Geneva parked next to her father’s car outside of Rock of Hope. He had been texting her for the past hour asking about her defense. She knew she had to come see him in person.
She reached into the takeout bag for her burger and undid the wrapper. Geneva bit into the juicy beef. She would finish it before heading inside to avoid her father’s lecture on healthy eating.
While she ate, Isabella’s words played in her mind. “You’re a woman with a broken heart…”
She scrunched her nose. But was she?
Geneva straightened. Of course she was. Darn that Josh for putting doubt in her mind. She crumpled the wrapper into a ball and grabbed the napkin to wipe away all the evidence. She reached for her phone and pulled up the Iberia Resort. Geneva looked at the blue sea, the white beach and bit her lip. She didn’t relish going solo, but maybe some alone time would be good for her. She had worked nonstop from college until this moment and needed to regroup. Her altercation with Josh was further proof she needed a break. She would see what her father thought.
Geneva exited the car.
The gusty wind nipped at her ears. Geneva dashed inside the church. The temperature had dropped several degrees. Her feet were freezing in her pumps. She rubbed her hands. Tonight, she was pulling out her boots.
Once inside, Geneva headed to her father’s office. As usual, he had the radio station on 104.9 FM. She dropped her coat over a chair.
“How did you do?” Pastor Samson asked. “I know I blew up your phone, but I was nervous for you. I don’t know why I let you talk me into not coming with you.”
“Having you there would’ve made me more nervous.” She spread her hands and grinned. “You’re now looking at Dr. Geneva Samson.”
Her father clapped his hands and came from around his desk to give her a hug. She enjoyed the warmth of his wool sweater.
“Congratulations, Doctor. I’m so proud. I wish Maggie was here to see you,” he said releasing her.
Geneva smiled and looked down at her feet. “I’m thinking of going on my honeymoon. Well, not the honeymoon, but the trip.”
His eyebrows rose. “Without a husband?”
“It’s too much money to waste. I could call the resort and have them downgrade my room. What do you think?”
Her father’s eyes softened. “Don’t let money be the only reason you go.”
“It’s not. But it’s high up on the list.” She glanced away and thought about her fight with Josh. “I saw Josh.”
“How did that go?”
Geneva shrugged. “I confronted him.” She wouldn’t mention how physical she had gotten.
“Did he have any explanation?”
She shook her head and looked up at the ceiling. “None that made sense.” Josh’s words about her lack of love came back to her.
Pastor Samson stepped close. “I know you’re hurting, but in time you’ll be okay. I promise. I know about heartache, and I can tell you the pain lessens in time.”
She touched his cheek. “I don’t think you can compare my situation to yours and Mom’s. Josh is very much alive. He just chose not to include me in his life.”
He rubbed his chin. “Maybe time away will be good for you. What about asking Isabella to go with you? I’d come, but you know we have our convention coming up.”
“Isabella can’t come, either. She had already put in for her cruise in March, and the other judges are going on their family vacations.” She shrugged. “The resort is all-inclusive, and there are daily excursions. But I plan to relax, sleep late, and read on the beach.”
Pastor Samson’s smile widened with admiration. “That’s my girl. You’re a survivor, just like Maggie. She would’ve done the same thing.” He gestured toward the phone. “Why don’t you call them now? Your reservations are only a couple of weeks away, so if you’re going to make changes, do it now.”
Geneva went over to his computer and pulled up her travel information. She used the landline to call the Iberia Resort. One of her teacher friends had stayed there during her trip to Montego Bay and had highly recommended the five-star resort. Her father leaned against the doorjamb and folded his hands.
“Welcome to the Iberia Resort. How may I direct your call?” the voice on the other end said.
“I’m calling to change my reservation.” Geneva supplied her travel information. “I had the honeymoon suite booked, and I wanted to change rooms and possibly get a refund on the difference.”
“Let me see what we can do.”
He put her on hold so fast she wasn’t able to respond. Geneva drummed her fingers on the desk to the tune of the on-hold music. She cupped the phone and addressed her father. “I’m waiting to see what they say.”
He nodded. “I’ve got a meeting with the deacons.” He grabbed a notebook and threw her a kiss before leaving the room.
“Ma’am? Unfortunately, we were not able to offer you a refund, as the package was nonrefundable. Also, because we are hosting two destination weddings, we’re almost full to capacity. But I have great news. I was able to book you into another suite. It features two master bedrooms and shared dining. I hope this is a better solution?”
He made the disappointing news sound pleasant with that lilting accent. Geneva smiled. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you. I’ll take it.”
She heard clicking before he said, “Okay, Ms. Samson, you’re all set. We look forward to your visit to the beautiful Montego Bay and trust you will enjoy your stay at the Iberia Resort. May I help you with anything else?”
“Uh, yes, I’ll be there,” she said, not fully processing all his words.
Geneva ended the call and touched her chest. She was going to an island she had never been to before. Alone. The reality was daunting. Geneva’s heart raced. She had traveled abroad before, but with the singles’ group from her church. She had been to Rome and London, but this was supposed to have been her honeymoon. Her shoulders sagged. The thought of being in a two-bedroom suite by herself depressed her.
Geneva toyed with her dress shirt collar. “Lord, I know I’m not alone, but I would prefer to take this trip with another human.” She printed out her vacation information. Then a voice on the radio captured her attention.
“So, I wanted to share this crazy story that’s been circling the Internet. A man planned a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but she broke up with him. You’re not going to believe what he did next,” the radio announcer said.
“What did he do?” another host asked.
“I’ll tell you in a minute. But first let’s hear from our sponsors.”
Geneva cocked her head. She turned up the volume and settled into the chair to listen.
“Don’t keep us in suspense,” his cohost said in a mellow voice once the commercials were over. “What did he do?”
“He launched an online campaign to find another woman with the same name as his ex-girlfriend.”
“No way. Get out.”
Geneva heard the laughter and chuckled along with them.
“Yes, that’s exactly what he did. And would you know that a young woman with the same name tweeted her passport picture to him.”
“Wow, that is hilarious,” the woman said. “Are you sure this isn’t a hoax?”
“No. No. It’s very real. That lucky young woman met him at the airport, and they went on to go to New York, Vienna, Hong Kong, Milan and other places in three weeks.”
“That must have been some adventure…”
They drifted to other topics, and Geneva turned down the volume. Her heart pounded in her chest. She retrieved the documents she had printed earlier. Joshua’s plane ticket had printed with hers. His name was below hers in everything.
She snorted. “I wish I knew another Joshua James, because I’d take him with me.” She sighed. “But that’s ridiculous.” She looked up at the ceiling. “Isn’t it?”
But the more she thought about it, the more that joke morphed in a consideration.
Geneva bit her nails while she thought. Why couldn’t she take another Joshua James with her? What if there was someone in her county with the same name? She shook her head. Why was she even considering this insane idea? Except…
It had worked for that man, so…
Joshua James might not be as common as the name Bob Smith, but she could try. Geneva rushed over to the computer. She typed in his name and her town in the search bar and waited. Then her mouth dropped. There were three in her county. She leaned back in the chair. What if one of them was crazy enough to take her up on her offer?
She squinted. How would she reach them?
She snapped her fingers. She had the best marketing tool at her fingertips. Social media. Geneva jumped to her feet. She could create an advertisement like that man had done.
Geneva paced as she considered the idea.
Her father walked in and stopped. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.” He dropped his notepad on the desk. “Did you get the room changed?”
She nodded. “And I’ve got a great idea.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“I’m going to invite another Joshua James to come with me.”
Her father’s eyes went wide. He placed his hands on his hips and yelled, “Have you lost your mind?”