Leaving Lavender Tides

by Colleen Coble

  “Me too.” He parked along the side of the road. “Looks like an entry here. According to the guidebook, we just look for an opening, then head back in there to the main trail that will take us down to the stream.”

  She unbuckled and grabbed the camera. “Should we put up the top and lock the Jeep?” She sprayed an essential-oil bug spray on her bare skin.

  He squinted at the sky. “It could rain, I guess. I’ll put it up just in case. We’re taking everything with us.”

  She waited as he secured the top and shouldered the backpack with their food and water. She sprayed him down with repellent too, and they set off. The bamboo forest went gloomy a few feet in, and the air felt several degrees cooler. She paused to crane her neck up to the impossibly tall bamboo and watched the leaves sway in the breeze. The stalks bumped together, making an almost musical sound. In spite of the beauty, the place felt a little claustrophobic.

  Zach pointed to a well-beaten path. “There’s the trail.”

  They began to follow the footpath. No other hikers were in sight, which surprised her. Maybe they came in at a different spot. The back of her neck itched, and she rubbed it. The humid air pressed in like a moist, hot towel. They made their way down a treacherous, muddy slope and finally stood at the edge of an inviting pool of water filled by a beautiful waterfall.

  “Let’s stop and have a snack and some water.” Zach shrugged out of his backpack and unzipped it. He opened a plastic container and offered her a brownie in a baggie, then handed her a bottle of water.

  “Thanks.” As far as she was concerned, this was far enough. Insects buzzed around her, and she was itchy and hot already. She wasn’t about to be a spoilsport. This hike had been the first thing on Zach’s list. It was already two though, and by the time they hiked back to the fourth and fifth pools, it would be late in the afternoon. Luckily the boat was docked in the harbor all night, and they could return at their leisure.

  Zach’s eyes were bright, and his grin spread across his face. “This is awesome, isn’t it?”

  “Gorgeous,” she agreed. And it was beautifully tranquil. The sounds of birds mingled with the lullaby of the waterfall. Maybe she could do this and enjoy it.

  Zach bit into his brownie and it disappeared in three bites. He pulled out another. “I’m famished.”

  “You had two before we left the boat.” She nibbled on hers. It had an odd taste she wasn’t fond of. “I wonder if they should have been refrigerated.”

  “I don’t think so.” He looked at hers. “You’re not going to eat it?”

  She shook her head. “You can have it if you want.”

  He reached for it. “I don’t know why I’m so hungry. We just had fish at that food truck an hour ago.” He swallowed the last brownie in two bites, then chased it down with half a bottle of water. “These are yummy. I don’t know why you don’t like them.”

  She stretched out her legs to enjoy the bake of the sun on her skin. “Let’s sit here for a few minutes. It’s so peaceful.” And she wasn’t looking forward to that upcoming hike.

  He scooted over closer and embraced her. She nestled in the crook of his arm and laid her ear on his heart. This was the life, snuggled up against the man she loved so much. What was a little hike? Time slowed and she listened to the thump of his pulse and his even breathing. Her eyelids drifted shut, and she let herself relax.

  It seemed only seconds since she’d closed her eyes when she felt him cough. Her lids flew open, and she sat up. The sun was lower in the sky, and several other hikers sat along the pool with their legs dangling into the water. Maybe their voices had awakened her.

  That thought flew out of her head when she looked at Zach. His skin was almost blue, and his eyes were big. “What’s wrong?”

  “I think I’m going to throw up.” He bolted to his feet and darted into the bamboo. “My lips feel a little numb too, and I’m so hot.”

  She heard him retching and dug out a paper towel from the backpack. She wetted it and took it to him. “Here, honey.”

  “Thanks.” His voice was shaky, and he wiped the back of his neck with the damp towel, then swiped it over his mouth. “I feel pretty lousy. If you don’t mind, we should probably go back to the ship.”

  “I knew those brownies weren’t quite right. We should get you to the doctor.”

