Paradise Wild (Wild At Heart Book 2) (14 page)

Celine followed him into the hall. “I’ll lock up behind you.”

Ellie listened from the sofa to the murmur of their voices. Minutes later, Celine entered the room spinning a business card between her thumb and forefinger.

“What’s that?”

“K-Rao gave me his card.” She plunked next to Ellie, humming under her breath. Her cheeks betrayed a slight flush.

“K-Rao?”

“Uh huh. Keli’i Rao. Goes by K-Rao. Says so right here.” Celine flicked the card. It spiraled through the air and landed on the ottoman.

Ellie shook her head. “You’re the only person I know who can turn a police investigation into a speed date.”

“When you got it, girl, you got it.” Celine patted her leg in time with the song in her head.

“You got it. I’d just like to know
where
you get it.”

Late the following morning, Ellie was only slightly surprised to respond to the wind chime doorbell and find Officer Rao on the steps, out of uniform and looking sheepish.

“Come on in. I’ll get the one you want.”

K-Rao stepped methodically over the threshold but refused to go past the entrance hall until Celine appeared in a short flowing sundress. He followed her into the living room. Ellie pantomimed taking a shower behind K-Rao’s back. Celine gave her a nod.

After the shower, a long discussion with the owner of the contracted flooring company, an inspection of the prototype kitchen cabinets, and a peanut butter sandwich, Ellie tiptoed to the living room. She peered around the corner, but the sofa was empty. She texted Celine.

Ellie: Where ru?

Celine: Beach.

Ellie: Alone?

An emoji with its tongue sticking out laughed up at her in response.

Ellie: I have to run to tile store.

Celine: B up in minute.

Ellie leaned against a pillar on the lanai and waved at K-Rao, who parted from Celine and strode toward the driveway with firm steps. Celine sauntered up to her.

“Girl, you’re not going to believe this.”

Ellie put her hands on her hips. “Try me.”

“We’re going up to Haleakala to watch the stars.”

Ellie plunked onto the deck chair. “Now?”

“He says it takes almost two hours to get there.” Celine’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, but she sat on the floor next to Ellie. “You know I’ve got to do this, don’t you?”

“I can see it in your face. You really like him.”

“I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this, after Kenji.” Celine ruffled her short curls. “Hell, I don’t really know what
this
is. But I know I’m jumping in with both feet.”

Ellie inhaled the sweet floral scent wafting from the garden. “I’m giving you a key. The house will be locked tighter than a can of spam when you get home.”

That evening, the house felt lonelier than it had since the first night Ellie arrived. She called Denver, but he didn’t answer. She texted Jacqui, but she was in the middle of a date and couldn’t talk. Olivia was morose and monosyllabic. And Ellie’s mind returned again and again to Celine and her fearless step into the unknown of a sudden relationship.

Why is it so easy for her and so hard for me?

***

The next afternoon, Ellie realized with a pang that it felt comfortable to have a man in the kitchen. It wasn’t
her
man, but K-Rao was all man, even though he exuded a different aura from Denver. Where Denver was smooth, K-Rao was rough around the edges. Where Denver was soft, K-Rao was playful. Where Denver was alluring, K-Rao was bashful. But Ellie could see clearly what drew Celine to him. And as he unpacked the shopping bags and loaded the counter with ingredients for his mother’s special spaghetti, Ellie relaxed.

No matter what happens, he’ll do right by Celine.

He quickly chased the women out of his ‘staging area’ with a beer for each of them. “Get out there and enjoy the Maui sunshine. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

Ellie glanced back at the noodle, tomato sauce, soy sauce, tabasco, and spam containers next to the bags of peppers, mushrooms, and green onions.

“How many people does he think he’s cooking for?”

“He’s got four brothers, I think.” Celine pushed the front door open with her foot. “If he got the recipe from his mother, we’re in trouble.”

They took the drinks to the shore and sat on lava rocks with their toes in the clear water. Ellie broke the silence.

“How are you doing?”

“You mean because I go back to San Fran tomorrow?”

“No. Because the Giants are starting a losing season.”

Celine smiled. The sun beat on them from over the distant island of Lanai. She splashed water up her legs. “I’m surprisingly good. Having way too much fun to worry.”

“But you’re worried?”

“Girl, you do enough worrying for both of us.”

Ellie waded in up to her knees. She tipped the bottle, gulped the dregs, and tossed the empty to Celine.

“I’m worried Denver’s going to be mad when I tell him I’ve been next door the whole time.”

“That’s why you’re out here without a disguise? Tempting fate?”

“Maybe.” Ellie undid her ponytail and retied it. “I think I took it too far. Now he’ll think I’m deceitful.”

Celine joined her in the water, walking in figure eights in the shallows. “That’s a strong word for something he’ll probably just laugh off.”

