White Ginger (7 page)

Amelie followed Arne between empty tables to the far corner where a huge Hawaiian man sat by the window. As Arne approached the table, the man glanced up then surged out of his chair to envelop Arne in a bear hug.

“My good friend, it’s been too long since you sat at my table and enjoyed my hospitality,” he said in a booming voice. “What can have kept you from your soul friend?”

Arne stepped back and the man continued before he could introduce Amelie.

“Ah, now I see why you have not had time for your old friend.”

“Jimi, Amelie.”

Jimi took her hand gently in his, bowing gracefully for one so large and, raising it to his lips, he gallantly kissed her fingertips. “Welcome to Kauai. I see my good friend has found the most beautiful woman in these islands.”

Arne shot back a reply, “After you had married the other one.”

“True,” Jimi agreed. “But you and I always did have the good taste and sense to settle only for the best.” Her cheeks warmed under his open admiration and she fiddled with her serviette. “So,” he said settling back into his seat, “What fool ex-employee of mine gave you a car so completely unsuited for your requirements?”

Drinks were ordered when the waiter returned with water for their table, beers for the men and a pineapple juice for Amelie. She didn’t want to find herself drowsing on the drive back to Kaleialani.

There was little conversation as they enjoyed a seafood platter of succulent prawns, scallops, fish fillets and calamari with a garden salad, which Amelie suspected was in deference to her presence. By the time they finished picking at fresh local melons, pineapple and mangoes, their coffees arrived.

“You are here for three months? And you enjoy what you see?” Jimi leaned back, a coffee cup almost disappearing in his huge hand. His intelligent face showed interest and something akin to expectation as he waited on her reply.

“It’s one of the loveliest places I’ve seen, and as for enjoying it, who could resist what is so compelling.” Irresistibly her eyes were drawn to Arne’s face before she lowered her lashes to conceal her thoughts. Jimi chuckled. Had she given away her interest in Arne? Her cheeks heated at the thought.

They sat chatting for a while over coffee until Jimi sighed.

“Well, back to the office, eh? We must collect your car for you. Will you ride with me, or do you prefer the company of this pirate to that of a baron of business?” The men looked at one another, and then Arne grinned and Jimi’s huge frame shook with laughter. “Oh, you don’t think I see you stealing the brightest gold from under the noses of everyone in these islands! Come, my friend, give me the pleasure of Amelie’s company while you collect your bits and pieces from the depot.”

With good grace, Arne relinquished Amelie’s arm to Jimi, a wry smile settling on his face. “I’ll call by this evening to see all is well with the car this rogue is offering you,” he told Amelie before turning to Jimi. “And tell Lucy I’ll call in to see her on my way home.” He turned on his heel and, with a brief wave in her direction, rounded the corner to where they had parked two hours earlier.

Jimi led the way to his SUV, mercifully parked in the shade so that, when they climbed inside, it was relatively cool in the early afternoon heat. He made small talk while they drove back to the airport garages.

Amelie considered her dilemma. What if Arne refused point blank to take someone with him when he returned to check the reef? It was evident Arne and Jimi were close. She suspected if Jimi asked, Arne would listen to him. He might not be able to dissuade Arne from going alone, but perhaps he could help convince Arne to take her with him.

“So Arne’s positive the break in happened because he made that unscheduled visit to the reef.”

Jimi tapped his fingers along the top of his steering wheel. “And with your discovery on the footage of unauthorized equipment, someone is going to be getting twitchy about their illegal activities. Hmm, how about making copies of the footage and leaving them with a lawyer for extra security?”

“That’s a good idea too. But, Jimi, I don’t want Arne to be alone on the reef. Someone is getting desperate. Arne should have another pair of eyes out there. I’ll go–if he won’t take anyone else.”

Jimi turned in to the garages behind the airport arrivals lounge and drove through the security gates with a lazy wave of his hand to the guard on duty. They stopped beside an open industrial door through which Amelie could see numerous vehicles. Jimi opened her door and offered his hand. “You really care for him, don’t you?”

