Chapter Twelve

She’d actually made it. Outside the plane window, the bluest water she’d ever seen grew closer and closer. “The water is so clear,” she said to Drew, who’d finally woken up again. While she’d nodded off during the flight from Boston to Salt Lake City, she’d been unable to close her eyes since the plane took off again. Drew, though, had been asleep for the past hour next to her.

“Wait until you go in. It’s the perfect temperature. Nothing like the beaches near home.”

While New England had its share of beautiful beaches, the water remained on the chillier side even during July and August, especially the further north you traveled. When she’d been a kid, she hadn’t minded the cooler water. On her last visit to Hampton Beach, she’d lasted in the water ten minutes before retreating to her beach towel. Now if she did any swimming, it was in her backyard pool.

Kelsey watched as the runway approached. With a slight thud, the plane’s wheels touched down. Giddiness danced through her, and despite the fasten seat belt sign still being on, she unclipped the belt.

“Welcome to paradise, sweetheart.” Drew leaned across the armrest and kissed her cheek.

The plane moved at a snail’s pace toward the jet bridge. Around them, other passengers unbuckled their seat belts and grabbed the bags they’d stowed under the seats in front of them. When the plane finally reached the jet bridge and stopped, people popped up and started retrieving their carry-ons from the overhead compartments. After over six hours stuck in an airplane seat, everyone was anxious to get off and stretch his or her legs.

In addition to having more legroom and a full meal, first class had another perk: getting off the plane sooner. Kelsey and Drew were the second couple off the plane. Unlike the terminals they’d passed though first in Boston and then in Salt Lake City, the one she stood in now looked like it hadn’t been updated since the airport was first built.

Who cares, I’m not staying at the airport.

“We want to go this way.” Drew pointed to a set of glass doors. She could see a beautiful clear sky on the other side.

“What about our bags?” At Logan airport, baggage claim was downstairs. Depending on which gate you landed at, you had a nice little walk through the airport to reach it.

He put an arm over her shoulders, anchoring her against him. “Bag claim is this way.”

She let him lead the way. As they stepped outside, warm air wrapped around her, the complete opposite of the fresh air she’d walked though in North Salem. This morning when they left for the airport, the temperature had been a chilly twenty-seven degrees. Pausing in the middle of the bridge connecting one segment of the airport to another, she took in a deep breath. “It smells different here. Not bad or anything, just different than at home.” She couldn’t explain how exactly, but she knew it was true.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed the same thing. Must be the different vegetation here. I’ve seen trees and plants here that I’ve never seen anywhere else.”

They crossed into a building again, and Drew made a beeline for one of the gift shops. “You can’t come to Hawaii and not get a lei. Wait here.”

Although several fake flower leis as well as ones made out of nuts hung inside the store, Drew passed by them all. When he returned, he draped a single strand of fresh white and purple orchids around her neck. “Aloha.”

Even the airport’s baggage claim looked in need of an update. Somehow though, it managed to run smoothly, and soon they were leaving the parking garage in the convertible Drew rented.

She’d been blown away when she checked out the Sherbrooke Hawaiian Village Resort on the Internet. In addition to the three buildings that contained guest rooms and suites, it had five pools and countless restaurants and gift shops. Depending on the day, guests could sign up for morning yoga, hula lessons, or tai chi. Those guests who didn’t mind dishing out more money could take surf, paddle board, or scuba lessons. Thursday night the hotel hosted a fireworks display over the beach. The resort even had over seventy species of exotic birds, fish, and turtles on display. It really seemed like there wasn’t anything the hotel didn’t offer its guests.

The pictures she’d seen didn’t do the place justice. She tried not gape when they stopped at the outdoor reception desk and checked in. She thought she managed it. At least until they walked past the first alcove housing a brightly colored macaw named Captain. A few feet away, they passed a gorgeous parrot named Red before turning a corner and passing by a koi pond.

“We’re in this tower.”

“I’ve never seen any place like this.” She kept her voice low, hoping only Drew and not the two hotel employees behind the desk heard her.

“Wait until you see our view. I requested the Queen Emma suite. It’s my favorite here.”

She knew at one time a royal family had ruled the island. Emma didn’t sound like a traditional Hawaiian name. It sounded more like a name the royals in England would use. “Hawaii had a queen named Emma?”

Drew released her hand long enough to press the button for the elevator. “I guess. I’ve seen at least one street named after her, and a medical clinic.”

Why, she couldn’t explain, but the idea of a Hawaiian queen named Emma fascinated her. When they got home, she’d have to look it up and learn more.

“Our home for the next week.” He pushed open one of the double doors.

The summer following eighth grade, she’d traveled to Aruba with her parents and brother. It’d been the last big trip they’d gone on as a whole family. Perhaps knowing Ian wouldn’t want to travel with them anymore, Mom and Dad went all out. Rather than book two small hotel rooms, they’d gotten a large family suite. It’d had a small sitting area with a pull-out sofa, a partial kitchen, and two bedrooms. In contrast, the Queen Emma suite resembled one of those luxury apartments featured in movies.

A large living room furnished with an L-shaped sofa as well as a breakfast table opened out onto a balcony. Two closed doors led off the living room. She passed through the living room and opened one of the three glass sliders leading onto the balcony. Down below stretched Waikiki beach and the Pacific Ocean.

“You were right. This view is spectacular.”

“It’s why I like staying in this tower. You get a better view from down on the beach, but if you look to the left, you can see Diamond Head. And over there is the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.” He pointed toward the lagoon surrounded by sand. Kelsey could see people on paddleboards and water bikes enjoying the calm, clear water.

“You’ve probably done it before, but I’d like to visit Diamond Head while we are here. Pearl Harbor too.”

“I’ve been, but I don’t mind going back.”

