Wyatt’s eyes opened, but his room appeared fuzzy. His tongue also felt fuzzy. “Margaritas,” he moaned. He struggled to a sitting position. The movement made his head pound, and he was tempted to go back to sleep. However, Wyatt knew that some dolphins were waiting for him. So, with every bit of strength and endurance he had left, Wyatt hobbled to his bathroom to get ready for the day.
The mirror was not kind. I can’t possibly look that bad, Wyatt assured himself. His hair was a wild mess. “It’s like I’m wearing one of Tina Turner’s wigs,” he commented to his empty bathroom. Dark circles announced that his eyes were still there, somewhere. His tanned skin was a scary, ash grey. “Corpse,” he accused his reflection.
Swallowing a couple of aspirin and a glass of water, he remembered what got him to this state. He groaned again. “Janie,” he whispered. He was filled with both regret and longing.
He had tried to stay away from her, tried to consistently remind himself that she was the enemy, but his hormones completely betrayed him. The attraction was stronger than his will power. “I’m a teenager, again,” he observed as he drew near to the lagoon. Their kiss was nuclear, he thought. It certainly was like no kiss he had ever experienced before. It made him dizzy, so much so that he thought he would fall over when he broke it off.
And boy was it hard to break it off. If he hadn’t, it wouldn’t have ended until she was in his bed. “Would that be so bad?” he asked the dark lagoon. The sun was getting ready to rise, and his lagoon beckoned. “She must think I’m a jerk,” he thought, regretfully. What kind of jerk rejects such a beautiful, perfect woman? What must she think of him kissing her and then pushing her away? Even if he wanted to start something with her, she must think he’s a total loser.
Swimming with his beloved dolphins, Wyatt knew that he had been right to cut off the kiss. He couldn’t let his guard down now that he was so close to having them rehabilitated and freed. Just another year. He could accomplish it in a year if given half a chance, and he couldn’t let his attraction to Janie risk what he had worked so hard to achieve.
Janie got out the Kona stash from the freezer and poured a heavy-duty dose in the coffee machine. She had already downed two aspirin and about a quart of water, but she would need the thick brew to get her body moving today.
It wasn’t just the margaritas that had affected her. Nor was it the lack of a good night’s sleep. Her emotions were tying her in knots, even debilitating her. Wyatt’s unfathomable rejection of her had her disoriented. Their kiss was off the charts wonderful. Janie couldn’t have read the situation wrongly, she assured herself. There was no way that Wyatt couldn’t have felt the same electricity she felt during their kiss. “That kiss was off the charts,” she pointed out to her mug of coffee.
“What?” Wyatt entered the room, unexpectedly. Janie jumped and almost spilled her coffee.
“Oh! Uh, nothing. I was just muttering to myself. You know, margaritas.” Janie pointed to her head to illustrate her point.
“Right,” mumbled Wyatt, unwilling to talk about the margaritas or what happened after them. “Yowza, that’s some potent coffee you made,” he said, taking another sip.
“Yes, strong enough to make your hair stick up,” Janie teased, eyeing his wild tresses.
Wyatt self-consciously smoothed out his hair. “Sorry about that.” Janie waited for some sign from him, something to tell her what was really in his heart. But Wyatt closed off that vital organ to her, and she wondered what could ever grow between them. Luckily their conversation was interrupted with a slam of the screen door.
“Hail the conquering hero,” bellowed Miles. “Let’s hear it for the princess of surfing!” Miles stopped dead when he saw Janie and Miles standing close to each other at the counter. Obviously, he thought he interrupted something important. He coughed, uncharacteristically at a loss for words.
“No autographs, please.” Sam entered, obviously over the previous evening and in a great mood.
Janie and Wyatt recovered from their surprise and started to hoot and applaud like crazed fans.
“Thank you. Thank you.” Sam bowed dramatically. Wyatt rushed to her and embraced her. All was smoothed over, and their bond was renewed in a simple, silent gesture. Janie was touched at their loving relationship and realized with horror that tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. Surreptitiously, she dabbed at her eyes before they gave her away.
Miles grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table. “Gee, Wyatt. It doesn’t look like you had a great night’s sleep. Something bothering you?” He punctuated his sentence with a meaningful glance at Janie. She felt herself go white with total embarrassment.
Wyatt recovered quickly. “Well, I didn’t spend the night at a five-star resort, like some lucky people. Remember, I have to work for a living.”
