by Rebecca Day
After a few minutes, the group was standing up again, cheering on another competitor. Keiko turned to Janie and explained. “That’s my grandson, Cody. He’s number one in his age group, too.” Janie glanced over at Sam, and she instantly understood who Cody was by the girl’s enraptured expression. This was the guy who didn’t think of Sam as a girl. Janie and Sam exchanged a look for a moment and everything was silently spoken.
Janie returned her attentions to the competition. She noted that Cody was an impressive surfer in his own right. After his three runs, Sam got up and left the group to be with him and their group of friends.
Finally, the tournament was over, and the winners were announced. Sam and Cody both won for their age groups. “Now this will be a very special celebration,” Keiko said to Janie, over the shouts of joy all around them.
After the announcement, Sam ran back to the group, grabbed Janie’s hand, and hurried off with her to the winner’s circle. Wyatt tagged along behind the two gabbing girls.
“Did you see him?” Sam whispered into Janie’s ear, as they hopped along the sand.
“How could I miss him? He’s hunky.” Janie looked at Sam and saw her quickly blush.
“Do you think he’s too hunky? I mean, too hunky for me?”
“Are you crazy? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, lately? You are a foxy chick.” Janie squeezed her hand.
“Foxy chick? What does that mean?”
“Never mind. I’m just showing my age.”
Wyatt caught up with them as they arrived at the winners’ circle. “What is all this whispering about, now? You two are always up to something.”
“It’s just girl talk,” Janie answered.
“Is that polite for ‘It’s none of your business’?”
“You could interpret it like that.” Janie leaned down to Sam. “By the way,” she whispered in her ear. “You can go ahead and invite your friends, but no more than ten. O.k.? And you should probably start with Mister Hunky. He’s looking over your way, by the way.”
Sam whipped around to see Cody staring right at her. She whipped back around and hugged Janie as tightly as she could. “You’re the best, Janie. Absolutely the best. I’ll never ever forget this. Thank you so much.”
Sam broke away from the embrace and skipped over to Cody, where she obviously told him the news, and he accepted the invitation, happily.
Wyatt was staring down at Janie with a scowl painted on his face. With his arms crossed in front of his body, he was an imposing figure, but Janie held her own. “I suppose I should just trust you,” he said.
“You heard your daughter,” she smiled up at him. “I’m the best.”
Wyatt continued to scowl until the moment the first-place cup was given to his pride and joy, and they all went back to the picnic area where Cody’s family had started the festivities.
Janie took advantage of a moment alone and sat back down on the blanket, enjoying the sea breeze. The moment only lasted a minute because Miles sat down next to her. “Nice day. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, I do,” she conceded.
“You enjoying your time, here?”
“Immensely.”
“You like the people here? The people you’re staying with?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“That’s all I need to know. See ya.” Miles got up and joined a group of elderly men. That was the longest conversation Janie ever had with Miles, but she had to admit that the guy was starting to grow on her, just as everyone was growing on her.
The dinner preparations were long and complicated and in the meantime, Janie was shuffled between friends and family. She seemed to instantly like each and every one. She had good taste. They were the most welcoming group of people Wyatt had ever known, and he thanked God that they were there for Sam and him. True, he had four brothers and a father-in-law in the mix as well, but Keiko’s family – which made up most of Kunolei – was the bedrock for the entire Templeton clan, who were still coping with loss and tragedy. Lost parents, lost wives, and other heartbreaks had scarred them. He watched Doc talking to Janie and one of Keiko’s nieces. Doc understood Wyatt’s loss only too well since he experienced the same loss only two years before. At least they could all be together for each other now.
"If all you plan on doing is standing there, looking mean, at least help out." Keiko pushed Wyatt towards the group of men who would do the bulk of the cooking for the luau. They would probably give him a lot of grunt work to do, but he didn't mind.
He felt himself lighten up considerably as he worked side by side with his buddies. Wyatt’s brothers straggled by and helped, too. Their joking and good moods were contagious. When the sun began its beautiful journey out of sight for the day, the food was done, and somebody wisely put on some soft, easy music.
