Her throat worked. “Thanks.”
He brought out a small beach towel and laid it on the shelf. “It’ll be easier if you lie on your stomach.”
She shifted onto the towel and rested her head on her arms as she turned to watch him.
He opened up a small packet with a sterile cleansing pad and started cleaning the wound. Her eyes watered from the burn, and she bit her lip.
“The danger in coral scrapes is that they can get infected.” He carefully wiped the area with the pad. “Soft living material covers the surface of coral. When it’s torn off the reef, it gets deposited into the scrape, and that’s what can cause infection.”
She bit her lip harder as the stinging increased.
He opened another pad and cleansed the scrape again. “Some people think ‘it’s just a scrape,’ but it’s more than that.”
“Ugh.” She let out her breath. “This will make the walk back fun.”
“I’ll carry you if you need help.” He smiled at her and she managed a smile in return. “We’ll take you to a clinic as soon as we reach civilization.”
Seth pulled a water bottle out of his backpack and cracked it open. “I need to flush it.” He poured the water over the scrape, paying close attention to the wound.
Water flowed over it and soaked the towel. He used a small pad to pat it dry before putting antibacterial ointment on it. Placing two gauze pads side-by-side over the wound to cover the scrapes, he wrapped them with tape.
He rested his hand on her leg. “You okay?”
Bailey carefully scooted up to a sitting position. “I have the best doctor taking care of me, so I’m fine.”
She braced her palms on the rock to either side of her and looked out at their view of the ocean one last time.
A big shape caught her attention. “A whale!” she shouted as the huge creature jumped out of the water and dove back in again.
“A humpback,” Seth said. “It’s out of season. I didn’t really think we’d see one.”
“It’s magnificent.” Bailey watched in awe as it jumped, corkscrewed its body, and slammed back into the water.
“That’s 66,000 pounds of whale you’re seeing,” Seth said.
“Over thirty tons?” Her eyes widened. “That’s a hard number to comprehend.”
“Just imagine seeing a blue whale,” Seth said. “Those things reach a weight of about 198 tons.”
“It boggles the mind.” She stared at the water, hoping to see another appearance by the humpback. “Looks like he’s done jumping for the day.”
“We’ll head back now.” He looked up at the sky. “It was supposed to be clear today, but it looks like a storm might be building. We need to get started on that three-mile trek before we get hit.”
Bailey followed his gaze where the clouds were getting a little darker. “Does Hawaii have thunderstorms?”
“They’re pretty rare, but it does happen.” Seth started shoving supplies into his backpack. “We’ll probably just get dumped on pretty well.”
“I can survive a good dumping.” She dressed in the tank top and shorts before she took off the water shoes and changed them out for her athletic shoes.
When they were ready to leave, Bailey smiled at Seth. “I don’t know if I can come up with enough adjectives to describe all of this. It’s been an amazing day.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
Bailey lifted her face to the sun. “This has been wonderful.” She turned to look at Seth. “Thank you.”
Seth kissed her and drew back. “I’d give you the world, Bailey.”
* * *
Bailey was a trooper. Seth walked behind her as she headed up the trail. He frowned at the sight of the bandage and hoped it wouldn’t get infected. Momi’s hospital staff would take excellent care of her once they reached it.
He looked up at what darkened sky he could see through the tall trees.
In the next instant, the skies opened up and rain poured down. It was as if someone had dumped an entire tank of water on them all at once.
Seth swiped his hair away from his forehead and continued on in the rain shower.
Bailey pushed her braid over her shoulder. They were both drenched now and they probably had another two miles to reach the entrance to the hiking trail.
She never complained about the scrape, which he knew was painful from friends’ personal experiences. She just forged on and chatted about the fun they’d had in the cove.
It had been a fantastic day.
“Are you up for dinner tonight, after we get your leg taken care of?” He had to talk over the sound of the rain coming down on the trees and vegetation.
“Yep.” She looked over her shoulder at him. “Just no eel for dinner, okay?”
He laughed. “Got it. No eel on the menu.”
“As a matter of fact,” she went on. “I think a malasada would go a long way to easing the pain, along with one of Melia’s fruity drinks and some of Keoki’s bar food. Does Keoki’s sound good to you?”
“Perfect.” Seth dragged his hand down his wet face. “I could use a dozen malasadas right now.”
Bailey walked at a pretty good clip. He liked watching her athletic form from behind. Her legs were strong and toned and yes, her ass was perfect—he knew that from personal experience.
Not the best time to be having erotic thoughts about Bailey.
The rain came down harder, making it more difficult to see ahead of them. “Are you doing okay?” he called out.
Bailey came to a stop. “Can you lead now? I’m having trouble seeing the trail.”
“You bet.” Seth bent to give her a kiss before continuing on ahead of her.
The rain was loud enough now that talking was much harder. He started to wish he had a tent in case they got stuck out here.
Water poured in streams across the trail, the streams getting bigger the farther they traveled.
Even though he’d been this way a few times, he wasn’t sure how much farther they had to go. The pouring rain made the passage more and more difficult.
