ONE WIFE TOO MANY

by Susanne Marie Knight

  Richmond. As in Richmond, Virginia. That rang an unwanted bell.

  She inched closer to her bedroom door. "I've got to get dressed and help with dinner."

  A haunted look came into his dark brown or black eyes. "I was on Oahu seven years ago."

  "Oh!" Seven years ago her new life began. This was no coincidence.

  She shrugged as if his words were inconsequential. "That was a long time ago, wasn't it? Well, I'll see you downstairs."

  He held out his left hand as if to prevent her from leaving. The gold gleam on his ring finger caught her eye.

  Married, but not to her.

  Thank goodness. Her wedding ring had been made of white gold.

  Andrea made a very hasty retreat and took great pleasure in shutting--and locking--the connecting door.

  * * * *

  Although Mrs. Lawai'a probably hadn't intended for dinner to have a romantic setting, Will couldn't help but be affected. The family gathered outside, under brilliant, starry skies. Cool breezes swayed the lush greenery surrounding them in the backyard.

  Instead of electric lights, flickering candles lit the Hawaiian repast, and sweet tropical fragrances from exotic flowers wafted in the evening breeze.

  The air wasn't all that was stirred. Every time he glanced at the woman seated across from him at the picnic table, he felt the stab of passion.

  He wasn't proud of the feeling. In fact he was annoyed with himself. Finally, he had his life back on track. He'd looked forward to marrying Stella. He'd desperately wanted to settle down.

  But Stella wasn't this woman. This Anakalia, who, for some unknown reason, stirred his soul.

  "More poi? Pork? Papaya?" Mrs. Kalala gestured toward the filled wooden bowls on the picnic table. "Will? We have plenty to eat."

  "Thank you, Mrs.--"

  At her raised eyebrow, Will corrected himself. "Thank you, Mama Kalala. Everything was wonderful, but honestly, I'm stuffed."

  "Stuffed like a pig," Phillip, the youngest member of the Lawai'a family shouted with glee. "That is what we like to say here."

  Mr. Lawai'a, a gnarled older man of few words, frowned at his teenaged son.

  Nathan laughed, while Anakalia just smiled.

  Phillip crumpled his paper napkin and dropped it in his plate. "Pau. Done. So may I be excused? The guys and I are gonna do some cruising in Hilo tonight."

  His mother wagged a stern finger. "Cruising, Pilikia? You know there must be no drinking."

  The boy fisted his hands on his skinny hips. "None of us are twenty-one, Mama Kalala. You have coconuts for brains?"

  Mr. Lawai'a grunted.

  Phillip lowered his dark head. "Sorry. But may I get going now?"

  "Go, go now. And no trouble." Mrs. Kalala sat back in her lawn chair, and, as her youngest raced back to the house, she fanned herself with her hand. "Children, Will, they give you gray hairs."

  Her eldest also threw down his napkin. "Admit it, Mama. It wasn't us who turned you gray. Only Phillip, right?" He winked at his sister, then turned to Will. "You have kids, Will?"

  Will flushed. "Er, no. I just recently got married."

  "A newlywed torn from his bride's bed," Mrs. Lawai'a declared. Her chubby cheeks shook with amusement.

  Will felt his flush deepen.

  Mr. Lawai'a grunted again, got to his feet, then took himself off, back to the house.

  Anakalia leaned across the table toward Will, her luminous blue eyes sparkling in the candlelight. "You must excuse Papa. He likes to watch his television shows. We won't see him again until morning."

  Although Will had just mentioned Stella, all thoughts of her vanished. He was mesmerized by Anakalia's nearness, her sweet tropical fragrance, and the sensuous wave of her shiny brown hair.

  He wet his lips.

  Nathan got up from the wooden bench and smoothed down the edges of his casual shirt. "I, too, must excuse myself. A client wants me to stop by tonight and go over the terminology in a contract before she signs it."

  "A single woman? Eligible?" Mrs. Lawai'a beamed a smile. She patted at her heart. "A mother keeps hoping, you know. Tomas and his wife as yet have not made me a happy grandmother."

  Nathan didn't reply. Instead he turned bright red.

  Anakalia shooed her brother away. "Nathan, go ahead. And please, take Mama Kalala with you. This way she can make sure your client is worthy of being her daughter-in-law."

