By the time we were allowed to leave the plane in Lihue, poor Cooper was beginning to whimper. The Yorkie was definitely feeling the effects of his six-hour journey zipped up in his travel case.
I grabbed my satchel and the dog carrier, making my way up the aisle and out onto the walkway into the airport. In the distance, I noticed Clovis and David, huddling by a pillar as they held hands and nuzzled each other. I passed them on my way to the waiting area in search of my driver.
“Ma’am?” A short, stocky man in a red Aloha shirt approached me. He wore a Yankees cap on his head. “Are you by any chance looking for me?”
It took me a moment to recognize him, so surprised was I to see him in Kauai. Rocky gave me a big grin and took Cooper’s carrier in his beefy hand. I shook my head and laughed. “I am.”
“Let’s collect your baggage.”
“Seems like old times,” I told him. “Remember Atlanta? The dog park?”
“Hard to forget.”
“Well, little Cooper needs a quick walk, sooner rather than later. Let’s make sure nobody tries to snatch him.”
“No problem.”
This time, we went straight to the parking garage and got into Rocky’s SUV. I let the tiny terrier out of his carrier, rewarded by frantic kisses and lots of fanny wiggles.
“Who’s a good boy? Hold on just a little longer, buddy.”
Ten minutes later, Rocky pulled onto a quiet little road off the Kapule Highway, much to Cooper’s relief. I walked him back and forth along the gravel edge of the pavement for a few minutes and then we got back into the Escape.
“What happens next?” I asked Rocky, curious.
“You get yourself settled in your condo and prepare for a great adventure.”
“That’s all you’re going to tell me?”
“That’s it...Chrisanth.”
“It’s okay to call me Chris, Rocky.”
“Nice to finally drop that silly alias. Chris fits you better than Marigold.”
“It does,” I smiled. Looking out the window, I watched the Hawaiian coast fly by as we drove north. It was such a different world from Florida, and yet I was delighted to be by the sea once more.
Once I saw the sign for Kapa’a, I suspected we were close to our destination, and this was confirmed when Rocky pulled up to the front entrance to the Waipouli Beach Resort and turned off the engine. “This is it, kid. Time for you to hop out and pretend we’ve never met.”
“Right,” I smiled. “Will I see you again in Hawaii?”
“Count on it. It’s school vacation week. I’ve got the family with me in a unit down the hall from you, and I’ll warn you, we’re a noisy bunch.”
Chapter Forty Nine
The pleasant young woman at the front desk asked my name and when I gave it, she pulled out an envelope and a map of the resort.
“You’re in this building here,” she told me, pointing to a rectangle on the glossy paper, “on the fourth floor. I’ll have Jan drive you over there.”
A minute later, a young man with a long blond ponytail and a vibrant tropical print shirt escorted me to a golf cart out front. He tossed my suitcase into the back and slid onto the seat. “Hop aboard, miss.”
Cooper sat on my lap and sniffed the sea air, very aware that his circumstances had changed. Our escort drove the golf cart through the parking lot and a moment later, pulled up to a building by the beach.
“Here we are,” he announced, hopping out of the cart and reaching into the back compartment for my luggage. He led me inside, holding the door for me as he ran down a list of resort amenities available to guests. Stepping into the elevator, we rode it to the top floor and a moment later, he opened the door to paradise.
I followed him as he led me around the condo, room by room. The living room was spacious and bright, with a comfortable-looking sofa and pair of club chairs. Hibiscus drapes hung from decorative wooden rods, adding a nice tropical touch. A pair of framed paintings above the sofa captured the drama of Hawaii, with waves crashing on the shore and the magnificence of a volcano erupting in the background. But it was really the view that was the draw of the room. Open glass doors allowed the gentle breeze to come into the room and I could smell the salt air as it wafted through. I stepped out onto a narrow balcony that overlooked the sparkling ocean below. People were at the beach, bobbing in the waves. I couldn’t wait to join them. Paradise beckoned.
