Veils and Vengeance

by Rachelle J. Christensen

  After I sorted through the last few photos, I leaned back against the headboard and closed my eyes. Images of Kyle, Jon, Neil, and Heather remained in the forefront of my mind. With a sigh, I closed my laptop and plugged it in to charge up the battery. My mind still churned with questions, but I told myself that I would see Jon tomorrow and take the first opportunity I found to ask him about the bracelet. Until then I commanded my inquisitive side to be quiet so I could get some much needed rest.

  Chapter 15

  COCONUT WATER SMOOTHIE

  Puree two handfuls of spinach with one cup filtered water and one cup coconut water. Add one cup blueberries, handful of almonds, ½ frozen banana, and blend until smooth. Serve garnished with fresh mint leaves. Kids love this purple smoothie!

  Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com

  On Wednesday we left early for another outing with the wedding party. I’d stashed the bracelet, and my argument with Luke, back at the hotel. Putting on my best smile, I was fully prepared to enjoy myself. It would be a little tricky because today both Jon and Luke would be there. I wasn’t sure how to act because Jon was nice and even if Luke drove me crazy, I still cared about him. Treating them both like good friends was probably the best scenario for now.

  Jon was charming, and greeted me with a kiss on my cheek. I noticed that Luke tried to hang back, but one of the Connelly cousins sidled up next to him. By the way she laughed and flipped her dark hair, I guessed she would do her best job to flirt. Good luck.

  Ignoring Luke, I climbed in a different vehicle with Jon, Malia, and Kyle. We chatted and laughed as we rode together toward Secret Beach. After parking off the road, we grabbed our gear and headed for the sand. It was a short walk to Secret Beach, named thus because it was only accessible by walking down a path of sparse trees about a quarter mile from the road. I stifled a laugh at the perfect Hawaiian surfer stereotype in front of me. A guy with shaggy blond hair rode a rickety bicycle with his bare feet while holding a green surfboard under his arm. He stopped on the trail ahead of us and stashed his bicycle in the grassy undergrowth. He continued barefoot toward the beach.

  “Does Secret Beach have good surfing?”

  Jon followed my gaze. “Better in the summer, but that guy looks like he knows what he’s doing.”

  As we approached the beach the vegetation tapered off, and I saw a few spindly-legged roosters strutting around the underbrush.

  “There are so many chickens running wild here.”

  Jon chuckled. “It reminds me of my favorite joke.”

  “What’s that?”

  He cocked his left eyebrow. “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

  I started laughing.

  “Wait, I haven’t even given the punch line yet.”

  “Okay, why?”

  Jon paused and then grinned. “Because he lived in Kauai.”

  “Now that is definitely a knee-slapper.” I shook my head and gave him a courtesy laugh.

  “Hey, I came up with that on my own.”

  I patted his arm. “You’re a comedian, Jon.”

  “Don’t get him started,” Kyle interrupted. “He’ll be telling knock-knock jokes next.”

  Malia giggled as Jon protested. “Hey, you laughed the first time I told you.”

  She patted his other arm. “Don’t worry Jon, I think you’re cute.” She turned to Kyle. “Just like your brother.”

  Kyle put his arm around her and kissed her cheek. They walked ahead of us, murmuring to each other.

  “Ah, young love,” Jon whispered. He carefully wrapped his arm around me. “Can I whisper sweet nothings in your ear?” Then he whispered, “Sweet nothings.” His breath sent a tingle down my spine and I shivered. Jon laughed. “You’re ticklish, aren’t you?”

  Skipping ahead on the trail, I shook my head. “Not at all.”

  Jon dashed to catch up to me and tickled my side. I tried not to but a giggle escaped, and we both broke out onto the beach laughing.

  Malia’s family was already heading across the beach to the left toward the lava rocks. Her parents wanted to see the lava pools, so Neil and Heather planned this outing for the wedding guests. Luke walked ahead with Jon’s cousin. I remembered her name now—Rianna. The twinge in my heart made me uncomfortable. I recognized the jealousy creeping up from seeing her flirt with him. At the same time, I noted Luke’s disinterest and how he seemed disconnected from the group as a whole. He hadn’t wanted to come, but Malia had cajoled him, and now I wondered if part of that insistence had come from Rianna.

