Second Chance Bride (A Sapphire Bay Novella) (2 page)

“Good morning,” the woman said, then laughed, looking at her watch. She nodded and glanced back up at Genie. “It is still morning. Sometimes I lose track.” Still laughing at herself, she added, “Just one?” Genie nodded. The woman grabbed a menu and motioned for Genie to follow her. “Would you like to sit out on the terrace? It’s a lovely view.”

“That’d be great,” Genie said, following the woman through the restaurant. A gentle breeze blew past as they moved outside. “You’re right,” Genie said, taking in the sight of intense blue waters glistening in the sunlight. “What a gorgeous view.”

The hostess led her to the far corner table, one that could seat four. “Here.” She smiled at Genie. “This table affords the best view.”

Genie pulled a chair out and sat. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the menu from the hostess.

“Brianna will be your server today,” the woman said. “Can I bring you something to drink while you look over the menu?”

Genie thought about it briefly and decided to quench her thirst with something that had a little flavor. “Raspberry iced tea sounds really good.”

The hostess trotted away, but was back before Genie had time to take an extended look at the waves tumbling lazily toward the shore.

“My name is Marla,” she said, setting the glass of tea in front of Genie. “If you need anything else, just flag me down.”

When the waitress came around, Genie ordered a warm flank steak salad with mint and cilantro, and a fruit bowl. Once the waitress walked away, Genie checked her phone for messages. She ignored them all, except the text from Cami asking how she was doing. Genie answered back:
Fine, thanks. Looking forward to a few more lazy days on the beach and not having people pitying me
.

After she’d sent the message, Genie laid her phone on the tabletop and steered her gaze back toward the ocean. It practically hypnotized her. The resort’s guests were sunbathing on the beach. Children were playing along the water’s edge. Swimmers splashed around. Surfers road their boards out, in hopes of catching a decent wave. The scene was idyllic and, if only for a moment, chased her troubles away.

When the food arrived, Genie barely tore her gaze away from the scene as she began eating while still concentrating on the panoramic sight before her. The simplicity of the waves rolling back and forth left her with a peaceful feeling. She wouldn’t mind staying here forever.

M
arla had been watching the lone diner, the pretty girl she’d seated out on the terrace, while she ate her meal. She’d half-expected to see a man join her, but no one ever did. She couldn’t imagine the young woman being in Hawaii alone, but if she was, Marla would use it to her advantage. She headed toward the girl.

“Honey…” Marla said, standing over her. “Is your husband off working and leaving you to fend for yourself?”

“Huh?” The girl looked up at her.

“I can’t imagine why you’d be here eating all by yourself.”

“No.” She chuckled. “I don’t have a husband. I’m dining alone because I’m
here
alone.”

Marla sighed. “May I?” she asked, nodding toward the empty chair across from the young woman.

The girl shrugged. “By all means.”

“What in the world would bring someone such as yourself to Hawaii alone?”

“It’s a long story.”

Marla sensed the pain hiding behind her smile. Her sad blue eyes gave it away. “Well,” Marla said, “you’ve come to the right place, Miss…”

“I’m sorry.” The girl blushed a little. “I’m Genie Wainwright.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Genie. Where are you visiting us from?”

“California. Just outside San Francisco.”

Marla stood. “If you need anything at all, be sure to let me know. If you can’t find me, just ask around for me. I’m Marla Taylor.” After a quick smile, Marla strolled away. She had everything she needed, for the time being. For now, she was going to find out how long Ms. Wainwright would be with them. As long as she wasn’t leaving tomorrow, there was no reason in the world why she and Donnie shouldn’t meet.

CHAPTER 2

DONNIE TAYLOR HAD COME TO LEARN
that it was never a good sign to find his mother behind the registration desk. He strolled toward her with a smile, in hopes of putting a stop to her latest stunt—whatever it was.

“Mother…” He stopped across the counter from her and looked at her for a long moment. “I thought you were manning the hostess station in the Beachcomber?”

“I am,” she said.

Donnie looked around. “Mother, this is the registration desk. The restaurant is over there.” He pointed over his shoulder.