“I–” She pressed her lips together then nodded. It was pointless denying it to Jimi. “Yes, I care for him.”

“And I will suggest the common sense in taking someone on the trip to the reef. Now, I’ve selected a new Subaru Outback with GPS that will be more suitable to the driving you’re likely to be doing. Please tell me if you don’t like the look of this one.” He gestured for her to precede him inside and then led her to a deep blue station wagon. Metallic blue paint glinted where the corner of sunlight touched the bonnet, and there was a cargo barrier in the rear. Jimi was not just replacing a faulty car; he was offering her the use of a top-of-the-line brand new vehicle.

“It looks fabulous, Jimi. This is very kind of you. It’s a much better car than the one I booked though. Are you sure?”

His hand stopped her flow of thanks and he shook his head.

“This is the car for you, Amelie. Trust me. Now, you and Arne have to come and have dinner with Lucy and me soon. I’d love for her to meet you. The two of you will get on famously.”

“I’d love to. I’ll check when it’s okay with Arne. And, Jimi?” Resting her hand on his shoulder, she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. For everything.”

Chapter 5

Golden, late-afternoon light shimmered over the landscape unrolling before her. Color intensified and shadows fell sharp and deep across the road. Amelie loved this time of day best for the richness and depth of color, and the warmth of life it held.

Jimi had looked after her so well with this new car. It handled the hills and winding curves with ease.

The sun was low when she pulled into a parking bay in front of the mini-mart. Time to restock her sparse pantry. She pushed her trolley toward the checkout and heard a vaguely familiar voice.

“So, how’s our Aussie visitor?” Marita’s mouth curved up but the smile failed to reach her eyes. “How are enjoying your…holiday?” The briefest pause between her final words and Amelie remembered why she disliked the woman. She struggled to keep a neutral tone in her voice. No point alienating her by being rude, even if the woman deserved it. “This is a beautiful spot to relax in. And I hope to be able to get out to see more of it now that I’ve got a reliable vehicle,” Amelie replied.

“Yes,” drawled Marita. “We heard about your difficulties. It’s a small town.” She raised a knowing brow in reply to the unasked question. “Everyone knows everything–about everyone.”

Amelie drew in a shallow breath. Could this woman be suggesting she knew what had passed in Amelie’s home the evening before? Surely not.

“Of course, you were very lucky that someone happened to come along when you broke down. That’s an out of the way place you’ve chosen to stay at. Well, see you around. Maybe you can find someone to bring you to the luau.” With a negligent wave of her heavily ringed fingers, she glided away, leaving Amelie confused, indignant and unsure, all at the one time. Insufferable woman.

Amelie drove along the twisting road that led to her cabin. Indignation at Marita’s suggestive tone and attitude overcame her worry. Maybe she was reading too much into the casual remarks.

She pulled up in front of her cabin and climbed out of the car, stretching muscles tight after the long day of driving and the stress of last night’s discovery. She needed a couple of hours of calm rest to gather her thoughts to convince Arne to take her out on the
Leilani
with him.

Hauling the groceries out of the trunk, she barely paused to appreciate the vista of moonlight on water. A long, relaxing bubble bath beckoned as she climbed the topmost step and turned to open the screen door. It hung drunkenly off its hinges.

Silently, heart pounding, she bent to place her grocery bags on the wooden floor of the veranda, then crept forward to peer into the front room. Her hand shook as she gripped the door frame and she caught her breath at the devastation revealed by moonlight streaming through the large, south-facing windows.

The contents of cupboards had been upended onto the floor, over the table and sofa. Her paint supplies lay strewn across the rug. Streaks of vermilion and royal purple were mashed into the pile of the rug where a foot had crushed them and walked the color across the floor. Canvases lay in a heap in the far corner.

Amelie clamped a hand over her mouth to choke back a scream and backed away on shaky legs. Grimly, she told herself that whoever had perpetrated this outrage on her property had been too late. Certain they had been seeking Arne’s camcorder, now safely in police custody, fear morphed into anger and she became even more determined to accompany him to the reef.

