by Nella Tyler
“A bit. Let’s go inside.” He took her hand and led her into the hotel.
“Meg! There you are! We were beginning to worry.”
Megan saw Benita and Ashlee rushing toward her. She dropped Drake’s hand and moved toward them.
“Benita! Ashlee!” The three women embraced. “I’m so glad to see you.”
“We were about ready to send out the Third Marine Regiment for you,” Ashlee said.
“Sorry. There was a storm in Wayman and my flight was delayed. Then there was a long wait for a taxi. Thankfully I was offered a ride by a kind gentleman,” Megan smiled.
“How nice. I’m sure the elderly man enjoyed the company of a young woman,” Benita said.
“As would a young man.”
Benita and Ashlee spun to look at the Drake who stood just a few feet behind them. Shock was written all over their faces. Megan giggled.
Drake approached them and extended his hand.
“Hello, ladies. I am Drake Hanover, the old man who gave Megan a ride.”
Ashlee shook his hand.
“Ashlee Scott.”
Benita’s face was red with embarrassment as she shook his hand.
“Benita Vega. I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have made assumptions.”
“It’s quite all right. I intend to rub your face in it whenever I get the chance,” he grinned.
Benita was momentarily shocked at his boldness. Then she quickly recovered and placed her hands on her hips.
“And you will get as good as you give,” Benita warned playfully.
Megan and Ashlee laughed.
“We can see who prevails as the victor if you ladies agree to have dinner with me tonight,” he chuckled. He looked directly at Megan. “Will you join me?”
She looked at her friends for confirmation. They nodded.
“Yes, we will,” Megan said.
“Excellent! Meet me in the lobby at six o’clock. Does that time work for you?”
“Yes. That’s fine,” Megan smiled.
“I’ll see you then.” He then moved to the reception desk where his bag waited. Megan noticed that her bags were there as well. She watched him as he checked in.
“He may have invited all of us, but it is with you he wants to share a meal,” Ashlee said sagely.
“I so agree,” Benita said.
Megan looked at them and shook her head.
“He invited all of us to dine with him.”
“Oh yeah! He invited us as he stared at you. Come on, Meg! He’s into you,” Benita exclaimed.
“And you couldn’t have picked a hotter man. He’s smokin’ gorgeous,” Ashlee responded.
“I didn’t pick him. He scooped me up when I fell onto the baggage carousel,” Megan said ruefully.
“What!” Benita and Ashlee said in unison.
Megan explained what had occurred and her friends laughed hysterically. Megan had to laugh as well. If she didn’t, she would cry.
“Talking about mortifying.” Ashlee tried to collect herself.
“How were you ever able to face him?” Benita asked in amusement.
“I couldn’t. I grabbed my bag and got out of the terminal as fast as I could. But there was a long line for a taxi and he saw me waiting. He approached me and we started talking. That’s when he offered me a ride,” Megan explained. “And what a ride it was. He waved to his driver and a shiny black limousine arrived.”
“Whoa! You arrived here in a limo?” Benita asked in awe.
Megan grinned as she nodded.
“Yep! It was so cool! Me, a junior high school teacher, traveling in a tricked out limo. Unbelievable!”
“I am soooo jealous,” Ashlee sighed. “I didn’t even ride in a limousine for my senior prom. We had to travel in his beat up bug.”
“And Mack and I had to ride in the back seat of my parents’ car. It was so shameful,” Benita complained.
“Well, at least you went to prom. I sat at home dateless,” Megan mourned. “So this helps to make up for that disgrace.”
“Believe me, we would have rather been at home with you,” Ashlee said.
“I never understood why you didn’t get a date. You’re so gorgeous,” Benita pondered.
“I wasn’t then. My face was full of freckles and my wild curly hair was unmanageable. I was a late bloomer. My homely looks remained with me until my sophomore year in college,” Megan said.
“Then the caterpillar morphed into the beautiful butterfly. It’s no wonder that Drake has the hots for you,” Ashlee grinned. “I would too if I were a man.”
“You don’t have to be a man to admire her looks. There’s a group of women across the way giving you the eye, Meg,” Benita grinned.
Meg saw the group of ladies standing next to the indoor waterfall. They waved and she returned the greeting.
“Told you,” Ashlee said smugly.
“Let’s go before they think I’m lesbian. I like them fine, but I’m not looking for a hook-up,” Meg said.
“It might be interesting. After all, you’re here for adventure,” Ashlee teased.
Meg grabbed her arm.
“Come on!”
They laughed as they moved to the reception desk for Meg to check in. As she checked in, Meg thought about their dinner that night. There were butterflies fluttering in her stomach at the thought of seeing Drake again. The time could not pass quickly enough.
Chapter Two
Drake caught his breath when he saw Megan walking toward him that evening. He was amazed at her beauty. He remembered how lovely she was when they’d met earlier that day. She had caught his attention immediately … even before she’d fallen onto the baggage carousel. He’d noticed her hurrying to the baggage claim and admired her shapely legs and trim figure.