“I don’t know. He’s so honest and open about everything.” Ellie let the small waves lap at the hem of her shorts. “Like when I asked him about what he’d do over in life. How many twenty-nine-year-olds would admit they should have gone into business with their parents?”

“Maybe more than you think.”

“Would K-Rao?”

“His father’s a cop. So I guess they’re in the same business.” Celine caught Ellie’s gaze. “You just miss him, girl. It’ll all feel better on Thursday. You’ll spend the day in bed and see the world through rose colored glasses.”

Ellie blushed. “What about you two?”

“I got no glasses in my future.”

“He’s not spending the night?”

Celine stretched, her long, lean body describing an arc toward the sky. “We talked about it. But I haven’t hooked up with somebody since Kenji. It would too much like doing it just to do it before I go. I can’t.” She shrugged. “He understood.”

“Wow, Celine. You hardly ever talk like that.”

“Blame it on paradise.” She jerked her head back to the house. “Now I think we should get back in there. Did you see how many cans of spam he had?”

The next afternoon, Ellie stood near the TSA line with Celine, who took a final selfie of them with West Maui in the background.

“This outdoor airport thing is killin’ it.”

Ellie gave her a hug.

“Thanks for coming.”

Celine laughed. “My pleasure.”

“You’d better…”

A man’s voice interrupted them. “Celine?”

They turned to see K-Rao. He stood in uniform just outside the roofed area. Celine dropped her ticket. A gust picked it up and the three of them chased the fluttering paper across the floor. Ellie snatched it and handed it to Celine.

“I’ll go back and watch your bag.” From a short distance, Ellie saw K-Rao remove his watch and listened to his explanation.

“Got this from my pa when I was sixteen.” K-Rao dangled the band from his fingers. “Had some links taken out this morning. I want you to have it.”

A tear rolled down Celine’s cheek and she thrust the watch back at him. Her words tumbled out together in an intensifying stream. “I can’t take it. It’s too much. I can’t commit like that. Not here. Not now.”

He took her forearm gently in his. He slid the watch over her thin wrist and clasped it shut. His gaze never left hers. “I know. But take part of me with you to the mainland, yeah? Even if it just reminds you of me now and then. Even if…” He fingered the watch face. “If all I ever get from you is this small place in your heart.”

He held out his arms. Celine paused longer than Ellie imagined was possible before falling into his embrace.

Ellie brushed away tears that choked her. She looked at the ground for a long time before she saw K-Rao and Celine’s shadows approaching.

“You keep that watch safe, yeah.” He jerked his head at Celine with a smile.

“I’ll keep it on forever.” Celine smiled as she pulled her carry-on behind her into the line. She flung her last words over her shoulder. “Or at least until I get to the TSA check.”

K-Rao shook his head. “That woman. She’s got no fear.”

“No. She’s got fear.” Ellie stared at her friend. “She just doesn’t listen to it.”

Chapter 14

The late afternoon noises outside seemed louder than usual as Ellie cleaned after Celine’s departure. Birds rustled in bushes, trade winds shook palm fronds, and something scampered across the rooftop.

Guess it’s back to the chair in front of the bedroom door tonight.

The sun sunk closer to the horizon, suffusing puffy clouds over the ocean with shades of pink, orange, and red. Ellie imagined visitors all over the island flocking to shores, sitting in beach chairs, hoisting plastic wine glasses, ready to search for the mythical green flash as the sun disappeared.

Maybe disappearing is what I should do.

Before sunset, she called Jacqui.

“Would you mind some house guests for a little while?”

Jacqui laughed. “Your mansion in Wailea getting too small for you?”

“Too freaky.”

“Honey, I told you nobody
ever
gets killed on Maui.”

Ellie pulled Viv to her lap. “Except people I know. And now I’ve got a strange feeling it’s all closer to home than I want.” She described her theory about Noa, his misunderstanding of her relationship with Brandon, and how she feared he could end up on her doorstep.

“Hmm.”

“That’s a first. I’ve never heard you at a loss for words.”

“I didn’t know about the police coming to your house.”

Ellie dropped Viv to the floor and pulled a carry-on suitcase from the closet. “Can I take that as a yes?”

“Sure. This place will be a step down for you. But I think Viv might like the Upcountry creepy crawlies.”

Ellie threw pajamas into the bag. “Anything I can get on my way up?”

“Better make a Costco run. I’ve had some tummy trouble. Running low on toilet paper.”

“Eew. T-M-I.”

“Just keeping it real. I’ll call Olivia and invite her over for dinner. I’ve got a feeling that girl’s not eating well.”

“Great.” Ellie paused. “Thanks, Jacqui.”

“What are friends for?”

