Unknown Island Paradise

UNKNOWN ISLAND PARADISE

By

Riley A. Geddings

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Riley A. Geddings on Smashwords

Unknown Island Paradise

Copyright © 2012 by Riley A. Geddings

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 01 - Adventuring

Chapter 02- Wrecked

Chapter 03 - Rescue

Chapter 04 - Adapting

Chapter 05 - Searching for the Truth

Chapter 06 - Turmoil in Paradise

Chapter 07 - Commander Andrew

Chapter 08 - Down to the Sea

Chapter 09 - First Anniversary

Chapter 10 - Venturing Out

Chapter 11 - Last Straw

Chapter 12 - Ultimate Gift

Chapter 13 - Decision Time

Chapter 14 - Exodus Journey

Chapter 15 - Reunion

Chapter 16 - Rendezvous

Chapter 17 - Return

Chapter 18 - Home Again

Chapter 19 - Fitting In

Chapter 20 - The Anointing

Chapter 21 - The Consummation

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Andrew…………Narrator

Akea…………….Andrew’s Hut Maid

Asea…………….Queen's Personal Maid

Boto………….....Andrew’s Personal Assistant

Cao……………..Andrew’s Crewman Number Two

Dono…….……...Island Doctor

Gono……...….…King's Personal Assistant

Greg………….…Workman at Tampa Marina

Kuno...……….....Andrew’s Crewman Number One

Luabo….…….…Andrew's Lieutenant

Maggie………….Andrew's True Love

Mohabbo…….…Island King (Royal)

Nakea….……….Main Island Nurse

Phydeaux……….Andrew's Pet Parrot

Tom Jones………Owner of Tampa Marina

Wikea……….….Assistant Island Nurse

Winea…….……..Island Queen (Royal)

Andrew's Rough Map of Unknown Island Paradise

PREFACE

For many decades, the intrigue, mystery, and adventure of faraway Islands continues to pour from the minds of numerous writers and entertain a gamut of age ranges, from young children to octogenarians and beyond! I am convinced this eBook falls into that category. This novel-length fiction eBook contains a vast and unique combination of adventure, intrigue, mystery, action, war-battles, thrills, romance, love, despair, deep passion and erotica!

This first in a series is based on a passionate love story between Andrew Cooper, age 30, whose love of the sea is only surpassed by his unequalled passion for Maggie, age 28, his English soul-mate.

Andrew is a very tall, handsome guy with blonde wavy hair - a successful artist and entrepreneur in the retail trade - who has had a lifetime desire to explore the islands of the Caribbean and the Bermuda Triangle. Maggie is absolutely gorgeous and has fiery-red, curly hair - she has a wonderful sense of humor - and is devoted to her hunk of a man. Neither is ready to make a long-term commitment, such as marriage, at this time. Knowing how strong Andrew's quest is for his sailing adventure, Maggie, in her wisdom, realized he needed to get his nautical experience out of his system, and gave him her blessings to do just that!

After searching for the sailboat of his dreams, Andrew finally found, purchased, and customized a rather large, pre-owned catamaran sailboat from Cap'n Tom Jones, owner of the Tampa Marina. Andrew and the Cap'n became the best of friends, and the Marina would become Andrew's home port. Even though he had served a hitch in the Coast Guard, he was not a qualified seaman of such a large craft, per se, but after many hours of practice, he finally mastered the art of sailing, and obtained an operating license.