Bailey’s injury and a storm when it was supposed to be relatively clear made today a lot rougher than he’d planned. He just hoped they’d make it back soon.
What had been heavy rainfall turned into blowing wind and rain. Wind rushed through the foliage, bending the trees, and making Seth unsteady while he walked.
He continually looked over his shoulder to check on Bailey. “How are you doing?” he called over the sound of wind and rain.
She gave him a thumbs up. She couldn’t have been feeling like it was a thumbs up kind of hike right now.
On they trudged. He’d never been on this hike in weather heavier than usual Hawaiian rain.
Finally, when it seemed like the trail would never end, the vegetation thinned out. They were closer to reaching the end of the trail. Relief poured through him like the rain was pouring down on them.
He called over his shoulder. “Not much farther.”
She gave him another thumbs up.
Five minutes later, the path opened up to the beginning of the trail.
Rain still poured on them, but it had lightened and the wind wasn’t as bad.
He put his arm around Bailey’s shoulders as they walked around the outcropping and onto the shore.
“That was a fantastic hike—an experience I would not change for the world,” she said as she tilted her face to look up at him. “Except maybe for the scrape on the reef.”
He kissed the top of her wet head. “I might have gone for a little less wind and rain, too.”
She leaned against him as they walked. “It does feel good to be back.”
“We’ll hit the hospital now and then the hotel to change out of these wet clothes for dry clothes. Then Keoki’s and that fruity drink for you and a good beer for me,” Seth said. “Sound like a plan?”
“Sounds like a wonderful plan.” She smiled. “Thank you for today. I don’t know if I can say that e
nough. I enjoyed myself so thoroughly. You have given me some of the best experiences of my life.”
He squeezed her to him as they walked. “And I aim to give you more.”
15
The morning of the Pono Ranch hospital benefit rodeo dawned clear and bright, with no wind. The big rain had dampened the earth and scattered mud puddles everywhere, keeping the dust down that would normally be in the air.
The one-day rodeo with Hawaiian paniolos—cowboys—along with a few cowboys from the mainland, was almost over.
Bailey sat in the stands with Charlee, Dara, and their two cabana boys—their private nicknames for the twenty-five-year old men. The girls hadn’t let anything go too far and were having some harmless fun. The guys clearly enjoyed themselves, too.
Her calf burned like crazy, but the staff at the hospital had done a great job of cleaning and bandaging the wound. She’d have to re-dress it daily. Because of the soft living material that had been scraped from the coral and deposited into her flesh, it would take longer to heal.
All day, fans in the stands called out, whistled, and cheered. They were having a great time watching the steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing, and other events.
Paper cups of beer and sodas, along with popcorn, hotdogs, and nachos were sold in the concession stand. The smells of the food filled the air along with the smell of wet earth and livestock.
The announcer’s booming voice over the loudspeakers was almost constant. He told the crowd tidbits about each rider and mentioned their lifetime achievements if they had any.
They also blasted out music themes throughout the day. Pretty much a normal thing for rodeo.
During halftime, a Momi rodeo princess was crowned to lots of cheers from the crowd. According to the announcer, there had been a small pageant and the young woman who rode around the arena had won. It was a local event, not like big rodeo productions for rodeo queens.
Roughstock events were next.
Saddle bronc riding was first, followed by the next event Seth was competing in—bareback bronc riding on a crazy damned horse that could seriously injure him if anything went wrong.
Her heart beat a little faster.
She shouldn’t be worried—after all, he must be good, damned good, to be the All-Around Champion. She’d seen her older cousin, Creed McBride, a world champion bull rider, in action. He was poetry to watch on the back of a bull.
But like many bull riders, Creed had been seriously hurt in more than one of his rides. He retired from bull riding a couple of years ago to ranch instead, and spent time at home with his wife, Danica, and their kids.
Creed remained active with commentating and commercials, but he’d never climbed on the back of a bull again once he left the circuit.
Was Seth involved in promoting the sport in addition to competing?
She wouldn’t be surprised. One more reason to shy away from him. He had a full life and big plans, and she didn’t want to get in the way of any of them by insisting he go her way instead.
They both couldn’t live their dreams at the same time.
Bailey closed her eyes. She’d been on Momi for a week now—a week that had changed her life.
It has changed my life, repeated in her mind.
The words sent panic through her like wildfire and made her feel jittery and off balance. She had let things get too far with Seth. She was falling for him—or had she already?
Her throat worked as she swallowed hard.
Stop it.
A gentle nudge of an elbow to her side brought Bailey’s attention from her thoughts to Charlee.
“Are you all right?” Charlee frowned. “Are you worried about Seth being in the bareback riding event?”
“Not really—well, maybe a little.” Bailey sighed. “He’s a professional and knows what he’s doing.”
“But there’s more.” Charlee’s brow furrowed. “You’re fighting your feelings for him.”
The announcer cut into their conversation, allowing Bailey a moment longer to form her words carefully. “I have a lot of dreams, Charlee. He has a lot of dreams. We both can’t win in this scenario.”
