The confidence boost was great, even if it was a little wasted, considering she was very much closed for business in that department.She was too busy being Karim’s mother.
And she was happy with that.
Which was just as well, seeing as she wasn’t beating any admirers her own age away with a stick.
Chapter 19
Thenextfourdayswere spent exploring the island, strolling through the forests, and hanging out on the beaches, especially the rock pools, which Karim loved to play in.
Libby couldn’t believe the change in Dan.That grumpy, up-and-down guy from last week had gone.Sure, she could tell he was still working through a lot of stuff.Often, he’d catch his breath, a sign that his legs and hips had caused him a sharp and sudden pain.And then there was that inhale, through gritted teeth, when he was frustrated at his lack of movement, even though he exercised throughout the day.She’d hear him in his room, grunting and puffing out breaths in the early morning.That was his bodyweight workout—as he’d told her in one of their interviews—and those strangled sounds were his stretches and physio.
Libby had quickly learned that Dan had viewed his body like a machine.A high-performance vehicle.And all she had to do to make him talk freely and enthusiastically was to ask him a question about his training regime and techniques.Plyometric drills, power and descending sprint workouts.She was learning a lot from him.
Talking about his accident was still understandably tough for him.And those first months of his recovery were still a tricky subject, too.Sometimes, when he looked out to sea, sadness lingered in his eyes.Were they the times when he thought about what he’d lost?
But he’d then blink away whatever had been running through his mind, and he’d nod, like he’d just come to a decision or conclusion.
Yesterday, when he did it again, her big mouth couldn’t stand it any longer.
“What were you thinking about?”she’d asked.
“My future,” he’d said.
Ah.Part Five.
His tone had been so final that she hadn’t asked any more questions.Instead, she’d mentioned all the good work he could do, inspiring others with motivational videos, giving them titles like “Never Give Up” and “Keep Going.”On a huff, he’d muttered something about her being full of sunshine and rainbows.
Damn straight, she was.
She and Karim—and Dan—were having the best time on Atiu.The locals were friendly, the scenery gorgeous, and tonight was the island dance.The benefit, held at the church hall in the village, would also mark their last evening here.They flew back to Raro tomorrow morning.She was sad about that, but she had lots of happy memories of Atiu—and lots of great content for her website and channel.
And tonight, she couldn’t wait to experience the music, the food, and partying with the people who’d become friends.Pretty much everyone they’d met on the island would be at the dance, including the kids next door—much to Dan’s feigned annoyance.No matter how loudly he huffed, they still wouldn’t leave him alone, this giant of a man who was fun to razz and poke, like a grumpy, harmless bear.
“Let’s go, honey,” she said now to Karim.They were ready to leave for the dance.She reached for the stroller, but Karim shook his head and grabbed Dan’s legs instead.
“Dan-Dan, up high,” he said.
And here was another child who couldn’t leave Dan alone.Karim was loving having a new playmate, and every time they splashed together in the shallow pools or tossed stones or looked for sticks in the undergrowth, those damn butterflies in Libby’s stomach flapped their wings.So much so that they blew away all thoughts of the day when their time together in the Cook Islands would come to an end.
Which was definitely not a thought for party night.
Karim’s cute little giggles had her smiling immediately.In one quick move, Dan had tucked him under his arm and was jiggling him around like a sack of potatoes.When they stepped outside, he lifted a still-giggling Karim onto his shoulders.With butterflies fluttering again and her heart skipping, Libby locked the door, and they headed toward the church.
Tonight was going to be so fun.
“I wonder what we’ll be eating,” she said as they made their way to the church.She’d already given Karim his dinner, but she’d like him to taste whatever she had on her plate.“It’ll probably be grilled pork andrukau—you know, those cooked taro leaves I told you about?That’s what Henry said, anyway.”
“And speak of the devil,” Dan said, nodding toward the church hall entrance.Henry was there, next to a group of older women, looking his and Libby’s way.“He’s already eyeing you up.”
Did she detect a little protective growl in Cranky’s tone?
The women next to Henry caught sight of them approaching too and nudged each other’s elbows with little snickers.
“For god’s sake,” Dan huffed.“This is like being back in the playground.”
“You should be pleased that Henry is being so obvious about his attraction to me,” Libby said.
“Why?”