During the few months that Andrew was boning up on his sailing skills, he took many test runs in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida, and sometimes he would invite his Maggie to go with him on weekends. They both loved picnics, and Andrew would find a suitable, secluded island, which gave them privacy to pursue their erotic relationship. It was on one of those test runs that Andrew made - ALONE - that he was shipwrecked on an unknown island … and thus a novel was born …

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I want to dedicate this eBook to the real Maggie; yes, my Maggie, who was born in England many, moons ago. She has been instrumental in proof- reading and editing every word contained herein, and she is the one who suggested that I include some real passion in this eBook. Those explicit, passionate scenarios were written by Maggie; and, in fact, the erotic graphic descriptions of the consummation of our marriage in Chapter 21 are entirely from her pen!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Riley Geddings lives in Florida, and is happily married to his English wife, Maggie. After having served in the US Coast Guard, Riley started his career as a professional software programmer analyst and worked closely with NASA in the Space Program. He then changed vocations and became an entrepreneur in the retail trade. After a lifetime of producing oil paintings, he became one of Florida's popular landscape artists. His artwork hangs in the halls of many, many American homes and businesses, and a few can be found in England and Spain.

In the same way that he created his artistic masterpieces, Riley also had a desire to create literary masterpieces and thus a new author was born. He recognized that a hidden force was moving within him to urge him in this new direction. He calls upon this same force to lead him and to guide him to wield his words wisely.

ABOUT MAGGIE

The English Muffin bids you greetings...

My husband - Riley Geddings - has written a novel this year, and I have helped him with his project by proof-reading and editing it to check the grammar, spelling, time-line, etc. Those of you, who have met me, know that I am a word person - I love books - I love to compose poetry - write short stories - write scripts for dramas - do crosswords - delve into trivia, etc. Whenever I write letters, I love to put my words together and produce long, descriptive sentences. Erotica was one more avenue I chose to explore. I have a very creative, detailed mind - I am an incurable romantic - I have a passion for life.

Riley's book started out as an adventure mystery and I suggested it might need a little romance also. SO ... Riley asked me to help with the story-line and write the romantic scenarios of the book whilst he handled the adventure, the action and the mystery. So I did just that. My exploring mind discovered a multitude of ideas and my creativity produced several opportunities for me to put pen to paper and transfer those mental images into words one could read and envision. Riley loved each and every one of my creations and included all of them in this book.

The reason I wrote this message is to alert our readers to my descriptions of the romantic scenes, most of which are rather erotic and graphic. I have always considered myself a lady - a well-bred English lady who has always had a deep sense of decorum and integrity - a lady with class - no vulgarity in my actions or speech ... I would like your opinion of me to remain just that and that you still love me after you have read this book - especially Chapter 21.

I do not want you - or anyone - to paint my romantic descriptions with the same brush that one might paint some of those rubbish novels that are out there, which border on porno - low class garbage. Mine is not like that - I chose my words carefully. This is Riley's book - I just added a little icing on the cake.

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Chapter 01 - Adventuring

My name is Andrew Cooper - I am thirty years old - I am 6-foot 3-inches tall - I have blonde wavy hair - and I am still a bachelor. Looking back, even at the early age of ten, I had a love affair with the sea and everything about it. The colorful beauty of tropical islands and their surrounding waters have come to be especially dear to my heart. As a young lad in Florida I built several rather small boats and would paddle around in them. As I remember now, the first simple boat I constructed fell apart in the water because I failed to use marine-grade plywood. Only one of many mistakes I would make throughout my life!

Then much later, as a young adult I served a few years in the United States Coast Guard and it was then I was first exposed to such Islands as Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and many more islands all over the Caribbean Sea. Needless to say, I was hooked!

The fascination for adventures in tropical environments led me to pursue a career as a painting artist and story writer, but I still kept my dreams of real adventure alive, hoping perhaps if enough success were to smile upon me, then maybe I could afford to purchase a boat large enough to sail the open sea and to live aboard. A nice catamaran sailboat would certainly fit the bill for me!

As the sands of time have trickled down in my Hourglass of Life, I have been blessed with much success - success in the business world and success in the world of oil painting. Along with that success, came wealth, money enough to purchase the catamaran, which would be the vehicle to carry me anywhere! Life was good and I was blissfully happy at the moment! I thought Let's not rush into it, do your homework, Andrew! So yes, I took my own advice. I searched, made frequent visits to dozens of marinas, seeking a craft suitable for my needs, one that was to become my home upon the seas, as it were.

