12

 

Blaine lurched to his feet. “No sense in my hanging around here then. What a shame, though, I don’t get to check out this fascinating country.”

Did this man never quit? Now he wanted a tour guide?

Timothy pursed his lips as if he were contemplating Blaine’s broad hint. “That does seem a shame, doesn’t it? All that time to get here, all that money spent, merely to return home empty handed.” Timothy tapped his chin. “Here’s an idea. Where are you staying?”

Where was Blaine staying? What did it matter?

“At the Hilton back in the city, why?”

“Shay and I were just heading out to lunch. Why don’t you join us and, in the meantime, I’ll see if I can rustle up a guide for you.”

What was this? Now they were best buds? I’d never understand men. I must have made some form of incredulous snuffling sound.

Timothy swung back to me. He coughed and winked at me behind his hand.

We scaled the wicked stairs to Timothy’s car.

Blaine stopped half way up to catch his breath.

What restaurant would Timothy choose for lunch? Somewhere expensive to show up Blaine? Were we going to have a one-upmanship display? I needn’t have worried.

Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into a chicken restaurant parking lot.

Good. I’d only have to suffer a quick lunch, and then Blaine would be gone.

Timothy had some kind of a plan, though. After we seated ourselves in the humble fast food joint, Timothy reached into his pocket for his phone and excused himself. He mouthed the word “Danilo” as he moved to a quieter, more private part of the restaurant. After a short time, Timothy returned and addressed Blaine. “You’re in luck. I found someone willing to help you with your unfortunate predicament. He has a great deal of experience conducting tours and, as luck would have it, he’s available for the next few days.”

Blaine’s face brightened. “Terrific. How much does he charge?”

“One hundred dollars a day, plus gas money. A bargain. Here’s the deal. Shay and I are going to drive you back to your hotel, and he’ll pick you up in an hour. Work for you?”

Blaine licked a spot of chicken grease off the back of his hand.

I handed him a napkin. “I suppose…what’s the guy’s name?”

“Danilo Reyes.”

“The little guy who gave me directions to your office? I don’t suppose you know a sexy female tour guide?” Blaine was sitting across the table from me, and he reached over and gripped my hand.

I slapped his wrist.

“OK, I’ll settle for Danilo. Shay? You sure there’s nothing I can say to change your mind?” He drew an airplane ticket out of his back pocket and held it out to me. “Take it in case you reconsider.”

“No. Give it up.”

Timothy heaved a quiet sigh. I’d pleased him.

Blaine leaned back in his chair and shoved the ticket back in his pocket. “So, when’s the wedding? Am I invited?”

Timothy and I swiveled to stare at each other. His gaze screamed hopefulness, and sadly, I’m sure my face whispered guilt and remorse. His gaze flitted away from me and hit the floor. I would have to talk to him—and soon. This wasn’t right.

I changed the subject. With Blaine horning in, now was not the time for a meaningful conversation. “Why don’t we drop you back at the Hilton so you can start your sightseeing? Don’t want to be late.” I stood up, marched to the trashcan, and tossed the remains of my lunch. “You guys coming?”

Blaine took his time chewing the last shreds of his chicken strip, and guzzled his soda.

Timothy, already on his feet, raised a brow in Blaine’s direction. Perhaps Blaine’s painful memory of hitting the ground with a thud sprang to mind, because with one last gulp from his drink, we were off.

When we rolled up to the hotel curb to drop him off, my burden lifted.

Blaine reached up front to where I was sitting and stroked my cheek with the palm of his hand. “It could have been good, Shay. Call me if this bozo doesn’t treat you right.”

I would have figured Blaine’s unwelcome touch would have fired up Timothy, but instead, he calmly shoved Blaine away, and placed a hand on my knee. Game, set, match. The boys shook hands, and Blaine left without a backward glance. Phew!

Timothy wheeled away from the curb and reversed direction. “Want to go shopping now?” He was doing it again—avoiding the subject looming over us like a gigantic giraffe.

“OK. Shopping it is.” I’d give him today, but tonight, we’d have the marriage talk if I had to sit on him.

As we headed to the plaza, I focused my attention on Timothy. “Is Danilo a real tour guide?”

“Yes. Whenever we have guests at the seminary, he’s drives them around to see the sights. And from a practical point of view, if Danilo is with Blaine, he can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t make any more unexpected visits.”

I wouldn’t argue with that. “Danilo grew up in the city, then?”

“No. He was born in the creek community.”

“Is that a fact? He could be a poster boy for all that is fashionable. And he’s so bright.”

Timothy frowned, his forehead wrinkling. “Living by the creek doesn’t make the residents stupid. Just poor.”

The flush of shame stole up my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. It’s only that Danilo appears so cosmopolitan. How did he end up as your teaching assistant?”

“A few years ago, I was helping some of the locals dig a well. Fresh water is a real problem here, and the creek is polluted and filled with trash.” Timothy stomped hard on the brake, sliding to a stop mere inches from a yellow jeepney.

“Ten-year-old Danilo showed up at dawn, determined to do the work of a man. He watched what I did and copied me. He’s one smart kid. He dogged my every step, and we got to know each other.” He glanced at me, and his face shadowed. “He’s an orphan. Both parents died when he was five.”

A five-year-old having to fend for himself? I shuddered inside. “So you made sure he was taken care of?”

“Yes. My housekeeper, Divina, agreed to take him in. She only has one son, and I knew she’d love him as if he were her own. I still make sure Danilo, and her son Joselito, are well taken care of and both boys receive a fine education.”

Timothy’s kindness and concern had changed Danilo’s life in ways I couldn’t imagine. The desire to make such a difference in the life of another overwhelmed me. What had I ever done but make decisions based on my own needs?

As Timothy came to a stop at a light, I placed my hand on his arm and squeezed, hoping he’d sense how much I admired his generosity. “And now Danilo takes classes at the seminary? What does he want to do with his life?”

“He’s studying to be a minister. He plans on going back to the community to help in any way he can.” Timothy veered into the parking lot of the shopping center and switched off the car.

“Wow. Good kid. So now, I have another question for you. A hundred dollars a day to ferry Blaine around? Seems rather high to me.” Chuckling, I unfastened my seatbelt.

“Can Blaine afford it? He didn’t blink an eye.”

“You betcha. His mom came from money, and he gets a nice allowance.”

Timothy climbed out of the car and walked around to open my door. He grabbed my hand, making sure I didn’t stumble on the rough gravel. This time, I liked the attention. “So what is the going rate?”

Timothy buffed his fingernails on his shirt. “Why don’t we just say it’s significantly less than a hundred. Tuition at Pacific Rim is eight hundred dollars a semester. Four days of carting Blaine around will pay for half. That isn’t why I did it, though. Tourists can fall prey to the wrong sort in some areas. Blaine will be well protected with Danilo, who will make sure he’s safe. ”