And He Called It Research

"Understood. What about Tropic Treat?"

"I wanted to hold off on using that until the resort was settled in and going smoothly, but if you have a way in mind to make money with it until I get back then go for it. Just don't lose too much money."

Mac laughed and said, "I'll keep that in mind Melvin. You sound tired so is there anything else?"

"Kate and Taylor, and of course Serene Gardens will be told about my present condition, but nobody else okay? I'd hate to have my rivals circling my bones before I'm even dead."

"I understand that. I'll tell Liz that you're under the weather."

"You can tell her as long as she understands that she is to tell no one."

"I'll see to that. From what I've seen of the resort and the staff there I say you have a winner Melvin."

"Hell, call me Mel, we've been through too much. I should have told you that long ago. So the resort feels right?"

"Very right. When you get home I'd like to make a couple of suggestions, but they can wait."

"Good, my plate is pretty full right now just trying to get over this shit that I have. How is life with your friend?"

"We're having a great time."

"I'll bet you are you fucking pedophile," and he laughed until he coughed and said goodbye.

Mac told Beth that he'd be several minutes before he would be ready to go and then called Liz. "Hi beautiful, it's me."

"Everybody calls me beautiful so who is me?"

"Don't antagonize your boss, lady."

"How are you Mac?"

"Suddenly getting busier." Then he told her about Melvin and the information restrictions, and they talked about that for a minute.

"How are things going with Beth?"

"Just fine. Oh and we haven't made love."

"Mac, now why did you feel you had to tell me that?"

"Because you made it clear how you feel about her being here."

"And I apologized didn't I."

"Yes you did. Things are doing fine. She's been seen naked by a couple of guys that she doesn't know, and she about freaked both times, but other than that she's fine. The changes here are amazing and I'm eager to take some time and tell you all about them. Okay now about you my sweet, how are things in your neighborhood?"

"Okay I guess. A couple bought your house and they seem quite nice, and I think they'll fit in just fine. I haven't seen as much of Martin and Allie as I'd like, but that's what happens when we work for a living. God, it seems like you've been gone for weeks rather than days."

"I miss you."

"Now don't start that okay?"

"Well damn it I do, so deal with it. I miss working with you too. Okay, I better go."

"Thanks for calling me Mac and keep me posted will you?"

"You know I will. Bye love," and he put his phone down and said, "I think I'm ready Beth."

"Mac, if you need to be here I understand. I don't know what's going on, but if you have a lot to worry about..."

"I'm fine. I'll keep my cell phone with me though." Then he looked at himself and asked, "I wonder how nudists deal with no pockets?"

"We'll take turns carrying it."

As soon as they arrived at the beach at the east end he said, "Now I've seen to it that we have a full 'take good care of Beth' kit. We have two chaise lounge pads because there are none anywhere near us. We have sun lotion, plenty of bottled water in the cooler and topless sun hats. Well some call them visors, but they make dealing with the sun down here a lot easier. By the way, I love your new necklace and earrings, but I'm surprised to see you wear them. We're naked except for our feet and our heads and you wear jewelry."

"I don't want to wait until I'm home to wear them."

Well you look sexy. In fact," and he reached behind his seat and produced a camera. "In fact I'm going to take a lot of pictures of you today because you do look so hot." She smiled and complained, but she wasn't convincing, so he started by taking pictures of her while they were still in the shade of the palm trees.

They started out spending their time walking the beach as they talked about everything and nothing in particular. At one point Beth said, "You know that I'll never be the same after being here on this island."

"I don't know how anybody could spend time here and not be forever changed. Even if they choose not to be naked. Just the idea that they could has an effect on them. The fact that they see total strangers naked. Men hard and couples engaging in intimate touches and kisses; all of those things conspire to make us think differently and to go home with a whole new way of looking at life."

"Even you Mac?"

"Very much so. My first time here was one of wonder and disbelief. At that time there was only one group of rustic cottages, but Melvin was already developing his idea of what he wanted to do with this place. I can still remember the first time I saw a naked woman here. I don't remember her name, and she was a lot older than me, but that was the beginning of my transformation."

"What were you like before then?"

