Read Online Then You Hide by Roxanne St. Claire - Free Book Online

her. Did you know that one of these ships—”
    Vanessa let her chatter, stepping into the bathroom for toiletries and cosmetics, checking her watch to calculate when she could get the launch back to Basseterre and grab the afternoon ferry to Nevis.
    Suddenly, she realized Stella had gone silent and sensed she wasn’t in the bathroom alone.
    “ This is what you call being told he’s in Nevis?”
    Vanessa didn’t even have to look to know what Stella was holding. Damn, the woman was nosy. Sweet and well meaning but so freaking meddlesome .
    “This crappy little piece of paper with chicken-scratch handwriting is what you call information?”
    “Someone gave it to me in a bar where I know Clive has been in the last few weeks.” She snapped it from Stella’s hands. “And, honestly, this is not your business.”
    “Dolly, I’m a Jewish grandmother from Fort Lauderdale. Everything’s my business. Why would someone hand you a weird note like this?”
    “I’ve talked to a lot of people about him, and one of them wants to help, I’m sure.”
    “Why not just walk up to you and tell you?”
    Vanessa had thought of that. “Because there are still people on this planet who are not cool with being gay or knowing gays. Whoever wrote this might want privacy or think Clive does.”
    Stella folded her arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “All right. You win. What time are we leaving?”
    Vanessa choked a laugh. “No.”
    “You can’t do this alone. I’ll travel just as light as you. I know I’m in my sixties.” At Vanessa’s look, she shrugged. “All right, seventies. And I know you tear ass through these islands like a steamroller on amphetamines, but I’m a seasoned traveler. I can help you.”
    “I don’t want your help.” Hurt widened Stella’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Stella. I’m so sorry.” She reached for the other woman’s hand. “I’ve had an unbelievably nasty day, and that was just mean-spirited, and I’m sorry.”
    “That’s okay.” Stella patted Vanessa’s cheek and straightened her glasses, the gesture already so familiar and sweet that it just twisted the guilt knife even further. “I’ve got a daughter. She gets testy sometimes when she hasn’t had sex for a while.”
    Vanessa didn’t know whether to laugh or blink at the moisture in her eyes. “Your daughter is lucky to have you, Stell.” The truth of it squeezed her chest. Her daughter was lucky to have a real mother, not a shrew who slinked away into the night, and not the psychopath who gave birth to her.
    Stella slid Vanessa’s glasses down her nose. “You really ought to get that LASIK surgery. You’re hiding this shainapunim !” Her voice was light, barely covering hurt feelings. “‘Pretty face’ in Yiddish, honey.”
    Vanessa’s shoulders sank under the weight of all the kindness. “I don’t even deserve friendship like yours, Stella.”
    “What a stupid thing to say. Everyone deserves friendship.”
    “And as much as I really appreciate the offer, I’m going to fly solo. I have your cell-phone number, and I know service is spotty, but I’ll try to call you. And you call me anytime. Remember, I programmed my phone with your song. When I hear “Some Enchanted Evening,” I’ll know it’s you and pounce on the phone.” Vanessa smiled. “And I promise that when I find Clive, I’ll get the word to you, no matter what it takes.”
    Stella nodded with a quiet sigh. “Okay.” She stepped aside to let Vanessa finish filling her bag. “So what was his name?”
    “Who?”
    “The eleven.”
    She zipped up the case and flung it over her shoulder. “Oh, I don’t remember, but he’s definitely not my type.” She took the card key off the dresser and held it out to Stella. “Here.”
    “Thanks. I might move in here for a few days,” Stella said. “Your cabin’s bigger than mine.”
    “Make yourself at home.” Vanessa hesitated a second, then reached both arms out, fighting the demon that made the