  Mrs. Lawai'a huffed.

  Anakalia laughed at her mother's annoyed expression. "You go ahead, Mama. I'll take care of the dishes."

  Mrs. Lawai'a waddled after her son, then called back to the picnic table, "Serves you right, little coconut. I left a whale of a mess in the kitchen."

  The back door slammed.

  For a moment, the surrounding air vibrated with a breeze rustling through the leaves.

  Will stood, then pushed the bench back under the picnic table. "Between the two of us, we'll have this cleaned up in no time at all."

  His young hostess shook her head vigorously, sending her long hair flying about her supple shoulders. "Oh no. I've got it. You just relax and--"

  "We can relax later." Without waiting for her to protest, he stacked plates, loaded utensils on top, and headed for the kitchen.

  He smiled. 'We' as in her and him sounded good.

  The kitchen wasn't in chaos, as Mrs. Lawai'a had stated. By the time Anakalia finished cleaning up outside, he'd pre-rinsed all the dishes, neatly piling them next to the sink.

  She entered the kitchen and lifted a thin eyebrow. "You work fast, Will."

  I'd like to.

  He banished his thought. Instead he asked, "Where's the dishwasher?"

  "You're looking at her." She poured dishwashing liquid into the stoppered sink and turned the faucet on full. "Thanks for your help. I'll take care of the rest, so why don't you go in the living room and relax--"

  "I'm the dish dryer." He wiped his hands on his T-shirt, and picked up a towel, ready for duty.

  While kitchen duties weren't chores he normally handled, he rather liked the idea of just the two of them spending this time together. He could learn more about this mysterious girl. Perhaps even find out why she was so familiar.

  "If you insist." She wound her long hair up into a makeshift bun and got to work. She set a grueling pace.

  Fortunately, she wasn't averse to talking. "So, Nathan tells me you're here to speak with Jack Fairweather. It must be an important matter to tear you away from your new bride."

  Will reached down to pick up a plate. Her flowery fragrance, roses and jasmine, floated over to him. When he had stepped into the bathroom after she'd showered, the humid air had been saturated with the scent.

  He quickly hardened at his thoughts, at his nearness to Anakalia. Damn, the last thing he wanted to do was talk about Stella.

  "Sometimes my job requires me to travel. It's not a big deal." He finished drying the plate and picked up another. "As for Fairweather, the boss wants me to do a personal interview. Just routine."

  Although he had no business asking, he felt jealous of the man. "Are you involved with Fairweather?"

  A dish slid out from her hand, falling into the water with a splash. "Involved with Jack? Whatever gave you that idea?"

  Her brilliant blue gaze almost impaled him. Will floundered on how to reply.

  He met her gaze. "Nathan said Fairweather was courting you. Is that incorrect?"

  She looked away, focusing on the sink. "First, it's none of your business. Second, if you're planning to interview the man, you should call him by his first name. And last, did I say it's none of your business?"

  The last of the dishes cleaned, she wiped her hands on a towel. Then she threw the towel on the counter. "I'll put these away tomorrow. For the record, Jack is my brother's friend. Nothing more. Just as you're Nathan's friend."

  Her full lips compressed into a tense line. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll turn in for the night."

  He grasped her hand. Her skin was warm, m
oist from the water. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

  She shook her head, which freed her hair from the bun. "No, I'm the one who needs to apologize. Sorry." She glanced down at the floor, and then looked up at him. Her mouth quivered. "I hope you have a good night's sleep."

  Anakalia pivoted rapidly and headed up the stairs, the hem of her loose dress swinging behind her.

  Will watched until she was out of sight. He sighed. With her sleeping only a few yards from his bed, he didn't think he'd have a good night at all.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Saturday morning Andrea had every intention of slipping out of the house as soon as she awakened. After dressing quickly in blue jean shorts and a gray spandex swimsuit tank top and bikini bottoms, she tiptoed down the stairs and finished getting ready in the main floor bathroom. She ran a comb through her unruly mane, brushed her teeth, covered her lips with shiny gloss, and was ready to escape.