"Tall, skinny and a little timid. I'm still surprised that Melvin even hired me. I started out as a groundskeeper."

"You've come a long way then."

"I really have. You said that you've changed and even on the surface that is so evident. But you've changed in ways other than being able to walk naked with me like right now. I'm not sure I can even give any specific example, but you have changed. I'd have to say that I admire your strength. I was so impressed with you at the open house, but that was colored slightly by your sexy body. Now I see you more as a woman that knows her mind. Looking at you still gets me spinning by the way." She smiled up at him and took his hand as they once again walked on in silence.

They made their way back to their starting point and by then she tropical sun was getting a little too intense. Mac spread the blanket, and then with their few picnic supplies they lay on their sides and rested with their supply of fresh tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya and kiwi, and a few strawberries flown in from California. Their little repast didn't take long and they were soon lying close to each other with their arms draped over each other's waist.

"Mac, all that we are sharing is the stuff of romance novels and fantasies. I have to keep reminding myself that this is all real. That you are real and we're lying next to each other on this blanket in the shade and naked."

"This is one example of why I could never leave here unless I had no choice."

"Going home and going back to school in a few weeks is going to be such a change or rather such a shock. It's going to be so hard to deal with the real world again."

"Believe me, I know what you mean." Then he pulled her closer to him and their kiss made further conversation not only unnecessary but unwelcome. She felt him exploring her and this time sun lotion would not be needed. She felt his hand cup her mound as she was reaching for his hardness. She was going to tell him how much she wanted him, but when he moved she rolled onto her back and opened her legs. He moved between them and they kissed again as she felt his cock tap on her entrance.

The last that she would say for some time was, "Yes honey, please make love to me." The sun would be setting before they would climb into the little electric car, exhausted and smiling, and head back up the middle of the island.

Chapter One Hundred One

They were just entering the house when Mac answered the phone. "This is Mac."

"Hi, this is Earl.

"Good to hear from you Earl."

"I wish I was calling with good news, but Mel isn't doing very well at all."

"Damn, I'm sorry to hear that."

"I am too."

"Can't they figure out what the hell is going on?"

"They did, but he isn't responding to treatment. I'll not bore you with the medical details because it just doesn't matter. His heart is dying Mac."

"Is he still conscious?"

"Yes he's still working in fact. He has two gentlemen in his room now and his doctor approved it, but he isn't happy about it. I'm in the waiting room while that little meeting goes on. I do know that one of them is Karen Phister his primary attorney."

"What do you need me to do Earl?"

"Let Kate and Cecelia know if you would."

"Of course and I better tell Liz."

"Oh yes, of course her too. Is there anything I should tell Mel when I go back to his room?"

"Everything is going okay here, and Earl tell him that I may have Tropic Treat booked for a week. That isn't true, but some good news like that just might put a smile on his face if nothing else."

"That just might be good medicine for him."

"Anything I can do for you Earl?"

"I'm okay Mac, but thanks. I'll let you get back to your guest. Oh, and I was so saddened to hear about Didi."

"Thanks Mac. We didn't know it at the time, but she and I were on a fast track to disaster."

"Mel told me a little of that sad tale. Give her my best if you see her Mac."

"I'll do that. I better let her know about Melvin too in fact."

"Of course. Good to talk to you again."

"Thanks Earl, you too."

Beth stayed within hearing distance but pretended to be looking at the ocean until the call ended. "Is everything okay Mac?"

"Far from it." He gave her a very brief explanation and then made his first call.

"Hello?"

"Hi Liz, it's Mac."

"Hi, how are you?"

"I've been better, but you sound pretty rough."

"I'm okay. Well maybe I am coming down with something. So what's wrong there Mac?"

"I just got a call from Earl and he said that Melvin isn't doing well at all"

"But he's only in his early sixties."

"I guess that doesn't matter this time. If his downward spiral continues he won't make it much longer at all. Liz, you might be getting a call to get down here, and even if that doesn't happen, another possibility would be that there will be some confusion and internal struggles, with ripple effects that could cause you and me some grief. I just don't know enough about the people in his inner circle to have a feel for those issues."

"Mac let me know as soon as you can if I have to come down there."

