by Kay Bratt
Quinn was getting a lot of thinking done as she helped prepare another pupu tray for the snack table. Before she’d come to Maui, she’d only had herself and her ex-fiancé to worry about. Now with the discovery of her big family, there were so many different threads of things going on all the time. Keeping up with all of it was hard to do.
She’d talked to her mother earlier about Kira. Her sister had apologized for the way she and her husband, Michael, had acted. She’d confided that their grandmother had said no to the loan, but even if she’d said yes, Kira claimed she’d had a change of heart. Michael, however, was going to take a little longer to come around, as he’d had stars in his eyes about their possible business venture, and he felt ganged up on by the family.
Jules said he’d be fine in a week or two because he had to be; they were all he had. His own family was on the mainland, and visits between them were rare. Michael had a lot of weird quirks, but Kira said he was smart enough to know that his children needed grandparents and other relatives. He’d been in Hawaii long enough to know that ohana was everything, and he wouldn’t let them suffer over the loss of a business dream.
Quinn was impressed with the compassionate way that her mom talked about Michael, as though he, too, were one of her adult children and just needed some extra time and understanding.
She finished stabbing the prosciutto-and-cheddar apple slices with toothpicks when she looked up and saw David. He looked very handsome in a pair of white beach slacks and a baby-blue button-down shirt.
“Hi, is Julianne about ready?”
“She wants to talk to you, actually. Can you come to our room?”
“Of course. Is everything okay?”
He faltered. “Well, yes. But I’ll let her tell you.”
Quinn turned to Maria. “Can you finish up without me?”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve got the little mermaid to help me too,” Maria said. “Pali already set up all the chairs and is supposed to be here to carry out the food.”
Maria’s daughter beamed up at them. “Pali’s bringing his girlfriend.”
They laughed.
“Don’t embarrass your brother, Alani,” Quinn said. She pulled off the apron she was wearing over her new dress. Liam had helped her pick it out from one of Maui’s finest boutiques that morning, and it was the prettiest thing she’d ever owned. The long wrap dress was made from the lightest chiffon, and the pale-pink orchids crawling over the cream background gave it just the right amount of softness in a muted color that wouldn’t take attention away from whatever dress that Julianne wore.
Quinn’s shoulders were bare under the thin straps, and the skirt swooshed in the most divine way around her legs when she walked, making her feel pretty.
She followed him to his room, and when she went through the door, she could see Julianne was on their private terrace. She was surprised to see Liam there, sitting across from her and holding her hand, as he appeared to be listening to her.
“Liam?” Quinn said.
He stood and waved for them to come out.
Quinn walked through the room, taking note of how neat it was despite their lengthy stay. Someone had been to the library, and a stack of books at least two feet high was beside the bed, the only thing really out of place.
Liam stood and pulled out a chair for Quinn, and she sat down. David stood behind Julianne, his hands on her shoulders. She looked lovely, having picked a warm color of rose to complement her usually pale face. Her hair was done differently, pulled back in an elegant chignon that made Quinn wonder if someone had come to style it for her. She mentally kicked herself for not having thought of it first.
“Julianne, you look beautiful,” she said. “Are you just about ready?”
Julianne reached out and took Quinn’s hands, holding them between her own. She smiled serenely.
“I had the most wonderful experience last night, Quinn. I think it was meant for me to share, and I’d like to tell you about it.”
She looked questioningly at Quinn.
Quinn hid a sudden flash of anxiety. Everyone was on the terrace, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“Of course,” she said, resisting the urge to look at her watch.
David pulled up another chair and sat beside Julianne.
“First,” she said, “I need to tell you that I was blessed in this life to have two gifts. One was my ability to dance. From the time I took my first steps, I could feel the music in my soul, and my body reacted easily to it, giving me grace and stamina that some might envy.”
Quinn nodded. “David said you’re an amazing dancer.”
“I was,” Julianne said. “Now I still hear the music, but the dancing is in my soul, only visible to me. And that’s okay. I’ve done enough dancing for one lifetime. But the other gift I have is one that not too many would be envious of.”
Quinn was curious now.
“I have mantic dreams,” she said.
“I don’t understand,” Quinn said, confused now.
“If you go back in history, even centuries ago, people have looked to the stars or visionaries to predict the future, right?”
Quinn nodded.
“Well, since I was a young woman, I realized that many of my dreams were prophetic. Not all of them, mind you, but over the years I began to be able to tell which ones were simply my mind downloading fantasies and memories, and which were messages. I rarely share them with anyone but David. However, I’ve been careful to keep a journal, and to later mark the ones that occur in reality.”
Quinn couldn’t imagine what she was getting at. Was she afraid of the ceremony? Had she seen a storm brewing? What?
David cleared his throat. “She’s become very accurate. It’s there in black and white, with dates and details. But it’s something that we’ve kept between us. Just because she’s seen the future doesn’t mean she has the power to change it.”
Quinn thought of Liam’s father. It wasn’t exactly the same, but dreams had led him to his life’s work too. She believed in the power of dreams and intuition. But listening to David talk about something so unusual felt strange in itself. From what Quinn knew of David, he was a very straightforward and methodical man. Not one who you’d guess would believe in such things.
