“Me, too. Get feeling better, Miss Pyper.”
After she left, I set the envelope on the nightstand. The gift was significant. Before I drifted off to sleep again, I wondered if I would ever have a chance to use it, and if I did, who would come with me.
The doctor asked that I limit visitors, so I hadn’t seen Luke or Jon since the hospital. It had allowed me time to recover and rest but I was feeling kind of lonely by Saturday morning. My first visitor was Neil on Saturday afternoon. I’d slept most of the day, working my way through the haze of altered consciousness that a battered body and painkillers left me with. My nurse checked on me every couple of hours. She’d helped me bathe, and I was sitting up in one of the upholstered chairs that faced the patio and the ocean beyond.
Neil sat next to me in a matching chair and stared out at the ocean. His eyes were haggard, with dark circles and a haunted look that made me sorry for what he was going through. Neil’s mustache moved up and down when he pursed his lips, preparing to speak. “I owe you more thanks than words can express.”
My thoughts wandered to his wife, Heather. Officer Kinau had informed me that the police had apprehended her near the hotel, and my quick thinking had made the arrest possible. Heather had been on her way to my room, thinking that she had gotten away with another murder.
I shuddered to think what might have happened if Heather had somehow escaped police custody. I felt safer knowing she was behind bars. I forced myself to smile at Neil, despite the horrible circumstances he was in. Jon had shared that his father was in pretty bad shape after finding out what Heather had done. I didn’t want to dwell on Heather anymore but Neil was hurting. “I knew you didn’t kill Charly.”
With a nod, he pursed his lips. “I was a fool to get into a relationship with her. It was wrong.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed. “When I got arrested, I didn’t say anything. I thought I was protecting Jon, even though my heart didn’t want to accept that he might have killed her. Everything I’d found made him look guilty. Then when he showed up with you and questioned me about the murder, I thought he was asking me to help him. All that time Heather was setting things up to make sure she appeared innocent, no matter the cost.” He swallowed and blinked his eyes several times before continuing. “I just can’t wrap my head around the part that she could actually kill someone. In a sense, my boys have lost their mother.”
The magnitude of this father’s love for his son warmed my heart. Neil was a good man who had made some grave mistakes by trusting Charly, and it was terrible what had come of his infidelity to his wife, but he was suffering for his choices.
“Jon and Kyle are lucky to have a father like you.”
Neil shook his head. “I have to accept responsibility that I put all of this into motion by what I did wrong. Charly is dead because of me—because I was unfaithful to my wife.”
The words hung in the air and I couldn’t fully disagree, but I wasn’t sure how to respond. I opened my mouth, but Neil held up his hand as if anticipating what I might say.
“Part of me feels like I’ve ruined Heather, but the other part can’t ignore what our marriage has always been like. My lawyer is preparing divorce papers. It’ll probably be a difficult process, and one more thing for my sons to deal with.”
His guilt was tangible, and I wondered how long he would carry that weight, how it would affect the rest of his life. I leaned forward to see his face better. “Neil, you’re right. We all have regrets. I hope you can work through this. Your sons still love you very much. I hope that you’ve been as forthright with them as you’ve just been with me.”
“Jon didn’t want to see me at first, but I finally got to talk to him.” Neil rubbed a hand through his hair and his forehead creased with worry. “Kyle pretty much doesn’t want anything to do with me, but at least Malia will support him.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should feel this pain, and I’m not going to forget what I’ve learned from my mistakes. You’ve saved my life, Adri. I’m in a mess right now, but at the same time, I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to turn my life around. Even though I don’t deserve it, I’m not going to waste it. My family is suffering, and I’m going to stop being selfish and help them. I know Jon wants to follow Kyle to Idaho and try something different. I’m not going to stand in his way. My sons have my blessing to follow their dreams.”
“That’s wonderful news. Have you told Jon?”
He nodded. “He’s waiting in the lobby to see you.” Neil chuckled. “I think there might be a bit of a competition between him and Luke.”