"I will. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm not great, but I'm okay and I'm getting my work done."

"I know you are, but you are my first concern, not the work."

"Thank you. I better go unless you have more."

"That's it, but I'll keep you up to date of course." Then he called Kate at home. "It's me Kate."

"This is a surprise, you and your guest have a fight?"

"Katy, Melvin is losing ground. Earl just called me."

"Oh no."

"I really don't know a lot more than that right now, but keep your phone with you and maybe you'd want to get to the office a little early. Oh, and call Missy and tell her and have her in a little early too, you know just in case."

"I understand. We'll be there and be ready to do what we can."

"Thanks." Then he called Didi. "Hi, it's me."

"Hi Mac, how are you?" He told her about Melvin and she said, "No, not Melvin, he's indestructible."

"Far from it. Our strong invincible boss has been deceiving us. His heart is a piece of junk. Didi, if he dies I have no idea how that will impact any of us. Worst case scenario would be we could all be out of a job, but I'm not ready to hit that panic button just yet."

"I wish there was something we could do for him."

"I do too Didi. Oh, and Earl sends his best."

"You talked to him?"

"He's the one that's keeping me informed. He's with Melvin in Los Angeles."

"How are things on the island?"

"Going fine. Not trouble free I'm sure, but okay." Then he looked at Beth and said, "I wasn't going to get involved for a few more days, but I have to rethink that now. I'll have a meeting with Taylor at the resort tomorrow and then I'll decide what I need to do."

"Mac, you know that if there is anything I can do all you have to do is call."

"I know and I won't forget that. Our past doesn't have anything to do with your talents, so if you can help I will call you."

"Thanks honey...sorry, thank you Mac."

"I'll be in touch."

As soon as he put the phone down Beth went over to him and said, "I'll go home tomorrow Mac."

"No, don't do that. Wait until I talk to Taylor tomorrow after breakfast. There is no reason to rush you home."

She put her arms around him and said, "I really don't want to go home, but you have a lot on your mind even now, and that will be much more true if your boss dies."

"I know, but give me tomorrow okay?"

"Of course." Then she smiled and told him, "I could always go see Alohi."

"So I'm being cast aside is that it?"

She lost her smile and she pulled herself into him and said, "Oh god Mac, nothing could be farther from the truth. I was just trying to make you smile by teasing you."

He kissed her forehead and told her, "I know. Okay, no more talk about what might happen. Let's wash up and go have a late dinner and one too many drinks." Then in a conspiratorial whisper he told her, "Then I'm going to bring you back here and force myself on you."

She smiled and told him, "Then we'll eat light and just so you'll know, you won't have to use very much force at all."

Chapter One Hundred Two

The call came early Friday morning. Melvin had died and Beth told Mac she needed to go home, because he was going to be far to busy to even think about anybody else.. Beth packed her little carry on and then she and Mac walked down to the Cabaña for one last breakfast together. The ferry ride to the mainland was a pretty somber affair, but she didn't release her hold on his hand the whole time. Mac, I'm serious. Don't go with me to the airport please. You have so much to do and I don't want to cry at the airport."

"Beth, once you've finished college contact me okay? You know how to reach me, and if things go even halfway right for me maybe I can put you to work."

"Do you really think you could?"

"I do, but if not for me then for somebody I know that's close to the island."

She leaned into him and said, "Mac, we've talked about this I know, but you and this island have had such a profound effect on me and I really hate to leave."

"You'd get bored. Even I get bored sometimes, but I understand just what you mean. This place gets under your skin."

"It has gotten under my skin, but so have you."

"I don't know how I'm going to deal with you being gone."

"You'll be too busy to miss me, but I like to think that you will anyway. Will Liz be coming down now?"

"I'm sure she will for the funeral at least."

"Would you tell her that I think of her often and I hope that we can get together some time."

"I'll be sure to tell her."

"And tell Sissy that I'm sorry that I didn't get to see her."

"I'll tell her."

At the mainland dock they shared one last long embrace and a tender kiss. She wiped her eyes and smiled before she turned away and jumped into the car. He wouldn't worry about her because Cletus would see to her safety and keep her mind occupied as long as he could.