“You don’t know that.” Charlee put her hand on Bailey’s arm. “You’ve got another week here. You’ll figure it out. Just don’t shove your feelings aside. Guys like him don’t come around often.”
“If at all,” Bailey added without thinking.
Charlee smiled. “There you go.”
Bailey looked back at the man on the back of a horse, the man getting knocked around in the chute by the horse that didn’t want him there.
The chute opened and the horse burst out. The rider held on while the horse bucked and twisted and bucked some more. The horse bucked off the rider before the end of eight seconds.
Eight seconds didn’t seem like much time, unless a rider was on the back of a bull or horse that was trying to get him off. Making it the full eight seconds was a skill most of the population would never develop.
Of course, most people weren’t in the rodeo world, or dumb enough to get on the back of a beast that would try to kill them.
But she’d grown up around it and knew the mentality of the riders. Didn’t mean she liked it, but she understood it.
The saddle bronc riding competition featured ten riders.
And then it was time for the bareback bronc riding.
There her heart went again, thumping hard. She didn’t know when Seth would ride, and she both looked forward to it while at the same time she didn’t think she could watch.
There were only seven in the bareback competition. Seth was the last.
She saw him in his cowboy hat, rodeo shirt, jeans, and chaps, as he climbed into the chute and onto the back of the horse.
The horse tried to slam Seth back and forth in the chute and did a pretty good job of it.
Almost time.
Bailey clenched her jaw.
The chute opened.
The horse burst from the chute, bucking and twisting like she’d never seen before. She found herself on her feet, her fists by her sides. Seth had marked the horse, his spurs above the horse’s shoulders when the horse came out of the chute, so the ride started out perfectly.
Even though he hadn’t competed in other events because he hadn’t brought his horse with him, it was easy to see why he was the reigning WRCA All-Around Champion.
Seth gripped the rigging and rode with perfect form. He made the most grueling sport in rodeo look easy. His hat went flying onto the dirt as he rode.
Blood pounded in her head.
The buzzer went off at the eight second mark. Seth leapt off the horse, hit the ground on his side, and rolled to a stand. He had to have been hurting at least some from the brutal ride, but he got up like waking up from a relaxing morning.
She’d been around rodeo cowboys all her life, and she had never seen anything like the way Seth rode that horse.
He scooped up his hat from the ground, hit it against his leg to knock the dust off, and firmly seating it on his head. He waved at the cheering crowd.
Seth looked directly at Bailey and grinned.
She wanted to slug him in the shoulder. She hated to admit it, but she’d been terrified while she watched.
He turned and talked with another cowboy on the way out of the ring. Seth’s Wrangler-clad ass was framed perfectly by his chaps.
She sighed as she watched him walk away.
Why did a man in chaps really turn her on?
It was far more than that.
She was falling in love with Seth.
No. She had fallen in love with him.
Bailey choked back the rush of emotions and fear that nearly strangled her. She felt as if she’d been roped and tied by the cowboy and would never break free.
Strangled.
She wanted to teach English overseas and to travel the world on her own. She wanted freedom. She’d never have that with Seth or any other man.
“What’s wrong, Bailey?” D
ara’s concerned voice broke into her thoughts.
“Nothing.” Bailey shook her head. “I’m calling for a car and going back to the resort.”
“What?” An expression of surprise crossed Charlee’s features.
“Why?” Dara frowned.
Bailey shook her head. “I can’t do this.”
“She’s running.” Dara’s frown deepened. “Don’t run from this one, Bailey. You’re making a mistake.”
“She’s right.” Charlee’s features tensed with concern. “Stay.”
“I’ve got to go.” Bailey turned and fled.
After the rodeo, Seth signed autographs, talked with old friends, accepted congratulations on his wins, and congratulated others who had done well.
The entire time he kept watching and waiting for Bailey.
She didn’t come.
Charlee and Dara showed up with the guys they’d been spending time with.
“Congratulations, Seth.” Charlee’s smile didn’t completely meet her eyes.
“Great job,” Dara added. She looked slightly upset too.
“Thanks.” He smiled, although he felt like he should be frowning. He looked over their heads. “Where’s Bailey?”
Charlee shook her head. “She went back to the resort.”
This time Seth did frown. “Is she all right? Did she get sick?”
Dara hesitated. “I think she’s making a mistake and running.”
For a moment Seth wasn’t sure what she meant. “Do you mean running from me?”
Charlee nodded. “She does that. She’s afraid to give up all she’s worked for by developing a relationship with a man.”
Seth shook his head. “She doesn’t have to with me.”
“Did she tell you that her plans are to travel Europe alone?” Charlee asked. “She’s studied maps, found hostels, worked out her complete journey.”
“No.” Confusion clouded his brain. “Why wouldn’t she tell me that?”
“I think it’s because she doesn’t want anyone to tell her she can’t do it alone just because she’s a woman.” Dara sighed. “She trusts us with this, but no one else. She knows—or thinks—her brothers and parents will do everything in their power to stop her.”
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