Wyatt went in search of Sam and Janie so that they could eat together. He found Janie sitting on their blanket, staring into a typical, breathtaking Hawaiian sunset. He couldn't bear to interrupt; so, he quietly sat down next to her.
"Oh, hi, Wyatt," she said without turning her head from the scenery. She pointed to the sunset. "I was just enjoying Hawaiian hospitality."
"It is wonderful," he said. "I was just wondering how many of these sunsets I've let go by without stopping to appreciate them."
"I guess you get sort of spoiled after a while."
They sat like that for a few minutes. Wyatt was acutely aware of their close proximity. The tiny hairs on her arm were touching his. The light fragrance of her perfume was just about driving him mad. "Are you a little hungry?" He dared to break the moment. "The food's ready, and everybody's starting."
"I'm ravenous," she said and finally turned towards him. He tried not to hold her gaze with his eyes because he was sure she would be able to read everything that he was thinking, feeling, and he didn't want to give himself away. It was a tough battle to keep his feelings secret, but it couldn't be helped.
"Have you seen Sam? I have looked everywhere for her."
"I saw her head down the beach with some friends."
"O.k., that's nothing new. She'll make it back here in a few minutes when her stomach starts talking to her. I know who she's with, and they're good kids." Wyatt stood up and put out his hand to help up Janie. "So, I guess it's just you and me, kid."
Wyatt helped Janie fill up her plate. So much of it was new to her, but she seemed more than willing to take chances. "It's delicious," she told Wyatt as they began to eat on the blanket. "So fresh. I could eat like this every night."
"Oh, no," Wyatt teased. "I demand more eggs Benedict."
"Don't worry, Wyatt Templeton. I've got great things planned for you."
"Is that a promise?" he asked, unaware of his seductive tone.
Janie raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to say something, but Keiko interrupted them. "Oh, there you two are," she said and sat down. "Well, Janie what do you think of Hawaiian cooking?"
"Delicious, Keiko."
"Good girl," she said, tapping her knee. She turned her attentions to Wyatt. "I'm very worried, Wyatt. We are playing all this wonderful music, and not one single nice couple is dancing. I think they are all shy. I don't know what's wrong with young people today!"
"Why don't you show them how it's done, Keiko?"
"Me? I'm not allowed to dance in public," she kidded. "It's R-rated when I dance, you know. Wyatt, do a favor for your old friend, Keiko. Take this beautiful young woman and go and dance a little bit with her. Then, other people will see, and they will start dancing." Wyatt started to protest, but Keiko cut him off. "You don't want my luau to be ruined, Wyatt." She tugged on them to make them stand up. "Thank you, Wyatt. You have always been so sweet to me."
Wyatt looked at Janie. "Well, are you game?" he asked quietly. She smiled slightly, and that was all the permission Wyatt needed. He held out his hand, and she took it. They walked a little to the patch of sand that was being reserved for dancers. Wyatt pulled on Janie's hand, and she found herself
being twirled until she was resting in the crook of his arm. He let her out slowly and then brought her back to hold her firmly against his chest. They began a slow, sensual dance to the romantic music.
At first, Janie's body was tense, not moving freely and naturally. Wyatt made sure to keep his pelvis far enough away from hers, but he pulled her upper body closer to his for her to feel more comfortable, free to fall in line with his moves. With him in total control, she seemed to finally relax a bit, allowing herself to be moved by him.
Wyatt couldn’t help but notice the honey smell of Janie’s hair and how soft it was against his arm. He could feel the lines of her bathing suit under her wrap and the curves of her body that lay beneath. The attack on his senses was almost overwhelming.
“You’re holding your breath,” he pointed out.
“I’m afraid I’m going to mash your feet.”
“I’m a tough guy. My feet can handle it. Mash away.”
“You sure do dance well. I didn’t know that marine biologists knew how to do anything on dry ground.”