  “I hope Malia’s parents aren’t too disappointed by the lava pools. I think snorkeling is much more impressive.” Jon patted the mesh snorkeling bag he had slung over his back.

  “Yeah, but you’re almost a native so you’ve already forgotten how to appreciate the everyday beauty.”

  I was teasing, but his expression took on a serious note as he turned to me. “You’re right, maybe I have been here too long.”

  I understood the meaning behind his words, and more so when he took my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine. We picked our way through the rocks, and he helped me climb up onto a flat expanse of lava rock. Wind whipped my hair around my neck and in my eyes. I pushed it out and caught sight of Luke in conversation with Rianna, their heads close together. Frustrated with myself for caring, I turned to Jon. “Thanks for showing me so much of the island. This is probably the most amazing week of work I’ve ever had.”

  “It’s been my pleasure. What else would you like to see while you’re here?”

  “I’d like to see more of the north shore,” I said. “Swimming with a sea turtle is on my bucket list, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to make that happen after what happened at Tunnels.”

  Jon cringed and shook his shoulders. “Not many turtles at Tunnels anyway. Ke’e Beach is really gentle and there are lots of sea turtles. Maybe I could take you?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Jon held my hand as we moved up into view of the Secret Lava Pools. The lava rocks jutting out from the beach formed small tide pools. By the looks of the ocean wave coming toward us, this one was refilling. A few people stepped into the water that went to their knees. The bottom looked soggy to me. Releasing Jon’s hand, I bent down and reached my fingers into the water. It seemed warmer and the bottom of the pool was soft, almost moss-like.

  “With the tide coming in, we won’t be snorkeling here today,” Neil announced. “But we wanted you to be able to see how they work. Heather and I can direct you to some better snorkeling and swimming places off the beach from where the trail head comes out.” He pointed in the direction from which we’d come.

  I followed the group to the edge of the lava rocks. There were several cries of delight as a wave crashed against the edge of the rocks and water started flowing into the pool. Turning to my right, I caught sight of a lighthouse. Jon came closer and talked in my ear above the noise of the ocean.

  “That’s the Kilauea Lighthouse.” He pointed. “It’s pretty old and not very big, but the view is pretty cool from up there, plus it’s kind of a bird sanctuary.”

  “The history of lighthouses always intrigues me.” I stared in that direction until the group started moving again. I had to watch my steps along the jagged rocks since my sandals didn’t protect my feet, and I’d already seen a couple people stumble against each other on the uneven surfaces. I heard a wave coming in and turned my head to admire the white surf rolling toward me. Wishing I had my phone or my camera on me, I took a mental picture of the rugged beauty as the water collided with the rocks and rolled over my feet.

  I felt a hand on my back and turned at the same time I was shoved headlong into the ocean. The water enveloped me before I could scream, and the force of the sea boiled around me. Was I going to be smashed into the sharp ring of lava rocks that made up the lava pools?

  My head broke through the surface just as another wave tumbled toward me. I screamed and ducked down, swimming away from the roc
ks. With arms flailing, I pushed against the water. Pain resonated in my head, but the need to breathe was more important. I had only made it a couple strokes when a strong hand on my arm jerked me in the opposite direction. At first I resisted, and I started to open my eyes before I remembered how badly salt water stung. Another jerk on my arm reassured me that this person could probably help me. I quit fighting and swam in the direction that I was being pulled. When my face came above water, I sucked in a breath of air. My knee knocked against a rock, and I stood wiping the water out of my eyes.

  “Adri, follow me.” Jon took my hand and pulled me toward the shoreline. “Step over this rock, here.” He was panting, and I was trying not to cry. My head seemed to be clogged with ocean water, a dull roar left me feeling disoriented, and my eyes were stinging from the salt water dripping from my hair. A few more steps and we were on the sand. Jon pulled me into his arms. “It’s okay. I got you.”

