The beautiful view of Kalapaki Beach had begun to fade in novelty eleven days later. Sophie paced in front of the sliding glass window restlessly, on the phone with an obstetrician’s office on the Big Island. She had been using the enforced downtime to address various neglected areas of her life, beginning with interviewing doctors that she hoped might be a fit for her prenatal care. So far, she hadn’t decided if she wanted to try a natural birth with a midwife or go the more traditional hospital route.

Not having a partner to talk it over with was a lack Sophie felt keenly. She’d been calling Marcella to hash things over as much as she could, but between the FBI’s busy schedule and not knowing anything about the topic, her friend had not been much help. Her other friend, Lei, had recently lost a pregnancy. Sophie was reluctant to poke at that wound with her many questions, so had held back from contacting her.

She and Alika had both submitted blood to the Oahu clinic doing the paternity test, and Jake had mailed in his sample. They were all just waiting for the processing. Every morning Sophie held her breath as she checked her email.

If she just knew who the baby’s father was, she could talk to him about all of this.

But the only person she really had available was Connor.

Connor had been endlessly helpful, researching questions that Sophie had, running statistical analysis on best health practices for her to try, fetching her treats and providing ideas to alleviate her nausea, and giving her work to keep her busy.

Work was the best thing she could find to keep her mind off the situation. Sophie did as much as she could on the Merrie Monarch case, wrapping up her notes for Kim Kauwa and the Tourism Authority. She called Esther and had a three-way conference call with both women, letting them know unequivocally that everything pointed to Penny Chang as the festival funds embezzler. She had a follow-up phone therapy session with Dr. Wilson and continued to sort through her feelings about being a mother.

She’d called Jake several times, but their conversations were stilted, focused on the practicalities of the dogs and the office. The question of the baby’s paternity loomed large. Avoidance seemed better to Sophie; perhaps she and Jake could work things out only in person. Jake must have concluded the same, because he didn’t call her either.

Alika had invited her to dinner one night at his home, and Sophie met a host of his lovely Hawaiian relatives. However, she sensed his reserve, the strain of waiting to know the results of the test inhibiting their friendship. Once again, avoidance seemed best.

And now, she was more than ready to leave Kaua`i.

Room service breakfast arrived, as usual, but this time Connor was the one to roll the cart into her room. “Surprise. I headed the guy off in the hall.”

Sophie faced him, dressed for travel. She pointed to her packed bag, lying on the bed. “It’s time to go back to the Big Island. Chang has not surfaced. I can’t live indefinitely in this condo. I need to get back to my apartment, my dog, and my boyfriend. In addition, I’ve got an appointment with an obstetrician this afternoon in Hilo. You can take me, or I’ll go by myself.”

Connor cocked his head to the side. “You’ve certainly built up a head of steam. Were you thinking I was going to try to dissuade you? I was actually going to propose that we head back today, as well. Thom already has the flight plan submitted. We’ll have to work on a trap for Akane Chang, since he hasn’t shown himself. Now, can we take time to eat breakfast before we get going?”

Sophie spontaneously threw her arms around Connor. “Thank you! You’ve been my best friend through all of this. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

She thought she might have felt his lips against her neck. “Anything for you, Sophie.” His whispered words did not make Sophie uncomfortable—he meant them. He had demonstrated the truth of them over and over, in large ways and small; and it was gradually healing the wound of his betrayal.

Sophie’s apartment in Hilo smelled stale and musty as she opened the door. After the bright colors and luxurious surroundings of the condo on Kaua`i, the bare little place seemed dark and drab. Glancing around the barely furnished rooms, Sophie realized that she hadn’t felt depressed the entire time she’d been on Kaua`i.

In fact, she hadn’t had an episode since she found out she was pregnant.

Maybe something was different with her hormones. Maybe knowing that she had this new, important purpose, despite its many challenges, had changed something.

Ginger nudged Sophie’s dangling hand with her head. Tank, on the other side of her, jostled forward into the apartment. Sophie let go of the dogs’ leashes, and they bounded inside to re-explore this familiar den.

Sophie had arrived on the Big Island only an hour before. She’d said goodbye to Connor at the airport; he’d been continuing on to Oahu to meet with Bix on Security Solutions business.

Sophie was more than ready to resume her life, even filled with all the nerve-wracking changes on the horizon, beginning with reuniting with Jake. She had gone straight to Jake’s apartment, only to find it empty.

She’d texted him: “I’m at your place. Hamilton finally gave the OK on returning. Looking forward to seeing you! Where are you?”

“The office. Up to my eyebrows with a new client. The dogs would welcome an outing.”

Nothing about seeing her. Nothing personal…

Sophie’s belly hollowed with distress—or possible morning sickness, which was still hitting her at random times throughout the day. She took out a strong ginger candy that Connor had bought her for nausea, and sucked on it.

She didn’t have time to mope over Jake and his lack of enthusiasm about getting together. She had to drop her things, take the dogs out, and head to the Big Island Birth Clinic.