Juelle's Legacy

by Carol Henry

  Despite her aching heart, the shopping trip turned out to be productive. They found a comfortable living room ensemble, complete with an oak coffee table and matching end tables, two table lamps, a floor lamp, and a bookcase that would fit in the alcove. When they got to the bedroom furniture, Juelle spotted a king size bed. Hunter’s comments when they had picnicked at the house had her imagining Hunter and her making love in it, which had her temperature rising.

  “Oh. Just the bed for you. Look at it—plenty of room for making all kinds of kinky sex. That’s the bed Sven and I need when we get married.”

  “More info than I needed, Katelyn. Get real. I’m not planning on sharing a bed with anyone in the near future.

  “Really? You aren’t envisioning you and Hunter doing the ‘deed’ in that bed? You can’t hide that bright shade of pink on your cheeks creeping clear to your neckline.”

  “Wishing won’t make it so. He’s gone. History. I have to think about Makenzie.”

  “If you don’t add the bed to the rest of your order…”

  “Even if I bought it, doesn’t mean I have sexual fantasies about me and Hunter McClintock.”

  “Liar. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you took your rings off. Did you and Hunter have sex already?”

  “Katelyn! Hush! Someone will hear you.”

  Katelyn lowered her voice. “What? You don’t have to act so shocked. It was very evident the way the two of you acted at the restaurant the other night. Why, you couldn’t stop making eyes at each other like a couple of love-sick teenagers. I’m happy for you. Really. Sebastian was all wrong for you from the beginning.”

  “I wish I’d known about Nora Spears earlier—it would have saved us both a lot of heartache.”

  “Have you seen her since the funeral?”

  “Only from a distance, after the funeral. And then I ran into her with my cart at the Grocery Mart the other day. I reiterated I had nothing to do with Sebastian’s death, and that I was sorry for her loss.”

  “Again. You are too kind.”

  “Like I told Nora, we have to live in the same small community. I don’t want to be on guard every time I go out and about and run into her.”

  “Ladies, have you made a decision on a bedroom suite? Can I show you something else? We have a large selection over here—a gorgeous white French provincial canopy set just around the corner,” the saleslady intervened.

  “Thanks, but I think Ms. McClintock will take this one.” Katelyn’s smile could only be described as the cat having stolen the cream and licked the platter clean.

  ****

  The young college girls from Michigan hung on his every word, found ways to walk beside him, touch him, flirt with him, and even get creative in ways to invite him to share their beds. He wasn’t interested. He’d always been careful not to cross that line, but they were even more obvious now that he wasn’t interested in flirting back.

  When they arrived at the Polynesian Cultural Center, he let the group go off on their own, giving them a time to gather back at the Theater for the cultural show and the luau. Established by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was a non-profit, educational and cultural interactive center and was meant to maintain the individual cultures. He’d guided this tour so many times, he could walk through each and every separate village and every inch of the center blindfolded. The Pageant of the Long Canoes was always a big hit. The individual canoes were as colorful, musical, and as individual as the islands they represented—Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Marquesas, Tonga, and of course, Hawaii.

  He found an empty bench under a shade tree, sat down, and set his travel bag on the ground next to his feet. He leaned back, crossed his leg up over his knee, and perused the tropical paradise that surrounded him. Would Juelle like it here? Would she be interested in living in Oahu? Raise Makenzie in this tropical paradise? He pictured them on the beach, bonfires in the evening under the star-studded sky? Walking hand in hand in the warm foamy Pacific waters?

  Could he live in Maine?

  He took his cell out and considered calling Juelle back in Lobster Cove. Was his mother right? Should he pursue Juelle? Did he love her enough to want to spend the rest of his life with her? To take a chance at a permanent relationship? Did she love him? Had she moved on? Found someone else? He put the cell back in his pocket and sat for a few more minutes without seeing the tourists walking past, wondering if he should read the letter from his father? It was tucked in his business pouch he carried with him on tour. He pulled it out, rubbed his hand over his face. What to do? Was he about to open a can of worms?

