by Elle James
“I didn’t wake you up?” Hawk asked.
“No, I’ve been working online with Swede, going through the list of employees you gave me to work with. So far, nothing’s popped up.”
Hawk drew in a deep breath. “Well, things are getting a little crazy here.”
“Tell me about it,” Patterson said.
Hawk gave his boss the rundown on the ATV attack earlier that day and the subsequent murder of their attacker.
“Interesting,” Patterson said. “I’m glad you two weren’t hurt during the incident.” He spoke in the background to someone with him. “I have Swede looking up Nathaniel Bowman now.” He paused. “That was quick. Hang on…” There was more talking in the background that Hawk couldn’t quite make out. Then Patterson came back. “The man has a history.”
“That’s what the police said.”
“If he’s dead, who killed him?” Patterson mused aloud. “And why?”
“I wish I knew.” Hawk stared out at the stars shining over the pastures. “After Bowman tried to shoot us, I’m not feeling like I’m adequate coverage to protect Miss Parkman.”
“I can send more Brotherhood Protectors your way. Hell, I can come myself.”
“Give me a day. We’re flying out to Oahu tomorrow. Hopefully, we won’t run into the same issues there. We hope we leave them behind on the Big Island.”
“I can be there within a day,” Patterson said. “Just say the word.”
“Thanks. I’m still new to this bodyguard gig. I liked it better when I knew who the enemy was.”
“Me too, but even as SEALs, half the time we went into battle we didn’t know who the bad guys were. We had to use our instincts and figure it out, sometimes with our fingers on the trigger.”
“You’re right. I guess it’s not much different.”
“Except you don’t have a handgun or M4A1 rifle handy.” Patterson laughed. “If I know you, you’ve got your Ka-Bar knife strapped somewhere on your body.”
Hawk could feel the weight of his knife clipped to his belt. He patted it, glad for some kind of weapon to use against an unknown enemy. He hoped he discovered who it was before it was too late.
“Hawk?”
“Yeah.”
“You know you can call me anytime, day or night.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I mean that. I’m here to help. We’re still a team, even if you’re a few thousand miles away.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“We’ll keep digging into backgrounds.”
“Add another name to your list,” Hawk said.
“Okay. Shoot.”
“Tyler Beckett.”
“Who is he to the Parkmans?” Patterson asked.
“The marketing lady, Clarise Sanders, brought him to dinner tonight. He wants to build a resort on Parkman Ranch.”
“I thought Parkman Ranch was more into raising cattle than into tourism.”
Hawk nodded, though Patterson couldn’t see him. “Mr. Parkman prefers the cattle raising side of the business and just tolerates the minimal amount of tourism that goes on here. Miss Sanders wants him to consider expanding the tourism side of the corporation.”
“And Parkman is against the idea?”
Hawk snorted. “Exactly.”
“Then why did she bring Beckett to dinner?”
“I guess she’s hoping to change Parkman’s mind.”
“I’ll have Swede check into Beckett’s background and let you know what we find.” Patterson paused. “Remember, I can be there within a day.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you know how it goes in Honolulu. We’re flying there tomorrow.” Hawk ended the call and stepped down from the porch. With too much energy to relax, he needed to walk it off. He circled the perimeter of the house and outbuildings, pausing to peer into the distance. The stars shone brightly, lighting the sky and the ground below. Nothing appeared out of place or moved in the semi-darkness, except the horses in the fields.
One in particular came trotting up to the fence.
Hawk recognized Pain Killer as he stuck his nose over the fence and nuzzled Hawk’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I don’t have a carrot for you.” He’d have to remember to bring a treat with him when he went for a walk near the pastures. Hawk reached out and rubbed the animal’s velvety nose. “I see you made it back to the barn without incident. Thanks for leaving me stranded.” And he meant it. If PK hadn’t left him at the gate that afternoon, he wouldn’t have been able to catch Kalea skinny-dipping in the pool. And he wouldn’t have had her naked body pressed up against his in the water.
