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We stopped for gas in Bushnell and found a diner that was already open. We took our time eating breakfast and drinking copious amounts of coffee before heading out again and walking through the town.
By ten am Ava had found everything she needed and we headed back to the car. Megan had already called the realtor and we drove to the bed and breakfast where we had a reservation. I had barely put our suitcases down before jumping in the shower.
“Don’t use all the hot water,” Megan said loudly from the doorway.
“Then you’ll have to join me,” I said as I opened the door and looked at her.
“You just want to get me naked,” she said as she took her shirt off.
“When have I not wanted to?” I asked her.
I opened the door wider to let her get in when my phone started to ring. Megan laughed at me as she handed me a towel and I got out. “Don’t hurry,” I said to her as I grabbed my phone from the bed.
“Grey,” I answered.
“You didn’t call to tell me Anthony took a shot at you! I had to hear it from the Elders!” Lucas said angrily.
“He missed, nothing to tell,” I said.
“Fuck, Ryder,” he said and I could imagine him raking a hand through his hair as he sat behind his desk.
“We’re in Florida by the way,” I said.
“But you’re all okay?” he asked me.
“We’re fine and I’ll talk to you later, there’s a naked woman in my shower,” I said as he laughed.
“Fuck off, that’s my daughter you’re referring to,” he said and ended the call as I chuckled.
“I said not to hurry,” I said as Megan walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
“The shower’s too small for both of us,” she said and let the towel fall to the floor.
“You’re not playing fair,” I said as I walked towards her.
“We don’t have time for this,” she said as she tried to push me away.
“We’ve got nothing but time,” I said as I started kissing her.
“We’re meeting Justin Bellefonte in twenty minutes,” she whispered.
“So?”
“Ryder … get dressed,” she said and pushed me away.
“Fine, but you owe me and I intend to collect tonight,” I said as she started getting dressed.
“Justin Bellefonte,” the man said as he stuck his hand out towards me.
“Ryder Grey, my fiancé Megan, that’s Felix and Ava,” I said as I shook his hand.
“Belle Island is a 224 acre island of what we call ‘Old Florida’. There are two mainland properties that’s included in the sale and everything on the island is included as well. The mainland properties can be used for almost anything but it’s also your access point to moor your boat, it’s the only way to access the island, unless you have a helicopter,” Justin said with a smile.
“What about electricity and water?” I asked him.
“There’s submarine cables that provide electricity, phone lines and internet,” Justin said.
“How developed is it?” Felix asked.
“There are three cabins on the island, two docks that can house enough boats but it’s better to go over and have you look around,” he said.
“Let’s go,” I said.
We followed Justin in our car as he drove towards the mainland property and we looked around there first. The first building looked like an old reception center. In 1899 it used to be a one room school house and Justin told us that it was the oldest one in existence.
It was furnished with memorabilia showing everything that could be done on Belle Island. There were photos of hiking, fishing, hunting and boating. The waterways looked like the perfect spot for fishing as did the natural springs nearby.
The second property was the Island Keeper’s residence which also had three bedrooms. There was also a heavy duty private dock where a boat was moored that would take us over to the island. I already had ideas of what we could do with this residence.
“Belle Island is the largest island in Florida that’s for sale. It’s located on Lake George and forms part of St. John’s River. The island is also bordered by the Ocala National Forest and Georgetown. Now I know what you’re thinking, but the island is really very private but you’re also close enough to Orlando, Daytona, St. Augustine and Jacksonville,” Justin said.
“Disneyworld,” Felix said as I laughed at him.
Justin guided the boat towards the dock and moored it. We stood on the jetty and waited while Justin tied the boat to the wooden post. The first cabin came into view with a large barn built next to it. On the other side of the barn was another cabin.
“These two cabins both have three bedrooms each, built from cypress logs, this one is Turtle Cabin and that one is Gator Cabin,” Justin said.
“What’s in the barn?” I asked him.