I spent several months trying to locate this craft and finally, I found it at an older marina located on one of the causeways linking Tampa with the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. I pulled off the causeway and drove into the bumpy parking area, which was spotted with rain-filled potholes! I spied what looked like a catamaran sailboat in what appeared to be an old dry dock - a fenced-in area which was surrounded by tall grass. I parked my car nearby to make sure. And yes, the craft is definitely a catamaran! In addition, it appeared to be approximately the right size boat I was searching for. I could clearly see the craft was mounted on several keel-blocks of heavy wood, and seemed to have been forgotten judging by the looks of its resting place. An old slipway, similar to a modest railway track, led down to the water's edge where there was a long dock consisting of at least a dozen berths.

All of the buildings on the premises looked old and shabby; badly in need of a coat of new paint. One wooden building was a good-sized rest room, complete with showers. Another building, at the main entrance, appeared to be a combination of a marina office, a tackle shop, and a general store. The parking lot was not paved, but instead, was covered with crushed shell.

Before I ventured into the office, I strolled over the grounds to check out the premises. Actually, this little walk gave me an opportunity to get a closer look at my main interest, the catamaran, which was locked away in the old dry dock area. I was anxious to find out more about the sailboat held captive in the boatyard, so I walked back around to the office building and stepped up on to the wooden porch.

When I swung the screen-door open it made an old-time squeaky sound, and then slammed shut behind me after I entered. To my right were several rows of groceries, fishing tackle, and boating supplies, and glancing to my left, I saw an old-timey, make-shift office with a desk, a table, and a few chairs. Hanging on the walls were outdated calendars and antique-looking pictures of fish catches and old Chris-Craft boats. The man behind the counter, which was straight ahead, looked to be in his late sixties' or even early seventies, and was waiting on a customer, so I meandered around the old place to look around while I waited. It surely did take me back to when I was a young lad, in the days when my Dad and I fished together a lot. I thought Those were the days, eh Andrew?

Very soon he was free and said Can I help you, young man? Yes sir, I sure hope so. I am looking to buy a catamaran sailboat and was wondering, are there any for sale in your marina? Okay, come on ova to my office and let's knock it 'round! He reached down in his cooler, which was filled with ice, and grabbed two ice-cold Coca-Colas and limped over to his office area. I followed him as he led me to the left corner area. It was fenced in with low, wooden, bannisters, and contained a two-way swinging gate at the center, which opened in or out.

Set ya'sef down and drink a cold Coke on me, my son and let's see if I can help you out. I said Okay, thanks! Then he continued But befo we get started on any bisness, I wanna know - have you found Jesus yet? That question took me by surprise, but I quickly answered Well sir, now that you ask, as a matter of fact I have, back when I was ten years old in Miami! Why do you ask? I ask 'cause I ain't 'bout to do no bisness with non-believers and pagans! My'sef, I'm honest right up front, a genuine born-agin Christian and don't waste my time with any what ain't! So now we that we are brothers in faith, so to speak, let me see if I can help you out? Oh, by tha way, I'm Tom Jones, owner of this place, but you kin call me Cap'n Tom, evabody else does, whuts your name, young man? My name is Andrew Cooper, Cap'n, and I am so glad to meet you! Well, back atcha, Andrew, ya sure is one big dude - let's see whut I kin do for ya now!

I was pleased this nice gentleman was so honest and I surely don't want to doubt him! So I answered Well, to be honest, Cap'n Tom, I'm not rich but I do have a few bucks stashed away to buy a sailboat, specifically a catamaran. I was hoping to find one I could afford, perhaps an older craft, maybe even one I could fix up to my liking. I would like to pay cash-on-the-drum for it - so I thought I'd stop in here to see if you had one for sale?