“Ah my dear, you are only getting a small taste of my abilities on land.” Wyatt winked.
“Why, Wyatt Templeton, I think you’re teasing me.”
“Teasing? No, perhaps – Yeow!” Wyatt jumped up and down, clutching on to his foot.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “Can I do anything? Oh, I’m so sorry. I knew I would mash you.”
Wyatt put his foot down and hobbled around in a tight circle, in obvious agony. “Mash me? You managed to cripple me!”
Janie’s face turned hard. “Oh, come on, tough guy. I just lightly stepped on your foot. Stop making such a big deal out of it all!”
Over their voices, someone was laughing. Janie and Wyatt stopped to see who was enjoying himself at their expense. Virgil approached, laughing all the while.
“I see you haven’t lost your touch with women, little brother,” Virgil said between laughs. “And such a dancer…So light on your FEET.” He launched himself into hysterics.
“What are you doing, Virgil,” Wyatt growled. He limped up to his brother and stood perilously close to him. His face had turned bright red, and he was breathing hard. Janie stood back, confused and wary of getting near to what looked like a possibly dangerous situation.
Suddenly, James grabbed Janie’s hand and started to waltz her around. Seeing the two dance, Wyatt laughed. “What the heck,” he said, resigned. Wyatt grabbed Virgil’s hand and began to waltz with him as well.
“No way.” Virgil broke off the dance. “Hey, I’m a man who leads.” Virgil cut in on James’s dance with Janie, and then it became a long conveyer belt of Templeton men, each taking a turn dancing with her.
“What on earth is going on?” Sam appeared at Wyatt’s side.
“Everyone wants to dance with Janie,” explained Wyatt.
“But that’s not the ways it’s supposed to happen!” Sam, obviously upset, broke up the dancing. “Dad is supposed to dance, not you guys!” The merriment ended just as quickly as it had begun.
Wyatt approached his daughter, tentatively. “Hey, what’s going on?” he asked gently, moving a length of hair away from her face.
Sam ran to Keiko’s outstretched arms and disappeared into the big woman’s body. Keiko held her tightly to her.
“O.k. O.k. I’ve had enough of this scene,” Keiko called out. “People are too tired. They’re going crazy. Everybody, clean up!” There was a flurry of activity, as everyone cleaned up after the luau. “Morgan, you take Sam to the resort with you tonight. She could use a special treat after her fantastic win today.”
“Sure, no problem,” Morgan replied a little sheepishly.
“I’m coming, too,” Miles added. “I could use some 5-star pampering.”
Morgan slapped Miles’ back. “Sure, old man. You’re more than welcome.” As Morgan walked away with Miles and Sam, Janie heard him say, “Have you heard about this new game called ‘chess’? Some say it’s even better than backgammon.”
Very soon, Wyatt and Janie found themselves and their belongings miraculously swept back to the car. Without a word, they got in the car, and Wyatt started on the drive home.
Janie let the silence between them grow. She wondered about his temper. He blew up over nothing and overreacted to her stepping on his toes. She hadn’t done it on purpose, had even warned him before they started dancing. On the other hand, he was still limping when they walked to the car. She must have really gotten him on just the right spot, she conceded. Nevertheless, he overreacted and, come to think of it, embarrassed her in front of that huge crowd.
Janie glanced over at Wyatt. He was still staring hard at the road, his knuckles white, as he gripped onto the steering wheel. He was brooding, but he wasn’t brooding over the same thing she was. Janie knew that Wyatt wasn’t thinking of any of that. In fact, in the short time that she spent with Wyatt, she thought that she had gotten a handle on this man and knew what was the most important thing in his life. Yes, she thought. He was probably devastated by Samantha’s rejection of him.
“She didn’t mean to yell. She loves you more than anything,” she found herself saying.
Wyatt kept his eyes on the road and firm grip on the steering wheel. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Fine,” she said, a bit relieved.
“I mean, you don’t know anything about it.”
“No, you’re right. I don’t know, but I know how she feels about you.”