A vague plan began to form, though she wasn’t sure if she was actress enough to carry it off. Arne was in danger and she might be the only person who could do anything to protect him, feeble though her protection might be. She’d never live with herself if she let him head into danger without doing all she could to keep him safe.

As she surveyed the destruction of her lounge studio, Arne’s jeep pulled up beside her new Subaru. Slowly, she walked out to the railing and placed her hands on it, her arms stiff and her body taut.

* * * *

“Glad to see you got home safely.” Arne pulled a bag of takeaway food from the back seat and grabbed his jacket. Turning back to Amelie, he took two steps and stopped abruptly at sight of her face.

Her pallor and wide eyes were lit by the moonlight and every line of her body was rigid. He sprinted up the three steps in a single bound, throwing the food and jacket to the floor in his haste to reach her.

“What is it? What’s happened?” He grabbed her upper arms, desperately checking that she was unharmed. Wordlessly, she half turned her head to indicate the room beyond them.

Reluctant to let her go, he glanced through the door and his gut tightened. Anger surged through him, then anxiety for Amelie, then, overriding all, his urgent need to protect her from the madness that seemed to have been loosened. This was his fault. Whatever was going on, it had to do with him.

She hadn’t spoken a word.

“Amelie? Are you hurt? Did you–was someone here?” Finally, she shook her head.

There was no way he was leaving her alone here tonight, vulnerable and unprotected. “We’ll pack a bag for you and go back to my place, okay?” She nodded without speaking.

Taking her firmly by the hand, he led her through to her bedroom. He grabbed an overnight bag from the cupboard and thrust it into her hands.

“Get a change of clothes and a toothbrush. I’ll call the police.”

He paced with the phone to his ear while Amelie moved automatically around her room, stuffing pajamas and fresh underwear into her bag. He watched her every move while trying to focus on the conversation with Sheriff Jessup. Amelie stopped and stared into her cupboard. Was she going to collapse in a heap? She straightened her shoulders, then reached in and added several more items.

“I’m ready.” Thank goodness she was speaking, though her voice was a tight mimicry of her usual tones.

“Let’s go.” He took her hand and held it tightly all the way home. Her skin was cool and he could feel her pulse beating faster than normal.

Shock did odd things to people. Usually so full of life and energy, Amelie had closed down. Arne led her into his lounge and sat her on his white leather sofa. Reluctant to leave her for even a moment, he raced out of the room to grab a bottle of whisky with two glasses.

“Here.” He held up one of the glasses of whisky to her lips. She took it in both hands and sipped, sniffed the contents with a tiny frown of concentration and then sipped again.

“Lagavulin,” she muttered. “I like the peaty whiskies best.”

Surprised yet again by her, Arne nodded. It was his favorite whiskey.

Finally she looked up, focusing on him, and breathing deeply. “I was pretty shaken when you arrived. Now I’m angry.”

“That’s healthy. That’s good.”

Thank God!

She’d regained a little color in her cheeks and her gaze brightened as she looked up at him.

Reaching over to tuck an errant strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingered across her temple before trailing down her cheek. His gaze followed the movement of his hand until his fingers feathered over her ripe pink lips. Slowly the tip of her tongue moistened her lower lip. Arne rubbed his thumb softly across following in its path and forgot everything else. Hunger for her replaced his anxiety. He leaned toward her, and her lips parted.

What are you doing? She’s had a nasty shock and you’re thinking with–

He savagely cut off the thought. That part of his anatomy was uncomfortable enough already.

Try thinking with your brain, you idiot.

Sighing, he pulled back slightly. Reluctantly. Sliding his hand down her arm he drew her to her feet, carefully maintaining some distance. He’d come so close to overstepping the mark. Surely she had accurately interpreted his intention to kiss her. It was there in her eyes still. But he had pulled away. Could he make things worse?