Humm, I kinda like your style, Andrew, I like yo attitude and I sho wisht I could help you, but I only sell brand-spanking new'uns rat now! Then I muttered Well, since we are going to be honest with each other, the main reason I stopped in is because I spotted the catamaran over there inside your chain-linked boatyard, the one mounted on keel blocks, so I wanted to ask you about her. Oh that boat - I plum furgot 'bout her! You're right, Andrew, but there is a tale to be told 'bout her! Yes sir'ree, I do own that there boat, it's been a’settin ova there for nigh on two years, but I ain't had any time to mess with it.

I could sense a flush of excitement pouring over me now after hearing this news! A catamaran is here, it is owned by this nice, honest gentleman, and could certainly be the one for me, if only we can strike up a reasonable deal and if the boat is repairable. He sensed my excitement - I couldn't hide it! He gave me a friendly grin and said to me Well son, maybe I can help you out enyway - uh huh. Let me git Greg ova here to run tha show while we mosie ova and take a look-see togetha. He didn't give me a chance to answer him and there was no reason to because I was chomping at the bit to see if this cat was feasible for me. He reached down into a torn pocket in his faded old jeans, pulled out his cell phone, pressed a key and said Hey Greg, ya busy? No, let's wait on that 'un awile, come on ova and run tha store, me and this fine lad has to go look at sump'm!

When Greg arrived, the Cap'n introduced us and said Okay now, let me grab my keys and my stick, which is my third leg, and lets' git goin. I found myself following this apparently wise captain, again. The entire venture of what has happened to me today seems too good to be true, too easy - it's as if I were drawn here by a magnet!

We arrived at the fenced-in boat yard, Cap'n Tom unlocked the padlock on the old gate, which issued a terrible squeak as he swung it in over the grass, and we entered single file, with me following him again. The Cap'n said We ain't been usin this ole boat yard lately; I'm gonna git Greg to have this tall grass cut and clean it up a tad befo it plum covers the boat!

As we approached his catamaran, I felt as a kid in a toy store and the feeling felt wonderful! Tom spoke again Hey, look at this, the ole cat is in real good shape, even afta sittin here 'bout two years. That there fiberglass will be good as new afta a bit 'o elbow grease and it'll shine up real good. He leaned his walking stick against the hull and scrambled up the ladder as a twenty year old would, and I was right behind him. We walked the deck from bow to stern and I could tell he was making mental notes at each pause along the way. Ya'll hafta git new sails and riggin - ain't no broke glass, tho - that's good. I'll git Greg to check out them engines and eva one of them runnin lights. Okay now, let's go below, matey!

The bridge, or wheelhouse, had a water-tight door on both the port and starboard sides and we entered through the port door. I was impressed with the vast array of electronic devices. This craft seems to be equipped with every device I thought I would have to buy. Don't you worry ova none of these gadgets, Greg can check 'em out - he can fix jest 'bout anything what ain't broke, I guarantee! C'mon, Andrew my boy, let's go on through into tha lounge, and see if this cat would suit ya as a place to live!

I passed through the opening, which led from the bridge into the lounge, casting my eyes here, there, and everywhere, touching fabric and trying to take it all in. On the starboard side of the lounge was a built-in dining area and behind it I could see the galley, which was still equipped with pots, pans, and dishes. It looked as if the owner had left only yesterday and not two years ago. Next to the galley was one of the entrances to the head (bathroom). Continuing aft, I entered the main sleeping quarters, and, because a catamaran is wide, it appeared huge! It was exactly what I wanted and I had quick flashes in my mind of what I could do to fine-tune it!

Meanwhile Cap'n Tom stayed out of my way, to let me peruse the boat. Then he said Well, Andrew, whut'cha think, eh? What do I think Cap'n? - I believe your catamaran is exactly what I had in mind and it seems to be in better shape than I thought it would be - can we go back to your office and talk about it? Shore we can, son, folla me. No, wait, you lead and I'll folla you fer a change, heh heh. This was a nice touch!