“Touché,” Miles said, taking another sip of coffee. “Wow, this is some potent coffee,” he muttered.
“You supposedly work for a living too,” Wyatt said pointedly to Janie. “So, let’s get out there. I have lots of work to do, and if you want to evaluate, you can’t do it from in here.”
The morning was long, longer than normal for Wyatt. He wasn’t his sharpest. In fact, if anyone asked him, he would have to admit that he was completely distracted and unfocused. He didn’t know if Janie noticed, but the dolphins sure did. Jethro was so impatient with Wyatt this morning that he even gave him a bump and a little nip. Wyatt got the message and got out of the lagoon. Since then, he let Janie do more, the most responsibility he had given her since she arrived.
Wyatt sat on the dock, attempting to write reports, but again, he was distracted. He watched Janie interact. She was a natural. As much as he would like to, he couldn’t deny that fact. She instinctively tried to get Cindy to interact with a big female. Cindy’s acceptance would smooth her way to an easier life once they were freed. How could someone who seemingly cared for dolphins and was so talented with them, work for those who were going to see them used again? Wyatt ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
“She’s a natural.” Wyatt jumped in surprise at the sound of Miles’s voice. He didn’t hear him approach, but here he was standing over him. “A natural with your dolphins,” Miles continued.
“You think so, Dr. Miles?” Wyatt challenged.
“Well, true, I don’t know anything about it. They look like a bunch of big fishes to me, but I do know that she’s a natural here with the town, with your family, your daughter, and with you.”
“It’s complicated,” Wyatt explained. He felt defeat wash over him.
Miles put his arm around Wyatt. “It always is, son. It is always is. Let’s go to lunch.”
Janie was happy for her lunch break at Keiko’s. She slumped down in her chair, a new kind of exhaustion weighing heavily on her. She thought of Wyatt all morning, and she couldn’t resolve the problems in her mind.
“Rough night?” asked James, taking a seat next to her. Always light-hearted and childlike in his surfing outfits, Janie loved James’s company.
“Not too bad,” she lied. “How are you James? What are you up to?”
“Oh, about 6-foot-2,” he joked. “I’ve been re-designing a website. That’s what I do, you know. You probably pictured me as a banker or something.”
Janie giggled. Laughing did her a lot of good, and she felt her mood lifting. James was kind of the anti-Wyatt, totally different. Unlike Wyatt’s sullen moods and erratic temper, James always seemed even-keel and happy. She wondered why she couldn’t be attracted to James instead of Wyatt. It would save her a lot of heartbreak.
“No, you’re right. I didn’t picture you as a banker. Tell me about designing websites. It sounds fascinating”
“Well, I do it at home, which looks a lot like Keiko’s with a similar view.” James swept his hand around to illustrate the view. Janie looked around. Wyatt was in deep conversation with Keiko at the counter. Sam was watching Miles and his friends play backgammon. The view was its normal, spectacular self: Bright sunshine, aquamarine water as far as the eye could see, sand, and lush paradise. Janie sighed involuntarily. It was paradise.
“Do you like working at home?” Janie asked.
“Oh, yes.” James smiled. “Then, I can spend quality time with my favorite person: myself.’
“Oh, really?” Janie asked. “You strike me as someone who always has a woman on his arm.”
“Me? Oh, no. Morgan’s the player in the family. Not me. I’m waiting for the perfect woman to knock on my door.”
“Morgan?” Janie was surprised at the description of Morgan, who seemed like such a kind, serious man. It was hard for him to believe that he was a ladies man. “But he seems so…”
“Responsible?” James finished for her. She nodded. “Yes, he’s very responsible. Even though Wyatt’s the oldest, and Morgan is number three in the lineup, he acts as if he’s head of our family. Also, he runs the top resort on the island. And the suit makes him seem real grownup, I know. But he’s a player for sure. He’s out most nights with a new woman.”
“And you’re the serious one,” Janie asked, fascinated, now about the personalities of the Templeton men.
“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘serious’ is the right word, but I’m more monogamous than most. That is, except for Doc and Wyatt, of course.”
At the mention of Wyatt’s name, Janie ears pricked up, and she wanted to get more information, but their conversation was interrupted by Keiko, who brought their lunches. Wyatt and Sam took their seats next to James and Janie.
