“My promotion is right around the corner,” Gabi corrected as she pulled her suitcase from the car. “Listen, you are the absolute best friend ever. Thank you for driving me.” She whipped around to the driver’s side, where Helen had lowered the window, and gave her friend a kiss on the cheek. “Be safe and take care of your hubby and baby.”
“Call me when you get back, and drink a mai tai for me,” Helen called as Gabi ran back to the curb.
“Will do,” Gabi said and strode into the airport. “It’s only a few days,” she told herself, her mind whirling a mile a minute. She just needed to stay focused. She just needed to keep her momentum.
* * *
AFTER A SLIGHT delay, Gabi boarded her flight. She worked during the first half of it, took a short nap, then awakened and worked until they landed in Los Angeles. She napped and worked again during the second flight until the wheels touched down in the late afternoon. The balmy air hit her the second she exited the terminal and a representative from the resort placed a lei of plumeria around her neck.
“How lovely,” she said, admiring the flowers. Gabi had skimmed an article about Hawaiian culture that had said it was bad etiquette to remove the lei in front of the person who had presented it. After the stale air in the plane, however, the scent of the lei was a delicious change and she had no inclination to remove it.
As soon as she slid into the backseat of the car, she pulled out her phone and checked text messages. Her stomach knotted as she read one from the client at her plum account. They were growing impatient with the delays, and wanted the organic cosmetic line for their drugstores now.
She immediately called one of the admins at the office and left a message asking him to send samples of the most recent organic products the company had produced. That should buy her some time, she thought. If only she could get her father to go ahead and push out the line. But he feared there wasn’t enough interest for an organic line and wasn’t quite ready to invest as fully as Gabi wanted. Research and development had approved several of the products. Her father was the holdup.
Gabi growled under her breath. She would have to work up yet another market research report that would prove the figures to him because he didn’t trust her nearly as much as he trusted most of his other young marketing representatives. The knowledge grated on her, but she was determined to make this happen.
The car pulled to a stop, interrupting her train of thought. Gabi glanced up at the parklike setting of the resort. The driver opened her car door and assisted her out of the vehicle, and a sigh slid from deep inside her. The sight of the lush, green landscape seemed to immediately ratchet down her stress level. Gabi had read that plants could do that for a person. She wouldn’t know, since she’d killed every plant she’d either bought or been given.
She could enjoy this for a few days, she thought, as she checked in at the registration desk. Especially if she still had time to take care of her work commitments. The clerk handed her the key to her bungalow and she turned around.
“There she is,” her half brother, Nick, said with a huge smile on his face, Cara beside him. He pulled Gabi into his arms. “Glad you’re here. Any problems with the flight?”
“A short delay out of Chicago and I had to connect in L.A., but I managed to get some work done on both flights. Hi, Cara,” she said to Nick’s fiancée. “Are you ready for the big day?”
“Mostly,” Cara said, giving Gabi a hug. “Just trying to keep potential craziness down to a dull roar.”
“If you need some help, let me know,” Gabi said.
“I’m fine, but thanks,” Cara replied.
“Well, I’m not,” said Nick. “I’ve got to hit the beach for a group surfing lesson and I signed you up to join in.”
“Me?” Gabi squeaked. “But I just got here. I haven’t even gone to my room yet.”
“Better hurry,” he said.
Befuddled, Gabi glanced at Cara. “Is she doing it?”
Nick shook his head. “She’s afraid she’ll break something before the wedding.”
“I have several things on my to-do list that don’t include surfing lessons,” Cara corrected, then winced. “Okay, I admit it. I’m terrified. I may give it a try after the wedding.”
“But you’re not scared, are you, Gabi? You’re always up for anything,” Nick said.
“Well, ‘always’ and ‘anything’ might be a slight exaggeration.” Gabi’s brother and plenty of other guys had attributed far more athletic prowess to her than she actually possessed. Probably because she hadn’t inherited her mother’s petite frame. Gabi stood five foot ten with big bones and big feet. She worked out and had done her best to keep up with her athletic brother while growing up, but coordination wasn’t her strong suit.
“Aw, come on. It’ll be fun,” Nick said.
Gabi thought of the vacations her family had taken with Nick at the family lake house. She and Nick had competed on water skis every time they’d gotten together. Sad to say, with Nick getting married, he’d be tied up with his new wife, and Gabi might not have as many opportunities to spend time with him as often as in the past. “Okay, I’ll do it,” she said. “But I need ten minutes.”
“Make it five,” Nick said with a big smile that brightened her mood.
“Where are the lessons being held?”
“Just follow the path to the beach,” he said. “See you there.”
Gabi took her rolling bag to her suite, and immediately changed into her swimsuit and slapped on some sunscreen. Pulling on a cover-up, she stepped into a pair of flip-flops and headed out the door. The green plants and the beautiful flowers provided a soothing contrast to the harshness of wintry Chicago. She heard the sound of a bird calling just before she walked into the bright light of the beach.
