White Ginger (17 page)

They strolled under an arch and sat facing one another on benches beneath a canopy of deep pink flowers.

“I gained my nursing qualifications so I could travel to the States, and ended up in Hawaii in time to celebrate its entry as the newest of the United States. And I met my Kai. The rest, as they say, is history. We had fifty wonderful years together, but I still miss him every hour of every day.”

She sighed and, reaching over, touched Amelie’s cheek. “
Ma petite
, life is short but love is long. When it comes to you, reach out and grab it to your heart with both hands. Never let it go.”

Would she find the great passion Marie had found with her Hawaiian lover? She hoped with all her heart it would be so. Lani and Lili returned and they followed Marie indoors.

Several beautiful paintings of dolphins, mostly at play, hung on the walls and every painting was of a pair or family group. Beautifully rendered, they were the work of a professional. Amelie moved closer to examine the technique.

“That was Kai’s totem. To see him swim, you would understand. He swam with the dolphins and they were like his brothers and sisters.” Marie paused, as though lost in her memories. “His name means ocean, and he had a great affinity for the sea and its creatures. Like Arne. He has so much of his father and grandfather in him.”

Marie pulled an old photo album from a shelf. Turning to the first page, she showed Amelie a photo of her young self and a darker-skinned version of Arne standing on a rocky point. Their arms were around each other, their bodies close, and their expressions spoke clearly of their love. In the background, Amelie could just make out two dolphins splashing back into the sea.

“That was the day Kai asked me to marry him. He said that the dolphins appeared to show us we had found our soul mate. I painted each of these paintings for him as gifts on certain special anniversaries.”

“You painted them. Marie, they’re beautiful,” she exclaimed.

“After our son, Keanu, they were the most precious gift I could think of to give him. Arne was named after him. And now the paintings, and these photos, and my memories are all I have left of my husband and my son. Thank goodness for my grandchildren and Lani.”

Tears sprang to Amelie’s eyes for Marie’s loss.

“How sad.”

Marie patted her hand. “
Mais non, cherie
. I would not change my life for the world. To possess the love of such a man is to be blessed your whole life. To win such a love is to have everything you need right before you.”

That was exactly how Arne made her feel.

Chapter 15

With a heavy head and even heavier heart, Amelie lay staring into the darkness. No matter what Marie said, fate was not conspiring to keep her and Arne together. She was going to have to return to Australia, and soon. What were her options? She didn’t have the sort of money needed to stay on and support herself, even if Madeline could spare her. And she was sure that Madeline would be looking for her to return with renewed energy, her creative batteries fully recharged and firing in the frantic lead-up to the trade fair. So much preparation was required for such an event but a successful showing there could lead to big orders for their products from all over the globe. She couldn’t, she wouldn’t, let Madeline down.

But how can I leave Arne?

Just when they were on the brink of understanding one another, of realizing the strength of their relationship.

She loved him.

It was simply not fair.

But no matter how much she thought on it, thought until her head ached, she couldn’t see a way around her dilemma. In less than a month her visa would expire and she would have to board that plane and fly home, leaving her heart and the only man she had ever truly loved on this distant shore.

When she finally got up, she had no heart for her painting. Pulling on an old pair of shorts and a sleeveless top, she ventured down the cliff path to wander aimlessly along the strip of beach, unknowing and uncaring of time passing. Her thoughts revolved around Arne, how his arms felt so warm and strong embracing her, how his eyes, his beautiful sexy
bedroom
eyes, promised her the world in his arms.

How can I live without him?

Cheerful, wacky calls penetrated her fogged brain. She looked disbelievingly into the waves. Frolicking together was a pair of dolphins, the first she’d seen from her beach. They jumped and somersaulted over the waves, features fixed in permanent smiles. She watched intently, unmoving. After several minutes, they jumped together and disappeared.

Amelie drew a deep breath. The appearance of the dolphins in her cove was like a sign. Just when she was feeling at her most despondent, thinking about having to leave Arne, they recalled her discussion with Marie about love that lasts a lifetime. Her spirits lifted. Perhaps there might be hope yet for their love. Something would happen.

With a renewed sense of purpose, she scrambled up the cliff path. An idea was forming. Rex, the local magistrate, might know what she could do to extend her visa. That would be a good place to start.

Would he be able to fit in an appointment with her today? Once she knew where she stood, legally speaking, she would contact Madeline and discuss the plan that was forming in her mind. Just maybe, things would turn out all right.

Rex was in session when she arrived at the courthouse so she made an appointment to meet with him after he’d finished in court. The internet café was busy at this time of day too, so Amelie walked slowly through the marina. Workers from some of the nearby shops and businesses were lunching or lying in the shade in the harbor side park. Several groups chatted idly and one pair kissed, partially hidden by a hibiscus bush.

Amelie stretched out in a patch of shade under a single small tree to enjoy people watching. The sun on her legs felt wonderful, and she closed her eyes and dozed.

“Amelie!” The male voice was familiar. Forcing heavy eyelids open, she looked up at Tom from the realtor’s office.

“Hello, again. I thought it was you.” He sat beside her. “It’s very tempting to forget the time out here, isn’t it?”

Amelie smoothed down her hair and collected her scattered wits. “Yes, yes it is. How are you?”

“Great. Just on lunch break. Fancy a coffee?”

It would pass the time until her appointment with Rex. And Tom was a pleasant young man.

“Why not? Thanks.”

He offered his hand and pulled her to her feet. “So, what have you been doing since the luau?”

“A bit of surfing and working mainly. But my boss isn’t happy. I told him as soon as I’ve got the money, I want to head off on the circuit.” They crossed the road to the internet café where a number of tables had opened up as the lunch-time crowd returned to work.

