by Edie Claire
His heart was beating wildly. He and Laney together… on Maui. He could see that hot little body of hers in a bikini, sipping from half a coconut with a carefree smile on her face. He would love—
Wait. Was he crazy?
“Are you crazy?” Laney parroted. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks aflame. “You… You don’t have to go with me. What—”
“I want to,” Jason interrupted. “And yes, maybe I am a little crazy. But you know what? So are you. And don’t deny it.” He waited. He was making a leap of faith, but his confidence was absolute. There was the Laney he’d met, and there was the Laney who lurked beneath that trembling exterior. The real Laney was afraid of nothing, he knew it in his gut. She was headstrong, obstinate, thrill-seeking, and beautifully, fantastically impulsive… just like him. He was not imagining the ghost of a smile that flitted at the corners of her lips.
“Let’s do this thing,” he pressured shamelessly. “Hang the consequences. It’s destiny.”
Her perfect lips twitched once more. Then suddenly, amazingly, he was rewarded with a smile.
“Oh, hell,” she whispered with a sigh. “Why not?”
Chapter 26
Laney fidgeted in her middle seat, wishing that the sleeping woman by the airplane window hadn’t closed the blind, preventing her from studying the clouds. She hadn’t flown very often, and never over the ocean. She also wished that the businessman in the aisle seat didn’t have his earphones turned up so loud that she jumped every time something exploded in the idiotic movie he was watching. She couldn’t concentrate well enough to watch a movie herself, much less read; nor could she talk to Jason, who was stuck in another middle seat four rows back. She had nothing to do but stare at the seatback in front of her and wrestle with her thoughts.
She still couldn’t believe she was here, now, on a plane to Hawaii. It had all happened ridiculously fast, once Jason had explained her situation to Ben. Laney understood that the oceanographer/boat captain had no small amount of experience crisscrossing the Pacific on a budget, but still, he proved amazingly helpful — insisting they stay at his condo, vowing to find out exactly which boat Gordon fished on, and even finding an incredible last-minute deal on two one-way fares from Victoria to Maui. Laney had barely had time to decide what to pack and what to leave — much less what to think or how to feel — before she and Jason were throwing their bags in his car and heading off to the airport in the dark before dawn.
She regretted the timing, as the darkness had obscured her view of the wild mountains and old-growth forests in the center of the island through which they traveled first. The sun hadn’t risen until they reached the island’s more populated eastern shore, and none of the more picturesque areas of Victoria had been on their way to the airport. But how could she complain? She was going to Maui! Her debt would increase, but she truly didn’t feel she had another choice. She’d just have to live off peanut butter and pineapple and pray for an equally cheap flight home.
She twisted in her seat to glance backward. She could not see Jason, and didn’t know why she kept trying. He was there somewhere. Eventually, they would get a chance to talk. He had played loud music to keep himself awake while he was driving, then fallen asleep during their layover in Calgary. Apparently he had been up most of their already short night trying to work out staffing coverage for his various businesses. She hadn’t wanted to bother him, but there were things she wanted to say. Again. She was determined that he not feel obligated to babysit her. He had wanted to go to Maui to surf, and she was determined that he should do that. He should enjoy a vacation worth his money, not waste his time on her problems.
Her head ached slightly, but she chose to ignore it. She’d been told that flying so soon after a concussion wasn’t the greatest idea, but she’d been free of symptoms for two days now, and she’d done far stupider things. Like let herself fall for a man like Jason Buchanan and then consent to cohabitate with him in a condo in paradise.
She sighed with frustration. Being so close to him and not even touching would be sheer, raving torture, but she could see no better course of action. Her feelings for Jason ran deep already, never mind that all they’d ever done was hug. As tempting as it was for her to throw all caution to the wind and indulge in a mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime tropical sexcation, she knew how much she would suffer for it later. Her feelings for Jason would become even more intense, making it that much more painful for her to walk away from him.
And she would absolutely have to walk away. Because he wasn’t offering her anything else. He hadn’t even offered her a mind-blowing, once-in-a-lifetime tropical sexcation. Although a few times, lately, she’d gotten the feeling he might not mind…
After another highly counterproductive mental trip to la-la land, Laney gave herself a shake and forced her attention back to greater problems. Getting herself within hailing distance of Gordon and Joan was only the first step in the mission before her. She still had to reason out how a meeting could be arranged. She and Jason had already decided that involving his friend Max any further would be a bad move, because if Gordon’s first perception of her was that she had pursued him across an ocean, it would make her motives seem nefarious. Far better for him to think that Laney and her traveling companion had run into him accidently while on vacation. She could explain the whole story later, after she’d revealed her true intent.
Assuming they’re still listening, rather than calling 911…
Laney clenched her teeth, determined to bury her negativity and do this thing right. So, how could she manage it? Assuming that Ben could find out where and how Gordon went fishing, and perhaps identify a mutual friend to serve as a go-between, what would Laney’s message to the Tremblays be? How could she convince them to meet with her?