  I struggled to hold in my tears. The worried pitch of several voices indicated the rest of our group was approaching. I squeezed Jon tighter and he winced. Startled, I pulled back. “Are you okay?” I asked, blinking away my tears and letting out a shuddering breath.

  “I’m good. Are you hurt?” He held me at arm’s length and checked me over.

  “My leg stings.” I looked at my right calf and grimaced at the angry red scratches extending down to my ankle. Blood oozed from my ankle bone. For some reason, looking at it made it hurt even worse.

  “Let’s sit down,” Jon said. He lowered me to the sand and turned to sit beside me. I gasped when I saw the jagged tear in his rash guard on his right shoulder. I reached out carefully pulling back the fabric to reveal a six inch gash.

  “Jon, you’re hurt!”

  He sucked in a breath. “So are you. It’s never a good idea to go swimming in the lava rocks.”

  My ears popped at the same time the rest of our group caught up to us. So many voices and questions reverberated with the pounding in my skull. I closed my eyes until one voice separated from the rest. “Adri, open your eyes so I can look at your pupils.”

  It was Luke. When I opened my eyes, his face was inches from mine. My lip trembled, and I leaned forward wrapping my arms around him. He knelt in the sand in front of me and leaned over, holding me close. “Someone pushed me.”

  Luke moved back, still holding onto my arms. “What?”

  “I didn’t fall. Someone pushed me,” I repeated.

  “But how?” Luke studied me and then glanced at Jon sitting next to us.

  Jon’s expression was intent. He was probably trying to figure out what was going on between me and Luke. He shook his head. “She went in fast. I thought someone must have bumped her off balance.”

  Before I could explain, everyone was talking at once. Heather was commanding Kyle and Luke to help clean our wounds and bandage us up. She handed out supplies from the first aid kit Neil kept in his swim bag. Jon’s injuries were worse than mine. He had cuts on his shoulder, back, legs, and arms. I had a few abrasions in the same places, with my right leg being the worst.

  Neil offered me something to drink and shooed everyone else down the beach so that we could have a moment to regroup. Luke insisted on staying. He sat in the sand beside me with a worried expression on his face. “Tell me what happened.”

  I licked my lips, tasting salt on my tongue. “I was standing on the edge with everyone else when someone pushed me in.”

  Heather rubbed some salve on my arm. “You poor thing. I don’t think you were pushed, but there were too many of us on that ledge. I’m sure someone just bumped you by accident.” She treated my wounds carefully, and although I wanted to relax, I remembered clearly the hand on my back.

  “No, someone put their hand on my back and pushed me.” I turned to look at Jon and then back at Luke. “I have good balance. It wasn’t just a bump.”

  “Why would someone push you?” Neil asked. “We’re all family here.”

  Jon chuckled. “Not all of us, Dad. But I have to agree, why would someone push you?” He looked at me.

  I paused to reconsider. Maybe it had felt like a hand but it was a bag or elbow or something else. No. I shook my head, reliving the second before I plunged into the ocean. I had definitely felt the pressure of a hand on my back.

  “It’s a darn good thing Jon moved so quickly,” Neil said. “That is a dangerous place to go in the water when the tide’s coming in.”

  Jon smiled at me. “Adri did great. She was already swimming when I found her, although in the wrong direction.”

  I nodded, remembering the sensation of being pulled upward by Jon. “Thank you for rescuing me.” I reached out my hand to squeeze his. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  “No problem. I heard war wounds soften a girl’s heart.” He winked and I gave a shaky laugh.

  “If Adri says someone pushed her into the ocean, then that’s what happened,” Luke interrupted. “I’ve known her long enough to know that she doesn’t exaggerate.”

  Neil appraised Luke. “She’s definitely a level-headed gal, but we also had about fifteen people wandering around. It seems more likely that it was an accident.”

  “Then why didn’t anyone say they were sorry for bumping into her?” Luke demanded.

  “Probably because everybody bumped into someone while we were looking at the pools,” Jon said. “You seem to be making an issue out of this, when there isn’t one.”