But it had been her face that had arrested him. Even at a distance, he could see how exquisite she was. And then when he lifted her from the moving belt, his heart had skipped several beats. She’d been shamed beyond belief but all he’d been was mesmerized. He’d wanted to run his fingers through her copper-red hair. He’d wanted to feel its texture and smell its aroma. She looked every bit as amazing now as she had then. Her friends walked with her chatting amiably. He knew that he’d be hard-pressed to give them the attention they deserved that night. They were lovely in their own right, but he had eyes only for Meg.
“Hello. You’re beautiful tonight,” he murmured as he hugged her briefly.
She pulled out of his arms and tried to still her nerves. She had not expected him to hug her. They barely knew one another.
“Hello. Thank you,” Meg mumbled. She was disconcerted and suddenly unsure of herself.
Meg looked away in the distance and took the opportunity to pull herself together as he greeted Ashlee and Benita.
“There’s an open restaurant on the premise. I thought we could have dinner there if that’s all right with you,” he commented.
“What’s an open restaurant?” Ashlee asked curiously.
He grinned.
“You’re about to find out. Shall we go?”
“Yes. I’m so curious I could burst,” Benita responded.
“What about you, Meg? Are you good with the eating there?” he asked quietly.
Meg looked around at them quickly and smiled.
“Yes. Of course. I’m excited to see the restaurant.”
“Let’s go then,” he said.
He gestured for them to move forward while he walked slightly behind them. He lightly touched Meg’s arm to pull her back with him. She looked at him askance.
“Are you all right?” he asked in concern. “You seem agitated.”
“Not agitated. Maybe a little tired. It’s been a long day,” she answered. Meg did not want to tell the true reason why she was unnerved.
“I apologize. I should have thought that you would be tired from your traveling. We could have done this tomorrow,” he said regretfully.
“No. No. Ashlee and Benita have been looking forward to this e
vening. They couldn’t wait to go.”
“And did you anticipate this night just as eagerly?”
Meg could not lie.
“Yes. I did.”
He smiled broadly.
“So have I.” He laid his hand lightly on her silk-clad back to guide her along. “I like your dress very much. It matches your striking eyes.”
Meg wore an emerald-green sheath dress. There was a two and a half inch keyhole just above her breasts. It was one of her favorite dress. Her mother, who was an excellent designer, had made it for her. She was supposed to take it on her honeymoon. Well, that trip had been flushed down the toilet. But there was no sense in allowing it to wallow in the back on her closet. Meg decided to bring it with her to Hawaii. And she was glad she had.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“It looks like it belongs on the runways of Paris. It’s very chic.”
She grinned.
“I’ll tell my mother. She will be very pleased.”
“Did she select it for you?”
“In a way. She designed and made it for me,” Meg answered.
Benita turned around.
“Mrs. Mahoney is a fabulous designer.”
“We constantly tell her she should show at New York’s Fashion Week,” Ashlee added.
“From the perfection of Meg’s dress, I agree,” Drake responded.
Meg noticed that it hadn’t taken him long to use her pet name. She was pleased with his daring. She liked a bold man who went after what he wanted. She was beginning to hope that he wanted her. Despite her friends’ enthusiasm for the two of them, she had her doubts. Probably because she had just been dumped by her two-timing ex-fiancé. His cheating had completely deflated her confidence.
“She makes nearly all of my clothes and I love them. She has an excellent eye for style,” Meg replied.
“Do you sew as well?”
“I wish! But no. I am a teacher. We all are. We teach at Lexington Junior High School in Wayman, Massachusetts,” she said.
“What so you teach?” he queried.
“Pre-construction engineering,” she answered.
“Isn’t that a bit advanced for junior high students?”
Ashlee turned to face them.
“Meg is a genius and teaches prodigy kids. Her class was specifically designed for gifted children interested in architecture.”
“Meg is very, very smart. Why she hangs with us clueless girls is beyond me,” Benita teased.
Ashlee and Benita giggled.
“You are not Chrissy Snow from Three’s Company,” Meg protested.
Drake chuckled.
“You should be proud of your acumen. I’m very impressed.”
“Some people don’t feel that way,” Meg said somberly.
Ashlee and Benita dropped back to entwine their arms about Meg’s waist.
“Don’t think about that, Meg. He was too jealous to be proud of you. It’s over and he is not worth one of your thoughts,” Ashlee comforted.
They moved toward the restaurant and spoke in hushed tones. They were trying to comfort a suddenly despondent Meg. It was fairly clear that a man had broken her heart and it happened recently. Did he want to deal with a woman whose affections may be divided? His every instinct told him to back away. But he couldn’t ignore the magnetic pull from her. He wanted to be with her and he knew he wouldn’t walk away.
“Oh my gosh! Look at this place, guys. It’s fantastic,” Ashlee exclaimed.
The women looked upward at the night sky. The restaurant had a retractable ceiling that was open to allow the sparkling stars to twinkle down at them.
“It’s absolutely magnificent,” Meg sighed. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Drake smiled.
“Like it? I love it,” Benita said in wonder.
“If you’ll come with me,” the pretty, Hawaiian server smiled.
Dressed in a colorful sarong she led them to their table on the patio next to a running brook. Meg thought the soft gurgling sounds were relaxing and peaceful. The server gave them menus.
