Second Chance Gold (Buck Reilly Adventure Series Book 4), John Cunningham [polar express read aloud .txt] 📗

“Sorry, Buck,” Jack said. “She’s worth a lot more money than that. But I’ll keep you in mind when we’re ready to upgrade.” He winked at me.

Jerry Atlas pressed up behind us, pushing the case of gold on a small cart.

“Here you go, Jack. Kind of poetic, having Second Chance Treasure sell the gold for me at an antiquities auction. Great that it’s worth twice the bullion value because of its history.”

Jack withdrew a contract from his breast pocket.

“Sign here, and we’ll wire the money to your account by the end of next week.”

My stomach was in my throat as I watched Jerry Atlas sign the contract and hand it back to Jack.

“What the hell?” I said after Jerry walked off.

“We get ten percent,” Jack said. “Not a bad way to start our new business.”

“Like I told you before, Reilly,” Gunner said. “Stay away from us.”

I leaned in close, my jaw clenched tight.

“No, you stay clear of me. I’ve got nothing left to lose, assholes.”

Jack smiled and Gunner shoved his elbow into my chest as they walked past.

I was shaking when Nicole wrapped her arm around me.

“Let it go, Buck. They’re leaving now.”

It took a minute to find my voice.

“They’ll be back, you know.”

She led me down the sandy path, past the cemetery, and out onto the narrow beach of Lorient. I breathed in the salty breeze and turned my attention down past the red, yellow, and green surf shack, up to the hill atop the peninsula where the ruins of l’Autour du Rocher stood like dinosaur bones. An old construction fence had recently been fortified to keep people from entering the property. Nicole laid her head on my shoulder, then kissed my neck.

Jerry got the gold, Gunner got a cut, Jack had Betty, and Booth had my ass.

Me? Well, I still had the Beast.

A small tickle stirred in my heart. I turned to face Nicole, and leaned down to kiss her.

“Buck Reilly!”

I turned to see Harry Greenbaum shuffling down the beach toward us, mopping his brow as he approached.

“What does he want?” Nicole said.

My heart fluttered. “Looks like I get my second chance too.”

The End

Acknowledgments

Writing a Buck Reilly adventure in and about one of my favorite places was a lot of fun. I’ve been to St. Barths many times over the years and hope I was able to produce a clear picture for those who have not had the opportunity, and those who love it like I do. And, to include real life characters, albeit in fictitious situations, with their permission, hopefully adds to the depth of the story.

To that end, I would like to thank Monsieur Bruno Magras, the president of St. Barths, and the CEO of the St. Barth Commuter Airline, for meeting with my daughter and me earlier this year, and to graciously consenting to appear in the book. You have committed much of your life to politics, first running for council in 1976, to ultimately serving as mayor and president. The people of St. Barths are fortunate to have you.

I would also like to thank the King of the Dune, recording star, Bankie Banx, known as the Anguillan Bob Dylan, who met with me just before the start of Moonsplash this year, for also agreeing to appear in the book. Bankie owns the Dune Preserve on Anguilla, which as was stated in the story, is one of the best beach bars in the Caribbean. Moonsplash is an annual Reggae festival that brings in artists from all over the world and is not to be missed. If you ever get the chance to go, do it, you won’t be sorry, especially if Bankie takes the stage. And to Olaide Banks, Bankie’s personal manager, thanks for making it happen.

Thank you to Marius Stakelborough, owner of Le Select in downtown Gustavia, St. Barths, for also consenting to appear. As always, it was a pleasure to see you when I was last there, and thank you for having us to your home. You are a true gentleman, ahead of your time, and you have provided an important venue for people to meet in a casual environment for 65 years. Le Select makes my favorite double cheeseburger on the planet, and in paradise, indeed. This one is for you, Marius.

Thank you to Coral Reeferettes, Nadirah Shakoor and Tina Gullickson, for also being fictionalized in Second Chance Gold, and for their lovely vocals on The Ballad of Buck Reilly, the song I co-wrote with Matt Hoggatt. At the time of this writing, Matt’s CD, Workaholic in Recovery, that the BBR is included on, was #1 on the Outlaw and Progressive Country top seller list. I had the great pleasure of being with Matt when he recorded the album at Cotton Row Studios in Memphis, along with esteemed writer, musician and producer Keith Sykes and a great group of musicians. Creativity in action with the maestro at the helm, it was a total blast. Thanks, Matt.

The team at The Editorial Department for once again doing a great job in helping me develop the story, hone it, do all the interior and cover design, and doing it all well. Renni Browne, Ross Browne, Peter Gelfan, Morgana Gallaway, Jane Ryder and Liz Felix. I have worked with most of this group for 20 years.

Thank you to my publicist, Ann-Marie Nieves of Get Red PR, for her tireless efforts, creativity and friendship. Tim Harkness for his fine eye and creativity in illustration and advertising. John Wojciech for his prowess at web design and managing my ever-growing web page.

And to my increasing friends and fans who are such great support and voices of encouragement and appreciation, whether in person, on Facebook, Twitter, email or while having some rum in Key West, it’s really about all of you connecting with Buck Reilly and enjoying the ride. Thank you, and I hope Second Chance Gold was as