  “Or maybe you pushed her in so you could be the hero,” Luke spat.

  “Hey,” Jon started, but Heather held up her hand to cut him off.

  “I’m not sure accusing people is going to solve what’s already happened.” Heather stood and brushed the sand off her knees. “What’s most important is that Adri and Jon are safe. Jon, why don’t you drive Adri back to the hotel so she can clean up and rest before dinner?”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Jon stood and offered me his hand at the same time Luke grabbed my elbow and helped me up from the sand.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Luke asked. He studied my face, and my heart warmed with the genuine concern I saw there.

  I leaned forward and brushed his fingers with mine. “I’m sore, but I think I’ll be fine.”

  “Do you mind if I ride back to the hotel with you guys?” Luke asked, lifting his head toward Jon.

  Jon hesitated for half a second before responding. “Sure.”

  Luke was definitely the third wheel in the back seat of Jon’s convertible on the way back, but he didn’t seem to mind. Jon gripped the steering wheel tighter every time Luke leaned forward to join in the conversation. We all talked about the island, the upcoming wedding, and carefully avoided talk of angry ocean waves at the Secret Lava Pools.

  By the time we reached the hotel, it seemed like the impression of someone’s hand had been burned into my back. Someone had pushed me. The question was, why?

  Chapter 16

  IRONING TIPS FOR SATIN

  Turn item inside out and iron with low heat or steam-shot setting on iron. If the satin is made from polyester, it is quite forgiving. Beware of antique satin as it water-stains easily. Use paper to cover small sections of satin and iron through paper on low heat.

  Courtesy of www.mashedpotatoesandcrafts.com

  Jon helped me limp into the hotel with Luke trailing behind us. “I’ll be right back,” Luke said.

  “It’s okay. I’ve got her.” Jon tried to act tough, but he was in pain. Luke jogged through the lobby with purpose. I wondered where he was headed so quickly.

  “Jon, you need to rest as much as I do.” I stepped away from him. “I can make it from here.”

  “Will you come to dinner with me and the family later? Please?”

  “How much later? I need a nap.”

  “I think they are meeting at seven.” He moved his hand toward me, but winced.

  “Your shoulder. You need to get some ointment on that.”

  Jon nodded. “Man, I hate to say it, but you’re right.
Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

  “Yes. Go take care of yourself. I’ll see you later.”

  He leaned in and kissed my cheek. After he left, I hobbled to my room and found myself thinking about Luke’s accusation. My thoughts spun as I replayed the frightening push into the ocean. I hated the feeling of insecurity and doubt welling up inside as I thought about Jon and the rest of the wedding party there. No, it couldn’t be Jon. It just wasn’t possible—or at least I didn’t want to believe it was. Separating old fears from the present helped me to look at the situation clearly. I didn’t know Jon well enough to completely exonerate him, but the thought kept trailing through my head that Jon didn’t push me into the ocean, but someone did.

  I used a cool washcloth to blot at my scrapes and sucked in a breath as the angry red scratches burned with pain. A knock on the door elicited a groan. I really needed a nap and probably some ice. I opened the door to find Luke standing there with a Ziploc bag of ice. He held it out. “Thought you could use this.”

  “How did you know?”

  He shrugged and stepped inside. “Adri, I’m worried about you. Didn’t you hit your head?”

  As soon as he asked, my head started throbbing again. I touched the right side of my skull gingerly and sucked in a breath. “I think I have a goose egg. I hit my head on a rock when I went under.”

  “Can I take a look?”

  I sat on the edge of the bed and allowed Luke to part my hair, gritting my teeth at a new flash of pain.

  “There’s some blood here. Hand me that washcloth.”

  Luke blotted at my head and even though he was trying to be gentle, the sensation made me feel nauseated. “I think I need to lie down.”

  “You have a bump and a small cut. I brought some antibiotic ointment. Is it okay if I rub some on your head?”

  “Sure.” I closed my eyes. “Where did you learn to be such a great nurse?” As soon as the words left my mouth I realized my mistake. My eyes flew open and I grabbed Luke’s hand. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”