“I’m lucky that my dreams tend to stay on the personal side. Just to be clear, I could never predict a natural disaster or tragedy that would affect a mass crowd. I’m thankful for that, as well. I’m happy just to live in my own little world without taking on the burdens of strangers or the impending destruction of our earth.”
“Tell her what you saw,” said Liam, his tone encouraging.
Julianne smiled again. “The first dream was last week, and I saw Liam’s father coming to you, his heart on his sleeve.”
Quinn nodded, but she wasn’t sold yet. It wasn’t impossible that Julianne or David could’ve seen Ano leaving her suite. But then, how would they know he was Liam’s father?
“The second dream I had was last night, and in it, I saw you and Liam.”
Now Liam was smiling. She must’ve already told him.
Julianne stared serenely ahead as though seeing the dream in her mind again. “You were wearing a ring, and you both were very happy. It was obvious to me that you had given your dedication to each other and sealed your future as one.”
“Was it here, in Hawaii? Or somewhere else?” Quinn asked, curious if there were mountains and a spread of land in the background.
Julianne nodded. “It was definitely Maui. The ocean was roaring behind you, and the wind was blowing your hair in the sea breeze. And Quinn.” She leaned in closer. “There were children. At least two.”
Quinn sat up abruptly, taking her hands from Julianne. Now it was getting to be too much. She was sensitive about not being a mother. It wasn’t a subject to play with.
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me, and Julianne, we have guests waiting. We really need to go.”
“She’s trying to tell you
that she already saw this,” Liam said, then got out of his chair and went down on one knee. He pulled a box from his pocket and opened it.
Quinn was speechless. It was the most exquisite ring that Quinn had ever seen. It sparkled against the black box—a diamond that was delicate, nothing too big or grandiose—and it was obviously antique. It fit Quinn’s personality exactly, as though she’d picked it out herself.
Liam was calm. “I was going to wait until after the ceremony when I got you alone. But Julianne convinced me my timing would be off.”
She felt overwhelmed with emotion, and her heart beat so loudly, surely they could hear it too. The timing was still off, for she’d already made her plans, and unfortunately, as much as it broke her heart, they didn’t include Liam.
“Quinn, I know that you always strive to protect those around you. Because of that, you’ve planned to leave this island and walk away from the relationship we built in order to ease the pressures on your family’s reputation. To save your grandmother. You’re selfless. Loving. Loyal. All the things that I want in a partner. But this time, I want you to be selfish. I want you to stay and we’ll face whatever may come. Together.”
She couldn’t think of a single word of response. Whatever option she chose would hurt someone, and that’s what she didn’t want to do.
“I’ve figured out how to tell your story without throwing your grandmother under the bus,” David said. “You were so traumatized when you were found washed up that your parents didn’t want a media circus. You needed therapy. The kind that Maui doesn’t offer, so they sent you to stay on the mainland. You did well there and stayed, with their permission. That’s not against the law.”
Quinn wanted to let out the ragged sob that she held back. Was it really possible unraveling her story for the public could be that simple? She wouldn’t have to leave Maui? Her parents? Helen wouldn’t face further punishment than that she’d already set out for herself?
And, of course, Quinn didn’t want to leave Liam. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a partner. Seeing his face made her day better. If ever she had a problem or needed advice, he was the one she turned to. The one she trusted. They just fit together physically and emotionally, all their broken pieces coming together to make her feel whole.
“Quinn, I want you to be my wife,” Liam said. “Please marry me. Tonight.”
“Tonight?” Quinn looked at Julianne.
“Yes, tonight. You can take care of the legalities tomorrow, but the ceremony can be done. Right now, with everyone you love already gathered round,” Julianne said.
“But you and David—”
She held her hand up to stop Quinn’s words. “David and I don’t need to renew our vows.” She reached up and took his hand. “We are as strong now as we were the day we met. In my dream, I didn’t see me up there in front of friends and family. I saw you. And Liam.”
Quinn looked into Liam’s eyes and saw nothing but love. And hope. She thought of his father, who had praised his son for giving so much to his family, always putting aside his own needs. Suddenly all the hurt and betrayal from her past relationship just faded away and she knew, Liam would never hurt her. And never try to change her. He wanted her for who she was, not for who he wanted her to be.
“I love you, Quinn. Please say yes,” Liam said. “Stay with me.”
She nodded, and he broke out in a huge smile.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
Finally the sobs erupted, but they were happy tears. She was going to continue to be the strong woman that the magic of Maui had taught her to be. She’d face her troubles just like Maggie had faced her tormenter. This was her life, and no one was going to make her give up what she had with Liam.
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Liam stood and pulled her out of her chair, straight into his arms. He held her so close that it felt like they were one.
“Are you ready?” he whispered.
It was time to fulfill Julianne’s prophecy, no matter how crazy it sounded.
Quinn heard Julianne sniffling and peeked to see David embracing her. Maybe the woman had a real gift and maybe not, but it really didn’t matter now because her dream was the catalyst to Quinn following her heart. She looked up at Liam, the man who was about to be her future. She’d made a lot of bad decisions in her life, but this one—this would not be one of them.