Through another glass door, I saw the attached lanai had a table and chairs for open-air dining. I could already imagine myself sitting there in the morning, lingering over a cup of coffee.
“The smaller of the two bedrooms is through here.” Jan opened the door on the left side of the living room.
“Lovely,” I nodded, pleased with the furnishings. On the bed was a traditional Hawaiian quilt with a blue fern appliqué. It looked handmade. The artwork on the walls consisted of a series of beautiful framed nature prints of turtles and tropical fish. Blue drapes, in a vibrant and colorful tropical pattern, gently flapped in the breeze. They framed the sliding glass door that led out to the lanai.
Jan crossed the room to another door. “You’ve got your attached bath in here.”
I stuck my head in and noticed that this bathroom, although compact, had a jetted tub.
“Nice.”
“Closet,” he announced, sliding open the door for me to view. Shutting it, he exited the bedroom. I followed him out and across the living room.
“Here’s your master,” he announced cheerfully. This room was just slightly larger than the other and every bit as charming. The pineapple appliqué was done in soft tones of golden brown and green, and the pineapple-patterned drapes repeated the theme. On the walls were framed vintage travel posters, designed to entice visitors to the islands.
“The walk-in closet ,” Jan announced, opening one door briefly before moving onto the next. “The master bath is through here.”
A quick peek revealed a double sink vanity, toilet, and the pièce de résistance -- an oversized glass shower with a bench and an overhead rain shower head.
“Nice.” I was already looking forward to stepping under that shower head and washing my cares away.
“And that completes our tour. Call or stop in at the front desk if you need anything else.”
“Thanks.”
“Enjoy your visit.”
The minute the door shut behind him, Cooper and I stepped out onto the balcony in the master bedroom. I settled myself in one of the chairs and invited the little dog to join me. He quickly curled up on my lap and put his head down for a short rest, his jet lag finally catching up to him.
I had the perfect bird’s eye view of people coming and going from the beach. It was a slice of heaven on earth and I enjoyed it for a good twenty minutes before Cooper’s restlessness had him pawing me.
“You must be thirsty,” I said to the little dog. “Let’s see what we’ve got for you.”
I found a fully stocked refrigerator, along with a note, telling me that if I needed anything, I was to knock on the third door down the hall on the right. It was Rocky’s way of telling me he had my back. He had provided a plastic dog crate for Cooper and doggy dishware. The Yorkie waited patiently for me to fill a bowl with water and then spent considerable time lapping it up. Once satisfied, he began to wander around the condo, checking out the different rooms. I did the same, taking time to examine my new surroundings more closely. This place had a very different feel to it than Cinnamon Beach. Here, the furnishings were distinctly Hawaiian. So was the view.
I decided to wander outside just before six with Cooper; I wanted to get acquainted with the resort. Exiting the building, we followed the walkway towards the center of the complex. Tucked in among the lush tropical plantings was an enormous pool that seemed to go on forever, with water slides and fountains, poolside tables shaded by thatched umbrellas, and palm trees that gently swayed as the light Pacific winds blew through.
“Let’s go find the beach,” I suggested
to my canine companion. We kept to the winding walkway, heeding the sign. A moment later, we came upon a narrow strip of beach on the other side of a paved bike path. The dog and I walked down to the turquoise water. Only a handful of people were still here at this time of day. I stood in ankle-deep water and felt my worries vanish. For the first time since I could remember, I realized I was at peace, unafraid. Why? What had changed? The crazy, unexplained incidents in my life had been exposed. Jared was under supervision. There would be no more games, no more hired killers. Chrisanth Neeson was back. It was a good feeling, like sunshine after a rain storm, when the air is clean and light once more.
After checking out the beach, Cooper and I returned to the condo. I fed him, letting him take his time while I watched some news on the TV. When he was done, I gently put him in the crate.
“Nap time, boy. Mama needs some dinner.”
