"Lights, camera, action." Rowena thought as she was standing in front of her mirror, scrutinising herself. It had taken her forever to choose an outfit. Finally she had decided on a red bikini (not too skimpy) a red and orange sarong and an orange chiffon blouse. The colours suited her well anyway but now that she had a tan they looked even better. Picking up her sunglasses and slipping into her flip-flops she wondered why she wasn't nervous. She hadn't been out with a man for quite a while and she certainly hadn't been near any secluded beaches with any of them. But with Howie everything was different. He made her feel comfortable and not for one second did she think he might take advantage of them being alone all day.

She saw him the moment she entered the breakfast room. He was sitting at a table for two, sipping orange juice. He looked up, saw her and waved. Taking a deep breath Rowena began to move towards him. He rose from his seat and smiled as she set her bag down on the floor.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." she replied. "I hope I'm not late?"

Howie held her chair back for her as she sat down. "Don't worry, you're right on time. I was early, that's all."

"A novelty," she smiled. "A man who is early for once. And I thought such a thing didn't exist." They laughed.

A waiter came up to their table holding a basket. "The lunch you ordered Mr. Dorough." In mock surprise Rowena clasped her hands together.

"And he's taken care of lunch! This is too good to be true."

Howie lent over to her confidentially. "There are only a few of us left, so keep it a secret," he whispered.

Rowena giggled. "I promise I won't tell a soul!"

They had breakfast and went out to pick up the car Howie had hired for the day. It was an old military jeep, or at least it looked like one. They dropped their bags and the lunch basket on the back seats and drove off the hotel compound in the direction of the village.

Howie looked at Rowena out of the corner of his eye. She was leaning back into her seat, the already warm air blowing her dark curls back out of her face. She looked amazing in those colours. The orange of her blouse showed up wonderfully on her tanned skin and made her eyes shine almost hazel. But what he found most impressive, was that she wasn't wearing any make-up. "We are going swimming," he thought. But still, most women he knew would not be caught dead without at least some mascara and lipstick. "Well she's different alright," he smiled to himself.

Passing through the village he said, "They have a lovely market here. If you like we can stop by on our way back."

"That would be great!" She sounded thrilled. "I still need to get something for my niece. It's her birthday next week and I can't exactly show up at the party without a present from Puerto Rico."

"Not a good idea!" he agreed laughing.

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