Our Island Inn (Quirky Tales from the Caribbean) Read Free Page B

only applicants for the position, but Glenn assured his partner that they were the perfect fit. They were already onsite and had moved into one of the smaller suites, the room and board being a portion of the agreed upon compensation.
    “Wait until you taste their food,” Glenn gushed to an envious Oliver. “You’re going to love it.”
    ~ ~ ~
    IT WAS WITH great relief that Oliver made his own permanent move to the Caribbean six months later. After flying into the regional airport, he caught the next available ferry to the island’s main town.
    When the boat docked, Oliver was the first passenger to disembark, bounding joyfully down the gangplank. It took every ounce of self-control for him to keep from wrapping his arms around his partner in an exuberant hug – not that Glenn would have allowed such an overt display of affection.
    Oliver thought he detected an aloof tone in his partner’s voice, more than just the typical Caribbean reserve, but he shrugged it off. After all the time they’d spent apart, there was bound to be some awkwardness.
    Any lingering concerns fell away a s soon as they reached Parrot Ridge.
    Glenn turned the jeep ont o the recently paved drive and looked over at the passenger seat.
    “Prepare to be amazed,” he said with a grin.
    ~ ~ ~
    AS THE JEEP reached the summit and pulled into the inn’s new parking area, Oliver drew in his breath. Glenn had sent hundreds of digital photos of the construction as it progressed, but none of those two-dimensional images could compare to the real thing.
    Oliver could hardly believe the transformation.
    The main building spanned the flattest portion of the hilltop, a three-story rectangular-shaped structure with balconies and exterior stairs attached to the west-facing side. Each guest room had been configured to provide the best possible view from its location within the building.
    A massive retaining wall near the rear of the structure anchored the last few feet of dirt from the upper hillside. A narrow staircase built into the wall led around back to the top-floor entrance for the owner’s quarters. The two-bedroom apartment had an open floor plan, a full-size kitchen, and its own wide balcony with western views.
    Glenn pointed out the location of their living space.
    “I’v e been keeping Noodles and Yum-Yum inside while the construction is going on,” he said, referring to the men’s two Standard Poodles, who had traveled to the island via a pet transport company a few months earlier. “They’re eager to see you, but let me give you a quick tour of the rest of the property first.”
    Proudly, Glenn directed his partner down a short flight of concrete steps to the entertainment pavilion and pool area.
    Maya and Jesús were supervising the installation of the cooking appliances, evidenced by the heavy hammering going on behind the kitchen’s swinging doors, and painters were putting the final touches on various pieces of decorative wood trim, but the main features of the space were finalized and in place.
    Within seco nds of his initial oohs and aahs, Oliver began planning the seating arrangements for the restaurant tables that would be set up on the deck surrounding the pool.
    Glenn laughed as Oliver scurried to and fro, envisioning the various positioning options and the elaborate place settings he would create.
    After several minutes of enthusiastic brainstorming, h e joined Glenn at the deck’s northwest railing. He leaned over the top bar, sighing at the stunning sea view that had first sold them on the property.
    Then his gaze caught a movement on the steep ground below.
    “Look, Glenn! Chickens!”
    “Yeah, yeah. They’re feral. Jesús feeds them leftover scraps from the kitchen, but they pretty much take care of themselves.” Glenn stretched his mouth into a scowling yawn. “They’re quaint and all – until the roosters wake you up at the crack of dawn with their ridiculous crowing.”
    Oliver beamed down at the nearest bird