  He slit the top of the envelope open and took out the folded letter. It was written with the old-style fountain pen and ink, the scrawling penmanship clearly legible. He wondered when his father had written it.

  My son: I can only offer the truth of the matter for not having you and your mother in my life. Your mother was a fine woman, and I was wrong to think she would fit in with my life here in Lobster Cove—the winters can be very harsh for a fragile Hawaiian. My father was a formidable, demanding man, and I was a weak youth who had no control over his life. I was foolish to think your mother would survive the hardships I faced on a daily basis, knowing how my demanding father would crush her dynamic spirit—the spirit I fell in love with. Although we married, I had no knowledge of a child until it was too late.

  When I returned to Lobster Cove, my father forced an annulment. I tried to contact Lani, wrote several times, but never heard from her again. I could only assume she wanted nothing to do with me. It wasn’t until after I remarried that I learned of your existence. In my heart, I felt confident Lani would raise a fine son, and that you and your mother were much better off in Hawaii without me. I don’t ask for forgiveness—I have done nothing to deserve it, but know your mother was in my heart until the very end.

  Hunter crumpled the letter in his hands. His father was right in many respects—he had grown up with a wonderful, loving mother and family. He wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. Was he sorry he hadn’t had a chance to know his father?

  He looked around the Polynesian Cultural Center, considered the many opportunities that had come his way over the years, the friends, the travel, and his life here on the islands—he was happy. And although his father’s letter was enlightening, it didn’t excuse his father’s lack of manhood—sticking up for what he believed in, wanted with all his heart. Could he have defied a father like Hunt’s father? Fight for the woman he loved? Was his mother right—if you want something bad enough you go after it?

  “Perhaps your feelings aren’t as strong as you think they are—as strong as they should be. But if they are, do not make the mistake of walking away. It is your decision, after all.”

  Was he as blind and obstinate as his father? Had he left the woman he loved behind because he had no backbone? Afraid to commit?

  The colorful Pageant of the Long Canoes wound their way through the waterways and lagoons. Each was filled with dancers and music representative of the islands they represented here at the center. Visitors rushed to the benches and along the shore to watch one of the more popular events at the Center. The clapping, music, singing, picture taking, and gaiety failed to interest him for the first time since he’d been doing this particular tour. He was thankful his tour group was scheduled to meet at the theater for the afternoon show—he wasn’t looking forward to dealing with their many questions, their enthusiasm—his mind was back in Lobster Cove.

  Crap. It was going to be a long two days on tour.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Juelle met the delivery truck when it pulled up to her new home. With Makenzie at the Hearts and Hands for the day, she was free to instruct the men on where to place her new furniture. In no time, everything was right where she had envisioned it. She signed the delivery form, thanked the men, and waved as they got in their truck to leave. She closed the door, leaned against it, and smiled. She and Katelyn had hung curtains, and t
he draperies had been installed yesterday. She was all set to move in with Makenzie tomorrow.

  She walked through the house, loving every little nuance—the kitchen, living room, nursery, and even the spacious laundry room. She found herself in the master bedroom staring at the bed Katelyn had talked her into buying. It was too big for just one person, and she didn’t think that would change for a long time to come. Tears formed, but before she let them fall, she walked out of the room and back down the hall.

  The doorbell rang just as she entered the living room. Thinking the delivery men had left something behind, she hurried to open the door and found Hunter McClintock standing on her porch, hands behind his back, a silly grin on his face.

  “Aloha,” he said, and offered a multi-colored lei of small orchids from behind his back. He placed it around her neck. “I missed you.”

  Speechless, she stared at his handsome features. She had missed him, too. Dreamt of him every single night since he’d gone back to Oahu. But what was he doing in Lobster Cove? Was something wrong at the company? Did he want to get rid of his half? Sell the company and needed her permission? The indecisive look on his face made her uncomfortable. Before she could ask any of her questions, he leaned in and gave her a quick, almost nervous kiss, as if he wasn’t sure it would be welcomed.