“Everything needed to maintain the island,” he said with a grin.
The cabins were quite spacious, with two bathrooms and furnished with what was needed. It was comfortable but not fancy. I liked it and I could see that Megan did too. The second cabin was basically a replica of the first one and I could see Felix’s mind working overtime.
“Beyond the barn is a covered bridge and a pond,” Justin said.
“And a helicopter pad,” I said as we kept walking.
“Further on is another bridge and a playground with a playhouse,” Justin added.
“Swamp Cottage, the third one has two bedrooms and two bathrooms but for this expedition I think we’ll take the two all-terrain vehicles, we’ve had some rain so I’m not sure what the foot path looks like,” Justin said as he opened the barn.
It was about a mile to the third cabin and it was beautiful. It had a walkway to a two slip boat dock and had a wrap-around enclosed porch. The cabin had it’s own water system and was very self-sufficient as it looked out on the other side of the island.
“I’ll give you all some time but if you have any questions I’ll be right over there,” Justin said as he gave us some privacy.
“I like it brother, it’s private, semi-remote and no neighbours,” Felix said.
“Towns aren’t too far away,” I said as I looked out onto the water.
“Like you’re trying to convince yourself, you loved it the moment you set foot on the island,” Megan said.
“True, even Felix had this little twinkle in his eye,” Ava said.
“Fine, I love it,” I said as Megan smiled at me.
“It’s going to cost a pretty penny,” Felix said.
“It’s worth it,” Megan said.
“How much?” I asked her.
Megan only smiled as she pulled out her phone and showed me the ad for the island, she waved at Justin to join us again. I could faintly make out his end of the conversation as he organized with someone else to come and view the island. He joined us after another few minutes and smiled apologetically at us.
“We’ll take it,” I said.
He blinked a few times and kept looking at me. “Sorry, what?”
“We’ll take it, draw up the papers,” I said.
“Are you serious?” he asked me.
“I have cash, does that work for you?” I asked him.
“Yes, absolutely,” he said as we headed back to the boat.
We left Justin at the mainland property as he started on the paperwork after giving him everything he needed to finalize the deal. I would transfer the money after signing the contract and I felt good about this buy. We were now living in Florida on Belle Island, or rather we’d be living there soon.
Sixteen days later we moved to the island; Megan and I moved into Turtle Cabin and Felix and Ava into Gator cabin. On the island Abeloth and Kaida had much more freedom and they spent days on end separated from us.
In the mornings I jogged the perimeter of the island, checking for new scents and Felix did the same in the evenings. We were still getting accustomed to living on an island and it took a while for us to get to know every nook and cranny.
“This is Lucas,” he answered his phone.
“Hey Dad, how are you?” I asked him.
“Bored out of my mind, what have you got going on your side?” he asked me.
“Aren’t you supposed to be travelling with Mom?” I asked him.
“If I go into one more museum, I’m killing myself,” he said.
“It’s not that bad,” Rylee said.
“I bought a place in Florida,” I said.
“Nice, what kind of place?” he asked.
“An island,” I said.
“What do you mean you bought an island in Florida?” Lucas asked.
“It’s a lake island and it’s awesome, there’s enough space for Abeloth and Kaida to roam freely, day and night, they swim in the lake at night, it’s quiet here, peaceful,” I said.
“What about work? What are you doing about that?” he asked me.
“Geez Dad, we’ve only been here a week,” I said.
“So why are you wasting time?” he asked me.
“Felix and I will start on that tomorrow,” I said.
“Can’t believe you turned out so lazy,” he said as I started to laugh.
“Says the guy walking around museums,” I said.
“I can still kick your ass,” Lucas said.
“Love you too Dad, enjoy the statues,” I said and ended the call.
I sent Lucas my location and knew that sooner rather than later he’d show up here with my mother. She’d have a lot to say about the wedding that hadn’t been planned yet and why I was dragging my feet with it.
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