?”

  He splashed me again. “Get up here.” He smiled and reached for my hand. “I won’t let you fall.”

  How could I resist that perfect smile? I let him take my hand, and as he pulled, I tried to climb up over the edge of the float. But the more I tried to climb, the more it tilted in my direction.

  Max started to slide toward me.

  “Max, this isn’t going to work.”

  “Maybe you should get on first.”

  He rolled off the edge of the float and splashed into the water.

  Once he was off he held one side of the float. “Okay, climb up, Sammy.”

  I tried my best to wriggle my way on to the float, but every time I started to get on top of it, I lost my balance on the other side and slid right off.

  Max laughed too hard to be able to help me.

  I splashed him and laughed too. “It’s not funny! I must have put on too much sunscreen.”

  “Okay, okay. Here, I’ll help you.”

  The next thing I knew, Max had his hands on my bottom and was pushing me up out of the water. I scrambled onto the float and managed to land on top of it on my stomach. With my arms and legs spread across it, I hung on tight. The float wobbled underneath me.

  “Here I come!” Max shouted, then launched himself up onto the float with me.

  “Max, don’t!” I gulped as the float flipped and we both tumbled off into the water.

  As I swam to the surface, I had to hold back my laughter until I could breathe. Once I could, I discovered Max on top of the float with his arms folded under his head.

  “I guess it’s more of a one-person float.” He shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “Sorry?” I smirked and swam underneath the float. With one hard shove I flipped the float and sent him flying into the water.

  “Sammy!” He disappeared under the water with a gurgle.

  I laughed—until he didn’t come back up.

  “Max?” I scanned the water in front of me and shoved the float out of the way. “Max!”

  Just when I was starting to panic, strong arms wrapped around me and pushed me up out of the water. He tossed me just as quickly as he’d picked me up.

  I shrieked and wrapped an arm around the float. As Max swam toward me to toss me again, I got on top of the float and grinned. “I win!”

  “No, you don’t.” He grabbed the float as if he might flip me off it again. Instead, he pulled it close to him and leaned up to kiss the curve of my elbow. “I’m the real winner here.” He gazed up at me with such admiration that my heart fluttered.

  I scooted over a little and patted the float beside me. This time when he climbed up, we both managed to stay on top.

  With his arms wrapped around me, and mine around him, we floated across the water and soaked up the sunlight. It didn’t matter that we were in Bali, as the warmth that filled me came from the caress of his skin against mine and the way he buried his lips in damp tendrils of my hair. He was my paradise.

  After some time I realized that we’d been floating away from the shore. I peered back at the island to discover that we were quite far away from it.

  Chapter 8

  “Max.”

  He snored in my ear. That wasn’t quite so romantic.

  I cleared my throat. “Max, we have to get back to the island.” I started to sit up.

  Max must have been sound asleep, because when I moved, he jumped and we both fell off the float. The water was deep, and I had no idea what might be swimming in it.

  Max sputtered, and the look that crossed his face let me know that he’d begun to recognize our situation. He reached for the float, but a stiff breeze pushed it away from us.

  “Sammy, are you okay?” He looked across the water at me.

  “Yes, but how are we going to get back?”

  “Another race?” He smiled.

  My heart already slammed against my chest. We were far from the island, and it was easy to worry about what sea creatures might be swirling around my feet.

  “It’ll be good exercise.” Max winked at me.

  “You’re trying to distract me from the terrible situation we’re in, aren’t you?” I swished my arms and kicked my feet to keep from slipping under the water.

  “Yes, because if we don’t start swimming, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble. Just float on your back, look at the sky, and head for the shore.” He looked into my eyes. “We’re going to be okay.”

  I wanted to believe Max, but I’d never been in this situation before. It wasn’t just exercise to have to swim for my life. But he was right. As long as I was on my back, I could look up at the sky and enjoy what I saw there.

  With every thrust of my legs and swish of my arms, I moved through the water at a speed that surprised me. I could hear the splashes of Max’s feet not far from me and knew that he was doing well too. Faster than I expected, I was back to an area where I could touch the sandy bottom.

  Max wrapped his arm around my shoulders and hugged me. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t notice how far we were drifting.” We both looked out at the float as it continued to drift away.

  “I guess we’re buying a new float.”

  “I guess so.” I smiled.

  We walked back to the shore and stretched out on a blanket in the sand. As the sun began to set, I kissed the curve of his shoulder and nestled my head close to his neck. “I’m so glad we’re here, Max.”

  “So am I, love.” He pulled me closer.