Tom was a keen to turn professional. “Have you surfed in Australia? There are a lot of fantastic surfing beaches on both east and west coasts.”

“Maybe next year. If I can get sponsorship, I might even get there this summer!” He told her about his recent competition wins, and how the papers were calling him the next Sunny Garcia. “I want to get more competition experience now.”

She smiled at his impatience. “What about approaching someone like Sanderson to sponsor you?” She nodded toward the development across the marina.

Tom appeared startled by her comment. Had he asked and been knocked back already by the developer? She already disliked the man, both for his part in Arne’s unhappiness and because he didn’t seem to care much for the community. Could he sink lower in her estimation?

“Enough about me. How much of the island have you seen so far?”

She talked about the trip north with Lili and Lani, how impressive the coastline was, and how similar it was to Australia.

“I never expected it to be so lovely, and I really want to stay longer and explore further. In fact, I’ve got an appointment with the magistrate later today to find out if I can extend my visa.”

Tom nodded his approval. Finishing his coffee, he said regretfully that work called. With a cheery wave, he walked off down the street in the direction of the marina.

Amelie turned to log on to a free computer. She caught Madeline working on hers. Now or never–would Madeline be receptive to her idea?

“I’m seeing the magistrate this afternoon to find out if I can get an extension of my visa.”

“Great idea. Let me know how you go. I’ll be there in a week for a visit.”
Madeline signed off, leaving her wondering about her boss’s decision.

She waited in the courthouse on a red leather Chesterfield, folding and refolding her notes and tapping the corner of her passport against her bottom lip. Rex emerged through the door from the court, pulling off his robes and running a hand through his short gray hair.

“Hello, Amelie.” His handshake was warm and he gestured her to a seat beside the window. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? I’m sure it’s not just to say hello to an old man, although I’m mighty pleased to see you again. You are a welcome sight after a day dealing with petty criminals.”

She wished she didn’t blush so readily. “Thank you. Actually, I wanted to find out if it’s possible to extend my visa so I can stay here longer?”

“Have you brought your passport?” Rex examined it for a few moments. “I’m sorry, Amelie, but this is the standard ninety day maximum visit. I’m afraid, unless there’s a natural disaster or you end up in hospital, Heaven forbid,” he added, “then there aren’t any options to extend this.”

Her heart thudded. Strike one. Well, it had been worth a try. Three weeks from now she would be flying out of Kauai.

“I’m sorry. Of course, if you were to marry an American citizen before then…” Amelie met his gaze. How could he know that was precisely what she longed to do? Was she so transparent? Or was it just that he had seen her with Arne that morning of their reef trip and assumed the relationship? Again the heat rose in her cheeks.

“Arne is a good man, Amelie. I think you are meant to be together. Just make sure you have a blood test done in time.”

“I…we…that is…” How should she respond?

“These things have a way of working out. So, may I have the pleasure of a dance with you at the country club before that young rascal claims your entire attention?”

“It would be my pleasure, Rex. And–thank you.”

She would find a way to convince Arne she loved him.

But in three weeks? Why not?

Back at the cabin, Amelie set to work blending images from her trip north, waterfalls with lush, broad-leaf plants and brilliantly colored fauna. A particularly splendid species of butterfly would make a wonderful central image, repeated as a smaller border motif on the material sample Madeline had sent with the instruction to “find something special
.
” Her boss wanted to showcase the lustrous fabric. Cheeky dolphins would look superb on that fabric too, if it was available in the right shades of blue.

Her heart leaped with hope as she remembered her sighting of the playful pair early that day.

Just maybe the dolphins were a sign their fates were intended to be joined.

Chapter 16

Arne phoned. “How about I meet you at the dance? You could drive in with Lili and Kevin.”

He couldn’t get away any earlier and wouldn’t make it home until midevening.

“They won’t mind. Just make sure I get at least one dance with you.”

Were they ever going to have their talk? Delayed gratification was supposed to grow patience and self-discipline. The only thing she was developing was frustration. A deep-seated hunger for him to kiss and make her better. If she paced round her sitting room any more, she’d wear a groove in the floor. Needing distraction, she called Lili. What woman couldn’t solve her fit of the blues with a girls’ day in town?

Even though they’d both chosen an outfit for the dance, there was no reason not to explore the local dress shop while they waited for their hair appointments.

Lili pulled out a lovely green satin well suited to her coloring. She tucked it under her chin and posed in front of the mirror. Head tilted to one side, she examined the price tag.

“Would Kevin believe me if I brought this one home because I had nothing to wear?”

“Of course not. But he’d love you in it anyway. And it’s on sale, see. Only half price.”

A rose-pink confection caught Amelie’s eye. The color was lovely, but it was too frilly for her classically simple taste. “Do you think Arne would like me in this one?” Amelie twirled in front of the mirror, holding the dress to her waist.

“I think he’d prefer you
out
of that one!” An irrepressible dimple appeared, Lili’s double meaning clearly intended.

“Oh, Amelie! Your cheeks are the color of that dress. Get used to it. You’re a beautiful woman and Arne is one hell of a sexy man. There’d be something wrong if he didn’t want to get you out of your clothes. And I’m allowed to say that, even if he is my brother. Come on, coffee time.”

Spending the day with Lili helped pass the time until Arne returned. Her compassion and wicked sense of fun meant Amelie didn’t have to cover up her feelings for Arne, although she was careful what she said once they returned to Lili’s home. Lani’s ears were sharp and she was too intelligent a child not to pick up an indiscreet comment. They dropped Lani off at a friend’s home, and then headed off to the dance.