Love Draws Near

by Cynthia Hickey

  The confrontation between Drake and his family had left her shaken and confused. Her family had always been close, right up to the car accident that killed her parents. Then, while Drake argued with his parents, Amanda had spotted Lilly peering from the port window of Drake’s yacht. She’d almost pointed her out, but decided against it. Her head told her Drake knew the woman was there, but her heart told her he had no idea. She decided to go with her heart.

  Propping her chin in her hand, she stared out the window. Should she go through with firing him? The anguish she’d felt when arriving at the harbor last night evaporated faster than steam from a tea kettle once his family arrived. Drake’s mother’s focused attempt to get him to return home to the mainland, made it easier for Amanda to see why he preferred life on a yacht to high society, and why he didn’t want the world to know who he was. She’d probably behave the same way.

  She huffed. Not that a yacht wasn’t high society, but it definitely wasn’t a penthouse.

  “Are you ready with the deposit?” Bethie poked her head through the doorway. “I have a lull in lunch customers.”

  “It’s ready.” Amanda handed her the bank bag.

  “What’s wrong?” Her sister came in and perched on the edge of Amanda’s desk. “You’ve been very mopey lately.”

  “I’m sorry.” Amanda sighed. “I was getting ready to fire Drake last night when his family arrived. They’re a bunch of snooty people trying to force him into a role he doesn’t fit in.”

  “You care for him so much that you’d fire him?” Bethie’s brows rose to her hairline. “That’s pretty sad, if you ask me.”

  “I know.” Her shoulders slumped. Tears stung her eyes. “I can’t do this. I can’t see him every day, knowing there can’t be anything between us. He’s a player, a man women swoon over, and I’m…well…I’m me. A stick in the mud accountant who doesn’t know how to have any fun.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short, and definitely don’t be stupid enough to fire a good man because of your emotions. I’ve told you before that Drake isn’t a playboy.” Bethie slid off the desk. “Why don’t you book a private snorkeling lesson?” She winked. “And get your funky on.”

  “Go away.” Amanda threw a pencil at her. She didn’t discount her sister’s idea. What was wrong with finding out, once and for all, whether there was anything between her and Drake besides a steamy kiss and romp in the ocean? If she booked a five hour cruise, making sure she was the only one on board besides him, they’d either get along or kill each other. The problem now was, what on earth would she use as her excuse?

  One glance at the calendar answered for her. Tonight was the night she’d said she would be on the beach. Would he remember? Would he be there? What if he was? Her heart threatened to pound free. Amanda was playing with fire: The kind that could hurt or cleanse.

  She couldn’t go. Not if she were booking a cruise. What if she shoved aside paying customers to book for her alone and then Drake didn’t show at the beach? He’d be left standing on his boat waiting for a guest that never arrived. Somehow, she needed to mention she wouldn’t be at the beach in a nonchalant way that let him know, but didn’t alert her sisters to anything.

  She tapped a pencil on her desk blotter. Drake should be showing up for a cooler of food and drinks soon. She’d mention not feeling well and say she planned on spending the night in her room. That should work. Her hand stilled. Unless he thought it was a ploy to divert her sisters from her plans of going to the beach. Oh, she wasn’t any good at secrecy and manipulation.

  The deep rumble of Drake’s voice came from the front of the store. Amanda took a deep breath and pushed back from her desk. It was now or never. If she waited, she’d lose her courage.

  She strolled into the front with one hand over her stomach. Drake leaned on the counter talking with Cassie.

  “I’m not feeling well,” she said, looking at her sister. “I’m calling it a day and going to bed.”

  “Are you sure?” Cassie glanced up from the sandwiches she was making. “You do look kind of pale. I’m sure me and Bethie can handle things here.”

  “Thank you.” She darted a glance toward Drake. “Afternoon, Drake.” She scurried past them, afraid they’d see through her lie.

