Chapter 15
Deserted island
Laura opened her eyes and stretched. She still felt weak, but at least she was alive, thanks to Luke. She sat up and looked at Luke lying next to her in the sand. When he was asleep, she could still see the young man she fell in love with, years ago. It was hard to believe how much time had passed.
She looked around at their surroundings. All she could see was the beach, the water, some large rocks and the jungle. In the distance, she saw some trees behind the rocks. They had coconuts on them. Laura stood up to walk, but her knees buckled under her. She struggled to stand up again and began a long, slow walk toward the trees.
Laura finally reached the trees and looked up. She wondered if she had the strength to shake the tree hard enough to make some of the coconuts fall. She would never know unless she tried. She looked back toward the campsite. The rocks blocked her view, so she could not see it anymore. She put her hands on the tree and stated to shake it.
Meanwhile back at their campsite, Luke was waking up.
"Good morning Angel," he said before you opened his eyes.
No response.
"She must still be asleep," he said to himself.
He opened his eyes and leaned over to wake Laura. She wasn't there. He looked around frantically. She was no where in sight.
"Laura!" he yelled. "Laura! Laura!"
Luke hopped on one foot as he struggled to put his shoes on. He didn't want to take the time to sit down to put them on. He continued to yell for her.
"Laura! Laura, where are you?"
He glanced towards the jungle.
"Oh no," he thought. "She wouldn't go in there alone. Would she?"
Fearful of what could happen to her in there, he ran towards into jungle yelling her name.
"Laura! Laura!"
As he disappeared into the jungle, Laura came out from behind the rocks carrying four coconuts. She walked to the fire and sat down. She wondered where Luke was.
"He must have went to find us something for breakfast," she said to herself.
She walked over to the bag to try to find something to crack the coconuts with.
In the jungle, Luke was still looking for Laura. He was having trouble moving through the heavy foliage. He was sure she wouldn't have come this far. He struggled on. He was afraid to go too far. If he got lost, he wouldn't be any help to Laura. On the other hand, if he didn't go on, something terrible could happen to her in the jungle.
"Laura! Where are you?" he yelled.
He was worried about her and angry at her at the same time.
"Darn it woman, where are you?" he thought. "Maybe she went another direction."
He turned around to start back to the campfire. He pushed his way though the bushes. As he emerged on the beach, he saw her sitting by the fire. He threw back his head and sighed with relief.
"Laura!" he yelled running to her.
She smiled at him.
"Luke, where have you been?" she asked
He stared at her a moment and then laughed.
"Where have I been? I've been looking for you. I thought you were lost in the jungle. Where were you?"
"I walked down to those trees there to get us some coconuts for breakfast. I'm sorry if I worried you. I thought I would be back before you woke up."
"That's ok, but next time tell me where you are going."
He kissed her. She smiled at him, touched by his concern.
"I love you Luke."
"I love you. Oh, I love you."
They kissed again. Laura pulled away.
"I'm hungry," she said.
Luke laughed.
"Oh! You're killing me Angel. Did anyone ever tell you that you have lousy timing."
"If we eat now, I will have extra energy for other things later," she said making her voice as seductive as possible.
Luke's eyes widened and he smiled at her.
"One super deluxe breakfast coming right up. You get those coconuts ready. I saw some fruit not far inside the jungle. I will be right back."
Laura watched him walk away. She smiled. Maybe they were stranded here, but at least they were together. Being with Luke could make anyplace feel like home.