Oh, this was paradise. She would still do some work, but maybe this trip would take a few kinks out of her shoulders. Gabi took a deep breath, and another. She walked on the beach toward the small group that included her brother. A tanned, muscular man appeared to be calling out instructions. She studied him for a long moment. He spoke with a natural authority that would make people pay attention to him. He smiled and she felt a tug of attraction. Who wouldn’t? she thought. With that body and personality, he probably had women falling all over him. Well, he wouldn’t look twice at her. He was clearly a surfer guy who probably spent all his time catching waves or in the gym and undoubtedly preferred a woman with a body as chiseled as his.
Gabi tore her attention from the man and noticed three things: she was the only woman in the class, the rest of the men were firemen—Nick’s colleagues— and one of them was Bill Kenyon, her ex. Her shoulders immediately tightened up.
“Oh, it looks like you’ve already started, so I’ll sit this one out,” she said, lifting her hand and turning away.
“No need,” the instructor said and she felt him gently catch her arm. “I was just distributing the boards. I can get one for you.”
Gabi met his green-eyed gaze and felt a jiggle of awareness inside her. “I’m Finn Beckett, the instructor,” he said, and extended his hand.
Gabi shook his hand while her insides shook at the same time. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Beckett.”
“Call me Finn,” he said.
“Finn,” she echoed, noting a few lines around his eyes. He was a little older than she’d originally thought. That made her curious.
“And you are?” he prompted.
“Gabi,” she said. “I’m the sister of the groom.”
Finn nodded. “Go fill out your paperwork. There’s a form on the counter at the cabana window. I’ll get your board. We start on the sand,” he said and walked toward a small hut. Seconds later, he brought a surf board and skin to her. “You’ll be okay,” he said.
“Yes, I will,” she said instinctively. “I’m a good water-skier and swi
mmer.”
He gave a slow nod. “Waves are different. But you’ll like it.”
Finn returned to the front of the group and began his lesson. Gabi tried not to be bothered by seeing her ex again, but she found it incredibly difficult to concentrate. At the same time, it seemed that her mind always drifted to work. The group practiced by lying on the boards, kneeling on the boards, then standing.
If that wasn’t enough, there was something about Finn, the instructor, that deeply distracted Gabi. Yes, he was ripped in a major way, but there was something more. He emanated mental and emotional strength, not just physical strength. Hmm.
“Okay, now we’re going to head out to the ocean,” Finn said.
Oops, Gabi thought. She really should have paid more attention. Gabi dragged her board into the water. She hoped she’d at least be able to mount it.
Finn walked toward her. “Everything okay?” he asked.
Gabi nodded. “Of course. I took an overnight flight, so it’s taking me a bit to catch up.”
“Don’t push yourself,” he said. “Call me if you need me.”
Gabi scoffed. “I’ll be fine.” She stepped into the ocean and was thankful for the wetsuit. The water was colder than she’d expected.
“We’re going to have you start on your stomach. Get used to the motion of the water,” Finn said. “Paddle to adjust your position.”
Gabi tried to follow his instructions. It had been a long time since she’d been in the ocean, and she realized lake water was different. Wobbling through the next steps of surfing while on her knees, she prepared herself to crouch on the board.
“Hey, Gabi,” her brother called. “Remember that time I sent a wake in your direction and you rode on your butt for at least thirty seconds?”
Gabi shot her brother a playful scowl. “Remember that time I sent a wake in your direction and you did a flip in the air and ended up doing a belly flop?”
Nick gave a good-natured laugh. “I’ll cut you some slack for the time change.”
“I don’t need any slack,” she grumbled, noting that her ex was laughing with Nick. Why had she agreed to this?
Determined, she focused on the instructor’s voice. Deep, with just a hint of a rasp, she thought. Sexy...
“Gabi, are you going to get on your board?” he called.
Gabi winced, realizing she’d allowed herself to get distracted again. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just fine.” She successfully managed to mount the board on her knees, but every time she tried to stand, she fell off. She swore under her breath, refusing to give up.
“Here,” Finn said. “Let me hold the board for you.”
He was so gentle and encouraging that she immediately relaxed. “Thanks,” she said, and although it took two attempts, she stood on the board.
“Good job,” he said. “You have a wave coming in a few seconds...”
Gabi didn’t hear the rest of what he said because she was so focused on keeping her balance. Suddenly, she felt the water push her board forward and she swallowed a squeal.
“Go, girl, go,” Finn called.
Euphoria rushed through her at the sensation of being one with the wave. One second later, the wave shifted and she lost her footing, falling headfirst into the water.
Down, down she went. Her cheek scraped the bottom and she scrambled to rise to the surface, but it felt as if everything was upside down. Panic raced through her. She opened her mouth to scream, gulping in salt water. Her eyes burned, her throat and lungs felt as if they were on fire.
Suddenly, strong arms lifted her to the surface. She spluttered and coughed as she tried to breathe. She blinked to get the stinging sensation from her eyes. “Oh, my—” She convulsed into another hacking fit.
“Shallow breaths,” she heard Finn say and Gabi tried to follow his instruction.
She choked her way through several more inhalations and finally took a tiny bit of air without coughing. She felt him lift her above the water.
“Careful,” she managed over another cough. “You’ll get a hernia.”
“You’re no trouble,” he said.
