Chapter 2

The large seaplane circled the tiny island twice before it descended toward the crystal blue water. From what Amanda could see, the island was as advertised ... remote and tiny. She could see what appeared to be a hotel of some kind with small cabana type buildings on the side of the mountain. There was a small town on the far side of the island with rather crude looking buildings and barely paved roads. In the middle of the island there was a lake surrounded by mountains.

The island seemed mysterious indeed.

A shiver of something went through Amanda at the thought that they were alone here. Jason was the only person that knew she and David were going to the island. What if it was some kind of devious trap for her and David? Then she almost laughed. She knew she was being silly. Who would want to capture them on an island and for what reason?

Of course she did have a lot of money, as David's father had been very wealthy. Most people didn't know that they had that much money though because they never flaunted it. In fact, Amanda didn't really know how much money she actually had. She lived in a modest house in an upscale neighborhood but nothing exclusive. They had a Volvo wagon and a small Mercedes ... most of the neighbors drove much more expensive cars. But Amanda liked it that way. She never worried about people thinking she was better than them because of her money.

Amanda told herself to settle down and enjoy their two weeks. She looked over at David who was staring out the window with wonder and smiled. He was a normal kid and he never acted rich to his friends. She made sure of that. She felt a rush of pride and reached over and grasped his hand.

David smiled at his mother and then turned back to the window, saying, "Wow, this island looks amazing. We can go snorkeling and diving, and parasailing and..."

"Hang on there tiger, let's get to the island before we jump into the water," Amanda laughed as the plane touched down on the smooth water of the islands cove.

The seaplane taxied until the reached a dock. The pilot got out and helped Amanda and David out. Then a handsome older man in a white suit walked up. He was tall and dark. "I think we might be on 'Fantasy Island'," Amanda said to David as the man approached.

"What is 'Fantasy Island'?" David asked.

"Never mind," Amanda responded.

"Ah, Mrs. Carpenter," the gentleman said in a heavily French accent as he reached out and took Amanda's hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. "And this must be Mr. Carpenter. I am Jacque Boucher."

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Boucher, this is my son, David."

"Ah, Mademoiselle is not old enough to have a son his age," he said, laying on the charm as he shook David's hand. "Welcome to our secluded island."

"Thank you," Amanda said. "This is truly a beautiful place."

"It is indeed. I hate to say it, but the island was once used as a penal colony for deserters from the Foreign Legion, but that was many years ago. Not a glorious history I'm afraid. However, some wealthy investors bought the island a few years ago and made it into the resort it is today. It is quite exclusive."

"How many people are here?" Amanda asked.

"Only about a thousand live here. Then there are the guests, which at a peak only number one hundred."