  In her room, she closed the door and leaned with her back against it. Now, an afternoon and evening of boredom loomed. Ugh. She tossed herself belly first across her bed. She should have gone to the beach in a few hours to see what happened. And, to top everything off, she’d forgotten to tell Cassie that tomorrow’s tour was booked.

  She grabbed her cell phone and punched in the number to the store. “Cassie? Don’t say a word that it’s me, but I need to let you know that if anyone asks, the morning cruise with Drake is already booked for tomorrow. Okay?”

  “Sure.” Drake’s voice boomed over the air waves. “But why is it a secret?”

  *

  Strange. When Cassie had asked him to answer the store phone because her hands were full of mustard, the last voice he expected to hear was Amanda’s. She gasped at his questions and hung up.

  “Who was it?” Cassie wiped her hands clean and started packaging the food in waterproof containers.

  “Wrong number.” He flashed a grin and headed to the storeroom for the snorkeling gear.

  His mood had changed from anticipating the evening to gloom upon hearing Amanda say she didn’t feel well. He’d looked forward to meeting her on the beach again all week. Especially after the way she’d stood by him the night before. Hope they might actually be able to get to know each other without arguing had flickered to life. Then, she’d said she’d actually gone to the harbor to fire him.

  Since she hadn’t, Drake showed up to work as usual. Now, finding out he was booked the next morning confirmed she’d changed her mind. But why feel the need to fire him in the first place?

  He hefted the plastic bin containing the equipment and headed out to the van the store used to transport whatever wouldn’t fit on the back of his bike or in the women’s cars. The sun rose high in the sky, and he needed to move quickly in order to beat the customers to the harbor.

  As he stowed the bin in the back of the van, he glanced up at the second story windows of Samson Surf and Sandwiches. Amanda stared down at him. He waved and the curtain dropped into place.

  No doubt about it. She was avoiding him. He sighed. After last night, he’d hoped they could at least resume their friendship, if not something more. He closed the van doors and marched to the driver’s side. Sliding behind the wheel, he almost shouted. Lilly stood, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, in front of the van.

  No way in hell was Drake going to get out and confront her. Keeping his gaze locked on her, he turned the key in the ignition and backed up. He half expected her to follow. Instead, she stood like an evil woman of stone and glared.

  He turned around in a parking spot and roared down the road, leaving Lilly and her spooky behavior behind. When he arrived at the harbor, a family of six, wandered up and down the pier.

  “Sorry, I’m late.” He rushed to stash the crate and food basket on the boat. “Is everyone ready for an afternoon of fun?”

  “You bet!” A boy around the age of ten air-pumped the sky. “This is our last day and we want it to be the best.”

  Drake laughed and helped them on deck. “I’ll do my best, little man.”

  Soon, they cruised across the ocean and toward Molokini Island. After seeing the youngest boy run from one side of the yacht to the other, Drake had insisted the children wear life jackets at all times. They weren’t tall enough to fall overboard unless they climbed on the railing, but he suspected the boy would try that soon enough.

  Drake gazed over the ocean as the sun began to set and his guests settled into lawn chairs to watch the goldenrod and pumpkin swatches of color appear across the sky. He didn’t think there were prettier sunsets anywhere in the world than the ones Hawaii displayed. He wished Amanda were at his side, leaning against him as he wrapped
his arms around her. He’d kiss the top of her head and whisper words of love until she turned to face him.

  He shook his head before his thoughts turned too deep and painful. No matter how much he’d come to care for her, she didn’t seem to share the feeling. Maybe he should quit working for the Samson women and move on to another island.

  “Why do you look so sad?” The ten-year-old stood next to him. “You’re on a big boat and get to live on the water. You should be happy.”

  Drake gazed down into the sunburned, freckled face of the boy. “Girl trouble. Do you ever have any of those?”

  “There was this one girl at school who liked me and kept following me around at recess. I was mean to her and she left me alone. Can I drive?”

  Drake stepped back. He almost corrected the boy on his sea vocabulary, but decided against it. The day was almost over. No sense in ruining the boy’s good time with a lesson. “I’m afraid that might be the source of my trouble. Maybe I was mean.”

