The magnificent waterfall cascading down the mountain reminded Lynna of a giant staircase rising majestically into the sky, with lacy moss clinging to the smooth stones. The sight left her breathless. If ever there was a paradise, Jamaica was it.
Almost without thinking she had removed her dress and plunged into the inviting water, knowing that she had found her place of peace and tranquility in this new land. Many times since coming to Jamaica she had climbed the sloping path to the top of the waterfall, tempted to dive into the deep pool below, but her courage always fled when she stood at the top of the precipice looking down.
She left the water, shaking her head as her eyes wandered over the tanned legs on display below her chemise. The Jamaican sun had turned her skin a light golden brown. Would she ever be magnolia blossom white again? Probably not as long as she remained in Jamaica, which she hoped was a long time to come.
She had no desire to return to Magnolia House and watch Suzanne parade around flaunting her impending motherhood in her face. Her only regret was that Aunt Judith couldn’t be here to enjoy the splendor of this lush tropical paradise with her.
“Hello.”
Horrified, Lynna gasped. She had just climbed out of the pool and quickly darted to the shadows of the forest, scrambling to grab her dress and clutch it to her breast. “Oh, hello.” She exhaled a deep sigh of relief to witness a little girl with long golden locks and deep brown eyes smiling back at her. “I didn’t realize that anyone else was here.”
“I know.” The child giggled secretively. “You never do.”
Lynna immediately panicked. Who else had been watching her? “You mean you have been here before when I was swimming?”
“Oh, yes, lots of times. I told Father and told him that there was a beautiful mermaid who lives in the pool at the waterfall, but he never believes me,” she scoffed, removing her shoes and dangling her dainty little feet in the cool water.
Lynna peered into the forest, praying that the child’s father wouldn’t pop out of the trees next.
The adorable little girl looked Lynna over from head to toe with a puzzled expression. “I finally convinced him to accompany me today, but just when we were about to leave there was yet another problem at the distillery and he couldn’t come. He never fails to get called away whenever we try to have fun together.”
“Thank God for that.” Lynna shivered involuntarily at the thought. “Not when the two of you try to have fun, but today in particular. It would have proven most embarrassing for me if he had accompanied you.”
“You are a mermaid, aren’t you?” The child asked with all seriousness, leaning over to give Lynna’s feet a closer inspection and seeming extremely crestfallen to find feet instead of a tail. “My mother would read me stories about mermaids. I know they are beautiful creatures that live in water and have fancy tails. Where is your tail?”
Lynna’s hand went to cover her mouth, not wanting the child to think she was ridiculing her. “Thank you very much for the compliment, but no, I fear I am not a mermaid. See? I have legs and feet just like you. Come sit with me and tell me your name. I am new to the island and know few of its people.”
The child looked at her curiously, evidently deciding that she liked the beautiful woman even though she didn’t have a fish tail. “My name is Crystal. My father named me for the crystal clear water in this very pool,” she announced proudly before her angelic face clouded with sadness. “Mother and I used to come here every day and swim, before she died.”
“I’m so sorry. I know how you must miss her.” Lynna knew all too well the pain caused by the loss of a parent. Then hoping to change the subject and brighten the child’s mood, she asked, “Where do you live? It must be close by.”
“At Eden,” the child answered, playfully kicking her feet and splashing them both.”
“What a fitting name. Is your home very far?”
“No, father will not allow me to go far and I am eight years old.” Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “Can you credit that he still treats me like a child? He is such an old fussbudget.”
“I’m sure your father worries about you only because he loves you so much. If you were my daughter, I wouldn’t allow you stray too far from home either. Now, you were telling me where Eden is.”
“Oh, it’s on the other side of the cane field.” Crystal stood up, her eyes twinkling. “Will you come home with me so that father will know that I did not create you in my imagination?” she pleaded. “Please?”
“No, I couldn’t,” Lynna said. “Your father is busy, you said yourself that there was a problem this morning at the distillery. We would not want to interfere with his work.”
“Oh, he’s always busy. Please,” she pleaded. “Pretty please.”
How could she refuse such a darling face? And she was eager to make friends in her new home.
