There was a knock at the back door, and Fritz and Paul, my security team for the trip, walked in. My other security, and personal trainer, was Cassidy Hope. She would get some on-the-job experience this trip, but if it came to it, I would rather have her at my side than the other two. Her dad was my football coach, and a retired Marine. Cassidy had grown up as one of the guys, so to speak, and the Marines had taught her hand-to-hand combat. I think they thought it was funny to watch this wisp of a girl take down recruits. Cassidy had decided to take me on as her student, and four times a week, she kicked my butt.
“You about ready?” Fritz asked.
I shoved a piece of toast into my mouth and handed Coby to my mom. I needed to grab my carry-on bag. We’d already shipped almost everything I wanted to have with me. I met them at the car and threw my bag into the back of the SUV. Dad had agreed to go with us so he could drive it back home.
“Shotgun!” I called.
I dove into the car, buckled up, and waved to the two remaining paparazzi at the front gate. Thank God most paparazzi were city boys. Our town was a lot more inconvenient than they were used to, which meant far fewer felt the itch to camp on my doorstep. Of course, having grown up here had its advantages, too. Neither the police nor the neighbors were very accommodating of strangers trying to stir things up.
“You can have shotgun until the first stop,” Fritz said.
Paul gave me a dirty look but got into the back with Dad. Little did I know we were picking up Cassidy and Caryn; my claim on the front seat didn’t last very long.
After some intense negotiations with my mom, Caryn was my designated adult on this trip. Mom had wanted to go to Cuba, but her real estate business had picked up recently. Mom had said a number of times that you made money when you could in real estate. Caryn had almost not gone either, because we were opening up a new restaurant in the strip mall I’d bought in lieu of stand-alone office space. The strip mall also housed my mom’s real estate office and my brother’s massage business.
I wasn’t worried about the restaurant opening. I’d partnered with Granny, who had one of the best self-named eateries in our area. She’d lent us her name—the place was named Granny’s West. My other partner was Mary Dole. She’d taught me to be a much better cook. Her father had owned several restaurants, so it was in her blood. Mary was in charge of the kitchen while Granny ran the front. My contribution was money, back-office management, and bookkeeping.
The plan was for the restaurant to have a private grand opening this Friday. We would open our doors to the public on Saturday. Caryn and I really hated that we’d miss it. She’d put a lot of work into getting the space remodeled. Mom and Dad had agreed to step in with the help of Megan Crowley, our bookkeeper, tech person, and Girl Friday.
When we arrived at Caryn’s, I was sent to go get her. She lived in a three-story condominium and, of course, had a third-floor unit. I think Paul and Fritz just didn’t want to lug her bag down the stairs. Caryn met me at the door.
“Hang on. I need to set the alarm,” she said.
She had a small suitcase with a telescoping handle and wheels. I picked it up—it must have weighed a hundred pounds.
“What do you have in this … rocks?”
“Shut up. A woman needs things,” she said vaguely.
I just carried her suitcase downstairs while she messed with her alarm. I smiled when it went off and she said some bad words. It must be new. When I got downstairs, Paul had claimed shotgun. He was going to Cuba with me, so I would have a month to get even.
Dad, Caryn, and I sat in the middle seat on the trip to Cassidy’s. She and her dad were on the front porch, waiting for us. I’d gotten smart and sent her a text to let her know we were on the way. I jumped out to get her bag. Her dad gave her a long hug.
Before I could get back in the car, he stopped me.
“Let me give you some money for Cassidy,” he offered.
“They don’t take US dollars in Cuba. Plus, she’s an employee, and all expenses are paid for this trip,” I assured him.
“But she might want something extra,” he said, pressing an envelope into my hands.
I didn’t quite know why he would give me the money and not his daughter but didn’t want to debate it with him.
“And David, look out for her.”
“I will. I’ll see you when we get back,” I said and shook his hand.
Cassidy and I were relegated to the third row with Dad and Caryn in the middle. I was fine sitting with my friend. As soon as I sat down, Cassidy put her hand out.
“Give,” she ordered.
I just handed her the envelope. She could take it away if she wanted to, so I figured this was for the best.
◊◊◊
The horror! Caryn had used the money the studio had sent for my first-class ticket to upgrade everyone to business class. None of them had any sympathy for me. At least I wasn’t jammed into a middle seat. In reality, business class wasn’t all that bad, but I wasn’t going to let Caryn know that.