She pondered the question for some time, considering and then dismissing the idea she’d had before, of using Jason as a front man. If a middle-aged friend of Elizabeth’s really wanted to meet the Tremblays, why would she send some young surfer hunk to run interference? Even the slightest hint of deception on her part would set the stage all wrong. Laney didn’t want to lie to or trick them. What she wanted was to tell them some part of the truth. Enough to make them want to meet her, but without any suggestion that their granddaughter could still be alive. If they suspected anything near the truth, seeing her face would be too much, too soon. She had to handle this intelligently. Because if they thought she was out to get their money, that she was trying to manipulate them emotionally—
Positive thoughts, she reminded herself as her pulse rate climbed. Only positive thoughts! There had to be a way to do this. Think, Laney. Think!
She thought. Then she thought some more. Eventually, she smiled. She pulled her phone from the seatback pocket and clicked into a notebook app. She would write them a letter. Calling Gordon would be too intrusive, too personal. Sending an email wouldn’t be personal enough, and they might not even read it — the couple were pushing eighty, after all. But a handwritten letter they would respect. They would read it, and they would respond. They would have to.
Her thumbs flew as she composed her message. She would buy some decent paper at the airport and then recopy it in her best script.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tremblay,
Writing this letter is awkward for me, as I’m sure it will be for you to receive it. But my name is Laney Miller, and I grew up in the town of Peck, Missouri. Right now I’m staying with a friend here on Maui, and when I heard someone say you were here too, I knew I had to try and see you. I’ve tried to look you up before, because I wanted to contact the next of kin of the family from Tennessee who died so tragically in the Peck tornado. I’m sorry to say I wasn’t able to follow through with contacting you then, but I hope to make up for it now.
I’m very sorry about what happened to your daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. I know it must have been terrible for you. I am guessing it was especially difficult for you that no one ever located your little granddaughter. The reas
on I’m writing is that I have some information about your granddaughter’s possible resting place that I imagine you might want to know.
If it’s possible, I would very much like to meet with you both in person while I am here. I promise I will not take up much of your time, but would appreciate having the opportunity to unburden myself of this information, which again, I apologize for not bringing to you sooner.
Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Laney Miller
She would add a postscript to the bottom with the address of the Parkers’ condo and her cell phone number. For good measure, she would add her home address in Peck as well. Using her real name would be essential to her letter passing the smell test, as the Tremblays might very well check her background before agreeing to meet with her. There was a chance they would connect her name to the “miracle baby” newspaper articles, but that was a chance she was willing to take. As she had discovered herself, local newspaper articles from the nineties were only discoverable through paid databases, not a simple internet search. Even if Gordon and Joan did go there, they’d have no reason to make the next fantastic leap. In fact, by alluding to information about Jessica’s remains, she hoped to assure they would not. The far more plausible conclusion would be that she had grown up with a personal interest in the tornado and its victims, and was thus acutely aware of any local rumors or lore surrounding them.
She saved the document, put away her phone, and breathed out heavily. Positive thoughts, she reminded herself.
Everything will work out fine.
***
The plane bumped down onto the tarmac, jolting Jason awake. His heart began to race. Was he really on Maui? With Laney? He had been afraid it was all just a dream. But no… through the sliver of window available to him, he could just see the distant outline of jagged peaks in the moonlight. Amazing.
He turned on his phone and was immediately besieged by five hours’ worth of accumulated texts. He scrolled past the various messages from acquaintance-women, quickly addressed those related to his businesses, and then opened up an impressive string from Ben. As announcements from the flight attendants boomed over the speakers, he read through the thread, his grin broadening as he went.
Ben Parker was worth his weight in gold. By making “a few calls,” he had learned that Gordon Tremblay had leased a small, but well-appointed fishing boat for the duration of the winter from a local company owned by a man named Paul Kimball. Ben had known ‘Pauley’ for many years, and after being assured that Laney was a personal friend with no evil intent, Pauley had said he’d be happy to meet her and help her get in touch with Gordon. Ben added that Pauley was a fixture at the marina in Ma'alaea and could easily be found either on the docks or the nearby bar, depending on the hour.
Jason checked the local time. It was early evening. They’d have to drive through Ma'alaea to get to the condo anyway. Why not stop and look him up at the local watering hole? Laney would be pleased to have a game plan and a starting point.
He continued to smile to himself. He still couldn’t believe he was here. He had always considered himself a lucky guy, but providence in this case was extraordinary. Had he reacted entirely on impulse, with no thought whatsoever to the pitfalls of traveling across an ocean with a woman he was insanely attracted to but couldn’t possibly sleep with? He had. Did he regret it? Not a chance. He was happy to be here and happier still to be here with Laney. Tomorrow could take care of its own damn self.
He waited anxiously for his chance to deplane and caught up with Laney staring out the windows just past the jetway. “Look inviting?” he asked.
She turned to him with sparkling eyes and a gorgeous flush to her face. “I couldn’t see anything out the plane windows, and it’s too dark to see much now either, but it still looks amazing!”