“Would you like something to drink?” she asked.
“They have a refreshing cold fruit tea with a hint of Tequila and vodka. It’s very good,” Drake suggested.
“It sounds delicious. I’ll try it,” Meg said.
“So will I,” Ashlee said.
“Me too,” Benita added.
“I’ll be back shortly with your drinks,” the server said. She left the table.
“Have you been here before?” Meg asked.
“No. I was looking at the menu in my suite and saw the drink. It sounded tasty,” he remarked.
“And that’s how you knew about this restaurant,” Meg said.
“No. My friend, Marco recommended it to me. He said the atmosphere and food were remarkable,” he answered.
“Well, he’s correct regarding the atmosphere. It’s incredible here,” Ashlee complimented.
“You’re right. This ceiling is unbelievable. The stars look so close. I feel like I can reach up and touch them,” Meg marveled.
“It’s reflective of the mystique of this place.”
They all turned to see a man standing near their table. He was a slight man with long, black hair that he wore in a ponytail. He had the clearest aqua-blue eyes that Megan had ever seen. She felt like she was looking into the ocean’s crystalized waters. m.
“What do you mean?” Megan asked gently. She felt like she should speak softly around this man.
“Only that the restaurant pays homage to the descendants who are buried here,” he said.
“I don’t understand,” Benita said in bewilderment.
The man moved to stand beside the table.
“This restaurant, in fact this entire resort, is built on the sacred ground that holds the graves of the kamali’i of the Hoku,” the man stated.
“What does kamali’i of the Hoku mean?’ Ashlee asked.
“Children of the stars,” the man answered. “These people worshipped the stars and believed they held much power. This restaurant pays homage to those people.”
“How long ago did this people live?” Ashlee asked in awe.
“They can be dated back to the ancient times of 930 A.D. And their religion still is practiced today,” the man said.
“And the souls of these people do not mind having a resort on their burial ground?” Megan queried.
“Ancestral traditions were respected and protection was given,” the man said.
“Whoa! That sounds really deep and eerie,” Ashlee exclaimed.
“What does it mean?” Drake asked.
The man smiled and backed away.
“I have said more than I should have. I will leave you to enjoy your meal. It will be excellent.”
“Wait! What is your name?” Drake asked.
“Peleke. Goodnight.” And with that he left as quietly as he had come.
“Peleke. It’s a beautiful name,” Benita mused.
“It means peaceful ruler,” Drake said.
“Somehow it suits him,” Meg said. “He didn’t give his last name.”
“He didn’t need to. I have a feeling that everyone knows who he is,” Drake said thoughtfully. He was silent for a moment.
“You want to speak with him again, don’t you?” Meg guessed.
“I do. I will find him,” he said decisively, then picked up his menu to peruse it.
Meg had more questions but she didn’t voice them. His tone indicated that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She wasn’t sure why not, but she wouldn’t press him. The server returned and they focused their attention on ordering their dinner.
*****
They had a great time at dinner. The food was delicious and the girls found Drake to be a good company. He was smart, humorous, and well read. He could speak knowledgeably on a variety of topics and was a good listener.
“Would you like to take a walk in the gardens?
” Drake asked. They had called it a night and were walking through the hotel lobby.
“Benita and I are really tired and need to hit the sack. But Meg will go,” Ashlee said quickly.
Meg looked at her friends in astonishment.
“Meg was napping when Ashlee and I were out gallivanting about the property. We’re bushed but I’m sure she’s still fresh as a daisy,” Benita grinned.
Drake grinned as he knew what the girls were about and slightly nodded his head in thanks. He looked at a flabbergasted Meg.
“What do you say, Meg? Shall we check out the gardens?”
Meg could have strangled and hugged her friends at the same time. She wanted to spend more time with Drake, yet she was hesitant to do so. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for another relationship. It had only been three weeks since Doug had broken their engagement and her feelings for him had not vanished.
“I don’t—”
“Go on, Meggie,” Ashlee interrupted. “You love flowers. We’ll see you in the morning.”
The girls then hurried to the bank of elevators and stepped onto one of them. Meg watched the doors close in confusion.
“We don’t have to go if you’d rather not,” he said softly.
Meg turned to look at him. There was such gentleness in his eyes. How could she not want to be with him?
“I want to go,” she smiled.
“I’m glad.” He offered his arm to her.
She slipped her hand under his arm and rested her fingers just above his elbow. They moved through the lobby and exited a side door to a terrace. It was a long patio which sat above a massive garden below. There were steps that led down to the inviting garden. She could see several couples walking along the paths and bending to inhale the scent of the flowers. She realized that she wanted to do the same thing. She looked up at Drake and smiled. He returned the gesture.
“The steps are right over here.” He gestured toward the stairs and they descended them.
They walked silently down the rows of flowers. It was a companionable quiet, neither feeling the necessity to speak. Meg paused to smell many of the blossoms, each of them having their own distinct exotic fragrance. And the stars overhead illumine their beauty and cast an extraordinary aura over the garden. It was magical.
“I feel like I’m in a fairy-tale. Surrounded by captivating splendor and mystifying magic,” she whispered.