  Seeing the kitchen crowded with stacks of clean plates and pots stopped her. Mama Kalala wouldn't take kindly to having her already space-challenged kitchen filled with unnecessary clutter. Especially since everything should have been put away before bed last night.

  Like a dutiful daughter, Andrea stashed all the dishes in their proper places. But before she could make her exit, she heard the floorboards creak.

  "Do you want to tell me what is going on, child?" Mama Kalala stood in the threshold, with arms crossed against her bosom, drumming her fingers. "Hmmm?"

  Andrea took a deep breath, then turned around to face her beloved benefactor. "Good morning, Mama. Whatever do you mean? I thought I'd get an early start on the day and walk to the market to--"

  Mama Kalala tut-tutted as she walked into the kitchen. She tied an apron over her flowered housedress, then poured herself a cup of already brewed coffee. "You cannot fool a mama, child. What is going on between you and this man, Will Struthers?"

  "Nothing! Nothing at all. I washed the dishes and he dried, and then I went to bed."

  Mama Kalala set the coffee down. She reached over to smooth damp curls off Andrea's forehead. "You never refer to yourself as Anakalia, young one. Everyone calls you Andie, except for me and Papa. But yesterday, you did."

  Andrea gave her special mama a kiss on the cheek. Mama Kalala was astute, as always. She never missed a trick.

  "It's like this, Mama." Andrea eyed the entrance into the kitchen, then whispered into Mama Kalala's ear. "Will Struthers seems familiar to me. I'm worried that I might have known him... You know, before. In my other life."

  "But this is a good thing, child! You will finally be able to claim your heritage."

  "Shhh! No." Andrea shook her head so forcefully, her hair covered her face. She took her time in pushing her long locks back from her eyes. "If I'm to discover who I was back then, then so be it. But I won't hurry the process, Mama. And you won't, either. I love it here. I don't want anything to change."

  "Child, child." Mama Kalala's moon-shaped face turned mournful. "You must face your past. It has been seven years. You must embrace your true self."

  "Maybe." Andrea shrugged. Or maybe not. She had no intention of opening Pandora's Box.

  Another floorboard creaked. Both she and Mama Kalala looked over at the doorway. Will Struthers stood, dressed in the same clothes he wore last night. Perhaps he'd only packed business suits for this trip.

  Laid-back or formal, he looked scrumptious. His wife was one lucky woman.

  He hesitated before entering. "Good morning, ladies. I was wondering if I might take you all out for breakfast."

  Mama Kalala's button eyes lit up, which meant she was up to no good. "So kind of you to offer, Will, but when Mr. Lawai'a is not working at Hilo airport, he prefers his meals here."

  She played with the tie string on her apron. "As for my offspring, my young son got home late last night. He will not see the sun until it is midday. And the oldest will be breakfasting with last night's client."

  Just as Andrea breathed a sigh of relief, Mama Kalala spoke again. "You two go ahead. Anakalia can drive you around, show you some of the sights."

  Andrea held her tongue. She flat-out wanted to refuse. But she could never be disrespectful to Mama Kalala.

  However... "But, Mama, remember my license is suspended? I can't drive."

  Mama Kalala wrinkled her wide nose, but fortunately she didn't dispute Andrea's words. The truth of the matter was Andrea had no official identification papers. How could she, with no name?

  For seven years, she had lived below the radar, driving only short distances where the locals knew her, handling her trinket business on a cash-only basis, avoiding any places that might require I.D. Some people might consider that hardly living, but Andrea welcomed these limitations.

  Will rubbed his clean-shaven chin. "A suspended license, Anakalia? What was the offense?"

  Think. Think. What could she say?

  "DUI!" she blurted. It was the first thing she could think of.

  He looked as surprised as she felt. The lawyer in him was probably intrigued, because a calculating expression came over his handsome features. Maybe he was bandying about the idea of taking her on as a client.

  Mama Kalala pooh-poohed any obstacle that interfered with her goal. She linked arms through his and through Andrea's, then walked with them out the back door. Early morning sunlight streamed down on them. If it didn't rain, it was going to be another beautiful day.

  "This is not a problem. Will, you take our car. Mr. Lawai'a and I will not use it today. Anakalia will tell you where to drive. You go along the Old Road, through the lush rainforest, eh? See our majestic Akaka Falls."

