They were standing on a hump of lava around what appeared to be a deep hole. Shauna leaned over a bit and peered down. It was like looking into a portal to hell. The deep-red glow below was molten lava, and the hardened forms surrounding it were twisted into bizarre shapes that brought her heart to her throat. Some of them looked like tormented faces. It was like a scene straight out of Dante’s Inferno.
She held Zach’s hand in a death grip. “I don’t like this place.” What if Zach fell in? The thought of that made her mouth go dry.
Annie’s studied absorption with the skylight vanished, and she nodded. “We can go now if it’s too much. I know being this close can be terrifying. We’re safe up there though. Where we’re standing has been hardened for years and goes down many feet.”
“I think I’m ready to go too,” Zach said. “Can we see the lava flowing into the ocean?”
“Sure can. It’s this way,” Mano said.
They followed their guides toward the water, but the fumes weren’t getting any better. Maybe this had been a bad idea all the way around.
In spite of waking up this morning feeling great, the hike across rough ground in noxious fumes had Zach’s energy flagging by lunchtime. His chest burned and his legs ached. Shauna was a trooper though and had kept pace with Annie and Mano with a smile on her face, at least once they were away from that skylight. It had freaked him out too.
They sat munching sandwiches and swigging water on a ledge overlooking the newly forming land. With the hiss of steam and the sound of the ocean as a backdrop, he couldn’t think of when he’d experienced a more interesting meal. Although the fumes in the air made his sandwich taste like sulfur.
“We’ll head back after we eat.” Mano balled up his plastic bag and stuffed it in a paper sack. He peeled an apple banana and popped it in his mouth in one bite.
“I’m kind of addicted to those apple bananas,” Zach said. “I’ll have to look for them at home.”
Annie shook her head. “You won’t find them. They’re only available here because of the banana fungus. We can’t export them.” She frowned and shaded her eyes with her hand. “What’s that idiot doing?”
Zach followed her line of sight and saw a Zodiac-type boat getting too close for comfort to the plume from the hissing lava. The guy was looking up at them and not paying attention to how close his craft was drifting into danger. “He’s going to get sucked in.” He leaped up and gestured with his arm for the guy to steer away.
The guy frowned, then looked over at the plume. Seemingly in no hurry, he started his engine and jetted out of danger.
“You get all kinds out here,” Annie said. “Nearly a tourist a week dies while in Hawaii. People get really careless and don’t take the warnings seriously. That guy shouldn’t have been anywhere near this spot.”
“Well, let’s get started back. You two need to be on board the ship in time to depart for Kona, and it will take us an hour or more to hike back to the helicopter,” Mano said.
An hour. The thought of it brought a hard knot to Zach’s stomach. What he really wanted to do was stretch out here on the hard ground and turn his face to the sun. A half hour nap would do wonders for his depleted energy.
Shauna slipped her hand into his. “You look a little pale, Zach. We have time to rest a bit.” Before he could assure her he could make it, she turned toward Annie. “I think we have time to take a rest. How about we let him take a quick nap in the sun while we do a little more exploring?”
“I know, but I’m fine, really.”
Annie looked him over. “I think resting is a great idea.” When he started to object, she smiled and shook her head. “I’ll take good care of your wife, and we won’t go far.” She shrugged out of her backpack and dropped it to the ground. “Use this to rest your head. There’s a fairly smooth spot here.” She moved the backpack to a smooth shelf of black. “Close your eyes for twenty minutes.”
The thought was like a glass of ice water on a scorching day. It wasn’t too hot out to sleep in the sun either. The temperature hovered at around seventy-five. “Just a few minutes. And don’t go far.”
“I’ll stay with the women every minute,” Mano promised.
Zach stretched out and rested his head on the backpack. Bliss. He closed his eyes and knew nothing more as he dozed.
