Marissa crunched several of the delicious nuts before saying carefully. “Sounds like you’ve seen too many.”

“I needed some fixing up when I was a kid.” Linda’s face was turned away, her expression as closed as Marissa had seen it thus far.

Marissa didn’t want to pry but saying nothing seemed unfeeling. “Better now?”

“Finished now. And have been for some time.”

“I’m glad then. I think I have some work to do on me. Not that I aspire to climb up a treacherous cliff on a daily basis, but I wasn’t sure . . .” She couldn’t quite make herself admit she had been certain she was about to die.

“You were amazing. That was a tough climb. I’ve had lots of practice so of course it was easier for me but you did it.”

“I wouldn’t have made it without you all helping and that’s the truth.”

“I’ve seen fit grown men balk over walls half that height.”

“Were they facing certain death as the alternative? Because let me tell you, that was motivating.”

Linda chuckled and the stiffness left her shoulders. “I’ll remember that, next time I do a climbing course.”

“Do you teach?”

“From time to time.”

Marissa nodded. “I can see you being very good at it. You’re patient and very positive.” In her mind’s eye, she could easily visualize the Finders Keepers Personal Inventory Questionnaire complete with check boxes appearing next to attributes for Linda’s profile. What kind of mate would be the perfect match? What kind of woman really attracted someone so strong, good-looking and life-loving?

The hotel manager, with a grinning Gregorio to one side, explained in careful French-accented English that the authorities had been notified and they would all stay at the hotel for at least the night, until flights were arranged out of Fare Town.

“If you will all please put your name and city on this list, we can give it to the cruise lines. You are the last group to be found and there was no loss of life.”

A ripple of relief went through all of them and Marissa realized while she’d not thought about her cabin-mate since she’d last seen her, she’d been worried, and worried for the people she’d met at dinner. It was such good news.

The manager explained that there was no Internet available on the island and only a few phones, but each of them would get a few minutes soon to call family. Meanwhile, if they could pair off to share rooms and bungalows the hotel could accommodate everyone.

Marissa glanced at Linda, who gave a “Wanna share?” sort of shrug. Marissa nodded and after they both carefully wrote out their names, the manager gave Marissa a key.

“A shower,” Marissa breathed. “That is going to be just about orgasmic.”

“I feel that way about the swimming pool I can see out the back door. And look at that beach.”

Marissa followed Linda’s line of sight. “I don’t quite see things at the same height as you.”