Dangerous Depths

by Colleen Coble

  The fragrance of flowers struck her first. She glanced around and saw masses of bouquets all around the clearing: ginger, orchids, plumeria, all her favorites. She searched until she spotted Bane. He was just getting ready to play.

  His face lit up with pleasure when he saw her. He put down his instrument and came toward her. “You’re just in time.” He picked up something at his feet.

  Leia’s gaze took in the beautiful lei. It had to be Malia’s artwork. Tiny seashells mingled with perfect white blossoms. Bane slipped it over her head, and the sweet scent made her senses reel. He took her by the hand and led her through the flowers and the crowd. She glanced around and stopped when she saw her father. “Makua, you’re here?”

  “Bane told me something exciting was going to happen tonight. I didn’t want to miss it. And your mother insisted we come. She says we’re not going to hang our heads.”

  “Mama said that?” Leia couldn’t keep the incredulity from her voice.

  “Your mother has her issues, but she’s sticking by me, Leia. I’m grateful for that.” Her father’s smile faltered. “Your mother is over there somewhere with Eva. I was just getting her a drink.” He pointed toward the refreshment stand.

  Leia saw her mother’s blonde head. The disappointment she’d felt over her mother’s coldness began to dissipate. Her mother couldn’t change her nature. God had ordained her mother’s days too. It was best if Leia simply accepted what love her mother was able to show. Pressing her father’s arm, she stepped into the crowd with Bane.

  His family was here as well, and even Kaia and Jesse had returned. They were seated near Mano and Annie with Malia on the other side of Annie. Malia had picked Tûtû up from the assisted-living home, and their grandmother looked bright and alert tonight as she chatted with Luana. Kaia’s color was high, and her eyes were bright with expectation. A strange smile hovered on Mano’s lips. He looked almost—proud. Even Malia’s smile seemed to stretch across her face. What was going on? She gave the family another glance, then followed Bane.

  Several rocks jutted through the sand in the open area where the musicians were playing. Bane seated her on one, picked up his ukulele and began to strum. His fingers picked out the chords. When he opened his mouth, she was shocked. He never sang.

  “Aloha nui loa.” His rich tenor filled the night air. The words meant “I love you very much.”

  Leia flushed hot and cold as the meaning of his song penetrated. Bane was private and rarely even held her hand in public when they’d been engaged. He was staring now—his gaze full of love and longing. He wasn’t trying to hide what he felt from the world. The Hawaiian song spoke of his great love and longing for her and ended with a proposal of marriage. She’d never heard it, and she wondered where he’d found the song. When the chords of the ukulele echoed away, he put down the instrument and came toward her. He went to one knee in front of her. The crowd began to cheer and whistle. Leia put her hands on her cheeks, and the heat radiated up through her palms.

  Tenderness radiated from his eyes. “I wrote this song for you, Leia. Did you understand all the words?”

  She nodded, her throat too tight to speak. Tears hovered at the backs of her eyes. She wouldn’t cry, she reminded herself.

  “Well? Are you going to answer me?” he asked.

  She couldn’t think, couldn’t decide what to do. Bane’s face was turned up to her, and the love in his eyes broke through her fear. He’d braved this crowd to reveal a softer side she’d never seen. How could she hold on to her fear in the face of such devotion? “Aloha au ia ’oe.” She whispered Hawaiian words for I love you. “I don’t think I have any choice but to say . . . yes.” With her surrender, the tears pushed past the walls she’d erected and flowed down her cheeks. She found she didn’t mind at all.

  “There’s always a choice. But I’ve taken down the barrier I’ve had up, Leia. My heart is yours.”

  “You sound almost poetic,” she said. His grip on her hand was so tight it was almost painful, but she didn’t mind.

  “That was the part inside I was hiding. I hope you don’t mind if I bring you flowers and sing you love songs.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She leaned forward, and their lips met in a kiss. She inhaled the scent of him along with the love in his touch. With Bane she would never feel inferior or dam-aged. The crowd clapped even louder, and she heard Eva’s shriek of happiness, a joyous sound that illuminated life, the good, the bad, and the incredible adventure. The scars healed, both inside and out. She pulled away. “You realize Hina will be thrilled.”

