Leaving Lavender Tides

by Colleen Coble

  She tucked her hand into the crook of Zach’s elbow. “This is magnificent!”

  Zach pointed out the trail winding down to the valley below. “Let’s camp by the stream and cross it tomorrow. I’d hoped to get farther, but the stitches are pulling a little. I haven’t been able to move as quickly as I’d like.”

  She’d noticed him limping a little for the past hour and had tried to get him to stop, but he’d wanted to press on. “Let’s just camp here. We don’t have to climb down to the valley. We can camp right here, then return in the morning after you’ve rested.”

  “I really don’t want to give up.”

  “I’m tired too.” She knew her husband, and only concern for her would make him stop.

  “You’re just saying that. I think it would be great to stick our feet in the stream and get out of the wind for the night too. It’s not that far.”

  “Okay, but we’re stopping at the stream and going back tomorrow. I don’t think I can hike the Kalalau Trail all the way.”

  He nodded, and she knew he saw right through her ruse, but as long as he didn’t push on tomorrow, she didn’t mind. They hiked down to the stream, a clear, beautiful river with big boulders. She immediately sat on a boulder and took off her hiking shoes to plunge her hot feet into the clear water. She could see the beach across the stream, and the inviting blue of the ocean tempted her to go now, but she wanted Zach to rest his leg.

  He dropped the tent and cooler. “Where do you want to set up?”

  The wind teased strands of black hair out of her ponytail. “Somewhere out of the wind? Maybe there.” She pointed out a protected site.

  “You got it.” He hauled the supplies to the spot and began to set up the tent.

  She watched his practiced movements. “You’ve done this before. I can’t even remember the last time I put up a tent. Probably when I was in the Navy.”

  “We should take Alex sometime. He’d love it.”

  She helped him by holding a pole here and there, but he had the tent constructed in a few minutes. He put the cooler inside, then stood back and looked around with his hands on his hips.

  His bare legs below his swim trunks were tanned and strong. “You’ve gotten some sun this trip.” Her own suit was under her shorts and top, but she didn’t plan on swimming at the beach. “I think we should stay out of the ocean. I’ve read it’s dangerous to swim here.”

  He looped his arm around her waist and drew her in for a kiss. “People have died here crossing the stream when it’s flooded. They’ve been swept out to sea too.”

  She shivered and leaned against his chest. “What do we want to do now?”

  “Let’s go for a stroll along the beach. Maybe we’ll find a sunrise shell.”

  “Wouldn’t that be great? I think we’d have better luck in the morning though.” The sunrise shells were rare and usually only found at sunrise after a big storm. She didn’t expect to find a golden beauty.

  The sun beat down on her shoulders and heated her arms. The muscles in her legs ached from hiking, but she didn’t mind. Not with Zach’s fingers laced with hers. They crossed the stream and picked their way through the rocks to Hanakapi’ai Beach, a beautiful golden crescent of sand with waves pounding the rocks and shoreline.

  Zach stared out at the sea. “It would be great to take a dip in the ocean, wouldn’t it?”

  She eyed the massive rollers pounding the shoreline. “Great wasn’t quite the word I was looking for. Terrifying might be more apt.”

  He smiled and led her to a rock and leaned against it, then pulled her to him. “I wanted to wait to tell you until we reached the beach, but we’ve found Connor’s location.”

  She gasped and turned in his arms to face him. “You mean, you actually know where he is?” He’d taken a call about an hour ago on the satellite phone he’d rented, and she had assumed it was something to do with the building project.

  He nodded. “He’s a civilian with the Coast Guard and is stationed in Washington State. He’s an investigator.”

  Her breath came fast, and she felt light-headed. “You mean we can see him when we get home?”

  “He’s on leave at the moment, visiting his parents in Hope Beach.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “The Outer Banks in North Carolina, but he’s not due back for three weeks.”

  “Oh, Zach, that’s so long. Maybe we could call him.”

  “I think it would be best to tell him face-to-face.” A teasing smile lifted his lips. “I know my wife pretty well, and I knew you wouldn’t want to wait that long. I changed our flight home and booked us one out of Honolulu to the Outer Banks. We should be on his doorstep in another three days.”

  Three days. She didn’t know whether to dance or cry. She cupped his face in her hands. “You are absolutely the best husband. I can’t believe you’ve done this.”

  His blue eyes smiled back at her. “Anything for my beautiful bride. It’s been a pretty traumatic honeymoon for you. I’m hoping this will wipe away all the bad stuff.”

  “It hasn’t been bad. We’ve been together, and that’s all that matters.”

  He laughed. “Keep saying that and maybe we’ll both believe it.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, other than you being practically killed several times. But you’re fine now. We’re both okay, and I’m going to see my brother for the first time in twenty-five years.”

  Her vision blurred and her throat tightened. A year ago she’d thought her brother and sister were both dead and that she would be alone when her dad died. Now her life had changed dramatically. First of all, she had a new life with Zach. That was amazing in itself, but to have two siblings practically rise from the dead was a miracle. Brenna might be harder to find, but Shauna had faith in Zach. He wouldn’t give up until he found them both.