His groin tightened. How he wished he was back in the pool with the beautiful Hawaiian. She made his heart beat faster and blood burn through his veins. If the situation were any different, he’d ask her out.
“If wishes were horses…” he muttered the old quote his mother used to say when he wished for something other than what he had as a child.
He was Kalea’s protector. Not her lover. Not her boyfriend or anything else. He needed to remember that.
With one last pat to the horse’s nose, he turned back to the house. A light in a downstairs window drew his attention. As he neared the house, the melodic sound of Hawaiian music drifted through the open window.
A figure swayed in the light, a silhouette from the distance. But Hawk knew who it was before he could see her face. He moved closer until he stood below the porch, looking into the open window where Kalea practiced her native dance with Lani, her instructor.
Her arms and hips swayed to the gentle beat of the music, her hands flowing like flags in a breeze as she told a story through her movements.
Hawk couldn’t move. He was captivated by her beauty and the loveliness of the sway of her hips and the tiny steps she took, turning around and back and forth. When the music ended, he stood still, staring at the woman in the window.
“I fell in love with her mother the first time I saw her dance,” a voice said in the shadows.
Hawk dragged his gaze away from the amazing woman and looked up to where her father leaned against a pole on the deck. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be gawking. It’s just that I’ve never seen anyone dance quite like that.”
John Parkman laughed. “It’s mesmerizing. I think there’s a little magic involved.”
“She’s beautiful,” Hawk said, without thinking.
“Yes, she is. And I love her so very much.” He sighed. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her.”
“Do you have any enemies who want to get back at you for some slight?”
Mr. Parkman shook his head. “No. We keep our heads down and do what we do best.”
“Raise cattle,” Hawk finished for him.
“Besides, if someone was mad at me, why take it out on Kalea?”
“Because he knows she’s the center of your universe.” He lowered his voice. “Killing her would kill you.”
Mr. Parkman drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. “How can I protect her? You’ve seen how independent she is. She won’t let anyone confine her to four walls.”
Hawk smiled. “No, she wouldn’t tolerate it.”
Kalea’s father held out his hand. “Please, take good care of my daughter tomorrow.”
Hawk shook the man’s hand. “I’ll do my best, sir.” He prayed his best would be good enough.
That night, he slept fitfully, waking every hour. At one point, he rose from his bed, slipped out his door and peeked into Kalea’s bedroom. She was sound asleep, her hand tucked beneath her cheek, her long dark hair fanned out on the white pillowcase. He wanted to go to her and hold her in his arms. He told himself it was to make sure no one else sneaked into her room, which was partly true. But the deeper reason was that once he’d held and kissed her, he knew he couldn’t resist holding and kissing her again. How could he do his job when he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman?
Hawk left his room well before dawn and walked the perimeter again. As the sun rose, he
searched the surrounding area for places a sniper could perch and pick off anyone he pleased. The barn was the tallest building on the compound. He spent a few minutes searching the interior of the barn, coming up blessedly short of bad guys.
Maleko waylaid him as he exited the barn. “Is there something I can help you find?”
“No, thank you. I’m just familiarizing myself with the ranch.”
Maleko tilted his head. “I understand you’re flying with Miss Parkman to Oahu today.”
Hawk nodded.
Maleko looked up at the clear morning sky. “You might not be back for a few days.”
“We only planned on being gone, at the most, one night.”
“The island spirits might say otherwise. A storm is brewing.” Maleko moved past him to scoop a bucket of feed from a bin. “Plan on several days,” he said over his shoulder.
Soft laughter sounded behind Hawk.
He turned to find Kalea standing behind him.
“Maleko’s people have deep roots in the gods and deities of the Polynesian people. He believes the earth, ocean and skies are ruled by gods.”
“Your people, too,” Maleko said from where he poured feed into a trough in a stall.
