Barbuda Blessing
"Pink sand beach conservation officer Miriam protects Barbuda's treasures, but when marine biologist Cole washes ashore after a storm, she discovers some treasures wash in with the tide."
The storm left debris everywhere. Including Cole.
Miriam found him on the pink sand at dawn, unconscious, his research boat destroyed on the reef. She dragged him—all six feet of him—to her beach cabin.
"Yuh lucky to be alive," she said when he woke.
"I'm lucky you found me."
She looked at him with tired, beautiful eyes. "The sea gives strange gifts."
Recovery took days. Miriam nursed him with patience, her thick body constant motion around her small cabin.
"Why do you stay here?" he asked. "Alone on this beach?"
"Because somebody has to protect it." She sat beside him. "The birds, the sand, all of it. Mi job."
"Noble."
"Lonely." She met his eyes. "Usually."
Usually changed that night.
"Yuh well enough to walk," she observed.
"I'm well enough for more than that."
"Show mi."
On pink sand still wet from storm, under stars finally visible again, he showed her.
"Yes! Cole! Right there!"
Her thick body against the impossible pink, her moans mixing with waves, her isolation finally broken.
"Don't stop! The sea sent yuh to mi!"
His research boat was gone but he didn't need it. He stayed. Helped with conservation. Filed reports from her cabin's satellite connection.
"The foundation asked if I want reassignment," he said.
"Do yuh?"
"Do you want me to go?"
She answered by pulling him toward the beach again.
Barbuda's pink sand beach has two guardians now.
Cole and Miriam. Science and stewardship. Love and protection.
The sea's strange gift.
Their blessing.