“Very well, just let me get dressed. But I can only stay a short while since it’s almost lunchtime.”
“Come on.” Crystal giggled. “Let’s go eat a stinking toe.”
Lynna couldn’t have heard the child correctly. Did she just invite her to consume a stinking toe? “Excuse me?” Although she had heard from her Uncle Cliff that Jamaicans had rather bizarre appetites.
“I said a stinking toe, or ‘tinkin toe,’ as some Jamaicans call it, because the seedpods look like big fat toes and have the scent of smelly feet. It is delicious, and the pulp is very sweet. Father says it is good medicine for relieving headaches and rheumatism.”
A short while later Lynna wiped the sweat from her brow, munching on the sweet meat of a stinking toe as they rode down the narrow road that snaked through the sugarcane fields.
The sugarcane stalks rose ten feet into the air, blocking even the slightest breeze from reaching them, yet allowing the blazing sun to beat relentlessly upon their heads. She clung to the side of the little cart for dear life as it bounced over the ruts in the road pulled by a frisky little donkey. When they cleared the twin fields of towering cane stalks the magnificent plantation of Eden was visible in the distance.
Crystal took her on a guided tour of the plantation describing in surprising detail the many buildings they passed. First were the coolie houses, row after row of cabins surrounded by trees to block out the tropical sun. Lynna knew that sugarcane, often described as a rich man’s crop, was so labor intensive and had such a relatively small window for harvesting that coolies on plantations were often literally worked to death. Owners found it cheaper to bring in fresh workers than to treat coolies humanely. Therefore, after a day of intense labor, the coolies could most often be found drowning their sorrow in rum or smoking the ganja.
Next were the workshops for the blacksmiths, carpenters, and coopers. Then there were the overseer’s cottage, the office, and the bookkeeper’s cottage. Crystal stopped the cart in front of the white pillared plantation house.
“There you are, little lady. You almost missed lunch,” a voice called from the verandah.
Lynna turned to find a handsome man emerging from the side doors of the house with a wide grin at the sight of his daughter.
Crystal jumped from the cart into her father’s waiting arms. “Father, this is the mermaid I was telling you about,” she cried excitedly. “Isn’t she beautiful? But you were right, she isn’t really a mermaid, and she doesn’t even have a tail. Alas, she is just like us.”
“Cheer up, my darling.” Her father laughed. “Perhaps she is an enchanted mermaid with the ability to take human form at will. However, I would have to agree with your assumption as she does possess an exceptional beauty to be a mere mortal.”
The child’s eyes brightened as she considered this new and interesting theory.
Coming around to Lynna’s side, the man’s eyes twinkled as he whispered, “She is an inquisitive child with a very vivid imagination. Please, accept my apologies.” Extending his hand, he introduced himself, “I am Michael Devereux, and the little minx is my daughter.”
“Lynna Mathison,?
?? she replied, taking his hand. “I assure you that there is nothing to apologize for. Your daughter is adorable and quite an accomplished tour guide.” His hands on her waist were firm as they lifted her from the cart.
Lynna noticed that he hadn’t shaved and had a flashback to when she was a child and her father would beard her, as he referred to his mischief making. In the morning before he shaved, he would chase her, grab her in his arms, and rub the scratchy prickles of his unshaven cheek lightly across the tender part of her neck sending her into peals of gay laughter. Her eyes welled at the thought.
Why had her own father forsaken her?
“Will you join us for lunch?” Michael asked, catching her completely off guard. “We don’t receive female company much out here and would be delighted if you would join us.”
She shook her head. “No, I really couldn’t intrude.”
“Please?” Crystal pleaded. “Have lunch with us.”
Although her aunts would surely think her having lunch with total strangers inappropriate, why not? She was hoping to make friends on the island and here was her first opportunity. “All right, but I feel as though I am imposing on your generosity.”
“Nonsense,” Michael said, then couldn’t resist adding, “After all, how often does one have an honest to goodness mermaid to lunch?”
“Oh, sir, I fear you are a terrible jokester.” Lynna laughed. “How will I know when to take you seriously?”
Meeting her eyes, Michael smiled. “You will know.”
Chapter 27