Later, Jacqui, Olivia, and Ellie sat together on an old leather sofa, feet on a rickety coffee table, plates of pizza balanced on their laps, watching the evening news about the manhunt for Noa. Ellie could feel Olivia shivering. Ellie nudged Jacqui and mouthed the words, “Let’s turn it off.”

“I think we’ve had enough of that.” Jacqui stretched and hit the remote’s off button. “How about dessert? Ellie picked up some apple pie.”

Olivia shook her head. Jacqui dumped crusts into the take out box.

“Why does everything have to have a drug connection?” Olivia stood up and hunted for Viv, hand outstretched, making beguiling “puss, puss” sounds. She looked under the sofa. “Can’t the police think of other motives?”

Ellie watched Olivia crawl across the floor. “I’m sure they’re looking into all kinds of things.”

Jacqui walked back in from the kitchen with the pie and shot Ellie a “what’s up?” glance.

Ellie took a plate and tossed her chin to indicate a change in subject. “I talked with Celine on the way up here. She told me K-Rao said the police haven’t found any connection between Brandon and Noa.”

Olivia dragged Viv from under a colorful pile of yoga mats in the corner and cuddled him against her. “See? I told you there wasn’t. But nobody would believe me.”

Jacqui patted the sofa. “Bring Mr. Lovebug over here and have some pie, Olivia.”

Olivia finished the large piece in four bites, seemingly unaware of anything except Viv on her lap.

Jacqui wordlessly slipped into the kitchen to get her another piece. Ellie followed.

“You’re right.” Jacqui slid half the remaining pie onto Olivia’s plate. “I don’t know her well, but there’s something going on with that girl. She can’t let go of the drug thing.”

“Seriously.” Ellie licked goo from the aluminum pan. “We shouldn’t have watched the news. I thought she’d feel better since the police told her Brandon’s death was an accident.” Ellie poured coffee into three cracked mugs. “I know
I
do. I had to stop myself from jumping up and down when she told us.”

Jacqui raised an eyebrow.

“That came out wrong.” Ellie rolled her eyes at herself. “I am
not
jumping up and down because Brandon slipped cleaning the hotel waterfall and hit his head. But I’m
so
glad nobody killed him. Olivia should be too.”

“Give her time. It’s early days yet.”

Olivia downed the second piece of pie almost as quickly as the first. Jacqui and Ellie watched, astounded. Olivia looked up when she’d finished.

“You guys think I’m nuts, don’t you?”

Ellie and Jacqui wiped the flashes of surprise and guilt from their faces and responded simultaneously.

“No.”

“Yes, you do. I’m going on about dealers and drugs and whatnot.” She kissed Viv on the head to hide the tear that streaked from beneath her lashes. “Well, there’s a reason.”

Olivia looked from Ellie to Jacqui, a cloud of defiance on her face. Ellie held her breath.

“Brandon was dealing in Seattle. Heavy duty. He had people working for him. He made a lot of money.” She brushed her uncombed hair from her face. “It’s why he got kicked out of school. It’s why I tried to help him.”

“Did you tell the police?” The words escaped Ellie’s mouth before she could stop them.

Olivia’s eyes flashed in anger. “No, I didn’t tell the cops. Not then, and not now. There was no reason.”

Jacqui scooted forward so she could look Olivia in the eyes. “Honey, I’m so glad you told us. We’re not judging you or Brandon. But it’s good to tell your friends the truth.”

Olivia peered at Ellie from downcast eyes.

Ellie let out a breath she felt like she’d been holding a long time. “What she said. It makes me like Brandon all the more, that he got away from that. It must have been crazy hard.”

Olivia nodded. “I wouldn’t have come here if he hadn’t been clean. He gave it all up before he moved to Maui. That was the whole plan. To start a new life.”

Ellie put her arm around Olivia’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “Do you feel a little better now?”

Olivia’s face was pale. “Actually, I think I’m going to throw up.”

Jacqui and Ellie stood in the kitchen, Ellie handing Jacqui rinsed dishes for the dishwasher. The running faucet almost obscured the sounds coming from the bathroom.

Ellie paused, mug in midair. “Think it was the pie?”

Jacqui shook her head. “I’m betting it was the subject.”

***

What’s holding you back, Ellie?

Ellie drove downhill from Jacqui’s house, through a few remaining cane fields and past the soon-to-be obsolete sugar mill, toward Wailuku.

Celine jumped into whatever she’s got with K-Rao. Olivia’s come clean about Brandon’s past.

A picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, pineapple chunks, and a slice of apple pie sat in a Target bag at her side. Air rushed from the rolled down windows, whipping across her face, clearing her head, buoying her confidence.

I’m going to tell him.