He jerked upright sometime later, his heart a jackhammer in his chest and his mouth dry. Was that a scream he heard? Maybe Shauna had fallen off the cliff into the water. He bolted to his feet and looked around wildly.
He struggled to draw a breath past the panic. He raced for the blue expanse of water. They had to be there. He stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down into the sea, foaming white as it threw itself against the black lava rocks.
No one was out here. He heard no voices and saw no figures. His panic mounted into a tsunami. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he shouted, “Shauna!”
Then he saw them. They’d gone east a ways to where the lava delta sloped down to the water. Huge waves crashed up and nearly touched their feet. She hadn’t turned to look at him. The sound of the waves and the hiss of the lava would drown out his voice. His heartbeat resumed its normal rhythm, and he picked his way across the delta to where they stood.
“I think we should move back,” Mano said. “The waves are getting bigger as the tide rolls in. A rogue wave could sweep us straight out to sea.”
Satisfied they were backing away, Zach glanced around and caught a glint of something on the ocean. That Zodiac again, and it looked to him like the guy was watching them with binoculars. Wait, he had some of his own in his backpack.
Zach retraced his steps and yanked his binoculars out of the front pocket. As he began to focus them, he heard the distant sound of the motor revving, and the boat sped away. He caught only the glimpse of a broad back covered in a Hawaiian shirt.
Chapter 8
The ship slowly moved away from the Hilo port. Shauna and Zach sat on the deck and waved to people on shore. Now that they were away from the volcano, the tension she’d felt all day slipped away. There was no good reason for the fear she’d experienced, but she’d been on edge the entire time.
She wasn’t about to tell Zach that, not after he’d gone to all that trouble. He’d been quiet too.
“Anything new on Connor?”
He’d changed into khaki slacks and a Hawaiian shirt for dinner. His dark hair still gleamed from a quick shower as he shook his head. “I don’t expect to hear much for a few days at least. It’s probably going to take some time, but we’re getting close.”
“You’re quiet tonight. Tired?”
“A little.” He took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “I’m glad to have some downtime with my best girl.”
She studied his expression and noted the cloud of worry in his eyes. “I think it’s more than being tired. Did you call the police about the puffer fish poisoning?”
“I did. They are investigating, but they warned me it probably wouldn’t be possible to track down the culprit, though they are interviewing everyone who had access to the soup.”
“Someone at the food truck had to have done it.”
He nodded. “The police advised me to be aware of my surroundings and contact them if I see anything suspicious.”
She couldn’t think about what could have happened anymore. Still keeping his hand, she rose. “I’m starved. Ready for dinner? Our reservation is in fifteen minutes.”
“Yep.” He stood, and they headed for the dining room. “I think Raul and Otis are meeting us too. Raul texted me that he had a date too.”
She’d hoped to have Zach to herself, but at least Raul would be occupied with this new woman in his life. “Did he say who it was? I saw a couple of women flirting with them last night.”
Zach showed her a picture on his phone of Raul with the blonde she’d seen last night. “That’s her, but I’d thought Otis was interested in her. I hope it works out.”
Zach shrugged. “Holiday
romances don’t usually pan out. There’s not enough time.”
“Oh, and how many holiday romances have you been involved with, Mr. Bannister?”
He grinned. “Well, just one when I was in college and spending spring break in Florida. What was her name? Kristy, Kayleigh?” He shook his head. “See, I can’t even remember. And anyway, all women are just a forgotten haze when I look at you.”
She elbowed him. “Charmer. If I wasn’t so sure you meant it, I’d be all over that.”
He slipped his arm around her waist. “You know it’s true. You’ve spoiled me for any other woman.”
Her smile still curved her lips when they stepped into the dining room. The hostess seated them a couple of tables over from where they’d been the last time. The place buzzed with excitement and happiness. Everyone must have had a good time today.
Raul was already there with his blonde admirer, and Otis was on her other side. He waved at them.
Shauna smiled at them and extended her hand to the woman. “I’m Shauna.”