  Alone on an island in paradise, yet again, we made out like we were in high school until darkness fell. Then we feasted on the fresh fruit in the mini-fridge and stayed up late to talk about everything under the sun.

  By the time I dozed off, I’d forgotten what it was like to worry.

&nbs
p; Everything was perfect.

  Early the next morning Max woke me.

  “Let’s go, sleepyhead. Let the adventure begin.”

  “Adventure?” I wiped at my eyes. “I thought that was yesterday.”

  “No way, we’re just getting started.” He held his hand out to me.

  I took it and he tugged me out of bed and into his arms. His passionate kiss inspired me not to collapse back into bed for a little more sleep. I cringed just a bit, realizing that I was feeling the slightest bit of pain. Despite all the sunscreen I’d applied, my skin was still a little pink.

  Max snatched up one of my dry bathing suits and tossed it toward me. “You’re going to want to wear this.”

  “Okay.” I smiled. “Swimming again?”

  “You’ll see! And no tricks. You’re not getting anything out of me!” He eyed me sternly. “I mean it.”

  “Okay, okay. I’ll just go get changed.”

  As I closed the door to the bathroom I thought about how I might be able to get Max to spill the beans about what he had in store for us.

  When I stepped out of the bathroom he was already ready to go.

  “We’re going to have to kayak across.”

  “Sounds like a good way to start the morning.” I handed him a banana and kept one for myself. We ate them as we walked across the beach to the kayaks.

  Chapter 9

  I nudged the orange kayak into the water and eyed the opening that I needed to slide my legs into. I’d been kayaking before, but I was always a little nervous about whether I would fit—or maybe more accurately, whether I’d get stuck once inside the small vessel.

  “Here, I’ll keep it steady for you, then give you a push in.” Max held one end of the kayak as I climbed in.

  As soon as I was inside, the kayak began to slide forward. Max gave it a hard shove and the kayak began to float. I used the paddle to steer myself out of the way as Max launched his kayak.

  We kept an even pace beside one another as we headed for the mainland. We were halfway across when my arms started to burn. It had been some time since I’d worked those muscles. Max didn’t say a word but he slowed down to match my pace.

  As we drifted along close to the mainland I noticed something stuck in some tall grass that grew up out of the water. It didn’t take long for me to recognize that it was a giant flip-flop.

  “Max! Look!” I swung the paddle hard in an attempt to turn toward the grass.

  Max raised his paddle in the same moment.

  Our two paddles clashed against each other.

  “Sammy! Be careful!” Max’s kayak rocked hard and the front end swung into mine.

  My kayak wobbled. I grabbed the sides and tried to keep myself centered.

  “I’m sorry, but look over there, Max. It’s our float. We have to get it.”

  “No, we don’t. It’s too far in there. We have a schedule to stick to. Let’s just keep going.”

  “But Max, it’s right there. We can get it—watch.” I reached my paddle into the tall grass.

  “Careful, Sammy, don’t drop your—” He groaned as my paddle splashed into the water.

  “Oops. Don’t worry, Max, I can get it. See?” I started to climb out of the kayak.

  “Sammy, don’t!” He scowled and pointed a finger at me. “You sit down right this second. I will get your paddle.”

  I was a little startled by his sharp tone, but sat down as he’d asked—or rather demanded of me.

  He edged toward my paddle and reached out to grasp it. “You have to be careful when you’re in a kayak. If you’re not, you can knock off the balance and end up flipped over. You should never try to climb out of your kayak in the middle of the water.” He shot me a look and reached for the paddle again.

  “Max, wait—”

  “I’ve got it, Sammy!”

  “But Max—” My protest was drowned out by a splash as his entire kayak flipped over. “Max!” I leaned over the side of my kayak and peered into the water. Max swam out from under his kayak with my paddle in his hand; however, his was nowhere to be seen.

  He grabbed onto the end of my kayak and thrust the paddle at me.

  “Here, take this. I have to get my kayak.”

  “No, you just hold on. I can get it for you.”

  “Sammy, please.

  “Max, you don’t have to baby me. I know how to do things.” I used my paddle to snag the line of his kayak and pull it over to mine. Then I slid the paddle under it, and with Max’s help, managed to flip it over. “See?” I smiled.

  “Good job. Now let me see if I can get in.” He tried to pull himself up over the side, but he slid back down just before he could get on top.

  “Here, let me give you a boost.”

  “A what?” He glanced over his shoulder in time to see my hands headed for his bottom.

  I grasped and shoved with all my might.

