While Shane headed to Margie’s to plead his case to the only woman he ever loved, his father remained behind making dozens of calls in an effort to prove his son’s innocence. The sly and resourceful businessman was not about to let the good name of Tanner get dragged through the Maui mud if he could help it, especially now that the hotel brand was doing better than ever.

Shane was nervous as he approached Dani’s front stoop with a giant bouquet of roses in hand. Margie appeared through the screen and opened the door before he could ring the doorbell.

“Shhhhh….come on in. Dani’s still sleeping. I gave her an herbal sedative. She was pretty upset.”

He tiptoed across the threshold and whispered, “Did my father explain what happened Margie? Did you tell Dani? She won’t take my calls.”

“I haven’t had a chance to tell her. She’s been asleep and her phone is at the bottom of the ocean.”

“In the ocean Margie?”

“What can I tell you, she’s got quite a pitching arm.”

Before another word could be spoken, Danielle came walking out of bedroom. “Is someone here Margie?”

She stopped short as soon as she saw Shane standing there with the flowers. She was overcome with a dizzying array of emotions; first and foremost was a sense of relief, but there were also the razor-sharp pangs of betrayal, anger and resentment. She didn’t know whether to cry or punch him in the face.

“Danielle you’re pregnant. I can’t believe it honey. It’s so wonderful.” He walked toward her intending to envelope her in his arms.

“Stop right there Shane. Who do you think you are? You think you can just come waltzing back in here with a bunch of roses and all is forgiven?”

“Danielle, I can explain. I was drugged so someone could take pictures of me with that woman. They left me blacked out face-down on the dock. This whole thing is a setup.”

Margie interjected, “He’s telling the truth. Your father said it was Tony Fong’s wife? That’s incredible…”

“Wait a minute Margie…..Shane’s dad? Fong’s wife? What the hell’s going on?” asked Dani.

“I’ve been doing a bit of detective work while you were sleeping Dani.”

Shane was dying to hear any information that could help him.“What did you find out Margie? Something incriminating I hope?”

“Did I ever. May said her brother was married to Ohana’s cousin, so I got his phone number from her and you won’t believe what he told me. Jon Ohana has been out of the country for weeks. He’s in the damn Philippines! No wonder we couldn’t get a hold of him and his one voice mail message was left in the middle of the night. He certainly wasn’t going to be at any kind of meeting last night. Fong and Ohana set this whole thing up to distract you and take our company out of the running. They knew they couldn’t out-bid us, so they needed to come up with a way to keep you distracted.”

“But why would Jon Ohana do any of this?”

“I’m certain he’s getting a retirement-fund sized kick-back from Fong. Cold hard cash has a way of bending ears, and Fong is known the world over for his backhanded dealing. They just needed a good reason to reject your proposed bid. After the public relations disaster in the papers thismorning, there’s no way Ohana could work with you. A couple dirty pictures and the bad guys win.”

“Jesus Christ Margie. I can’t believe it. That little fucker.”

He went to Dani’s side now, pleading in desperation.

“Danielle, it’s just like I said - I was set up. Fong and his wife drugged me and took pictures while I was out fucking cold. The whole meeting was just a sham. Fong was deliberately trying to ruin my credibility and destroy my reputation.”

Dani’s eyes overflowed with tears as she ran to Shane and threw her arms around him. Ever the efficient secretary, Margie quickly jumped in and relieved him of the roses so the happy couple could embrace without a giant bouquet between them.

After sharing what was probably the longest kiss on record, Danielle looked up at Shane with a deeply humble and apologetic face.

“Shane can you ever forgive me for doubting you? I jumped to the very worst possible conclusions… I should have trusted you.”

“Those photos would make any woman in your position feel the same way. I forgive you, Dani.”

Dani suddenly noticed Shane’s bandaged hand.

“What happened to your beautiful hand?” she said as she kissed it gently.

“It’s a long story……but remind me to call a drywall repair man later.”

Shane knelt down and pressed his ear against Dani’s rounded tummy.