  “It’s tradition to kiss the recipient of the lei.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I have something to ask you…”

  “You can have my half of the business, if you want it. I don’t need or want it.”

  He kissed her again, crushing the flowers against her chest. Heaven help her, her arms circled his neck. The fresh scent of crushed orchids enveloped them. She leaned into him, her insides exploded, her mind a blank. She didn’t care why he had come back to Lobster Cove, she was too caught up in being held in his embrace. His kiss softened, a warm shockwave vibrated clear down to her toes and back up through her inner core. She gasped when he lifted her off her feet and carried her into the house. And kicked the door shut. The implications not lost on her addled brain, she wiggled in his arms until he let her down.

  “Hunter…?” She stepped out of his arms, put enough space between them so she could breathe again. His gaze locked with hers.

  “I’ve missed you, Juelle. You and Makenzie. You’re all I’ve been able to think about since I left Lobster Cove—night and day. I had to come back to you—I couldn’t desert you like my father deserted my mother. I love you—and if you love someone, you don’t let them go, you follow them. You don’t shut them out of your life.”

  Oh, my, God! Did he just say he loved her?

  “I’ve missed you too…”

  “Say it. Say you love me…”

  “I love you.”

  She was back in his arms, his lips on hers. He lifted her once again and twirled her around the room.

  “I have it on very good authority that there is a king-sized bed in the other room just waiting for us.”

  “What? Whose authority?” She snuggled in his arms, her head in the crux of his neck, his firm, strong body sending her signals she had no trouble deciphering.

  “I ran into Katelyn and Sven. Are you going to invite me into that bed?”

  He was already heading down the hall with her still in his arms before she consented. He kissed her on the forehead, sat her down at the foot of the bed, and joined her, his arm circling her waist.

  “I have to ask you something before—”

  “I told you I don’t want the business.”

  “You sure? Because it comes with strings attached.”

  His playful smile turned serious. She stood, wanting to put distance between them again, afraid of what he was about to say. He tugged her hand, bringing her back to his side.

  “The only stipulation to go along with the company is that you marry me. I can live without McClintock and McClintock, but I can’t live without you.”

  He lifted her chin, his eyes seeking an answer. She read the truth of his desire and leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

  “Yes. Oh. Yes. I’ll marry you.”

  “I won’t let you down—ever again. I swear.”

  “I have no reason to doubt you.

  “How would you like to live in Oahu during Maine’s winter months? I have my own house along the coast with a private beach. We can keep this house and live here in the summer?”

  Tears formed in her eyes. Taken aback at his thoughtfulness, she didn’t know what to say. He wiped her tears with his thumbs, and a delicious heat warmed her insides. Juelle didn’t know what she’d ever done to deserve his love.

  “Or, I can always move here. It doesn’t matter to me, as long as we’re together.”

  “Oh, Hunter. I’d love to live in Hawaii, with you. Are you sure?”

  “We have a company to run here. It’s the perfect solution. But there’s one more thing we have to deal with.”

  Juelle held her breath. The only thing she wanted to deal with at the moment was to be held in his arms again. He took her hand in his and looked down at it and then up into her eyes.

  “I think you’re missing something on that hand of yours. Will this do?” He slipped a single solitaire ring on her finger, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it.

  “There. It’s official. As soon as we can arrange it, we’ll make it permanent. In the meantime, I say we put this bed to good use.”

  A word about the author...

  Carol Henry is an author of Destination: Romance—Exotic Romantic Suspense Adventures, as well as contemporary romance and historic women’s fiction. She is an international traveler, and travel writer of exotic locations for major cruise lines’ deluxe in-cabin books and Porthole Cruise Magazine.

  Carol lives with her husband in the beautiful New York State Finger Lakes region where they are surrounded by family and friends.

  Find her at: www.carolhenry.org

  ~*~

  Other Carol Henry titles

  available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

  AMAZON CONNECTION

  SHANGHAI CONNECTION

  RIO CONNECTION

  RIBBONS OF STEEL

  NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE

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