My cheeks heated and I ducked my head. My heart thrummed with anxiety in my chest as I thought about facing both men. It was time for me to make a decision between Jon and Luke.
Neil stood and patted my shoulder. “I promised them I wouldn’t keep you too long. Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”
“I will. Thank you so much for getting me out of that hospital.”
“It’s the least I could do.” He wagged a finger at me. “I’m serious about my offer. Anything you need, not just now, but in the future, don’t hesitate to call me.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see myself out. Do you need a few minutes before I send the dueling princes in?”
I laughed, then winced because it hurt my head. “Actually, twenty minutes would be good. Maybe I can try to grow some hair to cover my bald spot.”
It was Neil’s turn to laugh. “You’re one of a kind. I’m rooting for Jon, though.” He winked and opened the door. “Good luck.”
Even though it was pointless to try to fix my appearance, my vanity hadn’t died with a few stitches. I walked carefully to the bathroom and swiped on a bit of mascara. For once, having thick hair was a good thing because I could arrange it to hide the stitches and ugly shaved part of my head. There were still dark circles under my eyes, but I could talk to Jon and Luke without feeling too self-conscious.
My phone pinged with a text from Lorea. I opened it and studied a picture of a get well card with a tiny tissue box on the front. Her message said: Get better soon, girl! I need to teach you how to have a real vacation.
Lorea was a great friend. I thought about what she would recommend concerning Luke and Jon—but it didn’t make the decisions before me any easier. I wanted to see both of them, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about either of the men who’d played a role in saving my life. Drowning would have been the outcome if Jon hadn’t come searching for me, endangering his own life by swimming out in the rough waters to find me. I remembered how Luke had carefully dried my arms and legs and how Jon had held me until the ambulance arrived. Most of that night was gone from my memory, but there was something on the edge of my recall from Thursday night that had me worried. I’d been talking to Luke before I passed out, but I wasn’t sure what I’d said.
I texted Lorea: Can you talk right now?
Within a minute my cell phone buzzed with an incoming call. Lorea’s happy face flickered across my screen. She’d called to check on me a couple times, but I’d been kind of incoherent from the painkillers. I was looking forward to a conscious conversation with one of my best friends. Part of me knew what I should do, but the other part needed some reassurance.
“Lorea, I’m off the painkillers. How are you?”
She chuckled. “I’m great. Are you doing okay?”
“I am, just having a little dilemma in the dating department.”
Lorea groaned. “Please don’t say that you’re going to swear off dating again.”
“Actually that was one of my ideas. I thought you’d be happy, since you’ve always been against dating—until recently, I guess.”
“Now, now, don’t change the subject,” Lorea said. “Tell me what’s up.”
“Well, I’m not feeling so many butterflies about Jon anymore. It’s been such a nightmare here with the murder, and his mother trying to kill me. Is it terrible of me to want some distance?”
“Not at all. In fact, if he has any kind of sense, he’ll know that you need some space. I’m sure Jon is going to need some time and space as well.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I started having second thoughts about dating him, and then I felt guilty because I don’t want to add more hurt to his life right now.”
“Adri, right now you need to take care of yourself. Someone tried to kill you—again. You’re far away from home with a head injury. Feeling guilty should be the least of your concerns.”
I gazed out the window at the palm trees swaying in the wind. “You’re right. I’m going to be brave and take care of myself.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Lorea said. “And I can’t wait to see your bald spot.”
“No making fun of the victim.” I tsked.
“Okay, just a tiny bit. Besides, you’ll forgive me when you hear what I have to tell you.”
“Hmm, I’m listening.” I sank into the loveseat facing the ocean view of my room, grateful for the change in conversation. “I hope it has something to do with this mystery date you’ve been killing my curiosity with.”
“It does,” Lorea replied. “I was going to make you wait until you got back but I decided you’ve had enough suspense.”