“I don’t hear anything. Are you sure little Danielle or Danny is in there?”

“Oh yes I’m quite sure. My due date is May 18^th.”

They both laughed and Danielle melted into Shane’s arms once again.

“I love you so much Danielle. Don’t you ever doubt it. I’ll never do anything to hurt you.”

“I love you too Shane, and don’t you ever doubt it either.”

They kissed passionately and then Shane swept her completely off her feet and carried her to the living room couch.

“Now you just sit here and rest little mother while I make you some lunch.”

Margie looked at him and shook her head. “I wouldn’t count on that. I’m afraid I haven’t had a chance to go grocery shopping lately. The pantry and fridge are pretty bare.”

“Never fear. You ladies sit tight,” he said as he headed out the door. “I’ll just pop over to the market around the corner.”

“But what about the papers? What about Fong and his wife and the land deal and…”

“Don’t you worry about any of that. Wheels are already turning. As a businessman, you need to know when to tackle a problem head-on, and when to delegate the responsibility. Right now, you are my only priority,” Shane said as he headed out the door.

“Wow that man of yours is something else Danielle.” Margie came over to her on the sofa and stroked her hair.”

“He sure is,” agreed Dani. “But one thing still bothers me.”

“What’s that?”

“Shane was victimized. I ever get my hands on the little bitch who did this so help me I’ll pull her fucking hair out of her fucking head.”

“I’ll hold her down for you,” Margie replied, laughing.

A short time later Shane returned from the store with dozens of bags of food and he ended up spending the entire afternoon barbecuing in the backyard of the little house. Auntie May came over with a big bowl of her homemade macadamia nut ice cream and Daisy in tow. Shane cooked up a whole package of hot dogs just for Daisy and they quickly became best buddies. He also thanked May profusely for her help in exposing Ohana’s deceit.

“Hey I told you he was a greedy slime-bag,” she said matter-of-factly.

In the midst of their celebration a big booming voice sounded from the side of the house.

“Is everybody back here? I smell barbecue!”

Grant Tanner appeared from around the corner and strolled over to the little group on the patio.

“I see things went swimmingly son. I told you if you got cleaned up she’d take you back.”

“You were right dad. Everything’s great.” And for the first time in a very long time, the two Tanner men hugged each other.

Then the old man surveyed the little group in search of the woman he’d heard only great things about.

“And there she is at last - Danielle Kane. The one and only love of my son’s life and the mother of my little grandbaby. Come over here and let me look at you and give you a hug.”

Dani came out from behind the table and gave her future father-in-law a giant hug. As they began to chat, Shane abruptly interrupted them.

“I’m sorry you two. I know you have lots of catching up to do but I can’t wait that long. What was the results?”

“I did.” His father looked extremely pleased with himself as he brought forth an important looking piece of folded paper from the breast pocket of his jacket. “This is the chemical report from the lab. I had that residue sample tested and it came back showing all kinds of goodies.” He handed the analysis to his son.

Shane quickly perused the report.

“Valium…. Demerol….. and Curare? I know Valium’s a sedative and Demerol’s a pain killer but what the hell is Curare?”

“The lab said it’s a very rare and potent poison usually applied to the tips of blow gun darts. The native people of South America use it to paralyze their prey. It’s potentially lethal and one hundred percent illegal in the United States. Fong obviously used it to put you out for the evening.”

“Are you fucking kidding?! They could have killed me!”

Daniel immediately enveloped him in her arms. “Oh my god Shane. They knocked you out and paralyzed you? All for a piece of land?”

Auntie May interjected a quick reminder to the group, “Not just any land; Hawaiian land. I don’t think I have to tell you how protective we are of our islands. The Hawaiian people favoring Tanner development over Asian-Pacific was a real threat to Fong.

Margaret spoke up. “I only have one question. Where did you find a sample of Fong’s drugged sake?”

“I spilled a glass of it down the leg of my pants. I guess you could say I brought it home in my pocket.”

The two Tanners laughed.