  “Buy her flowers. That always works.”

  Drake laughed. What would Amanda do if he bought her flowers? They weren’t dating, other than the fiasco at the restaurant. Since they were barely friends, other than the way he felt in his heart, he doubted a gift would work. She’d most likely throw it in his face. “I don’t think flowers will work.”

  “Take her on a date.” The boy turned the wheel sharply, causing the boat to lean to one side.

  “Steer it easy. Use a gentle touch.” Maybe if Drake followed his own advice, maybe treat Amanda the way he did his Island Princess, she’d be more susceptible to his charms. He’d start tomorrow. As soon as he returned from his cruise for the day. “What’s your name?”

  “Colton.” He squinted into Drake’s face. “Do you really like this girl?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Then just tell her. I don’t know why grownups have to make such a big deal about everything.” Colton shook his head and focused back on the water.

  Drake chuckled. He didn’t know why it was so hard, either.

  Amanda’s face and fiery hair flashed in his mind. Maybe if she weren’t so perfect. He’d never met a more beautiful, strong, capable woman in his life. He also didn’t know how to act around a woman that didn’t flirt back.

  Except for the ocean kiss under the cover of darkness, he and Amanda might as well be strangers. No, he refused to let the rift between them get any larger. Somehow, he’d find a way to get her alone and he would tell her how he felt. If she laughed at him or pushed him away, he’d head to another island, and try not to think how he would leave part of his heart behind.

  10

  Amanda stood in front of the full length mirror. The old-fashioned two-piece bathing suit and colorful sarong suited her figure better than the more modern string bikinis. She’d always thought showing less skin was sexier and the vintage style suit proved her point. She hoped Drake felt the same.

  She’d stayed in her room until he collected the gear as he did every morning and left for his yacht. If she got there too early … well, she didn’t know. The only thing she knew, whether it made sense or not, was that she wanted to act as a paying customer right up until time to go onboard.

  Grabbing her wicker weaved bag and floppy hat, she sailed down the stairs and into the early Hawaii sun. Never having complaints about the weather on Maui, she still preferred the mornings. Quiet, except for the sound of the waves lapping the beach, the far off rumble of a car, and the gentle breeze that kissed her face, bringing scents of salt water, seaweed, and exotic flowers made the experience near perfect.

  Her heart beat erratically, marring the morning’s perfection. Amanda took a deep breath and marched down the sidewalk, her flip-flops beating a rhythm against the concrete. The few minute walk to the harbor would, she hoped, settle her nerves.

  When she arrived and climbed the ladder, poking her head over the side of the Island Princess, Drake stopped coiling a rope and stared. The pain in his eyes made her falter. Then, just as quick, a shutter fell, masking his emotions.

  “Are you coming along today?” He asked, offering her a hand up the ladder.

  “I am the booking.” She kept her gaze glued to his, trying to read his thoughts. Was he pleased? Upset? His pleasant smile never wavered, yet it didn’t quite meet his eyes.

  “Okay.” His brow furrowed. “But you could have a ride any time you want. You didn’t have to take the booking away from paying customers.”

  She moved past without speaking. What could she say that wouldn’t make her sound like a complete idiot? The truth, maybe. “I thought we could spend some time together and work things out.”

  “Work out what?”

  “This.” She waved her hand between them. “The uncomfortable conversation when we’re together. The pretending everything is fine when other people are around. I don’t know what we are! Are we employer and employee? A man and a woman trying to see whether a relationship is possible? What?” Unwanted tears filled her eyes. She wiped her hand roughly across her face and dropped her bag on the nearest chaise lounge.

  “What do you want us to be?” Drake took her hand. “Do you think I’m the type of man that can settle with one woman? You’ve had doubts. Can you be satisfied with a rich man who doesn’t spend his money? One that wants to live a simple life?”

  “That’s what today is for, to find answers.” She ducked her head, thankful for the floppy hat that hid her face.

  He dropped her hand. “Then let’s get this boat on the water.”