  She gave him a lingering kiss and inhaled the spicy aroma of his aftershave. “Let’s eat our tuna and settle in for the night. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than share a sleeping bag with you.”

  “I brought marshmallows and chocolate bars to make s’mores over the fire. That might keep you awake awhile.”

  “Who said anything about sleeping?” She took his hand and led him toward the tent.

  The moon was so bright it penetrated the thin material of the tent, and Shauna found it hard to sleep in spite of the lulling effect of the surf outside. Zach’s light snoring stirred her hair, and she snuggled closer until her bladder situation became urgent enough that she had to get up. She eased out of the sleeping bag and took a peek at her phone. Two in the morning.

  Zach cracked open one eyelid. “Okay?”

  She set her phone back down. “Just going to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” She grabbed a small shovel and a roll of biodegradable toilet paper.

  “I’ll go with you,” he mumbled.

  “I won’t go far, and I’ve got the flashlight.”

  She wasn’t sure he’d listen to her, but his eyes drifted closed again. Luckily, he’d only been half awake. She slid her feet into her flip-flops and opened the tent’s flap. The sound of the surf in the distance made her turn and look at the moon glimmering on the whitecaps as the big swells foamed against the beach. If only she had a camera to capture the sight, but she hadn’t even grabbed her phone.

  She turned toward the seclusion in the trees, then hurried across the sand into the scrub. With the moon so bright, she didn’t need to flip on the flashlight, but she didn’t want to come across a cane spider. She hadn’t seen one yet, and she didn’t care to.

  Several other tents of campers were here, so she decided to cross the stream to a more secluded area. The cold water against her feet and ankles brought her more fully awake. She reached the other side of the stream and found a private area. After relieving herself and shoveling dirt over the toilet paper, she paused to enjoy the beauty. A shooting star streaked across the sky, and she made a quick wish on it to find her sibl
ings, then added a prayer that would do way more good than wishing on a star.

  Thankfulness welled up, and she blinked back tears. God had given her so much more than she deserved. She’d faced hard times this past year, but he’d worked it out for her good in ways she couldn’t fully grasp.

  A sound drew her attention. It was something like a roar of wind or water. The surf maybe? She turned back toward the stream and saw a huge wall of water barreling down the streambed toward her. She turned and darted away before the flash flood could reach her. They’d checked the weather before they set out today, but a storm must have blown through in the mountains. They’d been warned to be careful at the stream, but she hadn’t expected to actually have to deal with a flash flood.

  Now what? It wasn’t safe to cross and probably wouldn’t be for hours. Zach would be worried. She squinted in the moonlight to see if he’d exited the tent to look for her. She’d have to reassure him that she was fine and not to attempt to cross, even with the rope strung across the water.

  It was going to be a long night with no sleeping bag or tent. She glanced around for a place to settle. Maybe against a tree where she could lean her head back and sleep a few hours. Wait, was someone here? She wheeled toward the sound of feet crunching on sand, her breath hitching in her chest.

  The figure that emerged from the shadow of trees was familiar. “Raul, I didn’t know you and Otis were going on this hike. I’m so glad to see you. Got an extra sleeping bag? I’m trapped over here.”

  His smile gleamed in the moonlight. “I sure do, but I have something better. I brought an inflatable raft, and we can cross over in the ocean. Zach will be worried if you stay over here.”

  “I didn’t think landing on this beach was allowed. How’d you even get it here?”

  He shrugged. “It’s not legal, but I did it anyway.” He jerked his head toward the beach. “Money always talks. I just hired someone to bring it in for me by boat. It’s just down on the beach. Come with me, and I’ll run you over. It will only take a few minutes.”

  She followed him across the rough ground to the sweet little beach. While the beach was beautiful, the water pouring out from the stream churned the ocean. “Looks like we’ll have to go offshore a little ways to get past the flood.”

  “I’ve got a good motor on this thing.”

  His inflatable raft was on launching wheels and moved easily across the sand. He paused with his feet in the surf. “Climb in, and I’ll finish launching.”

  She clambered up into the raft and settled at the bow. “I’m in.”

  He shoved the boat deeper into the water, then climbed in and started the motor. The sound of the surf muffled the roar of the engine, but the motor was up to the task, and the boat quickly puttered out to sea. It was only after they were out in the waves that she realized he couldn’t get her to the other side from here.

  “It’s no use. We might as well land and get comfortable for the night.”

  He didn’t seem to hear her. Wearing a slight smile, he steered the boat away from the beach and farther west.

  “Raul, we need to go back.”

  He shook his head. “I’ve got everything planned, Shannon. Just sit down and enjoy the ride.”

  Shannon?

  She’d barely registered his words when he rose and plunged a needle into her arm. Stunned, she stared at her arm, then at him. “Raul? What’s going on?”

  Her voice wobbled, and then her vision blurred. She couldn’t make her tongue form any other questions before her lids became too heavy to hold open. Her chin sank onto her chest, and the world went dark.

  Zach cracked open an eyelid. Wait, he’d wanted to go with her outside. Shauna couldn’t have been gone longer than a few minutes. He struggled out of the entangling folds of the sleeping bag and stumbled to the tent opening. The roar of the waves filled his head, and the moon was so bright it made him blink.

