Free Killer Knots by Nancy J. Cohen Page A

neck, Marla realized she and Vail were the only ones from their dinner table on this particular shore excursion. She’d seen the Smernoffs and Wolfsons get on the bus for the Bacardi Rum Distillery tour and almost regretted her choice until she reminded herself of her purpose: to spend quality time with family. Reaching out her hand, she squeezed Brianna’s palm. It felt gratifying to share responsibility for the girl and to enjoy new experiences together.
    “Don’t tell me what to do,” she heard John’s curt tone.
    “You know your skin is sensitive,” Kate chided, twisting in her seat to regard him. “You should have let me put sunscreen on the back of your neck.”
    “We’re going into the rain forest. The canopy will provide enough shade.”
    “I hope you’re right. And why did you insist on bringing that heavy bag? We’re going to be hiking on some rocky trails.”
    “It’s my stuff. I’ll deal with it.” He compressed his lips. “See what I have to put up with?” he said to his son.
    Marla felt a surge of sympathy for Kate. “Your wife is just concerned about you.”
    “I’d worry more about getting wet,” Vail commented in a wry tone. “It’s called the rain forest for a reason.” The bus had started to climb from a residential district with pastel houses and overhead power lines into the green-covered hills, and a light mist curtained the outside air. None of them had thought to toss an umbrella into their totes.
    Marla marveled at the lush foliage as the bus engine strained. She had to admit that the route through the city had given her a glimpse of Puerto Rico she wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Florida being so flat, she rarely had the opportunity to go uphill and view scenic vistas like those revealed on the mountain road. By the time they reached the ranger station, the sun had broken through the clouds and turned the moisture into sprays of diamond-like dew.
    Vail bounded ahead on the dirt path beside a running stream toward a waterfall cascading over a rock face. The guide stopped to point out pink wildflowers, ferns, and other plant life indigenous to the region. Vail and Brianna quizzed each other on the trees while Kate slung her arm through Marla’s.
    “Dalton always liked taking walks in the park,” the redhead said, presenting Marla with a dazzling smile. “When he was growing up, we took him every Sunday to a conservation area near home with wooded trails. John carried a big stick, in case we came across any snakes, but I think it was more for show.”
    “So Dalton got his enjoyment of nature from you?”
    “More likely from John. He’s the adventurous one. Even now, when he should be enjoying what we have at home, he wants to go off on some half-assed jaunts to nowhere.”
    “How long has he been retired?”
    “Six months. He’s been working on his stained-glass projects. At least that keeps him busy.”
    Marla glanced at her future mother-in-law. “Do you work outside the home?”
    “Honey, I put twenty-five years into teaching. Now I’m happy to volunteer at our church, keep up with my bridge games, and refurbish our house.”
    Marla paused to admire a cluster of wild orchids. Water gushed in the background from the waterfall, while the earthy scent of vegetation weighed the air. She couldn’t hear what the guide up ahead was saying, but Dalton could fill her in. She was more interested in getting to know her future family.
    “Do you get to Florida often?” she asked, already knowing the answer. Brianna had gone to visit her grandparents in Maine over Thanksgiving because she hadn’t seen them for months.
    “I don’t like to travel that much,” Kate admitted, her forehead folding into a frown. “That’s why I was so upset when John suggested we get a Winnebago to tour the country. All of a sudden he has time on his hands, and he wants to be a nomad. He can go on his own as far as I’m concerned.”
    Marla heard Kate’s resentful tone and again wondered