Kalea nodded. “True. In this case, gods and the weatherman have given warning. A storm is brewing in the Pacific and is heading this direction. We should be back in plenty of time. But just in case, we should pack for a few days.”
“Noted.” He waited for Kalea to decide which direction she was headed.
“You don’t have to hover. I’ll be all right out here with Maleko. I want to brush Pupule before I leave him.” She held up a handful of carrots. “Want one for PK?”
Hawk grinned. “As a matter of fact, I owe him. I disappointed him when I didn’t have one on my walk last night.”
“You went for a walk after I left you in the study?”
“I did.”
Kalea handed him a carrot. “Did you discover anything new?”
He debated telling her he’d seen her dancing but decided that would be his little secret. She might think of him as a peeping Tom. “Nothing interesting.”
Her mouth twisted. “Not even the fact you were watching me dance through the window?” She snorted softly. “Now, I’m disappointed—and don’t bother offering me a carrot. It won’t buy you forgiveness.” She winked and walked away to Pupule’s stall.
Hawk chuckled and left the barn.
PK trotted over to him at the fence and took the offering, crunching loudly with his approval.
“What is it about women?” Hawk asked the horse. “You think you have them figured out, and then bam. You’re clueless, again.”
PK nodded his head in agreement.
Hawk returned to the barn, found a brush and stood on the other side of Pupule, brushing the horse with Kalea.
They worked in a companionable silence.
The earthy scent of horse manure and dust filled Hawk’s senses, giving him a feeling of being at home. He could get used to working as a ranch hand in Hawaii. The Big Island had all the requisites with some added bonuses. Once his bodyguard duties were done, he might consider applying for the paniolo position with the Parkman Ranch. He’d work with the horses and cattle he loved, and during his time off, he could take up surfing and scuba diving off the coast. Another bonus was never having to ride out in minus forty-degree weather to check on the cattle during the dead of the winter.
Patterson would understand. Hell, if he wanted, he could work on the side as a Brotherhood Protector in Hawaii. He could open a whole new office on the islands. There were enough rich people who needed protection here. A lot more than were in Montana.
After the killer was apprehended and Kalea was safe, Hawk would bring up the subject with Patterson.
First things first. Eliminate the threat to Kalea.
He finished brushing his side at the same time as Kalea finished hers and looked over the horse’s back. “When do we leave?”
“After breakfast.” She took his brush, carried it into the tack room then led her horse out to the pasture. As soon as she released him, the horse trotted out a couple yards, laid down in a patch of dirt and rolled.
Hawk laughed.
Kalea shook her head. “I don’t know why I bother.” She turned and walked toward the house.
Hawk took her hand and held it all the way up the steps, not releasing it until he opened the back door.
She glanced down at their connected hands.
“Keeping up our cover,” he explained.
She smiled and let go, passing him to enter the house.
Her father was already in the kitchen at the large table in the corner. He looked up from his plate with a forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs on his fork. “Sorry, I didn’t wait. I was hungry.”
“It’s not like we’re company,” Kalea said. “We’re going to wash our hands and be right back.”
Hawk followed her to the powder room where they bumped into each other at the single sink.
He liked being close to her and liked it more when she pumped the liquid soap into his palm. Like the Hawaiian ranch, he could get used to having her around.
“Are you nervous about flying in a little plane to one of the other islands?” she asked.
“Not at all. I’ve been island hopping in Navy Ospreys and Army Black Hawk helicopters. If something goes wrong with the engine in a fixed wing aircraft, you have a better chance of survival.”
She laughed and handed him the towel. “I try not to dwell on that, but you’re right. And our aircraft is a sea plane.”
“Even better, considering we’re surrounded by water on all sides.” He grinned, wiping his hands dry before following her back to the kitchen.
They joined Parkman and Ule at the table, discussing cattle, the weather and the meeting Kalea would attend in Honolulu later that afternoon.
“I heard from the police, they say they found a dark ski mask in Nate’s apartment,” her father said.