Wyatt let his grip relax a bit. “Thank you.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence, and this time Janie didn’t try to break it. Sometimes men needed to sit and simmer.
When they arrived at the house, Janie went directly towards her room, but Wyatt stopped her. “You know,” he said. “I have my culinary talents, too. I make a mean margarita.”
“You do, huh?”
Wyatt held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
“Well, I guess this is one of those offers that a girl just can’t refuse.”
Wyatt smiled. “I knew you were smart the moment I laid eyes on you.”
He had taken out a number of electrical appliances and numerous bottles. Janie had to giggle to herself. It was always such a production when men got into the kitchen.
“My goodness, those are going to be some margaritas.”
“You said it, lady.”
In a moment, colorful liquids and ice were being mixed in a huge electric mixer, and Wyatt handed her a margarita with a pink umbrella in the glass. “Classy,” she pointed out. “Should we make a toast?”
“Better not. Just sip.”
Janie did as she was commanded and was instantly rewarded. It was the best margarita she had ever tasted. Better than they served at that great Mexican restaurant in San Diego she visited once.
“Good, isn’t it?” Wyatt was pleased. “You don’t need to say anything. I can tell by the look on your face. Please, no applause.”
“No worries. I’m not going to put my glass down to applaud anybody.”
They sat at the kitchen table and slowly and silently drank their margaritas. Wyatt didn’t say a word about the evening’s happenings, and Janie didn’t feel comfortable broaching the subject.
She relaxed a while until she felt that familiar tension that always appeared when she was alone with Wyatt. It wasn’t at all a disagreeable sensation. It was like some invisible electrical current that ran between them. It stirred her insides and made her warm all over. She felt her cheeks getting hot, and was sure that she was beet red. The thought made her blush even more, and she prayed Wyatt couldn’t read minds.
But Wyatt seemed to be deep in thought about something else because he hadn’t lifted his eyes from his glass for some time. Was it possible that he didn’t feel the same attraction, the same pull? Janie silently chided herself for allowing herself to have these feelings.
Suddenly, Wyatt bolted up from the table. “Well, it’s another big day tomorrow. I’m
going to get this cleaned up,” he announced.
“I’ll help you,” Janie said. She found herself next to Wyatt. He put his hand up in protest, almost touching her.
“No,” he said. “You must be bushed. You can go to bed. I’ll do it alone.”
Janie was tempted, but she eyed the mess and thought better of it. “No, I’ll stay and help you clean.”
Wyatt sighed. “Suit yourself.”
Again, they were silent while they worked together, cleaning. Miserably, Janie realized that the electric current was still there. No matter how much she willed it gone, it just stayed and got stronger. It shot through her as she passed Wyatt the glasses to wash. It pulsated when she helped him move things around in the cabinet to make room for the mixer.
She never knew that cleaning up could be an erotic experience, but here she was warming up considerably. Or was it the effect of the margarita? Yeah, that had to be it, she thought happily. Just a little too much tequila in that margarita.
However, she never had this reaction from a margarita before, she thought again. Careful, careful, Janie, she warned herself. Don’t do anything you’ll be sorry for.
She sponged off the rest of the counter and then they were done. “I guess that’s it,” she said. They were standing close. Janie could feel Wyatt’s breath on her face. She looked up, and their eyes locked. Quickly, before either of them could think, his lips were on hers. It lasted only a second, a light warm passing touch, and then it was finished. They stood apart, unspeaking. But soon, their gazes met again, and Wyatt’s eyes questioned Janie. Somehow, she answered, conveying all her emotions with a look.
It was all he needed. He took her into his arms, clutching her to his body. She could feel him rigid against her, could feel herself get wet with excitement. His mouth was on hers again, but this time the kiss was deep and slow. Her lips parted, and allowed him to explore her with his tongue. Janie felt her whole body on fire and she reached for Wyatt under his shirt, touching the whole of back.
And then as suddenly as it all started, it was over. Wyatt let her go and teetered backwards. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, not looking at her. “So, terribly, terribly sorry.”