  Chapter 4

  Zach didn’t know when he’d felt so horrible. The wind lifted the damp hair from his forehead and brought with it the sweet scent of plumeria. The smell heightened his nausea. No matter how much he rinsed out his mouth, he couldn’t get rid of the awful taste from vomiting. He shivered, and his stomach continued to roil as he lowered himself to the soft green grass beside their parked Jeep. Sweat poured down his face, and his head throbbed.

  Worry lining her face, Shauna put a warm hand on his forehead. “I don’t think you have a fever. Could it be food poisoning? I thought those brownies tasted funny.”

  “The brownies tasted fine, so maybe it’s the flu. I don’t think I’ve thrown up since I was a kid.” His voice sounded weak, even in his own ears. Way to go. Nothing like looking like a feeble fool on his honeymoon.

  “I’m going to take you to the hospital. You’re green.” She helped him to the Jeep and opened the door.

  He practically fell into the passenger seat. “I think I’m going to need a bucket or something.”

  She opened the backseat passenger door and emerged with a plastic bag. “Will this do?”

  He took it. “Let’s leave the window open. Maybe the fresh air will help.”

  She nodded and went around the front of the vehicle to get behind the wheel. He drew in deep breaths to beat back the nausea. When the Jeep didn’t start, he looked over at her. “What’s wrong?”

  “It won’t start. It won’t even turn over.” She tried again, and there was only silence.

  It was his job to check the battery cables and the engine, but it took every bit of strength he had to shove open his door and get out. More sweat broke out on his forehead with the effort to swallow down the bile crowding the back of his throat, and he could barely feel his lips and tongue.

  He unfastened the latches and lifted the hood. The stench of gasoline and oil hit him in the face, and he nearly retched again. He took a quick swig from the water bottle in his hand, and the nausea subsided.

  He leaned over and studied the wires and belts. Wait, the battery cables were disconnected, their metal ends gleaming in the sunlight. How had this happened? It couldn’t have been accidental.

  “Hey, brah, need a hand?”

  He turned to see a young Hawaiian with long black hair and a sumo wrestler build leaning out of an old red pickup. It looked like the same guy who had waited on them at the food truck where they’d had lunch.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have any tools, would you? The battery cables are off.” For a moment Zach wondered if this guy or his companion in the passenger seat had pranked him.

  The man smiled and nodded. “Easy fix. I’ve got a toolbox in the back.” His appreciative glance darted to Shauna, then back to Zach. He turned his truck off in the middle of the road and hopped out, then reached behind the seat for a battered red metal toolbox.

  His friend got out too, and the two conferred about what to do. A few minutes later the cables were connected, and the engine purred to life as soon as Shauna turned the key in the ignition. Her beautiful face lit with a brilliant smile, and the young men poked one another and grinned.

  “Can I give you something for your trouble?” Zach pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, but both men shook their heads and moved toward the truck.

  “Just giving you a little bit of aloha, brah,” the driver said. “Pass it along to the next person in trouble.”

  “Mahalo.” He called his thanks after them as they pulled away, their tires spitting gravel as they left.

  His stomach heaved again, and he rushed to the ditch, but all he could manage were dry heaves. What was he going to do about this? His leg
s were shaky as he climbed into the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt.

  “We’re going straight to the ER.” Shauna’s tone brooked no objection.

  He was okay with that. The way he felt, it wouldn’t hurt to have a doctor examine him. He’d had mishap after mishap, and there’s no way the battery cables came loose accidentally.

  The ER room was small and austere, and the odor of antiseptic stung Shauna’s nose. She sat on a chair close to Zach’s bed and watched him rest. His color was improving, though he was still a little green. An IV drip dangled from his left arm, and the monitors beeped quietly at the head of his bed. He’d tried to smile at her, but his lips didn’t move right. It was almost as if he’d had dental work and his face was numb.

  The ER doctor, an attractive Asian woman of indeterminate age, stood on the other side and studied her computer tablet. Dr. Chang’s kind eyes and gentle manner put Shauna at ease.

  The doctor laid down her tablet and darted to the door and called for the nurse. “We need to pump his stomach. And get a ventilator in here!”