“Let’s do this,” she agreed.
Maggie was doing her best to pat down Charlie’s cowlick, but she looked up when the band paused, then started playing the soft wedding song.
“Okay, Charlie, be still. This will be over in ten minutes or less and we can eat dinner. There’s cake too.”
He obliged, leaning into her, and Maggie once again thanked the universe that she was still able to be a mother to the most awesome little boy in the world, even if he had insisted on wearing Superman socks with his dress shorts. Before this week, she might’ve been embarrassed, but now she felt proud that he knew his own style and did his thing. She promised herself that she wouldn’t stress over the little things anymore, but would instead celebrate them.
She turned to look and saw David pushing Julianne’s chair. Instead of coming to the place where the Hawaiian elder stood, the Bible in his hands, David parked Julianne in the front row and took a seat next to her.
“What’s going on?” Maggie said.
Colby shrugged, as clueless as she was. She looked down the row at Juniper, but her attention was narrowed to watching who would come next.
The music escalated a notch.
Moving up the aisle next was Liam. His elbow was linked with Quinn’s, who was holding the bouquet that she’d made for Julianne. Liam had his arm looped through hers and wore the proudest smile Maggie had ever seen.
Quinn caught Maggie’s eye and held up a hand, showing off a ring that hadn’t been there before.
“Oh Mary, Mother of God,” Maggie muttered. “They’re getting married.”
She knew this had to be impromptu. Otherwise Quinn would’ve told her. They shared everything. Maggie could barely contain her shock that Quinn was going against her usual tendency to overthink, then plan everything out to the last detail.
Who was this woman, and what had she done with Maggie’s best friend?
Around them everyone stood, and there was a murmur of surprise that spread like a wave around the terrace.
Maggie struggled to her feet and watched as Quinn and Liam first paused at the row where his family stood. He reached out and took the hand of an older man who, judging by their likeness to each other, had to be his father.
Liam kissed his mother and they moved on, stopping where Jules and Noah were.
Jules was crying, the tears streaming down her face visible to everyone as she leaned in to Quinn, hugging her close. Noah shook Liam’s hand and then put his arm around his wife and daughter. Beside them, Quinn’s sisters exchanged astonished looks and whispered to each other.
Maggie turned to Colby. He wasn’t even looking at Quinn and Liam. His eyes were set on her. She knew she was lucky to have him. And even luckier that she’d finally come to her senses. Now she knew that one of her greatest fallacies was her tendency to confuse independence with stubbornness. She’d learned over the last few days that it was okay to need someone, and it’s not weakness to accept help from those who love you. It’s simply letting them show they care in the ways that they can handle.
She could’ve saved herself a lot of heartache if she’d only figured that out sooner.
“Have I told you that you look ravishing in that dress?” he whispered.
“Shh . . . ,” Maggie said. “And yes, you’ve already said that. A few times.” She blushed. The dress was a little more feminine than her usual taste. A pale pink to offset the shade of her hair, with a hem that grazed the ground. Her feet peeked out, and Colby couldn’t stop looking at the little turquoise ring around her toe.
He said it was sexy.
Quinn and
Liam reached the front, and everyone else sat down.
Colby moved his chair closer to her. Their legs touched now, and the sparks were palpable. She poked him in the ribs with her elbow, but that only made him slide closer.
A breeze picked up, and she burrowed under his arm until she could feel the heat of him.
It was simple. Colby made her feel alive. He always had. She’d denied every good thing about them as a couple, but the truth was, there was never going to be anyone else. Not for Maggie.
She thought back to the night before, when she’d come out of the clinic. He was the one she’d looked for first—the only one she’d wanted.
Colby had cried and held her for so long, then swore she’d never get rid of him again. And that was a good thing because Maggie wasn’t going to waste another moment of another day living in this lifetime without him.
The detective and a few other officers had followed her over, and they’d stood back, respecting the reunion.
Now a hush fell over the crowd as the music stopped. Maggie could see Quinn’s face from where she sat and had never seen her look so happy.
Quinn turned, just slightly, and found Maggie. She smiled and nodded, a silent message between them, an acknowledgment that Maggie was next. Then she turned back to Liam, all his for the next moments.
Colby saw it too.
“What was that about?” he whispered, his head touching hers and his breath warm on her cheek.
Maggie laughed softly. “Nothing. But Colby, I have something to say. I never thanked you for overcoming your fear of flying to come here. I still can barely believe that you did it. For me.”
Over their heads, she heard Liam agree to have Quinn as his wife. A murmur went through the crowd, then Quinn began her vows.
Colby smiled down at Maggie. “Oh, Mags, you just don’t get it, do you? I’d follow you anywhere. There’s no place too far.”
Acknowledgments
To the readers in my online book club, My Book Tribe, thank you for making the last two years more fun as we gather together to banter about books. To those who aren’t members, please drop by and visit. We are just one click away! To all my readers far and wide, thank you for continuing to read my work and recommending it to others. If you enjoyed No Place too Far, I would be very grateful if you could post an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads to help the book gain visibility and new readers.
