Chapter One
Amy couldn’t believe she was in paradise.The terrace restaurant attached to the hotel had a beach view to die for.She could almost envision the Polynesian beauty rising from the crashing waves in the opening scene from the TV showHawaii Five-0.
Even more remarkable was that, any minute now, she would be standing face-to-face with her big brother.She could remember the day almost twenty years ago when she’d been ripped from his side.Though her adoptive family, the Pratts, were fantastic parents who had loved and nurtured her and given her a picture perfect life and a baby brother, she’d never forgotten her Doggie.Her phone pinged.Another text.Doug had his bag in hand.Excitement zinged in her for the umpteenth time.
“Is everything fine?Would you like a refill?”the waiter asked.
“Yes, please.”The fresh-squeezed lemonade was a treat.She’d ordered lunch but now realized she was too excited to eat.
The first time Doug had called her, she’d nearly screamed his ear off.The dream of her lifetime had finally come true.It took all the self-discipline she had not to say,to heck with her MBA classes, and catch the first flight to Kona to see her big brother in person, but Doug had refused to allow her to ditch her classes or to delay her degree.Instead they spoke often, catching up on the details of each other’s lives.She knew, by the shift in his voice from time to time, that he’d been holding something back, but she wanted to know every little thing about every single second she’d missed not growing up with her big brother.
Unfortunately stealing even a long weekend to slip away had proven nearly impossible for Amy.Reality had been an irritating pain in the rear.When Doug told Amy that he and his wife Emily, could carve out a few days for a short visit to San Francisco, Amy’s roommate Carrie had announced a change in her wedding plans.Carrie and Bryce, her fiancé, had decided to ditch the huge wedding her mom had been organizing, along with all the headaches.The new plan—a smaller, more intimate affair in a tropical oasis at the first available date for all the roommates to escape to—just happened to be the same weekend Doug and Amy had scheduled their visit.
Reality really had a nasty sense of humor.
Amy’s other roommate Linda had been the one to come up with the solution, and it took little persuading to convince Carrie, the bride-to-be, that Hawaii was the perfect wedding venue.The appeal of Waikiki and Diamond Head was enough of a draw for Carrie and Bryce.So now, arriving a couple of days ahead of the rest of the bridal party, Amy sat anxiously waiting for Doug to drive in from the airport.
“So this is paradise.”
Ray Varner handed his rental car key to the valet and, grabbing his sister’s suitcase as well as his own, stared in wonder at the palm trees, the beach, the ocean nearly close enough to touch.The almost-winter sun warmed his bare forearms like June in Oklahoma.If this wasn’t paradise, it was darn close.
Apparently oblivious to the splendor, Tish texted on her phone.“Courtney’s coming down to the lobby to meet us,” she shoved the phone into the pocket of her white pants.
Courtney.The bride, if he remembered correctly.Waving away the bellman’s help, Ray wheeled the bags through the glass doors of the imposing hotel and barely avoided colliding with a trio of bronzed bathing beauties.Breathing in the coconut scent of sunscreen, he could definitely get used to this.
“Welcome to the Aloha Hotel.”The stunning native woman at the desk wore a sarong and a large flower in her hair.He’d heard that Polynesian women were the most beautiful on earth.So far, the claim seemed well-founded.
Ray eyed the murals painted on the walls—colorful scenes of Hawaiian history—as Tish handed the reception clerk their printed confirmation.The woman quickly found the reservation on her computer and produced two key cards.
“First visit to Hawaii?”The receptionist spoke to both of them, but her gaze was clearly focused on Ray.
“Yes.”Not counting his brief stop in Los Angeles, this was his first visit anywhere that didn’t grow corn or wheat.“It’s beautiful.”
Though she probably heard that a dozen times a day, the woman beamed as if he were the first person to ever compliment her island.“Enjoy your stay, Mr.and Mrs.Webster.”
“I’m not—”
“About that.”Tish placed her key card on the reception desk.“I believe I requested a king bed.Can we change that to two doubles?”
The woman stole a quick glance at Ray before answering.“Certainly, Mrs.Webster.But it will take a few moments before another room is ready.Would you mind waiting in the lobby?Or you can grab something to eat on the terrace.We can hold your bags for you.”
“Thanks,” Tish smiled.“We’ll wait here.”Grasping the handle of her own bag, she led Ray toward an arrangement of comfortable chairs.
“Tish!You made it.”An attractive brunette coming from the elevator headed their way.The two women hugged as if it had been months since they’d seen each other instead of days.“And Brady—” With her arms already poised to embrace him, the woman stopped and backed away.“You’re not Brady.”
“This is my brother Ray.”Tish linked her arm around his waist.“The director called Brady back to India at the last moment to shoot a few extra scenes.So Ray is filling in as my plus-one.”
“We’ll miss Brady, but I guess that’s the glamorous life of an actor.”The brunette shrugged, then smiled at Ray.“Nice to meet you.I’m glad you could join us.”She extended her hand for a shake, then, thinking better of it, opened her arms again and wrapped him in the hug she’d originally started.
“Nice to meet you, Courtney.I’m honored to attend your wedding.”
“Oh, I’m not the bride.”The brunette moved out of Ray’s arms.
“This is Lisa,” Tish waved an arm at her friend.“She’s the groom’s sister.And the maid of honor.”
“Sorry.”Ray hoped his smile made up for his mistake.“I’ll study harder for the quiz.”He’d need a cheat sheet to remember all the names of Tish’s friends and their husbands.
“No problem.”Chuckling, Lisa smiled away his embarrassment.“I just came down for a snack.”