  Pump his stomach? Ventilator? Zach was looking worse by the minute. Terror clawed at her insides, and Shauna backed out of the way as nurses and technicians flew into the room and began to work on him. He looked even worse by the time they’d pumped his stomach. His breathing seemed fine, but the ventilator was nearby just in case.

  When the doctor finally stepped back from the bed, Shauna touched her arm. “What’s going on, Doctor?”

  “He’s evidently eaten a puffer fish, Mrs. Bannister. Where did you eat lunch? Did he have fish?”

  “He had a fish soup that was supposed to contain mahimahi. We bought it at a little food truck called Kai Bites. It looked clean and safe.”

  “It wasn’t. Puffer fish is very fast acting. How do you feel?”

  “I’m fine. I just had crab cakes, no soup. Is he going to be all right?”

  “We’ll know for sure in a few hours. If he survives the night, his chances are good that he’ll be out of here in twenty-four hours. His symptoms aren’t severe yet, so I’m hoping we got most of it pumped out. And his symptoms didn’t appear for several hours, which is a good sign, too, as far as indicating a small amount was ingested. We’ll give him activated charcoal and push fluids. We’ll also be ready to support his breathing. That’s all we can do. There is no antidote.”

  If he survives the night? This was a horror beyond comprehension. “You can’t tell me he’ll live?” She shook her head and backed away from the doctor. This couldn’t be happening.

  Dr. Chang reached toward her and laid her hand on Shauna’s arm. “Let’s try to stay positive. I’m hopeful since you brought him in so quickly. Is this an overnight port?”

  “Yes, the ship doesn’t leave Maui until tomorrow night.”

  “I’m going to send the health department over to the food truck. Unfortunately puffer fish is a delicacy to Asians, and they sometimes don’t get all the poison glands out. I suspect that’s what happened here.” The doctor gave her an encouraging smile. “With the Lord’s favor, you’ll both be on that boat, so try not to worry.”

  Shauna wanted to believe the doctor, but the fear of losing Zach clawed at her chest. “I-Is there a prayer room here?”

  The doctor’s eyes were kind. “Of course. It’s on this floor. Down by the elevator. Would you like me to ask the chaplain to stop by?”

  “No, that’s fine.” Shauna bolted for the door.

  Her legs trembled with weakness, and she struggled to hold back the sobs until she reached the prayer room, a small carpeted room with several chairs circling a small podium. A table held pamphlets, a Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an. A crucifix hung on the wall, and several prayer rugs were draped over a quilt rack. A prayer kneeling bench was on the opposite wall.

  She dropped onto the prayer bench and let the tears fall as she prayed for God to carry her. She wanted to demand for him to heal Zach, to demand answers, but all she could do was bow her head and lean into God’s love.

  Words wouldn’t come even for prayers. God knew how she felt though, and that was enough in this moment. When she walked back to Zach’s room, God’s peace went with her.

  Zach’s color was better, and he seemed to be resting. One of the nurses had moved in a recliner for her, and Shauna curled up in it with a blanket the nurse had left. She couldn’t close her eyes and had to watch Zach for any sign of breathing difficulties. Through the long afternoon and into the evening, she kept vigil over him.

  At one point she tried to call his mother but didn’t reach her. This wasn’t the kind of news to leave in a voice mail, so Shauna just asked her to call when she had a chance. She reached Marilyn, her first husband’s mother, who was keeping Alex, and asked her to pray. Marilyn promised to call the church and ask everyone to pray too.

  Just after midnight Zach’s eyes opened and he turned his head toward her. “Shauna?”

  She leaped up and went to his side. “I’m here.”

  His warm fingers clasped hers. “I can feel my tongue and lips again. I think the poison is wearing off.”

  Shauna leaned over to kiss him. “Oh thank God. I’ve been praying constantly.”

  His hand cupped her cheek. “I wouldn’t leave you for anything, Fly Girl. Not willingly.”

  “You’d better not.” She straightened. “I’m going to get the nurse.”