Back to the store and into the office we walked. As we were getting settled I thought of the extra gear I wouldn't have to purchase, because it is already installed in the craft in its entirety. This boat has turned out to be exactly what I want and need! Cap'n Tom yelled Hey, Greg, git me tha file on the cat in the boatyard will ya? Oh, and bring us two nice cold Cokes too! Cap'n and Andrew will be discussing serious biz!

As Tom was opening the file folder, he glanced up at me and gave me a grin. I watched his face and I could see the weathered lines stretching from his eyes and mouth - signs of a rough sea life in the sun and waves - a true and honest salty old sea dog!

Tom began with Okay, son, here's tha full story on ya boat but I'll keep it short. At first, the guy whut owned it seemed to me to be a right good and honest person. He berthed tha cat here and paid me whut was comin every single month, never wuz late, and no problems a’tall. Then, I don't know whut hap'ned. Ole Satan musta come into his life cause I found out later he got his'sef hooked on devil weed, then he moved up to tha white powder. Bottom line, he couldn't pay me for his mooring or even the debt on his cat neither. I tried to help him out as long as I could but time ran out fer him.

Fine’ly, one day he comes up to me lookin purty doggoned perplexed and asked me if I could take tha boat off his hands. He told me if I could, it would save his credik rating. He said he had decided to check into a place whut could dry him out and git his life straight agin. Well sir'ee, they wuz no way I could refuse him cause it wuz my chance to hep a fella brutha like tha good book sez to do! Long story short, I added up whut he owed to me for tha boat rent, and tha balance whut wuz due on his boat debt, plus a coupla thousand to run his-sef on til he was outa Satan's grip. But don't worry, Andrew, the two grand is on me, I ain't gonna include it in our deal!

I listened intensely to his story without interruption, and then he slid me the slip of paper containing the numbers he had discussed. As I glanced over his figures, I realized the total price of this catamaran was actually only one fifth of the amount I thought I would pay for this quality boat! Tom watched my reaction and knew full well I was more than pleased!

What do you think 'bout them there apples, Andrew? He asked, and I quickly replied Oh Captain My Captain - er - I mean Oh Cap'n My Cap'n - I am convinced we have a deal, and what a deal t is! If you want, I could pay you this amount right now - do you want cash or a check! Whateva suits yer fancy, Andrew. A check'll do fine - this will make tha cat yours, and rat now, too! Like I said, I'll git Greg to check out them engines, lights, 'lectronics, and all tha rest of tha stuff on your boat and he’ll fix eva thang whut's broke. I'll even give ya a key to tha yard and you kin come and go as you please. Take your time, fix 'er up good and purty, and when ya git done, Greg'll slip 'er on tha rail and slide 'er down to tha water. I'd be much obliged, though, if ya would berth tha cat here with me, I won't charge much. Tom, I wouldn't want my craft to be anywhere else and I am so happy I met you and I appreciate the great deal you've made me! Well, thank ya, Andrew, for some reason I took a likin to ya from tha start and glad I'll be seein more of ya!

So this will finally be the start of my sailing ventures. I wrote Cap'n Tom a check for the agreed amount. When he handed me the receipt and title for the craft, I gave him a couple of grand cash as a gesture of my appreciation and asked him to share it with Greg.

For the next month, I cleaned the cat, and Greg worked with the engines and electronic instruments. After everything checked out to his satisfaction, Greg managed to rail it down into the water of Tampa Bay and he stayed on board with me to make a trial run or two out into the Bay. He double-checked all of the electronic instruments and made sure the engines were performing as they should. Then he exclaimed She's a beauty, man, like brand new! We pulled back into my berth and secured the mooring lines. I thanked him and he gave me a hearty wave, whistling as he walked back down the dock.

Well, this is really it - no turning back now! Now I have the means to fulfill my dreams, venture out to island destinations, and to sow my seeds of wild adventure! After another month, I had completed revamping my captain's quarters, and turned it into a combination of office, art studio, and sleeping area.