She thought back on her texts and their phone conversations in the past days. She had done her utmost to present her most desirable, funny, supportive features. She had felt supported, wanted, and even admired in return. The way she felt talking with Denver lifted her mood so much that she hadn’t wanted to ruin it by divulging her night prowler concerns. Or by coming clean about being his next door neighbor.

But in the morning her heart and mind were, for once, in agreement.
Today I’ll do it.

Later, in Denver’s air-conditioned sedan, Ellie’s confidence seeped away without her being able to stop it. The farther his car climbed up the winding road into a jungle-like Maui she’d not seen before, the more the huge green leaves encroached on the path, the more the mountain folds towered above, the less eager she was to bare her soul. Denver seemed different, more reserved, and less passionate. His kiss at the now familiar parking lot had been brief, almost perfunctory. Rather than sweeping her out to sea on a tide of desire, it left her beached and confused.

His hand rested on her knee, but she didn’t know what to do with her own. She moved it from his arm to her stomach to the armrest. Conversation was spotty. Ellie was grateful for the changing scenery that occupied her attention. When Denver paid the five dollars and pulled into one of the few remaining spots in Iao Valley Park’s lot, Ellie felt her heart pounding not from excitement but from nervousness.

This isn’t going the way I’d imagined it.

Around them tourists from Japan, China, and India snapped photos. Ellie read the informational sign at the beginning of the path while Denver took her photo with his phone. He stowed it and led the way, hands in pockets, Ellie’s bag slung over one shoulder. Ellie lagged a little behind as they climbed the asphalt path between lush monstera plants.

“There’s what all the excitement’s about.” Denver pointed beyond a short bridge to a thin mountain fold. “The Iao Needle. It’s actually not a needle from the side, obviously. Just looks that way from here.”

Ellie stared at the narrow peak, worn and smooth, like a finger pointing to heaven. “Maui’s mountains seem so soft and inviting compared to what I’ve seen in California.”

Denver’s eyes twinkled for the first time since he’d picked her up. “How about compared to what you saw in Delaware?”

Ellie relaxed at the joke. “Very funny. In Delaware we get excited about anything higher than sea level.”

He took her hand and led her across the bridge. Then he urged her under a set of green railings and down a narrow path into the shrubbery. When they were out of sight of the tourists on the bridge, Ellie pulled him back.

“The sign said to keep to the designated walkways.”

He pointed to the worn trail. “Looks pretty designated to me.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Really. People do this all the time. And it’s so worth it.”

The track roughly followed the Kinihapai Stream that cascaded over large and small boulders to their right. The chatter of visitors faded quickly behind them. They clambered over lava rocks, holding on to smooth, thin multi-colored trunks of young rainbow eucalyptus trees. Ellie recognized the shapes of leaves she pushed out of the way, but not their size. The air was pungent with the scent of rotting fruit. She saw Denver stoop now and then to pick something from the ground and put it in her bag.

These look like office plants on steroids.

She brushed sweat from her face. In the increasing heat of the sun, she was grateful for the shade of their path. They climbed gently upward, Denver stopping to help her over particularly steep sections of trail. The river to the right looked increasingly inviting. 

No one met them as they continued their journey. Ellie began to pant. Sweat dripped off her nose. The rushing stream taunted her with its clear water and cool breeze.

What’s the plan, Denver? Do I get to take a breather?

But she felt uncomfortable asking.

He’s worn out. Probably needs a workout to get the job stress out of his system.

When Denver veered toward the small river, Ellie lifted her eyes toward the sky.

Thank goodness. I’m about to faint.

“That was awesome.” She beamed at him. “Now what?”

He pointed to a pool nestled behind some large boulders. “Care for a swim?”

A master designer could have crafted the scene. An enclosure of large and small rocks created a natural pool lined with a pebble floor. The stream gushed into it from a two-foot high waterfall on the left and poured out down a similar one on the far right. Between lay a clear, smooth expanse of water about twenty feet in diameter, cool and irresistible.

Why didn’t I bring a swimsuit?

“I don’t have a suit.”

Denver grinned and raised his eyebrows. “Neither do I.”

He helped her to a smooth rock partly sheltered from the sun by an overhang of trees. He stripped off his damp t-shirt. Ellie peeked at the chest she had been dreaming about for days.

Wow. He does not disappoint.

Denver stepped over his shirt, leaned over, and kissed her, in one instant unleashing the longing she had thought was forgotten. She felt him undo the buttons of her blouse, his fingers cupping her breasts through her bra. Ellie pulled down her shorts, suddenly eager and warm. She stood in front of him, naked except for the strips of white lace surrounding her torso and thighs.

“You’re beautiful.”

Denver scooped her into his arms. She laughed as he carried her into the water.

The pool was surprisingly deep, rising past his shorts. He laid her onto the cool surface, supporting her with a hand under her hips and upper back.

“Relax. I’ve got you.”