Housekeeping had left orchids on the table inside. She’d seen him grab one on their way out. Now he tucked it behind her ear.

“I made reservations for a luau one night, but nothing else. This vacation is for you. We can take surf lessons, go for a helicopter tour, lounge by the pool, and drink fruity drinks.”

“Sipping fruity drinks by the pool is appealing.” As was everything else he listed; unfortunately, they only had a week there.

“We could go hiking. Get married. You name it, and we’ll do it while we’re here.”

Get married? Kelsey had excellent hearing, and he’d definitely added getting married to his list of activities, right along with hiking. Was he serious or trying to get a reaction from her? There was only one way to find out.

Sometime during the flight from Boston to Salt Lake City, he’d decided to propose the first chance he got. The sooner he did it, the sooner he’d have an answer. So, during their layover, while she’d gone to use the restroom, he’d removed the engagement ring from his carry-on bag and stuck it in his pocket. It stayed there for the rest of the trip. Since they were discussing ways to spend their vacation and he hoped they made a trip to the wedding chapel before they left, he added getting married to his list of proposed activities.

Reaching into his pocket, he touched the jewelry box. One word from Kelsey and he’d give it to her.

“I just have to say the word, and we’ll do it?” She eyed him suspiciously, as if trying to decide whether or not she’d heard him correctly. He could understand her doubt. Most men didn’t put getting married and hiking in the same sentence. He wasn’t most men, and theirs wasn’t your everyday relationship.

He nodded.

“You listed a lot of options.” She backed away from the railing and sat down. “And we’re only here a week.”

Perspiration slipped down his spine. Damn, does she think I’m joking? So much for being clever. “This time. We’ll come back soon and make it a longer stay.”

She tapped her fingers against her chin. “In that case, let’s lounge by the pool with some fruity drinks.”

He sucked in a deep breath and prepared to give her a proper proposal.

“And get married. Or maybe we should get married first and then sit by the pool. Either way, a helicopter tour and some scuba diving can be on our to-do list for next time.”

She didn’t think he was serious, and now she was waiting for his reaction. He could tell. Drew took the box from his pocket and opened it. “If we’re getting married this week, you’ll need this.” He held the box toward her.

Her lips formed a perfect circle. Kelsey looked back and forth from the ring to him. She never reached for the jewelry box. “You’re serious?”

Did she think he presented engagement rings to women every day? “One hundred percent.” He removed the ring from the box and took her hand. “I want to marry you. I called the chapel here at the resort before we left. They can perform the ceremony this week. When we get home, we can celebrate with our family and friends.” She hadn’t agreed, but he slipped the ring on her finger anyway. “But if you’d rather wait and have a traditional ceremony, we can.”

Kelsey shook her head. How should he interpret her reaction?

“I don’t want to wait. Let’s get married while we’re here.”

Relief exploded inside him. He’d accomplished his goal. In a week when they returned to North Salem, they’d be husband and wife. Kelsey would be able to follow her dreams, and he’d kept his promise to Ian.

“Before we do anything else today, let me call the chapel and see when we can come in.” Drew went inside to find the number. When he came back out, Kelsey was admiring the ring on her finger. “Do you like it?” He’d opted for a superior quality diamond but a simple setting. The little jewelry Kelsey did wear wasn’t showy. She wouldn’t want a huge rock that screamed look at me.

“It’s perfect. One I would’ve picked out for myself.” She gave him the most dazzling smile. “You know me well.”

“Well enough to know you’re going to hate what I’m about to suggest.” He’d bought the engagement ring, but no wedding bands. They’d have to go shopping for those before the ceremony.

“We need to go shopping for wedding rings, and maybe a dress.” He’d seen what she’d packed. The suitcase only contained shorts and T-shirts. Not even Kelsey would want to get married dressed so casually.

Her smile dimmed a little, but she nodded in agreement. “Shorts and a tank top won’t do. I guess I have to make another trip to a mall.”

Drew dialed the chapel’s phone number. “There’s a nice one over on Ala Moana Boulevard. It’s close enough to walk to. After I make this phone call, we can head over and get it over with.”

***

He sat on the sideline dressed in his North Salem High School football uniform. Out on the field, Coach Striker ran the players through drills. When the coach blew his whistle, both the players and Coach Striker vanished, and only Ian remained. He jogged across the field and joined Drew.

“Thanks for taking care of her,” Ian said. “I knew I could count on you.”

Before his eyes, Ian’s football uniform changed into a hospital gown.

“I promised you I would.”

Ian grew pale, and pain filled his face. “But you don’t have to marry her.”

“Yeah, I do.”

The image of Ian disappeared, replaced with one of Kelsey. Tears filled her eyes, and she stood with her arms crossed. “Why?” Anger and pain filled her voice. “Why do you have to?”

Drew’s eyes flew open. His heart raced. Reaching over, he touched Kelsey. She was still next to him, sleeping.

Dream, it was only a dream. However, in it he hadn’t lied to Ian. He did have to marry her.

His conversation with Ian wasn’t the part of the dream bothering him. Kelsey’s questions in it did. Thankfully, outside of his dream, she would never question his reasons for marrying her. Unlike in his nightmare, she’d never have any reason to. He’d make sure of it. Just like he’d make sure she never learned about the deal he’d made with Jack regarding Bancroft Automotive, and the promise he’d made to Ian. If the truth ever came out, he might very well lose Kelsey forever. He couldn’t lose her.

Drew pressed his body against her back and held her tight. He loved her, and not simply as a friend or Ian’s little sister. Maybe he always had and he’d just been too chicken to admit it. Perhaps if she’d shared her true feelings sooner, they would’ve gotten together before Ian passed away. He’d never know, and it didn’t matter anymore. In a few days, they’d be married.