Gus shook his head, smiling at what entertained the cold-blooded killer sitting beside him. “I figured when we came back from Vegas after the wedding, you two would settle into humdrum married life. Here it is nearly six weeks later and you’re still trying to annoy her like always. How do you do it?”
“I’m thinking of getting Deke a kitten.”
Gus nearly snorted coffee through his nose, as he had just begun sipping the brew.
“Damn, Nick!” Gus laughed. “You need to get back to work. This family life has released your inner demons. It’s not pretty.”
“I sent Diego’s newest adventure in last week. My agent called me Friday and claimed it’s my best work yet,” Nick said defensively.
“We both know what work I’m talking about, partner. What’d you title your book anyway?”
“Caribbean Contract,” Nick answered with enthusiasm. “Diego took on a partner in this latest literary masterpiece of mine.”
“He wouldn’t happen to be black and a master mariner, would he?”
“Why yes, Gus, how perceptive of you. Did -”
“You’re toast, Hotshot!” Rachel’s voice warned, her voice carrying over surf, wind, and conversation.
“Uh oh.” Gus smirked, as Nick studiously kept from turning toward Rachel’s voice. “Your evil ways have caught up with you, Hemingway. It looks like a triple team. Rachel recruited Dan and Carol on the way. The Dynamic Duo has joined with Wonder Woman to put the Joker in his place.”
“When I get the galley for editing from my agent, I’m writing out the smartass partner,” Nick replied, evoking laughter from Gus.
By this time Rachel had forged ahead of Dan and Carol to stand with arms folded over her chest.
“Hi, Rach,” Gus greeted her, while Nick turned away.
“He made me into the bed! That’s six mornings in a row!”
“Ah… you neglected to mention this wasn’t your first caper, Joker,” Gus pointed out. “Hi Dan…Carol.”
“I wouldn’t sit too close to Nick this morning, Gus,” Dan advised, smiling knowingly.
“You should be ashamed, Nick,” Carol added, trying not to laugh.
“And you, young lady!” Rachel pointed at Jean, who was dancing around with Deke, in a victory dance. “Your mentor here won’t be around every minute. I will have my revenge!”
Gus stood up while Nick continued sitting, looking off to the left as if completely absorbed by the horizon. “Now look, I know tucking the covers around you and sneaking off may be a little -”
“Tucking the covers?” Rachel snapped incredulously. “Is that what he told you? He duct-tapes me into the bed, damn it!”
Gus started howling in laughter, walking away while trying to stop. His reaction set off Dan and Carol, who also stepped back a few paces. Gus noted Nick then peeked over his shoulder at Rachel. Seeing her lip quivering as she resisted laughter, Gus watched with amusement as Nick jumped up and put an arm around her shoulders.
“Good morning, my love.” Nick kissed Rachel’s cheek.
“Don’t you good morning me. It took ten minutes to get out of bed this time, you brat.” Rachel turned her head away, but allowed Nick to draw her closer.
Gus approached the group again with some trepidation, but did so more confidently once he saw Rachel’s arm slip around Nick’s waist. “I told Nick he needs to get back to work.”
“He needs a vacation, Gus,” Carol interjected. “Nick just finished a book.”
“I’m afraid I agree.” Rachel leaned her head against Nick’s chest. “A long vacation.”
“Besides, I have a job,” Nick stated. “Deke and I walk Danger to school in the morning while Rachel…ah…sleeps in.”
“Nick told me he was going to stop,” Jean joined in, seeing she was missing her favorite part of Nick’s morning ritual lately: the aftermath. She beckoned the group to follow her. “C’mon over and look at the shells I found this morning.”
“Actually,” Nick whispered to Gus as they brought up the rear, “I told Danger I ran out of duct tape.”
“Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop,” Gus admonished.
“Maybe you’re right,” Nick allowed.
Bernard Lee DeLeo