The woman’s fingers barely grazed hers. “Elaine Cooney.”
She looked older than Shauna had thought last night, probably forty-five or so. Her blonde hair looked freshly dyed, and there were lines around her brown eyes and mouth.
Shauna settled in the chair Zach pulled out for her and ordered an iced tea. “So what did you guys do today?”
“I had a massage,” Elaine said. “I think Raul and Otis went to see the volcano.”
“So did we, but we had a helicopter, so we got up close and personal.” It wasn’t until she thought about the packed tour the two men had done that she realized how lucky she was that Zach had planned such an awesome outing for them. And here she’d spent most of the day wishing she hadn’t been there.
She reached for Zach’s hand under the table and squeezed his fingers. “I’d like to go snorkeling tomorrow in Kona. I hear there’s no runoff and you can see for a hundred feet.”
“I’m going to go diving.” Raul reached for a roll and buttered it. His hair was carefully combed, and he had on a tie and sport coat tonight.
Zach reached for a roll too. “I’d love to take Shauna diving sometime. She’s never learned. If we’d had time, I would have had her do her book training before we came, then done a checkout dive here.”
Otis put down his menu. “Maybe she could do a shallow recreational dive. Some companies allow that.”
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting her do that. I’m a big believer in the proper training before attempting something like scuba. She’s too precious to me to risk.”
Raul looked down, and Shauna wondered if he was thinking of his dead wife. “Did your wife dive too?”
Raul shook his head. “She was afraid of water too, a little like you.”
“I’m not really afraid of it,” Shauna said. “It’s just I always remember I have a son to raise. I wouldn’t want to do anything risky and leave him without a mommy.”
“You have a son? I didn’t realize,” Otis said.
“I’ll have to show you his picture.” Shauna sent a smiling glance her husband’s way. “Zach is an awesome dad to him. Life couldn’t be better.”
Elaine flagged down the waiter. “I need some wine. All this happily-ever-after stuff is making me crazy.”
Shauna refused to let the woman’s catty remarks dim her joy. Tomorrow was going to be a great day.
Zach had rented them a convertible, and he glanced over to watch Shauna lean against the headrest. She gave a sigh of pure contentment. “It’s another gorgeous day in paradise. Look at that blue sky.” She breathed in deeply. “And smell the plumeria in the air.”
The sweet fragrance of flowers swirled in the gentle trade winds that stirred the palm trees along the road. Nothing could go wrong today. They’d slept in and had a late breakfast, and it was nearly lunchtime before they picked up the car and headed out to explore.
She turned a smile on Zach. “I feel like such a slug to let you plan everything. What are we doing today?”
He’d wanted to plan it all and surprise her. “I thought we’d have lunch in downtown Kona, then do a little shopping, maybe get some shaved ice in the middle of the afternoon. I have reservations at Ulu Ocean Grill.
It’s supposed to be great. Tonight I thought we’d do the manta ray snorkel trip. I booked us on the 6:15 p.m. departure tour, so we’ll do an early dinner if that’s okay with you.”
“It sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day.”
Keeping his attention on the road was hard when she looked so beautiful. She wore white shorts and a red top that made her dark hair gleam. She’d put her hair up in some kind of twisty knot, and the wind teased tendrils loose. He’d like to set the rest of it free.
He found a parking space and squeezed around a group of tourists who weren’t paying attention to traffic. His phone dinged with a text message when he turned off the engine. He glanced at it.
“Anything about Connor?”
He smiled at her eager voice. “Nothing yet. The airport expansion has run into a snag with permits. I’ll have to make a call to straighten it out.” He spied a jewelry store across the street. “Go browse through there, and I’ll join you when I’m done. Don’t look at the price—just pick out something you love.” He got out and came around to her side of the car to open the door.
“Ooh, that’s dangerous.” Her green eyes sparkled.
