“So tell me about your family,” Jocelyn said standing up straight and brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. “Or at least talk to me about something.” Half an hour had passed between Jocelyn and Ryan in complete silence and she was starved for conversation to keep her mind off of their current situation.
“What do you want to know?” he asked stopping and setting down the palm fronds in his arms onto the ground.
“Oh, you know the usual, job, family, love life,” she replied with a smile. “Unless you have something to hide?” she asked after a considerable silence had passed.
Ryan turned around with his hands on his head. Jocelyn realized he had unbuttoned his shirt further and her eyes trailed to the exposed skin and the occasional dark spot of hair on his chest. ‘I’m a lover and a fighter. We need to get back before they wonder what happened to us,” he replied with a smile. Jocelyn stared after him as he gathered up the palm leaves and started back toward the beach.
By the time Jocelyn and Ryan reached their group’s makeshift camp, Tracy had already started tearing apart fruit with a sharpened rock and was talking with a watchful Jennifer. Richard was struggling with getting a fire started and Ryan immediately went to help him. Jocelyn searched for a tree close enough to the first shelter to start another and set to work strategically placing the palm fronds to keep some rain out.
Sitting near the fire Ryan was staring back up towards the camp and Jocelyn. She was making quite the protective wall that would last through the night at least. If it fell they would just have to come up with something in the morning. Tracy came over to the fire followed by Jennifer who helped carry slices of fruit for the survivors to satiate their hunger. Ryan took a few pieces for himself, eating it as he walked back towards the tree line to share their small dinner with Jocelyn.
“You know, I always thought it would be great to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. I could tan and swim all day, read a book, or just relax and I wouldn’t be near a single phone or computer,” Jocelyn said taking the offered fruit and sitting down in the shade of her finished shelter.
“Have you changed your mind on the matter then?” Ryan asked looking at her in the slowly fading sunlight.
“No, I just forgot to imagine a large cabana, and a cabana boy or two to take care of my needs,” she said laughing and nudging Ryan’s knee with her own.
“Well I’ll see what I can do about the cabana boy but I don’t think that I can make do on any Hilton styled accommodations,” Ryan replied smiling at her and taking another bite of fruit.
“Trust me, I’ve slept in a lot worse than this. So where would you prefer to be?”
“I’d much rather be traveling across Europe, hunting werewolves or vampires, eating, learning, discovering. You know adventurous stuff,” is what Ryan replied.
“Where’s your favorite place to go for vacation? I’m going to assume not a tropical island.”
“I prefer colder weather,” Ryan responded taking off his shoes and socks to dig his feet into the cool sand. “The Nordic countries or anywhere in Eastern Europe. Basically somewhere where I can enjoy my vacation when it’s nice by sightseeing or relax when there is inclement weather.” Jocelyn agreed and finished off her last piece of fruit, nearly choking when a clap of thunder boomed.
“I really hope that this lasts,” Jocelyn said laughing nervously and motioning towards their scant shelter. The late afternoon sun had disappeared completely behind dark storm clouds and waves were beginning to crash against the beach. Lightning flashed against the dark backdrop and Jocelyn laughed as she saw Jennifer pull Richard down as she tried to run in the sand back towards the tree line making a beeline for the second shelter.
Jocelyn could hear Jennifer whining about how bad their condition was and how she just wanted to be home. Join the club hunnie, was all she could think. Ryan grabbed her hand before she could say something out loud and ran with her to talk to the others. Rain had started falling in buckets and Ryan and Jocelyn had to crouch low to fit inside of the makeshift shelter fully. Tracy was as furthest away holding her knees, seeming to talk to herself.
“Lovely weather we’re having huh?” Ryan asked wiping water off of his dark brown hair.
“What are we supposed to do now?” Richard asked becoming less and less the leader he was on the yacht. “I don’t think anyone is on their way to rescue us.”
“Its only been one night,” Jocelyn replied wishing he would keep his pessimistic mouth shut. “You can’t expect the National Guard or the Marines when we aren’t even expected anywhere until tonight or tomorrow morning. Someone will come eventually.”
“She’s right,” Ryan agreed shaking his head and thanking his lucky starts there was at least one person who thought logically. “I doubt that there is anything dangerous on this island that we need to worry about, but I think we should have watch shifts.” At this Tracy perked up and began to listen intently. “Just to be on the safe side, what do you all think? Richard?”
“If that’s what you think we need, then by all means.” Jocelyn rolled her eyes as Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck and began crying again. I am sure she is in that relationship for the money and not the muscle, she thought to herself and turning towards Ryan.
“I don’t think whoever keeps watch should be alone,” Jocelyn interjected. “Someone else should at least be in the same shelter in case something happens.” She hoped Ryan would understand she did not want to be alone no matter how tough she appeared.
“I agree. Well if everyone else agrees I say we should all try and get some sleep before it gets too dark. I’ll take the first shift after I get some shuteye and wake Richard up next alright? Any objections?” Everyone shook his or her head in unison to Ryan’s plan. Tracy pulled a jacket out of her small bag and covered her shoulders up with it before Ryan could even move out of the shelter of the rain. Jocelyn followed him out into the storm to make room for Jennifer and Richard to lie down comfortably and was surprised to see the sky had darkened even further.
“Still sure this is gonna hold up?” Jocelyn asked once they had made their way back to the shelter she had built.
“Hopefully,” he replied smiling. Ryan took his black duffel bag from the far corner and pulled out a blanket offering it to Jocelyn.
“Are you always prepared for pirate attacks or what?” she asked gratefully taking the large blue fleece. They might be on a tropical island but with the wind picking up the temperature dropped.
“For the most part. Now don’t think that you are getting all of that to yourself. You better plan on sharing,” he said laughing. Jocelyn flashed him a strange look and his tone immediately changed. “I was just playing around. You can keep it to yourself, I’ve got a sweatshirt in here.” Ryan began digging into his bag again and stopped when Jocelyn touched his arm.
“Its fine, I promise. Id rather share than hog it all from you.” Ryan looked at her to be sure once more and created a makeshift pillow out of his bag for himself and Jocelyn. Jocelyn situated herself on the sand after pulling her own sweatshirt over her tank top. Ryan mimicked her putting on a sweatshirt and lying back to rest his head on his bag.
“Comfortable?” he asked smelling the conditioner in her hair inches away.
“Just like my feather bed at home,” Jocelyn replied laughing quietly. “Just minus the big furry animal that shares my bed with me,” she added.
“Well you’ll just have to make do with me tonight. I promise I wont drool too much.” Ryan pulled the blanket up over Jocelyn’s shoulders and let a hand graze her brown curls before exhaustion got the better of him.