  Amanda eyed the life jackets. With her fear of falling overboard, she should really put one on, but that would ruin the effect of her bathing suit. Instead, she tilted her floppy hat at an angle, dropped the sarong, and posed vintage style on one of the lounge chairs. She would have loved to see whether Drake appreciated the picture she made or whether her attempts at old fashioned sexy backfired into plain ridiculousness.

  She didn’t need the ocean tour to make up her mind about him. She’d been a fool to label him a playboy when clearly he wanted nothing to do with that lifestyle. She already knew she wanted a relationship. His lips on hers, his arms around her, their hearts beating together with bodies too close for light to shine between. Goodness, the day grew hot. She hoped he wanted the same.

  They cruised past Molokini Island and into an inlet before Drake cut the ignition and dropped anchor. Amanda’s heart rate increased at the isolation of the spot he’d chosen to stop. In the distance, the white of another boat glimmered in the mid-morning sun. Amanda and Drake were as alone as it was possible to get close to a favorite tourist spot.

  She unfolded herself from the chair and stood as he descended from the captain’s wheel. She tilted her head back in order to watch him from under the brim of her hat. He marched toward her with purpose, his long strides eating up the distance between them.

  He faltered for only a second, and then grinned. “You’ve made up your mind?”

  “I have.” She licked her lips and returned his smile. “I’ve been a fool. So afraid of being hurt, I didn’t take a chance on really living. I can’t get our ocean kiss out of my mind. I want more.”

  “Me, too, Darlin’.” He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close. “There isn’t anything I want more.” He lowered his head. His kiss started out tender, and then toughened as he wound his fingers in her hair.

  A rogue breeze took her hat and swept it out to sea. The sound of a boat engine grew closer, yet Amanda didn’t pull away. So what if someone saw them kissing? They’d see a whole lot more if they hung around long enough. Her knees grew weak from their passion. She twined her arms around her neck as he scooped her in his arms and deposited her on a double chaise. She squirmed under the heat of his gaze.

  “Are you sure, Amanda? That I’m what you want?” He straightened. “I don’t enter into relationships lightly.”

  “I’m sure.”

  A shot rang out. The force sent Drake over the railing and into the sea below.
<
br />   *

  Amanda screamed.

  As he fell, he saw the whites of her eyes as she clutched the railing. He disappeared under the surface of the water, before emerging in the path of a speeding motorboat. The shooter, most likely.

  He watched as the boat raced closer, Lilly at the wheel. He gulped salt water.

  Did she hate him enough to kill him? Had his mild flirtation given her reason to murder? He didn’t see how, but the evidence in front of him left little doubt. He couldn’t face the fact he might never see Amanda again. The thought that she was at sea and at the mercy of a mad woman almost drove him insane.

  Ignoring the searing pain in his side, he dove. He needed to swim to the yacht before Lilly got to Amanda. He didn’t surface again until his lungs burned and his vision blurred.

  Amanda no longer stood at the Island Princess’s railing, and Lilly’s motorboat sat against the island’s shore, it’s stern smashed against the rocks. Flames consumed the wood and fiberglass. Where was Amanda?

  “Amanda!” His heart threatened to stop, each breath agony. His vision blurred.

  “Drake!”

  She was in the water? She’d jumped in after him? But she hated the water. “I’m port side.” He stayed afloat as long as he could. He caught a glimpse of Amanda swimming around the bow. His eyes closed, and he sank.

  He woke to her calling his name and slapping his cheek. “I’m here.”

  “I can’t get you up the ladder by myself.”

  Her ragged breathing told him she’d held him for as long as she could. He reached for the ladder. Using the last of his strength, he hauled himself onboard and collapsed on the very chaise on which he’d planned other, more enjoyable, activities.

  “What do I do?” She knelt beside him. “I don’t know how to drive this thing.” She grabbed her sarong and pressed it against his side. “You’re bleeding. I thought you’d attract a shark or a Barricuda before I could get to you.”

  “Yet you still came after me.” He cupped her cheek.