He kissed her, enjoying the sweet taste of her lips. “I like living dangerously.” He watched her sashay into the store, then walked across the street to the seawall overlooking the water and placed the call. The backdrop of the ocean’s beauty and the sound of the waves gave him a strong sense of well-being. Once he got this work straightened out, he’d concentrate on making this a day for them to remember forever.
A dog, tail wagging, wandered over as he placed the call, and he petted it absently. Apollo and Artemis, his two rottweilers, would be missing him, and he couldn’t wait to see them.
By the time he finished arranging the permit, his stomach was growling. The wind brought the scent of coffee and sweet rolls to his nose, but they both needed something more substantial. Maybe they’d visit the Mexican place down the street.
Zach glanced at his watch. He’d been on the phone for half an hour. He rose to join Shauna, then heard a faint cry. Shading his eyes with his hand, he looked out to sea and saw a hand go up in the waves. Was someone drowning, or were kids just playing around on their surfboards?
He looked around for a lifeguard but didn’t see any. Without thinking, he kicked off his flip-flops in case he needed to dive in. Had he imagined someone shouting for help? He studied the rollers crashing toward him and still saw no one. Wait, there was that hand again. He vaulted over the three-foot seawall and jumped into the water and swam out into the big rollers.
He paused, treading water, then saw a young woman floundering in the waves. In seconds he had her in a lifeguard hold. “Stay calm. I’ll get you to shore.”
The undertow was treacherous, and he fought against it with her body dragging them back even more. He was getting winded and fatigued. Glancing at the shoreline, he saw a spit of land he thought he could reach if he used the undertow to his advantage. He struck out in that direction, and minutes later they both lay gasping on shore.
“Zach?”
He looked around and saw Shauna with her mouth open in a horrified expression. She rushed to his side. “You’re bleeding.”
He looked down at the gash on his leg. He must have cut it on coral or a rock. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
Shauna knelt beside him and put pressure on the bleeding cut. “It’s going to need stitches.”
Another trip to urgent care and more treatment. At this point maybe they should just go home. But he didn’t want to spoil Shauna’s dream trip.
The young woman sat up and coughed up some seawater, then swiped her long blonde hair out of her face. “I don’t know how to thank you. I
would have drowned. I fell off my board on that last wave, and it hit me in the head. I was so dazed I couldn’t swim right.”
“You hurt anywhere?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I swallowed some water, but I’m okay.”
Shauna rose and held out her hand to him. “We need to get you to a clinic for stitches.”
Zach was used to being the one who responded in a crisis, not the one who was constantly needing help. He didn’t like it one bit.
Chapter 9
I don’t really want to go without you.” Shauna looked out the side of the boat at a beautiful sun dipping into the ocean. The colors were glorious as the darkness began to push the blue from the sky.
The other snorkelers were busy putting on fins and cleaning masks, but she would rather sit here by Zach and watch the action with him. The salt would sting his wound, but even worse, the cut might seep blood and attract a passing shark.
“I want you to go. I’ve heard it’s something not to be missed. I’ve already paid for the videographer, and I can enjoy it vicariously through you when we watch the movie. You’ll only be gone half an hour.” He reached down and grabbed her fins. “Here, put these on. They’re going to get you in the water any minute.”
It had been too late to get their money back. She’d feel terrible if he spent all that money for nothing. “All right, but I don’t have to like it.”
He grinned. “I’m going to have some Kona coffee and stay warm while you have fun. There are snacks here too, and I plan to take advantage of them.”
He sounded upbeat, which helped her decide to go along with the plan. “Don’t go near the side of the boat. I don’t want you falling in.”
His smile widened. “I’m staying put. I have to use those lousy crutches anyway.” He gazed at her. “You look fabulous in that new bathing suit.”
He’d bought her a new tankini in a deep iridescent-green color. She smoothed the fabric over her hips. “I think you’re a little prejudiced.”
Leaving Lavender Tides Page 5
