Amanda M Lee [Lee - Witches Just Want to Have Fun

1

One

W elcome to Moonstone Bay. We have eight hotels, fifteen bars and hundreds of shopping destinations. Where can I take you?

I arched an eyebrow as I stared at the man standing next to what could loosely be described as a taxicab. He was handsome in a work out four hours a day, five days a week sort of way and his brown hair was a tad unkempt. Given the cut of his cheekbones and broad shoulders, the messy hair made him all the more appealing. Sure, the Hawaiian shirt and chinos tempered his sex appeal, but not by much.

Unfortunately for him I wasnt in the mood for hot guys and flirty banter. All I really wanted was a bottle of Pepto-Bismol and a cold cloth for my forehead. The choppy ride to Moonstone Bay my new island home on the worlds smallest and most turbulence-prone airplane ever designed had been nothing short of vomit inducing.

Im going to the Moonstone Bay Lighthouse. I shifted my bag so it rested on my larger suitcase, which thankfully rolled on wheels. If I had to lift it I knew Id throw up or maybe pass out due to the heat and humidity. That wasnt the way I wanted to say hello to my new home.

Really? An eyebrow winged up on the taxi drivers handsome face. Youre Hadley Hunter, huh?

I wasnt sure if I should be surprised or impressed. Am I your only recent transplant?

The man shrugged. Were a tourist destination. That means we see a lot of new faces. Very few of those faces are permanent.

I spared a glance for the sunny sky, sandy beach and lush foliage that filled the area surrounding Moonstone Bays small airport. It wasnt an airport like the one Id left from in Detroit. That had been a metropolitan airport, packed with stores, restaurants and terminals. No, the Moonstone Bay airport had only one terminal and two stores. You were either coming to or going from Moonstone Bay. There were no connecting flights.

I see. I forced a smile as I tucked a strand of my long black hair behind my ear. I could already tell the humidity was going to be murder on my tresses. It would soon become wider than it was long if I didnt get a hand on decent hair care products. I didnt give that due thought before rushing headlong into lunacy and uprooting my entire life to move to a place Id never heard of and surrounding myself with people Id never met.

Maybe I should go back. No one wants to deal with permanent summer hair, right?

You seem a bit overwhelmed. The man smiled as he grabbed my suitcase and loaded it into the back of the cab. The vehicle in question was actually a small bus, one of those you see in movies from the sixties and think are cute on first inspection until youre forced to sit on cracked vinyl seats and realize the air conditioning no longer works.

Im not overwhelmed. Even though the words came easily to my lips I didnt believe them. I hoped the man would be a different story. I was determined to meet this new adventure with a bold heart and open mind. Im naturally snarky and prone to bouts of rampant complaining, so I wasnt sure that was possible. I was going to give it my best shot, though. Im simply a bit sick to my stomach.

Ah. The man nodded, recognition dawning. You were on the morning flight, which means you were on the smallest plane that stops here. If I remember correctly, that plane makes the ride a bit rocky.

That was putting it mildly. I think Ill take the ferry next time.

If you have a weak stomach, that wont help. The waters are choppy when you come in through the bay.

Well, great. I meant the exact opposite. Im the only person I know whod pick a new home that promised continuous vomiting whenever I traveled to and from it. That was so me.

Yeah, youre overwhelmed. The man grinned as he extended his hand. Im Booker, by the way.

I slowly accepted his hand. Booker? Is that a first or last name?

Booker bobbed his head and grinned. Yes.

Huh. Given the way he looked half hot, half schlub I guess I could expect nothing less. Its nice to meet you. I take it youre the island taxi driver.

Among other things. Booker ushered me to the passenger side of the small bus and opened the door. Hop in. Ill give you the ten-cent tour of our fine island on the way to the lighthouse.

I cant wait.

Booker was the chatty sort, which seemed to go with his outfit rather than his chiseled facial features. He didnt bother looking both ways before pulling into non-existent traffic as he began his running commentary.

Youll find therere very few vehicles on the island, Booker explained, waving at an elderly woman on the sidewalk. The island is only fifty square miles and the bulk of the population resides in the main city.

The island and the city are both named the same thing, right?

Booker nodded. Moonstone Bay.

Its a unique name.

Its a unique place.

Id landed only an hour before, so I could hardly argue with that. So, Im guessing the main industry is tourism. I kept my eyes on the scenery flashing past the window. Does that sustain the entire island?

Pretty much. Bookers smile was enigmatic. There are farms on the far side of the island, so we have our own fresh produce and meat. Other than that, almost everything we do is in the name of tourism.

You dont sound particularly happy about that.

Booker pursed his lips. Im not unhappy with it. Im merely used to it. This is a new experience for you so it will probably take a bit of time to get used to island living. Its not something most people embrace overnight.

That was a strange statement. Isnt island living the same as living anyplace else just on an island?

Instead of agreeing, Booker barked out a laugh. Youre cute.

Thanks I think.

Island living isnt like anything else youve ever experienced, I can promise you that.

You dont even know me, I pointed out. I could be a wild person who jumps from island to island for all you know.

Booker slid an appraising look in my direction. I think youre probably wild, but I doubt very much youve ever lived on an island.

Why is that?

Because youre whiter than Maddie Parks new bikini.

Maddie Park?