The next thing she knew, Finn was setting her down on the sand. She couldn’t remember much after drinking more than her share of the Pacific.
Gabi looked up to find herself surrounded by her brother and his fireman friends, all staring at her as if she needed to be rescued. “I’m fine,” she said before anyone could speak.
“Are you sure?” Nick asked, leaning down beside her. “You don’t look too good.”
“Thank you,” she deadpanned.
“Well, I just mean your face is kinda scratched and red and—”
Embarrassed that all these rescuer-type men were gawking at her, she pushed herself from the ground. She’d spent a lifetime trying to keep up with her brother. Even though she was tired and a little shaken from her spill, she wasn’t going to let anyone see that. “I’m ready to go again,” she said, looking toward Finn.
She saw a flash of admiration cross his face. “If that’s what you want—”
“Hell, no,” Nick said. “Mom will kill me. She’s already going to be pissed when she sees your face.”
“Oh, it can’t be that bad,” she said and pressed her fingers against her cheek. When she looked at her hand, she saw a little blood. “Nothing a dab of antibiotic ointment can’t fix.”
“I have that,” Finn said. “This is also my last class of the day. Will you take a rain check?”
Relief slid through her. The truth was, a break would do her good. “That’ll work.”
“I’ll give you my card,” Finn said. He jogged to the surf hut and brought back a tube of antibiotic cream. “Head up,” he said and dabbed her cheek, temple and forehead. “Wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to sit in the shade while we finish the class, unless you want to head back to your room.”
“No, I’ll watch,” she said.
“Grab a bottle of water from the fridge in the hut,” he told her and gave a loud whistle to the rest of the class. “Let’s catch another wave, guys.”
Gabi found the water in the fridge and a chair underneath a tree. Sinking into it, she savored the cool liquid as it slid down her parched, scratchy throat. Her gaze followed the movements of the surfing instructor. He was all muscle, and the graceful way he took the waves captured her interest. A combination of strength, control and going with the flow. It could have been a lesson in life. A surfer was making her philosophical? Gabi rolled her eyes at herself and mentally switched gears. He probably had a girlfriend. Or two. With that body, maybe three. Feeling suddenly restless, she rose and decided to go back to her room. She had work to do, and not much time until dinner.
Gabi worked until six. A call from Steven Jackson, the good friend who’d agreed to join her for this circus, interrupted her progress. “Hey,” she said. “I thought you would be in the air.”
“You haven’t looked at the weather, have you?” he asked. “The Midwest got hit by a blizzard. Everything is shut down. Nothing going out of O’Hare for at least twenty-four hours.”
Gabi’s stomach sank. Even though she and Steven were just friends, she’d counted on having him here as a buffer against any questions about her romantic life. “Oh, no.” She immediately clicked on the television and found the weather channel. Video footage featured meteorologists in driving snow. “It looks horrible.”
“Yeah, it is. I’m sorry I’m not gonna be able to make it. Trust me. I’d rather be in Kauai than stuck here.”
Gabi appreciated his sincerity, but really dreaded having to face questions from her family. “I wish you could be here, too.”
“If anyone gives you a hard time, tell them to jump in the ocean. It probably won’t be that bad. Everyone usually focuses on the bride and groom. And it’s only a few days. Maybe you
should try and enjoy yourself,” he said.
“Look who’s talking. You wrote the book on over-achieving.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well, you’ve been giving me a run for my money, lately. Promise me you’ll have a cocktail out on the beach?”
“I’ll force myself,” she said. “At least this weather shouldn’t mess up your work schedule, since you’d already booked the time off.”
“I’d made arrangements for video meetings, so nothing will change unless I add some extra calls after the weather clears,” he said.
“Sounds like you’ve got it all under control,” she said. “I’ll talk to you when I get back.”
“Give me a call. Don’t forget the meeting for the Chicago Chamber of Commerce is next week.”
“It’s on my calendar. Another assignment from my dad. He likes the company to keep a high profile whenever possible. Take care,” she said and hung up, feeling glum. At least Steven had a good excuse for not coming. Chicago was notorious for its winter weather, and though locals took blizzards in stride, the airports had been known to close down for days when treacherous weather hit. Her brother and his fiancée were lucky everyone else had flown out ahead of time.
Gabi sighed and repeated Steven’s advice like a refrain. Everyone will focus on the bride and groom. It’s only a few days.
CHAPTER TWO
UNABLE TO CONCENTRATE on work anymore, Gabi got her mai tai as Helen and Steve had instructed and went to the beach to drink it. She plopped down on the sand and took a sip. More fun to drink it on the beach, she thought, and made circles in the sand with her index fingers. The sound of the ocean soothed her nerves.
Suddenly, she heard a shriek and sand sprayed across her lap. She looked up to see a little boy wearing board shorts and a T-shirt waving a stick. “I gotta stick. Wanna pay tic-tac-toe?”
He was the cutest thing she’d seen all day. She set down her drink. “Sure,” she said. “Why not?”
The boy drew the grid for the game in the sand. “You go first,” he said without enunciating the r.
Island Promises: Hawaiian HolidayHawaiian ReunionHawaiian Retreat Page 15