  Max let out a little cry of surprise then flopped on top of the kayak. He lay there for a moment panting.

  “Max, are you okay?”

  “I think so. But you might have left a mark. Those nails are sharp!”

  “I’m sorry.” I tried not to laugh, but was unsuccessful.

  Max wiggled his way into the kayak, then glanced around. “Now where’s my paddle?”

  “I think we’re going to have to get the flip-flop.”

  “Sammy! Enough about the float!”

  “But Max, look!” I pointed at the flip-flop. Max’s paddle floated right beside it. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

  “I guess you’re right, we’re getting the flip-flop.”

  “Correction, I’m getting the flip-flop. I’m the one with the paddle.” I winked at him as I paddled toward the float.

  First I snatched his paddle out of the water, then I tugged at the float until I had it hooked to the line on my kayak. “Here you go, love.” I handed him his paddle.

  “Thank you.” His cheeks were flushed. Water dripped from his hair across his skin.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, Max.”

  “I’m not, I just can’t believe I fell in.”

  “Well, you were a little distracted by that lecture you were giving me.”

  He laughed and splashed me with his paddle. “Now we’re both wet. See if you can catch me!” He began to paddle fast along the shore.

  “Max, not fair! I have a giant flip-flop!” I paddled hard and fast in an attempt to catch up with him. My arms burned, but I barely noticed. It was too much fun chasing Max down for me to be concerned about muscle strain.

  He made it to the landing place one minute before I did.

  As we pulled the kayaks up onto the sand, I noticed that we’d caught the attention of quite a few locals.

  “Max, people are staring at us.”

  “Well it’s probably not too often that people arrive with a giant flip-flop attached to their kayak.”

  “Good point.” I grinned.

  “Look, the taxi is already waiting for us. Let’s go.”

  “Where was it that we’re going again?”

  “You’ll see.” He smiled and grabbed my hand.

  “One hint, Max, just one!”

  “You won’t need a giant flip-flop.”

  “That’s not a hint.”

  “It’s the only one you’re getting.” He opened the taxi door for me. “In with you.”

  “Oh, you guys are wet.” The taxi driver grimaced. “Get the towels out of the trunk, please.” He popped the trunk.

  Max walked around behind it and pulled out two towels. He handed one to me. The image on it was of a woman in a bikini. I tried not to think of the vast differences between my body and the bikini-clad body as I sat down on top of it.

  “It’s not far.” Max patted my knee.

  Chapter 10

  I stared out the window of the taxi at the buildings and foliage we were passing. Bali had a certain charm that calmed my nerves. The taxi pulled into a nearly empty parking lot near the water. There were several boats nea
rby.

  Max paid the driver.

  As soon as the taxi pulled away, I looked him in the eye.

  “Max, you can tell me where we’re going and what we’re doing now.” I tugged at the gauzy cover-up that I wore over my bathing suit.

  “You’ll find out.”

  “It was fun, but now I’m getting a little paranoid. You’re not going to make me swim with sharks or something, are you?” He turned to look at me with a quirked eyebrow.

  “Sammy, when have I ever been able to make you do anything?”

  “That’s not the point, Max! It’s sharks, isn’t it?” I took a deep breath. “I don’t know if I can do that. Will there be a cage of some sort?”

  “It’s not sharks.” He grinned as he curled his hand around mine. “Just follow me.”

  “Not sharks. Okay, that’s a good thing. But you know, dolphins can be scary too. Did you know that dolphins can kill sharks? If dolphins can kill sharks then why are we not more scared of dolphins than sharks?”

  “Because they’re always smiling.” He nudged me with his shoulder.

  “It’s not funny, Max, this is something people should know!”

  “Don’t worry, it’s not dolphins either. Although we might see some. I suppose we might see some sharks too.”

  “Ugh, just tell me, please.” I tugged at his hand.

  “Here we are.” He gestured to a small building with a large garage attached.

  “What is this?” I scanned the front of the building for any hint of what I might be in for. Then I noticed the canisters lined up beside the building. “What are those for?”

  Max opened the door and held it for me as I stepped inside.

  Right away I recognized where we were. Flippers were stacked up in a corner, wet suits hung on the walls, and there was an assortment of masks and diving equipment throughout the space.

  “We’re going snorkeling?”

  “Not quite.” He smiled. “We’re going to get certified in scuba diving—to be able to do open-water dives. We’ll get to go a lot deeper than snorkeling would allow us.”

  “Oh.” I forced my smile to widen as alarm bells rang throughout my mind.