  “I think I just became a cat lover,” he said, bringing her face down for another kiss.

  Hawaiian Language Pronunciation Guide

  Although Hawaiian words may look challenging to pronounce, they’re typically easy to say when sounded out by each syllable. The Hawaiian language utilizes five vowels (a, e, i, o, u) and seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w). Please note that sometimes the w is pronounced the same as v, as in Hawaii.

  a–ah, as in car: aloha

  e–a, as in may: nene

  i–ee, as in bee: honi

  o–oh, as in so: mahalo

  u–oo, as in spoon: kapu

  Dipthongs: Generally, vowels are pronounced separately except when they appear together:

  ai, ae–sounds like I or eye

  ao–sounds like ow in how, but without a nasal twang

  au–sounds like the ou in house or out, but without a nasal twang

  ei–sounds like ei in chow mein or in eight

  eu–has no equivalent in English, but sounds like eh-oo run together as a single syllable

  iu–sounds like the ew in few

  oi–sounds like the oi in voice

  ou–sounds like the ow in bowl

  ui–an unusual sound for English-speakers, sort of like the ooey in gooey, but pronounced as a single syllable.

  Words Used in This Book

  ‘ae (EYE): yes

  aloha (ah-LOW-hah): hello as used in this book. Aloha is a wonderful word though. It’s a blessing of love, mercy, and compassion bestowed on the receiver.

  aloha au ia ’oe (ah-LOW-hah OW EE-uh OY): I love you

  aloha no (ah-LOW-hah NO): oh no!

  aloha kakah’aka (ah-LOW-hah kah-kah-HAH-kah): good morning

  aloha nui loa (ah-LOW-hah NOOEY LOW-ah): I love you very much

  a’ole loa (ah-oh-lay LOW-ah): certainly not

  ha’iku (HI-koo): flower

  haole (ha-OH-lay): white person, any foreigner

  he’e holua (HAY-ay WHO-lah): lava sledding, an ancient Hawaiian sport

  ho’olohe (HO-oh-low-hay): listen to me

  honu (HO-new): sea turtle

  hula ku’i Moloka’i (WHO-lah KU-ee MOW-low-kye): an ancient, fast dance with stamping, heel twisting, thigh slapping, dipping of knees, and fist doubling as in boxing, vigorous gestures of such pursuits as drag-ging fish nets, and unaccompanied by instruments

  imu (EE-moo): firepit for cooking luau pig

  hahuna (hah-WHO-nah): expert

  kala mai ia’u (CALL-ah my EE-ow): excuse me

  kapa (KAH-pah): Hawaiian bark cloth, the finest tex-tured of all tapa (bark cloth made in other parts of the world)

  kapu (KAH-poo): taboo

  keiki (KAY-kee): child

  konane (koh-AH-nee): ancient Hawaiian board game

  kope (KOE-pay): coffee

  kua kuku (KOO-ah koo-koo): wooden anvil for beating tapa

  kupuna (kah-POO-nah): grandparent, ancestor

  lâ’au pâlau (LAU puh-LAU): ancient Hawaiian club

  mahalo nui loa (mah-HAH-low NEW-ee LOW-ah): thank you very much

  mahalo no (mah-HAH-low NO): thanks but no

  mahalo (mah-HAH-low): thanks

  makua (mah-KOO-ah): nickname for father

  makuahine (mah-KOO-ah-HEE-nee): mother

  makuakane (mah-KOO-ah-KAH-nay): father

  malo (MAH-low): loincloth for male

  mana (MAH-na
h): spiritual power

  nene (nay-nay): endangered Hawaiian goose

  ‘ohana (oh-HAH-nah): family

  ‘ohelo (oh-HAY-low): a small native Hawaiian shrub in the cranberry family

  ‘ohi’a (oh-HEE-uh): mountain apple tree

  pakololio (pah-koe-LOW-lee-oh): a Hawaiian symbol used to bring control over the wind

  pau (POW): women’s skirt or sarong

  pehea ‘oe (pay-HEY-ah OY): how are you?

