Lisa shrieked excitedly.Her odd response baffled him, until he realized it was not directed at him but at a young couple just entering the hotel.The woman clutched at a shoulder bag and two large totes, and the man wore an infant strapped to his chest.
Lisa waved frantically at the family.“Over here!”
Spotting them, the woman returned a wave and led her party toward them.Ray mouthed to his sister.Not the bride?
Tish laughed and shook her head.“Ray, this is Jessica and her husband, Josh, and their baby, Anthony.”She grabbed Ray’s arm and presented him to the newcomers as if he were a prize.“My brother Ray.Brady couldn’t make it.”
Okay, maybe the booby prize.“Nice to meet you.Catch you all later after I get out of these wet clothes.”He headed to the elevator, his damp feet slapping against the tile floor.
In Lisa’s room, Ray dabbed a cold wet washcloth against his face and then quickly showered.The pretty glass bottles of fragrant shampoo smelled of coconut and pineapple and probably contained all kinds of healthful ingredients.He dried off with a fluffy towel and had just stepped from the bathroom when he heard a key turn in the lock.Crud.Housekeeping in the middle of the afternoon?He wrapped the towel more securely around his waist.
A young man stepped inside, dragging a set of golf clubs.When he saw Ray, the man stopped short.
“You must be Lisa’s husband,” Ray said in a rush.He extended his hand to the man staring daggers at him.
“I am.”The husband ignored his hand.“Who the hell are you?”His eyes darted around the room.“And where is my wife?”
Ray swallowed.“I’m Tish’s brother, Ray Varner.The girls are down in the lobby.I kind of took a dip in the ocean with my clothes on, and Lisa offered—”
“A shower and a place to change.Got it.”Tension drained from his stance.He studied Ray’s bruised face.“Looks like I’m not the only person you ticked off today.”He opened the closet door and set the golf bag inside.“I’m Matt, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You need something for that bruise?I can roust up some ice.”
“I’m fine, thanks.I’ll just get dressed and out of your way in five.”
“Take your time.”Matt pocketed the key card he still held in his hand.“I’ll head downstairs.Maybe we’ll catch you later at dinner?”
“Probably.”
When the door closed behind Matt, Ray opened his suitcase and rustled through it for his underwear but couldn’t find the mesh bag he’d packed them in.Blast.When Tish had needed to switch out some of the heavier items in her suitcase for something lighter, his underwear must have wound up in her luggage.
Clutching the towel, he opened the door, hoping to catch Matt, but he was no longer in sight.Stepping out to see if he was still at the elevator, Ray heard the sickening sound—the hotel door clicked shut behind him.