“Tofu stir fry,” Keiko announced. “Very good to eliminate the effects of luaus and other things,” she added with a grin. Janie stared fixedly at her meal, afraid that Keiko could read everything in her face and know exactly what the “other things” were between Wyatt and Janie. She looked dubiously at her meal. She had never tried tofu before and heard that it was tasteless with a spongy texture. Janie moved her meal around the plate with her fork.
“Very, very good, Janie. I’m never wrong about what people should eat,” Keiko assured her. Janie ate a forkful at Keiko’s urging. She prepared for the worst, but it was delicious. Keiko had infused the meal with a myriad of bold tastes, and for the first time that day, Janie felt herself waking up. “I think you young people call it detoxing,” Keiko mused. “Maybe I will call it ‘Detox Stir Fry.’”
“It’s very yummy,” Janie told her truthfully.
“Such a good girl. You’re fitting in so well,” Keiko declared, beaming. “It’s like you are a native. You go to luaus, swim with Wyatt’s dolphins, be a mother to Sam, and eat Keiko’s stir fry,” she ended triumphantly. “You are part of my family now for sure. Maybe I’ll put your name on this chair.” Keiko looked at the chair doubtfully.
Janie and James exchanged glances. She decided to take her cue from his silence. Sam also seemed to know better to not to say anything. However, Keiko was not finished.
“Don’t you think Janie fits into our beautiful Kunolei, Wyatt? Don’t you think she is perfect for our family, Wyatt?”
Everyone at the table stopped eating, their forks suspended in mid-air, as if they had become frozen, there. If they were thinking the same thing Janie was, they were waiting for Wyatt’s response.
But Wyatt disappointed them all. He grunted and mumbled something about having to go back to work and quickly stumbled out of Keiko’s.
Keiko watched him leave and then took his seat. “Hmm,” she said, thinking hard. “Very interesting,” she said to no one in particular.
“Please pass the salt,” James said, nonchalantly.
“I think you are fitting in,” Sam said, meekly.
“Thank you, Sam,” Janie said, tapping Sam’s arm. “This lunch really is delicious, Keiko,” declared Janie, changing the subject.
“Sweet Sam,” Keiko said. “I have a wonderful idea. Since Wyatt is grumpier than normal, how about taking a break from Mr. Grumpy and spend the day and the night at my house? You haven’t been over in a long time. We all miss you, you know.”
Sam’s face lifted, and her eyes brightened in joy and anticipation. “Thanks, Keiko! That sounds great!” She jumped up and gave Keiko a hug, disappearing into the big woman’s embrace.
“I’ll tell Leila and Mililani to stay over, too. It will be so much for me. I’ll have you do my nails and tell ghost stories,” she added with glee.
“Sounds like a slumber party for you more than the girls,” James teased.
“Of course,” Keiko answered, excited about the evening. “I love these beautiful girls. They make it so much fun for me.”
“I know how to make it more fun,” commented Miles from across the restaurant, as he moved a backgammon piece. “You should have me over for the night. I’m a lot of fun,” he said nonchalantly, trying to get a rise out of Keiko.
Surprisingly, Keiko turned a deep shade of pink. “I might have an extra bed, Miles,” she said in a voice Janie hadn’t heard her use before. She sounded more like Sam than her normal self. To top it off, Janie could have sworn that Keiko batted her eyes while she offered the invitation.
As the word “bed” left Keiko’s lips, Miles seemed to have some sort of seizure. His arm appeared to jump up and flail around on its own. It hit the backgammon set with a surprising force, sending it flying high into the air. The pieces went everywhere, scattering the floor, tables, and various unfortunate diners’ lunches with little brown and white round playing pieces. The board found itself lying miraculously unharmed on the counter. Miles and his backgammon buddies – all in their 70s and 80s – instantly fell to their knees in total shock and horror and quickly set about gathering up the pieces of their beloved game.
The mishap broke whatever moment transpired between Keiko and Miles.
Miles’s dash around the floor held no interest for Keiko, who instead looked around her restaurant, seemingly distracted. Suddenly she called out to one of her patrons. “John-John! John-John!” The man turned from his meal.
“How’s it?” he asked in typical Hawaiian fashion.
“You are taking Sam to my house, and pick up Leila and Mililani, too. They’re spending the night.” John-John looked longingly at his plate and back again as Keiko. He chose the path of least resistance. “okay, Auntie Keiko.” He grabbed his car keys, and Sam followed him out after waving happily to Janie and James.