“You’re right there, so go ahead. Spill. I want all the details. Who is this wedding date?”
Lorea laughed and I thought I detected a hint of nervousness in her voice. “Well, you were partly right. It did start out as a pity date. You know me, I didn’t want to take a date, but my family insisted. So I asked a good friend if he’d go along with me. He knew it was a pity date, but then we both had such a great time. Adri, we’ve been out three times in the last week!”
“Well, who is it?”
“You’ll die when I tell you,” Lorea hedged.
“I’m going to kill you if you don’t tell me right now.” I leaned forward with anticipation.
“It’s a friend of yours, too. A certain detective.”
“Tony? Really? That’s great!” I wished I could hug Lorea right then.
“Do you really think so?” Lorea asked.
I understood why she was nervous. Tony was a family friend. She was probably worried that I might disapprove or scold her for using him as a pity date. “Lorea, he’s perfect for you. Why didn’t I ever set you two up before?”
“Because I would have flat-out told you no way.”
“Ah, that’s right, you would have.” I shook my head. “So three dates and what about kissing?”
“Uh-uh,” Lorea said. “No more details. Not until you get home. But he’s so great. I love his sense of humor, and how he really seems to get me.”
“You sound happy. I can’t wait to see both of you.”
“Thanks, Adri. I was kind of worried to tell you, but I should’ve known you’d be fine with it.”
“I’m more than fine, I’m thrilled.”
“Well, hurry home and maybe we can go on a double date.”
I glanced at the leis draped over my chair and frowned. “I guess we’ll have to see about that.”
Lorea chatted for a few more minutes about the upcoming weddings we had planned, and she asked me more questions about Jon and Luke. When I said goodbye, I couldn’t stop smiling. Lorea was a no-nonsense woman who often scoffed at the drippy, love-sick brides we worked with, but I had a feeling that all of that was about to change.
Chapter 24
HONEYMOON SNACK BAG
Purchase several snacks, preferably those that can travel through airport security, and put them in a cloth bag or small reusable shopping bag. Include granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate bars, hard candy, an empty water bottle, travel tissue pack, and any other favorites the bride and groom might like.
Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com
Lorea’s news lifted my spirits and erased the dread I had over talking to Jon. He arrived a few minutes later and knocked on the door with a staccato rhythm. When I opened it, he stepped right inside and hugged me. “It’s so great to see you when you’re not half-dead.”
“Thanks, I think.” I laughed as Jon held me.
He stepped back and pretended to examine me. “I can’t see your bald spot. I thought you’d be showing that off. You actually look pretty good.”
“Hardly. My legs are a mess.” I pointed at the rope burns and bruises. “I guess after everything that’s happened, it’s not a surprise that I slept most of the last two days.”
Jon took my hand, and we walked toward the loveseat flanking the wall next to the bed. “I’m sorry about everything. I know I joke a lot, but I’ve never been more afraid than I was when I was searching for you in the ocean.” We sat down and he put his arm around me. “I’ve missed you. The nurse wouldn’t let me bother you, and my dad said I shouldn’t either. I wanted to give you some space.”
I took a minute to phrase my next sentence. Jon seemed light-hearted, but I sensed he was covering darker emotions.
“I’m so sorry about your mom.”
Jon nodded. “It’s weird to think that my parents will be divorced. And my mom’s going to prison. It’s hard because I’ve never been that close to her, but I still can’t believe she was capable of what she did.”
I held back a shudder and took a deep breath. “It has been awful. How are you doing?”
“I’ll be okay.” Jon’s eyes softened. “Did my dad tell you that he’s supportive of me going to Idaho with Kyle?”
I nodded, and Jon’s breath hitched. He coughed and looked at the floor. “The thing is,” he hesitated. “I’m not sure it’s the right plan for me anymore.”
“Oh?” I couldn’t think of anything else to say, but a huge weight had fallen from me. I wouldn’t have to add more hurt because it sounded like he had changed his mind.