  His horrified gaze took in the water thundering down the riverbed where there had been a clear stream just an hour ago. “Shauna!” She wouldn’t have gone near the flood, would she?

  He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Shauna!”

  Nothing moved but the raging stream. He shouted her name again, but he doubted she’d be able to hear much over the sound of rushing water.

  He never should have let her go alone.

  In the flashlight’s beam, he saw footprints, small ones, down to the water’s edge. “Shauna!”

  When she didn’t answer, he ran for the tent and grabbed his satellite phone. He dialed 911 and told the dispatcher his wife was missing. The woman reassured him she was likely fine, just across the stream before it had flooded, but he knew it was more than that.

  He plunged into the events of the past week. “Check with Maui police. Two incidents occurred there. And the Big Island police will have the report of someone nearly abducting her while on the manta ray snorkel excursion. Call the cruise ship too. Tell them to talk to a steward named Sal Chopra. He knows the steward who delivered the flowers with the stalker’s note. We have to find out who is behind this.”

  He knew he was raving and not making much sense. “Look, the police know all the backstory.”

  “Stay on the line, please.”

  “I can’t. I have to find her! Look, you know where I am. Send help, please. She’s everything to me. We have to find her!” His voice broke, and he ended the call before she could protest.

  Shauna would have answered him if she was able. She’d either been abducted by someone or she’d been swept downstream and out to sea. He tried to think through everything they knew, but nothing seemed obvious. He needed some support. He called up Otis’s phone, but he only got his voice mail. He left a message asking his friend to call him back.

  Two other tents were in the area. With nothing to lose and no other ideas to try, he went to each one and roused the occupants—a young couple in the green tent and two young men in the orange one. They all quickly joined him in the search when they heard what had happened.

  “We’ll walk down the stream and keep calling her name,” one of the young college students said. “I didn’t hear anything though.”

  The young woman in the green tent nodded. “Me neither.”

  “Did you see anyone skulking around acting suspicious earlier in the day?”

  She frowned and pushed her tousled blonde hair out of her face. “There was this guy here earlier, an older dude. He crossed the stream to the other side, then returned and sat back in the trees looking around. I offered him a hot dog when we were grilling them, but he just glared at me with mean eyes.”

  “I don’t suppose he told you his name?”

  The young woman shook her head. “He wasn’t talking.”

  “Do you remember what he looked like?”

  “Like an aging surfer. You know the type. Streaked blondish hair in one of those stylish cuts that looked good in the sixties. About six feet tall.” She glanced at her boyfriend. “Funny colored eyes, right? Kind of brownish green.”

  “Thanks.” Hazel eyes. Raul’s face flashed through his mind, but that was crazy. He hadn’t even hung out with them all that much. It was ridiculous to even suspect him, but Zach knew in an instant that he was the one. He had to be. But why?

  “We’ll look the other way,” the girl said.

  Zach went back to the water and squinted in the moonlight, trying to make out anything on the other side. Nothing. He stalked along the swollen stream shouting her name as he waited for the helicopter with the police to arrive. He prayed for Shauna with everything in him. Please, God, keep her safe.

  Chapter 12

  Shauna’s head throbbed like a sore tooth. She opened her eyes to dim light and the sound of waves. Her cheek was down in the sand, and her back ached from the weird angle she’d fallen into with her waist twisted to the side. She pushed herself up and blinked.

  She was in some kind of cave. Soft sand led up into the cave, but the booming sound of waves echoed off the rocks s
urrounding her. An inflatable raft with a motor had been pulled up beside her, and she saw a man’s head on the other side of the raft. Sleeping or just waiting until she awakened?

  Her hair hung in disarray around her face, and she tugged out the hair tie to bind it up again. Last night was such a jumble. She’d recognized the man, hadn’t she? Right now she couldn’t quite grasp that memory. Whatever he’d injected her with had left her head fuzzy.

  The man’s head turned at the snap of the hair tie, and he leaned forward. Her blood thundered in her ears, and she wished she had some kind of weapon, but there was nothing here but sand. That wouldn’t go far. She held her breath and rose to her feet to face him.

  She went faint as her memory flooded back. “Raul? What have you done?”

  Raul stood and smiled. Why had she ever thought he was nice looking for a man his age? There was nothing handsome about the cruel tilt to his lips or the possessive gleam in his eyes. She backed away as he came around the boat toward her.

  “Hungry?” He gestured to the boxes stacked in the back of the sea cave. “There’s just about anything you could want.”

  “I’m not hungry. You haven’t answered me.” She kept her tone cold. “Why would you do this, Raul? I want to go back to my campsite. Right now.”

  “I’m afraid we can’t go anywhere until you remember, Shannon.”

  She frowned and took another step back. “My name is Shauna, not Shannon. Shannon was your wife. She’s dead, Raul.”

  He blinked and flinched just a bit. “You’ll remember who you really are soon enough, my dear. I knew the minute I saw you in Honolulu that you’d come back to me. You’d always said you’d find a way, and you did.” He beamed at her as if she’d done something amazing.

  “I’m Shauna. Shauna Bannister.”