  pomaik’i: good fortune

  pupus (POO-poose): appetizers

  tûtû (TOO-too): grandmother

  tûtû kâne (TOO-too KAH-nay): grandpa

  tûtû-man (TOO-too-MON): grandfather

  wahine (wah-HE-nee): woman, wife

  Acknowledgments

  Aloha! I’ve grown very fond of that word in the writing of this series. Aloha means so many things: everything that is full of love, mercy, goodness, and friendship. The Hawaiian people are some of the friendliest on the planet, and they’ve opened their hearts to us every time we’ve gone to the islands for a research trip. A spe-cial blessing of aloha on Malia Spencer’s head for reading my manu-scripts and helping this haole navigate the writing waters to make sure I got right the culture I love so much. Her father, El Captain, as we call him, Bruce Spencer, gave me much-needed advice about Moloka’i and the world of boats. Mahalo nui loa to both of you!

  Mahalo nui loa to Robin Miller for reading the final draft to make sure I didn’t leave any plot holes. If I did, blame her. Seriously though, Robin, you were a great help, and I appreciate your friend-ship so much!

  Mahalo nui loa to my best friends and critique partners: Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt. Your e-mails and con-stant support make the journey worthwhile!

  My great agent and friend, Karen Solem, has been by my side through thick and thin. Mostly better since you came into my life, Karen. I call a blessing of aloha from God on your head for all you’ve done for me.

  My editor, Erin Healy, is a source of envy among my writing friends. They are ready to steal her away, but I’ll never let her go. She’s a fabulous editor, and she makes me better than I can be. Mahalo nui loa, Erin!

  I’m blessed beyond measure by my publishing family at WestBow Press. When Black Sands arrived, publisher Allen Arnold included some tissues because he knew I always cry when I hold a new WestBow book in my hands. That’s the kind of publishing family I have: one that really knows and loves me. It’s a partnership I never take for granted but thank God for every day. Mahalo nui loa to the fabulous team: Ami McConnell is the best editor I’ve ever met. I love her like my daughter, and I’ve adopted her kids as my grand-children, because my own children are slow in providing them. Thanks also to Amanda Bostic, my editorial assistant who keeps us all on track and makes me smile while she does it; Caroline Craddock, my beautiful and fabulous publicist; Jennifer Deshler, my incredibly creative marketing guru; and Lisa Young, my friend and Allen’s assistant, who is always there with a quick hug to pick me up. Allen Arnold is wonderful and amazing. He has taken the WestBow imprint and launched it into the stratosphere. He charges up a room just by entering it and makes me think I can do more than I ever dreamed. Thanks for letting me share the journey, my friends.

  My family is my wonderful blessing from God. No more supportive husband ever walked the earth than my David. He tells people about my books, reads them before they go to the editors, and keeps me on track. My children, Kara and Dave, bring me joy every day. I’m blessed beyond measure by what God has done in my life, both personally and professionally. Aloha nui loa.

  And most important, mahalo nui loa to the One who made it all possible and who has lavished every blessing on me. Aloha nui loa.

  Dangerous Depths

  COLLEEN COBLE

  READING GROUP GUIDE QUESTIONS

  1. Tony was obsessed with finding the treasure. How do you think it affected his life for good or bad? Is obsession ever good?

  2. Leia was self-conscious about her so-called “defect.” Is there some aspect of your appearance that makes you feel awkward? What can you do to get over it?

  3. Leia didn’t tell Bane the truth about why she broke off her engagement. Is there ever a good reason to lie?

  4. Leia never felt unconditional love from her mother. Why do you think the way our parents show love can have such crucial effects through our whole lives? Is there a way to get over what we perceive as a lack of good parenting?

  5. Bane was the family leader and felt responsible for his siblings. How did that shape the man he became?

  6. Bane felt he had to hide his soft side. What kinds of expectations do we put on our sons that are wrong? What are the important things to teach them?

  7. Eva was an adult even though she was mentally impaired, and was fair game to a predator. It’s a difficult line to walk between giving a daughter like her enough freedom and too much. Were her parents right to let her have free time on her own? Why or why not?

  8. Tûtû’s mental problems caused more problems for Leia, but we’ve all run into problems with family members who say hurtful things. How do you handle that? How would Christ respond?

  9. Why do you think Leia was so attached to natural medicine? Could there be an element of rebellion against her mother’s way?