He lifted his head. “I know what I told you, but with everything that’s happened I don’t think I can leave Hawaii.”
“I think you’re right.”
Jon sat up straight. “You do?”
“You’re a great guy, and I enjoyed getting to know you and spending time with you here, but now you need to give yourself a chance to heal. Don’t rush into any big decisions.”
He leaned back into the loveseat. “That’s great advice, but it doesn’t make things easier.”
I traced the striped pattern on the cushion with my finger. “It’s the same advice that I was given a few years back, and it’s proved to be true.”
We both were silent for a moment, and then Jon leaned toward me. “Thanks for understanding.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “Good luck.”
“I’m sorry about everything, Adri.” He hugged me and kissed my forehead. “I wish you all the best.”
He stood and I smiled up at him. “You too. Take care of yourself.”
After Jon left, I was struck with a feeling of lightness that I hadn’t experienced in days. The pressure I’d been under had finally been released, and the worries I had over Jon in the future were no longer a concern.
Luke would be coming to see me next, and I remembered what he’d said about not giving up on him. The weak part of me wasn’t sure if I should risk trying to break through his armor if it went into place again, but I cared about him and I could no longer ignore my true feelings.
A knock at the door sounded, and I moved slowly to open it. Luke stood there, concern evident on his face. “How are you feeling?”
“Doing better. Come in.” I motioned for him to follow me to the set of chairs Neil and I had occupied earlier.
“I wanted to come in first to tell you the good news, but Jon looked pretty anxious.” Luke held his cell phone and tapped the screen.
“Good news would be nice about now.”
Luke nodded. “I’m happy about this. Hopefully you’ll be okay with it.”
I scrunched my eyebrows together, curious as to what he meant. He handed me his phone and I focused on the picture. It was of Malia and Kyle, and it lo
oked like they were at Waimea Canyon. My eyes flicked to the words trailing along the bottom of the picture, “We’re married!”
“They eloped?”
“Yes, and I hope you’re not mad that I helped.”
“Of course not.” I looked at the picture again with a bittersweet pang for Malia. “I’m so glad they could still be married today.”
Luke nodded. “Me, too. I didn’t get to walk her down the aisle, but I think she still found her happy ending. Here’s another picture she sent for you.” He slid his finger across the screen.
It was a close up of the couple. Malia looked radiant, and Kyle appeared smitten. The caption read: “Tell Lorea thanks for the help with my veil. I love it!”
Malia had yellow and pink plumeria clipped into her hair next to the veil and the effect was stunning.
“You’ll have to send that to me.”
“I’ll do it right now,” Luke said. “Malia wanted me to surprise you, that’s why she didn’t send any pictures to your phone yet.”
“Do you think they’ll be okay,” I asked.
“Kyle’s taking everything pretty hard, but they decided to move forward so they could have a fresh start.” He looked up from his phone and shrugged. “I’m not really sure how they’ll deal with everything once they get back.”
I pulled my toes through the carpet. “I talked to Neil. He’s suffering. I hope he’ll be able to reconcile with his family.”
“It’ll take time, but he seems humbled. I think that will help.” Luke rubbed his jaw and then leaned forward, his mouth quirked in a funny smile. “Speaking of reconciling—that reminds me of something.”
“What?”
“You don’t remember, do you?”
I lifted my hands. “I can’t be held responsible for anything I said while under the influence of narcotics.”
Luke laughed. “Well, if it’s all the same to you I’d like to keep those words. They meant a lot to me.” He stood. “Do you mind if we stand on the balcony for a minute? Or are you too tired?”
“That would be nice. I need to get out of this room, but I keep falling asleep.” I let him take my hand and lead me out on the balcony. The ocean breeze ruffled my hair and my scalp tingled near the stitches. When I glanced at Luke he was watching me with a serious expression. I cleared my throat. “Are you going to tell me what I said?”
Veils and Vengeance Page 25