“There,” Keiko said, obviously very happy with herself.
“I sense some scheming going on,” James said pushing back his now empty plate.
“I smell something burning.” Keiko jumped up and ran back to her kitchen.
“What did you mean by scheming?” Janie asked.
“Nothing, really,” James said. “I suppose you need a ride home. I happen to have a car. May I take you back?”
Janie decided to let the matter drop and accepted the ride and the company, gladly.
Wyatt felt the ocean breeze wash over him. It was cooler now, as the sun began its journey downwards. He sat on the sand and looked out at the ocean that had become such a great friend to him. The solitude – just him, the wind, and the ocean – centered his mind. He needed as much help as he could get. What a day.
He felt himself being pushed and pulled by everyone in Kunolei. Usually, those closest to him knew better than to try and manipulate him. He had always been a man of his own mind. He set a path for himself, and he followed it. Nevertheless, since Janie arrived, everyone was trying to dictate to him how he should act.
Who was he kidding? They were only telling him what he already knew. Wyatt and Janie seemed made for each other. There was no denying the explosive chemistry that existed between them. Just the sight of Janie made Wyatt’s groin tighten. When they touched – no matter how innocently – he felt like he was consumed by fire. His memories of their kiss had tortured him. He regretted his actions, and yet, he was desperate for more.
Wyatt recalled that morning standing in the kitchen with Janie, as they shared their morning coffee. He had been distracted by her long auburn hair, now bleached blonde by the long days in the sun. It was thick and soft and fell in a wave to just above her waist. He remembered clutching it as he had kissed her deeply, and this morning it was all he could do to stop himself from running his fingers through it.
The repression of all he felt and needed was having its effect on Wyatt. He couldn’t blame how he felt today solely on the aftermath of a few margaritas. A regular hangover was over in a few hours. Today, all day, he felt like he had the day he had gotten stung by a jellyfish while diving off the coast. His leg had swelled up, and he had a terrible allergic reaction, unable to reach a doctor until the end of the day. He felt miserable, wanted someone to shoot him to put him out of his misery.
Today was a lot like that except there was no doctor for what illed him. Wyatt, however, was willing to wait it out. Janie wouldn’t be there forever, and then he could get on with his life and work. That is, if he could stop them from canceling his project. For the time being, he would keep himself in check and treat her indifferently.
Janie walked along beach, hoping that the night air would clear her head. It was a strange day, from which she couldn’t recover. She had finally decided once and for all to forget all about Wyatt in any way except professionally.
Her attraction for Wyatt was almost unbearably strong. More than that, her feelings for him had grown serious in a short period of time. Jane found both his loving paternal side and his caring marine biologist side irresistible. It was easy to see what a tender and devoted person he was to his daughter, his family, and the animals that Janie had grown to care for, as well. However, it was his cantankerous personality that truly endeared her to him. It was obviously a personality that he had cultivated after years of being a big brother, the head of a family, a single dad, and the top scientist in his field.
Yes, Wyatt was a fascinating and appealing man who Janie desperately wanted to know better. However, their romantic relationship was a disaster. Even though Wyatt seemed attracted to her and even initiated a kiss, he rejected her and was downright rude at times. Did he want to remain purely professional? Did he not like their kiss? Was he just a jerk?
Janie stopped in her tracks. She realized with horror that Wyatt was sitting not 10 feet in front of her. Luckily, he hadn’t seen her, as he was facing the other way. Silently, Janie turned and skulked away.
“You don’t want to share the Hawaiian hospitality with me tonight?” Wyatt asked from behind her.
Janie closed her eyes and fought the urge to run. She turned slowly towards him. “Oh, Wyatt, I didn’t see you,” she lied badly. It even rang false to her own ears. Wyatt graciously didn’t call her on it.
“Sometime I blend in with the scenery. Would you like to sit with me? It’s an exceptionally beautiful sunset tonight.” It was. Orange and pinks battled with each other in a swirl of magnificent color.
“How can I resist?” Janie sat gingerly near Wyatt, careful not to get too close.
“I have to thank you for this.” Wyatt pointed at the sunset.
“For the sunset? As much as I would like to, I don’t think I can take credit for it.”
“No, but you can take credit for opening my eyes to it, again. I was taking it for granted.”