None of the staff knew about Melvin's passing and he kept that information to himself for the time being. Henry got him back to the island, and minutes later he was in the house and on the phone calling Liz. As soon as she answered he told her, "Pack a bag Liz and come down. Melvin died a few hours ago."

"I'm so sorry. But Mac, I have a couple of very important meetings today and tomorrow. The mason contractor is causing us some trouble and the damn weather has been horrible here so we're well behind."

"Okay, but get here as soon as you can. I don't have any information on the funeral, but I'm sure it won't happen for two or three days. For one thing he has to be flown back here from Los Angeles."

"Do you have any idea what will happen now?"

"No, but I should know a lot more in the next day or two. I better go so I can notify the others. You were first on my list to call."

"Thank you for letting me know so promptly."

"Good luck with your meetings and if there is any way I can kick some ass to help you, let me know."

"I will Mac. Take care and we'll talk soon."

Mac sat there for only a minute and then called Kate and Missy and gave them the sad news. Then he called Taylor and then headed to Journey's end to bring him up to date. They talked in Taylor's office for several minutes before he told Mac, "I can extend my stay a month or so, but then I need to get back to the states. If you find my replacement before then, that would be fine too."

"Thank you. It's going to be several days before I have a grip on what is to come, but just as soon as I know something solid, I'll get with you."

"I appreciate that."

"I haven't had a chance to check. How is the occupancy percentage?"

"We're hovering at about eighty five percent which isn't bad at all, but I'd like to see that improve."

"We'll have to look into some kind of new advertising. Anything I should know about other than that?"

"Not that I can think of. Actually considering everything, it's been very quiet. Some of the places I've been involved in have been a much bigger struggle than this. Trouble from excessive alcohol consumption has all but been a non issue for example."

"Great. Okay, you know how to reach me night or day Taylor."

"Thanks Mac." With that done he headed home. But then he had a change of heart and caught the freight ferry to the mainland. Then he called Didi and arranged to meet her for lunch and gave her the sad news. They shared a long embrace and talked about how Melvin had played such large parts in their lives and how much they would miss him.

Once back home Mac sat at his desk and jotted down notes as thoughts came to him. Check this, follow up on that, but at that point there was so little he could do. He felt the need to be productive, but with so little information to work with he was in limbo. He saw the papers on his fax machine and that surprised him. It wasn't uncommon for him to send a fax, but he rarely received one. He picked up the few sheets and put the cover page aside and began to quickly scan the pages. It was from a Tom and Stacy Mayer, acquaintances of Melvin who had asked them to forward their resumé to him. Mac slowed down then and read what they had sent. But then he checked the date and discovered they had faxed him the information two days ago. He cussed and found their contact information and placed a call to them.

When they answered Mac asked, "Is this Tom Mayer?"

"It is, how may I help you?"

"I'm Mac Patterson and I received a fax from you regarding..."

"Yes, of course Mr. Patterson, thanks for getting back to us."

"I must offer my apologies for being so slow getting back to you."

"That's fine. We met Melvin Springer a couple of years ago when we were managing The Gables, a resort on the east coast."

"Right, I saw that in what you sent me. May I call you Tom?"

"But of course."

"Tom things are a little hectic at the moment, but I'd like to talk to you and your wife."

"Melvin told us a little about Journey's End when he contacted us, so we have a few of the most basic details."

"Then you know about the type of resort this is."

"Yes, and we told Melvin at the time that we've had the opportunity to explore a couple of adult only resorts."

"Then we needn't spend a lot of time discussing those issues. Okay Tom I'll get back to you as soon as I can and give my best to your wife."

"Thank you and I'll do that, and I'm looking forward to talking with you again."

After talking with Tom, Mac sat there and smiled. Tom sounded and felt right for the job, and no doubt Melvin had felt the same way, but that decision would have to wait.

Chapter One Hundred Three

Allie ran next door to Liz's and went in the backdoor. "Hey girlfriend."

"Hi, you seem in good spirits."

"It's a beautiful Saturday morning. So where have you been hiding yourself. We've hardly seen or heard from you for I don't know how long."