Romance on the High Sea

ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEA

1500 words

Bryce looked out over the sea and felt relaxed for the first time in two years. A lot had happened in a short space in his life. He went from a normal North Dakota cowboy with ten bucks in his pocket to a multi-millionaire oil sheik. The ride from broke to rich bucked worse than a rodeo pony. Today his bank account held more money than he and all his ancestors had made put together. It was a crazy feeling.

His twin brother, Shad, walked up. “Why are you just standing there?” he asked. “Aren’t you supposed to be out there trying out the dating scene?”

He made a face at his brother. “Mom can buy us tickets, and force us on this cruise thing, but she can’t make me hit on women.”

Shad laughed. “She shouldn’t have to MAKE you. You’re a bachelor, a rich bachelor. Once women know that they’ll be all over you like syrup on Momma’s pancakes.”

Bryce looked at him. “You want someone to like you because you’re rich?”

Shaking his head. “Well, it won’t be because you’re handsome,” Shad teased. “I’m the handsome twin.”

They were two peas in a pod. Bryce laughed. “Yeah, you’re the handsome and dumb one. You let that girl on the plane know how rich you are. Next thing you know, she was almost purring. Before that she was more interested in her I-Phone thingy.”

“Well, we’re two dumb cowboys from North Dakota. Can’t get any greener than that when it comes to this kinda social scene. It helps to be rich.”

“Well, brother,” Bryce said. “I dare you to not say a word to anyone about how much money we have. Let them think we’re the two green as grass North Dakota cowboys that we really are. Let’s see how much interest you get.”

Shad thought for a moment. “Okay, but if I do it, you have to. Wouldn’t be right that one of us was richer than the Black Hills and the other was dirt poor.”

“Done,” Bryce agreed. “We were given these tickets by our Momma, which is true. We won’t let anyone know that this time in ten years we’ll be billionaires.”

Their ranch had been in the family since 1914, but Desiree’s husband almost ran it into the ground. Not willing to change in any way, he fought beef prices, bad winters, and interest rates. It was too much.

With their ranch failing, their Momma, Desiree, researched oil companies She actually went to their headquarters in Texas. Sitting down with the bigwigs, she told them she and her sons owned ten thousand acres of land in North Dakota. Some of it was good cattle country, some wasn’t worth spit. If they would keep their operations from ruining the good land, then they could come get the oil.

At first, they thought she was just a delusional old lady. When they checked and found how much oil shale land she controlled, they became very friendly. She didn’t let it go to her head. She knew they didn’t want to be friends; they wanted to be in business.

After she signed contracts, she kept an eagle eye on the operations. They did their test drilling and kept the damage to a minimum. She vowed that their place would not be harmed.

“We should have made Momma take this cruise,” Shad grumbled. “She’s the one that needs to see the world.”

“She also said,” Bryce added, “That every woman in North Dakota knows we’re rich. She wanted us to find friends that weren’t impressed by our money. That’s why it was stupid to tell that woman on the plane. I thought she was going to lap you up.”

Shad laughed. “I think it’s my big blue eyes and suntanned skin. “

“Yeah, she really noticed that. She looked at you over her phone and kept texting till you mentioned the oil wells. That phone disappeared so fast I thought she was a magician.”

“Okay,” Shad said. “Let’s split up for lunch. I agree to not mention oil wells, and you agree to talk to at least one woman. We’ll check later and see how we’re doing.”

“Deal.”

Bryce sat down in the shade of the deli-bar close to the pool with a giant sub with all the meat available, cheese and even a few veggies. He poured a lemonade and a built big hot fudge sundae he hoped wouldn’t melt before he ate it. When his food arrived, he started on the sundae.

A little girl with dark pigtails next to him leaned towards him. “You’re supposed to eat your sandwich first, then your dessert.”

Turning to her he put a finger to his lips,” Don’t tell my Momma. She’d whip me for good!”

He noticed the horrified look on the little girl’s face. “I’m just kidding. My Momma would never hurt me or let me do this. But she’s home right now and the sun’s going to melt this ice cream.”

“Okay,” the little dark haired beauty agreed. “But make sure you eat all your vegetables.”

“I promise,” Bryce said crossing his heart.

That was when he paid attention to all at the table. A blond-haired woman with sunglasses was feeding a toddler in a high chair. The toddler had the same dark hair and golden eyes as the little girl. Two boys also sat at the table. One was about twelve and the other about six.

The woman raised her eyes. “Don’t let Emma fool you. If I didn’t watch, she’d always eat her ice cream first.” She laughed and Emma laughed with her.

For some reason he was drawn to the little family.Maybe he was homesick, something he would never admit even to himself. “Does your Daddy let you eat dessert first?” he whispered to the little girl.

“He wouldn’t care,” she said. “He and Mommy are working out. So, Jenna watches out for us.”

Jenna raised her hand. “I’m the nanny, Jenna, as you’ve already been told. Where you from cowboy?”

“How do you know I’m a cowboy?” he asked then smiled.

“Obvious. It’s the jeans, shirt and boots up here on the swim deck. I’m from Idaho and recognize the look. But how comfortable is it here in the sun?”

Bryce thought about how all his life had been spent in the sun; working and comfortable was not a word his Dad ever used when they worked. His Dad and Grandpa had never worn anything but boots and jeans in their life. Flip flops and shorts were clothes that only girly men wore.

“I’m from North Dakota. This sun feels really good.”

Jenna laughed. “I bet. I was in North Dakota once during a blizzard. Made Idaho feel like the tropics.”

Just then the toddler began to fuss. Jenna turned her attention to her. She wiped off all the food and picked her up. “Come on kids, it’s nap time.”

The oldest boy scowled. “I don’t have to take a nap.”

“No, you don’t, “ Jenna agreed. “But you do have to come back to the room while Zina does. You can watch movies or play games.”

“You can’t make me,” the boy said turning stubborn. “My parents pay your salary.”

Jenna handed the toddler to Bryce so she could help the other little boy get untangled from the table.

Bryce froze in place. Never in his life had he held a child. The little girl was warm and soft and smelled of something good like strawberries. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Softly she patted his cheek.

Jenna faced off the boy her hands on her hips. “Okay, Todd, I get that you’re too old for naps. Remember though, I hold the golden keys.”

“What keys,” the boy answered angrily.

“The key to let you jet ski, and swim, and do activities. No cooperation, no fun.”

The scowling boy turned and ran towards the elevator. Looked like Jenna won this round.

She turned to Bryce and took the baby from him. “Thanks. It’s hard sometimes to ramrod four kids, especially Todd.”

“Ramrod?”

“I grew up on a ranch too. But at least I know how to dress for a day in the sun.”

Bryce admired the long-tanned legs. “Yes, you do, ma’am. What’s this about a jetski. I’ve always wanted to try one of those.”

“The ship’s docking in an hour in a bay wholly surrounded by coral. It’ll be safe to swim and snorkel…no sharks. We’re going to go in about an hour. Join us if you want!”

He watched her walk off, a baby on one hip, blond hair swaying. All of a sudden he got a strong feeling that his momma had made his life that much better. He’d never tell her that though. He’d buy a swimsuit and get ready to jet ski when they docked. Go for it Bryce!