Jason took in the sight of lighted taxiways and outbuildings, towered over in the distance by silhouetted volcanic peaks. “I have a feeling we’ll see far better views than this,” he said cheerfully. “Want to go find some?”
“Absolutely,” she agreed, her eyes still shining with excitement. As they walked through the terminal toward baggage claim, he filled her in on Ben’s news and she described the letter she’d written to the Tremblays. Her plan was inspired, and he was impressed with her cleverness. Every flash of the non-concussed, non-traumatized Laney he managed to see was more fascinating than the last, and he couldn’t wait for the next surprise.
Once outside in the open air, they stopped at the same point beside a flowering bush and set down their bags. They laughed as each had the same idea: stretching out their arms to the warmth and breathing deeply of the moist, floral-scented air. Jason had changed into a fitted tee and shorts already, but Laney looked ridiculously uncomfortable in jeans and a long-sleeved thermal rolled up to her elbows.
Jason kept his eye roll to himself. She had remarked before they left that she had no summer clothes with her, but she refused to spend money buying anything new, even if they’d been able to find what she needed in Tofino in January. It was all he could do to get her to “borrow” a few things from the lodge’s lost and found box, which was a sorry assortment indeed. Secretly, he planned to sneak off and buy her a few things at the first opportunity. If the weather stayed this hot, he might even convince her to wear them.
After a brief argument about how she was not paying for half the car he would have rented if he came by himself anyway, they were back to laughing over nothing, tooling through the lighted streets of Kahului with the windows down. They made a quick stop at a drugstore for Laney’s letter writing supplies, but he could tell she was as eager as he was to leave the city behind. Both of them were anxious to get to the ocean, and neither could wait until the sun came up tomorrow, revealing the full spectrum of natural beauty that surrounded them.
When they reached Ma'alaea they turned towards the harbor, located the bar Ben had mentioned, and parked nearby. While Laney worked on her letter, Jason stepped outside and attempted to reach Pauley with the number Ben had provided. The phone went unanswered, but after Jason sent a brief explanatory text, he received a friendly invitation to walk right up. A few minutes later, he and Laney found themselves sitting at a small table outside the crowded bar and grill, listening to the chatty boatman expound on himself, Ben Parker, invasive fish, idiotic tourists, high taxes, and Gordon Tremblay, in that order. Pauley, who appeared to be around sixty, had the weather-beaten look of a man who’d spent half his life in the sun and would never regret a minute of it, no matter how many skin cancers he had removed.
“Yeah, Gordon’s got one of the penthouse units, over that way,” Pauley said, pointing vaguely down the beach from the marina. “Gorgeous place. Easy walk down to the slip. Gordon can’t walk too far, you know. On account of his knees. But he’s out on the Journey pretty much every day the weather’s good. His wife goes with him too, a lot of days.”
“Do you think he’ll be out tomorrow?” Laney asked eagerly. “How does the weather look? I mean, for boating? I noticed the surf report’s not great,” she added to Jason as an aside.
Jason’s heart warmed. So, she was checking out surf reports now, was she?
“Good enough,” Pauley answered. “I’d imagine Gordon will be out, yes. He’ll be leaving long before dawn though, hoping for a Bigeye. You said you had something you wanted me to give him? I’m sure I’ll see him when he gets back, if not before.”
Laney handed him her envelope. “That would be fabulous. Thank you.”
Jason bought the man another drink, listened to a few more stories about the infamous Ben Parker and his ‘brilliant lawyer wife,’ and deflected several sales pitches before he and Laney headed back to the car for the final leg of their drive. Laney, having accomplished the first step in her mission in record speed, soon grew quiet and began to yawn. It was past midnight in Tofino time, and they’d had a very long day. By the time they reached the resort area on the western shore of the island, secured the key
from the caretaker, and stepped inside the Parkers’ condo, she seemed exhausted. But after turning on the lights and looking around, she quickly rallied.
“Oh, wow,” she said breathlessly. “This place is… are we seriously staying here for free?”
“We are,” Jason confirmed, equally impressed. The condo was open and airy, set on the corner of a high-rise with floor to ceiling windows and a wrap-around lanai. When the sun came up, they would almost certainly have a spectacular view of the ocean in one direction and the mountains in the other. The furniture was modern, new, and high quality — far beyond the usual wicker beach vibe, and the whole unit featured a carefully coordinated palette of colors and was decorated with original art.
“All done to Ben’s specifications, I’m sure,” Laney teased.
Jason laughed. “Clearly.” They both knew that Ben would be perfectly happy living in a tent on the beach, provided of course that his wife was there with him. The refined taste in evidence here would be Haley’s.
“I’m almost afraid to touch anything,” Laney murmured as she explored, finally setting her things in the extra bedroom with the feminine-looking sitting area. Jason put his stuff in the third bedroom, which was darker in tone, had more comfortable chairs, and looked like it doubled as a man-cave. “It was really nice of them to let us stay here,” she said as she returned to the living room.
“Well, I did let Ben stay at my duplex for a weekend, you know,” Jason replied. “I figure this is the least he can do.”