  She darted for the door and fetched the head nurse, who assured them both that Zach was improving. Once the doctor came by in the morning, they’d be able to leave.

  Chapter 5

  Shauna felt like she could walk on the clouds by the time she got Zach settled in the suite on the ship. Insisting he felt fine now, he’d wanted to go out with her, but she ordered him to bed before heading to the buffet to get him some soup. She stepped out into the hallway, nearly mowing Raul over as he came around a corner. “I’m so sorry!”

  “No harm done.” His blond-streaked hair fell across his forehead, and he brushed it away. The aqua Hawaiian shirt he wore over khaki shorts deepened the color of his hazel eyes. “Are you okay? You look a little frazzled.”

  “I’m fine but Zach isn’t.” She told him what had happened.

  She felt the sensation of the ship moving and realized they’d left Maui and were heading for Hilo on the Big Island. All she could do was pray that whoever seemed to be targeting them wouldn’t follow them to the next island.

  Raul’s smiling eyes turned serious. “That’s terrible. Is there anything I can do for him?”

  “He’s resting now, but thanks.”

  Raul glanced at his watch. “Look, you need to eat yourself. I’m supposed to meet Otis for dinner. Please join us. Then you can take Zach back some broth and pudding or something afterward.”

  Zach would likely sleep for a while, but she wanted him to have something to eat when he awoke. “Okay.”

  She followed him to the buffet line and grabbed a burger and fries. He opted for pizza, and they found Otis at a table near a big window. Raul quickly filled in his friend as they slid into the booth.

  “You should have called us,” Otis said. “We would have come to be with you. You shouldn’t have had to go through this by yourself.”

  “I didn’t have your numbers.” The food aroma made her mouth water. She was hungrier than she’d imagined.

  Raul frowned toward the buffet line. “See that guy? He’s been watching you.”

  She shot a glance to her left and her neck prickled. “The Hawaiian one? He looks a lot like the owner of the food truck where we ate lunch yesterday. If he’s working at the food truck, why is he on board?”

  “I think I’ll find out.” Raul rose and approached the man.

  Shauna shot surreptitious glances at the two men as they talked. The big guy had his fists clenched, and his frown deepened as Raul spoke to him. He stalked out of the dining room with an angry glance her way. Raul’s lips were pressed together as he returned to the table.

  “What happen
ed?”

  “I asked him how he could be working here and at Kai Bites also. He claimed he didn’t work at the food truck and that he boarded this ship in O’ahu. I asked his name, and he wouldn’t give it to me. I wanted to verify if he was really a passenger.”

  Could it have been a different man from the one she’d seen yesterday? Everything was such a jumble, she wasn’t sure what to believe right now. “Maybe it’s a different guy.”

  “And maybe it isn’t,” Raul said.

  “The brake cable was deliberately cut. That much we know. The puffer fish was an unhappy circumstance no one caused though. I don’t see how they could be related.”

  Otis frowned. “Someone could have deliberately slipped puffer fish in Zach’s soup.”

  Her stomach clenched. “I hadn’t thought of that. Why would anyone do that? The doctor said this sometimes happens.”

  Otis shrugged. “Why would anyone cut a brake cable?”

  Shauna’s eyes burned, and, appetite gone, she turned her gaze onto her plate of food. Nothing about this trip was turning out as she’d expected. She couldn’t let Zach see her discouragement though. He’d blame himself, and it certainly wasn’t his fault.

  Raul touched her hand. “You okay?”

  She swallowed down the boulder in her throat. “I’m fine. Just tired. It’s been a long day, and I didn’t get any sleep last night.” She forced herself to take a bite of her hamburger, though it had no more taste than the sand on the beach. She swallowed and picked up a fry. “Thanks for keeping me company.”

  Otis put down his fork. “It’s our pleasure. What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”

  “We’re docking in Hilo, but it depends on how Zach is feeling. If he’s strong enough, I’d like to see the banyan trees and Volcanoes National Park, then take a tour over to see Kilauea. I want to see the lava falling into the ocean as it creates more land. It’s supposed to be spectacular. How about you guys?”