The beach-side resort restaurant was busy this time of night. I made my way up to the bar and grabbed a seat. No sooner had I ordered a mango daiquiri than I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I expected to see Rocky, but I was wrong.
“Hello, stranger!”
“Dad? What are you doing here?” I jumped off my bar stool.
“Chris, it’s so good to see you!” My father enveloped me in a hug as he pressed his cheek to mine with affectionate enthusiasm. “You look wonderful!”
“So do you, but what are you doing in Hawaii?”
“Believe it or not, I’ve got a consulting job for the next three months. I’m working on developing a new way to treat coffee rust without harmful chemicals.”
“Wonderful. Are you staying at the resort?”
“I am. Are you here alone?”
“I am,” I admitted.
“Oh, come and join us. I want you to meet some people.”
I signed for my drink and followed my father over to a table where he sat with two women and a man. They all looked up expectantly.
“Chris, this is Lara Street, my colleague and friend,” said my father, gesturing to an attractive sixty-something woman with sparkling blue eyes and silver hair that fell to her shoulders.
“Hello.” She seemed like a friendly, approachable sort of person and judging from the way she glanced affectionately at my father as he talked, it looked like they had developed a bond. Was it romantic?
My father turned to the other two people sitting at the table. “And this is Liz and this is her husband, P. J. Do you believe it? I just ran into my daughter, Chrisanth, at the bar!”
“An amazing coincidence,” the woman called Liz remarked, watching me with a penetrating gaze I found rather disconcerting. “You two had no idea you were going to be in Hawaii at the same time?”
“I’ve been out of touch for a while,” I admitted, “traveling. Things have been...complicated.”
“But you’re here now, dear. That’s what counts.” My father patted my hand. “It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long, Chris.”
“I know. I’ve missed you too.” My voice got unexpectedly husky with emotions held back by a wall of heartache. That’s what happens when you’re finally safe, I reminded myself. Suddenly you feel it all hit you like a wave. I had been through so much in the last year, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to dump it all in my father’s lap. Maybe some things were better left unsaid, some secrets tucked out of sight. “You look great, Dad.”
It was true. My father looked younger and more relaxed than the last time I had seen him. He had begun to get back to the business of living. Was that Lara’s doing?
“I’ve heard so much about you,” she told me. I was surprised to hear her say that. Lara must be important to him, I decided, especially if he told her about us. “He’s very proud of his daughters.”
“We’re proud of him, too.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Liz told me, extending her hand to me across the table. I leaned forward and took it with a smile. Her fingers were warm on mine, her touch light. Her eyes were the color of sandalwood, just a shade or two darker than the golden hair she wore chin length with bangs. There was something about her that seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place her. Had we met before?
“And you.”
P. J. rose and gave me a slight bow before offering his hand. As I took it, I felt the strength of his firm, controlled grip. He was a tall and trim man on the other side of sixty. His short dark hair was sprinkled with silver and he had dark brown eyes that gave nothing away as he smiled. This is a reserved man, I decided. He’s more interested in knowing what others are thinking than sharing his own thoughts. He’s a keen observer, much like his wife, but he hides his interest better. “What brings you to Hawaii?”
“Oh,” I laughed, thinking quickly, “I think it was a 747, but don’t quote me on that.”
“Touché, clever girl,” said P. J., a good-natured smile playing across his lips. “Are you also a botanist, like your father?”
“Chrisanth is in the hospitality business,” my father cut in. “She’s always been a ‘people person’. When her mom was ill, she quit her job with a major hotel chain and came home to take care of her. I don’t know what her mother and I would have done without her.”
There was the proud papa, telling his new friends all about his daughter. I found myself blushing as he described some of the things I had done to make my mother’s last months more comfortable. A part of me was not used to such a public discussion of family matters, but my father seemed rather oblivious to my discomfort as he continued the conversation. I jumped in when there was a brief pause, hoping to change the subject.
“Oh, it was the right thing to do at the time,” I insisted, too aware of the eyes upon me. “Since then, I’ve been trying to get my life back on track.”