“I know. I know.” She propped her hands on her hips and shot him a scowl. “But you know all those tickets we received for dinner cruises on the Blue Pacific…the one you’re thinking about buying?” She paused and didn’t continue until he nodded. “Well, I was thinking that you probably don’t want to distribute those tickets to our guests until you’ve seen the ship. Right?”

“Your point, Mother?” Donnie cleared his throat. Marla paid no mind to his glare.

“I met one of our guests today. She’s such a sweet, sweet girl, yet so sad and dejected. Something awful has happened to her. I don’t know what, but you could give her something to smile about if you’d invite her to dinner. And if dinner was on the ship, you could cheer her up and check out the dinner cruise’s operation at the same time. Multitasking. Isn’t that what you call it?” Marla gave him that look. The one that said she had a right as his mother to demand outrageous things of him. “And you never know, you just might have a good time.”

“Mother.” He sucked in a breath, hoping it’d help him stay calm. “Contrary to what you might think, your job at the hotel is not matchmaker. In fact, you don’t have a job here at all.”

Marla marched around the counter and grabbed Donnie’s arm, leading him toward the center of the lobby. “Donnie… what’s it gonna hurt if you escort a pretty girl to dinner? She’s all alone.”

“It’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

Donnie laughed as a trapped feeling washed over him. “If she’s here alone, I’m sure it’s for a reason. And I doubt she wants me intruding.”

“Oh, great…” Marla threw her hands in the air. “You’re just going to let her wither away until her heart is beyond repair?”

“I’m sure someone is up for the task of saving her. Maybe even someone here at the hotel.” Donnie shrugged and shook his head. “But it’s not me.”

“It’s not gonna kill you just this once.”

Donnie’s jaw clenched, but he managed to get his objection out anyway. “Mother, I don’t have time to go roaming around the hotel looking to invite all the single women to dinner.”

“You don’t have to invite
all
of them. Just one.” Marla took on a triumphant smile. “And you don’t have to go looking for her.” She turned Donnie around. “She’s right over there,” she said, giving him a push in the direction of the gift shop.

Donnie scanned the area at the shop’s entrance. The only solitary person he saw was a tall, slender woman. Her long hair was dark, like espresso, her face pretty. Maybe he could just say hello. It would be rude of him not to inquire after her comfort and contentment.

As he and his mother approached the young woman, she caught sight of them and smiled. “Marla…”

“How are you today, Genie?” Marla asked.

“Wonderful.” She giggled, but there was a sadness radiating from her smile. “But who wouldn’t be in this paradise?”

“Genie, this is my son, Donnie.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Genie smiled and offered her hand. He accepted.

“Believe me,” he said. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“You work here at the hotel, too?” she asked.

He nodded.

“Yeah? What do you do here?”

Before his mother could brag about the fact that he owned the place, he said, “I do a little of this and a little of that.”

As pretty as Genie was, there was something in her eyes—agony, perhaps—that tugged at his heartstrings. It made him want to pull her to him and comfort her.

“It was very nice to meet you.” She gave him one last smile, then turned and stepped away. His heart wanted to follow her.

“Um, Genie?” He stepped clumsily after her. She glanced over her shoulder, smiled and stopped. He said, “I’ve a favor to ask you.” She waited. He swallowed the lump in his throat, or maybe it was his pride, and said, “I have to attend a dinner cruise tonight. Would you like to join me?”

For a minute, she looked liked she was going to decline, but then the a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. “Okay.” She nodded. “Might be fun.”

“Great. I’m meet you here in the lobby. At four.”

“What’s the dress code?”

He chuckled, suddenly very aware of his tan trousers and yellow Hawaiian shirt. “Everything in Hawaii is casual.”

“All right.” She nodded. “See you here in the lobby at four.”

Donnie watched her walk toward the elevators. He hoped she showed. Mentally, he calculated the odds. Forty-sixty. Thirty-seventy. Definitely not in his favor.

If he had reminded her that he owned the hotel—he was sure Marla had already brought it up—it might have increased his odds. But truth be told, Donnie didn’t want to have dinner with that kind of girl.

G
enie caught one last glimpse of Marla’s son, Donnie, as the elevator doors closed between them. He had movie-star good looks with a tall, athletic body. His hair was as dark as the night and cropped short. His eyes matched the blue water off the shores of Oahu.