“That would explain who attacked me in Waimea,” Kalea said. “Did you ask them if Nate had a snake tattoo on the back of his hand like the guy who attacked me in Hilo?”
Mr. Parkman shook his head. “I didn’t, but I will.”
After their meal, Kalea and Hawk hurried up the stairs to pack a bag for the trip.
Taking Maleko’s prediction in mind, Hawk threw clothes for a few days, his toiletries and a handful of protein bars, in case they were too busy to stop for lunch or dinner, all into a backpack and slung it over his shoulder.
He met Kalea in the hallway. She carried a small rollaway suitcase and a backpack.
“Ready?” she asked.
He nodded.
Mr. Parkman and Maleko waited outside in a farm truck.
Hawk held open the back door for Kalea, waited for her to get in then closed it behind her. He hurried around to the other side and slipped in, dropping his bag to the floor.
The trip to the small Waimea airport took less than twenty minutes. When they arrived, the three men surrounded Kalea and walked with her to a Cessna seaplane parked in a hanger. A man driving a utility cart pulled the craft out of the hanger onto the tarmac.
Kalea thanked the man and walked around the exterior of the aircraft, looking at the wings, landing gear, ailerons and more.
Maleko carried her suitcase to the door and set it inside behind a passenger seat.
Hawk glanced around.
“Having a change of heart?” Mr. Parkman asked.
“Not at all. I was wondering when the pilot would show.”
Parkman laughed out loud.
Hawk frowned. “What’s so funny?”
Kalea stood in front of him, her fist on her hip. “You’re looking at the pilot.”
A slight sinking feeling hit the pit of Hawk’s belly. “You’re a pilot?”
Her lip curled up on one side. “What’s the matter? Are you afraid a girl can’t fly this plane?”
“No, not at all. I guess I h
ave a lot more to learn about you, Miss Parkman.” He smiled and tossed his backpack into the plane.
“I guess so.” Kalea waved a hand toward the plane. “This was my father’s gift to me for my twenty-fifth birthday.”
“Is that when you got your pilot’s license?”
She laughed. “No. I’ve had it since my eighteenth birthday.” Raising a brow, she faced him. “You can still change your mind about coming with me. I won’t judge…much.”
“No, no. I’m still committed to the trip,” he said, wishing he sounded more convincing than he did. He shook Mr. Parkman’s hand and then Maleko’s. “We’ll see you, hopefully, this afternoon.”
“But don’t be surprised if we take a little longer in Honolulu. You know how those tourism meetings can drag on,” Kalea said.
“We could just shut down that portion of our business and skip all the ass-kissing,” her father offered.
Kalea smiled. “So many people in this area rely on the Parkman Ranch experience for their livelihoods. We’d put all of them out of work.”
Her father sighed. “We can’t do that.”
“No. So, I have to show up or we won’t go into the tourism guide, and our employees will be out of work.” She kissed her father’s cheek. “See you soon. And don’t worry. Hawk will take good care of me.”
Her father pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m counting on it. Love you, girl.”
“Love you, too, Daddy.” She hugged Maleko.
He pointed to the sky to the southwest. “Get to Oahu and stay until the storm clears. It’s going to get here quicker than the weatherman said.”
She nodded. “Thanks for the warning. You know me…I don’t fly in unsafe conditions.”
He patted her cheek. “You’re a good pilot. Come home safely.”
She kissed his cheek, climbed the steps and settled into the pilot’s seat.
Hawk climbed in after her and closed the door behind him.
“Sorry, we don’t have beverage service on this flight,” Kalea said with a wink. “But we do have a safety briefing.” She pointed out the features of the aircraft, the exit doors and the floatation devices required if they should have to bring the craft down over water. “This is a seaplane. If we have to land on water, we’re equipped for that eventuality. I’ve done it a number of times. And don’t worry, the annual service was performed less than a month ago. The plane was given an excellent bill of health.” She put on her headset, checked the gauges, switched on the master switch and looked right then left. “Clear?”