“How has that worked out for you?” Lara wanted to know. “It’s not easy to restart your career, is it? I’ve been a family caregiver twice now. It never quite turns out as you expect it to, but sometimes when you tough it out, it’s even better than you imagine it could be.”
I sensed there was pain behind those words. Maybe she and my father had more than botany in common. Maybe that’s why he was so blunt about my mother’s illness.
“I’ve had a couple of bumps on the road here and there,” I shrugged. She nodded.
“I learned a long time ago you can’t let it defeat you. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get right back to work.”
“Lara is also a botanist,” my father informed me. “We met at a symposium in Washington last September when I was giving a speech on fungus control for poppies. She and I had a chance to exchange ideas during a round table discussion. I was thrilled when she called me out of the blue in January.”
“I came to California on business and decided to look your dad up again. He was kind enough to invite me to dinner. We’ve been getting to know each other ever since.”
“She’s currently on sabbatical from Cornell,” my father added.
“Cornell?” I looked up at my father’s beaming face and then at the other three. Lara was sipping her cocktail demurely, her gaze averted. Liz was studying me carefully. What did she hope to see? I wasn’t sure. P. J. just smiled amiably and offered me some macadamia nuts from the wooden bowl on the table.
My brain went into high gear as I scrambled to process this unexpected development. January was when I met the Cornwall brothers. It was the start of my adventures on the road. Was there a connection? I considered the possibilities. My father was falling in love with a botany professor who just happened to work at the same university as Jeff’s father, who might even know Jeff’s parents. The coincidence was a little too much for me to swallow. What did all that mean?
“I dazzled her in my laboratory,” my father explained. “She was very impressed with my organic compounds.”
“Indeed I was,” Lara replied. And then I heard something that absolutely stunned me. “Woody’s been a godsend for my research. That’s why I invited him to Hawaii.”
&nb
sp; Lara called my father Woody. That was our family nickname for him. He was born George Woodward Neeson, but for most of the last two decades, he had lived under the name of James Kermit Rawls. He had even published numerous papers under his alias. Why was he suddenly Woody once more?
But that was hardly the biggest surprise of the evening. Another, bigger one arrived when a handsome man with a limp suddenly appeared at our table. The second I set eyes on him, I gasped, stunned by the unexpected shock of seeing the man I love appear before me. Was he a tropical mirage, some mystical Bali Ha’i in male form?
“Mom,” Jeff hailed his mother, giving her a hug and a kiss. He patted his father on the shoulder and shook hands. “Pop, don’t get up.”
“You’re rather late,” Liz told him matter-of-factly.
“My flight was delayed. Lara, you’re looking well. Apparently, Hawaii becomes you.”
“Oh, you smooth talker, you! That sounds like a line from one of your books,” she replied with a pleased smile.
P. J. made the formal introductions. “This is our son, Jefferson. Jeff, meet a couple of our new friends. This is the charming Chrisanth and her father, Woody. Woody, like Lara, is a botanist.”
“Nice to meet you, sir.” Jeff held out his hand to my father before turning his attention to me. The touch of his hand as he held mine was almost more than I could bear. “And you, Chrisanth.”
A chair materialized out of nowhere, thanks to an attentive waiter, and I found Jeff sitting at my side. For a moment, I almost doubted this was the man I had been with in Florida. He was a consummate actor.
“We’re just about to order,” P. J. told his son. “Your timing is, as always, impeccable.”
“I try,” he laughed. “What sounds good, folks?”
I could feel Liz’s eyes watching me throughout the meal. I found her scrutiny rather disconcerting. I couldn’t read her expression. Did she like me? Did she not? Had I somehow inadvertently offended her?
My father, on the other hand, was clearly smitten by Lara. They seemed to have much in common, bantering back and forth about their favorite botanical gardens around the world. As a professor, Lara taught a variety of courses, including organic pest management, and that earned her my father’s admiration. She also was involved in research.
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