  10. Have you ever know someone who was focused totally on his/her own wants and desires with no regard for other people like the villain? How do you deal with someone like that?

  AN EXCERPT FROM FDireancer

  Dust settled around the Jeep as Tess parked in front of the old adobe-style ranch house. A familiar ache started under her breast-bone and moved up her chest in a suffocating pressure. She’d loved this house, yet it looked hostile to her now. The curved windows seemed to peer back at her like eyes slitted with malice. Why had she agreed to come? She should have insisted Stevie tell her what this was all about over the phone. She let her squirrel scamper out, then slammed the Jeep’s door behind her and wiped her dusty hands on the seat of her jeans.

  “Some things never change,” a deep voice behind her said. “You’re still running late.”

  She sometimes heard that voice at night in her dreams (or more accurately, nightmares). Tess pinned a fake smile to her lips and forced herself to turn. “Hello, Chase,” she said, determined to sound carefree and natural. If it were up to her, he would never know how much he irritated her even still. Her gaze ranged from his dusty boots up the faded denim jeans and T-shirt, then lingered on the strong-jawed face under the tan cowboy hat. The fierce Arizona sun hadn’t managed to wash out his vivid blue eyes. “You’ve got a new hat.”

  Sheesh, could she say anything more lame? She wished she could spit the dust from her tongue, but it wouldn’t be ladylike, and while she hardly considered herself a girly-girl, she wasn’t about to let Chase Huston sense even an ounce of weakness. Why didn’t he say something? He stared her down as if he was trying to look under her skin and into her soul, a knack he’d always had, unfortunately.

  Tiny new lines crouched at the edges of his eyes, and she spotted a weary droop to his lips. Maybe she could hold her own against him this trip, especially no longer than she planned to be here.

  She took a step toward him, but he didn’t move. If she dared, she’d stick her tongue out at him. “Are you going to hug me or just stare?”

  He unbent then, pulling his hands from the pockets of his jeans. They exchanged a brief hug, but it was like trying to embrace a saguaro cactus. She probably should have kept her distance, but she couldn’t resist the desire to unsettle him just a little.

  “I’m surprised you showed your face,” he said. “I had a bet going with Whip that you’d make some lame excuse at the last minute and not show up. You’re late.”

  “I took a wrong turn.”

  “More likely a shortcut that got you lost. When will you learn shortcuts are of the devil?” He flashed white teeth in a grin.

  He knew her too well. She stepped away from him. “Would you
turn Wildfire out into the pasture?”

  “Sure. I see Dooley hasn’t deserted you yet.” He watched the squirrel run along the edge of the driveway and pick up something in the dirt.

  “He still rules the roost. Stevie in the house?”

  “Yeah. In her bedroom. Your parents’ old room,” he amended.

  Tess took two steps toward the house before his words sank in. “In bed? At eleven in the morning? What’s wrong?” She didn’t wait for an answer but stepped into the shade of the overhanging portico. Hummingbirds flitted away from the feeder as she passed, and the air movement stirred the brilliant cardinal flowers that attracted the hummers. She’d forgotten how the hummingbirds flocked around the porch. Her mother had loved them. She clamped off the memory before it could hurt her.

  Crossing the threshold onto the terra-cotta tile felt like going through a time portal. The scent of the pine boughs Stevie and their mother liked hanging around the house brought all the memories of home rushing back. Tess closed her eyes and swayed. In her mind, she heard her mother’s voice call. Everything in her wanted to turn and rush out the way she’d come. She opened her eyes and forced herself to take a few deep breaths, then took a moment to glance around the large open living space. Dead pine needles lay littered around the bough on top of the TV, and a dry odor of decay began to insinuate itself past the fragrance of pine. The place was usually spotless. What was going on here?

  “Stevie?” Tess ran down the hall lined with pictures of her and her sister from birth through high school. It was as if the air itself pushed against her and slowed her movements until she reached the bedroom door. An invisible barrier seemed to guard the oak door. When she was a little girl, she used to crawl in bed with her mother. Her dad was usually up and out the door by the time she and Stevie woke up. Her mom would fix him breakfast then go back to bed for a little while. When Tess poked her head in, her mom would throw back the covers and open her arms, and Tess would scramble into them.