  Andrea stepped away and set her hands on her hips. "But what about Jack Fairweather? He's supposed to visit us today."

  "Today, yes. This morning, doubtful. Jack will wait for you." Mama Kalala dug in her heels.

  Will slipped his hands into his shorts pockets. "Actually, this would work out great for me. You've probably noticed I didn't bring much in the way of casual clothes. I'd like to pick up a few things, if that's all right with you, Anakalia."

  How could she be an ungracious hostess? "Sure. Are you ready?"

  His slow smile sizzled her insides. "Ready. All we need is the car key."

  Mama Kalala reached into her apron pocket and removed a jangling set of keys. She handed them to Will. "And remember, no drinking, Anakalia."

  Mama Kalala winked to show she was kidding. Then she returned to the house.

  Andrea and Will walked to the white Ford Taurus in silence. He opened the passenger side for her, then said, "Tell me about the DUI."

  She slid into the seat. "I'd rather forget about it. Besides, the suspension is almost up."

  Her stomach rumbled. It wasn't its empty state that it protested, but her recent--as of yesterday--tendency to tell white lies. But that was only because Will Struthers was here. By next week, he'd be gone.

  After he closed the car door, Andrea briefly closed her eyes. She couldn't wait until he left so life could get back to normal.

  * * * *

  Today was about as perfect as a day could be. Will thoroughly enjoyed pineapple pancakes for breakfast, an exotic treat for the palate, the tropical rainforest surrounding Akaka Falls, and the company.

  Especially the company. Anakalia Lawai'a combined sultry beauty with a naiveté that stoked his growing desire.

  Walking behind her in the dense jungle and watching her bewitching bottom sway as they'd traveled on a narrow path to the falls was nearly his undoing.

  Or perhaps it was the primordial surroundings. Any minute he'd expected Tarzan to swing through the trees with his characteristic yell.

  No, his overactive libido was all due to her.

  Shopping in Hilo had followed the falls. Then lunch, and now a drive to Onomea Bay.

  Will relaxed behind the wheel of the Taurus. Truly, this day was about as close to paradise as he'd ever experienced.

  The wind from the open car windows tugged at Anakalia
's long dark hair. She used both hands to push back the tangled mass. "Are you sure you want to head out for the beach? There are lots more sights to see. And more shopping, if you'd like."

  "Thanks, but I think I put enough of a dent in my wallet." He glanced at her and smiled. "Besides, I'd like to try out my new baggy trunks."

  She smiled back. "You surprised me when you picked out such a wild pattern. I didn't take you for a green, blue, and orange type of guy."

  Parking was permitted close to the beach, so he pulled into a shady spot and turned off the ignition. "I'm not that type of guy, usually. Pretty staid." He thought a moment. "Pretty boring."

  Before she could reply, he hopped out of the car to open the passenger side. He feasted his gaze on her long browned legs.

  Turning away from the object of his lust, he stretched his arms high overhead for a luxurious yawn. "It's so beautiful here I might never want to leave."

  He heard her sharp inhale. "Oh! But... But what about your wife?"

  Indeed. What about his wife?

  "I'm just kidding, of course."

  Sure. Right. He'd be crazy to want to spend the rest of his days in paradise.

  He unlocked the back of the car and pulled out his new multi-colored trunks. The bag with the beach towels, he threw over to her. "I'll go change. Be right back."

  By the time he returned, Anakalia had already slipped into the inviting bay, treading water a short distance from the shore. She had some friends with her, too. Three gray dolphins. When he spotted her discarded jean shorts on the beach towel, his heart nearly stopped. Was she swimming in her underwear? Lacy? Sheer? Perhaps a thong?

  Get a grip, Will, he chided himself. She probably had a bikini bottom under her shorts.

  He walked carefully across large rocks to the edge of the water and stepped in just enough to get his feet wet. Standing still, he watched the four of them cavort about, diving, then leaping high into the air.

  "Looks like you're an honorary dolphin," he called.

  "C'mon in, Will." Anakalia waved her hand. "I'll introduce you."

  He tread cautiously over the pebbled bottom. Soon he was able to swim out to her. When he surfaced, the dolphins, all three of them, suddenly stilled their movements and observed him.