“Forgetting to smell the flowers?”
“Yes,” Wyatt turned towards her, and she felt his breath on her cheek. “Flowers are next on my list. Soon I’ll become a real sensitive guy.”
“Will wonders never cease,” Janie remarked.
They sat for a moment in contented silence. Janie allowed her senses to enjoy her surroundings: the beauty of the sunset and the water; the feel of the breeze on her face and through her hair; the cool sand between her toes; Wyatt’s warmth next to her; the smell of the salty air; the perfume of island flowers and Wyatt’s musk. She sighed, involuntarily.
At the sound, Wyatt turned to her, questioningly. “Lovely,” she said in explanation.
“Indeed,” he replied, looking intently into her eyes. They stayed that way for a while. Janie watched Wyatt study her features. She became conscious that she enjoyed watching him appreciate her. She allowed him to look long and hard. She wondered what he was thinking. Was he marveling at the straightness of her nose, the pink in her cheeks, the golden flecks in her green eyes? Was he thinking that her ears were too big, her hair too unruly? Whatever he noticed and whether he liked it or not, as he regarded her, his mouth softened, and his eyes melted into large chocolate pools.
Janie realized with great satisfaction that she felt perfectly content. She turned and rested her head on her folded arms, which laid on her knees. She looked out at the surf, studying the waves as they rolled lazily towards the shore.
She broke her gaze to glance at Wyatt. His attention was directed at the sunset. Like Janie, he sat with his arms resting on his knees, but his back was ram-rod straight, and his head stared straight ahead. He was wearing shorts and a plain, white t-shirt. The shirt sleeves ended midway across his biceps, which bulged fascinatingly, stretching the fabric. His shoulders were wide and thick, and she wondered at the hills and valleys of them and how they would feel if she could trace them with her fingers. She marveled at his body which seemed so much like the man, himself: hard and unyielding with brief interludes of softness.
Janie settled her attention on the muscle that rose towards his neck. She wondered at a man who needed such a muscle to support his head. Janie found her hand reach for the muscle there. It must have a name, she thought insanely, her mouth dry now and her body as soft and welcoming as Wyatt’s must be hard and impenetrable. As her fingers rested gently on the hard spot that fascinated her so, Wyatt turned back towards Janie.
“Your muscle,” she explained in a whisper. She felt her body draw closer to him, felt herself react, her breasts become heavy and sensitive, felt her skin tingle with the need for him.
Janie’s hand traveled up Wyatt’s neck to cup his face and then her hands found his hair, enjoying the thick, soft texture between her fingers. Wyatt closed his eyes and swallowed loudly.
He moved onto his knees and turned towards her. He let her touch him, as she had allowed him to watch her. Her hands traveled down his arms until they were nestled in his larger, rough hands.
Their eyes locked, and Wyatt took this as his cue. Slowly, he took her into his arms. She rose on her knees to meet him and to allow him to bring her body against his. Janie felt totally enveloped, his strong arms held her up, as she pressed against his hard chest.
Wyatt bowed his head and ever so gently swept his lips against hers. Then, just as gently, he tasted her, parting her lips. Their tongues met and danced in long undulating movements.
His mouth took possession of hers in the way she was prepared for him to possess her completely. Kisses followed kisses until they became one, sweeping Janie to dizzying heights, her head swirling.
After long moments, after their kiss said everything it was supposed to say, their heads fell to rest on each other’s shoulders, as if each needed the other to hold the other up. They stayed in that embrace as the sun finished setting. Then, they reluctantly resumed their positions on the sand.
“The sunset,” Wyatt began. “I’m sorry.”
Sorry. Wyatt was sorry again that they had shared an intimate moment. This time Janie did not have the urge to run. The feeling of contentment and bliss stayed with her despite the sudden rejection of Wyatt’s emotions. “Sunset,” she agreed, lying once again, helping him to blame the romantic atmosphere for their kiss.
She stretched her legs across the sand, feeling the granules rub against her skin. She felt more alive than she had in years, and if that was all Wyatt could give her, then, that was fine, she thought surprising herself. There was nothing more than this, he seemed to say, and Janie decided to accept it and move on.
“I’m going to get cleaned up,” she announced and began her walk towards the house. Janie felt Wyatt’s stare follow her as she made her way across the sand and then up the walkway. He was a part of her now, she mused. And that wasn’t half bad.