She wondered what his job at the hotel really was? He’d been awfully evasive when she asked. Maybe hotel concierge or something like that. It mattered little, though. She was here to forget about that rat, Ross, and she had a feeling Donnie Taylor was a good way to start.

Genie decided to wear a dress she’d bought a couple of days ago in Waikiki. She’d been instantly drawn to the Hawaiian dress with spaghetti straps. Its red flowers against a black background was eye-catching. She’d also picked up a short cashmere sweater in black to go with it.

At five of four she grabbed her leather-cased phone, draped the strap over her shoulder, and headed out. When the elevator doors parted at the lobby, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Donnie was standing at the concierge desk, wearing a Hawaiian shirt that matched her dress. Genie’s first thought was to run back upstairs and change so he didn’t think she was spying on him. That was something Ross would’ve thought.

Before she could press the elevator button, Donnie glanced her way and smiled. Too late. She was stuck now. She felt her face flush as she stepped out of the lift.

He strolled toward her with the kind of swagger that comes from an abundance of confidence. His delightful smile made it easier to take his assurance, which bordered on arrogance.

“Nice dress,” he said.

“Nice shirt.”

“You know what this means…?”

She sucked in a breath and held it, waiting for him to say something completely unfiltered and inappropriate.

“You and I…” he said. “We’re a perfect fit.”

He offered his arm and she draped her hand around the crook of it. “You’re pretty sure of yourself,” she said as he led her toward the hotel entrance.

“No, I’m not,” he said softly as they passed through the doors. “It’s just a cover.” He opened the door to a car waiting at curbside.

“For what?” she asked, climbing into the back seat.

Donnie slid in beside her and the driver shut the door. Donnie leaned toward her and said, “Intimidation.”

Genie felt her brow furrow, unable to determine if he was talking about himself or her.

“You intimidate the hell out of me, girl.” He chuckled a bit, and shook his head.

“Me? Intimidate you?” Maybe he thought she was rich or something. Boy was he in for a shock. She and Ross had saved for over a year to afford this trip.

“You’re an incredibly beautiful woman, Genie.” His admiring gaze raked over her in ways that made her want to blush.

Me?
Genie fought hard to keep her cool by tossing in a little humor to see if it’d help. “You don’t get out much, do you?”

His laughter lightened the mood, and she was happy for it. He said, “Oh, I pride myself on being an authority on beautiful women.” He nodded. “And you’re by far at the top of the list.”

She studied him stoically as the thought
actions speak louder than words
crossed her mind. She asked, “Do women actually buy that line?”

He looked at her for a minute, really looked at her, then a sad smile tipped the corners of his mouth. Genie bet he was a good kisser. He asked, “You’re fresh off a heartbreak, aren’t you?”

Genie’s heart stammered against her chest and she felt her face flush. “Nothing I can’t handle.” It took her a few seconds to work up the courage to look at Donnie. But she might as well get it over with and set the boundaries right now. “And nothing I want to talk about, either.”

“All right.” He waited a beat before saying, “Can I ask you one thing, though?”

She raised her eyebrows to harden her glare.

“Are you really single? Or are you just waiting-on-him-to-come-to-his-senses single?”

Genie hadn’t considered that notion. She let the idea tumble around in her head. Would she go back to Ross? She’d like to think she wouldn’t. “I am,” she said, hoping to convey a measure of certainty in her words, “really single.”

He shot her sly grin. “Good.”

The drive to the marina was pleasant with Donnie naming points of interest along the way. Genie could get used to having her own personal tour guide.

“Were you born on the island?” she asked.

“No.” He shook his head. “I’ve been here for around five years. I’m originally from Texas.”

“Texas?” She never would’ve guessed. There wasn’t much about his accent that made him seem any different from the people she was used to chatting with on a daily basis. Although, now that she thought about it, Marla did have a touch of southern in her tone.

“Why does that surprise you?” he asked behind a chuckle.

“Texas.” She shrugged. “Brings to mind cattle ranches, oil wells, and somebody who sounds just like J.R. Ewing.”

“But hopefully not as ruthless, right?”