Page 57

“I don’t know if Maui is ready for another Reed.” He chuckles.

I don’t bother to explain that my last name is Cook and I’m the illegitimate offspring. It’s too complicated. Besides, I came from the Reed line, and based on everything my siblings’ spouses have said, there are some traits inherent in all of Barclay’s children. Stubbornness ranks high on the list. So does a complicated love life.

“I’ll try to keep the impact of my presence here to a dull roar,” I promise.

Gary gives me a thumbs-up, then gets us suited up with safety gear, gives us preflight instructions, then takes us outside by his chopper. Nia is unusually quiet.

I glance her way as I take her hand. “You okay?”

“Nervous. I’ve never done this.”

“It’ll be a first for us both, then. But Maxon and Griff swear this will be amazing.”

A tentative smile breaks across her face. “I’ve always wanted to ride in a helicopter, but I was too chicken.”

I drop a kiss on her forehead, resisting the urge to go in for more. “So we’ll tackle this together.”

After Gary does his prefight check, we load up. Moments later, accompanied by the sound of whirring blades, we take off. Nia grips my hand, her nails digging into my knuckles. The airport gives way to surrounding civilization, then to lush fields of sugar cane and tempestuous blue water bashing against sand and rocks.

Gary gets his tour underway quickly. “The windward side of the island is a lush rainforest that gets about three hundred inches of rain annually. The leeward side is more like a desert. Its annual rainfall is less than twelve inches. There are even places on that side of the island with growing cacti and roaming scorpions.”

We float around the shore, oohing and aahing over all the stunning sights of lush mountains, sheared cliffs, and sweeping waterfalls. We see a reef teeming with green sea turtles and blue, blue water. It’s truly paradise.

“I’ve never been anywhere so beautiful,” Nia breathes.

“Me, either.” I squeeze her hand. “Even though I’ve been here twice before, I didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have until now.”

“Isn’t it peaceful up here?” Gary asks into his mic, which links directly to our headphones. At our nods, he goes on. “Over there, that crescent-shaped island is a great place to snorkel. Lots of tropical fish. Heading back this way, we’re going to take a climb above that ten-thousand-foot mountain.”

Nia grips me as we glide into a cloud bank at the crest of a peak and seem to disappear into nowhere. I hope to hell Gary knows where he’s going. I’m all for having my heart race today, but not in fear. But he’s a pro, steering us through the cloud bank until we crest on the other side to another gorgeous view of the ocean.

For nearly two hours, he takes us around the island. After showing us the east coast, we move south, then fly back around to the west, over Wailea. When we hover above Lahaina, he identifies some points of interest before we’re back out over the ocean, skirting the coast of Lanai before making our way up to Molokai. I’m shocked to find out that about half that island is completely off the grid.

Nia seems every bit as enthralled as I am until Gary finally turns back to Maui and puts the chopper down in the middle of a field near the coast.

She turns to me in confusion. “What are we doing here?”

“Enjoying ourselves for the afternoon. C’mon.”

Gary helps us out, then takes off with a friendly wave.

She’s still gaping when I snag her hand and lead her up a small hill, toward a sprawling white house shimmering in the tropical sun. I’m lucky my brothers seem to know everyone on the island and don’t have any problem calling in favors. Of course, the fact I’m willing to spend money, especially if it advances the cause of Nia saying yes, helps a lot, too.

When we reach the house, the ocean views dazzle me all over again. The doors and windows are open to take advantage of the trade winds. There’s seemingly no one around for miles.

“What are we doing here?”

“First, we’re eating lunch.”

When I urge her to follow me, she does slowly, gaping. “I don’t understand.”

“This is our private paradise for the day. You, me, an oasis for two, and no one to disturb us for hours.” As we walk around the side of house, I ease her against the wall and face her, pressing my body against hers. “I enjoy being with my family, but I want time alone with you. So I planned today for us. No one to interfere. No other responsibilities or expectations. We can relax and talk and do whatever we want.”

A little smile creeps across her lips as she stares at me as if she’s trying to figure me out. “You’re up to something.”

I wink at her. “A lot of me is up to something.”

Nia rolls her eyes and laughs. “You didn’t have to do all this, you know.”